So, “Dinosaurs on a Spaceship.” With a name like that and the ever-disappointing memory of Snakes on a Plane (OK, it wasn’t that bad, but it certainly wasn’t good), it’s probably best to set expectations pretty low on the second episode of this new season, right?
Wrong. Absolutely wrong.
You wouldn’t expect it, but it turns out “Dinosaurs” was a fantastic episode. In fact, if this episode is any indication what the standard episode of this season will be like (i.e. the ones not written by Moffat that push the overall plot forward), then it seems that the third series with Eleven could be the best yet. Things are bigger, the episodes have a movie-like quality and the execution is pretty fantastic across the board, to the extent that Doctor Who is — dare I say it? — pure fun. And goodness, what a change-up that is.
It’s easy to get the feeling that Moffat is trying to do something very different with this season. The Pond’s are leaving but not just yet, and with a new companion usually comes a shift in tone — so this emphasis on outlandish fun is indeed a bit shocking. That’s probably the most surprising element of the episode overall; Who has very much relied on a formula of being pseudo-horror in a sci-fi program with mysteries that put our heroes in life-or-death situations they have to solve their way out of. It’s not necessarily bad and it has its purpose, but there’s something to be said for an episode with bantering robots, a bit of playful sexism, an Egyptian queen and, yes, dinosaurs that are on a spaceship. If Eleven is the manic Doctor, then it’s about the show seemed to match the same mental pace that he has.
Of course, the most interesting aspect about the episode isn’t that it’s fun, but rather that it’s pretty excessively subtle. For the most part the non-Moffat Who episodes usually just tell a tale, get in and out and move on, but not this one. By splitting up the Doctor from Amy and putting her with his new “gang,” we begin to see the influence he has on his companions, to the extent that you can see that Amy is the Doctor. She has her own companions, she has similar quirks, coy flirtations and the desire for new knowledge and experiences; if the Doctor were a female, he would be Amy Pond at this point. Watching this dichotomy play out is rather exciting throughout the episode, and as we get closer to the Ponds leaving it’s nice to see the positive influence the Doctor can have for a change.
The other thing that really sells the episode is the guest stars. While usual players Smith, Gillan and Darvill all do quite well (Gillan actually stands out quite a lot in this episode, as noted), the various additions to the cast truly make this an episode to remember. Mark Williams as Rory’s father is the new Wilfred Mott, and considering how affable he is throughout the episode you’d hope to see him again assuredly. David Bradley as the sinister Solomon is great, although you’d think he’s doomed to play entirely unlikable characters forever (Walder Frey, Argus Filch). Rupert Graves seemingly steps out of his own box with Riddell, a wildly entertaining (albeit sexist) Quartermain pastiche, a complete contrast of his apathetic Lestrade from Sherlock. In contrast to him, Riann Steele’s Nefertiti is very much the Pond of season 5, self-assured and strong, very much in charge of an impossible situation.
And, of course, David Mitchell and Robert Webb as the two robots is absolute comic perfection (“Mr. Manners!”).
So while the episode title is certainly lacking, the episode itself is not, and that’s a very pleasant surprise. Chris Chibnall clearly loves the Silurians between this and “Hungry Earth”/”Cold Blood” but he proves that when used in the right context anything can work quite well. Add to that some sharp direction by Saul Metzstein that truly brings out the best of in everyone in this episode and you’ve got what may end up being the most rewatchable episode of the season. It’s a bit early to call, sure, but hey, there are dinosaurs on a spaceship. What more do you want?
