The Doctor is (back) in.
Series Nine of Doctor Who kicked off this past weekend and did so with style. After Peter Capadli’s initial run in the T.A.R.D.I.S. we get to see where he takes the role in his second year. Jenna Coleman is back (but not for much longer apparently) as Clara and Michelle Gomez also returns as the villainous Missy.
“The Magician’s Apprentice” was a very satisfying episode of Doctor Who. It had connections to older Who, but also kept things fresh with the return of Missy and the very creepy Colony Sarff. In past seasons it felt like Moffat and company wanted to ease us into the season, but “The Magician’s Apprentice” hits the ground running.
Here are some other, mostly spoiler-free, thoughts about “The Magician’s Apprentice.”
1 in 1,000
The episode opens on a boy in a minefield, surrounded by the creepiest looking mines I have ever seen. The Doctor appears and says the boy has a 1 in 1,000 chance of surviving. This boy stands at the center of the episode, as does all the potential for that 1 in 1,000 chance. Our lives are filled with potential; one choice could lead us down so many different roads. Most of our choices aren’t filled with as much drama as a 1 in 1,000 chance of surviving, but we should still take them seriously. If we want to live lives of purpose and worth, then we need to mind our choices. Well, most of our choices; I don’t think our significance hangs on whether we have Lucky Charms or Coco Puffs for breakfast.
Crisis
Hunter and prey held in the ecstasy of crisis. Is this not life at its purest?
This line from the episode struck me, just the thought of crisis being the purest form of life. Most people would say that life is at its purest during those moments we want to last forever: first kisses, birth of a child, the sun setting over the Pacific, seeing Star Wars for the first time. However, I tend to agree with the statement above: life is about the crises. It’s in moments of crisis that we really learn about ourselves. If we find the strength to move forward in those moments, then we are able to grow and become more the people we were created to be. It’s also in moments of crisis that our faith is best tested, hopefully forged in the fire and strengthened.
Shame
Shame runs deeply through this episode. Shame is one of those emotions that we don’t like to feel; we don’t even like to see fictional characters experience shame. However, shame can be a powerful emotion if appropriately applied to our lives. Shame is a terrible companion but an incredible deterrent. Shame is great at keeping us from doing something that would leave us ashamed. But we shouldn’t carry shame over what we’ve done in the past. Jesus’ death and resurrection have taken care of our sin so we no longer have to carry our shame.
“The Magician’s Apprentice” was a great start to series nine. As it was a two-part episode, I’m really excited to see its conclusion and its repercussions. It is enjoyable to have the Doctor back in our lives.
What did you think of “The Magician’s Apprentice?”
I've just discovered the Doctor this post summer through Netflix. My son and I aren't quite caught up to the current season yet but I hope to get there soon! It's great to have a show we can watch together that works on so many levels.
The episode made me feel like I'd eaten too much ice cream: I enjoyed every bite of it, but regretted it afterward because I'd consumed a lot of sugary, empty calories.
I am a huge Moffat fan, and I loved the performances in this episode, and had a lot of "wow, cool" moments... but in the end, there's no "there" there. Seems like all the meaty stuff was held back for next week - in which case, why bother making this a two part episode (with not one but two online prequels/prologues, to boot?)
I am a little surprised to find you agreeing with Davros that life is, at its heart, about crisis. I don't think the Dark Lord of Skaro is talking about crises wherein we learn something about ourselves, or our faith: I think he's reducing life to survival of the strongest (borne out by his subsequent request that the Doctor admit, "Compassion is wrong"). Struggle is a part of life, yes, but "life at its purest"? Well, gosh, I sure hope not. I appreciate your sentiment, but I don't think it is Davros'.
Lucky Charms is the food of the elect, my friend. Leave Coco Puffs for the cuckoo reprobate. 😉
Enjoyed your review, as always!