So here we are, the first trip in the Tardis and we are taken to New England (that's in the future and not America) This story had a lot going for it. The Smilers, Steven Moffat, and a space whale and that's before I even mentioned the Demon Headmaster, a man who helped terrify me in my childhood.
This story should have been about a society in decay, worshiping the great unseen monster that slumbers in the depths and to an extent we got this. However the story lacked something that would push it into the truly terrifying. As my esteemed reviewer has already commented on, Terrance Hardyman was a wasted opportunity. It may have been typecasting, but he should have been in a role where he was the baddy, controlling the country.
However despite the story's failings there were two highlights. Firstly I thought Amy Pond was brilliant. The crux of the story rested on her and she made it work. She saw the Space Whale as she saw the Doctor, a benevolent old guy who came to rescue crying children. Karen Gillan was, on the basis of this episode alone, the perfect cast. She's brilliant and I expect more from her in the future.
The second was Matt Smith as the Doctor. I loved the moment where he proclaims the only thing he can do is kill the space whale and then have to find a new name as he won't be the Doctor. He knew what he had to do was not the Doctor and if he did it, he would have to become something new.
Also the ending was great. Winston Churchill calling the Doctor and the shadow of a dalek/ ironside on the wall. All in all an episode of missed chances, but still enjoyable. 6 / 10
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