Questions, questions

Two episodes in and this series has already posed more questions than a series of Mastermind - but is that a good thing?

There's no doubting that Steven Moffat wants to challenge the viewer with this run, keep us on our toes and infuriate us with half-clues, yet more questions and mysteries.

This episode continued in that vein - ending with a massive mystery - just who is 'that girl' and how/why was she able to regenerate?

The problem with reviewing these tales is that you get to the end feeling like the events you have seen pale into insignficance given what is still to be resolved, chiefly - the identity of River, who it was that killed the Doctor at the start of episode one, 'that girl' and Amy's pregnancy.

In some ways it's a fabulous way to set things up and get us coming back for more - in other ways it may alienate some of the casual viewers who aren't prepared to agonise over and memorise every chunk of what they have seen.

This episode, and the two parter in general, felt like they posed too many questions and mysteries to be enjoyed in their own right. There was so much 'shock' and 'event' that the wonderfully spooky moments in the children's home, the clever new alien concept and the excellent performance of Arthur Darvill as the unsung Rory almost passed me by. In fact, they all did until a second watch. Less loyal viewers won't come back for second helpings.

You almost feel as though, building on what I said last week about pitching for the American audience, this series is borrowing from the style of Lost, 24 et al. That may open up a new audience but the people who watch those shows, without wishing to generalise, would appear to me to prefer a more adult drama and probably wouldn't give Who the time of day for being British and a bit silly. Maybe I'm wrong but this two-parter did have a very different, non-Doctor Who feel.

All that makes it sound as though I didn't enjoy it. I did, but I just feel as though so much is up in the air that it is hard to judge how clever this set up material was until we get the threads tied up. It is, however, better to have too much going on than not enough.

If you take the action purely on its merits there was much to enjoy. Aside from the highlights mentioned above - Canton's character grew to the point that he deserves another outing, River Song continues to bring fun to the team and Moffat still found time for some humour amid the dark, creepiness - with witty remarks about David Frost and a welcome return for the Tardis swimming pool.

The American excursion also yielded some spectacular scenery that worked much better than the Dubai visit in giving a dramatic backdrop to the action.

That said, the Area 51 detention of the Doctor didn't really make much sense to the plot, nor did the 3 month Silence hunting gap between episodes. I also thought Nixon's character was a little over the top, much like Churchill was last year. Still, it was passable and didn't grate too much.

7/10.