Advanced Review Round-Up: Face the Raven

Philip Bates is a writer at Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews - All the latest Doctor Who news and reviews with our weekly podKast, features and interviews, and a long-running forum.

Things are looking ominous for the Doctor and Clara. Paired with Rigsy from Flatline, one of them must face the Raven.

Oh, but what does that mean? Well, we don’t know. There’s much we don’t know because all those advanced reviewers are keeping largely schtum. Plot twists seem the aim of the game. The majority are praising Face the Raven, nonetheless, so it seems we’re in for another treat from an extremely strong series.

Small spoilers may follow, but we won’t actively spoil the plot. Just hints.

Let’s start with Digital Spy, which teases that this is “very much ‘Part One’ of a three-episode series finale”, so it sounds like it’ll be somewhat reminiscent of Utopia, Turn Left, and Closing Time. As well as noting that Danny Pink gets a reference (take cover!), Face the Raven seems seeped in Doctor Who history, with Digital Spy noting:

“Old monsters are reintroduced – but not in the way you might expect.”

Okay, so a creature already confirmed as returning are the Judoon, introduced in 2007’s Smith and Jones. Furthermore, anyone who’s seen the TV trailer will have got a thrill from seeing an Ood and a Cyberman.

Me, aka Ashildr (and she gets another new name here too), played by Maisie Williams, is also back. The Digital Fix points to the return of another character as something to be celebrated:

“What is great is seeing Clara’s companion Rigsy back; they worked so well together in [Series 8]’s Flatline and his presence in this episode feels natural. He is an important part in Clara’s journey and you’ll find out why again this Saturday.

“Peter Capaldi and Jenna Coleman are amazing this episode, but you probably already knew that. Capaldi could recite the phone book and be mesmerising and moments like Clara versus Bonnie in The Zygon Inversion have proven why she will be missed after [Series 9] has ended.”

This episode is written by Sarah Dollard, a new face to the Whoniverse, and Digital Fix says she’s “the Jamie Mathieson” of Series 9:

“After this episode fans will be demanding that she makes a return in [Series 10] (when and how it is broadcast) and I for one wouldn’t argue with that.”

Blogtor Who also praises the plot:

“There’s not a mis-step to be found, again a mean feat given the returning characters, and you’ll be completely absorbed by the initial mystery immediately with Dollard’s terrific idea and then rewarded with her beautiful script (and it is beautiful) and performances.

“And I will politely add, this is not an episode to wait for. Or to iPlayer later, or to catch up elsewhere. Do yourself a favour and watch it on Saturday. You won’t regret it.”

Den of Geek addresses the question we all want answering: is it any good?

“Yes. Yes, yes, yessity-yes. It’s really good. It’s further proof too of Doctor Who‘s inherent intelligence, and steadfast refusal to dumb down. The Capaldi era feels, to me at least, like a vintage era for the show already.”

Doctor Who TV also says that the episode will be long-remembered for its cliffhanger, but in itself, it’s a triumph. And not just for the story:

“Director Justin Molotnikov brings over his experience from Merlin with a very visually distinct episode. It has quite a fantasy/magical feel at times. Harry Potter fans of course will also be keen to point out the Diagon Alley comparisons. There’s an appropriate soundtrack from Murray Gold too, with familiar themes becoming hauntingly relevant.”

Molotnikov helmed last week’s Sleep No More, but he’s still new to Doctor Who, so is certainly giving us some fresh visuals.

And look! The Doctor’s actually dressing smart this week, back to his Deep Breath threads! (No, not the night gown; the Bowie-esque sharp lines and stylish jacket.) I can’t be the only one applauding.

Reviews are certainly glowing, and MCMBuzz just adds to this, stating:

“The main conceit of the episode – how a major element would actually function – doesn’t bare close scrutiny (or even distant scrutiny in bad light) – but don’t get hung up on that; go with the flow and enjoy it for what it is… There is yet another one of those electrifying, elongated dialogues that have become such a strong feature of this season… The Doctor’s final line is an absolute classic – expect to see it on t-shirts.”

So that’s strong plot, dialogue, direction, acting, and music. Phew!

But before you go off for a lie-down, there’s one very important thing you must do… Watch until after the credits.

Face the Raven airs on BBCOne on 21st November, 8.10pm.

The post Advanced Review Round-Up: Face the Raven appeared first on Kasterborous Doctor Who News and Reviews.