Series 10: Oxygen Advance Review
Note: Doctor Who TV’s pre-air reviews aim to be as detail-free as we reasonably can while still offering a critique, but as everyone’s spoiler sensibilities are different, we advise you read on at your own discretion.
In space no one can hear the Time Lord scream…
This week’s episode finds the Doctor, Bill and Nardole (yes, in his first proper outing this year) trapped on a space station in the future, the Chasm Forge, following a distress call. Most of the crew have been wiped out, but somehow are still standing, even outside the station. The TARDIS trio set out to avert the crisis, but it may prove more dangerous than ever, and have some dire consequences.
Jamie Mathieson’s last story in 2015, co-written with Steven Moffat, wasn’t nearly as warmly received as his debut two episodes (“Mummy on the Orient Express” & “Flatline”), with “The Girl Who Died” being more of lighthearted tale. “Oxygen” definitely sees Mathieson back on darker territory and it’s clearly where the writer shines. It is something that is comfortably on par with his first two stories.
It’s another creepier episode, although unlike “Knock Knock”, this one is a little more in your face with its horror. While never named as such, the threat of the episode for all intents and purposes are space zombies. Monsters that admittedly aren’t the most inventive of creations in 2017, and especially compared to Mathieson’s debut work. But regardless, they are still a largely effective and creepy threat here, and there’s a bit of a twist on things at least.
Series 10 has not shied away from touching some political topics so far, and “Oxygen” again follows suit. This week’s episode reflects on themes of capitalism, with oxygen being sold as the ultimate commodity. This element is also used smartly to add a heightened sense of tension throughout as our heroes find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations, with oxygen running out fast.
Peter Capaldi has had some good moments to shine in Series 10, but naturally the attention has been more on new companion Bill. This episode definitely remedies that. Things happen to the Doctor that we’re going to have to very carefully step around, but it forces Capaldi to play the Doctor in a very unique way. It’s easily his best performance of the first five as a result.
Our two (yes, two) main companions put in some excellent performances too. Bill finds herself in the worst peril she’s faced yet, and Mackie delivers. There was a moment that genuinely had this viewer concerned for her safety. For someone with a main title credit Nardole has been incredibly underused, making his appointment questionable up to now. But this is his best outing yet. Crucially Lucas isn’t just playing the comic foil here, and shows he is capable of some serious, more demanding acting when required, especially in his final scenes this week.
Our TARDIS trio team up with a few survivors on the space station, notably Kieran Bew as Ivan and Mimi Ndiweni as Abby. There’s not a great deal of depth to the characters, but they serve their purpose in the narrative well enough. The blue-skinned alien, Dahh-Ren (Peter Caulfield) allows for one of the best gags of the episode, which finds Bill in an awkward situation.
The episode largely impresses with its visuals thanks to returning New Who director Charles Palmer. Granted there’s the ever-present corridors making up most of the space station, but for Doctor Who’s budget there’s some striking space sequences. There are also some brilliantly eerie shots of ‘zombies’ lurking into frame. Murray Gold compliments with an unnerving and understated score.
Ultimately, “Oxygen” is a strong return to form for writer Jamie Mathieson. A tension-filled, creepy outing that ends with a shocking cliffhanger. Definitely don’t miss this one live!
