Mission Impossible: Clara Oswald in Review – Part 2
Connor Johnston continues his ongoing series overlooking Clara’s development throughout Series 8; this time with episodes 4-6.
In a series that introduces a new incarnation of our favourite Time Lord, anyone would usually be correct in thinking that the spectacle of Peter Capaldi might overshine and steer focus away from any side characters or companions, and while Capaldi’s performance has been indeed inspired, there seems to be another equally rewarding role this series. Through both her evolutionary performance and an abundance of inspired writing, Jenna Coleman (and in turn Clara Oswald) has achieved the seemingly impossible: continuing to go from strength to strength and proving to be as much of a valued and important role as the titular character himself. Over the course of this series, we’ll be tracking the developments of Clara’s character as she is thrown into the strangest, most dangerous and most amazing environments, and hopefully watch as her popularity in the opinions of the fan base skyrocket. Our “Mission Impossible” continues with evaluations of Episodes 4-6 in Series 8, written by Steven Moffat, Stephen Thompson and Gareth Roberts respectively.
To read the previous articles in the series, simply click on the links below…
Listen – by Steven Moffat
“Fear Makes Companions of us all…”
With the fourth episode of Series 8 came an undoubtedly stunning script from show runner Steven Moffat that not only did wonders for Clara’s character, but also delivered a flawless performance by Jenna Coleman. In terms of Clara and Danny’s relationship, this was the first real step into any substantial amount of progression with the pair going on their first date which could be branded as nothing less than a messy, awkward disaster. ‘Nerves’ is what we can contribute the initial inelegance of the date to, with both parties making unconscious comments that lead to a build-up of conflicts. It carries the overwhelming theme of the episode: fear – with the resolution to the episode and reconciliation between the two enforcing the overwhelming message of the script: That fear can be a super power, fear can bring people together.
Once again this episode proves how well Clara connects with young children – a characteristic that’s been carried ever since “The Rings of Akhaten” and arguably even earlier in “The Snowmen” – through her genuine and touching interactions with the young Rupert Pink. A lot has been said about Clara’s importance to the show, and particular her apparently increasing role as Series 8 progresses. A moment that seemed to fuel the claims that she was becoming more crucial to the show’s narrative then the titular character himself was the final scene where we see Clara give a moving monologue to a young Doctor during his childhood days. Personally – I find these implications absolutely ridiculous. There is no doubt that Clara’s presence has become substantially greater thanks to a real improvement in the character’s writing when looking at Series 7B, the 2013 Specials and Series 8 in separate lights. This however is a sign of everything that has always been successful with the recent years of the show – with the companion constantly being in such a central position to the series in that through them the audience finds a window in which to connect to the universe of Doctor Who – especially noticeable now due to the concentrated alien nature of this new incarnation. If anything, the closing scene of Listen doesn’t illustrate Clara’s importance to the early stages of the Doctor’s characterisation – rather the impact that watching and admiring the Doctor has had on her, with her monologue carrying the same message she watched the Doctor give to Rupert earlier in the narrative.
Stunner Soufflé Scene: Listen, Listen, Listen. Oh how I love thee so! Once again Steven Moffat delivers Coleman with such enormous opportunity – material overflowing with potential and prospect for her to truly delve into and pull out an exceptional performance. While there are 2 choices that really stand out as “Listen’s Stunner Soufflé (‘The Bedroom Barricade’ and ‘Fear Makes Companions of us all”) – something deep inside says that it would be a crime to not choose the beautiful concluding scene of the episode as today’s winner. It’s a scene that’s been heavily debated and highly divisive among the fandom – but when stripped down to its most basic premise, we truly unlock the reason behind my own adoration for the scene. How beautiful that after over 50 years of storytelling rich in history, we can still connect to plot points and continue character development arcs from the First Doctor’s era. Clara, in a beautifully written and impeccably performed scene, in a way foreshadows the Doctor’s personal history (foreshadowing the past – only in Doctor Who) and inspires him by instilling the message that had been the background focus of the entire episode: Fear is not something to dread. Fear can bring us together, fear can make you kind… fear makes companions of us all.
Time Heist – by Stephen Thompson and Steven Moffat
“You don’t use that, okay? Promise me…”
A bank robbery, a time travel twist, rescue Mission and date number 2 – “Time Heist” was never going to be an episode that lacked adrenaline for Clara Oswald. For essentially the first time this series, the episode’s plot was one that, to its merit, focused less on Clara as an individual character and more on how she fit into the “Doctor’s team”. Now this isn’t to say Clara was without purpose for the script – quite the opposite! It’s actually quite refreshing to see Clara take a step out of the limelight in terms of having overwhelming development plots week after week.
The saying “A masterpiece is best admired from a distance” resonates throughout my review of Clara for this episode. It’s obvious that Series 8 has seen an influx of growth on Clara’s part – and what a joy it’s been to watch this depth fall into place – but what makes “Time Heist” special is that is give us a moment to take a break and admire this character that we’ve watched mature before our eyes. In saying that, Clara’s reactions to the events of the plot still serve to explore the roots of Miss Oswald in a satisfying way – particularly her “tolerance” of the Doctors actions. This is shown through her interactions with Psi, a particular highlight for the episode, through his initial opinion that Clara “makes excuses” for the Doctor’s coldness and abruptness – or as he labels it, his “professional” detachment. Clara’s dynamic with Capaldi’s Doctor is as always exemplary, but it’s the teasing of her new, more intimate dynamic with Danny that is most memorable through its short glimpses this week.
Stunner Soufflé Scene: The clear winner of this episode’s “Stunner Soufflé” scene has to be awarded to the intense and nail-biting drama that is her encounter with the Teller in the bank corridors, suitably entitled: “Don’t think”. Playing on the same enthralling tactics of “Blink” and clearly echoing the climax of Series 8’s opening adventure “Deep Breath” – where this scene separates it’s self is through the fact that no matter how much she tries, there is a very real sense of upcoming doom in the sequence. Clara can’t be her own saviour this time, that job falls to the shoulders of Psi in a touching moment where he sacrifices himself so she might live to rob another day. This highlight extends to almost every interaction between Psi and Clara, connecting with him though their mutual passion and attitude, in the same way the Doctor and Saibra connect through their isolation. Clara’s immediate grief and the impact Psi’s ‘death’ has on her is a performance out shadowed only by the joy she exhibits at the revelation that the two characters thought dead were in fact alive and safe.
The Caretaker – by Gareth Roberts and Steven Moffat
“Because I love him…”
And now we arrive at the biggie – the episode where the Doctor and Danny meet for the first time, and our poor stressed Clara is stuck in the middle trying (and failing) to keep control of everything. “The Caretaker” opens with a stunning opening sequence that paints the picture of Clara’s life as it stands: An explosion of adventure and chaos, a constant juggling act that proves to be at the best of times hard to keep contained. Again this week there is an influx of expansion on Clara’s life as a teacher at Coal Hill through both her interactions with her pupils and colleagues. Being the first REAL look into how “Miss Oswald” runs her class we get the first REAL idea of what kind of teacher Clara is. She’s very much the “cool, slightly hip, fun yet still holding a certain authority in the room” kind of teacher that you probably can’t help but get along with. There is a degree of “carefree-ness” to the way she conducts herself professionally that makes her so approachable in the school environment, but more evident than anything is her striking ability to appear as a genuine point of guidance for her students. If there was ever a line to be enough to sell her entire character as a teacher, then it would be the cracker: “Although handwriting could be better…” delivered in such a perfect way and balancing the exact amount of critic and concern to channel memories of almost every single one of my own past teachers!
Of course the main focus of the episode is based around giving substance to the developing relationship between Danny and Clara – and as it is revealed as the episode goes on, Ozzie most definitely loves the squaddie! Honesty is the main driving force in progressing their relationship, with Clara finally confessing to Danny both her true feelings and the enormity of her amazing life with the Doctor. There are moments in the episode where both Danny and Clara take on the role of being protective of each other, instilling this idea that they are both so equally and mutually respected in the relationship. Honesty isn’t always a factor that sets one free however, with Clara having to work through some of the hardest moments of the series, dare I say her entire era so far, as we watch her heartbreak caught between the a raging conflict between the two most important men in her life. The tension, the aggression and the outward hatred the two have for each other very obviously breaks Clara from the inside out, particularly during the Doctor and Danny’s argument in the TARDIS.
Clara also gets to exhibit her willingness and bravery throughout the plot, without question being prepared to put herself in the firing line to aid the Doctor in protecting the school. It’s a later conversation with Danny that makes the audience wonder if all these wonderful things the Doctor inspires Clara to do might actually be putting her in more danger than ever before. The episode concludes with Clara seemingly at harmony, with the Doctor and Danny making some progress in their mutual tolerance and now strengthening her relationship with the latter with a new bond of trust. Peace in our time… at least until next week that is! For as “The Caretaker” illustrates perfectly – The life of Clara Oswald is one that rarely slows down.
Stunner Soufflé Scene: Being the Clara-centric episode that “The Caretaker” evolves to be, once again we are spoilt for choice when attempting to highlight one scene that trumps the rest to become this weeks “Stunner Soufflé”. Incredibly justifiable and deserving choices include the bravery and ability Clara exhibits when following the Doctor’s ‘orders’ and distracts the Skovox Blitzer, or even the game-changing scene where Clara admits her true feelings for Danny and reveals the truth about the Doctor to him in the hall after being attacked. Today however, a possibly unexpected and peculiar (but equally deserving) choice comes in the form of the Ooening sequence illustrating the true impact of living 2 lives on Clara’s sanity in a humorous, yet realistic way. What’s so great about this short, yet utterly entertaining sequence, is that it illustrates the chaos that Clara’s life entails as well as showcasing her “control –freak” tendencies in a more flattering and amusing way than ever before. It also offers great insight into her relationship with Danny. I mentioned only a few paragraphs ago about how we were teased with the pairs new dynamic – but in this scene we get an in-depth look of the whole shebang! There’s an intimacy, a relaxed atmosphere and a natural buzz between the two that is so refreshingly easy to watch. Finally this scene also acts to showcase one of the main reasons Clara continues to travel with the Doctor, foreshadowing her later answer of “seeing wonders”, by emphasizing the curiosity of the Clara we first met so long ago.
Join me in 3 weeks’ time when we continue in this “Mission Impossible” – following Clara’s changing role in the series by looking at episodes “Kill the Moon”, “Mummy on the Orient Express” and “Flatline” in terms of her character.
