The Zygon Inversion 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.

One of Steven Moffat’s stated goals with Series 9 was to make sure each half of the two-part stories this year felt distinct from one another, and that has been evident throughout this run. That doesn’t change in The Zygon Inversion.

In Peter Harness’ conclusion, co-written this time with Moffat, we open with a fantastically surreal pre-title sequence that sets the tone for things to play out a little differently. Indeed, this second half drops much of the scale of the previous half and larger variety of locations in favour of something more confined and character-based. So much so that the last third of this episode is basically one protracted dialogue sequence.

Now of course we’re going to have to address the elephant in the room concerning several characters’ fate at the end of last week’s instalment, so best get it out of the way early. If you are a spoilerphobe you’re advised to stop reading here. For everyone else we’ll continue in the next paragraph…

Given the promotional material, not to mention the basic premise of the show riding on it, it’s safe to say the Doctor will carry on in some form in this episode. We won’t say how, but what a showpiece episode it is for Peter Capaldi. It’s hard not to hype up, but Capaldi really does get one of, if not the best, scenes of his tenure as the Doctor so far in a lengthy dialogue scene that can only be described as epic. It’s at least 10 minutes or so and much more than Matt Smith-style showboating.

Jenna Coleman is no slouch either. As we saw Clara is stuck in a Zygon pod leaving Bonnie to assume her identity and take over. That doesn’t mean regular Clara is out of the story entirely though. It is something that is done in a clever way allowing Coleman to play two distinct versions and even converse. Coleman is clearly having the most fun playing a different side, but what’s more surprising is that Bonnie is given more depth here than you might probably expect from a villain.

Ingrid Oliver’s Osgood also benefits greatly from this instalment, with her best characterisation to date. Yes, we even learn her full name. With Clara obviously unable to fulfil the role of companion, Osgood makes for a fine substitute. Capaldi and Oliver strike up a great rapport as they rush to avert the threat and save Clara.

Kate Stewart was another character that was left in peril last time we saw her, but all we can say about that is there’s more than meets the eye and a moment that will leave many fans cheering. Sadly, Rebecca Front’s Colonel Walsh is completely abandoned in this half of the story, which seems a very odd omission after the set-up.

Something that should also be noted is that this is actually a bit of a creepier episode than the first half. Along with the aforementioned surrealism, director Daniel Nettheim injects some Zygon body horror into proceedings, which makes for an uneasy watch (in the best way possible).

So all in all, this is a very satisfying conclusion and, in a turnaround to usual trends, may actually prove to be better than the part proceeding it. While some may miss the scope of a grand-reaching plot, it’s made up for with its characterisation.