Some transitions between Doctors and their companions were more graceful than others. Rose helped us bridge the gap between 9 and 10 by being the only companion in the modern series to stay with a doctor through his regeneration. When 11 was introduced, however, the entire series was rebooted. New doctor. New companion. New writing staff. New TARDIS. We were able to deal with it though, because it felt like, for the first time since Rose, the Doctor had a family. Now we are faced with another huge shift as the Ponds leave. I wondered: would we have a refreshing, witty duo like 10 and Donna, or will the two be a flop like 10 and Martha? (Admit it. You were kind of relieved when she left.) OR is there still room in our hearts for another Rose or Amy?
We begin the first Pond-less episode with a small boy who talks to a snowman. The snowman tell him he doesn't need the other children...and like most closed-off children who talk to snowmen, this small boy becomes a twisted old man who creates an army of killer snowmen to rule the world.
We are quickly re-introduced to the Doctor's new companion, Oswin, who we met in "Asylum of the Daleks". She's a bit like Donna in that sense because we had already met her and were at least somewhat familiar with her style. We also know she was a Dalek. So she has that going for her.
Oswin's first episode not as a Dalek was a smashing success. Oswin is clever, funny, and unfazed by the supernatural even though she stems from Victorian England. It would appear she is just what The Doctor ordered as we see he has been living in exile...having "retired" from saving the world...apparently too distraught over the loss of The Ponds.
Why The Doctor would be staying in Victorian England during his so called "retirement" is a mystery unless you watched the "minisode" that explains how Madame Vastra called him there. Don't remember who Madame Vastra is? No remember...she's one of those Silurians...the green lizard things that all look the same. She almost killed Amy once...but then she helped saved Amy with her maid...who is also her lover...remember that? Well you must remember the Sontaran, Strax, (you know...those other aliens that ALL LOOK ALIKE) who died in "A Good Man Goes to War"....but then was brought back to life by someone we don't know or get to see? Well...now he's Madame Vastra's servant (as also described in the minisode you probably didn't watch).
Perhaps I'm just a terrible Who fan...but NO, Steven Moffat. I don't remember these characters. Probably because they were insignificant to the plot, and quite frankly, a little obnoxious. Yet, they are brought back in this episode and shoved down our throats. I spent the entire episode trying to figure out why I should care about them, and more importantly, why the doctor should care about them. This was the weakest plot line of the entire episode. The characters were distracting...making the story line more complicated than it needed to be, and even felt a bit preachy at times when Madame Vastra explains her maid is now her wife. Call me a bigot, but I'm kind of grossed out by the alien/human relationship. Just seems wrong. Sorry.
Also, when did the Sontarans become ridiculous? I thought they were mindless killing machines? Why is Strax instead used as comic relief when he is generally just not funny? Too many questions Steven Moffat. Too. Many.
But I digress. Because, Sontarans and Sulurians aside, the transition from The Ponds to Oswin was rather masterfully done by Moffat. We see that the doctor has taken time to mourn the loss of his latest companions (something that he did NOT do after Rose...which left with that dirty cheating feeling), and we feel an odd sense of closure with their story. This will certainly change as I know we have not seen the last of River Song, but at least for now, we are able to move on.
The interaction between the Doctor and Oswin is quick and witty...at times a bit too Doctor and River-esque...but intriguing just the same. Oswin is clever and beautiful...much like the Doctor's other companions. And...like most of his companies she is rather fond of him, in a "more than friends" kind of way...which is infuriating seeing how 1) the doctor is...well...married, and 2) as far as we know...supposed to still be in love with Rose. It was so nice when Amy got over that whole "I'm in love with the Doctor" thing. In any case, the two have great chemistry which makes for good TV.
We also feel that Oswin is good for the Doctor because she's the only one able to pull him out of isolation, and her very existence gives him hope. She is the souffle girl he couldn't save. She represents his fallen "Children of Time" ("Journey's End"), and the greatest guilt The Doctor feels...that he could not save more of those who aided him on his journey. Yet, here is the souffle girl...reincarnated, and redeemed from the Dalek shell she lived in. That is why we like Oswin, because she gives The Doctor hope...and brings him back to that old Doctor we know and love.
I'm exited to see where the new season will take us...and especially about the 50th anniversary tribute we've been promised. Hopefully it will force Moffat to renounce his vow to forget seasons 1-4 ever happened. Until then, we can look forward to the always brilliant performances by Matt Smith, and the intriguing newcomer whose entrance into the Doctor's life shows real promise for a great series...as long as we leave the Sulurians and Sontarans in Victorian London.
Grade: B-
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