In Review: Doctor Who S2 Episode 3 – The Well

Synopsis: In The Well, the Doctor and Belinda are stranded far in the future, on the tough, brutal, inhospitable Planet 6-7-6-7, the Doctor and Belinda team up with a platoon of troopers who have been sent to investigate Colony Base 15 – a mining operation that they’ve lost contact with. Arriving at the installation they soon discover the colony has only one survivor. Something is very wrong — and that something soon reveals itself to be at the heart of the Doctor’s worst nightmares. The TARDIS duo must face absolute terror to discover the truth.

Story

The Well was everything that Doctor Who should be and then some. It utilised a fairly standard “soldiers investigating an abandoned base” story. With an absolutely flawless buildup of tension. Helped immeasurably by the episode’s incredibly likable guest star Rose Ayling-Ellis. Who played the sole survivor Aliss. The tension was drip fed until it exploded into a world-shattering climax. It was phenomenal when the planet’s name was revealed as Midnight. Calling back to the David Tennant adventure of the same name. And of course the nameless, faceless, invisible entity that delighted in death and destruction. I absolutely loved that the entity knew the Doctor’s name. Interesting as well was that nobody had heard of humans or the planet Earth in the far future. Aliss also got a great line when she said that nurses who can’t sign are against the law. Additionally, there was a nice little exchange when Cassio (Christopher Chung) told the Doctor “It’s not appropriate to call me babes.” To which 15 responded “OK hun.” Really intriguing as well was the way that Mo (Bethany Antonia) seemed to forget everything once the TARDIS had departed. As was the implication that the entity had survived and was now possessing her.

Acting

Ncuti Gatwa really turned his acting game up to eleven here. He was so, so likable at the episode’s start. Further, Gatwa really sold the Midnight name reveal. Letting us feel the Doctor’s terror and sadness; and also his great age. Gatwa’s reaction to the creature speaking the Doctor’s name was just on another level. Also brilliant was the Doctor offering himself to the entity. Which Gatwa hit just the right balance of terror and empathy for. Varada Sethu displayed great physical acting when the creature whispered to Belinda inside the airlock. I also really liked how Belinda gave the exposition in this outing. Which Sethu performed really well. Rose Ayling-Ellis was superb throughout. Really putting across Aliss’s fear and anger; as well as her moments of courage. Ayling-Ellis’s physical acting when the soldiers floated leaving Aliss behind was a real gut punch. Again, Ayling-Ellis’s micro-expressions when Belinda examined her really helped build a sense of paranoia. Christopher Chung was great as the by-the-book military officer whose methods conflict with the Doctor’s. And Caoilfhionn Dunne delivered Costallion’s dying monologue brilliantly.

CGI

The Well’s CGI was great. The effects of the sky and planets above Midnight were beautifully done. As was the deserted mining facility’s exterior. Moreover, the FX of 15 and Belinda dropping from the spaceship to the planet below were fantastic. There was also a really nice effect of the mercury pouring from the pipes. As the Doctor attempted to defeat the Midnight entity using its own reflection.

Incidental Music

The Well’s incidental music was off the charts spectacular. It was something of a guilty pleasure to hear Britney Spears’ “Toxic” as the Doctor and Belinda changed their outfits. Further, the Midnight music’s return when the planet’s name was revealed really helped create a sense of panic. The music used when Costallion shot Belinda was phenomenal. And there was a really nice mournful score that accompanied the Doctor, Belinda and the soldiers searching the abandoned facility.

Overall

The Well was a spectacular, stupendous, phenomenal episode. Russell T Davies and Sharma Angel-Walfall really pulled out all the stops here. This adventure was gripping, terrifying, weird and unsettling. Some absolutely pitch perfect performances from the writers, cast and crew. I have no complaints, I was hooked throughout. Brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant, brilliant.

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