Thin Ice [TV/2017.4.29]

★★★★☆

  Thin Ice is being celebrated a lot more these days, and I couldn't be happier about it. If anyone were to ask me a nice 45-minute episode of Dr. Who with a golden heart, I'd point to this one in a heartbeat. The Twelfth Doctor -- and let's face it, the Doctor in general -- has seldom been written as charismatic, charming and morally complex (yet undoubtedly good), and I have to tip my top hat off to Sarah Dollard for understanding the character to such an enormous degree. This and Face the Raven have convinced me that she was one of the best television writers to contribute to the Twelfth Doctor era, and I wish so badly for her to come back.

  This is an episode to watch with absolute comfort, with the assurance that you'll be entertained, moved and taken care of. The first three episodes of Series 10 are Steven Moffat's vision of a 'back to basics' clean sweep, introducing a new companion and giving the audience the backseat as she and the Doctor take trips around the universe. It helps immensely, then, that Pearl Mackie delivers such a stunning performance here; she's awed at the prospect of being in the past, horrified by the nature of a monster living under the Thames and angered by the racism that so many people hold in this era. When Bill confronts the Doctor about his morality and the amount of people he's killed, you can see the pain and whirling emotions in her eyes, her tone of voice... and you don't just get that from an actor. They have to be fully committed to the role, and talented beyond belief; Mackie proves that she is, indisputably. Peter Capaldi, another amazing actor, is at his most charm offensive here with all the casual thievery, taking care of street urchins and racist-punching, and he works wonders with his shared screentime with Mackie. How can you not fall in love with the two instantly? How can you not love this wonderful adventure -- so reminscent of Torchwood's similarly amazing Meat but with a uniquely Dr. Who spin -- with all its whimsical moments and appeal to the best of humanity? Tell you what... for me, it's a strong contender for the Top 10 Capaldi era list.