We went forward last time, so the tradition to go backwards right after, Thin Ice serving as a balance to last week’s futuristic episode Smile. A jaunt to nineteenth century London that not only allows the BBC costume department to flex it’s muscle, develop the understanding between the Doctor and new companion Bill, but also to tackle the timely issues of racism and exploitation of the poor.
THIN ICE Synopsis”
London, 1814. The entire city has turned out for the biggest Frost Fair in decades! But beneath the frozen Thames, revelers are disappearing, snatched through the ice. Pulled into the depths where a terrifying monster lurks. Will the Doctor and Bill stop the slaughter before they too are dragged into the icy waters?
You might think it’s a scripted spectacle, but these ‘Frost Fairs” that form the centerpiece of the episode were actual occurrences in London, happening many times over a span of hundreds of years. After 1814, they never occurred again. Thin Ice is one of those lovely little entries in the series that fill in a historical gap with a fantastical explanation, courtesy of writer Sarah Dollard. A giant, aquatic creature been imprisoned under the river, a by product of it’s digestive system is a “super coal” being used by a wealthy local to further his own ambition as well as his coffers. Of course you need to feed the beast to get the product so these Frost Fairs are organized to get people on the ice. Whn the Doctor and Bill discover his plans, he looks to blow up the ice and plunge everyone on it into the depths to feed the creature for one big last payday.
It’s an element of history that provides the episode with some marvelous visuals. A village of working class folk setting up a settlement on the ice. Market stalls, homes, entertainers including jugglers and sword swallowers, even an elephant trotted out to show how thick the ice is. Yes, that was a thing that actually happened. The BBC costume department reiterate their worth, the Dickensian feel extending beyond the pickpockets and urchins. It feeds a tangible sense of class divide, an inherent part of the plot with the “haves” feeding off the misfortune of the “have-nots”. The era, and presence of Bill, also opens up dealings with racism. She’s at first cautious about her presence in this era and then surprised by the presence of so many people of color. The Doctor’s “history’s a whitewash” comment seemed flippant (although tinged with judgement), but shamefully doesn’t make it any less true. While not the first black companion (miss you Martha!), Bill’s presence is a welcome return of opportunity, afforded the writers due to the showrunners embracing diversity in regards to casting choices.
One of the best things about the episode is that it veers away from the more technobabbly explanations, instead there’s a Sherlock aspect to proceedings. Solving a mystery, noticing clues, the Doctor also prompts/pushes Bill to observe and make choices too, furthering the teacher/student relationship. As an audience, we’re seeing them figure each other out as well as the problems rather than being burdened with having to figure out a wider mystery about her character. It’s not all rosy for the pair, the Time Lord’s indifference to the death of a child tests the trust between them. Bill’s shock and anger (great work by Mackie) at this boys death is later tempered by a lovely little speech that re-frames the Doctor’s earlier ambivalence, or rather his way of handling losing someone. He moves on so he can save other people. It’s the perfect way of summing him up. Capaldi continues his great work, this setting bringing out more of a playful vagabond, in a way he feels more like Two, Patrick Troughton’s intergalactic hobo at times. Stealing food, admiring pickpockets, eating local cuisine and reading stories to children, but tempered with the acerbic nature of Hartnell’s One.
Vault Watch:
We only get a look at the vault the Doctor is (meant to be) standing watch over at the end of the episode and it’s pretty evident that he’s not not protecting something in there, but keeping something trapped.
The last time knocks were tied to a villain…well.
Next week’s episode is entitled Knock Knock, which could allude to the plot as well as more info about what/who is in the vault. From trailers it seems pretty clear who it is though.
Thin Ice is an enjoyable romp through Georgian England that showcases ones of the more fantastical curiosities of London life, the Frost Fairs, while providing a quintessentially “Who-ish” explanation for their existence. Excellent development of the Doctor/Bill relationship, top production values, a fun story with a moral message, and the Doctor punched a racist in the face. What more do you need?