The Doctor and Clara arrive on a Russian Nuclear submarine just as a frozen Martian warrior is freed leading to a race to save the crew and the entire Earth. This will be a spoiler-free review, but I will have a ‘reveal box’ full of spoiler information and speculation.
To the uninitiated, this new episode features the return of a creature from the Classic series — the Ice Warriors. The last time we saw them was back in 1974, in The Monster of Peladon, and they have proven a popular adversary against both the Second and Third Doctors. A race of reptilian-like humanoids originating on Mars, their return coincides with the TARDIS accidentally materializing on a Russian submarine in 1983 (The Doctor and Clara were aiming for Las Vegas, Elvis glasses included). The Russians found what they believed to be a mammoth trapped in ice, but in actually is an Ice Warrior that gets loose just as the Doctor arrives. The Time Lord and his companion have to save the day while first winning over the distrustful Russians.
Cold War is a well written episode from Mark Gatiss (who has previously contributed episodes such as The Unquiet Dead, The Idiot’s Lantern, and Night Terrors). It can sometimes be viewed as lazy or fan service to dip into the 50 year history of The Doctor but Gatiss comes up with a great scenario to bring these favorites back, add depth to their character, and also show off something new for the show as a whole. The Cold War analogy plays out on multiple fronts, initially with the Russian crew and their distrust of each other (while conducting War game operations), their distrust of NATO, and later the Doctor and Clara upon their arrival. Throwing an eight foot tall armored Martian into the mix only serves to up the ante and paranoia.
The episode is clearly set in the 80’s, with some mildly amusing (yet heavy handed) references to Ultravox and Duran Duran, but aside from that is presented in a rather claustrophobic manner as befits the submarine setting. The set design, special effects, and lighting are all spot on and nail the period and mood of the episode. A special mention goes to the modern take on the Ice Warrior himself. The combat suit is great — enough nostalgia about the design but not too cheesy, and carrying a real menace. We also get our first glimpse of an Ice Warrior outside of its suit using some great CGI, a plot device that also changes the pace of the episode very effectively.
“Hair, shoulder pads, nukes, it’s the eighties, everything’s bigger!”
Matt Smith again is great. The Doctor faces a battle not only against the Ice Warrior but also the Russians. This isn’t so much in the action sense but more of a intellectual and political one. Convincing all sides to trust him and each other to save the day. Smith owns the role and his conversations add as much fun to the episode as the scenes of him running through a damaged and leaking submarine. As a companion Clara is still bedding in, she seems to lack the proactive nature of some of her predecessors. Being ordered to “not touch TARDIS controls” or “wait in one place” and doing so. Previous companions (Amy or Rose) would have done no such thing hence the Doctor’s confused expression at her obedience. She does volunteer to work as a neutral party in negotiations with the Ice Warrior and seems eager to gain praise from the doctor. It came across a little like she was trying too hard, but you can’t fault the effort or bravery. Their rapport is coming along well and it’s nice to see Clara really understanding the enormity of what it means to travel with the Doctor.
In guest roles, many will recognize Davos from Game of Thrones (Liam Cunningham) playing another ship Captain — here the Commander of the Russian sub. He provides a solid performance as the skeptical Captain and interplays well with the Doctor and the rest of his crew. It really is great to see such great actors playing these roles on Doctor Who and really speaks to its appeal and endurance as a show. The episode features another Thrones alumni in Tobias Menzies (Edmure Tully) who solidly delivers in the unenviable role of odious second-in-command, who is essentially responsible for all the trouble everyone is facing. And finally we have David Warner. Yes, the David Warner. This is Gul “THERE ARE FOUR LIGHTS” Madred (Star Trek: TNG) we are talking about. This is Dr. Alfred Necessiter (The Man with Two Brains), this is The MCP (Tron), this… THIS is Evil! (Time Bandits). His acting was great, but such such such a misuse of an amazing talent. So understand my ranting fully when I say Warner should and could have been used to create something truly iconic in the Who universe above that of a Russian Professor with a penchant for Ultravox.
So what other gripes do I have? Well it might sound a bit repetitive with these reviews, but again there is no real progression in the mystery of Clara. We need development/payoff soon. But that aside, it’s hard to grumble about anything else this week.
“I’m always serious, with days off…”
SPOILERS AND SPECULATION HO!
Primarily we’re on Clara watch to try and figure out any new details as to the mystery behind the ‘woman twice dead’. In continuation of my past speculations that there may be some tie-in to the return of Ten and Rose and perhaps the ‘Bad Wolf’ figure. Clara does indulge the Russian Professors 80s signing and joins in with a rendition of Hungry Like the Wolf at one point. These recurring Rose/Wolf references cannot be coincidence. Also, seems the TARDIS is growing to like Clara as it now happily translates Russian for her.
One final question… why does the Doctor have a Barbie doll in his pocket?
In summary, Cold War provided a great story with some nods to the past and good development of the the current Doctor-Companion relationship. It reminded me again of a older era of Doctor Who, back with the First Doctor when the show was intended to be somewhat educational as well as entertaining. The ‘Cold War’ theme was employed very well on multiple levels to deliver a fun, intense, and overall very satisfying episode.
