Doctor Who Series 7, Episode 1 Review: Asylum of the Daleks

What did you think of this episode?

• Sonic!
• Good!
• Bumpy-wumpy!
• Exterminate!

Series 6 was an odd one, and I think Doctor Who needed a strong start to series 7, so was that what happened? Find out in my review of Asylum of the Daleks...

To start off, the premise is simple but effective: the Doctor, Amy, and Rory are kidnapped by the Daleks and forced to enter the Asylum, a planet where the most dangerous and insane Daleks are imprisoned. I am sold already!!

"How much trouble, Mr. Pond? Out of ten? Eleven."

The Daleks have a more eerie and unpredictable presence than they had had in a while. The idea that even the Daleks fear their own kind is a chilling concept, and the ruined, deranged Daleks make for some genuinely unsettling moments.

@BBC

The big surprise on the original watch was of course Jenna Coleman making an early arrival as Oswin Oswald, months before she was due to appear as the new companion. Something similar has happened recently with Varada Sethu as both Mundy Flynn and what we assume is Belinda Chandra to come. I don't feel like there was all that much chatter about this. Maybe I missed it with my exit from Twatter.

Jenna Coleman is instantly engaging, bringing a mix of intelligence, humour, and warmth to the role, as well as being smoking hot! Sorry, I couldn't not say it! The twist - that she had been converted into a Dalek all along - was brilliantly executed, and the tragedy and mystery surrounding it all really did thrill me. It still did to this day.

"Are those things eggs?"

I won't lie - I had my reservations about the mysteries surrounding Clara. Series 6 had set so many mysteries up only to disappoint with each and every one, would we get a satisfactory pay off this time around? I actually think we did to be honest, but we will come to that. So while Oswin’s story was compelling here, I wasn’t entirely sure how well it would be handled in the long run.

@BBC

Amy and Rory’s subplot, dealing with their strained marriage, was another interesting angle, though perhaps a little too out of the blue to really work. Their divorce storyline felt like it came out of nowhere and was wrapped up almost as quickly as it was introduced. We are getting divorced, oh actually no we aren't!

"These are the Daleks who survived me."

The episode looked cool as well, from the snowy hills to the dark and dingy corridors full of dormant Daleks. The parliament of the Daleks was fucking epic as well!

I bloody love the ending - the Daleks forgetting the Doctor and Matt Smith's reaction to it wer top notch. It added another intriguing layer to the series. This point didn't really matter all that much in the end, but it was fun whilst it lasted. As an episode, Asylum of the Daleks was a thrilling and bold way to start the series, bringing tension, mystery, and a fresh take on the Daleks.

I loved it, Mr. Moffat, all is forgiven!

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What did you think of this episode? Let me know in the comments below.

RATING: Sonic!

BEST LINE: "Fellas, you’re never gonna stop asking."

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