Doctor Who Series 10, Episode 2 Review - Smile

What did you think of this episode?

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

Series 9 has rewired my brain. I really didn't come back to it so much, probably down to the different pace of it all. But I like that pace now, I like the stories spread over two or more episodes, it makes everything else seem rushed. I cannot stop thinking about it now.

Now, I'm not saying Smile is rushed, but it is certainly a step back into 2005-2010 Doctor Who. Series 9 felt a lot darker as well, whereas this is a whole lot lighter, in more ways than one. It almost feels like the show is taking a breath after the heavier stuff before it. It's also worth noting that I watched this a few days after finishing series 9, it actually was a year and a half between them in real time. That may make it more jarring for me this time around.

"Okay, I suppose I owe you an explanation. A long time ago a thing happened. As a result of the thing, I made a promise. As a result of the promise, I have to stay on Earth."

The setup is great. A future colony where emoji has become the humans’ main language, and the adorable-but-creepy Vardy robots turn sinister. It’s a very Doctor Who idea of course, taking something modern and familiar, twist it into something unsettling, and drop our heroes into the middle of it. I especially liked the early exploration scenes, with just the Doctor and Bill wandering around the eerily empty city.

@BBC

Bill’s fresh eyes are such a highlight here. She’s noticing things we’d probably think about too, stuff Clara never needed to bring up after being with the Doctor so long. How the TARDIS works, why the Doctor does what he does, and what it means to be the person who steps in when trouble arrives. My favourite moment is when she clocks that the Doctor is basically the universe’s police, whether he likes it or not. Who do people call for help? The magic blue telephone box of course!! It’s such a simple scene, but it perfectly captures why he’s a hero without having to spell it out.

"See, this is the point. You don’t call the helpline because you are the helpline."

The first half is easily the stronger part for me. It’s tense, a little mysterious, and the emoji-as-language concept feels like it could be explored even more. Once the colonists wake up, though, it does slip into more familiar territory, which is a shame. The humans don't listen, the Vardy are misunderstood, the Doctor saves the day. By then though, I want the rest of the humans to turn to fertiliser for not listening to the Doctor.

It’s still fun, but it doesn’t quite live up to the promise of that eerie opening.

Smile still has its charm. It’s visually bright, the location work is stunning, and the chemistry between Capaldi and Mackie is lush. It might not hit the same heights as some of Twelve’s best, but it’s a pleasant, enjoyable watch, and proof that even in a more relaxed gear, Doctor Who can still make you grin.

Oh, and on a completely unrelated note, fuck off you orange cunt, and fuck off Kier you spineless Reform wannabe prick, and the king cunt can do one as well. Scum!!

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What emoji would you give this episode? A smiley face? One of those turd ones? Let me know in the comments below.

RATING: Good!

BEST LINE: They’re all over the place. Demanding independence from every planet that they land on.

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