Another
great episode. I love the way this story
takes ordinary elements of London – underground stations, pigeons, homeless
people on the street – and weaves them into legends. “Blackfriars” also has a fantastic bit about
the city's lingering history. “There's a
lot of time in London, and it has to go somewhere.” What a line!
You
may notice that I'm getting stingier with the details. A necessity, I'm afraid. I may wind up needing to be cautious
describing any multi-episode appearances by PC, but especially with a
miniseries like this, a self-contained story that's plainly building to a
dramatic finish. I'll do what I can to
keep spoilers at a minimum.
But
if you're reading my accounts of Capaldi Fall, you want to know about PC, and
you might be getting antsy after the last two meager offerings. Well, “Blackfriars” gives you a nice long
look at Islington to make up for the glimpses of earlier episodes.
First
impressions show him to be an angel in a gentle, unassuming way. Richard, a skeptic about all things London
Below but especially about Islington, quizzes him on his angel cred. Islington, however, doesn't rise to it. He is merely an angel, and Richard's cynicism
doesn't concern him. After Door's
efforts to find him, Islington quietly points her in the next direction on her
quest.
PC
is pretty excellent here. It's such a
soft performance, but it carries a lot of weight. There's an undercurrent of weary pain running
through Islington's scenes, whether he's comforting Door on the loss of her
family or remembering the city that had been in his care before London
Below. You can feel the years he’s live,
the things he’s seen. If anyone has
doubts about PC's ability to carry off the 1000+-year-old aspect of the Doctor,
send them here.
Accent
Watch
No
emendations needed, I'm pleased to report.
Definitely RP, probably the best I've heard from PC so far.
Warnings
In addition to the previous warnings for Neverwhere, “Blackfriars” includes some implied torture.
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