In this second part of a 2-part story the faction of the Zygons are stepping up their efforts to wage war and UNIT are meeting the threat with counter threats so that the Doctor has to step in between the 2 and try to find a peaceful solution. Meanwhile Clara has been captured and an evil Zygon version named Bonnie is having to mentally battle Clara who is able to fight the Zygon's control of their linked minds.
Jenna Coleman gets some of her best scenes as she gets to show a full evil side as Bonnie and acts her various aspects and struggles well. I find it slightly odd in a way that Clara can fight the control and how the control is depicted but it is interesting and isn't a problem.
Peter Capaldi is as wonderful as ever and gets a tremendous speech that immediately became a famous scene in the show's history. People accuse more recent Doctor Who of preaching but I must say I think this speech is preaching more than anything Chibnall did - the difference in my opinion is that this was well very written and powerful whereas Chibnall's messages tended to be presented with weak, clumsy dialogue in a cheesy way. Here we get a strong speech and Capaldi delivering with real class. The writing of this speech may not be hugely subtle but it is a thoughtful and important moral message which with Capaldi's awesome acting makes for electrifying viewing. That alone lifts this episode to high levels but the rest of the episode is also thoroughly entertaining and dynamic.
Osgood and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart continue to be beautifully portrayed good characters and the Zygons are a fun, exciting adversary. The exploration of the Zygon mental links are done sufficiently well and there is plenty of action and good dialogue.
My Rating: 10/10.
Series 9 Episode Ranking: 2nd of 14.
Rating for overall 2-part story: 9.5/10.
Jenna Coleman gets some of her best scenes as she gets to show a full evil side as Bonnie and acts her various aspects and struggles well. I find it slightly odd in a way that Clara can fight the control and how the control is depicted but it is interesting and isn't a problem.
Peter Capaldi is as wonderful as ever and gets a tremendous speech that immediately became a famous scene in the show's history. People accuse more recent Doctor Who of preaching but I must say I think this speech is preaching more than anything Chibnall did - the difference in my opinion is that this was well very written and powerful whereas Chibnall's messages tended to be presented with weak, clumsy dialogue in a cheesy way. Here we get a strong speech and Capaldi delivering with real class. The writing of this speech may not be hugely subtle but it is a thoughtful and important moral message which with Capaldi's awesome acting makes for electrifying viewing. That alone lifts this episode to high levels but the rest of the episode is also thoroughly entertaining and dynamic.
Osgood and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart continue to be beautifully portrayed good characters and the Zygons are a fun, exciting adversary. The exploration of the Zygon mental links are done sufficiently well and there is plenty of action and good dialogue.
My Rating: 10/10.
Series 9 Episode Ranking: 2nd of 14.
Rating for overall 2-part story: 9.5/10.