Doctor Who review: The Power of Three

© BBC; Image credit: BBC

“Then why do you keep coming back for us?”

“Because you were the first. The first face this face saw. And now you’re seared onto my hearts. Amelia Pond. You always will be. I’m running to you and Rory before you... fade from me.”

Well, it’s certain, then. I suspected it before, but I know for sure after watching ‘The Power of Three’ – I want to watch the Ponds travel with the Doctor forever. And ever and ever and ever.

This wasn’t what you’d really expect from a penultimate adventure for two very long standing companions. Sure, there was an alien threat, and humanity was nearly wiped out, but what’s new there? That wasn’t the story here, though, really. No, instead what we got was essentially a love letter from the Time Lord to the Ponds – a beautiful, heartfelt admission that he wasn’t scared about leaving them behind, he was scared that they would end up leaving him behind.

Just everything about ‘The Power of Three’ absolutely sang. The writing, the performances, the set design, the gags, and the spot-on characterisation – it all worked together to create a truly marvellous episode. The alien plot to destroy humanity did feel a little expected, yes, but the thinking behind the Shakri was solid enough. Besides, the idea of the slow invasion, and the way it was executed, was enough to make up for any obviousness in the final revelation. And any chance for the Doctor to affirm his love for humanity is always welcome, especially when it comes out in lines such as, “Because that’s what they are, not pests or plagues – creatures of hope.” Lovely stuff.

©BBC; Image Credit: BBC

But really, the Shakri and the Tally and even the cubes were merely window dressing here. The real story was the Ponds and the Doctor. The real story was a look at the way Rory and Amy have built up a life for themselves in the gorgeous home the Doctor bought for them, and their contentment with that life, and even more the way that contentment seemed to spring out of nowhere and surprise them. Along with some gorgeous comedy moments, like Rory in his pants surrounded by soldiers, these emotional notes were beautifully played by Karen Gillan and Arthur Darvill. It was such a different attitude to what we’re used to seeing from companions, and yet it made total sense for the Ponds, the way we’ve seen them grow over the last two and a half series.

Chris Chibnall (who has a slightly patchy Doctor Who record) really pulled it off here. On the comic side, there were some great lines, like the Doctor describing the human circulatory system as “pitiful” and basically anything involving Brian’s Log. In fact, basically anything involving Brian was brilliant; I wish they’d introduced him much earlier, as Mark Williams has completely nailed the role. “Diligence" is indeed his middle name.

Matt Smith’s divinely wonderful face has been lavished with much praise by myself, but here he had the opportunity to show off his comic physicality; I particularly loved his little dance after Amy restarted his second heart. But far more important was his emotional journey, and Matt Smith just totally completely and utterly nailed it. He managed to take an idea that has been played in Doctor Who again and again – the Doctor’s fascination with the human life he can never experience – and made it feel fresh, by adding a note of fear that he would be left behind for this life. His vulnerability in admitting to Amy that he missed her; his assertion to Brian that he would never let them die; the quiet, wonderful scene between him and Amy on the rooftop; the whole thing was just perfect.

And the icing on the cake of the whole thing was Kate Lethbridge-Stewart. Her steeliness, coupled with her quick wit and intelligence, made her an interesting enough character on her own merits, especially when played with such coolness by Jemma Redgrave. But the fact that she was the Brigadier’s daughter, a lovely nod to the programme’s past and tribute to the late Nicholas Courtney, was just a perfect touch.

‘The Power of Three’ was a different sort of episode, a pause before they leave to pay tribute to the Ponds and the love that the Doctor has for them. This was Doctor Who firing on all cylinders, and frankly it was a joy to behold.