"Hide"

Despite the extremely negative reaction to "The Rings of Akhaten" in fandom (which is as hilariously exaggerated as these things tend to be) Neil Cross is clearly a writer to watch and we are given a chance to see what else he could conjure with "Hide". The story is obviously influenced by the work of Nigel Kneale, especially The Stone Tape (a comparison made more obvious by the early 70s setting). Cross immaculately gives his own Doctor Who spin on pseudo-scientific haunting – the journey to ‘always’ is a three minute sequence that could only work on this programme. The way the basic plot unfolds is believable (more on some of the details later) and meshes in beautifully with the concepts. The cast of characters is tiny and, although they are hardly complex, Cross manages to make them archetypal without making them clichéd and they are given a bit of originality – Emma is the sort of character that becomes the Doctor's ally, yet she never fully trusts the Doctor, even at the end. There are a few nitpicks I have concerning the finer details of plotting, however. I presume that the reason the TARDIS is able to survive in the pocket universe is Emma’s intervention, as that is when the TARDIS grants Clara access. However, this type of construction is in the fuzzy grey area between not spelling everything out and relying on fan theory. Also, I feel that the Crooked Man/Woman should have been just a threat in the pocket universe and the fact that there was another Crooked Woman/Man in Caliburn was not fully explored. Had it recently appeared? (which would make the most sense, otherwise it would have been just as much a part of Caliburn’s legend as the Ghast). The ending does work, but I can see how others might be disappointed.

Jamie Payne helms a flawless production. He has a real sense of getting scares for a teatime audience, which is good as, if any story this series cried out for dark skies outside, it is this one. His handling of the journey to ‘always’ is very low key, which is a brave, but hugely effective choice. The production team evokes the seventies very well, without making it look as garish as the real decade was. The realisation of the Crooked Man/Woman and the Ghast will cause nightmares even after the true nature of the Ghast is revealed. The supporting cast, as said, is tiny, but what it lacks in quantity is more than made up for in quality. Dougray Scott is a hugely talented actor and Jessica Raine has it in her to become a true superstar and they make the clumsy, but heartfelt budding romance between Alec and Emma truly convincing. Kemi-Bo Jacobs doesn’t have much to do as Hila Tukurian, but she is effective enough. Matt Smith is as wonderful as ever and Jenna continues to work wonders, what with her failed efforts to make friends with the other woman in the Doctor’s life.

A few nitpicks aside, "Hide" is totally effective in what it sets out to do, a wonderful evocation of BBC Ghost Stories For Christmas of the 1970s, with a dash of Sapphire and Steel. And, as far as I am concerned, so long as he does the job, Matt Smith can pronounce Metebelis however the hell he likes!

NEXT: "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS"