"The Bells of Saint John"

"The Bells of Saint John" is a strangely old-fashioned story – an odd thing to say about something which is just as energetic as we have come to expect from 21st Century Doctor Who. However, it feels more like a RTD era story than any other since Moffat took the reins. Nevertheless, it still has the unmistakeable mark of Moffat to it, especially in the way it keeps its various narrative plates spinning and things like the random diversion to the Cumbrian monastery in 1207 (not the best time for monks or legendary outlaws). The foe in the WiFi is, fittingly, something that seems both very Moffat and very RTD, but the concepts are still sound (Moffat is inspired again by his superlative short story "Corner of the Eye") but, despite the seriousness of the threat, one thing that becomes obvious is how much the Doctor is in control at all times, never being outmanoeuvred for long – no sooner is a petard deployed than the Doctor ensures that the foe is hoisted by it. However, Moffat is far too good a writer to become repetitive and just when it becomes a bit too obvious that the story was written by a man in his fifties (not even 'not knowing about the internet' would preclude any 24 year-old making a joke about Twitter) such things as Clara’s use of the webcam and the Doctor’s use of his Spoonhead feel joyous, rather than stale

A probable reason for Moffat giving the Doctor such an apparent easy ride is the fact that, despite this being her third appearance, we still know less about Clara than we did about Rose, Martha, Donna and Amy after their first episodes. This is obviously deliberate and, with all the plates that Moffat has to spin, there has to be a sedate core for the character to even start to settle in the viewer’s mind. This is, of course, assisted by Jenna-Louise Colman’s performance and Matt Smith’s wonderful chemistry with her and Clara certainly feels like a character, rather than a plot device with a pretty face, which is the important thing. Colm McCarthy helms a very confident production, equally adept at the comedy, the menace of the Spoonheads and the awesome sight of the Doctor racing vertically up the Shard. and a fine supporting cast. Celia Imrie never fails to be excellent in whatever role she is in and the brash confidence of Miss Kizlet is well played, which makes the performance of the final moments of the character all the more jarringly effective. The main villain is revealed to be the Great Intelligence which, apart from meaning the very welcome return of Richard E Grant, hopefully bodes well for the return of its more corporeal and fuzzy embodiment.

I have to say that this is probably my least favourite season opener of the Matt Smith era – the fact that we still don’t know much about Clara at the end (deliberately) makes this story a bit harder to love than the others. However, I have absolutely adored the others, so that is no real insult. In any case, "The Bells of Saint John" is still a hugely enjoyable 45 minutes of a programme that is entering its 50th year with panache.

NEXT: "The Rings of Akhaten"