Time Heist
Synopsis:
» This is a recorded message. Interaction is not possible. The last clear memory of anyone in this room is of receiving a contact from an unknown agency. I am that agency. The details of what has happened since have been erased from your minds for your own protection. Pay close attention to the following briefing.
» This is the Bank of Karabraxos. The most dangerous bank in the galaxy. A fortress for the super-rich. If you can afford your own star system, this is where you keep it. No-one sets foot on the planet without protocols. All movement is monitored. All air-consumption regulated on pain of death. DNA is authenticated at every stage. Even your unauthorised presence on this planet will have been detected. Your lives are in danger. The Bank of Karabraxos is protected by the deadliest security system ever devised. » Today you are going to rob the bank of Karabraxos. » Welcome to the heist.«
Episode Quote:
THE DOCTOR: “Almost no-one has that number.”
CLARA: “I’ve got it.”
THE DOCTOR: “From some woman in a shop. And we still don’t know who that was.”
CLARA: (Of the ringing phone) “Is that her now?”
THE DOCTOR:” I don’t know. But there are very few people it could be.”
The Caretaker
Synopsis:
Coal Hill School has a new caretaker. He hides a strange blue box in his cupboard and carries a sonic screwdriver instead of a broom. Clara is suitably mortified, but the Doctor has got bigger things to worry about – especially when Danny Pink starts to work out just what has been going on…
Episode Quote:
CLARA: “This school is in danger.”
THE DOCTOR: “Lucky I’m here then.”
CLARA: “From you… You wouldn’t be here if there wasn’t an alien threat nearby. Your strategy for dealing with it involves endangering this school.”
THE DOCTOR: “You don’t know that.”
CLARA: “I don’t know anything – because you haven’t told me anything. Which means I wouldn’t approve. Which means you’re endangering this school.”
Other bits:
- Similarities to The Lodger with the Doctor trying to blend in, but he is far ruder and has no patience.
- Writers Gareth Roberts and Moffat also mimicked The Lodger in terms of threat level, feeling Closing Time had too much of it.
- First major appearance of recurring character Coal Hill pupil Courtney. The Doctor sees a kindred spirit in her in that she has no social niceties
- The Doctor is very rude to Danny, especially when he learns of his past as a soldier. Roberts wondered if they were going too far with it, but they kept it in anyway.
Kill the Moon
Synopsis:
The Moon has changed – and now it’s threatening to wipe out all life on Earth. But when the Doctor uncovers its secrets, he realises the situation is graver than anyone thought. Can he stand by and let humanity destroy the Moon?
Episode Quote:
Clara: “We have a terrible decision to make. It’s an uncertain decision, and we don’t have a lot of time. The man who normally helps – he’s gone. Maybe he’s not coming back. In fact, I really don’t think he is. We’re on our own…”
Other bits:
- An early script title was “Return to Sarn” but it was all a big Moffat trick. The final title isn’t a play on a Romeo & Juliet line, just something attention grabbing.
- Courtney comes on this adventure because she begs the Doctor for a trip in the TARDIS.
- Human astronauts led by Hermione Norris are trying to nuke the moon. The moon has become heavier and is washing away Earth under huge tidal waves.
- Moffat briefed writer Peter Harness to “Hinchcliffe the s*** out of it for the first half” in terms of scares.
- Originally written for Smith’s Doctor, but Capaldi works better because of his more alien Doctor.
- There’s a life changing dilemma that Clara has to face. More on that here.
Mummy on the Orient Express
Synopsis:
The famous Orient Express, thundering along on its journey across space, came to a sudden stop. The hyperspace ribbons under its wheels faded and it began to float, engines dead. Everything was deathly quiet. “And the facade drops away,” murmured the Doctor, delighted. Upon which, he found himself very much wanted. For on the Orient Express murder had been committed. And the murderer was still on board! The Doctor investigates. He raises his mighty eyebrows and thinks – with his little grey cells…
Episode Quote:
“I have been alive a very long time, and I have yet to meet a ghost or a god that didn’t turn out to be… I don’t know, sentient gas? Or technology masquerading as magic? This is no demon. Or ghost. Or curse. And I will show you it.”
Other notes:
- This Orient Express is a futuristic space train.
- Frank Skinner is playing Perkins, the train’s chief engineer.
- The title suggests a silly romp, but it is not that at all. It’s actually very dark with a lot of deaths
- It’s claustrophobic horror.
- The Mummy was deemed too scary by the BBC and will require a later time slot.
- The Mummy kills its victims by walking towards them and they only have 66 seconds to live.