Doctor Who Review: Into The Dalek - 7 Thoughts On A Fantastic Voyage

By Mary Ogle /

2. Choice And Consequences

The difference between a soldier and a slave is free will. When Gretchen chooses to sacrifice herself so that others might live she is breaking her programming. Humans may be hard-wired to survive but Gretchen overrides that instinct for the greater good. It must be a huge surprise when she wakes up to tea in a so-called heaven. Something tells me the mysterious Missy isn€™t an angel €“ well perhaps an avenging one. The Doctor gives the dalek the gift of free will but he doesn€™t like what the dalek chooses to do with it. But that€™s the thing about free will €“ it€™s out of any other person€™s control. The freedom to choose makes for a messy universe but it also engenders the potential for a better one. Is the Doctor a good man? Of course he isn€™t. He€™s not a bad man either. As Clara states, the important part is that he€™s trying to do the right thing. That€™s all any of us can do. Life isn€™t clear-cut.