10 Reactions To Doctor Who: The Return Of Doctor Mysterio
8. Nadole Silences The Doubters
Peter Capaldi and Matt Lucas’ occasional double act in the
episode was described in The Guardian’s review as a ‘pantomine treat’, but in
fact very little screen time is taken up with the two travellers together. The
comedian’s performance here has already been reigned back from his over the top
debut in The Husbands of River Song.
Matt Lucas has said that he’d expected his guest appearance in last year’s special to be little more than a cameo, but as it happened he ended up playing a major role alongside Capaldi and Alex Kingston. Lucas impressed the showrunner enough to be brought back not just as a stopgap to Pearl Mackie’s Bill (who debuts next year), but as a returning character for most of the forthcoming series.
His function in The Return of Doctor Mysterio as far as the Doctor is concerned is that of the traditional companion, but Nardole is well aware of such expectations and provides some commentary for the viewers as to why the Doctor has brought him back to life, as well as offering a hint of things to come with his ability to operate the TARDIS. He’s the typical wise man disguised as a buffoon, as seen in his occasionally perceptive comments about the Doctor, such as that the Time Lord has a tendency to go off and save worlds whenever the conversation gets too deep and personal.
There is enough quality in Matt Lucas’ performance to suggest that he might follow in Catherine Tate’s footsteps in becoming a much loved comedian turned Doctor Who star.