It may be a little early to judge just what is underrated or overrated from Series 8, since it still feels a little like it only just finished, and even if it didnt itll take a while for these episodes to settle into the places theyll hold in collective fan opinion. That being said, Into the Dalek is an episode that generally hasn't received a lot of appreciation thus far, so it deserves some. The main draw here is probably Capaldi himself. From his entrance, where the Doctor saves Journey Blue, to the ending where the Doctor hasnt quite achieved his aim in turning a Dalek good, he is utterly electrifying. Every line is delivered to perfection for his slightly-darker interpretation of the Doctor, an impressive feat given that this is only his second episode. Hes helped by a very solid supporting cast as well. Michael Smiley and Zawe Ashton give solid performances as the Blues, as does Jenna Coleman who is enjoying herself opposite Capaldi as much as she seemed to enjoy playing opposite Smith. Ashton and Coleman even have some great chemistry together, creating a fun dynamic between Clara and Journey in the climatic stages of the plot, so that while Journeys request to join the Doctor on his travels is a little out of the blue (pardon the pun), its not entirely unwanted. Thematically theres also a lot of interest to be found here. Ford and Moffat borrow Whithouse trick of exploring the Doctors morality by contrasting him with that of a villain. They up the stakes a little, though, as this time that villain is one of his mortal enemies - a Dalek. This allows for the story to fully explore the Doctors prejudice against the pepperpots of fury and gives a refreshing take in which its not the black and white of the Doctor being all good and the Daleks being all bad. Additionally, it riffs on the sublime Dalek in its invoking of the idea that the Doctor being a good Dalek, too, bringing us full circle from that episode and exploring that idea to its full potential. Theres also a ton of slow motion exterminating, ad who doesnt love that? What do you think are the most underrated episodes of the revival? Let us know in the comments below.
