Doctor Who: All 40 Steven Moffat Episodes Ranked From Worst To Best
33. The Bells Of Saint John
It's not long before the Doctor has to make a difficult choice: the tweed jacket or the purple Victorian frock coat? He chooses the latter, which complements Matt Smith's Doctor, and actually really suits the man in general.
The Doctor is so wonderfully caring and sweet when tending to Clara's bedside with water, flowers and of course, half-eaten Jammy Dodgers. His brilliant oddness when licking the leaf from Clara's 101 Places to See scrapbook captures a perfect snapshot of Smith's exuberant eccentricities in the role.
Overall, there's a Matrix-style feel to the episode, what with the hacking into and sudden stopping of people; the trapped and tormented individuals seen on tiny screens are akin to those surrounding the Architect; and the visible blue data stream.
The technology-based synopsis means the reset factory settings button makes for a convenient conclusion. Although only a show like Doctor Who, or a heavy psychological drama, could get Celia Imrie to ask for her mummy and daddy - the meaning behind that was pretty chilling. Incidentally, the Amelia Williams novel was a lovely little touch.