Doctor Who Listen Review: 10 Things We Learned

5. The Doctor Is Becoming Increasingly Isolated

Not since the early days of the Ponds has the Doctor had a constant companion, or companions, on board the TARDIS. After Amy and Rory left for the first time, the Eleventh Doctor travelled for hundred's years alone, occasionally dipping into the Pond's, and later Clara's, lives. That's a long time to be by yourself and perhaps in light of all that we've seen recently, the cracks are starting to show. This Doctor isn't a man who likes hugs, we know that. But if Listen is anything to go by, he's also a man reduced to talking to himself, questioning the mysteries of the universe in the absence of a regular companion to bounce off. You could take the opening scene as the Doctor addressing the audience, scaring us with thoughts of the creature lurking under your bed or night. Or perhaps it's just a man that has gone a little crazy. In light of the ending, where it was revealed the creature wasn't real, you have to ask yourself just what was the Doctor seeing when the airlock opened? Has he gone completely delusional? Did Orson's growing isolation have an impact on the Doctor? Is he really broken? It will be an interesting avenue to explore as series eight continues...