Jamie Mathiesons Flatline and Mummy on the Orient Express are a remarkable achievement for a writer new to Doctor Who. His plots are whimsical yet logical and his monsters well realized. He does not shy away from difficult questions and takes the time to develop his characters so that even those incidental to the story are engaging and worth getting to know. He is a welcome addition to the team. The story was well served by the efforts of the special effects department. The train animation was a bit subpar but the devolution of people and objects from three dimensional to two was intense and creepy. Peter Capaldi continues to shine, tempering the cool brilliance of an advanced being with the bewildered confusion of a man trying desperately to understand people so very unlike his own. Its interesting to note that in contrast to his more recent incarnations he is quite willing to allow others besides his companion to see and even ride inside the TARDIS. He is grumpy and snarky and downright condescending at times but we never lose sight of the Doctors charm. While Flatline was a relatively Doctor-light episode, Capaldi lit up every scene he was in.
Mary Ogle is the author and illustrator of “Orangeroof Zoo” a whimsical tale of magical realism told through the pages of a coloring book for adults. Working as a professional artist in the digital medium, Mary’s commissions have included everything from fine art to fan art, book cover design, illustration and book layout. Find more of Mary’s work at www.maryogle.com. Mary currently finds inspiration in the Ojai Valley, residing in a snug little cottage with a recalcitrant cat.
