Doctor Who Season 10: 5 Ups And 2 Downs From 'The Pilot'

1. Bill Arrives As An Excellent Companion

Like with Nardole, I had some reservations about Pearl Mackie's Bill. This was largely based on the brief clip (which is taken from this episode) that aired during the FA Cup last year, whereby she seemed a bit annoying, the humour forced.

In keeping with the theme of admitting I was wrong, then (saves you a job at least), Pearl Mackie totally steals the show.

With more context, the scene we witnessed previously comes across a lot better, and she is capable of holding together the episode - because this is very much her story.

Almost from the moment she steps into the Doctor's office she's immensely likeable, and Mackie has already characterised her as someone who is intelligent, funny, charming, and yes, also a little bit dim. A lot has of course been made of the fact that she's gay, and that does feed nicely (and naturally) into the character and story here.

Unlike a lot of companions (and this extends beyond Who), she has actually seen a few sci-fi movies, which makes for a refreshing change of pace, and it's fun to hear her ask the big questions too: "Doctor What?" and "Where's the toilet?"