Doctor Who Series 10: 7 Big Questions We're Asking After 'Smile

1. Will Cottrell-Boyce Write For The Show Again?

Smile is the children’s author’s second Doctor Who script. His first, In the Forest of the Night was something of a love/hate episode, with some praising its ecological message and others criticising its treatment of children and mental health, in particular the anti-medication stance of the Doctor. With no script commissioned for series nine, it was something of a surprise to see him back for Moffat’s final year in charge. Did Smile justify the showrunner’s faith in Cottrell-Boyce and will he be back?

Initial feedback seems to be far more positive, but Smile is the weaker of the two series ten episodes so far. It remains to be seen how it will hold up to the rest of the series. One things certain, however. This was classic Doctor Who, if a little let down by the 45 minute format, with a long meandering opening followed by an all too rushed ending, making it hard for viewers to sympathise with the colonists.

A concept as big as this, with the clever twist of the Doctor becoming a negotiator and the two races being left to share the world together, deserved more space. Instead Smile felt like a filler episode, building albeit brilliantly the chemistry between the Twelfth Doctor and new companion Bill.

Mark Gatiss, a regular writer for Moffat and Russell T Davies has said that Chibnall is building his own team of writers, so it’s impossible to say whether or not Cottrell-Boyce will get another shot, but on the strength of his two contributions so far, and given how well he gets the target audience, it wouldn’t be a bad call.

What questions did Smile leave you with? Let us know down in the comments.