Doctor Who: The Well Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs
9. UP - Exploring The Well
Mark Gatiss once spoke of how the increased pace of modern Doctor Who means that the Classic era episode one cliffhanger is now the pre-titles sequence. He's definitely on to something, as the Doctor and companion rarely get as much time to explore a location before being thrown head first into adventure.
Initially that feels like the case here, with the Doctor and Belinda emerging from the TARDIS before being tossed out of a spaceship. However, we still get to see them exploring the mining facility, finding dead bodies and smashed mirrors – clues to the eventual solution.
After the whizz bang colour and spectacle of The Robot Revolution and Lux, it was a refreshing change of pace to see the Doctor and Belinda properly spend time getting to know their fellow characters and attempt to solve a mystery.
What did it all mean? What climbed out of the Well? The Beast? Why were all the mirrors broken? Weeping Angels? THE MARA?! It was utterly captivating to watch the Doctor, Bel and the team explore this creepy abandoned facility. It's a welcome reminder that Doctor Who is often at its best when it takes things slowly.