Doctor Who: The Well Review - 8 Ups & 2 Downs
2. UP - Mercury Falling
The Well has a heap of corpses with broken bones, snapped necks, and gunshot wounds. The planet itself is a blasted heath, and once the Midnight monster emerges from behind Aliss, everyone descends into fear and paranoia. The Well is bleak, and while bleakness in Doctor Who has given us classics like Genesis of the Daleks and Caves of Androzani, it should really be used sparingly. After all, Doctor Who is a show that has hope and optimism at the very heart of it.
For the most part, The Well balances the light with the shade to great effect – the stunning starscape contrasted with the blasted surface of the planet, for example. Other times, it can be a bit grating – yes that means you TARDIS wardrobe!
The best and most punch-the-air moment of light in the episode is the Doctor's daring rescue of Aliss. It's perhaps one of Ncuti Gatwa's most Doctorish moments yet, and demonstrates how he can hold a conversation with a monster while simultaneously working out an exit strategy. Using the mercury to reflect the Midnight monster is inspired (bit Weeping Angels but we'll allow it) and is realised impeccably.