Reviews
Doctor Who Worldwide
“Overall the episode is one of contrast most notably that between the everyday realism of Clara’s world, with its occasional cursing (swearing on Doctor Who by a teacher!) and the much needed glass of wine at the end, and the Doctor’s world with is dramatic interventions and careless risk taking in order to make a difference. But of deeper significance perhaps is the contrasting movement in Clara and the Doctor’s perception of each other. If Clara is losing trust in him, then the Doctor is growing in his faith in her “I had faith you would always make the right choice.” The sad reality of Danny Pink’s line to Clara that her anger means she hasn’t quite finished with the Doctor is that the inevitable outworking of that anger is about to play out in forthcoming episodes so that one day soon she will leave him and all that anger behind. That will be a sad day not just for the Doctor but for all of us who have come to love Clara and admire Jenna Coleman’s remarkable performances. Cool animatronics aside it was Coleman’s moving and very human portrayal of the hurting companion that will have captivated viewers the most. And she is hurting not through love denied, love scorned or love lost…. but through the knowledge that the Doctor, who owes his very life to her impossible interventions, has failed to respect even those he chooses to save.”
The Independent
“‘Kill the Moon’ was an enclosed space adventure with all the claustrophobia that an episode like this demands. The spider-bacteria creatures were a wonderfully hideous touch, not to mention relevant, given the giant spider invasion facing Britain at the moment. It was hardly the strongest episode of the series but it was no car crash either.”
The Telegraph
“Kill the Moon was an imaginative piece of storytelling that combined whimsy and action. Perhaps most importantly there was an honesty about it. It lacked the clever-cleverness that has marred recent episodes and proved how good Doctor Who can be when it simply tells a story.”
Forbes
“With a better script this could have been a tour de force moment for the show, but the run up to this conflict felt forced and unnatural. Capaldi’s character has slipped back a few notches into generic Doctor, with hints of Aspergers in his inability to relate to Clara’s emotional well-being. Much like the rest of the episode, it doesn’t ring true to me… ‘Kill The Moon’ started out with good intentions, and I can imagine the one-line descriptions used to pitch it went over wonderfully. Unfortunately the promise of the pitch (and the first ten minutes of the show) was not followed up on.”
Radio Times
“It might be improbable, impossible, illogical, and clearly it defies the laws of physics and specifically gravity, but hey, this is Doctor Who and they just about get away with it. You want to believe. Or at least I do. Peter Harness’s first script for the programme is audacious, highly imaginative, and is well matched by Paul Wilmshurst’s supremely eerie, cinematic direction…. Portentous dialogue, sharp direction, urgent music and a powerhouse performance from Peter Capaldi make this one of the defining moments of the season.”
SFX
“First time Who writer Peter Harness delivers an impressive debut script, one that lightly but effectively sketches the near-future crucible of his story. It’s clearly a world where humanity has walked away from possibility, its dreams of space flight now museum pieces. But there’s a hint of something darker, too, some uneasy chapter of recent history we never see… Peter Capaldi remains infinitely watchable, and Harness’ script gives him gifts. He speaks of “Moments in which big things are decided” and it’s pure essence of Doctor.”
Den of Geek
“The best Who episodes have something to say, get under your skin, and keep you pretty much gripped until the end credits roll. Kill The Moon certainly did that, with us heading for a rewatch as soon as it was done. It has a good science fiction story underneath it, a strong dilemma, and real consequences. It also boasts - and we’ve barely had a chance to mention it - an excellent supporting turn off Hermione Norris. A real collection of riches.”
Just saw 'Kill the Moon'. Bloody hell, how many top ten Who episodes ever can one season contain? Mind-blowingly wonderful.
— Paul_Cornell (@Paul_Cornell) October 5, 2014
With his spangly jumpers, polka dot blouses and bad social skills, the new Dr Who seems to be taking a lot of cues from Smiths-era Morrissey
— Clayton Hickman (@claytonhickman) October 4, 2014
People on the daylight side - you don't get a say. That's just how the cookie crumbles. Deal with it.
— Jonny Morris (@jonnymorris1973) October 4, 2014
Bloody hell, I loved that DW ep. Seems to really be dividing people, which I think kind of suits the decisions made. No spoilers here btw.
— James Moran (@jamesmoran) October 4, 2014
I enjoyed than at. Mr Phil Nice died well.
— Nev Fountain (@Nevfountain) October 4, 2014
By ‘eck, that were great! #doctorwho
— Simon Guerrier (@0tralala) October 4, 2014
I don't think Hermione Norris told us her or any of her colleagues' names in that episode of #DoctorWho. That was a bit Eric Saward.
— Daniel Blythe (@danblythewriter) October 4, 2014
My wife is watching #doctorwho Kill The Moon. I'd normally rewatch a good episode with her. So obviously I've gone to bed
— Simon Forward (@prefect4d) October 4, 2014
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