So far this series, we have had some amazing episodes and some not so amazing. Mummy On The Orient Express falls into the in-between category for me.
The Doctor and Clara’s relationship has hit a rocky patch, with Clara on the verge of leaving the TARDIS things don’t look too rosy for their future. The trip onto the Orient Express was meant to be their ‘last hoorah’, but for those eagle-eyed fans you’d know that this isn’t just the ordinary historic train. Circa Series 5 finale, the Eleventh Doctor took a phone call in the TARDIS enticing him on board, but at the time we assumed he and the newly-wed Ponds went ahead, but nope. In true Doctor fashion he arrives a few years late, with a new face and attitude to match.
A Mummy like creature, only visible to those about to die within 66 seconds is a great concept for a monster. The Mummy itself was a great looking creature. The way it dragged its feet as it walks towards the victim was quite creepy, and that’s good.
There were a LOT of things I loved about the episode, however some things I think brought it down.
I loved the small attention to detail in this episode. The countdown clock on the side of the screen being one, and the train carriages were something the set department should be proud of. I’ve noticed that when it comes to period designs, Doctor Who shines through. The costumes and the overall feel of the episode was also brilliant, I did feel like I was on an actual train and for a minute I forgot that they were in a studio. Another thing I loved was a certain Mr Frank Skinner, making his long awaited debut. As a fellow dedicated fan of the show he has been practically begging Moffat for a role for years and I’m so glad he got given the chance. Everyone knew not to expect world class acting with Frank, but he brought so much heart to the character of Perkins I would definitely be happy with him returning, hell, I want him as the next companion. Frank really really gave everything he had to that character and that for me outshines everything else, good for him I say. His and the Twelfth Doctor’s relationship throughout the episode provided us with a little light relief and heart, as Clara is stuck in a cellar for the majority of the episode.
Speaking of whom, I thought Clara was utterly pointless in this episode. I honestly thought considering the end of Kill The Moon last week we were going to get a much needed companion-lite episode, so when she stepped out in the TARDIS at the start I was quite disappointed. I don’t understand how she can be so angry with him last time and then magically be alright with everything again, that to me was quite contradictory. Danny is a great character and his speech at the end of Kill The Moon obviously made Clara change her views, however she had every reason (I feel) to be angry with the Doctor so therefore why pretend that everything is alright? I’m side-tracking I know.
So with Clara and Maisie, who I also felt was pretty unnecessary to the plot, are stuck in a dark cellar with only a mysterious sarcophagus to light the room for the most part of the episode, Clara isn’t really of much use. So it is up to the Doctor to figure out how the Mummy is only visible to those about to die and why the 66 second limit, whilst trying not to become the next victim. As the episode progresses it becomes clear to Twelve that the whole thing is a set up. Everyone on board the train are professors and scientists who together stand a chance of solving the mystery surrounding the Mummy, so who brought them all together? Who set it up? Well it’s ‘Gus’ the computer system of course. Now at this point I am guessing Gus is involved in something a lot bigger because how did it know the TARDIS number circa series 5? As time runs out and more people are slowly killed off, it is revealed that the victims are not random killings, but simply the mummy picking off the weakest of the lot.
Maisie becomes its next victim and in a slightly interesting twist, the Doctor forces Clara to lie to her telling her she has been saved when in fact she will be leading her to her death. Clara without much hesitation agrees and lies to her face, in a sense she becomes the Doctor. As Clara and Maisie enter the main carriage which has now magically transformed into a science laboratory, the Mummy surely appears to Maisie. The Doctor makes a bold statement to Perkins, “Give it one minute with me this whole thing will be over!” and of course, we know he’s probably right, but the arrogance that comes across is quite something. It also shows us that despite his arrogance, he IS probably the smartest man in the room and proves us all right by transferring Maisie’s grief and thoughts into his own mind, therefore the Mummy latches onto him instead. Within the minute, it’s over.
It is then revealed that the Mummy is an ancient soldier and with the words “I surrender” it stops and disintegrates. It’s a tough one for me. I would’ve liked to have finished the episode with us not knowing what the origins of the Mummy were, however at the same time I wanted to know everything, so I can’t win. One thing I do find quite hard to believe is that in all the centuries it has been stalking the soon to be dead, not one has said “I surrender?”
The end of the episode shows “Gus” the computer sucking the oxygen out of the train carriage, no survivors are required. It goes to show how alien the Doctor is as he proves how long he can last without oxygen. A quick edit cuts to Clara waking up with a blanket around her on rubble with the Doctor drawing something in the sand on the nearest alien planet. According to the Doctor he saved everyone by bringing them into the TARDIS whilst they were all passed out, part of me though doesn’t think that’s true.
A friend of mine thinks the same as me here, we think that it would’ve been an amazing plot twist if the Doctor says to Clara everyone’s been saved, but then at the very end of the episode it cuts to the Promised Land and all of them waking up, implying the Doctor only took Perkins and Clara and left the others to die. Make of that what you will.
At the very end after all the excitement, Clara is back in the TARDIS with the Doctor, Danny phones her and tells her he thinks she should leave the Doctor, but once they hang up Clara lies and says everything is fine, hoorah, the Doctor/Clara team are back together again. End titles.
Again, I get that maybe she has had time to calm down and think about her options, but let’s face it, the Doctor has completely screwed her over, multiple times since she has been a companion. Yet despite her anger before she is suddenly fine and everything is forgotten? Hmm.
Anyway, the Mummy On The Orient Express was pretty darn sweet, but with a few kinks to bring it down. I want Perkins back already, and I am now awaiting Clara’s departure. Until next week!
Latest News
