Hmmm - I rather enjoyed bits of this episode so why the lowest score of the series so far?
It comes down to three things:
1) What was the point of the episode? I couldn't discern one as the focus kept shifting. Was it explaining Elton's obsessions? Was it (like "Greatest Show in the Galaxy") another pop at "Doctor Who " fans? Was it that love can conquer all? Or was it again a study in those 'left behind' ? Even the episode of 'Confidential' that followed, nominally about new technology, was all over the place.
2) Important things were again left barely or completely unexplained. The pivotal despatch of Elton's mum was relatively skipped over with some sentence about a 'living shadow' and the Doctor getting there 'too late'. The backstory was absent. Equally with Victor Kennedy/the Abzorbaloff - we're just forced to accept that he likes (possibly not 'needs') to absorb people, but why these people and why at the random slow cull. And if he needs these people to find the Doctor, why get rid of them? And why HIS obsession with the Doctor - why would he taste much better (the Wire's reasons were clearer)?
3) It's going to be a cliche for this one but "it didn't feel like "Doctor Who"". It was more like some BBC3 comedy-drama that was crossing over. It would be a BBC3 comedy drama that I'd watch and enjoy, but that's not the point.
So what did I enjoy? Peter Kay was brilliant in the dual part - especially the contrast in character and accent between the two forms. I think this is the first monster we've had with a Lancashire accent, whereas Victor was much more effete and 'received pronunciation'. I also liked the cane - though it's actual purpose was rather clumsily thrown in without any preamble.
This was also one of Jackie's finest 45 minutes - Camille Coduri was the most prominent 'regular' here and got to show every facet of Rose's mum in one episode. This was most obvious in the sequence where she attempts to seduce Elton , purposely spilling red wine on him (so that he'll have to get his shirt off) only to get a mobile call from Rose which completely diverts her mood and later still scolds Elton for deceiving her. It also made me wonder how she'll deal with the events of "Doomsday" (in which she is also key, apparently) and realise we'll soon be saying goodbye to her character too.
Murray Gold had a light workload here, as much of the musical duties were handled by the ELO which made a nice twist. A pity that none of my real faves were there, though fans of "Mr Blue Sky". "Don't Bring Me Down", and "Turn to Stone" will have been chuffed. And Il Divo fans also got nod, thanks to Jackie's dubious taste.
Also a big thank-you to prosthetics maestro Neil Gorton who massively improved upon the initial Abzorbaloff design and threw in a tremendous (un-named) bonus monster too.
Anyway, I'll be watching the repeat tonight but I feel a 7 is apt.
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