Peter Capaldi takes over the role of The Doctor in the eighth season opener “Deep Breath,” in which the transition from the title character's boyish incarnation (Matt Smith) to the new significantly-aged version is rough on both the Doctor and his companion, Clara (Jenna Coleman). This extended segment drops viewers into Victorian London, where the pair face a dinosaur and a rash of spontaneous combustions, and they meet old allies: high-society lizard-woman agent Madame Vastra (Neve McIntosh), and her loyal soldier, Strax (Dan Starkey). The rest of the set charts the evolution of the new dynamic as the Doctor and Clara come to terms with their sudden age discrepancy, meet Robin Hood, shrink down to deal with a supposedly “good” Dalek (Nicholas Pegg), take on a mummy, and cope with Clara getting a boyfriend (Samuel Anderson), whose fate takes Clara and the Doctor on a unique journey. Series showrunner Steven Moffat tosses in assorted end-of-the-universe situations, while also introducing a newcomer to the Whoniverse: Missy (Michelle Gomez), whose obsessive interest in the Doctor is made clear in the season finale. Once a cult show, Doctor Who has in recent years found a much wider audience, thanks to witty scripts, colorful adventures, and character chemistry. Compiling all 12 episodes from the 2014 eighth season, extras include audio commentaries, behind-the-scenes featurettes, interviews, a post-premiere-episode audience Q&A, and a music video. Highly recommended. (S. Axmaker)
Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series
BBC, 586 min., not rated, DVD: 5 discs, $79.98; Blu-ray: 4 discs, $89.98 Volume 30, Issue 2
Doctor Who: The Complete Eighth Series
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