When it comes to sci-fi horror, few tropes are as gripping as the unsettling silence of an abandoned spaceship or a desolate space station, where something horrific has transpired. This theme is expertly explored in the latest episode of Doctor Who, titled “The Well,” crafted by Russell T Davies and Sharma Angel-Walfall, and directed by Amanda Brotchie. This episode artfully nods to the iconic 2008 episode “Midnight,” adding layers of nostalgia and tension.
This isn’t just a repeat of past concepts; it revisits the same irradiated planet from the Tenth Doctor’s era, drastically altered by time, setting the stage for a chilling encounter. The Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, finds himself facing an old foe, now armed with a sinister twist that elevates the suspense throughout the episode.
Exploring the Unfathomable in “The Well”
The episode kicks off with the Doctor and Belinda (Varada Sethu), dressed in their eye-catching 1950s attire from “Lux,” confronted by an anomaly: the TARDIS refuses to return Belinda to 2025 Earth. With some ingenuity, the Doctor uses the Vindicator to determine their location, only to discover they’ve time-traveled 500,000 years into the future. Upon exiting the TARDIS, they encounter a military team investigating a mining colony that mysteriously lost contact for 15 days.
The Ominous Presence of a Survivor
Inside the mining facility, a haunting emptiness greets them: signs of violence, scattered bodies, and an underlying sense of dread. But there is a survivor, Aliss (Rose Ayling-Ellis), who is deaf but reads lips. Thankfully, communication barriers are addressed with the soldiers’ equipment allowing words to be projected on a screen, yet clarity becomes an issue as rising tensions ensue. The Doctor and Belinda instinctively aim to protect the terrified Aliss, while the soldiers remain on high alert, weapons drawn.
The True Nature of the Threat
As chaos ensues, Platoon Leader Shaya Costallion (Caoilfhionn Dunne) attempts to maintain control. Yet, a chilling realization dawns: the true threat lurks invisibly behind Aliss, capitalizing on her fear to dispatch anyone daring to approach her. The narrative deepens as we learn of a malevolent entity that has emerged from a vast mine shaft, leading to paranoia and violence among the colonists.
Unraveling Themes and Revelations
With Aliss as the last survivor, the entity has attached itself to her, showcasing its true nature as a parasitic force. As the Doctor, Belinda, and Shaya work to keep everyone calm, they uncover a disturbing truth: none of the colony’s inhabitants have any awareness of Earth or humanity, complicating the Doctor’s quest to return Belinda home.
The episode concludes with a twist when a soldier reports to HQ, revealing Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson) as the commanding officer, who is all too pleased about a Vindicator in action. Much like “Midnight,” the episode leaves viewers with an unsettling ambiguity—has the monster found a way to continue its rampage?
Future Adventures Await
Catch new episodes of Doctor Who every Saturday on Disney+. The teaser for the upcoming episode reveals that Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) is set to return, hinting at an intriguing journey back to Earth and perhaps delving into the ongoing mystery of May 2025.
What makes “The Well” stand out in the Doctor Who universe is its blend of suspense, familiarity, and the exploration of themes like isolation and humanity. Want to keep diving deeper? For more related insights and news, visit Moyens I/O.