Time Heist Spoiler-Free Review
Note: While this review refrains from mentioning plot specifics, read on at your discretion.
One vault, one team poised to try to rob it, and one time travel twist. Yes, “Time Heist” delivers exactly what the title promises.
It opens with an intriguing hook as the Doctor, Clara and two apparent strangers, hacker Psi and shapeshifter Saibra, wake up in a dark room with no recollection of how they got there (thanks to some memory worms). All they find is a recording with orders from a hooded figure known only as the Architect. The gang are told to rob what is said to be most secure bank in the galaxy and that their very survival depends on it. And so begins our adventure.
Coming immediately after the acclaimed “Listen”, “Time Heist” is inevitably cast under the shadow of the former. It also comes from half the mind of a writer with a mixed Doctor Who past, Steve Thompson. His previous efforts, “The Curse of the Black Spot” and “Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS”, received a polarising reception, to put it mildly (though DWTV rather liked the latter). Fortunately “Time Heist” is a solid, if unspectacular instalment.
Despite the caper-y nature of the plot this adventure takes itself more seriously than you might expect, but far from a dark episode. It’s also probably the most conventional episode of Series 8 yet, though it comes with a bit of trademark timey-wimey. With no arc progression either, it’s very much a standalone adventure that could have come from any other series. To that end there’s little character momentum for either the Doctor or Clara, though perhaps after last week that’ll come as a welcome break to some.
Actress Keeley Hawes headlines the guest cast as the villainous Ms Delphox. Despite Hawes’ acting pedigree sadly there’s simply not enough for her to get her teeth into here. She’s the archetypical villainess and there’s not a great deal to separate her from ones in the past. The character is only afforded a bit of depth and nuance towards the very end, but by then it’s really a case of too little, too late.
Also up against our team is the Teller, a fearsome being that can detect guilt. While the monster is fairly imposing in all its rubbery glory and makes for a pretty threatening foe thanks to its unique ability, there is a late reveal that may remind viewers of one of last year’s more divisive episode endings.
Jonathan Bailey of Broadchurch fame and the lesser-known Pippa Bennett-Warner complete the guest cast line-up playing the aforementioned Psi and Saibra, respectively. They’re likable enough with decent performances, but like Ms Delphox, they aren’t hugely fleshed out.
While last week’s adventure was shrouded in dark and terror returning director Douglas Mackinnon turns his hand to something a bit lighter and more fun. As Doctor Who’s take on a heist movie it’s suitably stylish with caper-esque transitions and those classic slow-motion group shots of the our besuited gang looking cool, all complemented by an spry soundtrack from Murray Gold.
All in all, “Time Heist” delivers an entertaining enough instalment, but it’s probably not going to be topping many fan favourite lists.
Doctor Who TV Verdict: 7/10
