First of all, this episode has one of the most undramatic titles EVER. While it's important to the episode, I think they could have come up wth something more exciting than Closing Time. But it does make you think: is it really just the shop's closing time?
What shop? I hear you ask. What problem was there with the shop? The alien invasion, only really emphasised along with the continuous power cuts, was a minor part of this story. And I think even the main theme, the Doctor teaching Craig how to be a dad to Stormageddon, and the friendship the Doctor has with Craig, is minor. This story is about a Time Lord visiting the best and most uncomplicated mate he's ever had for the last time.
The relationship between Matt Smith and James Corden, and therefore the Doctor/Craig relationship, is handled brilliantly. It's not quite as good as it was in The Lodger, but it's nice to see their relationship without the interruptions from Amy. Craig is much the same as he was in The Lodger, but now he's a dad, it adds to his character. The Doctor is also on top form.
When the Doctor faces the Cybermen, it's amazing. Why hasn't Matt Smith faced these creatures properly before? He only has a small amount of screen time with the Cybermen, but he's a perfect match for them, and the lines he delivers in the scenes with the Cybermen are fantastic. The Cybermen themselves are also back on top form, and the pre-titles sequence in the changing room is brilliant. We just needed more of the Cybermen!
Overall, the episode would have been suited better to the Sarah Jane Adventures. Blowing the Cybermen up with love is a bit naff, and the Cybermen weren't used enough. BUT. This episode wasn't about the Cybermen. It was about Craig, the Doctor, and the Dark Lord of All (aka Alfie). And therefore, the resolution suited it perfectly. And the scenes with the Cybermen were excellent.
The other theme of this episode, is obviously the Doctor's death. And it's threaded through brilliantly. Conversations with Alfie about having a good life, and the Doctor's speech about his time running out are fantastic. And this is the Doctor's last day.
Though did any one else find those conversations with the kids a bit confusing? I thought they were young versions of the shop workers. But there you go. They were witness accounts.
And the scene where River meets Kovarian, before being put in the spacesuit is brilliant. And the eerie Tick Tock Goes the Clock song sung over River underwater is perfect. It's scary, it confirms all our theories, and it's the perfect scene and lead to the finale.
I have high hopes for the finale. Closing Time was a good episode, with perfect acting and really good scenes throughout it. But the finale has to be even better than that.
Tick Tock Goes the Clock
Til River Kills the Doctor....
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