The fact that the title suggested so much and Neil Gaiman (sci-fi novelist of great repute) was penning this episode led to much anticipation from Doctor Who fans as to what should be a cracking episode. Did the story live up to the hype however? Absolutely.
The story centres around the Doctor picking up a Timelord distress call which lures him to a sentient planet called House. However House had lured other Timlords there before and killed them all so that he can mine the energy from the Tardises that have landed there before. He attempts to take over the Doctor's Tardis by taking out the central Matrix and placing it in a living body leaving the machine vulnerable.
The central conceit that the character Idris became the human embodiment of the Tardis was very special. She is the Doctor's "Wife". She is his one true love, his constant companion throughout all his journeys in time and space, unlike the other "strays" he brings aboard for short durations. But what would happen if these constant companions finally got the opportunity to talk to each other? The affection portrayed by Suranne Jones as Idris and Matt Smith was simply exceptional and their touching "Hello" as opposed to goodbye was arguably the most moving moment since David Tennant's regeneration scenes.
Neil Gaiman gave not only great dialogue to Idris and the Doctor but also suggested that by the Tardis being unlocked when the Doctor 'borrowed' her all those aeons ago, she in fact chose him to go on many adventures with. A lovely idea which turns nearly 50 years of one of the programme central themes on its head.
Special mention must go to Suranne Jones who portrayed the necessary eccentricity of a woman sent half mad by the Tardis inhabiting her very being, but also played the sensitive scenes with aplomb. An instantly like able character which of course the Tardis had to be. And plaudits to Matt Smith who had to portray anger at being given hope that other Timelords still exist only to have that cruelly snatched away from him, fear that he was powerless for a time at the hands of House and sadness that he will only get chance to speak to his Tardis just the once. Brilliant.
We must not forget Rory and Amy who were trapped in the Tardis being tormented by House, voiced with menace and relish by the excellent Michael Sheen. There were some exceptionally dark moment in those Tardis corridors (yes we got to see Tardis corridors for the first time since the Colin Baker era!!) and our heroes were really put through the ringer. The only downside being Rory was killed YET AGAIN!!! This must be an inside joke now. We also got to see the previous control room again! Fanboy overload!!
The smaller characters such as Uncle and Auntie were wonderfully eccentric as well, although having an Ood there did feel a little crow barred into the plot. But my goodness that is nit picking.
Overall this was arguably the best story of the Matt Smith era to date. Wonderful acting from everyone involved. Some really dark stuff inside the Tardis, a genuine malevolent threat and some great nods to the series past. But the relationship between the Tardis and the Doctor being vocalised was fantastic and deserves all the plaudits. Neil Gaiman please write for Who again, never has the word 'Hello' been tinged with such happiness and sadness all at the same time. Beautiful.
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