I apologize that this review will be brief. I’ve been terribly busy at work and haven’t been able to get caught up with most things outside of work. That said….I would NEVER miss an episode of Doctor Who.I’ve managed to read a few other reviews, and most folks out there in internet-land have lackluster feelings about this episode, as do I. I liked it, but as previously stated, I’m a bit forgiving with my Doctor Who and don’t hold the show to task for blurring the lines a little. Or a lot.

The Doctor, Clara and her two charges (a boy and girl) arrive at the largest amusement park in the universe. Only it’s shut down and inhabited only by a couple of weird dudes (one of which is played by Warwick Davis who was wonderful, even though I just called him a weird dude) and some soldiers working a punishment post. This galaxy was destroyed some time ago to stop the Cybermen and oh, they are coming back wouldn’t you know! By the thousands!

There were many, many things going on at one time in this episode, including Clara as captain of the soldiers, the kids being “assimilated”, threats to nuke the planet, cyber bugs and Cybermen that moved as fast as modern TV vampires. However, the centerpiece of the episode was a partially assimilated Doctor battling against himself in a cunning game of chess for his very mind. Brilliant work by Matt Smith and great dialogue. I almost wish this part had been slowed down and savored for the wonder that it was. As is, it felt rushed and sandwiched in with the so many, many other things going on.

The briefest of summaries – There are no Cybermen. There are Cybermen! The Cybermen attack. The people fight back. Triumph comes, but not as expected. Planet is nuked.

Final Thoughts & Worthy Mentions:

• No revelations about Clara and who she is that I could determine.
• Best use of a Golden Ticket since that Wonka fellow.
• Porridge (Warwick Davis’ character) proposes to Clara. It was very sweet, but strange.
• Next week is the season finale. Feels like it happened too fast. Hate that I’m no closer to solving any “mysteries” than I was at the start. Oh well, I have two more days of theories and spoilers to root through.

Despite the title, it wasn’t spooky, but it had a few moments of suspense and some VERY unexpected touches (and great acting)! I loved this episode!

In Victorian London, Madame Vastra, Jenny and Strax are drawn into a mystery. A man has washed up in the canal, dead and with red skin. His brother photographs his eye and is able to see the last thing the man saw before he died. Guess who it was?

In Victorian Yorkshire, Mrs. Gillyflower is preaching the end of times and recruiting pretty people to live in Sweetville. She has a blind daughter who’s keeping a pet “monster” in the attic. Jenny goes under-cover to find out what’s going on in Sweetville….as nothing is as it seems. Mr. Sweet is a silent partner and as yet unseen. Jenny investigates. I like Jenny. She kicks ass, but not after first heading to the attic and finding out the monster is…..the Doctor! Totally awesome plot twist. His skin is red, he’s somewhat paralyzed and he can’t speak. Jarring that is. After getting the sonic screwdriver and locking himself in a cabinet, the Doctor emerges himself again and the hunt is on for Clara.

Seems Gillyflower is dipping people in a red poison to preserve them. The “rejects” just turn red and die. The Doctor was rescued from the reject pile from Ada (the daughter). Clara is found preserved under a glass bell jar. She gets sonic screwdriver-ed back to herself. As you can presume, Madame V, Jenny and Strax are confused because they know Clara is dead (in their time). The Doctor doesn’t explain.

A big confrontation with Gillyflower reveals Mr. Sweet to be a 65 million year old leach attached to her chest. His secretions are the poison. Gillyflower is crazy and evil. Her master plot is to shoot the poison into the air via rocket. Of course the plan is foiled and Ada saves the day. Poor little wormy Mr. Sweet.

Clara returns home from being out with her “boyfriend” to find that the kids she nannys have found pictures of her from the past. They are on to her time travel. Dun dun dunnnnnnnnnnnn! Previews show they go along on a time travel adventure (with Cybermen!).

Final Thoughts & Worthy Mentions:

• The Doctor was very kissy this episode! He kissed 3 different women, but only Jenny on the lips and she promptly slapped his face!
• More Game of Thrones/Doctor Who actor sharing. Ms. Gillyflower also portrays Lady Tyrell. The actress who portrayed Ada is her real life daughter.
• Ada had the best accent and annunciation. If she and Lady Mary from Dowton would just sit and talk about random stuff for an hour, I would totally watch it.