DOCTOR WHO: It Takes You Away {Roundtable}

The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) travel to present day Norway, where a young girl Hanne lives in a boarded up house, though monsters lurk around and inside the house.

Let’s see what Cara and I thought of “It Takes You Away”.

What do you think of the fjord?

Cara: It was such beautiful scenery. I’m ready to go to Norway tomorrow. And the Doctor’s method of navigation by taste was humorous and strange.

Roz: What’s great about a location that we all know is that I want to focus less on the place, and more on the people. A Norwegian fjord is a place I’d love to see (and we had some great looks), but the bigger issue was that house and the in-between.

Facing life without loved ones is never easy. What did you think of the message about grief at the end?

Cara: Grief is a tough topic to cover without getting maudlin or sappy, and I think this was a lovely take on the delicate balance of holding on and letting go that takes place when we grieve. I also think it showed us that the loss of someone very important does not mean that all love is gone. Graham is a great example of how he is clearly grieving, but also very clearly loved and building new relationships in his life.

Roz: Grief is a dangerous thing and we see how many people were taken over by it to nearly disastrous ends. But that’s one thing about grief, it’s not the same for everyone; we need to see Hanne’s dad and Graham suffer with the idea of leaving their wives.

Picture shows: Graham (BRADLEY WALSH)

What do you think of this week’s baddies?

Picture shows: The Doctor (JODIE WHITTAKER)

Cara: I think this conscious universe is also grieving, but the difference is that the universe is lonely, and in it’s desire to end it’s loneliness, it would destroy everything. Erik was very similar in that sense, willing to abandon his daughter because he couldn’t stand to be without his wife. The main difference with Graham is that he is grieving, but he isn’t alone or overly lonely. Erik isn’t alone, but he felt so lonely that he was willing to lose his daughter, which is why I think it was important that they would be returning to society at the end. The bigger message this week seemed to be about connection and needing others.

Roz: I can’t say if that universe is really a bad thing, but it certainly took advantage of grief and suffering to find something that could help it.

How did you feel about the roles the companions took on this week?

Cara: I love all the companions, but I am secretly team Graham most days. I loved seeing Ryan learning from his time with Hanne. Both have challenges that affect their mobility at times, so I think seeing how bravely Hanne charged ahead was good for Ryan. Plus, it’s good for him to learn to be a little less guarded. Yaz was the voice of reason this week in a very emotionally charged episode, and I think her logical mind helps keep her focused on the task at hand.

Roz: I want to see more of Ryan and Hanne. He was such great in trying to settle her nerves and causing so many unnecessary problems along the way.

Favorite Moments?

Cara: Ryan finally calling Graham Grandad, and then immediately going back to giving him attitude.

Roz: The frog as the universe; it was a sweet moment of how the universe understood Graham, even if he was gone at that point.

Next Week on Doctor Who

“The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos”

Answering nine separate distress calls, the Doctor and team arrive on the remnants of a brutal battlefield on the planet Ranskoor Av Kolos. This planet has many secrets. An amnesiac commander? Mysterious mists? Who or what are the Ux? A deadly reckoning awaits the Doctor and team once they have the answers…. Written by Chris Chibnall. Directed by Jamie Childs

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