DOCTOR WHO: The Witchfinders {Roundtable}

The Doctor ( Jodie Whittaker ), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) travel to Lancashire in the 17th century and become part of a witch hunt of local farmers. Fear keeps the land under control and the arrival of King James just increases the fire. But maybe something even more dangerous is going on? Can the doctor and her friends protect the people of Bilehurst Cragg from all the powerful opponents of the country?

Let’s see what Roz and I thought of “The Witchfinders”.

What do you think of Alan Cummings’ King James?

Cara: Full disclaimer, I have a long-standing crush on Alan Cummings. This character was so  delightfully infuriating. A lot of times historical figures are presented with such gravity, so it was fun to see a portrayal that was a little light. I loved rolling my eyes at his adorable arrogance.

Roz: I adore Alan Cummings when he gets to be over the top, and this King James was perfect for that. It was a fun look at something awful, with a good twist in the last act.

This week the Doctor dealt with the bias and limitations women faced at this particular time and place.  What are your thoughts on that?

Cara: It was inevitable that it would come up, particularly in the past. I think the witch trials are a good point to introduce the difficulties she will face as a woman because it’s such a well-known example of the dangers of misogyny. I liked that she was obviously inconvenienced and frustrated by the sexism, but just shook it off and moved on. I think a lot of us ladies have had those moments.

Roz: It was about time that the Doctor faced some downsides to being a woman in any time and any place. It’s 17th Century England, were we expecting her to be treated as an equal to any man around? Madame Savage only earned her respect because she was the widow of the town’s wealthy patron.

What do you think of this week’s baddies?

Cara: I felt like the bad guys were a little all over the place this week, so it was a kind of muddled enemy. The aliens only really showed up at the end weren’t really all that fleshed out. Becca Savage was a great baddie, but it wasn’t a very convincing story to me. It seemed as though her efforts to save her soul were incredibly cruel and hard for me to fathom.

Roz: Ugh, O’Brien! (I kid, I kid!) Siobhan Finneran is an excellent bad woman, and I loved the turn of her from just being a mean-spirited woman into being an alien possessing a woman’s body. That alien race is creepy as hell, though and did a great job of using a witch hunt as a way to get more bodies for their kind.

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

Cara: I love Graham a little more each week, and his flat power structure really defines this group. Ryan’s condescending response to King James’ offer to join him was pretty entertaining. Yaz seems to be the one who always gets sent off on her own, and I feel like we don’t know her as well as the others yet. This is a good team.

Roz: When will someone write fic of King James and Ryan? I’m sure it’ll happen soon enough. Ryan and Graham were great as the voices trusted by King James, and Yaz worked so well with Becka’s cousin.

Favorite Moments?

Cara: I loved the Doctor’s response to Becca Savage’s comments about women talking: “Yeah I did know that, which is daft ‘cause talking’s brilliant.” Talking IS brilliant.

Roz: Graham at the end with the Tarentino quip.

Next Week on Doctor Who

“It Takes You Away”

On the edge of a Norwegian fjord, in the present day, The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz discover a boarded-up cottage and a girl named Hanne in need of their help. What has happened here? What monster lurks in the woods around the cottage – and beyond? Guest starring Ellie Wallwork and Kevin Eldon. Written by Ed Hime. Directed by Jamie Childs.

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