Every episode has a couple moments that stand out, and Thin Ice was no exception. What do you think of these five moments picked?
‘Thin Ice’ had many moments that either had us laughing or turning our heads in surprise. The episode brought us back to the episodes we know of twelve, but with a completely different tone. Bill Potts has changed everything about Doctor Who, including the Doctor himself.
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The Doctor and Bill’s relationship is reminiscent of 10 and Donna, two friends (and only friends) that are willing to do anything for the other without any romanticism. From Bill calling out the Doctor when she thought he was wrong to the Doctor punching a man, this episode showed us a part of twelve we’ve never seen.
With this breath of fresh air, it almost makes one want more of Bill and Twelve, whereas two weeks ago, I was ready for a new Doctor. I guess we better enjoy the two while we can before Chibnall takes over.
Since yesterday’s episode was so popular and had so many great moments, I thought we should point out the five best moments of the episode. Let’s see which five episodes made the cut on the best part.
5. Pete
As anyone would be when travelling to the past, Bill uses the butterfly effect as a reason she should be careful of making sure her present stays intact. This, in turn, started one of the best dialogues in Doctor Who I have ever witness.
"“Sure, that’s what happened to Pete.”“Pete?”“Your friend, Pete. He was standing there, and he stepped on a butterfly, and now you don’t even remember him.”“Shut up! I’m being serious!”“Yeah, so was Pete.”"
It could be my love for dry humor that Scottish people seem to bring, but I couldn’t (and still can’t) get over how fantastic that was delivered. The difference is, he could never have done that with Clara. She knew too much. It’s fun to see him interact with someone still learning.
Also, Bill and Twelve have the same sense of humor. Their back-and-forth is fun to watch, whether it’s this scene or another. I’ll say it again — the humor these two provide when talking to each other is miles above anything we’ve seen lately.
Unless, of course, Pete is actually someone who we all knew and then stepped on a butterfly and never was born. Poor Pete. RIP.
4. The Inevitable Questions of the Doctor’s Past
Every companion learns about the Doctor’s past in the 12 years Doctor Who has been shocked to learn of the Doctor’s past. It all depends on how they take the fact that the Doctor has killed. That this person (alien?) they’ve put their lives in isn’t all fun and games like they thought.
The question came right after the Doctor couldn’t (wouldn’t?) save the child to get his screwdriver back. When Bill pulls him aside to ask him about he’s killed, he basically said he’s moved on. This goes back to the 50th-anniversary episode where 11 said the same thing (‘I’ve forgotten’), but Bill doesn’t let that answer pass.
Bill’s response was different, but again, sort of refreshing. She wouldn’t accept the answer that he had just moved on, nor would she accept the around the bush answers he would try to give. She made him tell her that he had killed, and how many.
Twelve’s answer was both heartbreaking and, well, true.
"“You know what happens if you don’t move on? More people die. Do you wanna help me? Or do you want to stand here stamping your foot? I’m 2000 years old, and I’ve never had the time, or the luxury for outrage.”"
Photo Credit: Simon Ridgway/BBC AMERICA
3. The Episode’s Take on Racism/Whitewashing
Relax, this isn’t going to be a rant about whether or not the episode took on racism or whitewashing. Besides literally tackling racism (more on that later), I wouldn’t say the episode did anything that any other show is attempting to do.
Meaning, I wouldn’t give them an award for the episode. But mentioning the issues is a starting point for people who want to see more people of color on television and behind the scenes. I do also understand, though, the idea that sometimes people want to use television as escapism and not want to deal with real life issues for an hour of their life.
For instance, if the Doctor and Bill went to a version of America completely desolated because of a President, I would say the same. Sometimes things are plastered over the media too much and we want a break.
While I understand both sides of the argument, I still agree that even the little that this episode did should be celebrated, and not criticized because they talked about the issues.
The Doctor (PETER CAPALDI), Bill (PEARL MACKIE) – (C) BBC – Photographer: Simon Ridgway
2. The Doctor’s Speech
By in large, speeches were definitely Matt Smith’s trademark. Loud speeches that would leave you crying because he’d be crying — that were always what Smith did. However, Capaldi does the same thing, only they’re quieter, and you almost miss them — until you realize the Doctor just said something astounding.
The speech in the episode is once again astounding, and said so softly, with a tone of voice that isn’t loud and demanding to be heard like Eleven. Twelve’s words are reasonable and smart and showing the people that he’s talking to that it doesn’t take more than a few honorable sentences.
This also tackled many views, depending on the way you looked at the speech, race, rich/poor, gay issues…the list goes on.
"“What makes you so sure your life is worth more than those people out there on the ice. Is it the money? The accidental birth that put you inside this house? Human progress isn’t measured by industry. It’s measured by the value you place on a life. An important life. A life without privilege. The boy who died on the river, his value is your value. That’s what defines our age, that’s what defines our species.”"
1. The Punch
By far my favorite part of the episode is when the Doctor and Bill go to the man who seems to own the serpent living under the Thames. He tells Bill not to get too heated, and to let him do the talking because, as always, he’s the Doctor, of course. He’s always under control.
Until, of course, the man comes in and refers to his friend, his companion, as a creature.
And then, POW.
The Doctor punched him. I can’t remember seeing the Doctor do any sort of thing, but it is, once again, reminiscent of Donna and 10. Only, I would expect Donna do the punching in that scenario. It’s just not what we’ve seen from the Doctor to punch anyone. Yet, for his friend, a companion he’s relatively known from only a few journeys, he stands up for her in a way we’ve never seen.
I guess they really did tackle the subject.