Doctor Who Watch-along: Listen scheduled for 7PM UK time today
By James Aggas
The latest Doctor Who watchalong that fans can take part in is Twelfth Doctor episode Listen – perhaps the most divisive selection for a watchalong yet.
These Doctor Who watchalongs are coming thick and fast, aren’t they? To be honest, we didn’t even have time to cover The Fires of Pompeii on Sunday, May 17, which is certainly an extremely enjoyable episode. And now, just days after, we’ve already got another one to look forward to tonight.
Tonight’s watchalong is Listen from Peter Capaldi’s first series, which is an interesting selection. In my opinion, there’s never been another episode quite like it, either before or since. In many ways, it’s extremely subversive.
Most Doctor Who stories have a monster. In Listen, we’re left to wonder if there even is one. We’re also used to being given an explanation by the end of the story. By the end of Listen, we’re left with many questions that will never be answered. It’s one of Steven Moffat’s most unusual stories, and one that almost defines Peter Capaldi’s Doctor, particularly how intense and obsessive he can become.
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A divisive story
Joining tonight’s watchalong are both Steven Moffat and director Douglas Mackinnon. As with many previous watchalongs, there are a couple of new releases that we can look forward to: one before the episode at 6PM by Moffat, the other after the episode at 7.45PM by James Peaty and Mike Collins. So it sounds like there’s a lot to look forward to with this watchalong.
Again, I’m somewhat surprised by tonight’s choice. In my experience, Listen has proven to be a divisive episode. I’ve spoken with fans that have either loved the episode’s ambiguity or hated that so much was left unanswered. Some enjoyed the addition it made to canon during its final scenes, while others thought it was another example of Clara being too important to the Doctor’s life. It’ll be interesting to discover fans’ fresh reactions to it over five years later.
You can join in today’s watchalong by watching Listen on BBC iPlayer or Netflix in the UK, or on Amazon, Google Play or iTunes elsewhere. The watchalong is scheduled to begin at 7PM UK time and the hashtag to discuss it on Twitter is #FearIsASuperpower.
Next. This edit of the Sixth Doctor’s regeneration is an essential watch. dark
What are your thoughts on Listen? Do you love it? Hate it? Will you be joining in today’s watchalong either way? Let us know in the comments below.