The enduring question, “Where’s the Doctor?” echoes through the initial moments of the season premiere, a two-part saga kicking off the highly anticipated Doctor Who 9th Season. This latest installment of the cherished British sci-fi series immediately plunges viewers into a universe brimming with mystery and intrigue.
On a distant planet, amidst what appears to be an order of scarlet-clad figures reminiscent of nuns, a cryptic clue emerges: “He is behind you and one step ahead of you.” This enigmatic response only deepens the central question posed by a menacing, hooded alien whose intentions for the Time Lord are far from benevolent. Adding to the cosmic manhunt, the Doctor’s formidable nemesis, Missy (played with delightful eccentricity by Michelle Gomez), also joins the search. Despite the implications of her demise in the previous season, Missy’s return is hardly a surprise to avid fans – her captivating villainy is simply too compelling to keep off-screen.
Missy’s terrestrial antics soon catch the attention of UNIT, the Earth’s specialized anti-extraterrestrial task force. They promptly summon Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman), the Doctor’s most recent and impactful traveling companion. Clara, now back in her role as a schoolteacher in England, is interrupted mid-lesson – specifically, while informing her students of Jane Austen’s alleged kissing prowess – to confront Missy and decipher the Doctor’s whereabouts.
Alt text: Clara Oswald portrayed by Jenna Coleman in Doctor Who season 9, looking determined and intelligent, ready for adventure.
The ensuing confrontation between Clara and Missy is tense yet ultimately yields a shared objective: locating the elusive Doctor. But where exactly is he? True to Doctor Who’s cliffhanger tradition, the episode, titled “The Magician’s Apprentice,” deliberately withholds this crucial information. Even a detailed plot synopsis crafted by showrunner and writer Steven Moffat would still leave viewers yearning for the resolution in the following week’s episode, “The Witch’s Familiar.”
However, what’s immediately apparent is the vibrant and captivating nature of this Whovian world in Doctor Who 9th season. The return of Clara, the “ordinary girl” who brings a grounding perspective to the Doctor’s extraordinary life, is a significant highlight. Despite earlier speculation about Jenna Coleman’s departure, her continued presence injects a vital energy into the series.
Clara serves as a counterpoint to the Doctor’s inherent melancholy, and Coleman’s performance radiates warmth and dynamism. With the romantic subplot of a boyfriend now removed, Clara steps into a more assertive and integral role within the Doctor-Clara dynamic. This shift promises a deeper exploration of her character and her relationship with the Doctor throughout Doctor Who 9th season.
Yet, in the ever-evolving universe of Doctor Who, change is the only constant. Even for a Time Lord who has lived for millennia, endings are inevitable. Therefore, viewers are encouraged to pay close attention throughout the season, as subtle clues regarding Clara’s destiny are likely to be woven into the narrative.
Alt text: Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor in Doctor Who season 9, showcasing a more joyful and manic energy with sonic sunglasses and an electric guitar.
Adding to the season’s allure, “Game of Thrones” star Maisie Williams is slated to appear in Episode 6, “The Woman Who Lived,” set in 17th-century England. Furthermore, Osgood, the UNIT scientist seemingly vaporized by Missy, is also set to reappear in Episode 8, reinforcing the show’s playful approach to mortality within the Whovian universe.
“The Magician’s Apprentice” subtly nods to the legacy of past Doctors, yet firmly establishes Peter Capaldi’s compelling portrayal of the Twelfth Doctor in his second season. This iteration of the Doctor appears less brooding than before, embracing a more exuberant and almost manic energy. Sporting stylish shades and even briefly wielding an electric guitar (listen closely for a playful riff from Roy Orbison’s “Oh, Pretty Woman”), this season promises to be a thrilling and dynamic chapter in the Doctor Who saga, making Doctor Who 9th season a must-watch for both longtime fans and newcomers alike.
