Initially, viewers of Doctor Who’s “Before the Flood” might have been scratching their heads. The previous episode concluded with the Doctor seemingly transformed into a spectral figure, drifting towards a submerged base. Then, the episode bafflingly opens with a discussion about Beethoven’s true authorship and an invitation to delve into the ‘bootstrap paradox’ via a quick online search.
This reference to Beethoven becomes surprisingly relevant as the episode progresses. The Doctor, in his inimitable fashion, pieces together the puzzle of how he could send a crucial message and, more bewilderingly, how he could have composed Beethoven’s music. While the specifics might involve sonic glasses and time-travel shenanigans – potentially soon available at your local toy store – the core question revolves around causality and time loops, central themes in “The Flood Doctor Who” narrative.
Of course, the Doctor isn’t genuinely a ghost. As many suspected, the spectral appearance is revealed to be a hologram, a clever misdirection that is unveiled later in the episode. Despite the Doctor’s earlier pronouncements in Before The Flood hinting at his impending demise, seasoned Doctor Who viewers know better. The concept of the Doctor facing permanent death has become almost a narrative trope, particularly in recent series. The anticipation of regeneration, once a thrilling surprise, is now often preceded by months of media buzz, diminishing any element of genuine shock.
Think back to The Stolen Earth cliffhanger, with David Tennant seemingly on the cusp of regeneration. Had the show followed through with that unexpected change, the stakes would have been dramatically different. However, modern television, especially in the age of instant online information, struggles to maintain truly surprising character shifts. If Doctor Who ever managed to execute a completely surprise regeneration and stick to it, the impact would be monumental.
That being said, the prospect of losing Peter Capaldi as the Doctor is far from appealing. Four episodes into his second series within the TARDIS, Capaldi embodies the role with undeniable authority. His portrayal masterfully blends grumpiness with underlying warmth, sharp intellect with alien eccentricity. Leading the investigative charge throughout this two-part story, he delivers an exceptional performance. His interaction with his hologram self – punctuated by the dryly delivered “an honour!” – is a particular highlight. And when he speaks of “ripples on a pond,” is it a deliberate nod to Sylvester McCoy’s Doctor pondering the nuances of tea and sugar?
Capaldi’s expressive eyebrows, it must be noted, remain as captivating as ever. It’s a detail worth reiterating in any discussion of his compelling performance in “the flood doctor who” and beyond.
