One of the problems with this series, from the beginning, was with the villains. The Doctor, basically, is an immortal genius with access to every necessary skill, an inclination to pitch in, and a time machine.
Most of the villains he faces aren't playing par for the course. Greedy humans and aliens, trying for control or power or money? Not, in the end, very difficult. Not for someone who has defeated a couple of different versions of the devil, various gods, and even rebooted the universe.
So. Villains worth the effort are few and far between. Tending to be made so by sheer dint of the guest star's ability- making a run of the mill moustache twirler memorable- or by the story twisting around and twirling the definition of villain.
Giving us villains who aren't bad as much as misguided, villains who are sympathetic but tragically wrong, and so forth. Antagonists rather than outright villains.
But. Every so often, they manage to give us a true villain. Someone who can challenge the Doctor, and have evil intent while still being relatable, and...
Fun.
With David Suchet's Landlord,they got a bingo.
A charming older man with a mane of silver hair and a 10th Doctor dress sense, and a nasty turn of behaviour.
Better, he's convinced that he's right, and seems willing to deal the Doctor out- as long as he's left to do what he wants. Sure, people will die. But in the end, they're just people.
The story? Bill, like virtually every companion, is having trouble keeping any part of her life separate from the Doctor. Once you accept him into your life, he tends to take over. He doesn't sleep much, he goes wandering at all hours, and he wants his companion along.
Bill is moving into a shared house. She's settling in with new friends from the college and wants to make an impression. A cranky Scottish professor - his current disguise - who's well known to be a little odd and meddling is the last thing she wants.
Unfortunately... The TARDIS is damned useful for moving day, and the Doctor's a little bored.
The house more than it seems, as is the landlord. Bill just wants a normal day. So does the Doctor. His sort of normal.
You can guess who wins.
Stylish and affecting episode. Another throwback type. This could have easily been the Third Doctor and Jo Grant, or Sara Jane Smith, or the Tenth and Donna Noble, for modern fans.
Good bits:
Bill is forced to define her relationship with the Doctor to her friends. The term she chooses is yet another nod to the beginnings of the program, like her name. Which realllllly makes me think something is going to happen that involves those roots. Plus, it's apt.
Bill continues to be proactive and to deflate the Doctor's pomposity. Which they both clearly enjoy, now.
What's in the vault isn't making Nardole happy. Nor is the Doctor's somewhat casual attitude. We get major clue, this episode. A couple, actually. I'll leave it to you to sort. But as a guess?
The Doctor's previously mentioned a vow to watch over the vault.
My guess is that he's promised the occupant that he would. Timey Wimey.
9.5 of 10.
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