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Doctor Who - The Witch's Familiar - Advance Preview + Dialogue Teasers

Sep 25, 2015

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© BBC Pictures

As I mentioned last week it’s been some time since we’ve had a two part episode, and there’s no denying that Steven Moffat has taken full advantage of the opportunities this affords him in the opening story this season. The sheer scale of part one saw us returning to far flung planets, visiting old faces and learning past secrets before our characters were tricked into landing on Skaro, and then of course, the cliffhanger that sparks debate over the next seven days.

This means that the stage is already set for part two, allowing the narrative to explore more detail from the off. So it should come as no surprise that we get a chance to dig deeper into the abstruse and astute minds of Time Lords – or Ladies – turn the whole concept of the term cliffhanger on its head, slip in some references of its own canon and an object from one of Joss Whedon’s shows all before the title sequence even kicks in. That’s not to say that the entire episode rips along at this breakneck speed, in fact I’d say that the pace is perfectly balanced between light and shade; the humour and darkness mesh together extremely well.

Just as Missy and Clara’s uneasy alliance was the highlight for me last week, it is another frenemy partnership that steals the show in The Witch’s Familiar. Trapped alone in a room with one of his oldest enemies, with none of his trusty gadgets or sidekicks to rely on, things really couldn’t be more desperate. Yet the two adversaries find that they have more in common than either believed during the time they spend together as Davros’ life slowly ebbs away.

Both Peter Capaldi and Julian Bleach are superb. They give Missy a run for her money when it comes to the sheer amount of snark that flies between the two of them to begin with, but it’s not long before that devil may care attitude becomes peppered with something far more profound and compelling.

When it comes to the meaning behind the ambiguous titles of these two episodes, there are few lines in The Magician’s Apprentice that indicate who may be whom, though it’s much clearer by the end of this week I think. However, I am a little torn over a potential double meaning with this instalment. I like both possibilities equally, even if it does bend the rules of grammar somewhat in order for it to work.


The Witch’s Familiar airs on Saturday 26th September at 7.45pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK, and at 9pm on BBC America. Below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then, if you want to have any guesses on who said what I will fill in any correct answers before the episode airs. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.


“I’m not sure any of that matters; friends, enemies”

“Can I just say that it’s been an absolute pleasure to finally meet you”

“I hope you are grateful, it wasn’t easy to procure. And very nearly unique, of course”

“Listen to that, the Doctor without hope”

“Gave it up, bad memories”

“A man should have a race. A people, an allegiance. A man should belong”

“Admit it; you’ve all had this exact nightmare”

“Clara Oswald is not alive”

“Doesn’t matter which face he was wearing, they’re all the Doctor to me. So let’s give us the eyebrows”

“Is this the conscience of the Doctor, or his shame?”



Trailer Teaser

“It’s impossible. I hate it. It’s evil. It’s astonishing.”


About the Author - Sandi
Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Poldark, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Reign, Orphan Black, Game of Thrones and The Flash.
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