The show is on much firmer ground this week after the experimental Sleep No More. Rigsy, from last year’s Flatline, is back for a second outing in the TARDIS after he wakes up one morning with a curious tattoo on the back of his neck which is countdown down the minutes to zero. What’s even stranger is that he has no recollection of having the ink done, or indeed of the previous day at all. Sounds like a case for the Doctor to crack, or maybe Clara, she’s the one who Rigsy got to know last time as the Doctor after all.
The majority of the episode takes place inside Trap Street, or as Harry Potter fans will be calling it, Diagon Alley, although there’s no real magic here. I’d argue that it’s more Dickensesque myself; the characters in particular feel like they have stepped out of one of his books, especially the gruff talking Rump (Simon Paisley Day) and skittish Kabel (Simon Manyonda). None of them, however, are welcoming towards the incomers as they race against time to get to the bottom of Rigsy’s dilemma.
As you probably know by now Masie Williams is also back this week, although there isn’t too much more I can say about her involvement in the story. Ashildr has been an interesting addition to this season, she started out a heroine, became a villain of sorts, and now, well, she doesn’t quite fit comfortably fit in either of those slots any more. Although I have to admit that a morally grey character is someone who is far more entertaining to watch, and Maisie continues to bring subtleties to her performances that many actors twice her age find difficult to convey.
Face the Raven airs on Saturday 21st November at 8.10pm 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.
“This is the first place I have ever been safe, and you want me to throw it away?” ? to the Doctor
“That’s your name, I keep telling you that” “Do you?” Doctor & Ashildr
“You’re coming with us, and bring the new human. No, don’t bring the new human. I’ll just get distracted”
“You’ve read the stories, you know who I am”
“A trap street. You know, when someone’s making a map. A, ummm, cartographer”
“Fifty minutes left. Hoody up Local Knowledge, they know what you look like in there” Doctor to Rigsy
“This man stole medical rations. He broke a rule of the street and he stole from all of you” Ashildr to Trap Street residents
“Doctor 102; never tell anyone your actual plan” Clara to Rigsy
“Yes I know, it’s in my diaries. Oh don’t look like that, I enjoyed our conversations. I’ve read them many times”
“No, no, no, don’t start using my actual name now. Call me Pudding Brain, call me Local Knowledge, whatever. Just don’t call me Rigsy” Rigsy to the Doctor
Trailer Teaser
“I am the Doctor. I’m coming to find you, and I will never, ever stop”