September 19th, 2015
215 comments
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What Did You Think of The Magician’s Apprentice?
Now that the highly anticipated first episode of series 9 has been aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.
Where is the Doctor? When the skies of Earth are frozen by a mysterious alien force, Clara needs her friend. But where is the Doctor, and what is he hiding from?
As past deeds come back to haunt him, old enemies will come face-to-face, and for the Doctor and Clara survival seems impossible…
Doctor Who Series 9 Part 1 DVD and Blu-ray
Peter Capaldi returns as the Doctor alongside Jenna Coleman with guest stars including Maisie Williams and Rufus Hound as well as the brilliant Missy (played by Michelle Gomez).
Part 1 contains the first three two-part stories plus 3 exclusive mini-documentaries on how each two-parter was created.
EXTRAS
3 x Doctor Who Extras (behind the scenes)
Available to order on DVD or Blu-ray in the UK from www.bbcshop.com or www.amazon.co.uk
Available to order in the USA from www.amazon.com
The Doctor Who Site
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CG
September 20th, 2015 - 2:12amLoved the episode. Got up really early here in Australia to see it. Loved Missy and Davros in this episode and loved it when Capaldi saw Missy he started playing Pretty Woman on the guitar. Awesome!
Sebatron
September 20th, 2015 - 2:44amSame! I also got up super early as well!
Cyber10dalek
September 20th, 2015 - 1:26amWhile I still stick by my earlier comment on how I loved this episode, there are a few things I’ve gone back and looked over whilst re-watching the episode on iPlayer. I sincerely hope that it is explained in The Witch’s Familiar how Missy survived getting shot by the Cyber-Brigadier and how Davros escaped the Crucible’s destruction. I kinda hope they don’t just explain Davros’s survival with him having an escape pod, since that would be a bit of a cheap way to do it like in the classic series.
The scene with the Doctor and his tank and guitar I felt went on for too long and was a bit unnecessary, apart from revealing Colony Sarf’s form. Actually now that I think about it, his character barely did anything. Don’t get me wrong, the effects looked great and his snake form reminded me alot of the Mara, but unless he gets more to do next ep, there wasn’t much point to him.
Obsie
September 20th, 2015 - 1:25amOne more thing. New tone in Doctor who should really mean time to ditch the somewhat tinny theme music. It really should be more dramatic and noticeable to reflect Peter Capaldi’s much improved Doctor now.
WouldyoulikeaJellyBaby?
September 20th, 2015 - 1:19amWow… That was a Great Episode! I was unsure of Missy in Dark Water and Death In Heaven last series due to the sudden and unexplained change from John Simm but I’ve now become used to the idea of Michelle Gomez being The Master or ‘Missy’ should I say and am not as bothered as I was. Davros returning is what made the Episode Great for me and if The Witch’s Familiar is as strong of an Episode next week then it shall be one of my Favourite Two-Parters of the New Series. As much as I was shocked that Davros was back I wasn’t surprised as I had heard Rumours in January this year that he may be returning this Series but I didn’t believe them, he was also taken out of The Doctor Who Experience for a brief period of time and after hearing the Rumours about a storyline in which The Doctor kills a child (which is Davros) which the very Cliffhanger is resolved around in the next Episode and also with the knowledge that its the 40th Anniversary of Genesis of The Daleks one of my Favourite Fourth Doctor Episode and one of my Favourite Doctor Who Episodes of all time it pointed even more in that direction.
After also finding out in Doctor Who TV’s Spoiler-Free Review of this that the Shadow Architect from The Stolen Earth and that same Review even pointed at Julian’s Bleach’s return as Davros and I was also told that Julian Bleach was attending a Convention but he pulled out of it. Julian Bleach was on top form as Davros delivering a chilling and menacing performance and I do hope he gets more screen-time in the next Episode which I’m sure he will and even better still a 5″ Rerelease with a newer paint application to the face as the make up proshetic was a different colour in this Episode (at least to me it was) and to the Eye in particular, release as part of the Collector Series maybe. Peter Capaldi’s performance as The Twelfth Doctor was terrific and I think he’s truly settled into the role of The Doctor, his scenes with Davros in particular being Great and I love the fact that he’s a Roy Orbison Fan rocking the Guitar and playing the start of “Pretty Woman” when Clara appeared was Funny too. Clara was Great too and I feel that Jenna Coleman has become a proper and established Companion after 2 and a half Years in the role and really like her and The Twelfth Doctor as a team and I will be sorry to see her go. Though it was brief I loved the scene where The Dead Planet Dalek appeared in the planes of Skaro and spoke to Clara and Missy which felt very Classic inspired due to a lot of Dalek Episodes from the Classic Series being filmed on location and often featured either one or a few Daleks on location in Episodes such as Planet of The Daleks, Death To The Daleks and Destiny of The Daleks from the Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker Era’s especially with that illuminated Eyestalk I also hope we see a 5″ Rerelease of that, a Power of The Daleks Dalek and a Evil of The Daleks Emperor’s Guard Dalek with repainted Eye pieces too and they looked Great alongside all the other Daleks onscreen.
Colony Saarf was a bit pointless really and had little to no backstory (which he didn’t need really) and he was only really there to deliver Davros’ message to The Doctor. At first glance though in his Snake form he did look like The Mara but I’m not sure if it is or not. UNIT were a nice addition too but there was no sign of Osgood anywhere so I’m assuming that they’re saving her appearance for Episodes 7 and 8 The Zygon Invasion and The Zygon Inversion and the return of The Shadow Proclamation was a bonus along with the Ood and The Sycorax in The Maldavarium system bar. Skaro returning at the end of the Episode wasn’t a surprise considering it had appeared at the start and was in 2012’s Asylum of The Daleks but I don’t understand how it looks rebuilt compared to the state it was then. It is obvious that Clara and Missy aren’t dead, nor the TARDIS destroyed as Clara is seen in other Episodes, neither hers or Missy’s bodies dropped to the ground when they were Exterminated and I don’t think that Steven Moffat would kill her off so soon.
The cliffhanger was Great and definitely harked back to the Famous Scene from Genesis of The Daleks where The Fourth Doctor is debating whether to destroy the Daleks or not and commit Genocide, something along those lines was also mentioned in a quote by Davros in the Next Time and TV Trailers for The Witch’s Familiar and it also referenced the scene in that Episode where The Fourth Doctor, Sarah Jane and Harry use a Dalek Gun to destroy a tape recording where The Fourth Doctor explains to Davros the reasons for previous Dalek defeats which The Twelfth Doctor is seen pointing at the younger Davros at the end of the Episode.
Overral a very Episode and I look forward to next week and hope that The Witch’s Familiar can carry on this trend of Good Episodes not only making this Two-Part Episode Good, but the whole of Series 9.
Obsie
September 20th, 2015 - 12:57amNotable shift in tone as each new Doctor enters; thoroughly welcome one at that. Though Missy was enjoyable and incredibly watchable, I think that they may have sailed close to the wind with the joke about “the dog’s…….” and tickling the globe on the Dalek.
The Moffat Paradox
September 20th, 2015 - 12:51amThe logical part of me still wonders a bit about all of this:
(1)No real canon explation why Skaro still exists when destroyed by the seventh Doctor with the Hand Of Omega in “Rememberace Of The Daleks”?
(2) Why there are different era Daleks instead of them all using the (A bit like soldiers all wearing the same latest uniform) the same latest casing?
(3)Are these all Davros created Daleks on Skaro so what about the Paradigms,their Parliament and Prime Minister? Or are we supposed to forget about that?
(4)Exactly who/what is this servant of Davros that can take snake form(s)? Dont think I was the only only one who wondered if this might be the Mara?
Dalek the Supreme
September 20th, 2015 - 4:10amIn fairness, “They rebuilt it again” is better than no explanation at all, like in the TV Movie and Asylum of the Daleks.
slitheen mum
September 20th, 2015 - 12:16amOMG, please dont kill DAVROS. So glad Julian Bleach has taken up the role again,he’s totally awesome. Didn’t like the guitar scene, dont think it needed it but the rest of the episode was absolutely brilliant. can’t wait to see what happens next week.
Obsie
September 20th, 2015 - 12:50amTook the words out of my mouth. The guitar scene grated after the first time. I believe that Mr Capaldi can play it but it did go on too long.
The Moffat Paradox
September 20th, 2015 - 12:21pmQuote from Davros in “Ressurection Of The Daleks”:
“I CANNOT DIE! I CANNOT DIE!!!”
Exterminator
September 20th, 2015 - 12:11amMissy was vaporised by a Cyberman and now by the Daleks. I had hoped she would have her own Tardis that we’d get to see inside but I suppose using the vortex manipulator to get to the Doctor was the quicker cheaper option for the BBC.
It was so great to see Julian Bleach back as Davros, they really kept that one quite! But surely Davros can’t die? How old is he anyway?
Anonymous
September 19th, 2015 - 11:35pmwhat did you think of the magicians apprentice and the return of davros booboo?
booboo
September 20th, 2015 - 8:20amreally enjoyed that
all the better from staying away from spoilers and getting the surprise of Davros, no idea he was in it (although it was obvious the boy was him, newspapers reported that months ago)
Anonymous
September 19th, 2015 - 11:34pmi love how the door ways are the same shape as the ones in the 1964 epsidoe the daleks
The Legend Doctor
September 19th, 2015 - 11:01pmI know i have commented before but this episode was perfect my most fave part was when Missy’s Face popped out of the screen! Imagine that on a 3D TV! LOL
Harold Saxon
September 19th, 2015 - 10:50pmExcellent it was,nice to see a bit more warmth from the doctor towards missy[the master] intersting and nice to have 2 parters again,less rushed
Run you clever boy
September 19th, 2015 - 10:30pmAMAZING EPISODE CAN’T WAIT FOR NEXT WEEK ONLY THING IS I WOULD OF LOVED TO OF SEEN MORE PF THE SHADOW PROCLAMATION MORE OF THEM ON FUTURE
Anonymous
September 19th, 2015 - 10:44pmI LOVED THIS EPISODE!!! Amazing! Fantastic! It just felt so short!! I had barely gotten over the Davros return when “TO BE CONTINUED” took over my screen!! absolutely amazing though!
Faquarl
September 19th, 2015 - 10:18pmEvery time I think it couldn’t get any more extraordinary it surprises me. It’s impossible, I hate it, it’s evil, it’s astonishing… I want to kiss it to death!
doyouhearthem?
September 19th, 2015 - 10:06pmCan I just apologise to everyone I doubted about the return of davros? The best davros storyline since terror firma! Davros is a dude!
2doctors2000
September 19th, 2015 - 9:54pmNice to see Davros in a new series story without the whole I’m going to destroy the universe with one bomb thing, different dynamic of him but overall still as cruel and spooky – it felt different to Journey’s End because everyone hyped up Davros in that as it was his first return, here he returned (and although we knew he was the child) in his crippled form on the aftermath of his escape, something we’ve waited 7 years for. And it’s just amazing to see him again, I can’t believe it!
Doctor Stu
September 19th, 2015 - 9:44pmMissy’s dead, Clara’s dead Davros is back the TARDIS has been destroyed omg it was the best episode since 2008 like can we all just take a moment….
Doctor Stu
September 19th, 2015 - 9:45pmWell there were no bodies so they’re not dead but it was still brilliant I was so shocked to see Davros back it felt more like the series final
CJ
September 19th, 2015 - 9:56pmI have to agree It did a bit
ZygonTerror
September 20th, 2015 - 12:10amI believe that at the end of The Magician’s Apprentice, Missy and Clara are genuinely dead. With this in mind the only negative I can think (and this is still only assumptive) is that seeing them both in the series trailers gives away that the Doctor probably will kill young Davros or do something of that nature that will allow him to save Clara and Missy. Brilliant first episode though
2doctors2000
September 19th, 2015 - 9:43pmDue a Davros figure re-release in case any 2008 ones are damaged, surely they have the sculpt and he is exactly the same model and actor of course, or even a 3.75 inch version? Wouldn’t mind that!
cj
September 19th, 2015 - 9:45pmI would mind it!!!
2doctors2000
September 19th, 2015 - 9:51pmA 5inch re-release?
cj
September 19th, 2015 - 9:52pmAwsome I hate 3.75
Doctor Stu
September 19th, 2015 - 10:12pmWe need a magicians apprentice 3.75″ figure set with twelfth doctor, red supreme, Davros and classic Dalek that would be great. I tried to post this earlier but it didn’t go through
Davros
September 19th, 2015 - 9:42pmI must say, my creations have done well, but if you are to tamper with my timeline Doctor, then do it, kill me, see what happens then!
Davros
September 19th, 2015 - 9:44pmHa ha ha ha ha hA!!!!!!!!
Tim M
September 19th, 2015 - 9:36pmWhat a brilliant opening episode. A perfect mix of drama and humour. Plus great to see Davros return and be at the core of the story. Missy coming back was also superb. Clara was used very well in the context of the story, and Capaldi was astonishing. He truly put in a stunning acting performance. He is now well settled into the role of the Doctor…and looks like being one of the very best. Excellent 9/10.
Doctor11
September 19th, 2015 - 9:23pmBest opener ever!
Nigel M
September 19th, 2015 - 9:17pmStarted off well, went a little bit silly with the guitar/tank thing, then…whoosh absolutely brilliant.
One question though. Davros obviously survived the hand-mine things, but were his injuries caused by them ? Did the Doctor create the wheelchair-bound Davros by leaving him there in the first place rather than rescuing him ?
RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND
September 19th, 2015 - 9:14pmFANTASTIC OPENER! Action, drama and fantastic adventure. I loved how they expanded Missy’s character, and Clara is on top form. Fantastic shock and surprises! One of my favourite first episodes in a while! Julian Bleach! Amazing!
Not sure if it was worth killing the TARDIS, Missy and Clara though, as we already know they will be back. That bit was lacking.
But apart from that!
That was an EPIC Dalek episode, and that is how a Dalek episode should ALWAYS be done!
daleksean
September 19th, 2015 - 9:10pmWow. I was shocked to see Davros and of course Skaro. Can’t wait for next week.
cj
September 19th, 2015 - 9:08pmAWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!
Davros
September 19th, 2015 - 9:37pmNot
when I say run….
September 19th, 2015 - 9:05pmhave to say that was the best episode for a while, didn’t like series 8 at all but if this is the direction this series is going its to be back on form. The doctor now seems to have settled into a more defined character.
The Surgeon
September 19th, 2015 - 9:03pmTell you what, if the rest of the series is like that, well done Mr Moffat. Superb.
Dalek Supreme
September 19th, 2015 - 9:01pmOooh, Ooooh. Yeah, it was ‘quite good’ to say the least. A bit unfocussed for the first ~15 minutes, but it gets on track quickly, and blimey is that a cliffhanger. Effects are better, acting usual high quality, and the story seems a little less…’unitdy’, shall we say.
I got some questions though. Snake guy is here because? Well acted, really awesome visuals, but I don’t know why he/she/it’s here. Skaro and Missy will be explained, I’m sure of it. Davros too, so does that mean he survived Journey’s End, or is that beforehand?
Slight nitpick-When did the Time War end? 2005, when the Bad Wolf, one of the most powerful beings in Dr. Who said ‘the Time War ends.’
Oh, and Clara possibly died. A+ Moffat.
DannyTheNerd
September 19th, 2015 - 9:00pmDAVROS!!!!!!!!!!!
Davros
September 19th, 2015 - 9:37pmHi
WFK DVD Collector 15
September 19th, 2015 - 9:00pmI thought overal, it was ok. Couple of cringeworthy moments, but it did keep quite serious most of the time. My main problem with the episode is a scene that lasts just a few seconds. How was the Mark I dalek that captured Clara & Missy from “The Daleks” moving on a floor that wasn’t metal? I think that it should have been the special weapons dalek, but hopefully it will get explained next week, as it also appeared to have a blue light for an eye instead of a white disc. The daleks from “The Power of the Daleks” and “The Evil of the Daleks” also had these new blue eyes…
Also, so good to see Davros and the Doctor talking alone. Found that scene quite suspenseful…
The Living Shadow
September 19th, 2015 - 10:20pmAbout the Dalek… I’ll explain later…
WFK DVD Collector 15
September 19th, 2015 - 11:21pmOk 🙂