The Rings of Akhaten felt like a really traditional episode of Doctor Who; the world felt unique and alien, with a plethora of weird and wonderful alien beings (personal favourite: the bluey-turquoise fellows with the bulbous heads) milling about the marketplace in a style not too dissimilar to Star Wars’ Mos Eisley cantina - minus the catchy music. The story itself may not have been the strongest we’ve seen in the series, and it didn’t feel as if it reached its full potential, but it was certainly an enjoyable and engaging watch, and seemed to have some religious subtext (millions of people coming together in celebration out of fear of the Old God... Isn't that basically every Sunday?!).
However, it’s the performances in this episode that really stand out.
The new companion’s first trip in the TARDIS is a staple in Doctor Who legacy; it’s these episodes that often show us the capabilities of the Doctor’s latest accomplice, and how they’re going to cope with their future wild endeavours. This episode, therefore, was fairly Clara-centric. It goes without saying that Jenna-Louise Coleman makes for a fantastic companion; ever since we first met her in Asylum of the Daleks she was evidently time-travelling partner material, and in Clara’s first proper adventure Coleman most definitely shines. There are segments that are carried by Coleman’s performance; helping and befriending a little girl who - quite rightly - is living in fear, and saving millions of lives by confronting the Old God and sacrificing the days that never were. I may not be particularly keen on the idea of the companion being equally as competent and brave as the Doctor himself, but it’s in these moments that we see Clara’s (and Coleman’s) full potential as a marvellous companion in this episode.
However, it was Matt Smith who completely stole the show (and why shouldn’t he, he’s the titular character!). I’ve always said that Smith makes a remarkable Doctor, and he’s never failed to deliver excellent performances, but in this episode he provides a positively phenomenal performance. Smith delivers some magnificent speeches throughout the episode (none more resplendent than when he’s addressing the Old God), and somehow manages to go from youthful enthusiasm one moment to impossibly ancient and wise in the next. Words cannot quite do this awesome man’s performance justice!
He is the quintessential Doctor.
One would be remiss not to mention Emilia Jones, the young Queen of Years, who provided a fantastic performance throughout as well as giving voice to the rather brilliant soundtrack of the episode (props to Murray Gold for another superb composition!). Miss Jones certainly has a bright future ahead of her, and a truly remarkable voice.
In addition to its stellar cast (almost literal, if you count the Old God’s performance as well), The Rings of Akhaten was also one of the most visually stunning episodes for quite some time. Previously this series we’ve seen big location pieces in A Town Called Mercy and The Angels Take Manhattan, and some great shots of London in The Bells of Saint John, but nothing really does compare to the majesty of space (sorry London... I mean, London’s brilliant, but space is all nebulae and stars and asteroids and bluey-turquoise guys!). The revealing shot of the Rings of Akhaten was truly awe-inspiring, and the Doctor silhouetted against the blazing Old God was an excellent piece, along with the burning star morphing to reveal a sinister face on its molten surface. These stunning alien exterior shots, combined with the marketplace filled with the veritable smorgasbord of citizens from the Galactic community, made for a captivating and believable alien backdrop to the story. I’m hard-pressed to think of another episode of Doctor Who which so brilliantly portrays a convincingly alien world, both inside and out.
Overall, despite its slightly lackluster narrative, The Rings of Akhaten was certainly an enjoyable, visually fantastic and stupendously cast episode. It may not have been one of the strongest episodes this series, but it was most definitely a great watch with some interesting concepts.
Next week, some familiar foes re-emerge in the Cold War, and it looks set to be a good one!
If you missed The Rings of Akhaten because you were busy devoting yourself to the Old God, I hope you were able to appease him. Catch up with episode on iPlayer here.
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