Extremis (Doctor Who)

Last updated

270 –"Extremis"
Doctor Who episode
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byDaniel Nettheim
Written by Steven Moffat
Produced by Peter Bennett
Executive producer(s)Steven Moffat
Brian Minchin
Music by Murray Gold
Series Series 10
Running time49 minutes
First broadcast20 May 2017 (2017-05-20)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"Oxygen"		Followed by →
"The Pyramid at the End of the World"
List of episodes (2005–present)

"Extremis" is the sixth episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who . It was written by Steven Moffat and broadcast on 20 May 2017 on BBC One. "Extremis" received very positive reviews from television critics, with many praising Peter Capaldi's performance and Steven Moffat's script, though some commented on the complexity of the script.

Contents

The Vatican calls upon the Doctor (Peter Capaldi) to investigate the Veritas, a book whose readers typically kill themselves after reading it. When the Veritas is translated and leaked online, the Doctor must uncover the dark secret that the book holds. It is the first of three connected episodes known as "The Monks Trilogy". [1]

Plot

Flashbacks reveal that the Twelfth Doctor was charged to execute Missy, but with some urging from Nardole spared her life. Nevertheless, he is charged with guarding her within a Vault for a thousand years.

In the present, the Doctor remains blind following the events of "Oxygen" and wears his sonic sunglasses to provide a limited form of sight while hiding his condition from everyone other than Nardole. He receives an email entitled Extremis that he views through his glasses.

The Doctor is met by the Pope and members of the Holy See to help deal with a recently translated text called the Veritas, that causes readers to end their own lives. The Doctor takes Bill and Nardole to a secret library inside the Vatican. They find that a translation of the Veritas has been emailed to CERN. Bill and Nardole discover a portal leading to a hub of other portals, linked to CERN and the White House, among other places. Meanwhile, the Doctor temporarily regains his sight using Time Lord technology and tries to read Veritas, but is forced to flee into a second portal with the translation when the skeletal, corpse-like Monks appear. He is unable to read the Veritas before again losing his sight.

A Monk, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition Doctor Who Experience series 10 (35604709343).jpg
A Monk, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition

Bill and Nardole enter the portal to CERN, finding all the scientists are prepared to kill themselves. A scientist demonstrates that every time he asks them for a random number, they, along with the other scientists, all say the same one. The two flee back to the hub. Nardole realises the portals are actually computer projections, and when he steps out of the projections, he disappears. A distraught Bill follows a trail of blood through a portal, finding herself in the Oval Office of the White House, where the Doctor is waiting. The Doctor explains that Veritas describes a "demon" planning to invade Earth by creating detailed simulations of it to practice invasion. Simulacra within these "shadow worlds" can discover the false reality as they can only come up with pseudo-random numbers due to the nature of computers, leading them to commit suicide to escape the simulation. He reveals that he, Bill, Nardole and everybody else are simply simulacra within a simulation. A Monk appears, and Bill disintegrates the same way Nardole did. The Doctor, aware he is a simulation, tells the alien that the Earth will be ready as he has been recording everything through his sonic glasses and emails the recording, titled Extremis, to his real-world self.

The real Doctor finishes Extremis, warns Bill of the imminent threat to Earth and tells Missy through the Vault doors that he may need her help.

Continuity

The episode makes multiple references to River Song, and the grief felt by the Doctor following his final encounter with her in "The Husbands of River Song" (2015). It is revealed that River ordered Nardole to follow the Doctor to ensure he acts virtuously. River Song's TARDIS-styled diary, first seen in the Tenth Doctor story "Silence in the Library"/"Forest of the Dead" (2008), is also featured in the episode. [1] [2]

Outside references

Upon entering the Vatican's secret library, Bill utters "Harry Potter", for which the Doctor scolds her. [1] [2] He later refers disparagingly to the lengthiness of Moby-Dick , saying: "Honestly, shut up and get to the whale!" [1]

The lead scientist from CERN tells Bill and Nardole "We will all go together when we go," which is an apocalyptic-themed song by Tom Lehrer and the final track on the LP An Evening Wasted with Tom Lehrer . [3]

Nardole compares the simulated worlds to the holodecks of Star Trek and the video game world of Grand Theft Auto , while the Doctor draws a comparison to Super Mario . [1] [2]

Production

Filming for "Extremis", as well as the following episode "The Pyramid at the End of the World", took place from 23 November 2016 to 17 January 2017. [4]

Cast notes

Joseph Long, who plays the Pope in this episode, previously appeared as Rocco Colasanto in the series 4 episode "Turn Left". [5] Tim Bentinck had previously played numerous roles in various Doctor Who audio productions. [6] [7] [8]

Broadcast and reception

The episode was watched by 4.16 million overnight. [9] The episode received 5.53 million views overall, and it received an Appreciation Index score of 82. [10] [11]

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)8.7/10 [12]
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)93% [12]
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. Club A [13]
Entertainment Weekly B+ [14]
GamesRadarStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [15]
TV FanaticStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [16]
IGN 8.6 [17]
New York MagazineStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [18]
Radio Times Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [19]
Daily Mirror Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [20]

"Extremis" received very positive reviews from critics, with many praising Capaldi's performance and Moffat's script, while calling the episode's story "unique" and "ambitious", though a few found the story complicated. [13] [19] [21] On Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 14 reviews are positive, with the site's consensus reading "'Extremis' expertly juggles several of Doctor Who's more thought-provoking themes, enlivened by a sharp-witted script and a fast-paced plot." [12]

Alasdair Wilkins of The A.V. Club awarded an A to "Extremis", noting that the creativity and experimental aspect of the writing showcased Steven Moffat at his best. He compared the story's quality to some of Moffat's previous stories, such as "Listen" and "Heaven Sent", stating that the episode was an experimental success and that "the result is unlike anything else you're likely to find on television, and certainly unlike anything else Doctor Who has done before." Wilkins also went on to praise Capaldi's acting in the episode, and how the character of the Doctor relates to Bill when making the revelation of the episode. [13]

Zoe Delahunty-Light of GamesRadar awarded a perfect score of 5 stars to the episode, asserting that "Doctor Who doesn't get better than this". She complimented how the episode played with complicated themes in a sophisticated manner, commenting on how the idea of a simulated world has been done before, but how Doctor Who took it further. She also commended Michelle Gomez's portrayal of Missy, and how the character "is a far more complicated regeneration of the Master than we realised". [15]

Scott Collura of IGN gave "Extremis" a rating of 8.6 out of 10, saying the timing of the episode within the series was perfect to elaborate on the secret of the vault, while also following a larger and more complex story. He also stated that the return of Michelle Gomez as Missy was long overdue and of a particular note to the episode. [17]

Patrick Mulkern of Radio Times also awarded a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars to the episode. The scenes with Missy were praised by him as "a gift for Michelle Gomez, a scene stealer", and the dynamic between the Doctor and Missy was also highlighted for being played with. The Monks were credited for being "bloody hideous", and were also compared to Moffat's previous creations such as the Silence for their worldwide silent invasion. They rounded up by labeling the episode "confident, breath-taking television from Steven Moffat". [19]

In contrast to the positive reviews, Daniel Jackson of the Daily Mirror felt that the problem with the episode wasn't the episode itself, but having to stop and think about the episode afterwards. He criticised the number of unnecessary twists in the episode and stated that the "reset" of the simulation undermined the events of the episode, and labelled the reveal of the vault "underwhelming", stating that "Extremis" was "two different half episodes that are really just setup for later". Despite this, Jackson complimented the theme of the Doctor's blindness and how it played into the episode, and how the scenes at CERN changed effortlessly between the comical and the horrified realisation, with certain parts of the episode being "outright creepy". [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Twelfth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Twelfth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Scottish actor Peter Capaldi in three series as well as four specials. As with previous incarnations of the Doctor, the character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 8 2014 series of Doctor Who

The eighth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who began on 23 August 2014 with "Deep Breath" and ended with "Death in Heaven" on 8 November 2014. The series was officially ordered in May 2013, and led by head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, alongside executive producer Brian Minchin. Nikki Wilson, Peter Bennett and Paul Frift served as producers. The series is the eighth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, the thirty-fourth season overall, and the first series since series five not to be split into two parts.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clara Oswald</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Clara Oswald is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. She was created by series producer Steven Moffat and portrayed by Jenna Coleman. Clara was introduced in the seventh series as a new travelling companion of the series protagonist, the Doctor, in his eleventh and twelfth incarnations.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 9 2015 series of Doctor Who

The ninth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who premiered on 19 September 2015 with "The Magician's Apprentice" and concluded on 5 December 2015 with "Hell Bent". The series was led by head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, alongside executive producer Brian Minchin. Nikki Wilson, Peter Bennett, and Derek Ritchie served as producers. The series is the ninth to air following the programme's revival in 2005, and is the thirty-fifth season overall.

Deep Breath (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2014 Doctor Who episode

"Deep Breath" is the first episode of the eighth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One and released in cinemas on 23 August 2014. It was written by showrunner and executive producer Steven Moffat and directed by Ben Wheatley.

The Magicians Apprentice (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2015 Doctor Who episode

"The Magician's Apprentice" is the first episode of the ninth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 19 September 2015. The episode was written by showrunner Steven Moffat and directed by Hettie MacDonald. It is the first of a two-part story; the second part, "The Witch's Familiar", aired on 26 September.

<i>Doctor Who</i> series 10 2017 series of Doctor Who

The tenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who premiered on 15 April 2017 and concluded on 1 July 2017 with twelve episodes, after it was formally announced in July 2015. The series is led by head writer and executive producer Steven Moffat, alongside executive producer Brian Minchin. It is the third and final series overseen by the two as executive producers, as well as Moffat's sixth and final series as head writer. This series is the tenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and is the thirty-sixth season overall.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Husbands of River Song</span> 2015 Doctor Who episode

"The Husbands of River Song" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. First broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2015, it is the eleventh Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005. It was written by Steven Moffat and directed by Douglas Mackinnon. The episode marks the return of Alex Kingston as River Song, making her first appearance alongside Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor, and also her last on screen appearance to date. This also features the first appearance of Nardole, who would become a companion starting from the next episode.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Return of Doctor Mysterio</span> 2016 Doctor Who episode

"The Return of Doctor Mysterio" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. First broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2016, it is the twelfth Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005. It was written by Steven Moffat and directed by Ed Bazalgette. The episode received generally positive reviews from critics.

"The Eaters of Light" is the tenth episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Rona Munro and broadcast on 17 June 2017 on BBC One. Munro previously wrote Survival, the final serial of the original run of Doctor Who, making her the only writer to date to have worked on the classic and revived eras of the show. The episode received generally positive reviews from television critics.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nardole</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Nardole is a fictional character created by Steven Moffat and portrayed by Matt Lucas in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is a companion of the Twelfth Doctor, an incarnation of the alien time traveller known as The Doctor, played by Peter Capaldi. Nardole initially appeared in the 2015 Christmas special "The Husbands of River Song", as a companion of River Song, before returning in the following episode "The Return of Doctor Mysterio", having become the Doctor's companion in the meantime, later alongside Bill Potts, who comes to mistakenly believe Nardole to be a robot.

"The Pyramid at the End of the World" is the seventh episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Peter Harness and Steven Moffat and broadcast on 27 May 2017 on BBC One. "The Pyramid at the End of the World" received generally positive reviews from television critics.

"The Lie of the Land" is the eighth episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Written by Toby Whithouse, it was broadcast on 3 June 2017 on BBC One. "The Lie of the Land" received mixed reviews from television critics.

"The Pilot" is the first episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Steven Moffat and broadcast on 15 April 2017 on BBC One. "The Pilot" received mostly positive reviews, with praise on the introduction of Pearl Mackie, and how the episode served both as a soft reboot and as a series premiere.

"World Enough and Time" is the eleventh and penultimate episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay, and was broadcast on 24 June 2017 on BBC One. The episode was the first part of a two-part story, concluding with The Doctor Falls.

"The Doctor Falls" is the twelfth and final episode of the tenth series, and 843rd episode overall, of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Steven Moffat, directed by Rachel Talalay, and was broadcast on 1 July 2017 on BBC One. It is the second episode of a two-part story, the first part being "World Enough and Time".

Bill Potts (<i>Doctor Who</i>) Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Bill Potts is a fictional character created by Steven Moffat and portrayed by Pearl Mackie in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. In the show's tenth series, starting with the first episode, Bill served as a companion of the Twelfth Doctor, an incarnation of the alien time traveller known as the Doctor.

"Empress of Mars" is the ninth episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Mark Gatiss and broadcast on 10 June 2017 on BBC One. "Empress of Mars" received generally positive reviews from television critics.

Twice Upon a Time (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2017 Doctor Who episode

"Twice Upon a Time" is a special episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2017 as the programme's thirteenth Christmas special. The episode was written by Steven Moffat and directed by Rachel Talalay. It features the final regular appearance of Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor, the first official appearance of Jodie Whittaker as the Thirteenth Doctor, and also stars David Bradley as the First Doctor. Pearl Mackie stars as the Twelfth Doctor's former companion Bill Potts, while his other companions make guest appearances – Jenna Coleman as Clara Oswald and Matt Lucas as Nardole. Mark Gatiss plays a First World War British army captain. The episode is a continuation of "The Doctor Falls", and takes place during the final serial of the First Doctor, The Tenth Planet (1966); footage from The Tenth Planet is used in the special. "Twice Upon a Time" is Capaldi's fourth and final Christmas special as the Twelfth Doctor, and at the time was the last Doctor Who story to be written and produced by Moffat, who served as the show's executive producer and chief writer since taking over from Russell T Davies in 2010. After the special's broadcast, Moffat was succeeded as executive producer and showrunner by Chris Chibnall.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Hogan, Michael (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who: Extremis, series 10 episode 6: the Doctor meets the Pope". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 Pete Dillon-Trenchard (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who: Extremis geeky spots and Easter eggs". Den of Geek . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  3. ↑ Fraser McAlpine (22 May 2017). "'Doctor Who': 10 Things You May Not Know About 'Extremis'". BBC America . Retrieved 23 May 2017.
  4. ↑ "Extremis: The Fact File". BBC . 20 May 2017. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  5. ↑ "BBC One, Doctor Who, Series 4, Turn Left". BBC . Retrieved 15 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "1.01. DESTINATION: NERVA". Big Finish Productions . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  7. ↑ "158. WIRRN ISLE". Big Finish Productions . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  8. ↑ "205. PLANET OF THE RANI". Big Finish Productions . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  9. ↑ "Extremis – Overnight Viewing Figures". Doctor Who News. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  10. ↑ Marcus (31 May 2017). "Extremis – Official Ratings". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 31 May 2017.
  11. ↑ Marcus (22 May 2017). "Extremis – Audience Appreciation:82". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
  12. 1 2 3 "Doctor Who, Series 10, Episode 6, Extremis". Rotten Tomatoes . Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  13. 1 2 3 Alasdair Wilkins (20 May 2017). "A great, experimental Doctor Who considers a world where all hope is gone". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  14. ↑ Nivea Serrao (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who recap: 'Extremis'". Entertainment Weekly . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  15. 1 2 Zoe Delahunty-Light (20 May 2017). "DOCTOR WHO S10.06 REVIEW: "DOCTOR WHO DOESN'T GET BETTER THAN THIS"". GamesRadar . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  16. ↑ Kathleen Wiedel (21 May 2017). "Doctor Who Season 10 Episode 7 Review: Extremis". TV Fanatic. Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  17. 1 2 Collura, Scott (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who: "Extremis" Review". IGN . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  18. ↑ Ruediger, Ross. "Doctor Who Recap: The Shadow World". New York Magazine. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  19. 1 2 3 Patrick Mulkern (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who Extremis review: "ingenious, breath-taking television from Steven Moffat"". Radio Times . Retrieved 21 May 2017.
  20. 1 2 Jackson, Daniel (20 May 2017). "Doctor Who Series 10 Episode 6 Extremis Review: Two half episodes bogged down by 'clever' twists". Daily Mirror . Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  21. ↑ "Doctor Who News: Reaction to Extremis". Doctor Who News. 21 May 2017. Retrieved 22 May 2017.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.