On the face of it, this episode is a bit ridiculous, right down to the somewhat silly Skovox Blitzer to the ludicrous notion of The Doctor thinking that his John Smith persona is remotely working as “undercover”.  But underneath the absurdity is a strong character piece for all three leads, as we see Danny Pink getting closer and closer to becoming a true Companion.  It doesn’t take much thought to realize that the title of the episode is all about the roles assumed by The Doctor, Clara, and Danny in various ways.

 

Whatever the sins of the past, this season has shown that Moffat is capable of building up a female character when he puts his writing staff to the task.  There are still roadbumps (“Time Heist” being one of them), but can anyone argue that this episode wasn’t all about Clara taking strong charge of the men in her life?  And it centered on her choices and giving voice to them, which is of primary importance.

 

What became very clear is that The Doctor feels a certain level of ownership of Clara’s time, which is an attitude that may have been reasonable when she and The Doctor were circling each other semi-romantically.  Now it’s a more father/mentor role that he’s playing, and so his attitude is constricting, especially since she doesn’t really view him in that way.  How much she allows it to happen, in exchange for the excitement traveling with The Doctor brings to her life, is hers to decide.

 

This episode highlights a factor that hasn’t been explored very often with Clara: how is the life of a Companion viewed from the outside?  Not in terms of those who encounter a Companion in other times/societies, where he/she is presented as with The Doctor, but those who know the Companion in their “normal” lives?   Clara’s existence was so defined by The Doctor and her role as “The Impossible Girl” during the latter half of Series 7 that this feels like a bit of a revelation.  Clara’s role as The Doctor’s conscience is hardly new for a Companion, but very refreshing from the “all important” label placed on the last several Companions (Martha being the last one to truly be just a normal human being!).

 

This is also a banner episode for Danny, who stood up to The Doctor in some very important ways that Clara couldn’t.  The Doctor has occasionally been hostile or at least dismissive towards the military and soldiering (Three and Five come instantly to mind), but this is more extreme; unfortunately for him, Danny recognizes the attitude of an officer who never rose through the ranks and dresses The Doctor down accordingly.  Danny needed to do that directly to gain even a measure of The Doctor’s respect, of course; that’s how it usually goes.  And I also love that Danny didn’t let Clara off the hook, either, but patiently coaxed her into expressing herself.

 

At least some of The Doctor’s reaction is fear, a basic recognition that if Clara acts as his conscience, then someone like Danny is the surest way to lose her from his life.  And The Doctor has learned time and again that he can’t work alone; it always allows the worst side of himself (the one that ultimately resembles The Master) to take hold.  Danny represents the ticking clock, and the uncertainty that comes with it for The Doctor.