Doctor Who, series 11, episode 8 – The witchfinders

Arriving in 17th Century Lancashire, the TARDIS team become embroiled in a witch trial. The Christians could not spill the blood of other humans, so, in that times the accusers used to put the defendant through some deadly trials to prove their innocence.

If the defendant had died drowning he / she was considered innocent and his / her soul would get to heaven. If the defendant had survived that means the devil helped him / her and he / she was guilty to any of the charges were made and he / she was going to be hanged.

The episode is a little better that the previous ones: after the firsts unusual moments there was a mystery to be solved, some zombie lurking through the little village and an alien army captive under a hill for a very long time. When a woman cut down a tree because it was blocking her view she weakened the tech locks that keep the aliens inside, and some of them get out and they want to free the rest. An idea good enough to a clear conflict, especially because the presence of the king only made the tension grow up. Unfortunately that the Doctor solved the problem by pure luck, not by a clear plan (something to be recognized by everyone).

Directed by Sallie Aprahamian, written by Joy Wilkinson. Cast: Jodie Whittaker (The Doctor), Bradley Walsh (Graham O’Brien), Tosin Cole (Ryan Sinclair), Mandip Gill (Yasmin Khan), Alan Cumming (King James I), Siobhan Finneran (Becka Savage), Tilly Steele (Willa Twiston), Tricia Kelly (Old Mother Twiston), Arthur Kay (Smithy), Stavros Demetraki (Alfonso).

The next episode, It takes you away, brings the TARDIS team on the edge of a Norwegian fjord in the present day. The Doctor, Ryan, Graham and Yaz discover a boarded-up cottage and a girl named Hanne in need of their help. Do you want to find out what has happened there? What monster lurks in the woods around the cottage – and beyond?