The big fail that occurs here is the script. It's essentially thin and large chunks of it go precisely nowhere.
The plot is reveal the Great Healer and then there's a plot to assassinate him (which fails). The essentials of this are the scene with Orcini and Bostock in Kara's office and the assault on the Great Healer's area and the followup. Two or three scenes tops. Nearly everything else is unnecessary.
Jobel and Tasembeker are a side plot. So is the Doctor and Peri. Takis and Lilt, Natasha and Grigory too. The DJ is side side plot... or something.
This could be a 1 parter.
The Doctor/companion is barely involved in this. Indeed they only meet (some of) the main characters briefly and well into p2. Noticeably ALL of p1 has the Doc/Peri finding the front gate.
But the direction is slick and arty and the music is good and thoughtful. There are easy comparisons to make with Caves of Androzani here but if you've hit on a formula use it. The result is attractive and feels exciting to watch.
The actual acting is thoughtful (if mostly out of control), the setting is different. Dealing as it does in the unpalatable business of the death/funeral trade it deserves its reputation as sick, violent and distasteful. But scores a few points for being off beat.
Trevor Cooper and Colin Spaull as Takis and Lilt are a little underplayed. Jenny Tomasin as Tasembeker is repulsive and uncomfortable which is what she's meant to be. Clive Swift is very well observed as the viciously satirical Jobel (all that wig adjustment and the way it falls off when he dies.). The DJ is by turns weird, funny, artisanal, pathetic yet brave and tragic and a satire on the superficiality of commercialism and pop culture. Alexei is a thoughtful and sopisticated performer and this is amongst his best work. Eleanor Bron is vain, barely contained rage and driven to desperation as Kara. (VG). Hugh Walters as Vogel is suitably and deliciously obsequious. William Gaunt makes Orcini dismissive, contemptuous and weary yet honourable and gentlemanly (and homicidal...) The death pact, close to homoerotic stuff with Bostock at the end is strange but has a certain twisted nobility to it. Terry Molloy as Davros is effective and provides some continuity with the Series 21.
Easily the best cast of Series 22.
We've rated this a shade higher than Vengeance which gives it a best of series win.
ABM Rating 2.10/4.00
LJM Rating 3.00/5.00
SPJ Rating 4.45/10
No. 105 (out of 142)
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