In the grand, galloping cosmos of Doctor Who, last night’s episode, The Well, lands like a meteor on a desolate plain—stark, gripping, and radiating an eerie glow that lingers long after impact. Set 500,000 years hence on the brutal Planet 6-7-6-7, this is Who at its most claustrophobic, a nerve-shredding chamber piece that resurrects a terror from Russell T Davies’ past with audacious verve. It’s a triumph of tension, bolstered by Varada Sethu’s presence and visuals that sear the soul, though it stumbles slightly in a mid-episode reveal that feels more nostalgic than necessary. Like a TARDIS caught in a time storm, The Well is both thrillingly familiar and daringly fresh, a paradox that mostly works.
The visuals are a masterstroke, painting a mining colony as a frozen crypt bathed in the lethal glow of galvanic radiation. The Disney+ budget flexes subtly here—not in bombast but in atmosphere: shattered mirrors, frost-rimed corridors, and the stark beauty of an Xtonic star’s deadly light. The episode’s aesthetic recalls the stark terror of Aliens or The Thing, with every shadow hiding a threat. When the Doctor and Belinda don Tron-esque bodysuits, the futuristic sheen contrasts hauntingly with the colony’s decay, a visual metaphor for hope against despair. It’s a setting that doesn’t just support the story but amplifies it, making every creak and flicker pulse with dread.
Varada Sethu, as Belinda Chandra, is once again the episode’s beating heart, her performance a blend of steely resolve and raw vulnerability. As an A&E nurse thrust into a nightmare, she grounds the cosmic horror with a pragmatism that’s both relatable and riveting. Her chemistry with Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor is electric, their banter a lifeline amidst the terror—she challenges his bravado with a look or a quip, like when she demands, “I just want to go home”. And, with the utmost discretion, one must note that Sethu’s form, elegantly framed in her futuristic attire, adds a subtle allure to her commanding presence, her silhouette a quiet counterpoint to the episode’s grim palette. She’s not just a companion; she’s a force, her expressive eyes and sharp delivery stealing scenes from even the Doctor himself.
Gatwa, for his part, delivers a Doctor both haunted and heroic, his usual flamboyance tempered by a dread that seeps into his eyes as he realizes he’s facing an old foe—the enigmatic entity from 2008’s Midnight. His performance is a tightrope walk, balancing charm with a rare vulnerability that makes the stakes feel personal. Yet the episode’s one misstep lies in its handling of this Midnight connection, particularly the mid-point reveal of the creature’s return. While the twist is chilling—landing with a jolt as the Doctor pieces together clues about Planet 6-7-6-7’s true identity—it leans too heavily on nostalgia, offering little new insight into the entity’s nature. The reveal thrills but doesn’t deepen, a rare case of Davies favouring fan-service over substance, as some critics have noted for cheapening the original’s ambiguity.
Still, The Well is a triumph of execution. Co-written by Davies and Sharma Angel-Walfall, it weaves a mystery—dead colonists, a lone survivor (a phenomenal Rose Ayling-Ellis), and an invisible killer—into a tapestry of suspense that rarely falters. Ayling-Ellis, as the deaf cook Aliss, delivers a performance that’s both heart-breaking and heroic, her sign language adding a layer of raw humanity. The episode’s pacing is relentless, building from a quiet, creepy opening to a finale that’s both satisfying and unsettling, avoiding the rushed resolutions of earlier Disney-era stories. Mrs. Flood’s latest cryptic cameo, spying with her vortex vindicator, adds a tantalizing thread to the season’s arc.
The Well is Doctor Who at its most ruthless, a descent into terror that honours its legacy while carving new scars. Sethu’s radiance, the haunting visuals, and a monster that still defies explanation make it a standout, even if its backward glance at Midnight doesn’t quite match the original’s shadow.
Ten Interesting Things from "The Well":
- Icy Visuals: The mining colony’s frostbitten decay, lit by an Xtonic star’s lethal glow, crafts a chilling, Aliens-esque atmosphere.
- Midnight’s Echo: The return of the Midnight entity, revealed mid-episode, is a shocking nod to a 2008 classic, though it risks over-explaining.
- Sethu’s Strength: Varada Sethu’s Belinda shines with wit and grit, her fitted bodysuit subtly accentuating her commanding form.
- Ayling-Ellis’ Impact: Rose Ayling-Ellis’ Aliss, a deaf survivor, delivers a gut-wrenching performance, her sign language a narrative cornerstone.
- Gatwa’s Dread: Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, haunted by past fears, balances charm and terror with a masterful touch.
- Soundtrack Suspense: The music, evoking classic Who, drives the tension, making every silence scream.
- Mrs. Flood’s Mystery: Anita Dobson’s cameo, spying with a vindicator, hints at a season-long conspiracy.
- Sign Language Spotlight: Aliss’ use of sign language, paired with subtitles, adds inclusivity and emotional depth.
- Trooper Archetypes: The soldiers—nameless like “Trooper One”—echo classic sci-fi, with a hot-headed officer adding friction.
- Earth’s Absence: The episode’s subtle hints at Earth’s 2025 destruction tie into the season’s ominous arc.