The Doctor and her companions start this episode off by standing in front of the TARDIS on a beautiful country side. After some very scientific analysis ,AKA The Doctor tasting the earth beneath her, she learns that they’re in Norway. As The Doctor is investigating they notice something very odd. A house in the distance without smoke coming from its chimney during chilly weather.
The team decides to investigate further, and as they get closer things just keep looking stranger and stranger. The house is boarded up, thinking that it’s been abandoned they enter. Shortly after they meet a young woman named Hannah. The house is lonely, and she’s been left totally alone and is going hungry. Hannah tells The Doctor that her dad has gone missing. And, of course The Doctor wants to help.
Meanwhile Graham goes into a room of the house. He finds a mirror and something very odd happens. One moment he’s looking at his reflection in the mirror. Then next? Graham hears a noise and suddenly his reflection in the mirror disappears. The Doctor doesn’t hesitate to run head-first into the mirror.
Upon entering the mirror The Doctor discovers a portal. Within it? A strange alien, deadly insects, and suddenly…a bright light and they’re suddenly home. Well, so it seems. But of course this is Doctor Who, and things are never as they seem.
Eventually everyone ends up on the other side of the portal. They’re tempted by wondrous things to stay. But, The Doctor knows that what they’re being shown isn’t real…
This episode had something that I adore about Doctor Who. The Doctor’s amazing ability to understand aliens, to connect with them, and most of all to help them. Every incarnation of The Doctor has always has these traits. And, 13 does a beautiful job of carrying on this torch. I never thought I’d say I teared up a little watching The Doctor talk to a frog, but I totally did.
Doctor Who teaches viewers time and time again to not judge an outsider or someone that is different. Listen to people that are different, take a few steps in their shoes, and that way you can understand what they’re going through. You may even make a new friend. The Doctor has countless times.
8.5/10 Stars
