So 'The Cold War' is the first Doctor Who episode of the new series that I have unequivocally enjoyed. Kalashnikovs, a ruthless and implacable villain and (excuse the misogyny) Oswin on a flooded submarine in a fairly skimpy dress made for great viewing.
It was tightly scripted and there were no jarring deus ex machines or especially noticeable logic errors. The lack of Russian accents was a shame but was suitably lampshaded by the usual appeal to Tardis translation. If only they could have resisted the temptation to give a covert Western agent on a Russian submarine an obviously American revolver (exposure risk anyone?) it would have been perfect.
Having not watched old Doctor Who I had no nostalgia for the Ice Warrior concept but it fitted well into the wider view of how war and the potential for mutually assured destruction fits into our ethical philosophies and can end up determining our behaviour. It was also interesting to see the series return to a perhaps less well known period of history even if it did require a bit more exposition than usual.
All in all, a definite return to form after the disappointing 'Rings of Akhaten' and the unremarkable 'Bells of Saint John'.
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