Doctor Who season 1 episode 3 review: "Steven Moffat’s return with 'Boom' is an instant classic"

GamesRadar+ VerdictA simple premise beautifully executed, no one can write Doctor Who quite like Moffat – and Ncuti Gatwa has never been betterTODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon GamesRadar+ Verdict GamesRadar+ Verdict A simple premise beautifully executed, no one can write Doctor Who quite like Moffat – and Ncuti Gatwa has never been betterTODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon A simple premise beautifully executed, no one can write Doctor Who quite like Moffat – and Ncuti Gatwa has never been better TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALSCheck Amazon TODAY’S BEST DEALS Check Amazon Check Amazon Check Amazon Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. Why you can trust GamesRadar+Our experts review games, movies and tech over countless hours, so you can choose the best for you.Find out more about our reviews policy. The answer is a resounding yes as his latest episode ‘Boom’ proves once again that no one can write Doctor Who quite like Moffat. This time writer Moffat has teamed up with director Julie Anne Robinson for an episode which strips everything back, showing that less is more to remarkable effect. In short, it’s an instant classic. A relationship forever changed (Image credit: BBC) With no tricks up his sleeve and everything out of his control, The Doctor is desperate and powerless, quietly singing to himself in order to remain calm,continuing this season’s musical edge. Gatwa is able to explore a different side to the Time Lord, flexing some new muscles, even though ironically he doesn’t physically move for the vast majority of the episode. He’s completely mesmerizing as the actor instead has to rely on his eyes to tell the Doctor’s story - in fact, the actor has never been better than he is here. Moments of wonder (Image credit: BBC) Despite its simplistic premise, ‘Boom’ does dive into more complex themes which leaves us with much food for thought. The tight story confronts the audience with fascinating and timely questions regarding faith, war, as well as AI. In another writer’s hands this could have easily been explored rather clumsily or left too much as subtext, but Moffat expertly balances it all perfectly. Ultimately this is Doctor Who at its very best and it sets a new bar for the rest of the season – my thoughts and prayers go out to the team who had to follow Moffat’s masterpiece here. But with ‘Boom’ delivering some tantalizing teases (don’t worry, we aren’t going to spoil anything here) as to where we are going next, I simply cannot wait. Doctor Who episode 3 ‘Boom’ will be released on May 17 at 7pm ET onDisneyPlus and at midnight May 18 on BBC iPlayer, before airing later that day live on BBC One. For more great new TV, check out our guide tothe best new shows coming your way in 2024. Doctor Who: Price Comparison No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price informationCheck Amazon No price information No price information We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices CATEGORIESDisney PlusStreaming Services CATEGORIES More about doctor whoDoctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on"Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood More about doctor who Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on"Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on” Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa reflects on the one year anniversary of his debut as the Doctor admitting “I didn’t quite realize the magnitude of what I was taking on” Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Doctor Who showrunner Russell T Davies teases season 2’s “scariest episode” and a “big surprise” from the mysterious Mrs Flood Latest See more latest► Most PopularAnbernic RG28XX review: “a tiny budget handheld that fits in my weird tiny jeans pocket”Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"Razer Kraken V4 review: “an iconic headset, all grown up"Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"Meta Quest 3S review: “Maybe the best entry-level VR device ever 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