If you’re arachnophobic, the title “Arachnids in the U.K.” should give you a good indication that the latest episode of Doctor Who might be too much for you to handle. Fortunately, you’re not missing out on much.
After a visually jaw-dropping trek through the new iteration of the time vortex, the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her newly titled “team TARDIS” finally arrive back in present-day Sheffield. The first few minutes don’t have much in terms of plot, but make up for it in spades with character development. The Doctor is introduced to Yaz’s (Mandip Gill) family, with plenty of comedy ensuing as they try to reconcile with her alien antics. A few sparks could be seen flying between Yaz and another of the Doctor’s companions, Ryan (Tosin Cole) in previous episodes, but their awkward interactions tonight were especially telling.
This time to breathe also let Ryan and his step-grandfather Graham (Bradley Walsh) mourn the death of their grandmother and spouse, respectively, from the season premiere. Unlike many other deaths in Doctor Who, this one seems to have a real, sustained impact on the entire cast, one that will have to be reckoned with throughout the series.
As engaging as the initial character development is, however, “Arachnids in the U.K.” might be the first episode of the new season to embarrass Whovians, as the episode’s central plot is unmistakably silly, even when it tries to take itself seriously. Giant spiders have emerged from a new luxury hotel, and it’s up to the Doctor and crew to stop them from escaping and terrorizing the people of London. If that sounds ridiculous, that’s because it is, and not in a self-aware sort of way.
Accentuating this embarrassment is Jack Robertson (Chris North), a business tycoon who plans to run for president of the United States in 2020. Alongside plenty of explicit political commentary without much substance to back it up, a shock following the previous episode’s mature handling of political themes, Robertson’s character is a bit too on the nose to be taken seriously. Although often played for laughs, Robertson’s sheer inadequacy coupled with his bombastic confidence and lack of human sympathy come off as cartoonishly unbelievable and cringy. “How’s that for fire and fury?,” Robertson quips at a downed arachnid.
Doctor Who has a handful of delightfully frightening episodes over its long history. Yet despite the series’ recent creativity in frightening locations and monsters, the best thing anyone could think of for the show’s Halloween episode was giant spiders. While sure to traumatize those with arachnophobia, the rest of us will watch with a different kind of disgust, one that comes from a weak premise and weaker guest characters. While further developing what are becoming a rich core cast, this episode is one some “Whovians” will want to gather cobwebs.
Doctor Who airs Sundays at 8 p.m. on BBC America.
