Doctor Who Series 6, Episode 11 Review: The God Complex
- doctorbrick
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
Updated: Jan 27
What did you think of this episode?
Sonic!
Good!
Bumpy-wumpy!
Exterminate!
I don't know what has gotten into me whilst I have watched series 6, I think I am reliving the disappointment I felt at the first time of this series airing and it is making me cranky. Or maybe it is because it it January. Or maybe it is because the talk of God complexes reminds me the orange cunt and his artist formerly known as Twitter friend are approaching...
This is another episode I like, but I feel might be a bit overrated, so I apologise if this review of The God Complex seems like an unfair attack on a highly thought of episode.
"Colonists maybe. Recreating a bit of home. Like when ex-pats open English pubs in Majorca. No, whoever did this I’m shaking his-stroke-her hand-stroke-tentacle."
I don't know why it doesn't quite hit me like other people, perhaps it is the beginning, I thought the dialogue between everyone was really clunky, perhaps it was because the ending especially reminded me of an episode earlier in the series - The Curse of the Black Spot.
The more I think about it, the more it seems like a pretty similar story but in a hotel not a pirate ship. People being transfixed by something? Check! A companion being transfixed by the thing people are being transfixed by? Check! Being on something that is a cover up of something else? Hospital or prison? Same thing really. Check!
"Personally I think you’ve got the right idea. At times like this I think of my old school motto. Resistance is exhausting.”
What did I enjoy about the episode? I know he isn't to everyone's taste, but I enjoyed David Walliams as the cowardly Gibbis. I also thought the set design was top notch, and the hotel looked really good.
I enjoyed the tease of the Doctor's room. I love things like this. Not being shown things and leaving it up to you is always fun. I know it gets revealed eventually, but even so...
The exploration of fear and faith is where the episode stands out. When the Doctor slags himself off to Amy it is great to watch him realise he has been a bit of a bell end to her, that her faith in him really has been a bit misplaced.
As I mentioned the resolution feels a bit underwhelming. The Minotaur’s death is poignant but overly familiar. The idea of setting the monster free reminds me of The Curse of the Black Spot, and Vincent and the Doctor, and The Beast Below, where the monster was revealed to be a misunderstood entity.
Despite this, The God Complex remains a solid episode. Its unsettling atmosphere, clever exploration of human psychology, and strong character moments make it memorable, even if the ending doesn’t quite stick the landing for me.
RATING: Good!
BEST LINE: "Your civilization is one of the oldest in the galaxy and now I see why. Cowardice isn’t quaint, it’s sly, aggressive."
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