Doctor Who preview: Thirteen ponders saying goodbye (and also there are spiders)
By Lacy Baugher
The new season of Doctor Who continues as the Doctor takes her companions home, only to find out that something creepy is happening with the spiders of Sheffield.
The new season of Doctor Who continues to follow the series’ well established patterns. Now that the new companions have seen space, met some aliens and gone back to the past, it’s time for the episode where they all go home.
Enter “Arachnids in the U.K.”, a story based around the idea that Thirteen will at least make an effort to return her surprise traveling partners back to where and when they belong. But, of course, it seems that things won’t go quite to plan.
One question: Why does it always have to be spiders?
This isn’t the first time that Doctor Who has faced creepy enemies of the eight-legged variety. Third Doctor Jon Pertwee’s final story was “Planet of the Spiders” back in 1974, and Tenth Doctor David Tennant faced off against the Racnoss Queen during Christmas installment “The Runaway Bride,” to mention just a few.
The commonality between them all? Spiders are real gross.
And it certainly doesn’t sound as though “Arachnids in the U.K.” will be much different.
The official BBC synopsis explains the story as follows.
"‘Something’s happening with the spiders in this city.’ The Doctor, Yaz, Graham and Ryan find their way back to Yorkshire – and Yaz’s family – only to find something is stirring amidst the eight-legged arachnid population of Sheffield."
The trailer leans hard into the “terrifying spiders” vibe, giving away very little about the story but reminding us that arachnids are scary as heck. Also there are a few quick shots of guest star Chris Noth, formerly of Sex and the City and Law and Order.
The BBC also released a first look clip at the episode, which features Thirteen awkwardly attempting to say goodbye to the three new friends she’s made, now that they’re all safely returned to London.
Odds are this clip will take place rather early in “Arachnids in the U.K.”, so we know this isn’t a farewell that will likely stick. Still, it’s surprising how difficult and emotional this pseudo-goodbye is, given that this quartet has only been together for three episodes thus far. It’s a testament to the chemistry between these actors that I was as relieved as anyone when Yaz offered up the prospect of a group trip for tea.
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Doctor Who season 11 continues Sunday, Oct. 28 at 8 ET/7 CT on BBC America.