Doctor Who’s The Well Nails a David Tennant Sequel by Avoiding a Massive Mistake!

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Warning: Major spoilers ahead for Doctor Who episode The Well.

In their recent episode, Doctor Who hinted at a significant fan speculation by explicitly referring to “Midnight” as the title for its next installment, suggesting that The Well could be a follow-up storyline to the renowned David Tennant episode, Midnight.

As a movie enthusiast, I must say, I had my suspicions piqued long before the official confirmation. With each intriguing graphic and captivating teaser for The Well, especially the one showing a clock striking midnight, I found myself piecing together the puzzle. But to hear it officially announced that this episode is indeed the finest of season 15 yet, well, that sent a rush of excitement coursing through me!

As a cinephile, I can attest that sequels frequently walk a precarious path, often struggling to match the brilliance of their predecessors.

From a fellow film enthusiast, let me share my thoughts: While “The Well” might not reach the mind-bending terror heights of “Midnight,” it certainly respects its roots. It steers clear of an unfortunate blunder – unveiling the true nature of the creature, which would have undermined the episode’s essence.

At midnight, the Tenth Doctor found himself stranded on a spaceship resembling a bus, while a puzzling entity took over one of the travelers, causing them to echo every conversation inside the vehicle.

In another development, the third installment of Ncuti Gatwa’s latest season unfolds the story where the Doctor and Belinda (Varada Sethu) find themselves on a harsh planet. There, they stumble upon a mining colony that has been mysteriously devastated, leaving only one living soul, Aliss Fenly, portrayed by Rose Ayling-Ellis, as the sole survivor.

However, not long after, a malicious, hidden figure materializes behind Aliss, only to reveal itself as a being known to the Doctor.

The primary factor contributing to Midnight’s effectiveness lies in its enigmatic nature. It remains hidden throughout the episode, transitioning from host to host, and inciting conflict among humans by amplifying their fear and encouraging them to compete for survival.

The enigma remains unnamed, which means neither the Doctor nor anyone else knows the full extent of its power, let alone how to contain or defeat it.

In contrast to many science fiction series that rely on clear explanations due to their fantastical elements, Doctor Who doesn’t always stick with ambiguity; however, when it does, it tends to be exceptionally effective, as demonstrated by last season’s episode titled “73 Yards.

At midnight, the enigma of the creature is brilliantly demonstrated through a deliberate vagueness, keeping us at arm’s length so we can’t fully grasp it or even halt its actions. In Midnight, Russell T Davies cleverly follows a timeless filmmaking principle that many directors have utilized since Steven Spielberg and Ridley Scott – Hide the Beast.

Although it may appear worn-out, it remains undeniably potent, as whatever the viewer envisions is likely to be more terrifying than what can be portrayed visually.

Indeed, showing restraint in revealing creatures or monsters on shows like Doctor Who, known for their extraterrestrial beings, can prove incredibly impactful when not overused.

As a devoted film buff, I can confidently say that the hauntingly brilliant script of “Midnight” paired with the bone-chillingly intense performances by David Tennant and Lesley Sharp set this episode apart as one of the most memorably terrifying installments in Doctor Who’s modern revival.

Instead, it could be rephrased as: With just a single action – naming the creature – The Well had the power to reverse everything that happened.

It might have been tempting for Davies to capitalize on Gatwa’s two-season arc and elevate it to legendary status – the episode initially appears to be heading in this direction, as the Doctor suggests that the creature enjoys playing games, similar to the gods we’ve encountered previously.

However, the episode doesn’t provide a closer look at the mysterious creature, instead offering fleeting glimpses as seen from Aliss Fenly’s (Rose Ayling-Ellis) perspective. The creature remains unidentified, even in the credits where it is simply called ‘It Has No Name’.

In the sequel episode of Midnight, it’s a daring move to keep us at a distance from the creature, as there seems to be a need for some new elements in the narrative – after all, as a sequel, The Well should provide a reason for its continuation in the story.

Rather than being explicitly identified, the narrative unfolds as the enigmatic entity reveals itself through various disguises and violent acts – ambushing unwary victims from behind its hosts or unsuspecting bystanders. Over countless millennia on Midnight, this elusive creature has grown in power and cunning.

Additionally, we learn in this encounter something that the Doctor remains unaware of – the creature’s survival. Given its ancient existence, it’s hardly surprising that something human-created like a nuclear weapon wouldn’t be able to eradicate it.

The ending is a tantalizing clue that the Midnight creature might make another appearance; moreover, it cleverly subverts typical Doctor Who storylines.

As a cinephile, let me put it this way: The Doc may have vanished, but that monster he was chasing? Not vanquished. It couldn’t be. Now, with its home planet left behind, it’s rampaging through an entirely new cosmos of hapless victims, eager to strike fear across galaxies.

Sleep well, everyone.

Season fifteen of Doctor Who resumes on the 3rd of May 2025. You can catch it first thing in the morning on BBC iPlayer at 8 am. Later in the day, it will also be broadcast on BBC One.

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2025-04-26 22:37