Doctor Who - Before the Flood - Advance Preview + Dialogue Teasers

© BBC Pictures
Once again we are coming into a second part of a story, meaning that the characters have already been introduced and the plot is established well enough in the viewer’s minds. Writer Toby Whithouse takes full advantage of this during the pre-credits scene. Instead of a traditional teaser piece which sets up the perils ahead, the Doctor instead breaks the fourth wall and introduces the viewers to the episode, and its devices, himself.

Although this concept has been used in the show previously over the years it has never been taken to this level before, and I can’t say that it works for me unfortunately. It’s not just the talking to the viewers that sits uncomfortably however, it’s the process that he explains too. Giving away clues for the episode at the start of it is probably not the best idea if you want to then surprise people later on, for example. Especially when there are many who have actively spent all week avoiding any spoilers on-line as it is!

The other issue the episode has is one that Under the Lake also suffered from, and I did touch on it briefly in my last preview too. With such a large cast it’s inevitable that not all of them will be fleshed out, or get sufficient screen time to have us caring about them or their plight. This week it’s the turn of Prentis, played by Paul Kaye. As you have no doubt seen in the promotional photos, the Tivolian is alive and well in 1980 when the Doctor, Bennett and O’Donnell meet him. Yet once again he is woefully under used as a character actor, and I can’t help feeling that someone with his talent could have far more to offer the show than we get to see in these two episodes.

On the plus side, Bennett (Arsher Ali) gets a chance to show us what he is made of this week after spending much of Under the Lake in the background. He may not take to time travel particularly well – his immediate reaction being along the lines of Courtney Woods’ during her first visit to space – but he’s not backwards in coming forward when it’s time to challenge the Doctor about his methods. In fact, I would say that he is the character who undergoes the biggest personal journey throughout the episode, and is the one member of the crew that drives his colleagues towards their final resolution.

There are still a number of scares to come, which the younger viewers will no doubt enjoy, a couple of which are teased out to almost unbearable lengths which should have them reaching for that cushion to hide behind. Yet when it comes down the crux of the matter - the Doctor’s face off against the Fisher King himself – I can’t help feeling a bit disappointed after the strong build up. There’s no denying that he’s an impressive looking alien, with both Peter Serafinowicz and Slipknot’s Corey Taylor contributing first rate vocal performances which only add to his terrifying presence. Therefore it is a tad unsatisfying when his ‘evil plan’ is somewhat vague, and boils down to what is essentially popcorn logic.


Before the Flood airs on Saturday 10th October at 8.25pm on BBC 1 and BBC 1 HD in the UK, and at 9pm on BBC America. Below are a few dialogue teasers to see you through until then, if you want to have any guesses on who said what I will fill in any correct answers before the episode airs. Don't forget to come back to vote in our poll after the episode and let us know what you thought.


“Okay, didn't need anyone to translate that”

“He’s opened the Faraday cage. He’s letting all the other ghosts out”

“It’s bigger on the inside, it’s bigger on the inside, it’s bigger on the inside! How can it be bigger on the inside Bennet!”

“He and his armies’ invaded Tivoli enslaved us for ten glorious years”

“I've met Beethoven. Nice chap, very intense. Loved an arm wrestle”

“How do I look? Any sign of trauma, and scars, any clues as to how I die?”

“The chamber will open tonight”

“Sorry about that, the prawn sandwich might have been off”

“You never listen to anyone, it drives me mad”

“She said to ask you whether travelling with the Doctor changed you, or were you always happy to put other people’s lives at risk?”


Trailer Teaser

“I'm the Doctor, and I save people”

About the Author - Sandi

Sandi is part of the Senior Staff at SpoilerTV having been a contributor from back in the Lost days of DarkUFO, and who now writes previews for Banshee, The Musketeers, Poldark, and other BBC shows. She also enjoys watching and commenting on other shows such as Reign, Orphan Black, Game of Thrones and The Flash.

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