On their first proper trip together in the Tardis the Doctor
takes Clara to see the Rings of Akhaten, where several planetoids circle an
asteroid with a great golden pyramid and a giant star. The duo visit a large alien market on the
planet closest to the pyramid where dozens of species have gathered for a
ceremony that only occurs once every thousand years.
Whilst exploring Clara meets a young girl named Merry Gejelh,
the Queen of Years who has an important part to play in the ceremony. Initially afraid of taking part because she
might go wrong Clara convinces her to go ahead.
The Doctor and Clara attend the ceremony, where The Doctor
explains that since the Rings were settled there has been a constant song sung
to keep an angry god asleep. The people fear that the god, which they call
Grandfather, will awaken and consume the entire universe if the song is ever
interrupted. Merry begins her song, but
during the ceremony the mummy within the pyramid awakens and Merry is pulled
into it.
The Doctor and Clara race after her to save her from the
mummy and prevent the angry god from awakening.
 |
| The Doctor and Clara see Akhaten for the first time. |
‘The Rings of Akhaten’ is an interesting episode filled with
marvels and massive scope, unfortunately it suffers from the modern series
format. Crammed into a scant 45 minutes
the episode feels incredibly rushed and half told. The plot would have felt more at home as a
classic series serial, with several episodes in which to fully explore the plot
and characters.
As it is the Vigil and the Mummy appear briefly and play
very little actual threat and the resolution comes so soon that it feels almost
easy. Yes, there are some great
character moments and the episode is filled with visual spectacle but these
cannot help to save the episode from its glaring faults.
 |
| The Doctor confronts the 'Angry God'. |
A very rushed episode that doesn’t have enough time to fully
explore the story or characters. Could
very well have been a great episode, but as it is may be remembered as
something of a misstep. 4/10.
Amy.
xx
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