Real, or not real?
The Doctor is still blind, and so hes back to the sonic sunglasses!
Luckily, Nardole is a wingman for the ages and helps narrate many things the Doctor might miss otherwise.
Credit: Simon Ridgway/BBC America
(Bill deserves better, and not just because of this.)
Angelo goes to investigate and is pulled in by an alien hand.
Not that the Doctor, Bill, and Nardole realize hes missing.
Simon Ridgway/BBC America
Theyve made their way to a cage containing the translation of the Veritas.
Only one of the last surviving translators is there.
He jumps out, carrying a gun, and runs off into the darkness… and kills himself.
But that doesnt stop the Doctor from sending Bill and Nardole after him.
The white portal appears, and both of them walk toward it.
(Coincidentally, where one of Dan Browns books is briefly set.)
Both companions beat a hasty getaway before they can die, returning to that white chamber.
Only now there are blood drops on the floor leading to one specific portal.
But what Nardole cant work out is how they got into this video game-esque simulation.
Hes the one who set the controls on the TARDIS.
Hence he decides to go to the center of this circular room, where its all dark.
Only upon doing so, he realizeshes part of the simulation as well!
(Told you it was a mind bender.)
She steps into the White House to find that the presidenthas killed himself.
Presumably, because he too read Veritas.
The people who realize it tend to rebel, killing themselves to escape it.
Only the Doctor cant see it…
The Doctor distracts them and runs away with the laptop the translation is on.
But as he reads the words, A Test of Shadows.
It points out hes not real.
You dont have to be real to be the Doctor.
You just have to try.
Now in reality again we see the Doctor act on this information.
What he doesnt tell her is that things are going to get very busy.
Unfortunately, they didnt realize she was the Doctors friend.
(Though we know thats not an option.)
We see the Doctor using a gear that might affect his future self.
Also, if well have a future incarnation who might be blind thanks to the Doctors meddling.
We also see the Doctor and Bills bond continue to be more parental.
Theres also the fact that he doesnt want her to know hes blind.
Theres a bit of an affection and consideration here that we havent seen as much with previous companions.
Though the Doctors never been injured this severely.
Also a treat this episode was Nardole and Bills friendship, which is really coming along.
I could have easily watched outtakes of them traveling to each of the portals and getting into shenanigans.
Though Im actually quite excited to see what Bill will make of her and vice versa.
Thats what makes a villain like the one hes up against such a fascinating foe.
Can we trust what well be seeing in future episodes?
How will we know if its a simulation or not?
Maybe its the alien testing out how the Doctor fares against different problems?
Makes me wish its next week already.
