‘Doctor Who’ season 9, episode 6 preview: The Nightmare and ‘The Woman Who Lived’

One of the most entertaining things about “Doctor Who” season 9 for us so far has been the guessing game. We tend to get synopses around a week or so before episodes air, and with that we have to try to figure out how part 2 connects to part 1.

For example, we knew going into “The Girl Who Died” that we were going to see a story very much about Vikings, Maisie Williams, and The Mire. However, the synopsis for next week’s “The Woman Who Lived” couldn’t be any more different:

“England, 1651. The deadly Highwayman ‘The Nightmare’ and his sidekick stalk the dark streets of London. But when they find loot that’s not of this world, they come face to face with The Doctor.

“Who is the Nightmare in league with? And can the Doctor avoid the hangman’s noose and protect Earth from a devilish betrayal?”

What you have to be excited about here even more so than anything specific is a powerful character study. We’re not sure that the Doctor can learn anything at this point in his life, but “The Girl Who Died” brought a lot of themes to the table about sacrifice and heartache. This is something we hope to hear more of moving further into the future.

Even if this current saga is not necessarily your cup of tea, at least rest assured that there are still another six episodes to come after this one, plus a Christmas Special! We don’t know just yet which one will mark the departure of Jenna Coleman, but her days are numbered as a primary cast member.

One last thing: Who believes that Maisie’s character is actually gone? Look at the titles, people!

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