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 From: doctor@doctor.nl2k.ab.ca 
  
 "Deep Breath" marks Peter Capaldi's debut as the Twelfth Doctor, and it's an 
 episode that deliberately sets a different tone from Matt Smith's era. It's 
 a 
 darker, more introspective story that focuses on the Doctor's regeneration 
 and his struggle to find his new identity. Here's a review considering 
 common 
 opinions and my own: 
  
 **What people tend to praise:** 
  
 *   **Capaldi's introduction:** Capaldi delivers a strong and distinctive 
 performance from the outset, establishing his Doctor as a more serious, 
 gruff, 
 and morally ambiguous figure. 
  
 *   **Atmosphere and tone:** The episode has a darker, more gothic 
 atmosphere 
 than previous regeneration stories, 
 which suits Capaldi's portrayal of the Doctor. 
  
 *   **The Paternoster Gang:** The return of Vastra, Jenny, and Strax 
 provides 
 some familiar faces and adds to the Victorian setting. Their interactions 
 with Clara are a highlight. 
  
 *   **The villain:** The clockwork droids are creepy and effectively 
 unsettling, and their connection to "The Girl in the Fireplace" 
 adds a nice callback for long-time fans. 
  
 **What people tend to criticize:** 
  
 *   **Pacing issues:** The episode's pacing can feel uneven, 
 with some sections dragging while others feel rushed. 
  
 *   **Overreliance on Clara:** Clara's role is quite prominent, and some 
 feel 
 that the episode focuses too much on her reaction to the new Doctor rather 
 than fully exploring the Doctor's own struggles. 
  
 *   **Moral ambiguity:** The Doctor's actions in the episode, particularly 
 his 
 handling of the Half-Face Man, raise some ethical questions that 
 some viewers find uncomfortable. 
  
 **My rating and thoughts:** 
  
 I'd give "Deep Breath" a **7.5/10**. It's a solid introduction to Peter 
 Capaldi's Doctor and effectively establishes a new tone for the show. 
 Capaldi's performance is excellent, and the darker atmosphere 
 is well-realised. The Paternoster Gang provide some enjoyable moments, 
 and the clockwork droids are a creepy and effective threat. 
  
 However, the episode is not without its flaws. The pacing can be uneven, and 
 the focus on Clara can detract from the Doctor's own journey. The moral 
 ambiguity of the Doctor's actions is also a point of contention 
 for some viewers. 
  
 Overall, "Deep Breath" is a decent regeneration story that successfully 
 introduces a new and distinctive Doctor. It's not a perfect episode, but it 
 sets the stage for an interesting and compelling era of Doctor Who. 
  
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