Former Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat returns to the show after seven years away with Boom, an episode that feels like a compendium of his best and worst traits. His former episodes include firm fan favorites The Girl in the Fireplace and Blink, both high-concept stories that include deep emotional stakes to those involved. His time as showrunner from 2010 to 2017 was sadly marred by terrible, convoluted plotting, an insistence on returning to ruin his previously written characters, such as The Weeping Angels, and a smarminess in the writing that prevented emotional attachment.
The show during his tenure had bright spots – the masterful Vincent and the Doctor occurred during this time – but there was a distinct issue with his overarching writing that it was a relief when he stepped down. Boom has a Moffat-sized hole in it, as it resides bang in the middle of Moffat’s sensibilities as a writer. It is a high-concept, emotionally charged episode with sharp dialogue. There is an attempt within Boom to capture tension similarly to Moffat’s previous stories, but that tension is far too hollow for how dependent the episode is on it.
This review was first posted on May 19th 2024. Full review linked below.
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