Doctor Who "The Caretaker"

Danny Pink joins the TARDIS crew. Kinda.

"The Caretaker" is one of those Doctor Who stories where The Doctor is undercover. Although there were full runs of Doctor Who where he was posing as a human on earth (see the Third Doctor serials which are some of the best classic episodes), these episodes occur only every once in awhile in the revival series. One can draw comparisons to the stellar Tenth Doctor two-parter "Human Nature/Family of Blood" or the fun companion episodes of "The Lodger" and "Closing Time" detailing the earthbound adventures of Eleven and his roommate Craig. In "The Caretaker" the Doctor manages to score a job at Coal Hill School as it's janitor. But in reality he's undercover to stop an alien threat.

Except that's really the B-plot of this episode which is honestly what makes it so interesting. This episode is really all about Danny Pink and his meeting with The Doctor. Over three episodes now, Clara has juggled time-traveling with The Doctor and romantic dates with Mr. Pink. This is all stated in a hilarious montage which starts the episode where Clara is exasperated with her dual life. Of course, she's also hiding information from both of her dalliances to The Doctor's annoyance and Pink's concern. Most of this episode takes place in Coal Hill School where we learn more about Clara's job and her students including the "disruptive influence" of Courtney who goes from demonic child in the premiere to mild nuisance in this. While The Doctor poses as The Caretaker, he places traps around the school in order to capture a wayward death machine which has materialized somewhere nearby. But the major conflict is that The Doctor doesn't think too highly of Mr. Pink, who he calls P.E. since he can't believe a soldier can also be an intellectual. More on that headscratcher later, but Pink eventually finds out about Clara and The Doctor and helps them get rid of the death robot. Whether he becomes a traveler on the TARDIS remains to be seen, but at least his relationship with Clara is saved...for now.

This episode is mostly a comedic romp much like "The Lodger" that came before but it's also a really important episode in establishing a new companion. Danny is turning into a reverse Rory where instead of building the character as the show goes one, instead we are building the character before he even joins The Doctor on adventures. It's clear he has what it takes but he has trouble accepting The Doctor because of his danger to Clara. And The Doctor can't accept Danny because he is not him. Twelve is especially cruel and petty in this episode and while it is mostly played for laughs, it actually comes off as a bit controlling and rude. I think it's ok to establish a different personality for The Doctor but not if he is especially rude to his friends. What is most mindbogglingly strange is how The Doctor is especially dismissive of soldier-like attitudes when he himself has been a soldier in the past. Perhaps, he hates himself for it but his lack of understanding or empathy for Danny Pink seems like a wasted opportunity. It's almost as if Moffat is trying to set up a love triangle even when he established there is no romantic element. It is both awkward and irritating and makes Clara seem like a weak character. The Doctor can be surly, but he also has to act like he's one of the good guys. Or this show is truly lost. 

Afterthoughts

- Finally, another appearance by Missy and her "Promised Land" which does indeed have dead people in it. She also has employees. Creepy.

- I actually chuckled at that faux-Matt Smith professor that The Doctor thought Clara was dating

- The brief time Courtney spent as a TARDIS companion proves that not everyone has the stomach for time and space adventures

- Danny hasn't quite joined the TARDIS crew fully yet from the looks of the next episode. Grr.

-Apparently The Doctor spent some time living with otters after having a fight with River. Fascinating.