Doctor Who series 8 - episode titles confirmed

Entertainment Weekly released this first look picture of Doctor Who series 8

Doctor Who returns to BBC One in five days. You may have noticed.

With five more days until Peter Capaldi officially takes the controls of the good ship TARDIS, the BBC revealed the titles of the episodes that will make up series 8. Along with the episode titles, there’s now also more information about Ben Wheatley’s second episode, Into the Dalek. So, despite still leaving most information in the dark, we can start speculating about what those episode titles may mean.

Mild spoilers, of course.

The first two episodes discussed

Deep Breath

Written by Steven Moffat, directed by Ben Wheatley

According to those fortunate enough to have attended advanced screenings, Deep Breath is a properly creepy first outing, with a definite Steampunk vibe. It’s set in Victorian London, the Paternoster Gang is back and Clara is having a bit of a hard time coping with this new Doctor.

Post-regenerative stress has been an issue before (the Sixth Doctor famously tried to strangle his companion, Peri, due to it – not to mention the Tenth Doctor being laid up in bed for most of his first outing), and it seems Twelve is definitely the polar opposite of the Doctor Clara is familiar with.

It promises to be a complete 180 from what’s come before – hopefully not to the point where people don’t tune in for the rest of the series, because it promises to be spectacular.

Into The Dalek

Written by Phil Ford and Steven Moffat, directed by Ben Wheatley

Them nasty pepper pots on wheels are back again, as Ben Wheatley takes The Doctor and puts him right where he shouldn’t be – in the company of Daleks, who are menacing a lone rebel ship. He’ll need Clara more than ever, as he’s faced with a decision that could change the Daleks forever. It sounds like this episode is the start of The Doctor’s arc of reflecting on who he is and what he’s become – the “Am I a good man?” question that pops up in the trailer will be of relevance here.

This episode will also mark Samuel Anderson’s entry into the Who-verse, as Clara’s colleague and boyfriend Danny Pink. Which will provide for another interesting thread running through this series: when you know someone like the Doctor, and you go on all these adventures with them, what happens to the people you love and leave behind?

Those other ten episodes…

Robot Of Sherwood
Writer: Mark Gatiss
Director: Paul Murphy

Listen
Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Douglas Mackinnon

Time Heist
Writers: Stephen Thompson and Steven Moffat
Director: Douglas Mackinnon

The Caretaker
Writers: Gareth Roberts and Steven Moffat
Director: Paul Murphy

Kill The Moon
Writer: Peter Harness
Director: Paul Wilmshurst

Mummy On The Orient Express
Writer: Jamie Mathieson
Director: Paul Wilmshurst

Flatline
Writer: Jamie Mathieson
Director: Douglas Mackinnon

In The Forest Of The Night
Writer: Frank Cottrell Boyce
Director: Sheree Folkson

Dark Water/Death In Heaven
Writer: Steven Moffat
Director: Rachel Talalay

Doctor Who returns on August 23rd, with a full length episode starting at 7.50 on BBC One. Check out our Doctor Who tag for all the Who-related goodness.

Jillian Boyd

Jillian Boyd is a lifestyle blogger, author of romantic/erotic fiction and a self-confessed film addict. Likes Doctor Who, Hannibal, Matt Fraction and David Aja's Hawkeye comics, crafting and baking.