
30 October 2018
Gigantic spiders are the most harmless of the Doctor’s foes
https://youtu.be/JCl_tCrK8YA
A few weeks in, and Doctor Who has run through a strange gallery of foes. Teeth-collecting alien trophy hunters, homicidal dish rags and 1950s American racism have all popped up, but this week’s episode may have had the most terrifying menace yet for the Doctor and her gang: spiders. Not just any spiders, mind you, but oversized creepy-crawlies whose appearance on the show resulted in an adventure that was equal parts campy, creepy and surprisingly grounded in science.
After all, what could be darker than the idea of London overrun with eight-legged vermin, especially when you factor in the long history that the Doctor has with spiders and how they actually cost her a regeneration back in the classic days of the show? Scary enough, but in typical Doctor Who fashion, the real villain of the show isn’t an organism that is merely confused and carrying on its instinctive behaviour, but a more human and ruthless antagonist who serves as a foil to the Team TARDIS.
There’s some proper suspense in this episode as well, which successfully manages to take a concept that sounds like it comes straight out of a B-grade horror movie and injects some life into it. As lethal and as dangerous as they may be, you can’t help but feel some pity for the arachnid army present in Doctor Who, creatures whose very real predatory nature is outmatched by a lack of business ethics and the real-world consequences of their own biology working against them.
Chris Noth’s Jack Robertson steals the episode, easily escaping the temptation to be a surrogate stand-in for US President Donald Trump and emerges as the true antagonist of the show: a ruthless tyrant/businessman who plans to oppose the current American head of state with his own brand of cutthroat capitalism, painting a dark picture for the future of global politics.
Will we see Noth’s vile businessman again? A part of me certainly hopes so, as the idea of the Doctor opposing every monstrous action that he’ll be capable of if he wins the 2020 elections would make for some gripping television against a foe who is far deadlier than even a legion of Daleks.
And yet, Arachnids in the UK is more than just a great return to Doctor Who’s creeptastic roots. It’s also a story of family, briefly touching on the bonds that some of Team TARDIS have and don’t have, the heartbreak of dealing with loss and the scars that take time to heal. What really makes this episode pop, however, is the continuing effort to keep the action more grounded.
Whereas previous showrunner Steven Moffat enjoyed mixing science with fantasy, the current Doctor Who big cheese is clearly enjoying the chance to inject some reality back into the show. Touches of science, knowledge that has a real-world application and a talent for MacGuyvering gadgets from household appliances are just some of the ideas that are continuing to define Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Doctor.
As is her compassion, because even with a personal history of tragedy that is tied to giant spiders, Whittaker’s Doctor is a compassionate being who absolutely refuses to let violence be the first and last solution to any dilemma that she faces. Arachnids in the UK may have you instinctively wanting to hide behind your couch, but it’s also an episode that excels in cementing the new status quo of Doctor Who for the foreseeable future.
Doctor Who is first and only on Showmax. New episodes land express from the UK every Monday.
Original African stories by local talent

Empini S1-2
Empini is a high-stakes, action-packed drama set in the ruthless, corrupt world of private security. Season 2 is now streaming, with new episodes every Tuesday.

Youngins S1-2
Stream Tshedza Pictures’s first teen drama, Showmax Original Youngins. S1 and S2 are ready to binge.

The Real Housewives of Durban Seasons 1-5
Our eThekwini queens are back with a brand-new season. Stream Season 5 now, with new episodes every Friday.

Unfollowed S1-2
Unfollowed examines cancel culture in social media through real-life stories of South African celebs. Stream S1-2 now on Showmax.

The Mommy Club S1-3
The Mommy Club sees glamorous Jozi momfluencers navigating the the cutthroat world of “it” moms. Stream S3 now, with new episodes every Saturday.

Adulting S1-3
Four best friends go through the hoops of life, love and everything else. S3 is now streaming, with new episodes landing every Saturday.

The Chocolate Empire S1
The Chocolate Empire follows JB Mauzo, who was recently released from prison, as he rebuilds his life. Stream now, with new episodes every Thursday.

Breekpunt
Breekpunt is a tennis drama about a gutsy teenager fighting for the chance to compete in international tennis. Stream now, with new episodes on Mondays.
The Real Housewives of Durban S5 on Showmax
Catch new episodes of The Mommy Club every week
More Mzansi gold

Talitha Ndima on being a mother in the Showmax film Ndingowakho
Talitha Ndima discusses her role in the Showmax film Ndingowakho, premiering on 12 April on Showmax, following its successful debut at the Joburg Film Festival last month.

Nay Maps talks about starring in Showmax film Perfect Match
Nay Maps talks about playing Muzi in the Showmax Original film Perfect Match. Premiering on 12 April after debuting at the Joburg Film Festival.

Your Plan B Afrikaans crime watch
Arnold Vosloo is here to demonstrate the art to planning the perfect heist – after he spots a cozy little Vermeer – in the series Plan B. And if you’re on a crime watch, we have 10 more Afrikaans series to try.

Plan B
In the shady world of art heists and romance scams, an unlikely alliance develops between the owner of a bookshop, and former military operators.