Having finished Series 11 with Resolution last week, it was onto Series 12 this week, a series that I like a lot less overall, but Spyfall: Part One is an episode I really enjoy!

I think the episode is a hell of a lot of fun - they got the tone of the episode just right. It works as a Bond pastiche, with the exciting action scenes (which work surprisingly well for Doctor Who, the car chase is especially exhilarating!) and espionage scenes (again, another highlight of the episode is Yaz & Ryan interviewing Barton - I love the moment where Ryan forgets to take the lens cap off!). I think the script is a little poorly paced at times, especially in the bit in Australia before we get to the casino. There's a lot of dallying around with exposition that never really pays off (the multiple Earths thing, for example) and it loses its pace a lot in that section. I also think the episode could do with ending a scene earlier, the impact of the climax is dulled a little by the inclusion of the scene with the Doctor at the end, I wished they'd just cut on the crashing plane. But the rest of the episode is golden! The Kasaavin are really spooky villians - the scene in Australia when they're surrounding the hut is brilliantly terrifying. Barton here is also an interesting and mysterious character, which I like, and he's played well by Henry. Stephen Fry's C is a brilliant guest performance, even if it's one that is short lived. And of course, the greatest part of the episode is the cliffhanger, which is just absolutely phenomenal.

The cliffhanger is the perfect example of all members of the team coming together to create something bloody wonderful! Dhawan's performance is unhinged and wildly entertaining, the direction is exciting and kinetic, the lines are bloody wonderful, some of Chibnall's best dialogue in my opinion and, most of all, Akinola's music is something else.

The music in this episode is one of my favourites of 13s-era, and it's Akinola's best use of the orchestra. The episode is chock full of recurring action themes which are really exciting, and the use of drums with the orchestra really helps keep the pace going. I especially love the version of the "Fam" theme that plays when they arrive at the party, which strongly evokes the Barry Bond scores in a really cool way. The Kasaavin theme is this string mish-mash that's totally horrifying (and I love it!) and then, of course, we have the Master's theme. It's such a simple melody, but he takes it in so many directions, especially in that final scene. He just keeps elevating it and elevating it, adding in new layers, and I think it's a large part of why the cliffhanger hits so hard - because he just keeps taking it up another notch when you think he's reached the final one. It's just wonderful scoring!!

I really think this is a solidly entertaining episode, that sets up the second part nicely (which we'll come on too soon...), with some great performances, writing and music all round. There are a couple of pacing issues; I think it could've been edited a little bit better in places, both in the script and the finished product, but that doesn't hinder my enjoyment too much. It's a strong 8/10 for me!!