As we continue our countdown of Matt Smith’s top Doctor Who moments, we shift gears into a more serious moment. What is scarier than the Doctor taken over by the Cybermen?
When Neil Gaiman spoke about his episode, “Nightmare in Silver,” he stated that he couldn’t imagine anyone but Matt Smith pulling off the material. Essentially, Matt Smith had to have a rapid-fire conversation with himself and be credible as two characters. The entire episode is something of a master class for aspiring actors on facial expression and body language. Matt Smith pours every ounce of himself into both characters so that you question when he is the Doctor, when he is the Cyber Planner, and when he is the Cyber Planner pretending to be the Doctor.
After the second half of the seventh season left many fans questioning the writing and characterization of the Doctor, Gaiman’s episode allowed Matt Smith to show off his range from whimsical to down right scary and lethal. This is seen in one the best exchanges in the episode where the The Doctor, the Cyber Planner, and Clara have a conversation. Matt Smith even manages to pull off a bit of David Tennant as well.
Clara: You’re playing chess by yourself?
The Doctor: And winning.
Cyber Doctor: Actually, he has no better than a 25% chance of winning at this stage in the game. Some very dodgy moves at the beginning. Hello, Flesh Girl. Fantastic. I’m the Cyber Planner.
Clara: Doctor?
Cyber Doctor: Afraid not. I’m working the mouth now. Allons-y! Oh, you should see the state of these neurons. He’s had some cowboys in here. Ten complete rejigs.
Clara: You aren’t the Doctor.
Cyber Doctor: No. But I know who you are. You’re the impossible girl. Oh, he’s very interested in you.
Clara: Why am I impossible?
Cyber Doctor: Hasn’t he told you, the sly devil? Oh, dear me. Listen, soon we wake, we’ll strip you down for spare parts then build a space ship and move on.
Clara: More Cybermen?
Cyber Doctor: They’re waking from their tomb right now. You could either die or live on as one of us.
Clara: The Doctor will stop you.
Cyber Doctor: He can’t even access the lips!
All-in-all, this was easily one of the best moments Matt Smith had in the entire run, not just in the current series. He has set the bar very high for the next Doctor to take on Neil Gaiman’s work.