Doctor Who (2005) Season 11 Episode 111 Closer Look, The Witchfinders

In Doctor Who season 11 episode 111, titled "Closer Look: The Witchfinders", the Doctor and her companions find themselves in the 17th century village of Bilehurst Cragg in Lancashire. The episode explores themes of misogyny and power as the Doctor and her friends investigate the witch trials occurring in the village.

The episode begins with the Doctor and her companions, Ryan, Yaz, and Graham, landing the TARDIS in the middle of a forest in 17th century Lancashire. They soon stumble upon a group of witchfinders who are on the hunt for witches in the area. The Doctor and her companions are mistaken for witches and are taken to the local magistrate for questioning.

The magistrate, named Becka Savage, is a powerful and ruthless woman who believes that she has been chosen by God to rid the world of witches. She enlists the help of the witchfinders, led by a man named Moorcroft, to do her bidding. However, the Doctor soon realizes that there are no witches in Bilehurst Cragg and that the accusations are simply a way for Savage to exert her power over the villagers.

As the Doctor and her companions investigate further, they uncover a dark secret that has been hidden in the village for centuries. They discover that the land was once owned by a powerful and wealthy woman named Ellen Hackett, who was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. Hackett's spirit has been haunting the village ever since and is seeking revenge on those who wronged her.

Throughout the episode, the Doctor and her friends must navigate the dangerous politics of the village and try to stop Savage and the witchfinders from executing innocent people. The Doctor is also forced to confront her own biases and assess her assumptions about the world around her.

The episode features stunning visuals and superb acting from the cast, particularly Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor and Siobhan Finneran as Becka Savage. The themes of misogyny and power are woven seamlessly into the storyline and provide a thought-provoking commentary on the state of our society today.

Overall, "Closer Look: The Witchfinders" is a gripping and emotional episode that showcases the strengths of the Doctor Who franchise. It provides a fresh take on the series while staying true to its roots and will leave viewers eagerly anticipating the next episode.