Smile is a difficult one to rate. On one hand, it's a visually impressive story with a lot of very vibrant shots. It also features some good conversation between the Doctor and Bill which establish her character and their relationship.

On the other hand, the plot has problems. The bulk of the episode finds the Doctor and Bill by themselves and not interacting with anyone else. This happened a few times in the Classic series. When it really worked well, such as in the first episodes of Ark in Space or the Space Museum, there would be a great sense of tension, suspense, and terror that this episode doesn't have. The Doctor's decision to blow up the spaceship without checking it out further was out of character particularly given that there was a map of the ship that he memorized in detail. The resolution of the story isn't satisfying either.

The character moments between the Doctor and Bill assure the episode isn't totally wasted, but overall this one of the Twelfth Doctor's weaker episodes.

Antidote to Oblivion finds the Doctor and Flip captured by Sil, who is working for a corporation that has taken over the U.K. and rules a public that has been idled by too many jobs taken over by machines by poisoning the Water supply with psychotropic drugs. The story has some interesting ideas and themes including intelligent psychic viruses and a truly sinister plan by Sil. Lisa Greenwood has a great turn as Flip and Nabil Shaban turns in a delightfully twisted turn as Sil. Colin Baker is solid as always as the Doctor though the script gives him some inconsistent characterization.

Where the story fails is that it's way too long. With the additional length on each episode, this story is almost as long as a classic series six-parter and there's just not enough story to support it. There's some overacting and some ham-fistedness in some of the plot. Still, what works about this story still makes an enjoyable listen.

This episode works as a very effective introduction of Bill, while also establishing a status quo for the Doctor after the long absence with only two Christmas specials in between "Hell Bent" and "the Pilot."

Overall, the episode succeeds. Bill is an interesting and engaging character who plays wonderfully off of the Doctor. Peter Capaldi really has settled into the role and has good rapport with Bill. Bill provides some great humorous moment and a serious one as well.

In terms of the new status quo, the Pilot reveals enough so you have an idea of what's going on, but leaves a lot to be figured out by the season's end.

The monster of the story provided some scary moments and was interesting, but ultimately the overall plot seemed to me to be a bit like copies of a couple better stories from the Davies era.

The Doctor and Jo find the TARDIS working and landing on the planet Peladon where the Doctor assumes the identity of the Earth representing the Galactic Federation and works to broker Peladon's admittance into the federation despite an atmosphere of superstition, and danger.

The Doctor is marvelous in this episode. He has an air of easy authority that makes him slot right in as the Chairman of the Commission. We also get to see the physicality of the Third Doctor in a brilliant fight scene in episode three.

Katy Manning was also very good, showing great chemistry with the Doctor as well as some very believable reactions to being mistaken for a princess. Her costume for the episode is particularly effective.

The story also makes brilliant use of the Ice Warriors, suggesting a different side to the species and giving them a degree of complexity that surpasses other Doctor Who "monsters." There's a nice bit of political intrigue and the Doctor singing a bit.

Overall, a very fun and satisfying story that, at four episodes, doesn't overstay its welcome.