Ah, c’mon! I had to get a pun in this review! The Woman Who Lived is the companion piece to the last week’s The Girl Who Lived but it’s definitely the stronger of the pair, with fantastic writing, humour and set pieces.

Catherine Tregenna is no stranger to Who lore, having penned some of the more outstanding episodes of Torchwood but, oddly, is only the second woman to write for Doctor Who proper since the revival (the other being Helen Raynor, who penned The Sontaran Strategem and Poison Sky).

Maisie Williams is on strong form this episode, delivering a really compelling performance. Her life after the Doctor is similar to that of many former companions but longer and more fraught with tragedy. Despite spending centuries waiting for the Doctor, it’s good to see that she wasn’t idle, gaining new abilities and experiencing new things. Like child death… Woof. Tough break, kid. Still, you make a hell of a highwayman.

Her question about loss is perfect for this scenario, one immortal to another. But while Ashildr (I’m not calling her Me, it’s good for a character but writing it as a reviewer reflects more about my working class upbringing than I care for) has become uncaring for human beings, the Doctor never has. He’s lost many Claras (literally in some cases) and they were all worth his time, for however long that was. Including…

SQUEE! Of course I marked out for Captain Jack! John Barrowman is a joy and I would love for him to return one day, perhaps even with Ashildr in tow?

In terms of other guests stars, we have Ariyon Bakare as Leandro, in some awesome looking lion make-up. Hope they use this again because it looks great. We also have an unrecognisable Rufus Hound as Sam Swift! I was racking my brain trying to figure out who the actor was and it was good old Rufus. He did a fantastic job playing a punny highwayman.

The Woman Who Lived is a fantastic episode. Humour, compelling characters and just a solid story all around. I hope the series can keep this momentum going as we return to contemporary Earth and to UNIT with The Zygon Invasion.

Every month, I’m going to survey you, our gorgeous and treasured readers, on subjects as wide ranging as geeky silly things to silly silly things. Yes, we take our questions very seriously.

But by doing so I hope that we can not only create a gauge on the finger on the pulse on the arm of the world but also create needless competition between folks.

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Our first poll this month will be The Clash Of The ‘Tache as we pit famous moustache owners against each other in a popularity contest for the ages.

There are so many worthy opponents but I’ve whittled it down to my Top 6.

So who is your favourite moustachio man?

RUFUS HOUND

The English comedian has sported this 70s stunner for many a year now. His dedication to the moustache made all the more impressive by his trimming ability. Whether or not it increases or impares his comedy prowess remains to be seen but if his wife has let him keep it this long, he must be doing something right.

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TOM SELLECK

First of all; LADIES, CONTROL YOURSELVES! Yes he is the hairy sex god Tom Selleck but he is also an actor of considerable respect. Sure, he may look a bit like a grizzly bear, but he also looks like a tiger in the sack. And by sack, I mean bed. I understand people don’t really sleep in sacks anymore but it’s just a phrase.

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RON JEREMY

Speaking of sacks… Ron Jeremy is an “adult movie” star of considerable girth. He also has been a moustache aficionado for decades now. In fact, I would argue he is probably the reason for the term “porn moustache”. His lady co-stars over the years have asked for his back to be shaved but not his lip. The hairy back poll will be another time.

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BURT REYNOLDS

He may be in his 70s now, and looking like well worn leather, but there was a time when Burt Reynolds was the man in Hollywood that men wanted to be and ladies want to make out with. Some men also wanted to make out with him too. It would be wrong of me to ignore that fact. Was his power purely in his face caterpillar?

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DANA SNYDER

A relative newcomer to the world of the ‘tache, Dana has made up for his rookie status with flair, and enthusiasm. His glasses may sometimes make him look like he’s wearing a Groucho Marx mask but knowing Dana, that’s probably a look he was going for. Being a voice-over artist it won’t affect his career but will it affect your heart strings?

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MARIO

Possibly THE moustache of our generation, Mario The Plumber is both a man of action and a man of romance, using his skills to kill turtles (not as cruel as it sounds) and save princesses. He may suffer from idenitity dissorders; a desperate need to inform us that “it’s-a me, Mario!” but we know there is only one. Is he your Number 1 moustache though?

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So that’s your lot. Time to make a decision, who is your favourite moustachiod man?

The voting closes at the end of the month and I’ll announce the winner in the February installment of Poole’s Polls!

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