There are two storylines going here, but the problem is that they're tonally very different.
The one with Stanly Tucci is dry, cerebral and psychologically-engaging, while the one with David Tenant is broad, sort-of comedic and relies on ludicrously-unlikely plotting.
Either would have been fine if they'd picked one and stuck with it. The Tennant storyline works perfectly well if you just 'park-your-brain' and accept the absurdity, but then you're being asked to engage with the measured, thoughtful tone of Tucci's storyline.
Going back and forth between the two is jarring - jumping from broad, dark comedy to smart, subtle drama.
Tucci's storyline would have made a gripping psychological study, not least because Tucci is such a compelling performer, but it's a shame it was thrown away in this "game of two halves."
The one with Stanly Tucci is dry, cerebral and psychologically-engaging, while the one with David Tenant is broad, sort-of comedic and relies on ludicrously-unlikely plotting.
Either would have been fine if they'd picked one and stuck with it. The Tennant storyline works perfectly well if you just 'park-your-brain' and accept the absurdity, but then you're being asked to engage with the measured, thoughtful tone of Tucci's storyline.
Going back and forth between the two is jarring - jumping from broad, dark comedy to smart, subtle drama.
Tucci's storyline would have made a gripping psychological study, not least because Tucci is such a compelling performer, but it's a shame it was thrown away in this "game of two halves."