'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 2 pays homage to 'Inglourious Basterds' with scenes set in Nazi-occupied France

'Spyfall Part 2' recreated that epic opening scene where the Nazis shot a Jewish family hiding under the floorboards of a house by blasting the floor with machine gunfire, with its own twist thrown in of course
PUBLISHED JAN 6, 2020
Sacha Dhawan in 'Doctor Who' (BBC America)
Sacha Dhawan in 'Doctor Who' (BBC America)

Who doesn't love Quentin Tarantino's 2009 masterpiece 'Inglourious Basterds'? Well, the Nazis may probably not be too keen about the movie but for most people, the film's opening scene is one of the most beloved cinematic moments of the last two decades.

So you can understand why it was so satisfying to see 'Doctor Who' pay tribute to Tarantino's tour de force.

Series 12's second episode 'Spyfall, Part 2' recreated that epic opening scene where the Nazis shot a Jewish family hiding under the floorboards of a house by blasting the floor with machine gunfire, with its own twist thrown in of course. 

The scene happens when the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and the legendary Ada Lovelace (played by Sylvie Briggs) are transported to Paris during World War II, where they run into Aurora Marion's Noor Inayat Khan.

The war hero helps the two women lost in time to stay hidden from the Nazis, who have been infiltrated by the Master (Sacha Dhawan).

The Master makes another reference to the 2009 war comedy in a later scene while explaining his plan to the Doctor. He counts to the number three on his fingers and unlike Michael Fassbender's Lt. Archie Hicox in 'Basterds', he does the German three.

Of course, the Doctor still managed to sic the Nazis on him but that's just the Doctor being herself. 

'Spyfall' has been chock-full of easter eggs and callbacks with Part 1 including multiple references to the 'Bond' franchise.

The new season of the show might be just two episodes in but it already looks like it's going to be a huge upgrade from Series 11 and one of the more enjoyable seasons of the modern era with an excellent incarnation of the Master and plenty of surprises waiting at every corner.

'Doctor Who' Series 12 Episode 3 'Orphan 55' will arrive on BBC America on January 12. 

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