Doctor Who: The Power Of The Doctor
October 23, 2022 2:21 PM - Season 13, Episode 9 - Subscribe
In this feature-length special to mark her last adventure, Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor must fight for her very existence against her deadliest enemies: the Daleks, the Cybermen and her arch-nemesis, the Master.
Who is attacking a speeding bullet train on the edges of a distant galaxy? Why are seismologists going missing from 21st-century Earth? Who is defacing some of history’s most iconic paintings? Why is a Dalek trying to make contact with the Doctor? And just what hold does the mesmeric Rasputin have over Tsar Nicholas II in 1916 Russia?
The Doctor faces multiple threats - and a battle to the death.
Who is attacking a speeding bullet train on the edges of a distant galaxy? Why are seismologists going missing from 21st-century Earth? Who is defacing some of history’s most iconic paintings? Why is a Dalek trying to make contact with the Doctor? And just what hold does the mesmeric Rasputin have over Tsar Nicholas II in 1916 Russia?
The Doctor faces multiple threats - and a battle to the death.
I only watched the last half hour because I've grown tired of Chibnall's self-indulgence. Even the part I saw was really over the top, but then the Companion Support Group at the end was a great reveal and a lovely bit of nostalgia. That brought a tear to my eye in a way Jodie's actual farewell moment didn't (I've grown so distant from this show) - and then the final twist was, well, I guess we'll be talking about that for the next year.
Roll on the 60th specials, indeed.
posted by crossoverman at 3:07 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Roll on the 60th specials, indeed.
posted by crossoverman at 3:07 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Said this on twitter but want to repeat it here:
So, having thought about it, I stongly feel that having a stunt 'Gotcha' tied to her final moments as the Doctor is vastly unfair to Jodie as an actor.
It devalues her last goodbye in the role where she often elevated *a lot* of the material she was given.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:29 PM on October 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
So, having thought about it, I stongly feel that having a stunt 'Gotcha' tied to her final moments as the Doctor is vastly unfair to Jodie as an actor.
It devalues her last goodbye in the role where she often elevated *a lot* of the material she was given.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:29 PM on October 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
It was ..meh?
::shrug::
Just releived and glad that they mostly wrote Ace right.
I am not a Chibnall fan.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:33 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
::shrug::
Just releived and glad that they mostly wrote Ace right.
I am not a Chibnall fan.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:33 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
So, having thought about it, I stongly feel that having a stunt 'Gotcha' tied to her final moments as the Doctor is vastly unfair to Jodie as an actor.
All the leaks/announcements about the 60th really devalued her final year, although Chibnall's writing very rarely did her any favours. And the final gotcha in this episode will mean people are talking about that more than the finale. It sort of makes the Ncuti announcement weird as well, though of course that just made the gotcha even more *dramatic*. I'm glad, at least, there was a teaser trailer after.
posted by crossoverman at 5:09 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
All the leaks/announcements about the 60th really devalued her final year, although Chibnall's writing very rarely did her any favours. And the final gotcha in this episode will mean people are talking about that more than the finale. It sort of makes the Ncuti announcement weird as well, though of course that just made the gotcha even more *dramatic*. I'm glad, at least, there was a teaser trailer after.
posted by crossoverman at 5:09 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
I checked out of this show about two seasons into Capaldi (impossibly bad writing), checked back in for the first episode of Jodie Whittaker (too little, too late, in my opinion), and checked in for this. I didn't like it very much. Jodie Whittaker was great, the guy playing The Master was great until he wasn't (I'd really like it if people on this show would just...calm down), but overall it went on for a really long time. I liked the use of Boney M. I'd be okay with it if they kept David Tennant, to be honest.
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:00 PM on October 23, 2022
posted by kittens for breakfast at 7:00 PM on October 23, 2022
This worked for me more than any episode I've watched in a long time. I did watch the horrible Sea Devils episode right before it, which I somehow missed the first time it was broadcast, so I might have been grading on a curve.
Seeing what looked like every still alive actor who was ever in the show was a treat.
posted by wittgenstein at 7:11 PM on October 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
Seeing what looked like every still alive actor who was ever in the show was a treat.
posted by wittgenstein at 7:11 PM on October 23, 2022 [3 favorites]
Seeing what looked like every still alive actor who was ever in the show was a treat.
The fact they got William Russell back, who played Ian in the very first series in 1963, just shy of his 98th birthday, was a real treat.
posted by crossoverman at 7:49 PM on October 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
The fact they got William Russell back, who played Ian in the very first series in 1963, just shy of his 98th birthday, was a real treat.
posted by crossoverman at 7:49 PM on October 23, 2022 [6 favorites]
That was better than most Chibnall episodes, but still carried the demoralizing taste of his run. His episodes always had such a lack of joy, humor, and originality, as if he was embarrassed by Doctor Who. (This was not quite a problem with Davies and Moffat, who were playful and so affectionate about DW that they didn't mind being camp and romantic).
Was it necessary to end Whitaker's run with an episode where, once again, she spends almost all of it having no agency and then regenerates into a more famous past incarnation? What an insult to an actress who deserved better. Why have the whole plot driven by Sacha Dhawan's Master, the most annoying character ever to appear on TV? What was the point of having one part of the story in Czarist Russia? Why spend time having Ace disrupt the volcano when her victory doesn't matter anyways? Was there any meaning in having the Daleks as opposed to any other random enemies in this episode? What was the point of the floating child? On the plus side, liked Teagan's attitude, the reappearance of the baseball bat of Omega, and Jodie redeemed the material she got at the end.
I think one problem with Chibnall's style is its essentially parasitical nature. He's constantly re-doing what other show-runners did much more interestingly: destroying Gallifrey again like RTD, inserting a secret Doctor like SM. This episode did the same, with old companions gathered around the Tardis like in RTD's big David Tenant Dalek episode and with past Doctors floating in an etherial mystical space like in SM's anniversary arc. I was surprised how unexcited I was seeing the past doctors and companions. The past Doctors appeared sans characterization or any effect on the plot, and Ace and Teagan ended up distracting from Yaz despite not being on the show in three or four decades. A lot of the big dramatic flourishes--like turning the Gallifreyans into Cybermen or having the Doctor regenerate into The Master--felt a bit distasteful: there's no real imagination, just a kind of sadistic destruction.
The one exception I'd say to my above critique of Chibnall is that I loved loved loved Jo Martin's Doctor. I skipped Whitaker's run between Timeless Children and this episode (and also skipped the Dalek special with Captain Jack). Were any episodes in that space worth checking out?
posted by johnasdf at 8:03 PM on October 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
Was it necessary to end Whitaker's run with an episode where, once again, she spends almost all of it having no agency and then regenerates into a more famous past incarnation? What an insult to an actress who deserved better. Why have the whole plot driven by Sacha Dhawan's Master, the most annoying character ever to appear on TV? What was the point of having one part of the story in Czarist Russia? Why spend time having Ace disrupt the volcano when her victory doesn't matter anyways? Was there any meaning in having the Daleks as opposed to any other random enemies in this episode? What was the point of the floating child? On the plus side, liked Teagan's attitude, the reappearance of the baseball bat of Omega, and Jodie redeemed the material she got at the end.
I think one problem with Chibnall's style is its essentially parasitical nature. He's constantly re-doing what other show-runners did much more interestingly: destroying Gallifrey again like RTD, inserting a secret Doctor like SM. This episode did the same, with old companions gathered around the Tardis like in RTD's big David Tenant Dalek episode and with past Doctors floating in an etherial mystical space like in SM's anniversary arc. I was surprised how unexcited I was seeing the past doctors and companions. The past Doctors appeared sans characterization or any effect on the plot, and Ace and Teagan ended up distracting from Yaz despite not being on the show in three or four decades. A lot of the big dramatic flourishes--like turning the Gallifreyans into Cybermen or having the Doctor regenerate into The Master--felt a bit distasteful: there's no real imagination, just a kind of sadistic destruction.
The one exception I'd say to my above critique of Chibnall is that I loved loved loved Jo Martin's Doctor. I skipped Whitaker's run between Timeless Children and this episode (and also skipped the Dalek special with Captain Jack). Were any episodes in that space worth checking out?
posted by johnasdf at 8:03 PM on October 23, 2022 [4 favorites]
Jo Martin's Doctor wasn't used very well after her first appearance, though. But that first episode was GREAT. I think the only ep worth watching after Timeless Children was Eve of the Daleks.
posted by crossoverman at 8:29 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by crossoverman at 8:29 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
We liked this one quite a bit. It felt better-tied-together than a lot of Who from any era. The sets/effects were quite good as well. Sad to see Jodie go. I think her tenure would have been a lot better with a different showrunner. She did her best with what she was given.
The melange of prior Doctors was wonderful. It was especially nice to see McGann finally made officially a canon Doctor. I liked the “he’s not into rooms” quip about McGann’s Doctor. His TARDIS had what I think is my favorite interior...just a dark empty space with a console and a comfy chair.
The companions support group was a lovely touch. Tennant returning, though, sucked. Did they film this episode before announcing the new Doctor? What a shit way to send Jodie out.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:35 PM on October 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
The melange of prior Doctors was wonderful. It was especially nice to see McGann finally made officially a canon Doctor. I liked the “he’s not into rooms” quip about McGann’s Doctor. His TARDIS had what I think is my favorite interior...just a dark empty space with a console and a comfy chair.
The companions support group was a lovely touch. Tennant returning, though, sucked. Did they film this episode before announcing the new Doctor? What a shit way to send Jodie out.
posted by Thorzdad at 8:35 PM on October 23, 2022 [1 favorite]
Did they film this episode before announcing the new Doctor?
I think RTD has had this plan in place for a while. And it sucks for Jodie and it seems like the 60th Anniversary will be Tennant as the 14th Doctor before he regenerates into Ncuti Gatwa for the following season. Seems really odd to centre the 60th Anniversary around a previous Doctor/actor. Unless they wanted to do it with McGann, but he's still just the answer to a trivia question.
posted by crossoverman at 8:48 PM on October 23, 2022
I think RTD has had this plan in place for a while. And it sucks for Jodie and it seems like the 60th Anniversary will be Tennant as the 14th Doctor before he regenerates into Ncuti Gatwa for the following season. Seems really odd to centre the 60th Anniversary around a previous Doctor/actor. Unless they wanted to do it with McGann, but he's still just the answer to a trivia question.
posted by crossoverman at 8:48 PM on October 23, 2022
Standard Chibnall incoherence, plotwise. But it sure was a lot of fun to see everyone!
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 11:18 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 11:18 PM on October 23, 2022 [2 favorites]
Ugh, that first half hour. It might have been better if it had had a full episode to itself, just looming horror and WTFery, but instead it was just *bang* GALLIFREYAN CYBERMEN *bang* WEIRD KID *bang* RASPUTIN *bang* ACE AND TEGAN *bang* DAN LEAVES *bang* UNIT (yaaaay Kaaaaate) *bang* THE MASTER.
The last hour? Yeah OK fine, basically average NuWho story? Although if we never have to see Sacha's Master again, that's fine with me. Missy was a great take on the Master, but Sacha's Master just ended up sort of unhinged and woop woop woop aren't I craaaaaaAAAzy wibble narf, and ... *sigh* no. Bad Writers. No cookie. I understand it's a fine line to walk, but Sacha tended to end up on the wrong side of it. I mean, I preferred Delgado's Master the most of all, but that probably requires more setup and airtime than modern Who offers the episode's antagonists.
It was nice to see Eight again, but he also kind of stuck out a bit? I mean ok, we have One, Five, Six, Seven and Eight. Five and Seven needed their little tête-à-têtes with their respective companions, and from what I hear Colin Baker is enthusiastic about his place in the fandom, so he was unlikely to turn down an invitation.
That said, it sort of highlighted the absence of any NuWho doctors or companions. I mean, I guess I can see not muddying the Edge of Q-Continuum with more actors and morphs, but it might've been nice to see a NuCompanion in the support group? It was nice seeing William Russell who didn't hardly look 98, though. I suppose, NuCompanions don't tend to go back to quiet lives, though, so what do they need with a support group? I'm too busy to go look it up, but an awful lot of them went off to their own time lord-style adventures, or joined up with UNIT, or sacrificed themselves for the wibbly wobbly universe, or were CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS, so I'm not sure how many would actually have been ... uh... eligible? in the same way classic companions used to sort of just walk away from their PTSD-inducing adventures with the Doctor.
posted by Kyol at 6:07 AM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
The last hour? Yeah OK fine, basically average NuWho story? Although if we never have to see Sacha's Master again, that's fine with me. Missy was a great take on the Master, but Sacha's Master just ended up sort of unhinged and woop woop woop aren't I craaaaaaAAAzy wibble narf, and ... *sigh* no. Bad Writers. No cookie. I understand it's a fine line to walk, but Sacha tended to end up on the wrong side of it. I mean, I preferred Delgado's Master the most of all, but that probably requires more setup and airtime than modern Who offers the episode's antagonists.
It was nice to see Eight again, but he also kind of stuck out a bit? I mean ok, we have One, Five, Six, Seven and Eight. Five and Seven needed their little tête-à-têtes with their respective companions, and from what I hear Colin Baker is enthusiastic about his place in the fandom, so he was unlikely to turn down an invitation.
That said, it sort of highlighted the absence of any NuWho doctors or companions. I mean, I guess I can see not muddying the Edge of Q-Continuum with more actors and morphs, but it might've been nice to see a NuCompanion in the support group? It was nice seeing William Russell who didn't hardly look 98, though. I suppose, NuCompanions don't tend to go back to quiet lives, though, so what do they need with a support group? I'm too busy to go look it up, but an awful lot of them went off to their own time lord-style adventures, or joined up with UNIT, or sacrificed themselves for the wibbly wobbly universe, or were CAPTAIN JACK HARKNESS, so I'm not sure how many would actually have been ... uh... eligible? in the same way classic companions used to sort of just walk away from their PTSD-inducing adventures with the Doctor.
posted by Kyol at 6:07 AM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
I believe the problem with getting more of the NuWho Doctors is:
1. Christopher Eccleston had a bit of a dicey working relationship with Russel T. Davies;
2. Matt Smith is riding dragons or something;
3. William Hurt is....dead; and
4. Peter Capaldi is also working on his own new TV show that's filming now.
Which leaves...only one NuWho left, and it sounds like we got him.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:37 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
1. Christopher Eccleston had a bit of a dicey working relationship with Russel T. Davies;
2. Matt Smith is riding dragons or something;
3. William Hurt is....dead; and
4. Peter Capaldi is also working on his own new TV show that's filming now.
Which leaves...only one NuWho left, and it sounds like we got him.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 6:37 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
That was... the most expensive piece of AO3fan-fiction broadcast on television I have ever seen.
As for the companion and generation choices - I have a suspicion that the upcoming specials from RTD will be exclusively Nu-Who returnees; in which case I can see a production note sent to Chibnall that said everything up to Paul McGann was fair game, but no more.
I'm also intrigued by what's going to be the theme of said specials, with old names, old characters, and more, being thrown at the screen. Is RTD going to bring us a treatise that *nostalgia is not always a force for good" and hold up the mirror to the Doctor Who fandom?
posted by ewan at 7:34 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
As for the companion and generation choices - I have a suspicion that the upcoming specials from RTD will be exclusively Nu-Who returnees; in which case I can see a production note sent to Chibnall that said everything up to Paul McGann was fair game, but no more.
I'm also intrigued by what's going to be the theme of said specials, with old names, old characters, and more, being thrown at the screen. Is RTD going to bring us a treatise that *nostalgia is not always a force for good" and hold up the mirror to the Doctor Who fandom?
posted by ewan at 7:34 AM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
3. William Hurt is....dead
And so, more to the point, is John Hurt.
All the Hurts are dead.
posted by Grangousier at 11:40 AM on October 24, 2022 [4 favorites]
And so, more to the point, is John Hurt.
All the Hurts are dead.
posted by Grangousier at 11:40 AM on October 24, 2022 [4 favorites]
(Isn't Chris E in the official 60th show next year, made by RTD? I've seen things to that effect.)
posted by Grangousier at 11:41 AM on October 24, 2022
posted by Grangousier at 11:41 AM on October 24, 2022
> William Hurt is....dead
And so, more to the point, is John Hurt.
D'OH
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:56 AM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
And so, more to the point, is John Hurt.
D'OH
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 11:56 AM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
it might've been nice to see a NuCompanion in the support group?
- Rose, in another universe
- Donna, doesn't remember the Doctor... yet
- Amy/Rory, stuck in the past
- Clara, has her own TARDIS
- Bill, off with her space girlfriend somewhere
Which only really leaves Martha. I would have liked to have seen Martha.
posted by crossoverman at 1:17 PM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
- Rose, in another universe
- Donna, doesn't remember the Doctor... yet
- Amy/Rory, stuck in the past
- Clara, has her own TARDIS
- Bill, off with her space girlfriend somewhere
Which only really leaves Martha. I would have liked to have seen Martha.
posted by crossoverman at 1:17 PM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
(Isn't Chris E in the official 60th show next year, made by RTD? I've seen things to that effect.)
Nah. He's just making some "very special Big Finish adventures.
He positively despises RTD. Never gonna happen. Eccleston has known Whittaker for ten years, since they did Antigone together. If he was gonna turn up, it would have been during the last run.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:57 PM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Nah. He's just making some "very special Big Finish adventures.
He positively despises RTD. Never gonna happen. Eccleston has known Whittaker for ten years, since they did Antigone together. If he was gonna turn up, it would have been during the last run.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 2:57 PM on October 24, 2022 [2 favorites]
Well as a 45+ year fan I enjoyed it, mostly due to the breakneck pace and surprises.
It really doubled down on all the elements of the Chibnall/Whittaker era and so covered up the weaknesses - particularly the lack of meaning/stuff to analyse afterwards.
That said, having watched the show disappear up its own arse in the mid-80s, I'm glad this era is complete and can look to move forward (although I'm nervous about a year of Tennant - hoping it can do something new).
A few other random thoughts:
- I'm calling it now that we get to see some further regeneration shenanigans involving Jodie Whittaker. Seeing the 10th Doctor again as a throwback, and I'm hoping the eventual throwforward before we get to Ncuti Gatwa is 10->13->14. It'd be a very RTD-like long-term planning surprise, especially as all involved would have known the 13->10 switch was fun but reduced the emotional weight.
- with everything else thrown in, as it was a centenary show featuring a time machine, they couldn't have had the BBC's "birth" in 1922 somehow referenced? So the Master as Rasputin was central to the imaging of the story, but with a metal moon being handwaved away in the it could've been moved from 1916.
- all the squee around the past actors who weren't included in the 50th was surprisingly well handled - particularly Tegan and Ace's agency. I would've loved a speech from William Russell though.
posted by jjderooy at 3:36 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
It really doubled down on all the elements of the Chibnall/Whittaker era and so covered up the weaknesses - particularly the lack of meaning/stuff to analyse afterwards.
That said, having watched the show disappear up its own arse in the mid-80s, I'm glad this era is complete and can look to move forward (although I'm nervous about a year of Tennant - hoping it can do something new).
A few other random thoughts:
- I'm calling it now that we get to see some further regeneration shenanigans involving Jodie Whittaker. Seeing the 10th Doctor again as a throwback, and I'm hoping the eventual throwforward before we get to Ncuti Gatwa is 10->13->14. It'd be a very RTD-like long-term planning surprise, especially as all involved would have known the 13->10 switch was fun but reduced the emotional weight.
- with everything else thrown in, as it was a centenary show featuring a time machine, they couldn't have had the BBC's "birth" in 1922 somehow referenced? So the Master as Rasputin was central to the imaging of the story, but with a metal moon being handwaved away in the it could've been moved from 1916.
- all the squee around the past actors who weren't included in the 50th was surprisingly well handled - particularly Tegan and Ace's agency. I would've loved a speech from William Russell though.
posted by jjderooy at 3:36 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
I think they're going to say the Doctor overcoming the Master's forced regeneration antics threw a wrench in the works and that her intended regeneration--into Ncuti Gatwa--is stuck in that limbo-like plane.
How they'll get him out is less clear. Maybe 10 will have to regen again or maybe he will yield somehow.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:36 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
How they'll get him out is less clear. Maybe 10 will have to regen again or maybe he will yield somehow.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 4:36 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do not let Whittaker off the hook for her era. IIRC she is on record saying she would not work with any showrunner other than Chibnall. So Chibnall's failures are her failures. (I say this as an otherwise JW fan.)
My fan theory: It was all a horrible dream. The Doctor's been in the Matrix or a simulation for the past few years. Or she fell out of the Tardis into an alternate universe where the Timeless Child was her canonical backstory.
I would have loved it if just one ex-companion or former incarnation had pulled a Troughton and said, 'New regeneration? Hmm. I don't like it.' (Not for being female but just on general desktop wallpaper grounds.)
As for another, more trivial issue: clothing apparently can now regenerate along with the wearer. And I was so looking forward the new Doctor immediately wincing and exclaiming 'Ow! Damn my predecessor and her damned thongs!'* stolen from the cheesy Dr Jekyll and Miss Hyde movie
posted by zaixfeep at 5:33 PM on October 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
My fan theory: It was all a horrible dream. The Doctor's been in the Matrix or a simulation for the past few years. Or she fell out of the Tardis into an alternate universe where the Timeless Child was her canonical backstory.
I would have loved it if just one ex-companion or former incarnation had pulled a Troughton and said, 'New regeneration? Hmm. I don't like it.' (Not for being female but just on general desktop wallpaper grounds.)
As for another, more trivial issue: clothing apparently can now regenerate along with the wearer. And I was so looking forward the new Doctor immediately wincing and exclaiming 'Ow! Damn my predecessor and her damned thongs!'* stolen from the cheesy Dr Jekyll and Miss Hyde movie
posted by zaixfeep at 5:33 PM on October 24, 2022 [3 favorites]
It was especially nice to see McGann finally made officially a canon Doctor.McGann showed up in BBC Who around the 50th anniversary. In "Night" he even name-checks his audio companions.
I liked the “he’s not into rooms” quip about McGann’s Doctor.Pretty sure the line was "he's not into robes" since McGann is the only one not wearing them. But you're right about his TARDIS set, it's excellent. You can imagine that the hoped-for series would have been using it as a much more versatile location than is typically seen on the BBC series.
posted by dumbland at 8:04 PM on October 24, 2022 [1 favorite]
"He's not into *robes*" is the actual quote.
posted by Faintdreams at 4:00 AM on October 25, 2022
posted by Faintdreams at 4:00 AM on October 25, 2022
As for another, more trivial issue: clothing apparently can now regenerate along with the wearer.
Maybe not so trivial? David Tennant looked like he was as surprised by his clothes as we was by everything else.
posted by Beverley Westwood at 4:11 AM on October 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
Maybe not so trivial? David Tennant looked like he was as surprised by his clothes as we was by everything else.
posted by Beverley Westwood at 4:11 AM on October 25, 2022 [3 favorites]
I've been trying to understand the plot for a few days now, but it's just so incoherent. I think I've been spoiled by prestige TV.
posted by Marticus at 3:15 PM on October 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Marticus at 3:15 PM on October 25, 2022 [2 favorites]
I remain very attached to Jodie 's Doctor in the abstract, it's unfortunate most of the individual episodes were not good. I'm sure there's a tightly-plotted story in there struggling to escape from whatever that was.
OK, look, the line "The Master's Dalek Plan" is about a 1/8 chuckle. So cut the line, and the Daleks. Cut the parallel 1918/2022 timelines. Do still have a regenerating Cyberman incursion at UNIT's new headquarters in 2022.
The Doctor agrees to be converted as a delaying tactic, instead of Kate. Then, we find out: The Master has devised a unique cyberconversion booth that converts anyone and everyone to The Master, though if you try to convert a mere human they die in the first few minutes since their metabolism is incompatible. Anyway, the rest of the extended fam succeed at stopping the cybermen, but not before The Doctor's conversion into The Master is complete, and The Doctor-Master flees with Yaz captive. The original Master apparently commits suicide once he announces his plan is a success.
The figure who appears to Yaz in the Tardis looks like various incarnations of the Doctor but is actually The Tardis herself; The tardis knows more about regeneration than anyone else at this point, so can piece together what's going on and offer them a longshot chance at success.
The qurunx is found aboard The Master's Tardis, and through a heart to heart talk the extended fam convince it to use its power to de-regenerate The Doctor/Master even though it might not survive the process. First, it looks like we get Jo back, but there's got to be a twist. She sees the dying qurunx, tries to help it with what she calls excess regeneration energy. She'll be fine! But then (twist!) she didn't have enough energy left, so Jo and the qurunx combine and both regenerate into ... ???
This still has the terrible terrible problem that Jodie's Doctor once again has very little agency, though at least she gets to sacrifice her self twice for others in this version.
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 5:04 PM on October 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
OK, look, the line "The Master's Dalek Plan" is about a 1/8 chuckle. So cut the line, and the Daleks. Cut the parallel 1918/2022 timelines. Do still have a regenerating Cyberman incursion at UNIT's new headquarters in 2022.
The Doctor agrees to be converted as a delaying tactic, instead of Kate. Then, we find out: The Master has devised a unique cyberconversion booth that converts anyone and everyone to The Master, though if you try to convert a mere human they die in the first few minutes since their metabolism is incompatible. Anyway, the rest of the extended fam succeed at stopping the cybermen, but not before The Doctor's conversion into The Master is complete, and The Doctor-Master flees with Yaz captive. The original Master apparently commits suicide once he announces his plan is a success.
The figure who appears to Yaz in the Tardis looks like various incarnations of the Doctor but is actually The Tardis herself; The tardis knows more about regeneration than anyone else at this point, so can piece together what's going on and offer them a longshot chance at success.
The qurunx is found aboard The Master's Tardis, and through a heart to heart talk the extended fam convince it to use its power to de-regenerate The Doctor/Master even though it might not survive the process. First, it looks like we get Jo back, but there's got to be a twist. She sees the dying qurunx, tries to help it with what she calls excess regeneration energy. She'll be fine! But then (twist!) she didn't have enough energy left, so Jo and the qurunx combine and both regenerate into ... ???
This still has the terrible terrible problem that Jodie's Doctor once again has very little agency, though at least she gets to sacrifice her self twice for others in this version.
posted by the antecedent of that pronoun at 5:04 PM on October 25, 2022 [4 favorites]
Do not let Whittaker off the hook for her era. IIRC she is on record saying she would not work with any showrunner other than Chibnall. So Chibnall's failures are her failures. (I say this as an otherwise JW fan.)
I keep thinking about this, and about how.. unfair this seems.
Why should JW be held responsible for Chibnall's failings?
She's not running the show - he is.
She's not writing the show - he is.
Plot incoherence and shitty dialogue is not something most actors get to fix on set.
A woman can like a bloke all she wants but that doesn't make her responsible for his professional incompetence. Just as we don't hold Matt Smitt responsible for the poorly-plotted mess that was thrown at him.
JW has made the very best out of a fkn appalling set of episodes. She deserved better.
posted by coriolisdave at 5:12 PM on October 25, 2022 [10 favorites]
I keep thinking about this, and about how.. unfair this seems.
Why should JW be held responsible for Chibnall's failings?
She's not running the show - he is.
She's not writing the show - he is.
Plot incoherence and shitty dialogue is not something most actors get to fix on set.
A woman can like a bloke all she wants but that doesn't make her responsible for his professional incompetence. Just as we don't hold Matt Smitt responsible for the poorly-plotted mess that was thrown at him.
JW has made the very best out of a fkn appalling set of episodes. She deserved better.
posted by coriolisdave at 5:12 PM on October 25, 2022 [10 favorites]
I liked this way more than I expected. It had all the Chibnall problems of way too much plot told way too quickly. I see no reason why the entire thing couldn't have happened in 2022. The Master made a great Rasputin, but I didn't need to see that. But other than the too many elements in too little time issue, I really enjoyed this.
I was so happy to see Graham and loved his partnering with Ace and I would have liked to see more of that. The thing I love about Graham is that he respects and admires strong women--he and Ace would make a great super companion team. And watching the holographic doctors have their warm affectionate moments with their old companions really touched me. A little closure for Tegan and Ace.
I'm sorry that Jodie didn't get a better showrunner. She did the best with what she had and at least she went out with a good episode.
posted by ceejaytee at 6:27 AM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I was so happy to see Graham and loved his partnering with Ace and I would have liked to see more of that. The thing I love about Graham is that he respects and admires strong women--he and Ace would make a great super companion team. And watching the holographic doctors have their warm affectionate moments with their old companions really touched me. A little closure for Tegan and Ace.
I'm sorry that Jodie didn't get a better showrunner. She did the best with what she had and at least she went out with a good episode.
posted by ceejaytee at 6:27 AM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm nervous about a year of Tennant - hoping it can do something new
I think the "year of Tennant" is only going to be like 3 specials and that's it, and we don't get a full-on season until Ncuti Gatwa starts.
> As for another, more trivial issue: clothing apparently can now regenerate along with the wearer.
Maybe not so trivial? David Tennant looked like he was as surprised by his clothes as we was by everything else.
I have a feeling something may be made of that. Fans were discussing that on Twitter after the show - "Hang on, clothes regenerate now? That's weird". I had been assuming that it was just some kind of oversight until I saw that the Doctor Who team was reacting to those questions with a sort of sly smile and a coy, "Hmm, yes, that is weird, isn't it?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:14 AM on October 26, 2022
I think the "year of Tennant" is only going to be like 3 specials and that's it, and we don't get a full-on season until Ncuti Gatwa starts.
> As for another, more trivial issue: clothing apparently can now regenerate along with the wearer.
Maybe not so trivial? David Tennant looked like he was as surprised by his clothes as we was by everything else.
I have a feeling something may be made of that. Fans were discussing that on Twitter after the show - "Hang on, clothes regenerate now? That's weird". I had been assuming that it was just some kind of oversight until I saw that the Doctor Who team was reacting to those questions with a sort of sly smile and a coy, "Hmm, yes, that is weird, isn't it?"
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:14 AM on October 26, 2022
Yeah, when do we get back to "normal" scheduling? 2024? 2025? Maybe the mouse can kick in a few bucks to speed up the production schedule?
S09E12 2015-12-05 - Hell Bent
497 days later
S10E01 2017-04-15 - The Pilot
(normal season)
S10E12 2017-07-01 - The Doctor Falls
177 days later
Special 2017-12-25 - Twice Upon A Time
286 days later
S11E01 2018-10-07 - The Woman Who Fell to Earth
(normal season)
S11E10 2018-12-09 - The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos
23 days later
Special 2019-01-01 - Resolution
365 days later
S12E01 2020-01-01 - Spyfall
(normal season)
S12E10 2020-03-01 - The Timeless Children
306 days later
Special 2021-01-01 - Revolution of the Daleks
303 days later
S13E01 2021-10-31 - The Halloween Apocalypse
(6 episode season)
S13E06 2021-12-05 - The Vanquishers
27 days later
Special 2022-01-01 - Eve of the Daleks
106 days later
Special 2022-04-17 - Legend of the Sea Devils
189 days later
Special 2022-10-23 - The Power of the Doctor
I mean, I get that some of that was unavoidable pandemic scheduling, but it feels like they were trying to get to the 60th anniversary with the smallest number of episodes possible and the longest inter-season breaks they could get away with.
posted by Kyol at 12:07 PM on October 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
S09E12 2015-12-05 - Hell Bent
497 days later
S10E01 2017-04-15 - The Pilot
(normal season)
S10E12 2017-07-01 - The Doctor Falls
177 days later
Special 2017-12-25 - Twice Upon A Time
286 days later
S11E01 2018-10-07 - The Woman Who Fell to Earth
(normal season)
S11E10 2018-12-09 - The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos
23 days later
Special 2019-01-01 - Resolution
365 days later
S12E01 2020-01-01 - Spyfall
(normal season)
S12E10 2020-03-01 - The Timeless Children
306 days later
Special 2021-01-01 - Revolution of the Daleks
303 days later
S13E01 2021-10-31 - The Halloween Apocalypse
(6 episode season)
S13E06 2021-12-05 - The Vanquishers
27 days later
Special 2022-01-01 - Eve of the Daleks
106 days later
Special 2022-04-17 - Legend of the Sea Devils
189 days later
Special 2022-10-23 - The Power of the Doctor
I mean, I get that some of that was unavoidable pandemic scheduling, but it feels like they were trying to get to the 60th anniversary with the smallest number of episodes possible and the longest inter-season breaks they could get away with.
posted by Kyol at 12:07 PM on October 26, 2022 [4 favorites]
The clothes changing after regeneration is definitely weird, especially since they showed us in that very episode that it doesn't usually happen--the Master even kept the Doctor's ear jewelry after the forced regeneration. It will be interesting to see where that goes.
posted by ceejaytee at 12:20 PM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ceejaytee at 12:20 PM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ultimately I had fun with this episode. A lot of it actually worked. It certainly had lots of the usual Chibnall problems
- as others mentioned, the daleks made the story more complicated and really should have been cut
- so many fun ideas which were not utilised properly
- the villains were defeated again by standing round in a circle and shooting each other.
- the doctor gets captured early on not due to a character flaw, but just due to not taking any precautions when meeting a rogue dalek, despite expressing her concerns before going!
- Yaz having a bit of a nothing send off
- characters arcs seemingly set up for no payoff
But with all that, there was actually lots to like! The companions were all really fun, and for the most part felt like they had something to do (with the exception of Graham, who was just kind of there...), the hologram conceit was a great way to have the older incarnations chat to them too. I thought the master was actually pretty fun in this episode, and he sold how demented his plan was from the performance.
I am quite happy that we dont have to watch any more Chibnall Who, but all in all I think this kind of episode is the best he is capable of producing
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:13 PM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
- as others mentioned, the daleks made the story more complicated and really should have been cut
- so many fun ideas which were not utilised properly
- the villains were defeated again by standing round in a circle and shooting each other.
- the doctor gets captured early on not due to a character flaw, but just due to not taking any precautions when meeting a rogue dalek, despite expressing her concerns before going!
- Yaz having a bit of a nothing send off
- characters arcs seemingly set up for no payoff
But with all that, there was actually lots to like! The companions were all really fun, and for the most part felt like they had something to do (with the exception of Graham, who was just kind of there...), the hologram conceit was a great way to have the older incarnations chat to them too. I thought the master was actually pretty fun in this episode, and he sold how demented his plan was from the performance.
I am quite happy that we dont have to watch any more Chibnall Who, but all in all I think this kind of episode is the best he is capable of producing
posted by Cannon Fodder at 1:13 PM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
Hang on a second.
Who had the better moves? Sacha Dahwan....or John Simm?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:28 PM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Who had the better moves? Sacha Dahwan....or John Simm?
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 1:28 PM on October 26, 2022 [1 favorite]
Why should JW be held responsible for Chibnall's failings?
I reiterate that I am still a JW fan. And I strongly agree that she would have almost certainly done immensely better with another showrunner.
The rumor I heard was that at one point toward the end of S12 the BBC was ready to fire Chibnall and she told them if he goes then I go. The BBC, having been the one to decide to cast the first woman Doctor in the first place, likely felt that losing Jodie would be the worse outcome for them reputationally.
If I were the BBC I would have let them both go and bumped up the obvious and logical in-universe choice at the time, Jo Martin. I don't know if Martin is a better actor, but, having clearly mastered the character she was given in spite of the writing and direction, I assert that she would have been a better Doctor no matter how bad the showrunner. And to repeat, I say this as a Whittaker fan.
This is why I hold Whittaker responsible. If that rumor is not true then I absolutely concede your point. Indeed, she would be far from the first actor stuck in a bad 'prestige' production and finding herself without agency.
posted by zaixfeep at 1:52 PM on October 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
I reiterate that I am still a JW fan. And I strongly agree that she would have almost certainly done immensely better with another showrunner.
The rumor I heard was that at one point toward the end of S12 the BBC was ready to fire Chibnall and she told them if he goes then I go. The BBC, having been the one to decide to cast the first woman Doctor in the first place, likely felt that losing Jodie would be the worse outcome for them reputationally.
If I were the BBC I would have let them both go and bumped up the obvious and logical in-universe choice at the time, Jo Martin. I don't know if Martin is a better actor, but, having clearly mastered the character she was given in spite of the writing and direction, I assert that she would have been a better Doctor no matter how bad the showrunner. And to repeat, I say this as a Whittaker fan.
This is why I hold Whittaker responsible. If that rumor is not true then I absolutely concede your point. Indeed, she would be far from the first actor stuck in a bad 'prestige' production and finding herself without agency.
posted by zaixfeep at 1:52 PM on October 26, 2022 [3 favorites]
> His episodes always had such a lack of joy, humor, and originality, as if he was embarrassed by Doctor Who. (This was not quite a problem with Davies and Moffat, who were playful and so affectionate about DW that they didn't mind being camp and romantic).
Yes, that's finally articulated the problem I've been having with his run. Even when the writing wasn't great, the show had really no compunctions around veering into the camp and the Big Romantic Vibes. Turns out, occasionally embarrassing as that stuff was, the show doesn't work very well without it. It flattens down.
I didn't hate this Master! He was no John Simm, who I always loved, but he was pretty good. I think the only plausible explanation for the Doctor's plan involving 1916 Russia is... he liked the Rasputin look and thought it was a fun spatiotemporal location to base himself in.
posted by BungaDunga at 6:22 PM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
Yes, that's finally articulated the problem I've been having with his run. Even when the writing wasn't great, the show had really no compunctions around veering into the camp and the Big Romantic Vibes. Turns out, occasionally embarrassing as that stuff was, the show doesn't work very well without it. It flattens down.
I didn't hate this Master! He was no John Simm, who I always loved, but he was pretty good. I think the only plausible explanation for the Doctor's plan involving 1916 Russia is... he liked the Rasputin look and thought it was a fun spatiotemporal location to base himself in.
posted by BungaDunga at 6:22 PM on October 26, 2022 [2 favorites]
Doctor Who to get American makeover as Disney takes on British classic...Let me be the first to say: absolutely no thanks, do not want.
The American corporation will have a say in creative decisions for Doctor Who, under the terms of a co-production deal made with the BBC over its long-running sci-fi series.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:17 AM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Oh dear. I hope it's not going to be Torchwood season 4 all over again.
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 10:51 AM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by ManyLeggedCreature at 10:51 AM on October 28, 2022 [1 favorite]
Someone please help I have had "Ra Ra Rasputin" stuck in my head for an hour and a half now
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:44 PM on October 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:44 PM on October 28, 2022 [2 favorites]
This was more enjoyable than I expected!
I agree that the "regenerating clothing" issue indicates some weirdness beyond just regenerating into a past form. We've seen that regenerating can be a much more controlled experience (Romana in the 4th Doctor era "trying on" several looks and ultimately deciding to look exactly like a character they had met the previous season) and that past forms can be revisited. Most relevantly, in the 50th anniversary special The Doctor (Matt Smith) meets The Curator (Tom Baker)
In any case, I hope Jodie swaps back in briefly before the regeneration into the next "actual" Doctor. I assume they could have filmed this and/or any other flashback scenes for the 60th already.
posted by mikepop at 7:02 AM on November 1, 2022
I agree that the "regenerating clothing" issue indicates some weirdness beyond just regenerating into a past form. We've seen that regenerating can be a much more controlled experience (Romana in the 4th Doctor era "trying on" several looks and ultimately deciding to look exactly like a character they had met the previous season) and that past forms can be revisited. Most relevantly, in the 50th anniversary special The Doctor (Matt Smith) meets The Curator (Tom Baker)
Eleventh Doctor : [to himself] I could be a curator. I'd be great at curating, I'd be "The Great Curator" ha-ha. I could retire and do that. I could retire and be the curator of this place.One possibility is the 10th Doctor was physically pulled from his time stream (clothes and all) as this Doctor regenerates and now will somehow be temporarily merged into the current incarnation. They can attribute this to all the weird regeneration energy floating around due to the use of (and then the reverse use of) the Master's machine, combined with some plot point from the next episode. Or something else entirely! Probably everyone here can come up with a plausible theory so we'll have to wait and see.
The Curator : [behind him] You know I really think you might.
[the Doctor turns and studies the Curator curiously]
Eleventh Doctor : I never forget a face.
The Curator : I know you don't. And in years to come you might find yourself revisiting a few... but just the old favorites, eh?
[the Eleventh Doctor winks at him]
In any case, I hope Jodie swaps back in briefly before the regeneration into the next "actual" Doctor. I assume they could have filmed this and/or any other flashback scenes for the 60th already.
posted by mikepop at 7:02 AM on November 1, 2022
One possibility is the 10th Doctor was physically pulled from his time stream (clothes and all) as this Doctor regenerates and now will somehow be temporarily merged into the current incarnation.
If they hadn't made him say "I recognize these teeth", this could have worked really well.
I'm really curious to see what Neil Patrick Harris is going to be doing - the previews show him as some kind of magician-type character so I have a hunch he's got something to do with the plot thing. (Calling it a "plot thing" rather than a "plot twist" since....how twisty would it be?)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:49 PM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
If they hadn't made him say "I recognize these teeth", this could have worked really well.
I'm really curious to see what Neil Patrick Harris is going to be doing - the previews show him as some kind of magician-type character so I have a hunch he's got something to do with the plot thing. (Calling it a "plot thing" rather than a "plot twist" since....how twisty would it be?)
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 12:49 PM on November 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
I'm really curious to see what Neil Patrick Harris is going to be doing
People are speculating that he's the Celestial Toymaker (from the Hartnell era).
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:12 PM on November 1, 2022
People are speculating that he's the Celestial Toymaker (from the Hartnell era).
posted by Blue Jello Elf at 7:12 PM on November 1, 2022
Doctor Who to get American makeover as Disney takes on British classic...
Jesus Christ, in a few years we will be begging for Chibnall quality writing once again. Is there anything Disney has it's hands in it hasn't ruined?
posted by GoblinHoney at 8:58 AM on November 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Jesus Christ, in a few years we will be begging for Chibnall quality writing once again. Is there anything Disney has it's hands in it hasn't ruined?
posted by GoblinHoney at 8:58 AM on November 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Disney isn't making the show, it's distributing it outside the UK. It's being made by Bad Wolf productions along with the BBC. I do hate how much power Disney has - how much it has taken and absorbed but I don't see it being the distributor of Who to be a massive problem.
posted by crossoverman at 1:50 AM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by crossoverman at 1:50 AM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
The Telegraph story said that Disney is co-producing and has a creative say in the output, and is putting up $$$ to boost production values and hire high-profile actors. Not just a distribution deal.
Still might be fine, but if there's a new emphasis on "vast budgets, allowing for more cinematic production values and more stars" that could nevertheless suck.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:26 AM on November 4, 2022
Still might be fine, but if there's a new emphasis on "vast budgets, allowing for more cinematic production values and more stars" that could nevertheless suck.
posted by BungaDunga at 10:26 AM on November 4, 2022
Vast budgets and cinematic production values??
Have these people ever WATCHED doctor who???
You’ll pry my cricket-gloved cybermen and wobbly styrofoam sets from my cold dead hands.
posted by coriolisdave at 3:56 PM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
Have these people ever WATCHED doctor who???
You’ll pry my cricket-gloved cybermen and wobbly styrofoam sets from my cold dead hands.
posted by coriolisdave at 3:56 PM on November 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
The problem with Disney controlling all non-UK distribution is the stranglehold effect. Not every country has Disney+, so some markets that used to get to see the show through their local broadcast distribution just won't get it anymore. I know I haven't watched any of the new Star Trek shows since they're all behind the Paramount paywall. For countries where Doctor Who got popular in syndication, this change may mean the end of accessibility.
And as I saw someone on tumblr point out, the only reason we have some of the older Doctor Who episodes in any format is because of the super-fans who managed to find abandoned tapes in tv stations, or made audio-tape recordings of the tv-broadcasts in the pre-VHS days. Is Disney going to be interested in keeping all the older seasons available? Or are they going to pull their 'going into the vault' tactics and only push the more popular stuff?
posted by oh yeah! at 8:36 AM on November 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
And as I saw someone on tumblr point out, the only reason we have some of the older Doctor Who episodes in any format is because of the super-fans who managed to find abandoned tapes in tv stations, or made audio-tape recordings of the tv-broadcasts in the pre-VHS days. Is Disney going to be interested in keeping all the older seasons available? Or are they going to pull their 'going into the vault' tactics and only push the more popular stuff?
posted by oh yeah! at 8:36 AM on November 6, 2022 [1 favorite]
I don't know how to judge the Chibnall era, because when it was good, it was fantastic, and I felt that JW's first season was actually pretty tightly-plotted, as far as modern Doctor Who goes.
The casting has also been excellent. JW was an inspired choice to play The Doctor, but the companions were also all fantastic, and I actually loved Sacha Dhawan's take on the Master.
This special was, indeed, all over the place, both tonally, and in terms of plotting. So many unnecessary plot elements could have been discarded, to focus on some of the more interesting/profound moments that didn't get any time to breathe (Graham freaking out after recognizing his mortality; Yaz competently flying the TARDIS; The Master as Rasputin; a rogue Dalek)
In many ways, Chibnall's faults are very similar to RTD's faults, so I'm a little apprehensive about where this is going.
posted by schmod at 10:52 AM on December 11, 2022
The casting has also been excellent. JW was an inspired choice to play The Doctor, but the companions were also all fantastic, and I actually loved Sacha Dhawan's take on the Master.
This special was, indeed, all over the place, both tonally, and in terms of plotting. So many unnecessary plot elements could have been discarded, to focus on some of the more interesting/profound moments that didn't get any time to breathe (Graham freaking out after recognizing his mortality; Yaz competently flying the TARDIS; The Master as Rasputin; a rogue Dalek)
In many ways, Chibnall's faults are very similar to RTD's faults, so I'm a little apprehensive about where this is going.
posted by schmod at 10:52 AM on December 11, 2022
I also very much enjoyed Sacha Dhawan as the Master. He brought together a lot of elements: dangerously unhinged, tremendously lonely, unfathomably jealous of the Doctor... Yeah, he chewed the scenery, but he did it with panache! I think I prefer him to Simm, tbh.
Some really great moments involving Tegan & Ace. I loved when the Doctor and Yaz first met up with them in the UNIT HQ. There was this fantastic queer subtext, like Tegan & Ace were the Doc's old lovers, jealous that they've been replaced by a younger, hotter woman. I also loved their moments with Docs 5 & 7: Ace's lingering bitterness over how the Doctor used to manipulate her; Tegan's lingering pain over Adric's death. Moving stuff, as was the end scene with the old companions.
I did feel like Dan kinda got screwed and just forgotten after he ditched in the first part. Why didn't he get an invite to the group?
Also amusing that Yaz managed to navigate the TARDIS accurately to Croydon, but Doc #4 could only manage to get as close as Aberdeen when he dropped of Sarah Jane :)
I thought the teaser trailer for the next special looked pretty good, despite not being a NPH fan -- I've always found him to be an overacting hack who seems to have a smug little wink when he's onscreen, like he's too proud of himself to fully commit to a roleand he wants everyone to know that. But that's just me.
posted by Saxon Kane at 7:55 PM on March 19, 2023
Some really great moments involving Tegan & Ace. I loved when the Doctor and Yaz first met up with them in the UNIT HQ. There was this fantastic queer subtext, like Tegan & Ace were the Doc's old lovers, jealous that they've been replaced by a younger, hotter woman. I also loved their moments with Docs 5 & 7: Ace's lingering bitterness over how the Doctor used to manipulate her; Tegan's lingering pain over Adric's death. Moving stuff, as was the end scene with the old companions.
I did feel like Dan kinda got screwed and just forgotten after he ditched in the first part. Why didn't he get an invite to the group?
Also amusing that Yaz managed to navigate the TARDIS accurately to Croydon, but Doc #4 could only manage to get as close as Aberdeen when he dropped of Sarah Jane :)
I thought the teaser trailer for the next special looked pretty good, despite not being a NPH fan -- I've always found him to be an overacting hack who seems to have a smug little wink when he's onscreen, like he's too proud of himself to fully commit to a roleand he wants everyone to know that. But that's just me.
posted by Saxon Kane at 7:55 PM on March 19, 2023
The Master's plan was kind of weird. I mean, he could just say he was the Doctor and do things to ruin the Doctor's reputation without using his TARDIS to create a conversion planet to forcibly steal her body. Who would know the difference? The Gallifreyan Cybermen were cool looking, but it seemed like there was a real opportunity for some pathos there that was just ignored. Also, the one self-tortured Dalek was an interesting concept, but it was only on screen for a minute or two. And Jo Martin, how wonderful is she as the Doctor! But she only got a cameo. It's hard for any story element to have weight when it's flashed on the screen for a minute just to be replaced with the next thing.
With this episode I realized that I suddenly started to like Yaz. Seeing her fly the TARDIS with all her sticky notes was fun. It occurred to me that the first JW season should have been just the Doctor and Yaz, kind of a really slow burn gal-pal relationship that gets deeper as time goes on.
posted by jabah at 10:49 PM on January 26
With this episode I realized that I suddenly started to like Yaz. Seeing her fly the TARDIS with all her sticky notes was fun. It occurred to me that the first JW season should have been just the Doctor and Yaz, kind of a really slow burn gal-pal relationship that gets deeper as time goes on.
posted by jabah at 10:49 PM on January 26
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posted by Hartster at 2:33 PM on October 23, 2022 [3 favorites]