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Do you prefer listening to us rant about episodes we really liked or disliked? Coolio, then head on over to the stats section and find an episode we rated exceptionally highly/incredibly disparagingly!
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Hey guys. It’s been a minute.
There is a lot to like here. Also some stuff that sucks.
I like the video of the Doc that Graham talks to. Reminiscent of Sally Sparrow.
The four taps on the telegraph, as code between Doctor and Master is an excellent callback. Love how they even offer an explanation that will make sense in the absence of other episodes watched- four beats is the double heartbeat of a time lord.
There’s a nice high point in the adventure, with Ada following the Doctor through time, the Master hot on their trail and Graham, Ryan, and Yaz running from the glowy creatures.
Sexism/Cluelessness:
The kneeling scene really bothers me. Did the Master ever make Doc do this when Doc was a man? There’s some nasty implications to her being forced to kneel before him in subservience, at waist height. And oh yeah, she also gets choked by him later. It’s not even the first time this Doctor has had hands laid to her throat. The space Nazi did this too. It really feels like Chibnall is unaware of the weight of this gender dynamic. Given the appearance of Ada and Noor, influential women from history, he seems to be trying to get it right.
Simply didn’t like:
The storytelling with Chibnall often feels paced wrong. Here we build to a thrilling peak danger level only to be saved by some off camera nonsense that feels made up. It wraps up too fast and with too little explanation.
Hang on, did the Doctor just Donna-Noble both historical women, so they lose their memories? Sigh.
Rating: Lol the Doc forgot she’s a woman! That makes sense, Chibs doesn’t always remember she’s a woman either.
Hi folks
So continuing on from last time, the Doctor is able to escape that realm fairly easily, but her setting up a way out for Ryan, Graham and Yaz was nice and reminds me of ‘Bribing the Architect’. I hope you get that reference.
Oh the tissue compression eliminator makes the same sounds as from classic. Nice touch. And Dhwan’s Master to me has a nice sense of manic. I prefer him to Simm’s series 3 Master. Him making the Doctor kneel and call him Master is…a choice, and I suppose we aren’t meant to like the Master so his ‘domination’ of the Doctor is at least played for setting him up as a dick.
‘Ryan! Don’t tell them the plan!’ Nice lampshading of that trope, it actually felt fairly natural.
The wrap up is a little quick, probably. Yeah just a bit. But I do like the Doctor/Master chat on the top of the Eiffel tower.
The Master destroying Galifrey? Can it just be left alone? The classic series started to go down the pan when they kept pissing about on Galifrey. RTD should never have brought it back in the first place.
Once again, enjoyable if having Chibnall issues, still weaker than part one for me 3.5/5 Plane landing apps
Cheers
Kieren
The second part of this two parter is only getting better. Starting straight away with continuing my favourite scene from the last episode. I love the timey wimey side of Doctor Who. The Doctor forgetting her gender again, I do like the 1800’s science fair, and the shrinking device is quite unique, but the kneel before me thing was maybe just a little too much. The team up was very good between The Doctor and Ada. The Doctor solving the plan is a very cool scene. Also The Doctor totally just said Deep Breath (nice). I also love the fact that the Master is just chasing the Doctor through the different times. The construction site scene is okay.
I feel really bad about the mother dying, so sad. Laser shoes and Ryan telling people the plan, this is what makes the episode so good. Only for it to be ruined by this (I think) newly discovered telekinesis power. The Doctor is able to explain how she and Yas survived but what about Ada? The little bubble universe the Master talks about where gallifrey is, Is that the same place as the 50th anniversary gallifrey painting bubble? This internet story is pretty much an update to The bells of Saint John. Such a good reveal when the Doctor turns the Kasaavin on the Master. “Are we being replaced”, perfect line. And then how did they survive the plane time loop thingy, awesome. Also great use of the mind erasing power. And gallifrey is burning. TIMELESS CHILD (ARGHHHHHH)
I give this episode a 3.6/5 masters that were actually good characters, except Missy, she is the best.
This two parter overall gets a 4/5 weeping angels that got left behind on earth for plot convenience later. Also that episode, it’s nearly here.