drwhowatch

[drwhowatch]

Blue Forgotten Planet

The Viyrans are a bit OTT aren’t they? Lots of twists and peril dealing with this virus but maybe could’ve capitalised on the original conceit of the charity doco. Mila gets redeemed despite stealing someone else’s life. Not sure where Charley is off to next! The Doctor seems more confused than usual

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Paper Cuts

Nice to have the Draconians back from Frontier in Space. Best thing about this serial is their likeness to Japanese culture. The paper warriors are neat, something that's been done in animation elsewhere before. Wouldn't have known Charley was replaced by a duplicate really, fairly similar if not bit more basic. The Doctor harkens back to his previous incarnations but he's so much of a player here, more of a pawn

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Patient Zero

The Daleks here are much more thoughtful than usual, being very careful with whom they blow up. The Viyrans are very OP, would like to understand more about them. Liked Fratalin being composed of 800 individuals. Mila is an intriguing way to bring in a new companion but after travelling with the Doctor for hundreds of years, you'd think they'd have more compassion. Sure Charley will be back shortly from being invisible. The Doctor doesn't quite like the affection towards him and is exasperated by everyone not telling him what's going on.

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Wish World / The Reality War

Whoa boy kinda nice to visit these episodes late and let the opinion discourse fly. Terrible writing, just long stretches of exposition and turning attention to it meta wise does not forgive it. The Rani is a bit moustache twirling but doesn’t really get the time to shine here. Our token trans and disabled people return to not add anything to the story. Kate manages to mention her father again, gets people to shoot their complicated named guns and have a forced romance with a younger soldier. Way too many babies in this episode, I’m unsure which audience you’re pandering to when this has never been what people wanted especially to introduce the idea so late. Poppy has a cute face but for the Doctor and Belinda to dedicate themselves entirely to saving someone who never existed is strange. They manage to cure the sexist by solving his daddy issues, but not sure they needed that redemption instead of punishment and is not realistic. The bone beasts looked great but didn’t quite understand the point of them. Omegas return was majorly disappointing, you don’t want another big monster you want an equal to the Doctor - a time lord! Mel gets her original perm back but some of the lines are straight from the panto where she became more famous. So Susan was absolutely pointless right haha. Not satisfied with cramming a new character every 5 min, they also bring back the star from the Christmas special along with the lovely hotelier who realises that bloke she spent a year hanging out with is actually gay. She then proceeds to get immediately knocked up - there really is a bad feminist message here that a woman’s main job is babies. Rogue films a line in his hotel roomthat doesn’t mean anything. Way too many clips of old episodes this series. Susan Twist is not much of a good actor now she’s not a baddie. Ruby knowing the real world is not overly explained but she was somehow more well rounded character in total. Belinda’s entire character arc changes in an instant from someone who doesn’t consent to being with the Doctor to suddenly being ok with having his child, such a waste and no time to develop this series. Jodie comes back because Russell must’ve been desperate to write her. She was lovely to see, even if so soon and trying to really cement that yes she was gay. I’m not actually too mad about Rose coming back as the Doctor (maybe?) but I really do hope it’s for more of an ongoing series than a one off but might be so - there’s just way too many extra Docs now.

RTD’s return was much anticipated and whilst there was some shining diamonds of ideas, it really was a disappointment on every level. By focusing so much on the anti woke haters, he actually managed to alienate the fans who want a bit of escapism with a splash of pro queer politics. This is not the clean slate reboot that was promised with the latest ep especially relying on decades of prior knowledge. I totally get Ncuti wanting to go off and do bigger and better things because he really is an incredible talent to see and he thrived in such a short time. He was somewhat underdeveloped, similar to Jodie, we never saw the true character there with the writing, substituting regular tears for meaning. I will miss him and his amazing clothing.

OK, now ranking this series best to worst: Lux, The Interstellar Song Contest, The Robot Revolution, The Story & the Engine, The Well, Wish World / The Reality War, Lucky Day. And finally companions (not based solely on this finale haha): Belinda Chandra, Ruby Sunday

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The Company of Friends

I do actually enjoy these shorter anthology releases, just to the point when 4 parters just linger too long. It does make these overly comedic though. Benny is back again and the only one I actually recognised, being a much more sensible companion with a job/child. Didn't really buy Fitz as a companion, just too selfish/dumb to travel with the Doctor. Izzy was too childish but guess I enjoyed the comic storyline. Think there was some hints at romance with Mary as she grounds the story much more realistic than the others. Great to have Paul back again after a while and he bounces off everyone really well.

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The Angel of Scutari

It’s a nice idea to bring back the historicals in audio form, but ultimately they are just less interesting than an alien! Florence Nightingale was nice but the mad general was annoying. Definitely was confused by it not being chronological and the fairly cliffhanger ending. Hex gets sick of travelling so decides the cesspit of the Crimean War is wear to hang his hate only to get shot. Ace gets to hang out with Tolstoy and gets a kiss. The Doctor again knows more than we do and gets a nice white TARDIS.

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The Interstellar Song Contest

It's impressive that an episode all about Eurovision would have so much silliness, politics and throwbacks to the past - wait that makes total sense! The goat people were slightly silly with name/evilness but their story being an analogy to current war situation was fairly ballsy for the BBC to take on, given some countries are still allowed to participate in the contest. Rylan and Graham cameos were brilliantly funny. The songs were horrid but guess that really made the last one stand out - it cured my racism! They brought back not just one, but two characters that have not been seen in decades! Glad Rani is finally played by someone of Indian descent and can't wait to see what she does with the character. Can't believe the rumours were finally true for her and Susan also teased heavily, so happy to have Carole back. Belinda gets to do a lot of sad acting at the presumed mass murder and death of the Doctor, twas quite heavy until they saved the day. The Doctor finally gets to show that dark side only to be brought to fun sanity by his companions. Also some good gadget work by him with silly science words.

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The Story & the Engine

Episode had a strong start (bottle episode, Nigeria setting, unique concept with the barbershop, stories, animation), but unfortunately got bogged down by too many ideas and exposition by the end. The villain wasn't overly compelling but good he got forgiven I guess? Not really deserved though is it - why not save the big spider instead? I don't really understand him or the duaghter-of-the-god really as well as the point that religion seems to be a 'neccesity'. Belinda unfortunately sidelined, another fault of horrible scheduling the comeback has continually faced, especially when she had a story right there that she should've told and could've been the crux of the episode similar to the leaf of The Rings of Akhaten. Ruth comes back for one shot and immediately promises to defintiely certainly resolve her plot and explain everything for sure I bet. The Doctor gets to do his distinct 'here's all my white past' speech with clips as we all love to do, alongside his best hair cut yet.

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Enemy of the Daleks

Fairly decent as Dalek stories go. Their latest enemy are disgusting aren’t they? The professor’s Japanese accent seems a bit put on unfortunately. Ace really looks past all the PTSD that everyone else is having to kill a few Daleks like the psychopath she is. Hex seems to decide this is a bit much murder. The Doctor does a genocide, trying to ‘correct’ his decision in Genesis of the Daleks

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Lucky Day

I'm absolutely in love with RTD going after internet trolls and fascists since his return but oh boy is this episode clunky. Alright alien, wouldn't mind them in a proper episode. Kate kinda does prove his point of being overfunded with too many guns, but hey, at least she gets cutesy eyes with the hot young bloke. I think the conspiracy is played well and true to life, but I do think we're giving too much to this vocal minority. Ruby is back and still not a good actor, but at least the PTSD aspect is expanded on. Belinda gets a timey wimey mention. The Doctor gets to give his speech talking down to the right wingers at the end but is such a shame to not have his light shine in this episode.

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The Chaos Pool

Think I sort of lost interest by this final installment. Lalla Ward pulls double duty which is slightly confusing when her former self is rather evil/dull. The Guardians are again the highlight of the story but they can only save so much, Amy is trapped in a bag for a lot of the story but also just too good hearted really. Honestly can't recall too much of the Doctor other than him being exasperated as per usual.

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The Magic Mousetrap

Nice to have the Toymaker back but his NPH appearance recently in the Giggle was slightly more effective. The Swiss setting was ok and the side characters were slightly annoying and hard to follow the plot really – as in, who was a universe altering being or not. Hex plods along and Ace again seems to be in the middle of the action. Having the Doctor in a more vulnerable position with no memory is always an effective plot technique to disable his powers slightly.

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The Destroyer of Delights

Not sure why, but just super enjoyed this one. It may be due to the inclusion of the Black and White Guardians, fairly depowered and causing chaos amongst silly banter. The Middle Eastern setting also was fun, it could nearly be a historical if not for the blue robot. Amy’s cluelessness is delightful and The Doctor deftly manages to navigate the politics of the era.

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The Well

Seems like a popular one online, but I didn't think it quite had the spark that Midnight did. Firstly, the monster acts differently, not posessing/copying but instead just going behind you and flipping others over along with the reflection thing. I also liked the charm of non-budget in the initial ep whereas, whilst this is definietly scaled back, still has effects/sets/actors aplenty. Rose was great at being sad and was a very inclusive ep for her. Belinda gets shot and finds out humans don't exist so more ammo to not hang around the Doctor. The Doctor tries to sacrifice himself again but is pipped to the post.

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The Judgement of Isskar

So we're bringing back the Key to Time, albeit at half the length for some reason. The original Ice Warriors being traders is an interesting idea, but jeez they get a bit murdery if you go near their pyramid. We get the introduction of the Graceless twins, which initially is a fun idea, but you kinda get a little tired of them as it goes on. Zara is just so moustache twirling evil and Amy (soon to be Abby) is so bloody pious. The Doctor accepts the mission fairly easily and is kinda quick to ditching Peri for this adventure.

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Lux

The fourth wall shattering story could be the best ep since RTD's return. Basically the same as The Devil's Chord with another god, but there's a lot more love and care put into this from the twisty writing to the superb animation. Mr Ring-a-Ding was good fun and was creeped out by the hyperrealistic version. We get to meet 'real' fans of the show which was very sweet. Belinda not wanting to be a companion whilst simultaneously enjoying dressing up makes me happy. Ncuti gets to tell a bit of backstory again and nearly dies.

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The Robot Revolution

Feel this is a strong start compared to last year's meandering season. Robot designs were cute. Very silly bits like the cat getting vaporised hit well for me. I for one am in full approval of the Planet of the Incels and any true fan who is put off by wokeness can get gone. Already prefer the new companion to Ruby, who shows so much agency. No means no Doctor, stop having so much fun and doing your trademark one tear per episode routine!