Why don't you watch these in the morning after release? You don't put out the video review until days later, are you really helping yourself by attacking it when you're tired? I could see if you had a deadline, but clearly you don't.
The doctor was quick to shut down Captain Jack's flirting in the past and was cautious about developing romantic feelings with companions (School Reunion). Here with Rogue things moved fast, at the speed of a hook up without time for a real emotional connection. Noticed as you did once again the doctor is passive in key moments as the story unfolds around him, and once again crying. Also in this series so far the Tardis interior hasn't been used a lot: why build such a big fancy set with the jukebox but then it seems nothing major was scheduled to happen there.
I think the main thing I’d disagree with you on is with the villains. Of course the Family of Blood is more dramatic and creepy, but I don’t think the Chuldur were aiming for that. Their overdramatic nature works so well with their cosplaying, and I think the season needed some levity after three more intense episodes in a row.
Yes it did but why then try to present them as a threat to the world. I would have been satisfied with them just as creatures that can kill naturally cause havoc.
I agreeeeeee i like that they’re silly villans. I think sometimes idiots destroying the world is just as possible as geniuses or armed forces destroying the world
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 Exactly. The enemy cause havoc and threaten the Doctor's companion. That should be enough, no need to shoehorn in this world-conquering idea.
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think that’s the problem in how they’re treated as villains, if they just kept it small scale, they would’ve worked perfectly for that they are
I'm sick of seeing only the twee bridgerton esque side of History. Can't believe I'm saying this but this was something Chibnall did better. Give me the battle of Waterloo, the trenches of WW1, the black death etc.
maybe another motivation of the Chuldur could've been their anger at the aristocracy after living amongst the people in poverty- with some flashbacks to the grim nature of industrialization so that they were a little more complex than just cosplaying fun
Or better yet leave Europe in general. I actually really liked the demons of Punjab. Even with the problems of series 11, the setting alone was great. Chibnall's era is frustrating because it had so much promise to bring Doctor Who into a new era.
@@wunziedinoxxx A Chuldur as a companion in future could be interesting. Maybe Indira Varma. I mean, do we really think only Rogue will eventually escape/be rescued? It's not like the Doctor objects to reformed murderers.
Honestly, the Doctor felt so out of character in this episode with how much he was crushing on Rogue. He fell for him based solely off appearance basically. Rogue actively tries to kill him and then one brief cutaway to Ruby later and the Doctor is immediately inviting him into the Tardis. He doesn't redeem himself for his actions until later in the episode and yet the Doctor instantly offers him to become a companion. All the Doctor knows is that he's willing to execute someone and that he finds him hot I guess and that's enough for the Doctor to instantly trust him.
@@ChronaMewX Except the Doctor very much didn't swoon with River like that... Ten was actually visibly uncomfortable with her acting the way she knew him already, then we jump to s5 and while Eleven acknowledges that she's supposed to be his wife in the future, he says that he doesn't trust her and keeps her at arm's length, especially when finding out she killed someone. It takes a while for that to change.
Personally I disagree, his interactions with Rogue bring out the Doctor's vanity, loneliness, wittyness, joy for adventuring, all recurring traits of the Doctor. I think it's more fair to say this episode brought out elements of the Doctor's character you are generally not a fan of, given this a character with a constantly shifting personality.
I will say it's in character for the Doctor to offer everyone and her brother to be a companion -- something I'd like to see less of. Can being a companion be something special? Half-expected him to offer Lindy Pepper-B. (finish the name how you like) to be a companion.
i feel like the way the doctor acts in this episode, leaving ruby on her own (after she died two episodes ago), following rogue around like a puppy and not having a single interesting idea to identify and get rid of the cosplayers (except hoping they werent more than 6 and pressing a few butons on the sonic), was like a slap to the face of long time fans of the show. i get that they're trying to build a new persona for the doctor, but so far he feels nothing more than a dude whose only interesting trait is to have a time machine. he doesnt do anything out of the ordinary to save the day or come up with a plan that you only figure out along with the other characters as it goes by. it's really telling to me, that the one episode i liked the most was the one where ruby was dealing with stuff on her own. we know nothing about ruby and she feels like a more interesting character than the many lives, thousand year alien with a complex time machine. this episode was just boring and felt very performative which i felt insulted by as an lgbtq person. it was rushed, the doctor and rogue had no chemistry, the threat did not feel like a threat at all and the setting relying so much on "omg its sooooo bridgerton" got very annoying very fast (and this comes from a person that actually really likes period dramas). overall i'm just very disappointed and bored. i just hope the finale is somewhat interesting to compensate.
Yes, thank you. This has been the one thing that has disappointed me more than anything else about this doctor, like where are all the ideas and different inventions and contraptions they usually come up with??? I feel like we haven't gotten a single moment like end of episode desperate situation where all hope seems lost but actually the doctor has a crazy smart plan and is 15 steps ahead of everybody else. I personally still need my, "everybody lives" moment that flexes how smart and capable the doctor is. I realize now that he doesn't feel like an active participant in the outcome of the story especially in the last 3 episodes. Really hoping this changes in the next episode/season, I think that would truly elevate this doctor.
I do agree with the doctor and rogue romance - but Thasmin wasn’t ’too subtle’. It genuinely wasn’t there until last minute - ask Chibnall. Before the specials, flux at a push, people were just seeing patterns in things that weren’t there.
Thasmin was just Twitter loonies, to be honest. I remember the same kind of fans existed when Supernatural was popular, and they were just as deranged, although Supernatural never "went there", thankfully.
@@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs. agreed - they admitted that they then caved to it. And you know, sometimes incorporating fan concepts isn’t *always completely awful* (emphasis on ‘always’ and ‘completely awful) but it’s a seriously delicate call you have to make and should really be thinking about whether any creative choice services the story and characters or not. Even worse if you do nothing with it - just caving to the ‘Tumblr side’ of the fandom at that point.
@@lewgallagher463 Odd thing, loosely related. Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill had a lot of chemistry if you watched them in interviews together. Why do you suppose it never really came through during the actual episodes? Not necessarily in the romantic sense, but they didn't seem to come across as even that close friends.
So I was just imagining yaz having a conversation where she fully admits to having feelings for the doctor but not knowing how to confess them in the haunting of Villa diodati?
Amen. I rewatched every episode of New Who in 2022, and I have Asperger’s and OCD, so when I watch something I love, I notice all the minute details and thread that get developed over the runs, and Thasmin really was not there until the final scene of Flux. They don’t even have a one on one scene where they are talking about something other than the immediate threat within the plot, until they’re on their way from Karvinista’s trap to Earth, and even then that just sees Yaz call out the Doctor for being closed off about her feelings.
I’m a huge DnD fan and I love history, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this script felt like it could’ve been taken straight from wattpad. I wasn’t really a fan of this episode personally
This wasn't the Doctor, because the Doctor wouldn't fall in love at first sight, let alone swan off to flirt with someone whilst leaving a companion in potential danger.
Would have liked it to be more about Jane Austen than _Bridgerton_ if we are in the Regency. The Doctor and even Ruby could have read Austen and Austen is eternal. There were people cosplaying at Regency-themed balls based on Austen before _Bridgerton._ Agree about shallow story and not like it seems like the period (obviously, I haven't been there -- or have I?), which isn't a new problem. Kept waiting to find out they weren't even in the Regency and everyone was LARPing.
bridgerton is already re-imagined Jane Austen (since she lived in tha period and the author for this series didn't), so I understand the point. they like the drama, and Bridgerton has way more drama than JA. Like, I absolutely love Mr Darcy's hand scene, but is not as exiting as all the sex scenes in the Netflix show.
@@gisela_oliveira And some people find a slow-burn more exciting. But I can't tell you how many steps removed from Jane Austen I think Julia Quinn's books are, though. I found myself picturing some of them as if they were 1940s comedies even though they were supposed to be set in the Regency, and that worked pretty well.
I feel like The Doctor got hit with the idiot stick in this episode. He falls for a bounty hunter based on appearance alone, flirts with him instead of trying to escape the teleporter, hands over the Sonic and acts shocked when he doesn’t get it back, leaves Ruby alone several times, and didn’t think of simply pulling/shoving Ruby off the teleporter like Rogue did.
on the last point, I _think_ the idea was that shoving ruby off only worked because once rogue stepped on the trap, it had more people than it could hold (7/6), rendering it temporarily useless. However they didn't make it particularly clear
@@longnoseboi Yeah I think a lot of people would have forgotten the earlier line where the Doctor said he increased the device's power to hold a maximum of six people (so it was only by Rogue entering the triangle that someone else could leave). I knew the moment the six person limit was mentioned that it was being dropped in for the climax (so I knew to remember it), though I did think that the end was clever.
@@longnoseboi yeah, that was pretty clear checkov's gun. the doctor said clearly "up to six people, max", so the only way was for someone take her place
All this being said, the line where The Doctor asks how long the birds live and Rogue says 600 years. The moment where The Doctor says good in a form of seething rage, it was fantastic. More of that would be good
That said, just saying that (my own previous comment referencing “the oncoming storm”) makes me nostalgic for the bickery, quippy dynamic between the Doctor and Rose. I am enjoying the “besties” vibe between Ncuti and Millie, but I think this episode just overall lacked tension. Notably between the Doctor and Rogue. But also! The Doctor left Ruby for FAR too long to go off comparing spaceships and trading abridged backstories in the moonlight. I could have done with a Donna Noble-esque rebuff or an are-you-mad punch in the shoulder when he finally does find Ruby and “return to this party before anyone else dies”.
It's just a shame that it didn't carry into his scene of fucking the Chuldur off into another dimension, he's dark and infuriated outside the room and then banishes them in a weirdly normal way, no rage
The villains are completely absent from the episode, Ruby has nothing to do, and the Doctor does nothing but obsess over a random man he just met. I never liked 8 and Grace, 10 and Rose or 11 and Clara. River was different and Joan and 10 was great precisely because he was human at the time, but all the other romances are so out of character for the Doctor who spent all of the classic era being completely uninterested in romance. The Doctor liking him after only just meeting is just silly. A 2000+ year old TimeLord (f*** off Chris) crushing on a young human is like a 70 year old fancying a 7 year old; it’s just weird.
For me, River only really worked with Twelve, where the Kingston/Capaldi pairing came across as a believable couple of similar vintage. In contrast, her dynamic with Ten and Eleven felt a bit too much like "MILFs in Space".
@ftumschk I have to agree, that was the first time I believed they might love each other. It was romantic rather than sexual and flirty and Moffat writing one handed as Harbo would say. I guess I dislike their relationship in terms of why they’re attracted initially, but I kind of understand if he was going to marry anyone, someone like her with a much more similar life experience than, say, Rose, at least makes a bit more sense to me.
@@ftumschk for me river worked because it didnt work. The whole relationship was weird, out of time and only made sense because of the timey whimey nature of it. Thats the only reason it gelled with me.
funniest part of this episode is at the end when Rogue tells the doctor to find him and Ruby’s like “damn we should go find that guy” and the doctor’s like “nahhh…”
I thought one out-of-place, especially dull piece of writing was when the Doctor asked Rogue about who he had lost, and Rogue replied with something like, "I had someone, we traveled together, but then, I lost them." And that was just it. It felt like placeholder text for something less vague.
I just didn't like how 15 was barely acting like the doctor in the ep, he was behaving more like a horney teenager than an over 2000 year old time lord
He acted basically exactly the same for Madame de Pompadour... he literally abandoned and neglected Rose and Mickey to chase after someone who caught his eye
@@ImGravityEU No he didn't act the same, 10 still behaved like the doctor maybe a bit lovey diviy but still The 900 year old Doctor. 15 on the other hand acted like a teenage boy from 2024 who wanted to bed Rouge as soon he saw him. Also he didn't abandoned Rose and Mickey he was trying to save madame de pompadour, he would have done that to try to save anyone. Plus we need to think about how 15 is over 1000 years older than 10 so he should be more mature and wiser
I appreciate you not appreciating this episode because I don't either. It's a mess and I feel like people are just jumping on a bandwagon of liking it because there is that physical chemistry. Some things you didn't mention that bugged me: The Doctor sees dead people, doesn't go ASAP to warn Ruby as is his duty of care, instead he shows off the TARDIS first and has a long chat. Foot traps are completely negated by knocking someone over. If I'm a bird person watching this I just give up my balance, fall and save myself. Also how did Rogue end up in the exact same foot position, wouldn't his first steps capture him in a weird knocking someone over position? Why is he sacrificing himself anyway? He barely knows the Doctor sure, but Is there a time limit on pressing the button? Couldn't they all have had a nice long chat about it since the premise is none of those trapped could move, you know as long as they don't fall over? Earlier how exactly does showing off how many faces you've had prove you aren't a shapeshifting alien? That one could be fixed if they reworked the scene slightly, but as is it's wonky. Lots of wonky in this episode. I approve of your ranking of it for these reasons, and all those you said.
The one weird thing is the Doctor mentions he always wanted to meet a shapeshifter. Which confused because the Zygons are shapeshifters and to an extent more capable because they can shapeshift into almost anything including humans, animals, I presume statues
The doctor one hundred percent has met shape shifters... This episode felt like fanfiction.. i hate that I want to like ncuti as a doctor but this is not in any way how any other self respecting doctor has or would act. Why is this something he said?!
He first met River as an Archeologist who died to save him, not as a murder. That only came in after time of the Angels and it DID clearly put him off in the episode. @aaronvasseur6559
16:26 I agree with many of these criticisms, but I feel like it's fairly typical for the Doctor to not be the one who ultimately saves the day. Looking at Series 1, for example, Nine only saves the day in End of the World and Boomtown, the same number of episodes in which Fifteen has been the ultimate hero so far. I think the difference with this season is that the Doctor isn't really responsible for leading/inspiring characters to save the day. The end of Devil's Chord just kind of happened. The Doctor didn't drive the plot of 73 Yards at all. Dot and Bubble didn't have a heroic side character. Boom came close, with Fifteen nudging the AI to take action, but it didn't really feel like Fifteen really led the AI to do most of the actions it took. And in Rogue, the Doctor definitely did inspire Rogue to take action at the conclusion, but due to how rushed Fifteen and Rogue's relationship felt, that sacrifice felt unearned. Looking again at Series 1, the Doctor was an inspirational or driving figure in Rose, Unquiet Dead, Aliens of London/World War Three, The Long Game, Empty Child/Doctor Dances, and of course Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways. I think Fifteen still has time to make an impact before the end of this series, but I'm worried that he won't. Nine was able to make a much greater impact in seven episodes. On another note, I like this episode, though definitely not as much as the previous three episodes. I understand why it would be disliked by others though.
Agreed. This is a very well done analysis, touching on much of what I’ve been thinking about this one. All except the period stuff. I love that - although Bridgerton itself eludes me.
At the end Rogue shouldve just shot the 5 owl people dead with his gun and The Doctor couldve turned the trap off. Honestly the teleporter is such a stupid execution device to begin with, but whatever I guess.
Yes would make the nice Rogue be less loved though and they already did that in a way the week before. I agree the endings terrible though. I thought of this ending: The doctor and Rogue step into the trap together again showing their love for each other unsure to increase the weight limit breaking the trap and making them go nowhere breaking the trap and saving Ruby and leading to the Dr giving himself as sacrifice in a desperate attempt to save Ruby alongside Rogue. They all die together or are all saved. They all survive the monsters are free. Then they could run off and destroy the monsters some other way such as creating a fake drama using Rogues ships to make holograms with Rogue amd the Dr and Ruby luring them into the ship before escaping through a different exist trapping the monsters in the ship . They then could have destroyed the ship killing the monsters or something else to banidh them. Then all 3 main people survive and Rogue could go on to travel with the Dr if he wished.
@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think there was a point made that The Doctor could've shut it down, but if he did it would free them and there was no other way to stop them from destroying literally the entire earth apparently. The idea of having Rogue shoot the owls, would've been an interesting morale dillema for The Doctor, letting them die, to save his friend, similar in a way to the 8th Doctor Audio Deimos which challenges the way The Doctor's morales lead to people's death.
@@illuminatihuman6983 Yeah it's certainly an interesting idea. It would question the morality of Rogue and nievity of the Dr for loving him after nearly being sent away by him. I think the issue if the story aswell is why are these monsters so dangerous. Sure they can be important people but really they don't feel like the type of villain that can't be realised and then outwitted. They aren't cybermen or anything like that. Ruby literally out fights one of them.
Something I want to say about the eight episode structure. When we had the 13 episodes or 12 episodes or 10 episodes structure there was a nice bit of variety there, but also if you did get like the bad episode or two, you still had at least eight, nine, or ten more episodes. Since we’re only getting eight now, I’m of the opinion that there is very little room for error because one or two bad episodes that’s one fourth of your season that could’ve gone to better episodes. I also think it hasn’t done a great job of displaying Ruby’s life and her relationships outside the Doctor. As shown with that small scene where the doctor and Ruby’s mum are talking together. It would’ve been nice to have seen an episode where this came up, where something dangerous did happen, maybe with Carla involved. But we got this. My last thoughts are also On the layout of the episodes and how they feel chosen not random outside of space babies which is the beginning and the legend of Ruby Sunday and Empire of death the rest of the episodes feel like they could come in any almost any order. I do hope these faults are used to help improve later seasons but I also suspect since they’ve already done season 15 this could repeat itself. I hope not, shall have to see.
this was the reason i loved matt smith's doctor as he acts as a lonely doctor and avoids falling in love with his companions/ new characters, we also get to see the character development of river song as a character first as he knows her fate in the future which gives us the viewer more emotion to the character.
I saw a theory that Rogue and Devil's Chord were swapped in the order late in the game to match Eurovision and Pride Month. If that's the case, the Carla flashback scene I think would have worked better, because it's still a flashback to a scene that didn't happen, but it's clear it only happened right after the end of the last episide
This season should have been 10 episodes minimum and had a middle 2 parter based on contemporary earth to develop the characters and ground things in the middle. Would have helped the season's pacing I feel.
It really bothers me that 15, while being as smart as past incarnations, lacks the authority and cleverness of their past. He stands around crying instead of being the cleverest person in the room. The Doctor has been many things: an old grandpa, a clown, a dandy, an absent-minded professor, a woman. But they have never been a cry baby who can’t solve problems and show off how awesome they are. And their companions admire them, not pity them, like Ruby at the end of this episode.
One of the main reasons I dislike Rogue is because I HATE the Doctor being romantically involved/attracted to ANYONE, so this episode *really* wasn't for me Also, as a side note, I'm into quite a niche type of dancing called Playford (that originated in 1651). Each dance has its own set tune. Immediately after the title sequence, there was a Playford tune! Duke of Kent's Waltz. They, of course, didn't do the dance that went with it, but still
The 'romance' was just so forced. I initially liked Rogue a bit but he dropped his 'Rogue' personality almost instantly. Everything else was bogstandard C tier NuWho. Some of the comedy got to me though. It also doesn't help that I've never heard of Bridgerton until this episode lol
We as viewers were supposed to care about the rouge from the get go for no reason other than being handsome. Then a thirsty doctor takes it to 100 and we are supposed to share his views and see what he does all because he helps them in the end?
@@baconandhex Yeah, I don't get the handsome thing either. Neither this actor, nor the one last time playing Ricky September seemed all that attractive to me.
I kinda liked that it was a 'meh' sorta episode, it made the episode more "lets not watch that one" compared to the others, which, so far, have been important to the plot or are very good episodes on their own. I had a personal issue with Rogues name before watching the episode, because it felt very... "Woooooh mysterious". But the writers managed to pull through and gave a good reason for his name's origin, being the name of his DnD character. But that kinda just made me wish they delved more into a sorta 'serious and intimidating outside, with a nerdy inside' type of character.
@@spiritomb8Sorry to say, but Rogue isn’t the name of his character. It’s a character class, like bard or cleric. To be fair to the writers, it’d be harder to deduce the origins of a D&D character name precisely because it is bound to be more idiosyncratic. To again be unfair to the writers, it seems like it’d be hard to blend in and avoid raising suspicion as a character who’s not what he seems, when he’s LARPing as a regular period-appropriate human with a name that’s “Rogue-Just Rogue.”
there was a moment, when the Doctor asked Rogue "how long do they live" and when he is told 600 years replies "Thats along time to suffer" when I though we were going to get a classic Dr Who Family of Blood moment when he was finally going to be unleashed. But they dropped the ball.
I can handle Fifteen x Rogue simply for the fact these two have WAY more chemistry than the boring, last-minute romance plot with Yaz and Thirteen, both Ncuti and Jonathan are incredibly charming actors and sell their blooming relationship incredibly well
what are you on about 13 and yaz had more then an episode on yaz having a crush on the doctor and it was light and slightly increasing over time. (but non the less i disliked it still but like how 13 turned down yaz as it should the doctor SHOULDNT be in a relationship) BUT THIS SHIT with nuti and rogue is just disgusting first sight struck first by the doctor which is so dumb
@@DeusLucifer Yes, the last THREE episodes. Her mentioning a crush doesn't mean much when it happened so often, but they built up Yaz to be this "special someone" for the Doctor even though she's THE most boring character in the entire run, which says a lot, as if Rose and River never existed or meant anything to the Doctor from the start. Rogue had an actual personality, like a classier Jack Harkness. I personally never saw anything wrong with the Doctor getting a little blush from him since this regeneration is considered to be more emotionally open than previous ones, but to each their own. They still sold this romance better than Yaz and Thirteen.
@@bananatiergod Generally agreed, although (a) I'm not a River fan; and (b) I think THE most boring - and badly acted - Companion ever was Ryan, by a country mile. Tosin Cole made Matthew Waterhouse seem like Laurence Olivier in comparison.
@@ftumschk Ryan still had SOME kind of a personality trait. He was a blank slate but at least there was a talk about his struggles with his illness and he had a few funny moments here and there, which is more than can be said about Yaz. Mandip tried her damndest but there's no way to bring an extra dimension to a cardboard cutout.
Yet again, the Doctor cries (twice in this episode) and, yet again, ISN’T the hero who saves the day (essentially, anti hero Rogue did it). The constant “Bridgerton” references got my back up and will undoubtedly date the episode (if not the show). Now, controversially, as a gay guy myself, I thought the much (wrongly) heralded “first gay kiss” (it wasn’t) was inappropriate: not only is such a full on “lip lock” going to make more conservative viewers/parents turn off the show but the kiss/romance itself wasn’t even earned - this “romance” wasn’t ‘whirlwind’, it was ‘hyper speed’. There were also a plethora of historical inaccuracies throughout (in 1813, Britain was already at war with several countries including fighting Napoleon and the French, the “tango” played wouldn’t exist for decades and the oft used “wow” wasn’t used in England (it WAS used in Scotland however). Two men dancing wasn’t actually shocking by 1813 - but it was a presumption that the two men would be straight but drunk and be virtually ignored. The whole kill Ruby scenario near the end was rendered moot by Rogue simply pushing her out of the triangle! Plus points: the location and Groff’s Rogue and the Duchess were very good. Gibson was good too (yet again) but underused. Sadly, I’m STILL not connecting with Gatwa’s Doctor (and, considering he’s so LGBT+, I should probably find it easy) - he’s effectively playing a - dare I say it - more camp version of the character he played in “Sex Education”. In truth, the only episodes I’ve enjoyed to some degree this season are “Boom” (Doctor static victim) and “73 Yards (Doctor missing for the majority of time) and, as you’ve pointed out, I don’t think there’s any real chemistry…maybe the makers/RTD are aware of this and that’s why Millie is on her way out. All a bit sad really.
Yeah I definitely found this to be more on The Space Babies, Star Beast quality side of the episodes for series 14 (yes I’m including the 60th specials). It feels more like a bland episode of Doctor Who that you can find in all of RTD’s seasons. That’s not to say Rogue is bad by any means. I would rather watch the low points of this series over and over again instead of having to sit through Chibnall’s Series 11 or Series 12 of Doctor Who. But this definitely felt more like a filler episode of Doctor Who before the final. I’m starting to wonder if Rogue was initially supposed to come after Space Babies and that The Devil’s Cord was supposed to come after Dot and Bubble.
Take out the best friend reference, and this would fit really well after "Space Babies," I think. (As well as anything could.) You could also have references to Rogue occasionally through the season/series, so that we have a sense the Doctor is making offscreen efforts to find him (since he says "Find me") or something.
Really dont know why davies is obsessed with 15 crying all the time this is one of the problems people had with 10 claiming he was too human rather than a alien from out of space
I think what made it worse is how 15th JUST cries in most instances, instead of how he was in "Boom": continuing to take action despite being emotionally gut punched.
Yh felt the whole episode felt so safe in a weird way. Completely agree that even space babies and the devil's chord had some interesting ideas - even if they weren't very good lol. The villains were completely forgettable and the Doctor's relationship with Rogue felt so rushed - all for the sake of having a 'viral moment' for his first gay kiss - even tho it isn't and tbh the whole dance thing was done better in Torchwood with captain jack. None of it really felt earned and this has been a pretty recurring problem with this season imo. I don't wanna sound like I'm blaming Ncuti Gatwa but it's almost been an entire season now and I still haven't really come round on him yet, think this is a lot down to the reduced episode count, but it still feels like he hasn't really settled into the role. Find the whole this is a new era for the Doctor where he's more open with his feelings and has dropped all the 'baggage' of his previous selves quite irritating - at this point it feels like an excuse to make the Doctor feel like a passenger in his own show- It also doesn't make any sense like the Dr has hardly acted more responsible this season, if anything he has been much more reckless and out of control. It's frustrating because it would be really interesting if they explored why the doctor has been more reckless - but you just know it's just coming across this way due to sloppy and rushed production at times. Overall still enjoyed this season - but feel like there's a lot that needs improving.
12:42 this scene of Carla and the Doctor talking about keeping Ruby safe would have worked better when Ruby literally got shot and fell 10 feet down a crater in ‘Boom’ tbh haha
Hear me out here. If RTD wants to make a big to-do about Gatwa's version of the Doctor being gay, why not use this to show what is was actually *like* to be gay back in this time period? It carried the death penalty throughout the British Empire during the Regency. There were lots of shorthand terms used so gays and lesbians could identify each other that would be quite educational, ranging from certain terms to even flowers worn. Instead what we get is this, a sanitized version of a intolerant time. Isn't it rather a missed opportunity?
You said it all, I hope it'll change eventually. I'd also like to add that this new Doctor isn't socially awkward nor "neurodivergent" as he used to be, that's one of the reasons why he was so funny.
i don't get how the trap ruby is stuck in only needed her to be pushed off by rogue to escape if that was the case couldnt they have just poked her with a stick or something
@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think it might be a bit difficult to put a weight and make sure specifically Ruby is the one to get off, since the owls would see what their doing. There are definitely other things that The Doctor could've and should've done, but unfortunately too often I find, just have to ignore plot holes like this, and just focus on the episode on the whole.... which I didn't like personally
Totally agree with you on this one. The episode was just too mundane for me to truly get invested in the characters. Hopefully the finales a little more uhh… exiting!
I like this season soo far, but, for some reason this Doctor doesnt feel like the old ones. I dont get that feeling from him of the man who would stare down an armored ship and it would recoil in fear. The man who would drawn a line in the sand and everyone would respect because they know even if he is unarmed he could destroy them. Gatwa Doctor is good, but where is the man who would make an army assemble just because he asked? Where is the man who became the president of the entire world even though he think its stupid? In this ep we at least got a little glimpse of the fury of the time lord, once again.
I never liked any of this. The Doctor being powerful because he's the Doctor and he's powerful is really self-indulgent and doesn't make much sense. You might as well say: 'the show Doctor Who is good because it's Doctor Who which is good'
@@FlourishPorridge I think it’s just difficult to pretend all his travels and everything he has done for centuries wouldn’t lead to the things you complain about. Yes I prefer the doctor to be a mystery man who just travels around and happens to save the day.
@@FlourishPorridge but he is not powerfull because he is the doctor. The guy saved the entire universe multiples times, of course he would get some kind of legend about him. My point is that Gatwa doctor doesnt feel like he is a legend.
@@FlourishPorridgelike, we arent getting any old enemie this season, not any Dalek, sotharian, cybermen, Zygon, etc. Not a single one just to say "thats the doctor, the man who (put here something big)". 8 eps is too little for a DW season.
For me that's not a great way to present the Doctor, at least not as a defining trait. Pretty sure the Doctor's whole character journey in modern is rejecting that perception of themselves. I think Twice Upon a Time put it best, The Doctor of War is someone who helps people in need a offer them advice on leading a healthy lifestyle going forward, he's not a soldier or god. Ncuti is closer to Doctors like Troughton.
While I enjoyed it more than the last two episodes, I must admit, the criticisms are valid and they really were trying to make a Jack Harkness replacement since Barrowman can’t keep his junk tucked away. Also, Herron has been better known for her directing. I actually looked up her writing credits, and they’ve mostly been short films.
As a gay myself I have to say this romance felt uncomfortable, rushed and poorly done. I feel SO pandered to like this older writing is saying "Hey fellow kids. You like DND, Billie Eilish, lady gaga, Bridgerton, cosplay and gays" It sucks to see queer people on twitter lord this as the best episode of the series just because we received a little bit of representation... It feels cheap and fake and I dislike it
Hear hear! I found myself actively rolling my eyes and squirming at the almost stereotypical “predatory gay” behaviour of the Doctor in this episode - in fact it was more “Queer As Folk” than “Doctor Who”. And, yes, so rushed that nothing was earned and it all felt very unreal. Saying all of that, this flamboyant, outré, campy iteration is VERY “un-Doctorish” compared to every “classic” portrayal plus Eccleston and Capaldi’s versions. Even the more human-like Tennant and Smith versions still had an alien quality plus a sense of danger and authority that I’m just not getting from Ncuti Gatwa’s performance. Weirdly, Ruby has more “edge” and authority (and is a damn sight more proactive) than the guy who’s supposed to be the hero.
Same here. The story itself was rather plodding and was mostly about the Doctor fancying Rogue, it didn't feel earned, it felt oddly misplaced. If Russell is trying to represent its coming off as quite shallow and lusty rather than romantic. All the praise heaped on because its got "an historic same sex kiss" - as if we've not had any before on Who. 🙄🙄 I wonder how many reviewers are giving it high scores out of some mis-placed celebration or fear that they will be labelled as bigots if they don't? That's not a genuine way to review media, its quite sad really.
@@hotdog1214 Russel didn't write this episode but Kate Heron kinda portrays gay people as too horny for our own good. The villains feel like Sarah Jane Adventures villains I dislike the notion I've been getting on twitter that I'm "supposed to like this" just because my community has been so starved for representation are we willing to lord mediocre episodes up just because of the message they send?
@@ETLettuce Sorry yes, you're absolutely right, it was written by someone else (I'm not familiar with her work but sounds like this is her MO) but I'm assuming Russell would have given the green light on the overall notion. But yes 100% agree with your comment that there seems to be an expectation that we MUST like the episode because it has representation in it, even if the episode itself is mediocre, just be grateful for being there. I feel like maybe _we_ are somewhat safe to criticise in some circles, although I've sometimes been accused of "throwing my community under the bus" if I don't like a pairing *cough* Thasmin *cough* 🙄🙄but how many straight folks are feeling compelled to sing its praises simply because of the coupling / kiss rather than the merits of the episode because they are afraid of the optics? Or how many in the community are also doing the same because they'll overlook any flaws to celebrate a bit of representation (which I argue is not very flattering in this case). Its a bit disappointing that I'm doubting the validity of some reviews because it feels they may be clouded by this one element rather than giving an honest opinion.
I thought I was the only one not loving this episode. It really felt long and kinda flat. The villains weren't really villainous imo. I've never felt a real threat. The romance happened far too quickly and didn't convince me because of Rogue being a cold blooded murderer who gets money for corpses, no matter if it's the real one or not, it seems while complaining about the paperwork. Really? The Doctor saying Ruby is his best friend while we haven't really seen that relationship on-screen. It's all so rushed. Not just this episode, but the whole season. I really liked most of the stories, but I absolutely don't feel like it should be the end if the season already. I've barely seen the Doctor and Ruby together. I also think the Doctor has been very passive lately. Where are great inventions and tools? We barely see the remote-screwdriver. The Doctor's attempts at rescuing were either futile or someone else did the rescuing: 1. Space Babies: The Doctor doesn't shoot the snot into space and he gives the space station just a mild push instead of bringing them to safety. 2. Devil's Cord: The Beatles are saving the day 3. Boom: the dead father saves everyone 4. 73 yards: Ruby does it all. 5. Dot and bubble: no one wants to be saved by him 6. Rogue does the job himself. So, this Doctor only succeeded in Church on Ruby Road. Maybe they wanna make him more relatable? But I'm missing his ingenuity.
Thank you for the review. I'm so pleased i've watched this video because it's shown me what that niggle was in my head about this episode. I put this episode as a middle one in the series for me not my favourite but not the worst. There was something unsettling about it and you said it, that it's a carbon copy of the story from the empty child and the doctor dances crunched into one episode (almost trying to cram all of Captain Jack's story arc into one episode) and i think all the rumours that Rogue was Captain Jack re cast or elsewhere on his timeline didn't help this! As someone who got into Torchwood before Doctor Who, which is a mad way of doing it because you jump around quite a bit with Jack's story arc and it's rather confusing. It just feels like they've gone, that character works so let's try and re capture it by copying with a different name, which feels like a cop out. Having said that I do like this episode, first time Doctor Who has made me cry since Peter Capaldi's days which was lovely.
I agree the episode isn't perfect, the aliens just being brats who want to cosplay was silly; but even still the chemistry between ncuti and whats his face is so good that it makes up for it. Also every episode i keep thinking, "wow this moment of yhe doctor crying is so powerful... if only he hadn’t cried in every other episode, making this cry meaningless. The same would go if the doctor was female, just because women stereotypically cry more doesn't mean you want your characters to cry at every opportunity it lessens the impact when they do.
Could not agree more about the era this episode was set it, nothing on this Earth is more dull to me than a period drama. But even outside of that everything in this episode was so forced and rushed, the Doctor reverted back to not even feeling like the Doctor like earlier in the series. This was a low point in the series for sure for me, maybe a step above Space Babies being the absolute worst, maybe on the same level. I'm not sure but, hopefully things can pick back up for the finale, because we really did have a 3 episodes stretch there of good to great episodes!
You are 100% correct about the rushed, unearned nature of the Doctor / Rogue dynamic...and I'm still quite confused by the Doctor's being (or choosing to act) starstruck by a bounty hunter, when he's spent literal millennia encountering them. That said, I'm not bothered by the emotional accessibility, or the immediate physical attraction. I was bothered by seeing the Doctor so easily at a disadvantage when, aside from brooding, Rogue really didn't do anything to acquire the upper hand. Also, (D&D reference aside) the name 'Rogue' feels lazy and ill-fitting...but I digress.
I'm finding it so interesting that people are now saying the Reinette relationship was one-sided. Have you done a video on this? I would be happy to see anything that bolsters this view.
I really liked jgroff in this role. He was a huge highlight for me. I went into this ep expecting to not like the char because tumblr was going crazy with the ship. But i did really like their chemistry. And despite the fact that i have seen jgroff in lots of roles he fully disappears into the char.
I love how 13 being lesbian was infinitely more controversial than 15 being gay. Also how they were too afraid to just go for it with 13 and yet they are already doing this with 15 and it’s not even the end of season one.
I try my best to not be a typical negative reviewer... but so far, this "new season 1" just hasn't impressed me much. storywise, the episodes are mild, Gatwa hasn't had much spotlight as the leading character, and even the Ruby mystery isn't grabbing me.
15:00 Rewatch! series! ONE!!! It's fine if you think the doctor not saving the day is an issue, but don't act like the 9th doctor didn't spend half of his climaxes standing around while other people saved the day!
And let's not even talk about the Classic Series, where there were plenty of times (I'm looking at you, Fifth Doctor) failed to even save the day at all!
Doctor and romance can work - we’ve seen plenty of examples-but this is so sudden, so out of character in that he prefers the flirt to solving the crisis, so ridiculous in that he is ready to travel with Rogue as a new companion knowing almost nothing about him, so disingenuous as he virtually dismisses the existence of his “best friend” Ruby for the sake of the hottest guy in the room - this is not romance. This is hooking up -and that is NOT what Doctor Who is, was, or ever should be. And if anyone thinks the objection is it’s a gay relationship, just picture a female Rogue and everything else playing out the same. It would still be out of character.
@@smelisi I'm not particularly keen on the Doctor having romances tbh, it removes some of his alienness for me - the only exception is River, and that's only because 1) Alex Kingston owns the role and 2) the story itself is interesting, meeting in the wrong order through time and space - but you're right, this isn't romance, its lust, and it feels particularly odd, especially at the pace it was shown - less than 45 minutes and he's taking him back to his "shed"! Yes, if Rogue was female it would still be rushed and uncomfortable. If RTD is looking to use it to have gay representation this isn't a great look, it only enforces the idea of promiscuity and hook up culture rather than meaningful relationships.
I really enjoyed this episode, and I personally thought what it set out to establish made this season so much stronger. But I do agree with some things you think! This Doctor has felt very absent, even when he actually is in the episodes and hopefully that was the filming schedules but it must also fall on the writing if you can’t have him take control at least once this late in the season. The constant “Bridgerton” exclamation was jarring, I felt like it could’ve been said once, and I felt the same about the word “cosplay” - especially when the villains used it as it felt such a human pop culture reference for an alien to describe their actions. Rogue was a complete parallel to Jack yes, but if the show is a reboot then I don’t necessarily see a problem in that. It’s taking something that really worked in the last reboot and updating it for the show today. If we’re saying we already had Jack, then the same comparisons have been drawn with Ruby and Rose and then it’s apparent that it is a rehash of 2005 series 1. I think the number of episodes in the season definitely hurt it, not giving Ncuti enough time to be present, and condensing this story which could’ve been more fleshed out as a two-parter like Family of Blood (which definitely was a stronger threat) - AND that 1am finish really does affect how you perceive an episode and it’s totally uncomfortable. Especially when we first had to sit through Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord. Really felt like a slap in the face 😂
I really liked the Devils chord. I understand the villain isn't everyone's cup of tea but I think it's really well written. I gave it a 10/10. Personally hope it's not being treated as a reboot as that feels like lazy writing just redoing what you've already done. Especially those scenes in space babies.
I enjoyed the episode as the simple Doctor Who story. There were fun moments and it felt like a showcase of the simple story arc the "fluff" episodes have. This felt like an episode I could show to someone to introduce them to Doctor Who for the first time. The climax felt really rushed (they could have definitely cut some stuff out). What feels like the glaring issue yet again to me is the episode order. I would have liked this episode so much if it were the first episode following church on Ruby Road. There the simple story structure and playing off highly popularized period dramas could have been more of a positive to introduce new viewers and finding Rogue could have some pay off next season. Moments like the Doctor's faces felt better than the pure exposition we got at the start of Space Babies. Then go into the Devil's Chord as a major two parter to set up the series arc and showcase the Doctor as a character that battles gods. Then give us boom as the future and new planet episode (should be the first time we see 15 cry and look so worried). After Boom we should have gotten 15 take Ruby home for the first time after her first near death experience. Have a modern day earth plot and take the time for 15 to get to know Carla and Cherry and really talk to them and get that flashback organically. Then the shows set to do whatever until the finale. This season has really felt like RTD is somewhere between "I already did this, I wanna speedrun it this time" and "I'm gonna copy my own homework" and it's been awful. This doesn't feel like a good Season 1 for a new era for who at all. It doesn't feel like a good season at all. It feels like a set of independent episodes that happen to be aired weekly one after the other. There's no real connecting tissue that makes it feel like time is passing (for Ruby and 15) linearly from episode to episode. At most it's a singular past mention of an earlier adventure that sounds like it could have been yesterday or two years ago. There's no lasting consequences or changes from one episode to the next. The current order just worsens it by doing an awful job of showcasing the characters and developing them and their relationship. I keep going back to the SECOND EPISODE dropping a six month time skip so we're forced to contend with "as you know, Bob" exposition for no reason. Again for the most part I enjoyed this as as an episode. There was issues it could fix but ultimately it was a basic simple episode I think does a fine job of showcasing the series to brand new viewers... except it's the last episode before the two part series finale, WTF?! It almost feels like someone sabatoged this season to fail.
I definitely feel you on most of your criticisms but I did still like the episode generally. I will say that this exchange alone superseded some of my criticisms, as it really feels like we're going to get a proper Time Lord Victorious moment with 15 at some point: The Doctor: How long do they live for? Rogue: Chuldur? The Doctor: Mm. Rogue: They have a lifespan of 600 years. The Doctor: Good. Good. That's a long time to suffer.
I agree with so much of what you said, that there's only one aspect I want to talk about. I've seen a lot of people get annoyed at the Doctor planning on abandoning the Chuldurs and have them suffer their entire lifespan. But I've seen even more people say that's perfectly in character, citing The Family of Blood & Face the Raven. But personally I'm in the first camp, I'll be honest, Tennant is the one NuWho Doctor I have not seen all of (was a bit young when it was first on, and I never got round to going back and watching all his). But even so, Capaldi's era had so much growth for the character, with him learning to be better than his prior incarnations. Hell Bent to me was a sign that if the Doctor lets grief for a companion turn him into a cruel monster, than he will lose even more. Then of course, in his final speech as the Doctor are the prominent words: Never be cruel, never be cowardly. So when I see Ncuti wanting to make the Chuldurs suffer for 600 years, that strikes me as a far crueler act than even just killing them. I get RTD is trying to play all the favourites: companion phoning mum, reskinned Captain Jack Harkness (completely agree with you about Rogue btw), reskinned Family of Blood, but ultimately I felt that the Doctor has somewhat regressed, despite when he was introduced he was framed as this Doctor that has learnt to deal with all the pain he has suffered in a much healthier way. It just feels a bit at odds with itself at the moment. And as you say, the runtime really isn't helping the Doctor & Ruby's relationship. It never feels like Ruby's given anything to say, just a couple of sad looks now and then, no actual dialogue between the two. I get show don't tell, but you need them to talk more with each other. Anyway, ramble over. Excellent video, agreed with soooooo much you said.
Maybe it's because I grew up in the 70s and 80s during the time of no hanky panky in the TARDIS but I've never been keen on the Doctor getting it on with other people. It's the one main thing I didn't like about the first Tennant era. Human Nature worked because it saw the Doctor as a human and River Song worked because it was a relatioship that developed over wibbly wobbly time. But I was never keen ont the Astrid Peth storyline or the Lady Pompadour romance. Maybe I'm just an old stick in the mud.
The pompadour one was timey wimey in a way as short times for the Dr were long for the madame. The tragedy was less the love and more that she died without him coming back to say bye or take her on a trip. She loved him but I. I don't think it was wholey mutual.
Dr 9: "Sure, Jack Harkness is good-looking, but not for me. Move on..." Dr 10 and 14: "I'm so alone, but I'm in love with Rose, never to be fulfilled." Dr 11: "I'm just too goofy to have a girlfriend." Dr 12: "Just when I fall in love with River, I find out she's the child of my companion." Dr 13: "Wait... wait... wait...3rd yeas as the Doctor almost over... okay now I'm love." Dr 15: "He's hot! Let's Kiss and propose and make a life-love pact to find each other all in one episode."
Is Fourteen in love with Rose? Sure, he mentions "I loved Rose. And River." And might have gone on and on with the list if there had been time. And, also found Isaac Newton hot. I think you should move 12 to 11 -- since this is what Eleven finds out, and that companion is gone by Twelve. (I thought you were going to end that sentence with "She goes off to die" or something).
@@HuntingViolets Did I say 10 and 14? I meant David Tennandfourteen. But I guees you're right. I was more concerned with how long it took for the Doctor to fall in love than what came after... 😬
@@VeryUsMumblings I would say 10 makes more sense with that line than 14, which was my point there. Also that the 12 line doesn't apply to 12 since Amy was gone by 12. Oh, well, just thought you might want to edit, but fine if not.:)
@@HuntingViolets instead of correcting, i will admit my mistake in the comments section instead just for the sake of humour 😄Yes, it's a mistake. You're right! 😄
This episode and its Birdgerton references will age wonderfully! Like "the weakest link" and BB... Also, yes, I am 99% convinced the whole premise of this episode stemmed from a typo.
1) please do the top gear intro every time. 2) 15 and Rogue have chemistry to be a mischievous friendship or something a la Han Solo and Lando, not this out of nowhere romance
Dr Who comments. Questions, comments and speculation about the season so far before we get to the finale: 1. Is any of this season actually real? 2. Are we in an alternate reality and have we been there ever since Jodie Whittaker said, "Tag, you're it."? As if we were already playing a game? 3. In Star Beast, Rose Noble was making toys and The Meep referred to the Boss, so something was already going on. 4. In Wild Blue Yonder, why wasn't Isaac Newton white? 5. In Wild Blue Yonder, why couldn't the Dr sense something had happened to the time stream or reality when Gravity became Mavity? 6. In Wild Blue Yonder, where did the TARDIS go and what did it do (or not do) when it got there? 7. In Wild Blue Yonder, why was the TARDIS blaring out the song? A warning, perhaps? 8. In Wild Blue Yonder, invoking superstition and using salt to do it at the edge of the universe is now a thing. It's nonsensical, but it happened and that is clearly the point. 9. How did the 14th Dr end up with the 10th Dr's face? Was the regeneration hijacked in some way? 10. In The Giggle, the 15th Dr says bi-generation is a myth and yet it happened. Myths are now becoming real. 11. In The Giggle, how did the TARDIS really duplicate (bi-generate?) and why? 12. In The Giggle, what was Mel's non-answer about what a zingo was and the non-explanation of The Vlinx all about? Is this world even real? 13. In Space Babies (I think) why did the gravity in the TARDIS shut off for a few seconds when it launched into the vortex? 14. Why aren't we seeing the Dr and Ruby actually arrive at and then subsequently leave in the TARDIS? It's as if they are just appearing/disappearing from places. Is all the action this season going on in the Dr's head and the TARDIS is tagged on as a playing piece that should be in the story, so the Dr's memory includes it? 15. In The Church on Ruby Road, the entity that leaves baby Ruby at the church door is not a woman. 16. Ruby clearly isn't human, or is not entirely human, so what is she? Does the Dr know? Why is he scanning her otherwise? 17. Could we be about to find out who the Dr's people really are? And that Ruby is one also? And that she is related to him? 18. In Boom, how did the ambulance recognise Ruby? 19. In The Church on Ruby Road, how did the Dr pull the goblin ship out of the sky? No, really? 20. Who is the One Who Waits? 21. Who is Mrs Flood? 22. Who is the Susan Twist character(s)? 23. In 73 Yards, the people in the pub were like a Greek chorus: they were play acting. 24. In Rogue, the Chuldur were play acting (cosplaying). 25. Rogue named himself after a character in Dungeons & Dragons: more play acting/role playing. And who is his new boss? 26. Why do we keep getting weird jumps in time? 27. In 73 Yards, where did the Dr actually disappear to? And how? Is magic now actually real? 28. In 73 Yards, if the Dr can sense time stream changes, why couldn't he sense something major had happened to the time stream? 29. In 73 Yards, how come the weird woman could suddenly appear at the end of dying Ruby's bed - a lot closer than 73 yards? 30. Is even the fact that this season is being referred to as Season 1, suggest we're in an alternate reality? 31. In 73 Yards, how did Ruby find out about UNIT and why was Kate acting so strangely even before the weird woman said what she said? 32. In 73 Yards, what was the weird woman saying to everyone to make them run away and what did the hand signals mean? 33. In Boom, since when does killing the Dr result in the destruction of half a planet? 34. The scenario in Boom is ridiculous - how on earth could these soldiers not realise they weren't fighting anyone? It's like war games gone wrong. Games again. 35. Why does Ruby keep almost dying/getting killed? And why does the Dr keep crying? 36. Are we in an alternate reality - one that's becoming more and more unstable - and that's why everything and everyone in this season is off-kilter?
@@tzarg Yes, I think you're right but I think the 60th anniversary episodes and all the episodes in this whole season need some serious explanation. I'm hoping that these last 2 episodes will at least try! Thank you for your comment. Lesley
I had fun with this episode, it's basically just fine. I enjoyed it in the moment but probably won't think about it later. Only thing that bugged me was the brigerton references because it feels like it will date the episode a lot. There's so many period dramas that you don't need to call out any one in particular, just invoke the genre generally and it still works. I'm with you on the romance though, I'm not keen on the doctor doing romancing things generally. We have enough romantic heroes
For me my personal gripe was the kiss. I'm not opposed to the fact that it was between two men. Its that these two characters had only known each other for, what? 45 minutes? and that it felt a bit rushed and perhaps unneeded, especially if The Doctor is going to go and find Rogue. And because of the fact that the kiss *did* happen makes me believe that Rogue won't be appearing again, at least for a while (like maybe a few regenerations down the line). I also had a personal issue with Rogues name before watching the episode, because it felt very... "Woooooh mysterious". But the writers managed to pull through and gave a good reason for his name's origin, being the name of his DnD character. But that kinda just made me wish they delved into him being a 'serious bounty hunter on the surface, but is also a massive closet nerd'.
ngl the idea of monsters in a cosplay convention the doctor ends up at thinking its a regular human convention would be a fun twist, some alien goes up to them thinking theyve "taken a new skin" when in actuality its his skin, sounds like a morbid but interesting idea for a story, could play with perception too
The bird aliens, while OTT were the only thing I really liked about the episode, the prosthetics were pretty good (even the goofy blue one with whiskers!) The Ruby fake out was confusing because we see the flashing lights and a scream that was synonymous with the previous killings to make us think she is dead (again). But in the flashback where she goes Battle Mode on bird girl, there are no lights and screaming. I know it was a deliberate fake out but it doesn't work if the flashback is different from the original. 🤷♀🤷♀🤔🤔
@@hotdog1214 Dr who is OTT and yeah they should of used dramatic irony, have the audience know she's alright but the doctor thinks she's dead if they really wanted to
@@Mattchupichue Oooo yes that would have made for a much tenser ending, if the audience knew but the Doctor didn't, as she walked towards the triangle of doom. Nice. 👍👍
For me, at least it will be remembered to a much lower level than the Big brother one (Bad wolf) although that 3as a part 1 to a brilliant 2 parter. It's slightly different. I think it will be remembered on a level similarly to Gridlock.
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 yeah, the one saving grace of Bad Wolf is that it's part one of Parting of the Ways, but cut out all the "entertainment in the future is just entertainment in 2005 but with robots" and make them both into a 60 minute special
@@maxtracker2904 Yeah, they are culturally VERY different. As I said in another comment that's like saying a 1920s episode is the same as a 1980s episode.
I agree that The Doctor and Rogue falling in love does feel far too quick and underdeveloped. It's also the second time this Doctor has been way too shallow with his attraction (which for an over 2000 YO being I just don't buy) the first being Ricky September, he just wouldn't bicker over someone purely because they're "hot" like that. I just don't think someone with that much life experience would care about looks that much and if they did have a physicaly attraction I think they would be able to recognise it as lust rather than it being a sure indicator of attraction. I never buy these rom com type romances anyway in any series or film where we go from meeting and thinking someone's hot to a potential marriage in a space of a couple of hours (of the characters lives that is) and it especially feels out of place here. I think the Doctor should have recognised his deeper feelings of attraction right at the end or in the final act if that's how you wanted to leave it for future rather than the Doctor just being thirsty for the first half of the story and that being intended as sign to us that he had actual romantic feelings. It also just showed a lack of maturity from the writers not realising that trauma bonding and good looks aren't a foundation for a relationship. I also agree the flashback to Carla wasn't well excecuted and it's really sad this is the penultimate story as they threw away the last chance for us to spend time with The Doctor and Ruby together before the finale and instead we got the Doctor being thirsty for an episode (I did enjoy the episode btw, I just felt it could have done much more with these points)
I’m so happy to see an attempt at a return to form after 13’s era I don’t mind the flaws in this episode. Doctor Who was my favorite show, and it became unrecognizable for years. I will take discount Captain Jack over a hollow return any day.
Rogue himself was just boring to me. I don't know if it's bad acting or what but I never felt a thing seeing his face on screen. no charm or charisma or likeableness etc.
I like Doctor Who enough that I really appreciate your opposing opinion to the norm, because it adds another facet to what me and the community think about the episode and how we view it. Thank you.
The Doctor did in this episode what it took 2 series to do with Rose, and it annoyed me. This series has been so rushed and lacked the depth I’d expect from RTD, so episodes like this feel very forced and quick. The repeated references to Bridgerton annoyed me as well. Really? Bridgerton? Is that the only reference you can make? We get it, Ruby’s from 2024, but don’t sell an episode on its likeness to something else that’s popular. This is Doctor Who! It runs circles around Netflix crap like Bridgerton! Or, it did… I really liked Rogue as a character. Again, like Ricky September, another character more interesting with more presence than the Doctor or Ruby.
I didn't hate the episode per se, but I was very disappointed with the climax. 1. The whole trap with the triform is just kind of boring and uncreative 2. Sending the Chuldur to a barren planet instead of just a prison is really ethically dubious 3. Ruby not immediately telling the Doctor she's human before the triform charges up (though I can give it a pass because she has no idea what's going on) 4. The Doctor immediately giving up is just so dumb. Like does he not know where they're being sent? Cannot he not just hop in the TARDIS after and pick her up? Even if he didn't know where exactly on the planet, there's surely some other way of stopping them. Why not just break the tri form? 5. How is a weight transfer even possible? Ruby and Rogue most certainly do not weigh the same. Is it counting feet? How? Anyway, all in all kind of a nothing episode. Would want to see Rogue (the character) again though
I agree with most of this but even as someone who hatessss period dramas i was never bored??? Maybe it’s because you were up so late/early? But I didn’t notice the heavy dialogue as it was entertaining. I did cringe like i walked into a metal pole when they said “we’ll cosplay the world to death” … ow (i am a cosplayer for extra context btw lmao) The flirting, as out of place as it was, was well written and very fun and I wouldn’t trade the Kylie scene for anything.
Complaints box:
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No complaints from me. Great review *chef kiss*.
I agree with you.
Why don't you watch these in the morning after release? You don't put out the video review until days later, are you really helping yourself by attacking it when you're tired? I could see if you had a deadline, but clearly you don't.
It was better than boom
@mohammednihaal5943 No. Not even close I don't think
The doctor was quick to shut down Captain Jack's flirting in the past and was cautious about developing romantic feelings with companions (School Reunion). Here with Rogue things moved fast, at the speed of a hook up without time for a real emotional connection.
Noticed as you did once again the doctor is passive in key moments as the story unfolds around him, and once again crying. Also in this series so far the Tardis interior hasn't been used a lot: why build such a big fancy set with the jukebox but then it seems nothing major was scheduled to happen there.
My guess is the last episode is mainly set in the tardis
I think you need to rewatch.
CAN YOU PLEASE DO THE TOP GEAR INTRO EVERY WEEK THAT WAS HILARIOUS
i agree, I found it hilarious
I think the main thing I’d disagree with you on is with the villains. Of course the Family of Blood is more dramatic and creepy, but I don’t think the Chuldur were aiming for that. Their overdramatic nature works so well with their cosplaying, and I think the season needed some levity after three more intense episodes in a row.
Yes it did but why then try to present them as a threat to the world. I would have been satisfied with them just as creatures that can kill naturally cause havoc.
I agreeeeeee i like that they’re silly villans. I think sometimes idiots destroying the world is just as possible as geniuses or armed forces destroying the world
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 Exactly. The enemy cause havoc and threaten the Doctor's companion. That should be enough, no need to shoehorn in this world-conquering idea.
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think that’s the problem in how they’re treated as villains, if they just kept it small scale, they would’ve worked perfectly for that they are
when did we have 3 intense episode in a row sure ill give boom but the rest...... eh
I'm sick of seeing only the twee bridgerton esque side of History. Can't believe I'm saying this but this was something Chibnall did better. Give me the battle of Waterloo, the trenches of WW1, the black death etc.
maybe another motivation of the Chuldur could've been their anger at the aristocracy after living amongst the people in poverty- with some flashbacks to the grim nature of industrialization so that they were a little more complex than just cosplaying fun
Or better yet leave Europe in general. I actually really liked the demons of Punjab. Even with the problems of series 11, the setting alone was great. Chibnall's era is frustrating because it had so much promise to bring Doctor Who into a new era.
I know right? You'd think colonisation and slavery didn't exist judging by this prissified history.
@@wunziedinoxxx A Chuldur as a companion in future could be interesting. Maybe Indira Varma. I mean, do we really think only Rogue will eventually escape/be rescued? It's not like the Doctor objects to reformed murderers.
Curse of Davros, Twice Upon a Time and The Visitation.
Honestly, the Doctor felt so out of character in this episode with how much he was crushing on Rogue. He fell for him based solely off appearance basically. Rogue actively tries to kill him and then one brief cutaway to Ruby later and the Doctor is immediately inviting him into the Tardis. He doesn't redeem himself for his actions until later in the episode and yet the Doctor instantly offers him to become a companion. All the Doctor knows is that he's willing to execute someone and that he finds him hot I guess and that's enough for the Doctor to instantly trust him.
It kinda felt like fan fic. Not that bad but pretty cookie cutter type stuff.
@@ChronaMewX river was a much much longer character arc though, the doctor practically knew her years and years
@@ChronaMewX Except the Doctor very much didn't swoon with River like that... Ten was actually visibly uncomfortable with her acting the way she knew him already, then we jump to s5 and while Eleven acknowledges that she's supposed to be his wife in the future, he says that he doesn't trust her and keeps her at arm's length, especially when finding out she killed someone. It takes a while for that to change.
Personally I disagree, his interactions with Rogue bring out the Doctor's vanity, loneliness, wittyness, joy for adventuring, all recurring traits of the Doctor. I think it's more fair to say this episode brought out elements of the Doctor's character you are generally not a fan of, given this a character with a constantly shifting personality.
I will say it's in character for the Doctor to offer everyone and her brother to be a companion -- something I'd like to see less of. Can being a companion be something special? Half-expected him to offer Lindy Pepper-B. (finish the name how you like) to be a companion.
i feel like the way the doctor acts in this episode, leaving ruby on her own (after she died two episodes ago), following rogue around like a puppy and not having a single interesting idea to identify and get rid of the cosplayers (except hoping they werent more than 6 and pressing a few butons on the sonic), was like a slap to the face of long time fans of the show.
i get that they're trying to build a new persona for the doctor, but so far he feels nothing more than a dude whose only interesting trait is to have a time machine. he doesnt do anything out of the ordinary to save the day or come up with a plan that you only figure out along with the other characters as it goes by.
it's really telling to me, that the one episode i liked the most was the one where ruby was dealing with stuff on her own. we know nothing about ruby and she feels like a more interesting character than the many lives, thousand year alien with a complex time machine.
this episode was just boring and felt very performative which i felt insulted by as an lgbtq person. it was rushed, the doctor and rogue had no chemistry, the threat did not feel like a threat at all and the setting relying so much on "omg its sooooo bridgerton" got very annoying very fast (and this comes from a person that actually really likes period dramas).
overall i'm just very disappointed and bored.
i just hope the finale is somewhat interesting to compensate.
Yes, thank you. This has been the one thing that has disappointed me more than anything else about this doctor, like where are all the ideas and different inventions and contraptions they usually come up with??? I feel like we haven't gotten a single moment like end of episode desperate situation where all hope seems lost but actually the doctor has a crazy smart plan and is 15 steps ahead of everybody else. I personally still need my, "everybody lives" moment that flexes how smart and capable the doctor is. I realize now that he doesn't feel like an active participant in the outcome of the story especially in the last 3 episodes. Really hoping this changes in the next episode/season, I think that would truly elevate this doctor.
@@miniature_marie1534The Ninth Doctor barely had the hero in the end of the episodes.
I do agree with the doctor and rogue romance - but Thasmin wasn’t ’too subtle’. It genuinely wasn’t there until last minute - ask Chibnall. Before the specials, flux at a push, people were just seeing patterns in things that weren’t there.
Thasmin was just Twitter loonies, to be honest. I remember the same kind of fans existed when Supernatural was popular, and they were just as deranged, although Supernatural never "went there", thankfully.
@@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs. agreed - they admitted that they then caved to it. And you know, sometimes incorporating fan concepts isn’t *always completely awful* (emphasis on ‘always’ and ‘completely awful) but it’s a seriously delicate call you have to make and should really be thinking about whether any creative choice services the story and characters or not. Even worse if you do nothing with it - just caving to the ‘Tumblr side’ of the fandom at that point.
@@lewgallagher463 Odd thing, loosely related. Jodie Whittaker and Mandip Gill had a lot of chemistry if you watched them in interviews together. Why do you suppose it never really came through during the actual episodes? Not necessarily in the romantic sense, but they didn't seem to come across as even that close friends.
So I was just imagining yaz having a conversation where she fully admits to having feelings for the doctor but not knowing how to confess them in the haunting of Villa diodati?
Amen. I rewatched every episode of New Who in 2022, and I have Asperger’s and OCD, so when I watch something I love, I notice all the minute details and thread that get developed over the runs, and Thasmin really was not there until the final scene of Flux. They don’t even have a one on one scene where they are talking about something other than the immediate threat within the plot, until they’re on their way from Karvinista’s trap to Earth, and even then that just sees Yaz call out the Doctor for being closed off about her feelings.
I’m a huge DnD fan and I love history, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that this script felt like it could’ve been taken straight from wattpad. I wasn’t really a fan of this episode personally
This wasn't the Doctor, because the Doctor wouldn't fall in love at first sight, let alone swan off to flirt with someone whilst leaving a companion in potential danger.
Would have liked it to be more about Jane Austen than _Bridgerton_ if we are in the Regency. The Doctor and even Ruby could have read Austen and Austen is eternal. There were people cosplaying at Regency-themed balls based on Austen before _Bridgerton._ Agree about shallow story and not like it seems like the period (obviously, I haven't been there -- or have I?), which isn't a new problem. Kept waiting to find out they weren't even in the Regency and everyone was LARPing.
bridgerton is already re-imagined Jane Austen (since she lived in tha period and the author for this series didn't), so I understand the point. they like the drama, and Bridgerton has way more drama than JA. Like, I absolutely love Mr Darcy's hand scene, but is not as exiting as all the sex scenes in the Netflix show.
@@gisela_oliveira And some people find a slow-burn more exciting. But I can't tell you how many steps removed from Jane Austen I think Julia Quinn's books are, though. I found myself picturing some of them as if they were 1940s comedies even though they were supposed to be set in the Regency, and that worked pretty well.
If this midnight release schedule continues, I genuinely think Harbo will go insane and do a Ruby Sunday cosplay.
that's for HarbOnlyFans
@@HarboWholmes subscribed
@@HarboWholmesis that your Patrons see?
@@HarboWholmes HarbOnlyfans. I'm dead. Hilarious.
I feel like The Doctor got hit with the idiot stick in this episode.
He falls for a bounty hunter based on appearance alone, flirts with him instead of trying to escape the teleporter, hands over the Sonic and acts shocked when he doesn’t get it back, leaves Ruby alone several times, and didn’t think of simply pulling/shoving Ruby off the teleporter like Rogue did.
I don't see why the Doctor would find being a bounty hunter "cool."
on the last point, I _think_ the idea was that shoving ruby off only worked because once rogue stepped on the trap, it had more people than it could hold (7/6), rendering it temporarily useless. However they didn't make it particularly clear
@@longnoseboi Yeah I think a lot of people would have forgotten the earlier line where the Doctor said he increased the device's power to hold a maximum of six people (so it was only by Rogue entering the triangle that someone else could leave).
I knew the moment the six person limit was mentioned that it was being dropped in for the climax (so I knew to remember it), though I did think that the end was clever.
@@longnoseboi yeah, that was pretty clear checkov's gun. the doctor said clearly "up to six people, max", so the only way was for someone take her place
but he literally did try to escape? wasn't it the first thing he did, and he's told it's deadlocked?
All this being said, the line where The Doctor asks how long the birds live and Rogue says 600 years. The moment where The Doctor says good in a form of seething rage, it was fantastic. More of that would be good
Yes!!! Been waiting to see a bit o’ “The Oncoming Storm.”
That said, just saying that (my own previous comment referencing “the oncoming storm”) makes me nostalgic for the bickery, quippy dynamic between the Doctor and Rose. I am enjoying the “besties” vibe between Ncuti and Millie, but I think this episode just overall lacked tension.
Notably between the Doctor and Rogue. But also! The Doctor left Ruby for FAR too long to go off comparing spaceships and trading abridged backstories in the moonlight. I could have done with a Donna Noble-esque rebuff or an are-you-mad punch in the shoulder when he finally does find Ruby and “return to this party before anyone else dies”.
felt like Chris Eccleston !!!
It's just a shame that it didn't carry into his scene of fucking the Chuldur off into another dimension, he's dark and infuriated outside the room and then banishes them in a weirdly normal way, no rage
The villains are completely absent from the episode, Ruby has nothing to do, and the Doctor does nothing but obsess over a random man he just met. I never liked 8 and Grace, 10 and Rose or 11 and Clara. River was different and Joan and 10 was great precisely because he was human at the time, but all the other romances are so out of character for the Doctor who spent all of the classic era being completely uninterested in romance. The Doctor liking him after only just meeting is just silly. A 2000+ year old TimeLord (f*** off Chris) crushing on a young human is like a 70 year old fancying a 7 year old; it’s just weird.
Bravo.
For me, River only really worked with Twelve, where the Kingston/Capaldi pairing came across as a believable couple of similar vintage. In contrast, her dynamic with Ten and Eleven felt a bit too much like "MILFs in Space".
@ftumschk I have to agree, that was the first time I believed they might love each other. It was romantic rather than sexual and flirty and Moffat writing one handed as Harbo would say. I guess I dislike their relationship in terms of why they’re attracted initially, but I kind of understand if he was going to marry anyone, someone like her with a much more similar life experience than, say, Rose, at least makes a bit more sense to me.
@@ftumschk for me river worked because it didnt work. The whole relationship was weird, out of time and only made sense because of the timey whimey nature of it. Thats the only reason it gelled with me.
funniest part of this episode is at the end when Rogue tells the doctor to find him and Ruby’s like “damn we should go find that guy” and the doctor’s like “nahhh…”
Of course shouldn’t the Doctor be trying to find Ruby’s mum?
I thought one out-of-place, especially dull piece of writing was when the Doctor asked Rogue about who he had lost, and Rogue replied with something like, "I had someone, we traveled together, but then, I lost them." And that was just it. It felt like placeholder text for something less vague.
Kind of lacking in soul, would you say?
I just didn't like how 15 was barely acting like the doctor in the ep, he was behaving more like a horney teenager than an over 2000 year old time lord
The doctor can be anything stop complaining when they're something else than heartbroken so dark edgelord for once move on do like them
He acted basically exactly the same for Madame de Pompadour... he literally abandoned and neglected Rose and Mickey to chase after someone who caught his eye
@@ImGravityEU No he didn't act the same, 10 still behaved like the doctor maybe a bit lovey diviy but still The 900 year old Doctor. 15 on the other hand acted like a teenage boy from 2024 who wanted to bed Rouge as soon he saw him.
Also he didn't abandoned Rose and Mickey he was trying to save madame de pompadour, he would have done that to try to save anyone.
Plus we need to think about how 15 is over 1000 years older than 10 so he should be more mature and wiser
It felt like Ncuti was channeling his Sex Education character more than Doctor Who.
I appreciate you not appreciating this episode because I don't either. It's a mess and I feel like people are just jumping on a bandwagon of liking it because there is that physical chemistry. Some things you didn't mention that bugged me: The Doctor sees dead people, doesn't go ASAP to warn Ruby as is his duty of care, instead he shows off the TARDIS first and has a long chat. Foot traps are completely negated by knocking someone over. If I'm a bird person watching this I just give up my balance, fall and save myself. Also how did Rogue end up in the exact same foot position, wouldn't his first steps capture him in a weird knocking someone over position? Why is he sacrificing himself anyway? He barely knows the Doctor sure, but Is there a time limit on pressing the button? Couldn't they all have had a nice long chat about it since the premise is none of those trapped could move, you know as long as they don't fall over? Earlier how exactly does showing off how many faces you've had prove you aren't a shapeshifting alien? That one could be fixed if they reworked the scene slightly, but as is it's wonky. Lots of wonky in this episode. I approve of your ranking of it for these reasons, and all those you said.
The one weird thing is the Doctor mentions he always wanted to meet a shapeshifter. Which confused because the Zygons are shapeshifters and to an extent more capable because they can shapeshift into almost anything including humans, animals, I presume statues
Is it even being a shapeshifter when you're taking it from someone else like that? I guess, but it doesn't seem like it.
Also Prisoner Zero and wasn't there one in that heist episode?
The doctor one hundred percent has met shape shifters...
This episode felt like fanfiction.. i hate that I want to like ncuti as a doctor but this is not in any way how any other self respecting doctor has or would act.
Why is this something he said?!
He's specifically said he's never met a Chuldur (sorry if misspelt) species not ability.
@@mrdoctorgilmore oh ok
The Doctor immediately falling head over heals for a murderer who was prepared to kill a completely innocent man was extremely out of character.
The doctor is different now also honestly no it is like the doctor to fancy someone who they just met and are killers river song for example
So maybe think before you type shit
THANK YOU
He first met River as an Archeologist who died to save him, not as a murder. That only came in after time of the Angels and it DID clearly put him off in the episode. @aaronvasseur6559
He didn’t know the doctor was innocent. Plus the doctor sent them to the same place
16:26 I agree with many of these criticisms, but I feel like it's fairly typical for the Doctor to not be the one who ultimately saves the day. Looking at Series 1, for example, Nine only saves the day in End of the World and Boomtown, the same number of episodes in which Fifteen has been the ultimate hero so far. I think the difference with this season is that the Doctor isn't really responsible for leading/inspiring characters to save the day. The end of Devil's Chord just kind of happened. The Doctor didn't drive the plot of 73 Yards at all. Dot and Bubble didn't have a heroic side character. Boom came close, with Fifteen nudging the AI to take action, but it didn't really feel like Fifteen really led the AI to do most of the actions it took. And in Rogue, the Doctor definitely did inspire Rogue to take action at the conclusion, but due to how rushed Fifteen and Rogue's relationship felt, that sacrifice felt unearned. Looking again at Series 1, the Doctor was an inspirational or driving figure in Rose, Unquiet Dead, Aliens of London/World War Three, The Long Game, Empty Child/Doctor Dances, and of course Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways.
I think Fifteen still has time to make an impact before the end of this series, but I'm worried that he won't. Nine was able to make a much greater impact in seven episodes.
On another note, I like this episode, though definitely not as much as the previous three episodes. I understand why it would be disliked by others though.
I’m so glad your review points out the major defects of this episode which everyone seems to gloss over. 100% agree with all your points here.
Agreed. This is a very well done analysis, touching on much of what I’ve been thinking about this one. All except the period stuff. I love that - although Bridgerton itself eludes me.
At the end Rogue shouldve just shot the 5 owl people dead with his gun and The Doctor couldve turned the trap off. Honestly the teleporter is such a stupid execution device to begin with, but whatever I guess.
Yes would make the nice Rogue be less loved though and they already did that in a way the week before.
I agree the endings terrible though.
I thought of this ending:
The doctor and Rogue step into the trap together again showing their love for each other unsure to increase the weight limit breaking the trap and making them go nowhere breaking the trap and saving Ruby and leading to the Dr giving himself as sacrifice in a desperate attempt to save Ruby alongside Rogue. They all die together or are all saved. They all survive the monsters are free. Then they could run off and destroy the monsters some other way such as creating a fake drama using Rogues ships to make holograms with Rogue amd the Dr and Ruby luring them into the ship before escaping through a different exist trapping the monsters in the ship . They then could have destroyed the ship killing the monsters or something else to banidh them. Then all 3 main people survive and Rogue could go on to travel with the Dr if he wished.
@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think there was a point made that The Doctor could've shut it down, but if he did it would free them and there was no other way to stop them from destroying literally the entire earth apparently.
The idea of having Rogue shoot the owls, would've been an interesting morale dillema for The Doctor, letting them die, to save his friend, similar in a way to the 8th Doctor Audio Deimos which challenges the way The Doctor's morales lead to people's death.
@@illuminatihuman6983 Yeah it's certainly an interesting idea. It would question the morality of Rogue and nievity of the Dr for loving him after nearly being sent away by him. I think the issue if the story aswell is why are these monsters so dangerous. Sure they can be important people but really they don't feel like the type of villain that can't be realised and then outwitted. They aren't cybermen or anything like that. Ruby literally out fights one of them.
I like how you keep changing the bird aliens' name. And I wish this episode had been called "Birderton."
yeah that
One-line summary: Weepy Doctor finds a Chuldur to cry on.
HAHAHHA
Something I want to say about the eight episode structure. When we had the 13 episodes or 12 episodes or 10 episodes structure there was a nice bit of variety there, but also if you did get like the bad episode or two, you still had at least eight, nine, or ten more episodes.
Since we’re only getting eight now, I’m of the opinion that there is very little room for error because one or two bad episodes that’s one fourth of your season that could’ve gone to better episodes.
I also think it hasn’t done a great job of displaying Ruby’s life and her relationships outside the Doctor. As shown with that small scene where the doctor and Ruby’s mum are talking together. It would’ve been nice to have seen an episode where this came up, where something dangerous did happen, maybe with Carla involved. But we got this.
My last thoughts are also On the layout of the episodes and how they feel chosen not random outside of space babies which is the beginning and the legend of Ruby Sunday and Empire of death the rest of the episodes feel like they could come in any almost any order.
I do hope these faults are used to help improve later seasons but I also suspect since they’ve already done season 15 this could repeat itself. I hope not, shall have to see.
this was the reason i loved matt smith's doctor as he acts as a lonely doctor and avoids falling in love with his companions/ new characters, we also get to see the character development of river song as a character first as he knows her fate in the future which gives us the viewer more emotion to the character.
I saw a theory that Rogue and Devil's Chord were swapped in the order late in the game to match Eurovision and Pride Month. If that's the case, the Carla flashback scene I think would have worked better, because it's still a flashback to a scene that didn't happen, but it's clear it only happened right after the end of the last episide
This season should have been 10 episodes minimum and had a middle 2 parter based on contemporary earth to develop the characters and ground things in the middle. Would have helped the season's pacing I feel.
It really bothers me that 15, while being as smart as past incarnations, lacks the authority and cleverness of their past. He stands around crying instead of being the cleverest person in the room. The Doctor has been many things: an old grandpa, a clown, a dandy, an absent-minded professor, a woman. But they have never been a cry baby who can’t solve problems and show off how awesome they are. And their companions admire them, not pity them, like Ruby at the end of this episode.
One of the main reasons I dislike Rogue is because I HATE the Doctor being romantically involved/attracted to ANYONE, so this episode *really* wasn't for me
Also, as a side note, I'm into quite a niche type of dancing called Playford (that originated in 1651). Each dance has its own set tune. Immediately after the title sequence, there was a Playford tune! Duke of Kent's Waltz. They, of course, didn't do the dance that went with it, but still
The 'romance' was just so forced. I initially liked Rogue a bit but he dropped his 'Rogue' personality almost instantly.
Everything else was bogstandard C tier NuWho. Some of the comedy got to me though. It also doesn't help that I've never heard of Bridgerton until this episode lol
We as viewers were supposed to care about the rouge from the get go for no reason other than being handsome. Then a thirsty doctor takes it to 100 and we are supposed to share his views and see what he does all because he helps them in the end?
@@baconandhex Yeah, I don't get the handsome thing either. Neither this actor, nor the one last time playing Ricky September seemed all that attractive to me.
@@R.senals_Arsenalnah theyre fine but thats kinda not the point
I kinda liked that it was a 'meh' sorta episode, it made the episode more "lets not watch that one" compared to the others, which, so far, have been important to the plot or are very good episodes on their own. I had a personal issue with Rogues name before watching the episode, because it felt very... "Woooooh mysterious". But the writers managed to pull through and gave a good reason for his name's origin, being the name of his DnD character. But that kinda just made me wish they delved more into a sorta 'serious and intimidating outside, with a nerdy inside' type of character.
@@spiritomb8Sorry to say, but Rogue isn’t the name of his character. It’s a character class, like bard or cleric.
To be fair to the writers, it’d be harder to deduce the origins of a D&D character name precisely because it is bound to be more idiosyncratic.
To again be unfair to the writers, it seems like it’d be hard to blend in and avoid raising suspicion as a character who’s not what he seems, when he’s LARPing as a regular period-appropriate human with a name that’s “Rogue-Just Rogue.”
I love how they play Bad Guy in the hall when the doctor first meets Rouge
there was a moment, when the Doctor asked Rogue "how long do they live" and when he is told 600 years replies "Thats along time to suffer" when I though we were going to get a classic Dr Who Family of Blood moment when he was finally going to be unleashed. But they dropped the ball.
I can handle Fifteen x Rogue simply for the fact these two have WAY more chemistry than the boring, last-minute romance plot with Yaz and Thirteen, both Ncuti and Jonathan are incredibly charming actors and sell their blooming relationship incredibly well
Yes I think the episode is quite watchable but sadly it just doesn't all fit and didn't do what we needed it to.
what are you on about 13 and yaz had more then an episode on yaz having a crush on the doctor and it was light and slightly increasing over time. (but non the less i disliked it still but like how 13 turned down yaz as it should the doctor SHOULDNT be in a relationship)
BUT THIS SHIT with nuti and rogue is just disgusting first sight struck first by the doctor which is so dumb
@@DeusLucifer Yes, the last THREE episodes. Her mentioning a crush doesn't mean much when it happened so often, but they built up Yaz to be this "special someone" for the Doctor even though she's THE most boring character in the entire run, which says a lot, as if Rose and River never existed or meant anything to the Doctor from the start.
Rogue had an actual personality, like a classier Jack Harkness. I personally never saw anything wrong with the Doctor getting a little blush from him since this regeneration is considered to be more emotionally open than previous ones, but to each their own. They still sold this romance better than Yaz and Thirteen.
@@bananatiergod Generally agreed, although (a) I'm not a River fan; and (b) I think THE most boring - and badly acted - Companion ever was Ryan, by a country mile. Tosin Cole made Matthew Waterhouse seem like Laurence Olivier in comparison.
@@ftumschk Ryan still had SOME kind of a personality trait. He was a blank slate but at least there was a talk about his struggles with his illness and he had a few funny moments here and there, which is more than can be said about Yaz. Mandip tried her damndest but there's no way to bring an extra dimension to a cardboard cutout.
Yet again, the Doctor cries (twice in this episode) and, yet again, ISN’T the hero who saves the day (essentially, anti hero Rogue did it). The constant “Bridgerton” references got my back up and will undoubtedly date the episode (if not the show). Now, controversially, as a gay guy myself, I thought the much (wrongly) heralded “first gay kiss” (it wasn’t) was inappropriate: not only is such a full on “lip lock” going to make more conservative viewers/parents turn off the show but the kiss/romance itself wasn’t even earned - this “romance” wasn’t ‘whirlwind’, it was ‘hyper speed’. There were also a plethora of historical inaccuracies throughout (in 1813, Britain was already at war with several countries including fighting Napoleon and the French, the “tango” played wouldn’t exist for decades and the oft used “wow” wasn’t used in England (it WAS used in Scotland however). Two men dancing wasn’t actually shocking by 1813 - but it was a presumption that the two men would be straight but drunk and be virtually ignored. The whole kill Ruby scenario near the end was rendered moot by Rogue simply pushing her out of the triangle! Plus points: the location and Groff’s Rogue and the Duchess were very good. Gibson was good too (yet again) but underused. Sadly, I’m STILL not connecting with Gatwa’s Doctor (and, considering he’s so LGBT+, I should probably find it easy) - he’s effectively playing a - dare I say it - more camp version of the character he played in “Sex Education”. In truth, the only episodes I’ve enjoyed to some degree this season are “Boom” (Doctor static victim) and “73 Yards (Doctor missing for the majority of time) and, as you’ve pointed out, I don’t think there’s any real chemistry…maybe the makers/RTD are aware of this and that’s why Millie is on her way out. All a bit sad really.
This is exactly how I feel too
Very well put. 👏👏👏👏
Yeah I definitely found this to be more on The Space Babies, Star Beast quality side of the episodes for series 14 (yes I’m including the 60th specials). It feels more like a bland episode of Doctor Who that you can find in all of RTD’s seasons. That’s not to say Rogue is bad by any means. I would rather watch the low points of this series over and over again instead of having to sit through Chibnall’s Series 11 or Series 12 of Doctor Who. But this definitely felt more like a filler episode of Doctor Who before the final. I’m starting to wonder if Rogue was initially supposed to come after Space Babies and that The Devil’s Cord was supposed to come after Dot and Bubble.
Take out the best friend reference, and this would fit really well after "Space Babies," I think. (As well as anything could.) You could also have references to Rogue occasionally through the season/series, so that we have a sense the Doctor is making offscreen efforts to find him (since he says "Find me") or something.
Not according to the filming blocks.
The series needs more episodes, 15 needs to stop crying EVERY episode, Ruby and the Doctor need to argue a lot more.
Really dont know why davies is obsessed with 15 crying all the time
this is one of the problems people had with 10 claiming he was too human rather than a alien from out of space
I think what made it worse is how 15th JUST cries in most instances, instead of how he was in "Boom": continuing to take action despite being emotionally gut punched.
Every time someone says Rogue suddenly, my brain starts out hearing it as Rose, and it causes a frisson in me that is not pleasant.
Yh felt the whole episode felt so safe in a weird way. Completely agree that even space babies and the devil's chord had some interesting ideas - even if they weren't very good lol.
The villains were completely forgettable and the Doctor's relationship with Rogue felt so rushed - all for the sake of having a 'viral moment' for his first gay kiss - even tho it isn't and tbh the whole dance thing was done better in Torchwood with captain jack.
None of it really felt earned and this has been a pretty recurring problem with this season imo. I don't wanna sound like I'm blaming Ncuti Gatwa but it's almost been an entire season now and I still haven't really come round on him yet, think this is a lot down to the reduced episode count, but it still feels like he hasn't really settled into the role.
Find the whole this is a new era for the Doctor where he's more open with his feelings and has dropped all the 'baggage' of his previous selves quite irritating - at this point it feels like an excuse to make the Doctor feel like a passenger in his own show-
It also doesn't make any sense like the Dr has hardly acted more responsible this season, if anything he has been much more reckless and out of control. It's frustrating because it would be really interesting if they explored why the doctor has been more reckless - but you just know it's just coming across this way due to sloppy and rushed production at times.
Overall still enjoyed this season - but feel like there's a lot that needs improving.
12:42 this scene of Carla and the Doctor talking about keeping Ruby safe would have worked better when Ruby literally got shot and fell 10 feet down a crater in ‘Boom’ tbh haha
Hear me out here. If RTD wants to make a big to-do about Gatwa's version of the Doctor being gay, why not use this to show what is was actually *like* to be gay back in this time period?
It carried the death penalty throughout the British Empire during the Regency. There were lots of shorthand terms used so gays and lesbians could identify each other that would be quite educational, ranging from certain terms to even flowers worn. Instead what we get is this, a sanitized version of a intolerant time. Isn't it rather a missed opportunity?
Because it is Bridgerton England. The female gaze version of that time.
I think it odd that they went from an episode where racism exists in the future to a time we know historically had racism.
You said it all, I hope it'll change eventually. I'd also like to add that this new Doctor isn't socially awkward nor "neurodivergent" as he used to be, that's one of the reasons why he was so funny.
i don't get how the trap ruby is stuck in only needed her to be pushed off by rogue to escape
if that was the case couldnt they have just poked her with a stick or something
Or if I'm a birdperson watching, I'm gonna try to fall over, cause apparently you just need your feet to fall sideways to break the lock on them.
That's what I thought. Harbo said much of what I thought but not that.
Pretty sure the problem was the weight limit and since it could only hold 6 people, once a 7th showed up one person could get off, as a replacement
@@illuminatihuman6983 Yes but then why not just place a weight down on it . Then it would release Ruby
@nathanwhitehouse8237 I think it might be a bit difficult to put a weight and make sure specifically Ruby is the one to get off, since the owls would see what their doing. There are definitely other things that The Doctor could've and should've done, but unfortunately too often I find, just have to ignore plot holes like this, and just focus on the episode on the whole.... which I didn't like personally
Totally agree with you on this one. The episode was just too mundane for me to truly get invested in the characters. Hopefully the finales a little more uhh… exiting!
I like this season soo far, but, for some reason this Doctor doesnt feel like the old ones. I dont get that feeling from him of the man who would stare down an armored ship and it would recoil in fear. The man who would drawn a line in the sand and everyone would respect because they know even if he is unarmed he could destroy them. Gatwa Doctor is good, but where is the man who would make an army assemble just because he asked? Where is the man who became the president of the entire world even though he think its stupid? In this ep we at least got a little glimpse of the fury of the time lord, once again.
I never liked any of this. The Doctor being powerful because he's the Doctor and he's powerful is really self-indulgent and doesn't make much sense. You might as well say: 'the show Doctor Who is good because it's Doctor Who which is good'
@@FlourishPorridge I think it’s just difficult to pretend all his travels and everything he has done for centuries wouldn’t lead to the things you complain about. Yes I prefer the doctor to be a mystery man who just travels around and happens to save the day.
@@FlourishPorridge but he is not powerfull because he is the doctor. The guy saved the entire universe multiples times, of course he would get some kind of legend about him. My point is that Gatwa doctor doesnt feel like he is a legend.
@@FlourishPorridgelike, we arent getting any old enemie this season, not any Dalek, sotharian, cybermen, Zygon, etc. Not a single one just to say "thats the doctor, the man who (put here something big)". 8 eps is too little for a DW season.
For me that's not a great way to present the Doctor, at least not as a defining trait. Pretty sure the Doctor's whole character journey in modern is rejecting that perception of themselves. I think Twice Upon a Time put it best, The Doctor of War is someone who helps people in need a offer them advice on leading a healthy lifestyle going forward, he's not a soldier or god. Ncuti is closer to Doctors like Troughton.
While I enjoyed it more than the last two episodes, I must admit, the criticisms are valid and they really were trying to make a Jack Harkness replacement since Barrowman can’t keep his junk tucked away. Also, Herron has been better known for her directing. I actually looked up her writing credits, and they’ve mostly been short films.
As a gay myself I have to say this romance felt uncomfortable, rushed and poorly done.
I feel SO pandered to like this older writing is saying "Hey fellow kids. You like DND, Billie Eilish, lady gaga, Bridgerton, cosplay and gays"
It sucks to see queer people on twitter lord this as the best episode of the series just because we received a little bit of representation... It feels cheap and fake and I dislike it
Hear hear! I found myself actively rolling my eyes and squirming at the almost stereotypical “predatory gay” behaviour of the Doctor in this episode - in fact it was more “Queer As Folk” than “Doctor Who”. And, yes, so rushed that nothing was earned and it all felt very unreal. Saying all of that, this flamboyant, outré, campy iteration is VERY “un-Doctorish” compared to every “classic” portrayal plus Eccleston and Capaldi’s versions. Even the more human-like Tennant and Smith versions still had an alien quality plus a sense of danger and authority that I’m just not getting from Ncuti Gatwa’s performance. Weirdly, Ruby has more “edge” and authority (and is a damn sight more proactive) than the guy who’s supposed to be the hero.
Same here. The story itself was rather plodding and was mostly about the Doctor fancying Rogue, it didn't feel earned, it felt oddly misplaced. If Russell is trying to represent its coming off as quite shallow and lusty rather than romantic.
All the praise heaped on because its got "an historic same sex kiss" - as if we've not had any before on Who. 🙄🙄 I wonder how many reviewers are giving it high scores out of some mis-placed celebration or fear that they will be labelled as bigots if they don't? That's not a genuine way to review media, its quite sad really.
@@hotdog1214 Russel didn't write this episode but Kate Heron kinda portrays gay people as too horny for our own good.
The villains feel like Sarah Jane Adventures villains
I dislike the notion I've been getting on twitter that I'm "supposed to like this" just because my community has been so starved for representation are we willing to lord mediocre episodes up just because of the message they send?
@@hotdog1214 Absolutely agree on all you’ve mentioned 100%. 👍
@@ETLettuce Sorry yes, you're absolutely right, it was written by someone else (I'm not familiar with her work but sounds like this is her MO) but I'm assuming Russell would have given the green light on the overall notion.
But yes 100% agree with your comment that there seems to be an expectation that we MUST like the episode because it has representation in it, even if the episode itself is mediocre, just be grateful for being there. I feel like maybe _we_ are somewhat safe to criticise in some circles, although I've sometimes been accused of "throwing my community under the bus" if I don't like a pairing *cough* Thasmin *cough* 🙄🙄but how many straight folks are feeling compelled to sing its praises simply because of the coupling / kiss rather than the merits of the episode because they are afraid of the optics? Or how many in the community are also doing the same because they'll overlook any flaws to celebrate a bit of representation (which I argue is not very flattering in this case). Its a bit disappointing that I'm doubting the validity of some reviews because it feels they may be clouded by this one element rather than giving an honest opinion.
I thought I was the only one not loving this episode. It really felt long and kinda flat. The villains weren't really villainous imo. I've never felt a real threat.
The romance happened far too quickly and didn't convince me because of Rogue being a cold blooded murderer who gets money for corpses, no matter if it's the real one or not, it seems while complaining about the paperwork. Really?
The Doctor saying Ruby is his best friend while we haven't really seen that relationship on-screen. It's all so rushed. Not just this episode, but the whole season. I really liked most of the stories, but I absolutely don't feel like it should be the end if the season already. I've barely seen the Doctor and Ruby together.
I also think the Doctor has been very passive lately. Where are great inventions and tools? We barely see the remote-screwdriver. The Doctor's attempts at rescuing were either futile or someone else did the rescuing:
1. Space Babies: The Doctor doesn't shoot the snot into space and he gives the space station just a mild push instead of bringing them to safety.
2. Devil's Cord: The Beatles are saving the day
3. Boom: the dead father saves everyone
4. 73 yards: Ruby does it all.
5. Dot and bubble: no one wants to be saved by him
6. Rogue does the job himself.
So, this Doctor only succeeded in Church on Ruby Road. Maybe they wanna make him more relatable? But I'm missing his ingenuity.
Thank you for the review. I'm so pleased i've watched this video because it's shown me what that niggle was in my head about this episode. I put this episode as a middle one in the series for me not my favourite but not the worst. There was something unsettling about it and you said it, that it's a carbon copy of the story from the empty child and the doctor dances crunched into one episode (almost trying to cram all of Captain Jack's story arc into one episode) and i think all the rumours that Rogue was Captain Jack re cast or elsewhere on his timeline didn't help this!
As someone who got into Torchwood before Doctor Who, which is a mad way of doing it because you jump around quite a bit with Jack's story arc and it's rather confusing. It just feels like they've gone, that character works so let's try and re capture it by copying with a different name, which feels like a cop out. Having said that I do like this episode, first time Doctor Who has made me cry since Peter Capaldi's days which was lovely.
So far, the new season seems to me like Doctor Who fan fiction where Ruby is the main character
I agree the episode isn't perfect, the aliens just being brats who want to cosplay was silly; but even still the chemistry between ncuti and whats his face is so good that it makes up for it. Also every episode i keep thinking, "wow this moment of yhe doctor crying is so powerful... if only he hadn’t cried in every other episode, making this cry meaningless. The same would go if the doctor was female, just because women stereotypically cry more doesn't mean you want your characters to cry at every opportunity it lessens the impact when they do.
Could not agree more about the era this episode was set it, nothing on this Earth is more dull to me than a period drama.
But even outside of that everything in this episode was so forced and rushed, the Doctor reverted back to not even feeling like the Doctor like earlier in the series.
This was a low point in the series for sure for me, maybe a step above Space Babies being the absolute worst, maybe on the same level.
I'm not sure but, hopefully things can pick back up for the finale, because we really did have a 3 episodes stretch there of good to great episodes!
You are 100% correct about the rushed, unearned nature of the Doctor / Rogue dynamic...and I'm still quite confused by the Doctor's being (or choosing to act) starstruck by a bounty hunter, when he's spent literal millennia encountering them. That said, I'm not bothered by the emotional accessibility, or the immediate physical attraction. I was bothered by seeing the Doctor so easily at a disadvantage when, aside from brooding, Rogue really didn't do anything to acquire the upper hand. Also, (D&D reference aside) the name 'Rogue' feels lazy and ill-fitting...but I digress.
I'm finding it so interesting that people are now saying the Reinette relationship was one-sided. Have you done a video on this? I would be happy to see anything that bolsters this view.
Yeah....I really don't get that either! 🤷
The Doctor and romance is kinda odd for me. if he's in love with someone it usually takes longer than an hour of knowing someone
I really liked jgroff in this role. He was a huge highlight for me. I went into this ep expecting to not like the char because tumblr was going crazy with the ship. But i did really like their chemistry. And despite the fact that i have seen jgroff in lots of roles he fully disappears into the char.
I think they are slowly cutting the doctor out of his own show
I love how 13 being lesbian was infinitely more controversial than 15 being gay. Also how they were too afraid to just go for it with 13 and yet they are already doing this with 15 and it’s not even the end of season one.
I try my best to not be a typical negative reviewer... but so far, this "new season 1" just hasn't impressed me much. storywise, the episodes are mild, Gatwa hasn't had much spotlight as the leading character, and even the Ruby mystery isn't grabbing me.
I think the Devils Chord was extremely good though.
15:00 Rewatch! series! ONE!!! It's fine if you think the doctor not saving the day is an issue, but don't act like the 9th doctor didn't spend half of his climaxes standing around while other people saved the day!
And let's not even talk about the Classic Series, where there were plenty of times (I'm looking at you, Fifth Doctor) failed to even save the day at all!
That top gear intro was amazing
I don't care for the Doctor having romances. It compromises him and makes him less of an unearthly child.
It also was never a thing in the old series. So, it just sort of feels like reverse maturing
@@LeviPennington-vv2kq 👍👍👍
I'm not sure that makes any sense.
Doctor and romance can work - we’ve seen plenty of examples-but this is so sudden, so out of character in that he prefers the flirt to solving the crisis, so ridiculous in that he is ready to travel with Rogue as a new companion knowing almost nothing about him, so disingenuous as he virtually dismisses the existence of his “best friend” Ruby for the sake of the hottest guy in the room - this is not romance. This is hooking up -and that is NOT what Doctor Who is, was, or ever should be.
And if anyone thinks the objection is it’s a gay relationship, just picture a female Rogue and everything else playing out the same. It would still be out of character.
@@smelisi I'm not particularly keen on the Doctor having romances tbh, it removes some of his alienness for me - the only exception is River, and that's only because 1) Alex Kingston owns the role and 2) the story itself is interesting, meeting in the wrong order through time and space - but you're right, this isn't romance, its lust, and it feels particularly odd, especially at the pace it was shown - less than 45 minutes and he's taking him back to his "shed"!
Yes, if Rogue was female it would still be rushed and uncomfortable. If RTD is looking to use it to have gay representation this isn't a great look, it only enforces the idea of promiscuity and hook up culture rather than meaningful relationships.
I really enjoyed this episode, and I personally thought what it set out to establish made this season so much stronger.
But I do agree with some things you think! This Doctor has felt very absent, even when he actually is in the episodes and hopefully that was the filming schedules but it must also fall on the writing if you can’t have him take control at least once this late in the season.
The constant “Bridgerton” exclamation was jarring, I felt like it could’ve been said once, and I felt the same about the word “cosplay” - especially when the villains used it as it felt such a human pop culture reference for an alien to describe their actions.
Rogue was a complete parallel to Jack yes, but if the show is a reboot then I don’t necessarily see a problem in that. It’s taking something that really worked in the last reboot and updating it for the show today. If we’re saying we already had Jack, then the same comparisons have been drawn with Ruby and Rose and then it’s apparent that it is a rehash of 2005 series 1.
I think the number of episodes in the season definitely hurt it, not giving Ncuti enough time to be present, and condensing this story which could’ve been more fleshed out as a two-parter like Family of Blood (which definitely was a stronger threat) - AND that 1am finish really does affect how you perceive an episode and it’s totally uncomfortable. Especially when we first had to sit through Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord. Really felt like a slap in the face 😂
I really liked the Devils chord. I understand the villain isn't everyone's cup of tea but I think it's really well written. I gave it a 10/10. Personally hope it's not being treated as a reboot as that feels like lazy writing just redoing what you've already done. Especially those scenes in space babies.
I enjoyed the episode as the simple Doctor Who story. There were fun moments and it felt like a showcase of the simple story arc the "fluff" episodes have. This felt like an episode I could show to someone to introduce them to Doctor Who for the first time. The climax felt really rushed (they could have definitely cut some stuff out).
What feels like the glaring issue yet again to me is the episode order. I would have liked this episode so much if it were the first episode following church on Ruby Road. There the simple story structure and playing off highly popularized period dramas could have been more of a positive to introduce new viewers and finding Rogue could have some pay off next season. Moments like the Doctor's faces felt better than the pure exposition we got at the start of Space Babies. Then go into the Devil's Chord as a major two parter to set up the series arc and showcase the Doctor as a character that battles gods. Then give us boom as the future and new planet episode (should be the first time we see 15 cry and look so worried). After Boom we should have gotten 15 take Ruby home for the first time after her first near death experience. Have a modern day earth plot and take the time for 15 to get to know Carla and Cherry and really talk to them and get that flashback organically. Then the shows set to do whatever until the finale.
This season has really felt like RTD is somewhere between "I already did this, I wanna speedrun it this time" and "I'm gonna copy my own homework" and it's been awful. This doesn't feel like a good Season 1 for a new era for who at all. It doesn't feel like a good season at all. It feels like a set of independent episodes that happen to be aired weekly one after the other. There's no real connecting tissue that makes it feel like time is passing (for Ruby and 15) linearly from episode to episode. At most it's a singular past mention of an earlier adventure that sounds like it could have been yesterday or two years ago. There's no lasting consequences or changes from one episode to the next. The current order just worsens it by doing an awful job of showcasing the characters and developing them and their relationship. I keep going back to the SECOND EPISODE dropping a six month time skip so we're forced to contend with "as you know, Bob" exposition for no reason.
Again for the most part I enjoyed this as as an episode. There was issues it could fix but ultimately it was a basic simple episode I think does a fine job of showcasing the series to brand new viewers... except it's the last episode before the two part series finale, WTF?! It almost feels like someone sabatoged this season to fail.
I definitely feel you on most of your criticisms but I did still like the episode generally. I will say that this exchange alone superseded some of my criticisms, as it really feels like we're going to get a proper Time Lord Victorious moment with 15 at some point:
The Doctor: How long do they live for?
Rogue: Chuldur?
The Doctor: Mm.
Rogue: They have a lifespan of 600 years.
The Doctor: Good. Good. That's a long time to suffer.
I agree with so much of what you said, that there's only one aspect I want to talk about.
I've seen a lot of people get annoyed at the Doctor planning on abandoning the Chuldurs and have them suffer their entire lifespan. But I've seen even more people say that's perfectly in character, citing The Family of Blood & Face the Raven.
But personally I'm in the first camp, I'll be honest, Tennant is the one NuWho Doctor I have not seen all of (was a bit young when it was first on, and I never got round to going back and watching all his). But even so, Capaldi's era had so much growth for the character, with him learning to be better than his prior incarnations.
Hell Bent to me was a sign that if the Doctor lets grief for a companion turn him into a cruel monster, than he will lose even more.
Then of course, in his final speech as the Doctor are the prominent words: Never be cruel, never be cowardly.
So when I see Ncuti wanting to make the Chuldurs suffer for 600 years, that strikes me as a far crueler act than even just killing them. I get RTD is trying to play all the favourites: companion phoning mum, reskinned Captain Jack Harkness (completely agree with you about Rogue btw), reskinned Family of Blood, but ultimately I felt that the Doctor has somewhat regressed, despite when he was introduced he was framed as this Doctor that has learnt to deal with all the pain he has suffered in a much healthier way.
It just feels a bit at odds with itself at the moment.
And as you say, the runtime really isn't helping the Doctor & Ruby's relationship. It never feels like Ruby's given anything to say, just a couple of sad looks now and then, no actual dialogue between the two. I get show don't tell, but you need them to talk more with each other.
Anyway, ramble over. Excellent video, agreed with soooooo much you said.
Maybe it's because I grew up in the 70s and 80s during the time of no hanky panky in the TARDIS but I've never been keen on the Doctor getting it on with other people. It's the one main thing I didn't like about the first Tennant era. Human Nature worked because it saw the Doctor as a human and River Song worked because it was a relatioship that developed over wibbly wobbly time. But I was never keen ont the Astrid Peth storyline or the Lady Pompadour romance. Maybe I'm just an old stick in the mud.
The pompadour one was timey wimey in a way as short times for the Dr were long for the madame. The tragedy was less the love and more that she died without him coming back to say bye or take her on a trip. She loved him but I. I don't think it was wholey mutual.
Absolutely agree. Not about the old stick in the mud, but the Doctor having the no hanky panky rule (exceptions as above). 😁😁
Dr 9: "Sure, Jack Harkness is good-looking, but not for me. Move on..."
Dr 10 and 14: "I'm so alone, but I'm in love with Rose, never to be fulfilled."
Dr 11: "I'm just too goofy to have a girlfriend."
Dr 12: "Just when I fall in love with River, I find out she's the child of my companion."
Dr 13: "Wait... wait... wait...3rd yeas as the Doctor almost over... okay now I'm love."
Dr 15: "He's hot! Let's Kiss and propose and make a life-love pact to find each other all in one episode."
Is Fourteen in love with Rose? Sure, he mentions "I loved Rose. And River." And might have gone on and on with the list if there had been time. And, also found Isaac Newton hot. I think you should move 12 to 11 -- since this is what Eleven finds out, and that companion is gone by Twelve. (I thought you were going to end that sentence with "She goes off to die" or something).
@@HuntingViolets Did I say 10 and 14? I meant David Tennandfourteen. But I guees you're right. I was more concerned with how long it took for the Doctor to fall in love than what came after... 😬
@@VeryUsMumblings I would say 10 makes more sense with that line than 14, which was my point there. Also that the 12 line doesn't apply to 12 since Amy was gone by 12. Oh, well, just thought you might want to edit, but fine if not.:)
@@HuntingViolets instead of correcting, i will admit my mistake in the comments section instead just for the sake of humour 😄Yes, it's a mistake. You're right! 😄
@@VeryUsMumblings Sorry. I just like it when someone gives me a head's up to edit. My apologies. :)
In my opinion it's just another example of the show runners not knowing what dr who is which bugs me more now coz of RTDs previous work on the show
If it wasn't for the gay storyline, it would have received no praise. That's not being homophobic either.
They marketed it for Bridgerton fans. As a Bridgerton fan I found it cringy in the worst way.
This episode and its Birdgerton references will age wonderfully! Like "the weakest link" and BB...
Also, yes, I am 99% convinced the whole premise of this episode stemmed from a typo.
1) please do the top gear intro every time.
2) 15 and Rogue have chemistry to be a mischievous friendship or something a la Han Solo and Lando, not this out of nowhere romance
Dr Who comments.
Questions, comments and speculation about the season so far before we get to the finale:
1. Is any of this season actually real?
2. Are we in an alternate reality and have we been there ever since Jodie Whittaker said, "Tag, you're it."? As if we were already playing a game?
3. In Star Beast, Rose Noble was making toys and The Meep referred to the Boss, so something was already going on.
4. In Wild Blue Yonder, why wasn't Isaac Newton white?
5. In Wild Blue Yonder, why couldn't the Dr sense something had happened to the time stream or reality when Gravity became Mavity?
6. In Wild Blue Yonder, where did the TARDIS go and what did it do (or not do) when it got there?
7. In Wild Blue Yonder, why was the TARDIS blaring out the song? A warning, perhaps?
8. In Wild Blue Yonder, invoking superstition and using salt to do it at the edge of the universe is now a thing. It's nonsensical, but it happened and that is clearly the point.
9. How did the 14th Dr end up with the 10th Dr's face? Was the regeneration hijacked in some way?
10. In The Giggle, the 15th Dr says bi-generation is a myth and yet it happened. Myths are now becoming real.
11. In The Giggle, how did the TARDIS really duplicate (bi-generate?) and why?
12. In The Giggle, what was Mel's non-answer about what a zingo was and the non-explanation of The Vlinx all about? Is this world even real?
13. In Space Babies (I think) why did the gravity in the TARDIS shut off for a few seconds when it launched into the vortex?
14. Why aren't we seeing the Dr and Ruby actually arrive at and then subsequently leave in the TARDIS? It's as if they are just appearing/disappearing from places. Is all the action this season going on in the Dr's head and the TARDIS is tagged on as a playing piece that should be in the story, so the Dr's memory includes it?
15. In The Church on Ruby Road, the entity that leaves baby Ruby at the church door is not a woman.
16. Ruby clearly isn't human, or is not entirely human, so what is she? Does the Dr know? Why is he scanning her otherwise?
17. Could we be about to find out who the Dr's people really are? And that Ruby is one also? And that she is related to him?
18. In Boom, how did the ambulance recognise Ruby?
19. In The Church on Ruby Road, how did the Dr pull the goblin ship out of the sky? No, really?
20. Who is the One Who Waits?
21. Who is Mrs Flood?
22. Who is the Susan Twist character(s)?
23. In 73 Yards, the people in the pub were like a Greek chorus: they were play acting.
24. In Rogue, the Chuldur were play acting (cosplaying).
25. Rogue named himself after a character in Dungeons & Dragons: more play acting/role playing. And who is his new boss?
26. Why do we keep getting weird jumps in time?
27. In 73 Yards, where did the Dr actually disappear to? And how? Is magic now actually real?
28. In 73 Yards, if the Dr can sense time stream changes, why couldn't he sense something major had happened to the time stream?
29. In 73 Yards, how come the weird woman could suddenly appear at the end of dying Ruby's bed - a lot closer than 73 yards?
30. Is even the fact that this season is being referred to as Season 1, suggest we're in an alternate reality?
31. In 73 Yards, how did Ruby find out about UNIT and why was Kate acting so strangely even before the weird woman said what she said?
32. In 73 Yards, what was the weird woman saying to everyone to make them run away and what did the hand signals mean?
33. In Boom, since when does killing the Dr result in the destruction of half a planet?
34. The scenario in Boom is ridiculous - how on earth could these soldiers not realise they weren't fighting anyone? It's like war games gone wrong. Games again.
35. Why does Ruby keep almost dying/getting killed? And why does the Dr keep crying?
36. Are we in an alternate reality - one that's becoming more and more unstable - and that's why everything and everyone in this season is off-kilter?
Excellent observations/questions. I suspect fewer than 5 of them will be addressed. Ever.
Sadly, I expect you're right! 😁 Thanks for your comment. Lesley
I don't think anything in 73 yards will be addressed cuz they intended for that episode to be all weird and confusing I'm pretty sure
@@tzarg Yes, I think you're right but I think the 60th anniversary episodes and all the episodes in this whole season need some serious explanation. I'm hoping that these last 2 episodes will at least try! Thank you for your comment. Lesley
Just a personal opinion, but I thought it was cr@p
“Cr@p” made me laugh 😆
I had fun with this episode, it's basically just fine. I enjoyed it in the moment but probably won't think about it later. Only thing that bugged me was the brigerton references because it feels like it will date the episode a lot. There's so many period dramas that you don't need to call out any one in particular, just invoke the genre generally and it still works. I'm with you on the romance though, I'm not keen on the doctor doing romancing things generally. We have enough romantic heroes
You are not the only one who did not like this mate 😬 .
For me my personal gripe was the kiss.
I'm not opposed to the fact that it was between two men. Its that these two characters had only known each other for, what? 45 minutes? and that it felt a bit rushed and perhaps unneeded, especially if The Doctor is going to go and find Rogue. And because of the fact that the kiss *did* happen makes me believe that Rogue won't be appearing again, at least for a while (like maybe a few regenerations down the line).
I also had a personal issue with Rogues name before watching the episode, because it felt very... "Woooooh mysterious". But the writers managed to pull through and gave a good reason for his name's origin, being the name of his DnD character. But that kinda just made me wish they delved into him being a 'serious bounty hunter on the surface, but is also a massive closet nerd'.
Rogue I feel was the 9th and 10th doctor very brooding and struggles to open up but The doctor who's healed from this sees right through him
ngl the idea of monsters in a cosplay convention the doctor ends up at thinking its a regular human convention would be a fun twist, some alien goes up to them thinking theyve "taken a new skin" when in actuality its his skin, sounds like a morbid but interesting idea for a story, could play with perception too
I like the bird aliens but i thought pretending to kill off ruby was dumb and i didn't believe it because they have already done that this series
And you get the feeling they'll do it again...
The bird aliens, while OTT were the only thing I really liked about the episode, the prosthetics were pretty good (even the goofy blue one with whiskers!)
The Ruby fake out was confusing because we see the flashing lights and a scream that was synonymous with the previous killings to make us think she is dead (again). But in the flashback where she goes Battle Mode on bird girl, there are no lights and screaming. I know it was a deliberate fake out but it doesn't work if the flashback is different from the original. 🤷♀🤷♀🤔🤔
@@hotdog1214 You make excellent points. It was as if they forgot that Whovians are quite detail orientated...
@@hotdog1214 Dr who is OTT and yeah they should of used dramatic irony, have the audience know she's alright but the doctor thinks she's dead if they really wanted to
@@Mattchupichue Oooo yes that would have made for a much tenser ending, if the audience knew but the Doctor didn't, as she walked towards the triangle of doom. Nice. 👍👍
I predict "The Bridgerton One" will be just fractionally less fondly remembered than "The Trinny and Susannah / Weakest Link / Big Brother One"
For me, at least it will be remembered to a much lower level than the Big brother one (Bad wolf) although that 3as a part 1 to a brilliant 2 parter. It's slightly different. I think it will be remembered on a level similarly to Gridlock.
@@nathanwhitehouse8237 yeah, the one saving grace of Bad Wolf is that it's part one of Parting of the Ways, but cut out all the "entertainment in the future is just entertainment in 2005 but with robots" and make them both into a 60 minute special
All that Disney money and we get a muppet with a red nose and brows longer than Sam the American Eagle - remember him?
It’s a BBC show that just streams on Disney
well Sam the American Eagle sounds american so I probably don't remember him sorry
I’d agree they’ve done a lot of Victorian episodes but not so much Regency…
He did say 19th century so thats includes both
@@elelonger4409 I know…I just don’t think they are aesthetically similar…
@@maxtracker2904 Yeah, they are culturally VERY different. As I said in another comment that's like saying a 1920s episode is the same as a 1980s episode.
10:34 yeah everything does feel rushed this season. Good example
They literally did weakest link and big brother in series 1
the top gear intro was amazing 👏 👏😂😂
I agree that The Doctor and Rogue falling in love does feel far too quick and underdeveloped. It's also the second time this Doctor has been way too shallow with his attraction (which for an over 2000 YO being I just don't buy) the first being Ricky September, he just wouldn't bicker over someone purely because they're "hot" like that. I just don't think someone with that much life experience would care about looks that much and if they did have a physicaly attraction I think they would be able to recognise it as lust rather than it being a sure indicator of attraction.
I never buy these rom com type romances anyway in any series or film where we go from meeting and thinking someone's hot to a potential marriage in a space of a couple of hours (of the characters lives that is) and it especially feels out of place here. I think the Doctor should have recognised his deeper feelings of attraction right at the end or in the final act if that's how you wanted to leave it for future rather than the Doctor just being thirsty for the first half of the story and that being intended as sign to us that he had actual romantic feelings.
It also just showed a lack of maturity from the writers not realising that trauma bonding and good looks aren't a foundation for a relationship.
I also agree the flashback to Carla wasn't well excecuted and it's really sad this is the penultimate story as they threw away the last chance for us to spend time with The Doctor and Ruby together before the finale and instead we got the Doctor being thirsty for an episode (I did enjoy the episode btw, I just felt it could have done much more with these points)
I was so excited for the 15th Doctors era
but these episodes are doing nothinggggg for me. they’re boring!
might be a worse sin than being bad
I’m so happy to see an attempt at a return to form after 13’s era I don’t mind the flaws in this episode. Doctor Who was my favorite show, and it became unrecognizable for years. I will take discount Captain Jack over a hollow return any day.
Rogue himself was just boring to me. I don't know if it's bad acting or what but I never felt a thing seeing his face on screen. no charm or charisma or likeableness etc.
I like Doctor Who enough that I really appreciate your opposing opinion to the norm, because it adds another facet to what me and the community think about the episode and how we view it. Thank you.
The Doctor did in this episode what it took 2 series to do with Rose, and it annoyed me. This series has been so rushed and lacked the depth I’d expect from RTD, so episodes like this feel very forced and quick. The repeated references to Bridgerton annoyed me as well. Really? Bridgerton? Is that the only reference you can make? We get it, Ruby’s from 2024, but don’t sell an episode on its likeness to something else that’s popular. This is Doctor Who! It runs circles around Netflix crap like Bridgerton! Or, it did… I really liked Rogue as a character. Again, like Ricky September, another character more interesting with more presence than the Doctor or Ruby.
I didn't hate the episode per se, but I was very disappointed with the climax.
1. The whole trap with the triform is just kind of boring and uncreative
2. Sending the Chuldur to a barren planet instead of just a prison is really ethically dubious
3. Ruby not immediately telling the Doctor she's human before the triform charges up (though I can give it a pass because she has no idea what's going on)
4. The Doctor immediately giving up is just so dumb. Like does he not know where they're being sent? Cannot he not just hop in the TARDIS after and pick her up? Even if he didn't know where exactly on the planet, there's surely some other way of stopping them. Why not just break the tri form?
5. How is a weight transfer even possible? Ruby and Rogue most certainly do not weigh the same. Is it counting feet? How?
Anyway, all in all kind of a nothing episode. Would want to see Rogue (the character) again though
That intro was perfection 😂
I agree with most of this but even as someone who hatessss period dramas i was never bored??? Maybe it’s because you were up so late/early? But I didn’t notice the heavy dialogue as it was entertaining.
I did cringe like i walked into a metal pole when they said “we’ll cosplay the world to death” … ow (i am a cosplayer for extra context btw lmao)
The flirting, as out of place as it was, was well written and very fun and I wouldn’t trade the Kylie scene for anything.
8:19 doppleganngers do exisit in the real world.