Does The Star Beast Live up to the Hype? | Doctor Who Episode Review

[@Ruffian_Xion]

In a show that is celebrating transgenderism, the line “It's a shame you're not a woman anymore", is well, I don't think I have the words for it. Laughable? Blind? Stupid? Nonsensical?

[@TheLaneDW]

It really is, i didnt touch on it in here but its not great. Felt weird coning from rose too because of that

[@EverestBlizzard]

A quick aside about it resonating concrete-that was a callback to the 9th Doctor-I believe it was The Doctor Dances, whem Rose is aking if he can dance and he says "Rose, I-I'm trying to resonate concrete" lol

[@TheLaneDW]

I did catch that. I love those little lines thrown in there.

[@JEOliver94]

Great video, agree with a lot of your point. The easy reversal alls happy now ending was not the greatest, but as for the retractable wall in the space ship it could be some sort of bulkhead or like airlock situation but again a little contrived just to get the Doctor and Donna separated to build a bit of tension, but who knows?

[@TheLaneDW]

Its not a huge deal, i just occasionally have a couple holes to pick in the logic 😂

[@GilesMcRiker]

You don't understand what subtlety is

[@TheLaneDW]

I think I do. Everything to do with the trans stuff is handled excellently. The pronouns mention is most definitely bot subtle but works within the episode and character mentioning it.

[@badfairy9554]

Hi@@TheLaneDW The pronoun thing was like Tom Baker the 4th Doctor.

[@TheLaneDW]

@@badfairy9554i did catch that, it was pretty funnyz

[@ninjatreefrog9346]

I generally dislike the word “woke” because it’s overused but it fits this episode to a t. Preachy garbage done in the most in your face way possible.
They really did a “did you just assume their pronouns?!” moment. Not to mention trashing on the Doctor for being a man. Never mind the “daughter” is a biological man. Why do they all of a sudden understand? Presenting as a woman doesn’t magically give you a female lived experience.
I don’t hate trans people or mind trans representation but when it’s done like this? Terrible.

[@TheLaneDW]

I do agree with the blatant sexism towards men at the end now. Seems against their whole inclusivity plans but I dont agree with you saying the trans stuff was handled poorly, i think it was in their enough and barely the centre of focus other than like 1 scene but it was an essential scene. The pronouns thing felt out of place for me initially but i now acceot rose saying that as she is 15 and actively deals with these issues, i know its an alien but she will obviously act like this and i think its a realistic response. Even if it feels awkward.

[@paulhammond6978]

Well, they did that back in 1972 also, when the Doctor and Jo had a conversation about Alpha Centauri, the hermaphrodite hexapod in Curse of Peladon. Jo wondered whether Alpha Centuri was a he or a she, and the Doctor explain that the correct term was "it".

[@TheLaneDW]

@@paulhammond6978i have not seen much classic who so i did not know that, but thats super interesting that it was even touched on 50 years ago

[@leonais1]

There is no British character, fictional and obviously real life, who has met more aliens than Dr Who. A trans teenager lectures Dr Who on how to address aliens in the 60th Anniversary show. Obviously pronouns are the most important thing to focus on when there's an alien life form in your living room.

[@Comicbroe405]

​@@leonais1I honestly felt like RTD was using that to mock.

[@Hamilwhovian]

I totally agree with you! The new screwdriver features are weird and I wonder how they're gonna use it going forward... maybe they'll trow a line sometime saying like "oh, that broke in x place" 🤣 I was worried about Rose and how they'll handle her identity, but I must said, as a trans person myself, I think they nailed it. We need this kind of thing in TV, showing the good and the bad. And obviously, Tennant and Tate back is just the best!
The ending... I also felt it meh that it just reversed the damage, it felt like the season finales Moffat did were everything rebooted or something like that. Overall, I really enjoyed it and I'm so excited for the next 2 specials!

[@TheLaneDW]

Yes I am super excited for whats to come. This is a solid start for sure. Not long to go now until wild blue yonder

[@ianwood6438]

This episode rammed the message so hard it’s probably the most blatant I’ve ever seen , even my 16 year old daughter who absolutely loved David Tennant as the doctor said she will never watch it again!

[@TheLaneDW]

I mean sure, but thats extreme I think. 1 episode to put you off of a 60 year old show, forever. What really was rammed your throat? Definitey cannot be the trans stuff as that was barely at the fore front and necessary for the character of rose. The pronouns scene potentially but even then, of course a 15 year old girl, who is apart of that community of people who gets bullied is going to bring up pronouns even if it is an alien. And then the binary/non binary thing at the end is a nice connection to that character and gives meaning behind her being trans in the story. The line where they state “men cant let things go” is ridiculous imo but that literally goes against their “message”. Do you truly feel its rammed down your throat or do you just not accept the lgtqi+ community. I genuinely want to know as I haven’t heard a single bit of valid criticism myself other than, its just force feeding people the “message”.

[@ianwood6438]

No the fact that men are pretty much useless the same message that’s in all the Disney shite

[@ianwood6438]

@@TheLaneDW she has trans friends it had absolutely nothing to do with the trans stuff it was how blatant everything else was!

[@TheLaneDW]

⁠@@ianwood6438well i mean, of course things are blatant, they aren’t going to just sprinkle in that content. It was intended to be in there and had purpose.

[@Iraijus]

I am glad you enjoyed it. For me, it was bad enough to stop watching Doctor Who forever.
I hope you enjoy tomorrow's episode too!

[@TheLaneDW]

That sucks, I understand some of the choices are not for everyone.

[@russelsteward3412]

Me too, I'm done with it

[@Witchchylde]

​@@TheLaneDW Ready for my fourth re-watch of The Star Beast tbh.

[@badfairy9554]

Hi@@Witchchylde I am the same. I enjoy it. If all films were pulled a part like Doctor Who has been. There would be not HollyWood. No Batman. No Car chase. Flash Gordon Person jumping of out of a willow. No cartoons, Muppets, No 007. Doctor Who is magic. Not in a flying horse way. I ways full of joy last weekend. Very happy. I loved it. And I am going to watch it again tonight.

[@TheLaneDW]

@@Witchchyldedamn 😂, i have only watched it twice. good to see someone enjoying it.

[@fieryjack9243]

even when you take out the preaching and political ............MESSAGE............it was a mediocre show at best , dr who is for entertainment not for preaching. i have watched dr who since the 60s and chibnall and now RTD have taken it to the depths , im now done with this franchise, as far as im concerned dr who finshed when peter capaldi regenerated, i give it 2 years then it will be cancelled. R.I.P DR WHO

[@TheLaneDW]

I agree that the episode aside from the “message” was still very middling but for me it was just a fun not so serious episode to bring the characters back together and it does that well. Its not the best the show has to offer but its also a great representation of what the show is. I know the “message” is the controversial part right now but in my opinion its not unlike the show to do that. It may be a more hot topic than other issues the show has commented on in the past but its not like its inclusion is unheard of.

[@Midearth87]

⁠​⁠@@TheLaneDW I’m going to be very blunt and harsh because I loved this show for years.
This was pure venomous indoctrination, this was bile.
More and more people are tuning out of the entertainment genre because of the message. Insulting 50% of the population is just a set up for failure.
Yes, the show has been progressive but they did it in a way that was not offensive and sexist. It was fun, subtle, and witty.
They tried to change hearts and minds with care with, with true talent. The special was like an angry untrained teenager wrote the script.
They literally pulled a Star Wars and bashed their own star. How is the show suppose to gain more viewers if it has contempt for its own character? It can’t. It won’t.
I think it’s time to put the show in storage until the day comes someone who cares about the characters come along.
I was a fan of Tenant and Davies and I’m heart broken on what they did. It was a slap in the face of the fans and a mockery of well beloved character.(s)
RIP

[@paulhammond6978]

@@Midearth87 "venomous". Are you sure you're not just being a bit hysterical here?

[@TheLaneDW]

@@Midearth87i feel that is a bit extreme in my opinion. I am fully with you with the statement made near the end about the “male presenting timelord”. I feel that fully went against their agenda and yes, negatively effects the perception of the doctor but its 1 scene shouldnt kill the show.

[@investertiger3777]

It was much better than the female Dr. Who and thats all i needed.

[@TheLaneDW]

😂

[@badfairy9554]

I think if Joe Marten was the Doctor full time and not Jodie we would have enjoyed it. I did like 'Fam' thing too.

[@CJGilliam]

The Doctor died on Trenzalore. Rip, Doctor. Everything after that are the hallucinations of a dying TARDIS.

[@TheLaneDW]

Thats a wild theory. 😂. You dont have to keep watching this show, but all this stuff in the past few years happened. That will probably never change. Dont think that matters though. You dont need to say it died at that point because you stopped liking it.

[@CJGilliam]

I didn’t say the show died. I said the Doctor died.

[@TheLaneDW]

@@CJGilliambut then why say that? 😂

[@CJGilliam]

@@TheLaneDWbecause the truth will set you free and people can finally start the mourning process. The loss of the Doctor will be felt for a long time. The sooner we start processing it, the sooner we can move on.

[@Jenamphetam1ne]

As a trans person whos deeply interested in trans rep and how its done, this is far from the most blatant, obvious, or forced. It's actually super boring and laid back compared to most rep that was done like 10-20 years ago. Once upon time shows would have WHOLE episodes dedicated to trans people and here its like 5 minutes(?) in total. And i came out to my extended family literally 2 weeks ago, and this episode 100% conveys what that kinda dynamic is like. Its good representation. People who are mad about it are mad because its trans people. They must be cause this is the least offensive trans representation ive ever seen.

[@EverestBlizzard]

You gotta admit that the bit at the end was incredibly forced and shoehorned in, the writing there was horrendous. The rest of the episode, like the beginning parts, they were all really well done.

[@TheLaneDW]

I agree, 100%. I think because there is one scene where it is at the forefront, people are just using it as an excuse to say the episode was preachy.

[@TheLaneDW]

Yea, that end was rough for me. I didnt touch on everything in here but that was definitely the worst part

[@russelsteward3412]

You seem to be a fan-boy, sadly for you it can do no wrong, I am so sorry you cannot see beyond your fandom to see how bad this episode was and how they dialled up the wokeness to 11. Good luck but I wont be watching the show or your channel any more.

[@TheLaneDW]

I dont think thats it but sure. Not once did I say it’s a perfect episode. There are flaws but I think people are being way too extreme with it. If the issue is because it’s “woke” how have you watched the show for this long. It is always inclusive and progressive it is just dealing with a more prominent topic in today’s society. I am a fan of this show but im not defending its “wokeness” im just enjoying the show because i enjoy the show. Just because I liked it and you didnt doesnt make that wrong, and or make me blind sided. Its unfortunate you dont enjoy it but that just makes you not the target audience and thats fine, there are other shows out there you can watch. You dont have to hate on this show because you dont agree, you can watch other things that you do like, no one is forcing you to watch this.

[@alanthomasgramont]

Dude they brought Tennent back to scold him and explain to a time lord how gender works. Rose gets all this hate yet she is 100% passable. She’s even hot. But they don’t embrace her new self they are all about everyone being mean. But the meanest people on this episode are Donna and Rose. They are intolerable yet, because of woman or trans they can be comeplete a$$hats. What people to like your character? The make a like ale character. No one really cares what your identity is if you’re cool.

[@badfairy9554]

Doctor Who has always been woke. Not just the story too.

[@TheLaneDW]

@@alanthomasgramontyea I agree with you on the scolding part. That ending portion didnt work too well, i just didnt mention it in the video.

[@RosieOleanderDallinger]

It’s rather sad that you can’t accept that other people disagree with you, and can actually enjoy it. Why the need to enforce herd mentality?? Why do you need to have your own opinion enforced by others, and before you say you don’t, you quite obviously do if someone feeling differently makes you passive aggressive and talk down to people.