I would put forward the idea of Rich doing some Classic Doctor Who retrospective Ups and Downs when the current series ends, but if he ain't getting paid, then whats the point? :P
@@matthewbelcher5389 Any money the BBC were to slip to reviewers in return for positive reviews would be peanuts compared to the money the same reviewer could make by being the journalist who uncovered corruption at the BBC. Or if one, just one, reviewer blew the whistle because maybe some are actually decent people. Conspiracy theories rely too much on literally everyone going along with it for some reason.
I did, but was surprised he didn't mention Fenric. He and Rakaya both really seem more along the lines of Fenric than any of the other immortals he did mention.
Splotch the Cat-Thing Also the Gods of Ragnarok. There’s a whole subset of Who villains these fit in with. That part was all done, minus the rushed ending.
Thank you for the work this channel does on normalising mental health issues. It is really important, especially since (I’m guessing) your core demographic is also a high risk group. Well done.
While the message is a good one overall I feel that without the ending it loses it's effect, throughout the story we're shown and told that Mental Health issues are normal, of all ages and that how we engage with them is what makes us strong. What the end does is show us the first steps of dealing with it/processing it. Ryan's friend going out and finding a social support group, new people that have experienced the same or similar things, a group that understands him. With Yaz we see that what we experience now is but a moment, and that times can change and improve. We see her make that first step and we know how she came out on the other side. Graham's interaction with the Doc is about finding somebody to talk to and put it out there, accepting that this is still a part of you and starting to carry it with him instead of running from it. While the Doc is showing that sometimes your friends aren't the right people to talk to, and that they won't always know what to say or be able to support you.
I was proper confused at the fact that The Doctor discovers what’s keeping those planets colliding is a prison. But she doesn’t stop to think once about what she could be releasing and if it deserves to be in prison. Which was my first thought straight away... It’s not like she goes about on earth releasing everyone from prison. So why she would do this in space without even thinking about the ramifications of her doing so? I’m baffled. 🤔🧐🤷♀️
@dr103 But she didn't know that, she assumed the dream guy put her there. But he didn't. And that's the issue, she made assumptions without pursuing facts, which is the exact opposite to what the Doctor did with the Pandorica
I'm not surprised at this point. 13 has proven herself to be completely incompetent and annoying so this is par for the course with her. The fact that you're confused is just more proof because WE know that this is entirely out of character for the Doctor. Then again Jodie refused to watch the show so it isn't too surprising she has zero understanding of her character.
I really enjoyed the episode but I cant really argue with any of your downs. Normally I'm fine with the quick wrap ups cos Doctor Who has always somewhat solved the issue at the eleventh hour out of nowhere but even I thought she beat the gods way too fast. I laughed at the Doctors reaction to Graham cos it was how I would be in my head when someone tells me something emotional but looking back at it that was a poor choice for the scene. 3 moral stories in one season is completely fine, Doctor Who is meant to educate us on these things but as long as it's not every episode and some are just fun or good/scary stories.
I think that the Socially Awkward bit fits in well for the Doctor in General (moreso for, say, Capaldi's), and I do see elements of this trait in Whitaker's, so I didn't find that out of place. Here tendency to just babble and talk about random things; her extreme secretiveness (even compared to past incarnations); her avoidance of sensitive subjects. I think that this fit in well with her, actually.
It was fine for me too. Less that Whittaker’s doctor is socially awkward, and more that she doesn’t talk about real personal feelings. She is either presenting as friendly/happy and curious (with occasional indignation for the bad guys), or she withdraws. Her companions know very little about her and her past (the aforementioned secretiveness). Although, I do agree that she can sometimes be Awkward Doctor too.
@@bahadirozer you are either misunderstanding or intentionally misrepresenting what she said. She in no way said she didn't care; she expressed that she didn't know what to say, and made it clear that her walking away wasn't out of not caring but because she didn't know what to say. She further made it clear that while acting busy, she would be thinking over what she could have or should have said to help. It's a very natural reaction. Maybe you always know the perfect thing to say in every situation, but others do not. I would say that her response is much more respectful and thoughtful than the usual meaningless platitudes that people would normally drop in such a situation.
@@seangleeson8073 its a very natural answer for a human like you and me. not for a time lord who lived 1000 years and seen lots and lots of people and other living creatures. who lost many friends and loved ones. doctor always knew what to say in these situations. this is weird.
You matter too Rich. Bloody quality as always, this week I can do nothing but agree with you. 3 more left of the series though, not long till its over again. I'll probably miss these ups and downs more than the actual show because atleast these are always great to watch, whereas Who leaves me just hoping that it'll be a good one on Sunday.
I felt the socially awkward thing worked. In my eyes, she is in some ways. Throughout the episode, she was babbling even when they weren't there. She has no off switch. To be honest she has more in common with girl ADHD than social awkwardness.
I felt the same way. I also noticed she never really gets personal with this trio. She may just be uncomfortable when it comes to dealing with personal issues, especially when it comes to the mortality of her companions.
She cares about the companions and the Earth, but she holds them at arms length. She's not down for the big emotional talk. I thought that exchange was great
I just found it insulting and out of character. It made socially awkward akin to cowardice. Almost every past Doctor has had some level of awkwardness when it comes to social conventions. Hell! 12 needed notecards to use with strangers. But at the end of the day a REAL Doctor will be there for the companion and at least make an effort to comfort them when they are in pain. Using 12 as an example again, look at how he reacted when Clara had to deal with losing Danny. It's just selfish not to even make the effort to make the person feel better just because your a bit out of your comfort zone. That isn't putting others first like a real Doctor would. Heck! She didn't even have to get touchy feely she could have scanned him with her sonic and told him that he was alright. Its cowardly to just say "I'm socially awkward" when someone is being incredibly vulnerable. The Doctor's motto is never cruel or cowardly. 13 certainly hasn't lived up to that and this is just a prime example
@@TokinMex I see that as actually kind of an issue. The fact that she has no chemistry or connection with the companions is detrimental because the show largely revolves around the Doctor/Companion relationship.
Yeah, but that was funny and Capaldi usually had good writing. Plus it made more sense with Capaldi's not-big-on-talking-about-his-emotions Doctor. Not so much for Whitaker. She rarely comes off as having a lot of depth. This whole socially awkward schtick isn't working for Whitaker in my opinion. It's becoming one of the few consistent personality traits she has. I think she is overplaying it a bit. Granted it might be better if she consistently had great writing and good direction.
You did an awesome job on the presentation. I first watched Doctor Who when Tom Baker was the Doctor. I continue to watch and stay loyal to Doctor Who. Also, I am happy with Jodi Whittaker as the Doctor.
I 100% agree with you that the moral messages are feeling too on the nose, i appreciate them more when they make you think, and if you're gonna have so many per season you need to tone it down slightly. I also thought the dr/Graham scene was really OOC for her and didn't really understand why they did that. I wish they'd have had Ryan overhear and comfort Graham. Especially as they've pretty much neglected the grandfather/grandson dynamic this season which seems odd too.
I'm getting tired of these messages. I watch shows like this to escape from reality, and the constant barrage of the many problems in the world. My world issues cup is full, and I'd appreciate it if they stopped it from overflowing.
If you don’t want to watch it then don’t watch it. Don’t get all angry at the BBC because you think that messages about humans and earth isn’t relevant in a Sci-Fi that’s also educational that send messages out to viewers showing that they care.
As someone who’s currently receiving cancer treatment I completely understand Graham’s fears. I don’t feel the Doctor glossed over it, or made light of it. There’s nothing anyone can say to take that fear away.
Great video as always and few of the moments I agree with your ups and down Rich. By the way, you were great in that cameo. Keep living the dream and giving thumbs up so you can get more. Perhaps, little less hairy next time? XD
As someone with mental health I honestly wished (for once) this ep was more PC and be a bit more open about the issues. For exmaple Ryan's freind suffering from lonliness and throwing stuff around the room...I can't tell you enough how hard this hit me personally. But it was never fully spoken like previous episodes (orphan 52 and the plastic episode). If anything the current DW ep which does a better job about the mental health message is the Van Gogh episode where the Doctor tells Pond that "the good things don't cancel out the bad, but equally the bad things don't make the good things unimportant". Depression is a killer and after the episodes the BBC gave the phone number to suicide prevention hotlines. Once again through the message was good, Chibnol falls short of Moffat and RTD.
Think you nailed it Rich re the messaging- it ain't the message that's the problem, it's the delivery that hurts. The last two episodes start really well before Chibnall gets his filthy hands on it. And OMG, they need to destroy that bloody sonic screwdriver!
Yes. Three moral messages is too much in one season. One of the reasons I've liked Doctor Who (since Doctor 3, as a matter of fact) is that it's sci-fi that doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't preach at me. Translation: it's just fun. great characters, fun adventures, and yes-even a good cry now and then. I really want the show to go back to that instead of pulling out a soapbox to shout from every other episode.
I agree with you on the last ten minutes. I have nothing wrong with slower episodes with a good message (ie Vincent and the Docotor) but when there are so many in one season, it starts to feel a little preachy. I find that with the Chibnall era there's a lack of fun episodes, I suppose Kerblam was kind of fun.
Having a message in an episode isn't bad... as long as the message is subtle. That is great writing, but when they shout that message from the rooftops and hit the audience with it akin to using a bat or sledgehammer... then that's bad writing and makes one want to skip the show... it's one of many reasons that I hardly watch this show anymore.
Loved it though the ending was rushed. Great messages. Loved the references to the toy maker and guardians. All of the doctors all have a bit of awkwardness in them. That made sense.
This episode was about depression and the idea is that with the help of allies and talking to people you can make a difference and stop depression. The idea that they were not beaten shows that you can only stop it temporarily and they could free themselves again.
@@swannbenziane7880 exactly! Sad to see that people don't recognize subtle messages. They call Orphan 55 hamfisted, but when it is not thrown at them, they don't even see it.
I think the doctor Graham interaction was the care and emotion we get from Jodie's doctor. She wants them close even if she's afraid to express it. And it would feel unrealistic if she gave a big speech and he was just alright. The "I don't know what to say, but I'll always listen, because one word isn't gonna fix it" is a more realistic expression for me.
Personally is don't think this episode worked very well. The story felt very reminiscent of classic who, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but when combined with the short 50 min run time (which doesn't allow for the personal stakes gained throughout watching a multiple part story of classic who) and the performance of the 13th doctor being considerably different to a classic who doctor makes the story feel hollow, messy and frankly boring and the doctor seem out of place and unlikable. Although there were some good ideas present, the execution felt rushed and wasteful in my opinion.
Although I felt “Can You Here Me?” borrowed from many previous story ideas (most notably “Vincent and the Doctor” and “Amy’s Choice” from ‘New Who’) it was, in my humble opinion, THE best episode from the entire two season Whittaker/Chibnall tenure - it had a proper plot and, though it had a message (“messages” seem to be the thing this season) we weren’t beaten over the head with it like we were in the dreadful “Orphan 55” and so-so anti plastic “Praxeus” - the speech Whittaker gave was warranted as it was a defensive argument rather than a sledgehammer lesson from a screeching “teacher”. And it was so refreshing that Yaz had one of the better, more nuanced scenes near the end.
Richard, can we just get over the fact that the sonic for this iteration of the Doctor is a smart sonic with apps for different uses? Yes it can be a plot device, but it’s gonna give you a headache if you don’t let it go!! Lol
i wish they didnt waste such a cool villain with such a blink and you miss it anticlimactic defeat so they could add the message scenes after. I feel like rather than writing a story with a message now, they are just writing a message with a story. it doesn't work as well though because if someone doesnt like the story its less likely theyre going to heed the message
The timeless child in the doctors nightmare looks like a young Yaz? Maybe this is her true secret and there’s a fob watch hidden somewhere in her flat 🤷🏼♂️
Those who want drama without characterisation and humanisations, need to understand with out that it’s just action without motivation. Drama like it or not holds is a mirror and shows us the human condition.
Theory, the cop who talks to yaz is herself from the future. I think yaz chooses to travel with the doctor a while longer and then decides she want to be dropped of back in time to watcher herself grow up.
Whilst I agree at the end it was a little obvious it did actually make me tear up which is rare for Dr Who. All in all this season is a significant step up so far IMO
I was really hoping to know this doctor better by now. She still doesn’t really have a defined personality and feels like a blank canvas, and she only has one season left. I feel like we still don’t know her very well 🤷♀️
did anyone have nolstlga watching this episode as it was similar to the 11th doctor episode remeber the Dream LOrd the best bit about the episode was the returnof the Master
They are setting up team tardis’s departure hopefully. For the first time I don’t feel for these companions like I did with the others. Gone are the fast paced days of Tennant and Smith who ran into danger with a plan. We’re now left with the Jodie the Confused Dr. Perhaps that fall through the train roof was harder than we originally thought
14:00 Please. PLEASE let Series 12 be the last fucking Series with multiple companions for a while. Four main characters in the Tardis is TOO MUCH when you're juggling them and whatever new side characters there are in the various stories.
@@prof.evilpictures8696 Two's good. I'd prefer 1 for this Doctor's next series though as I just need more of just the Doctor if you know what I mean. The Doctor interacting with the problem of the week is what I enjoy most about the show.
I didn’t think her exchange with Graham at the end was particularly out of character. Clara: “I’m his carer” Capaldi “Yeah, she cares so I don’t have to” - countless examples (including classic) where the doctor doesn’t do empathy - isn’t sure how to handle emotions of humans. This, to me, was just another one of those. Maybe she just needs another set of flash cards.
I’ve seen a few reviews of this episode and every reviewer has at least once said 1830 rather than 1380. I wonder what is so difficult about saying 1380, there must be something because every reviewer is making the same mistake.
Another episode where the characters are concerned about the passing of time. In Praxius the Doctor says to Yas “we don’t have enough time” and in this episode we see Ryan and Yas discussing how long their adventures are going to take and worried about losing out to the passing of time in their normal lives. Have they all forgotten that they travel around in a time machine?
It seems to be. Why are the companions friends and family even noticing they're away at all? It's not like this hasn't ever came up in Doctor Who at all before. It was actually the fact the Tardis was also a time machine that finally convinced Rose to join the Doctor all the way back after all.
Hi Rich! Let’s *looks at English to English dictionary* have a row about that last down! I do not believe The Doctor was dismissive. I believe The Doctor was listening intently, considered what she could do or say to make Grant’s *specific* situation better, and decided Grants reaction was reasonable. With that, The Doctor accepted blame for Grant’s lack of fulfillment by citing her own flaws. I mention Grants specific situation because it’s cancer. Cancer killed my parents (cervical and lung) and threatened my wife (thyroid). Real talk: nothing makes it better. Hell, my wife is a lot like grant; she hits all her check-ups and things look fine. I relate to The Doctor in this scene. What do you say? At least she admits she’s powerless. Respect.
"I have a theory regarding Ruth's Doctor" Is she a demon? A dancing demon? No, something isn't right there... I have a theory: Some Dalek's dreaming, and we're all stuck inside its wacky "Doctor" nightmare.
As an autistic person, The Doctor's reaction to Graham opening up was actually kinda relatable to me. Sometimes it's not easy for me (and for many autistic people) to express my thoughts and feelings through my expressions or sometimes even my words. And after The Doctor says "I'll move to the console and think of something I should've said in 2 minutes", they look at each other and you can see that she didn't have to say anything to be with her friend. (I actually think 13 shows other autistic traits like talking and explaining too much sometimes (which is disliked by many fans but is very much relatable to me), but I don't know if that was their intent) I felt like they were trying to show that you don't have to find the right words to be able to help a friend, as long as you're ready to listen to them and be with them the best you can.
I think this episode was another low; some pretty major plot holes or lazy writing. The companions never got a chance to overcome their fears and nightmares but simply saved by the doctor and also the Doctor got out of her nightmare without any trouble. The monster didn’t make much sense and the whole episode felt like 12 ideas squashed into being one episode. The villains sorta we soniced away and then they sorta tagged on some stuff at the end to score some brownie points and tie up the nightmares ( which they should’ve done in the dreams ) - a real weak one.
I loved this episode and get more and more vibes of the classic series. The acting was great and several of the sub plots made my eyes wet. Emotional and warm, but still spooky. 8/10 for me.
Council of Geeks makes the (very good) assertion that the episode is about depression- that the eternals are metaphors for the voices in your head that sow doubt and depression, and the twin planets and cell are the heart and the mind and the struggle to keep the negative thoughts from escaping.
8:05 Hey now, I know it can be frustrating seeing the sonic to much, especially as Jodie waves it about like a magic wand instead of using it like a tool, but take it from someone who watched all of those episodes, being without it is far worse in the long run.
I thought it was excellent....one of the best for a long time. The cheesy pacing was restricted for a change. My only criticism was that the immortal villains were too easy to trick and defeat
So we finally get a sci fi episode, some good villains ... and they just end it like that. Instead the show ends with 15 minutes of Yas and Ryans friend talking about their mental health. Is this a sci fi show or a soap opera, dr who or eastenders?
Series 12 is photographed fantastically. Much better than you were used to. This episode certainly has its weaknesses (zack - case solved). I think the small number of episodes is a problem - there is little time to really tell a big story.
I agree with most of your observations, but I disagree with you saying that the Doctor saying she was socially awkward was disingenuous with her character. I am able to go out and interact with people, but I am not comfortable with it. When someone asks me hard questions, I don't always know how to answer and kind of shut down, like the Doctor did. At least she did it in a way that let Graham know why she wasn't answering and that she did care about him. For me, it was perfectly in keeping with the Doctor's character and the message of the show.
As much as I really kinda hated the "here's a convenient pill for your brain clot that I conveniently keep right here for just such occasions" thing from the Gangers episode a couple Doctors back, I was honestly a bit surprised that the Doctor wasn't more like, "Oh yeah, there's totally a cure for cancer, let me just whip you up a little thing." I thought the awkward stare down thing was her just sort of waiting for him to ask if there was a fancy time traveler cancer cure and then POOF, here it is and all's well and back to all the other existential crises that have nothing to do with cancer. And on the one hand, I'm kinda glad they didn't just whip out the old Cure of Convenience, but on the other hand, the whole, "still socially awkward" thing and leave it hand and don't even try to connect and just narrate yourself wandering off, wishing you had something good to say was REALLY weird.
I think the scenario at the end between Grahm and the Doctor is to show that she’s not human, not that she’s socially awkward. Every Doctor has at least one instance where the show that while they can function in Human society, they are in fact, not human, and it is all an act of the Doctor pretending to be human.
@SpiritusC I was thinking of pretty much the same thing because I was watching it and I thought that the prison blowing up was a great cliffhanger but no they just rushed through the ending
@SpiritusC I was quite exited because I liked the tesla episode and judoon episode but I is gone back to season 11 at this point and there are to many massages
Tbh I don't mind that series 12 is so earth bound, as most of the stories are still quite interesting and exciting, even though I still wish that they left out the reveal that orphan 55 is actually earth. Also: I kinda wish that they stop using the sonic so often, I mean they could just give her a device for scanning or show the doctor building one, instead of using the fancy door opener to do this kind of stuff.
Liked this ep. Loved the backstory on the immortals art style. I liked baldy. Felt like a god would be like. facetious. Unimpressed. Arrogant but not over the top. I wish the dr had done something different with Graham’s last speech. There’ll be a lot of people watching who can relate to this feeling of something that will never truly be gone i.e bad health. That was the time the dr needed a good speech. AND ALSO WHEN DID THE SONIC START DEFYING GRAVITY.
I'm upset that episodes 3 & 7 are NOT on VoD! The 77 minutes is a heck more accurate than 99% of the times the Doctor has tried to arrive at specific times. BTW: I still maintain that "The Cabin in the Woods" is a prequel to "Godzilla: King of Monsters". And to be honest being socially awkward is difficult, but sometimes you learn how to hide it. The Doctor, especially THIS Doctor, always looks for the big things to distract everyone and get their attention off of her...even when she's the center of what is needed to fix it. I think this is the episode that is really leading towards them leaving, weather it is them being forced out, left behind, or doing something the Doctor can't forgive them for. Having seen the next episode, and your review of this one, I'm seeing a mixture of them wanting out, but an action either she or they take which seals the split between her and them.
As much as he'd like to cameo in Doctor Who, Rich isn't ACTUALLY paid by the BBC. He's not even paid by us, come to think of it.
The fact you actually have to clarify this really hurts my soul.. some people.. Christ 😅
I would put forward the idea of Rich doing some Classic Doctor Who retrospective Ups and Downs when the current series ends, but if he ain't getting paid, then whats the point? :P
@@matthewbelcher5389 I'm sure he could, you don't come across as the brightest of people.
@@markayers3339 I think that would be amazing
@@matthewbelcher5389 Any money the BBC were to slip to reviewers in return for positive reviews would be peanuts compared to the money the same reviewer could make by being the journalist who uncovered corruption at the BBC. Or if one, just one, reviewer blew the whistle because maybe some are actually decent people. Conspiracy theories rely too much on literally everyone going along with it for some reason.
I was wondering how many people honestly got the references to The Eternals, The Guardians, and The Celestial Toymaker? It pleased me greatly.
@Movieflix PLUS - Not having seen it, it's impossible for me to posit an honest opinion on it.
I did, but was surprised he didn't mention Fenric.
He and Rakaya both really seem more along the lines of Fenric than any of the other immortals he did mention.
@@SplotchTheCatThing Good point about Fenric. But, yeah I enjoyed the other references.
Splotch the Cat-Thing Also the Gods of Ragnarok. There’s a whole subset of Who villains these fit in with. That part was all done, minus the rushed ending.
I'm sure that most hardcore fans did
The villains were so easily defeated. I was like that’s it??
There is always the tried and true plot devise of "they let themselves be defeated to further their plans".
Pop Culture Puppets literally was thinking that same thing
Hey rich. When the series has finished. Why not review previous episodes. Maybe even classic who as well?
TimeForTeletubbies I would personally love this, because his reviews are excellent. Also I’d love to see his opinions on previous episodes
Voltaic Fire rich definitely does great reviews. When series 12 was coming out I was on the channel looking for the next review
Voltaic Fire I am a family friendly UA-cam channel so...
Thank you for the work this channel does on normalising mental health issues. It is really important, especially since (I’m guessing) your core demographic is also a high risk group. Well done.
2:18 pretty sure it was 1380 Aleppo, not 1830.
While the message is a good one overall I feel that without the ending it loses it's effect, throughout the story we're shown and told that Mental Health issues are normal, of all ages and that how we engage with them is what makes us strong. What the end does is show us the first steps of dealing with it/processing it. Ryan's friend going out and finding a social support group, new people that have experienced the same or similar things, a group that understands him. With Yaz we see that what we experience now is but a moment, and that times can change and improve. We see her make that first step and we know how she came out on the other side. Graham's interaction with the Doc is about finding somebody to talk to and put it out there, accepting that this is still a part of you and starting to carry it with him instead of running from it. While the Doc is showing that sometimes your friends aren't the right people to talk to, and that they won't always know what to say or be able to support you.
"Only three episodes left....Up!" Couldn't put it better myself.
She used the Tardis to crack the code not the sonic. She used the sonic to connect the Tardis to the thing that needed the code broke.
some people say they hated it, some people say they loved it... personally, i liked it.
I was proper confused at the fact that The Doctor discovers what’s keeping those planets colliding is a prison. But she doesn’t stop to think once about what she could be releasing and if it deserves to be in prison. Which was my first thought straight away... It’s not like she goes about on earth releasing everyone from prison. So why she would do this in space without even thinking about the ramifications of her doing so? I’m baffled. 🤔🧐🤷♀️
Didn't the Doctor have the opposite reaction to the Pandorica? He didn't open it because he wanted to figure out what was inside it first
@dr103 But she didn't know that, she assumed the dream guy put her there. But he didn't. And that's the issue, she made assumptions without pursuing facts, which is the exact opposite to what the Doctor did with the Pandorica
@@mlgnerd13 and this is to quote spyfall an upgraded doctor
@@jmorton201 Yeah. Jodie is sure as HELL NOT an Upgrade.
I'm not surprised at this point. 13 has proven herself to be completely incompetent and annoying so this is par for the course with her. The fact that you're confused is just more proof because WE know that this is entirely out of character for the Doctor. Then again Jodie refused to watch the show so it isn't too surprising she has zero understanding of her character.
I really enjoyed the episode but I cant really argue with any of your downs. Normally I'm fine with the quick wrap ups cos Doctor Who has always somewhat solved the issue at the eleventh hour out of nowhere but even I thought she beat the gods way too fast. I laughed at the Doctors reaction to Graham cos it was how I would be in my head when someone tells me something emotional but looking back at it that was a poor choice for the scene. 3 moral stories in one season is completely fine, Doctor Who is meant to educate us on these things but as long as it's not every episode and some are just fun or good/scary stories.
I think that the Socially Awkward bit fits in well for the Doctor in General (moreso for, say, Capaldi's), and I do see elements of this trait in Whitaker's, so I didn't find that out of place. Here tendency to just babble and talk about random things; her extreme secretiveness (even compared to past incarnations); her avoidance of sensitive subjects. I think that this fit in well with her, actually.
exactly... she has shown that awkwardness quite often including being too blunt and not subtle at all saying the wrong thing... etc...
It was fine for me too. Less that Whittaker’s doctor is socially awkward, and more that she doesn’t talk about real personal feelings. She is either presenting as friendly/happy and curious (with occasional indignation for the bad guys), or she withdraws. Her companions know very little about her and her past (the aforementioned secretiveness). Although, I do agree that she can sometimes be Awkward Doctor too.
this scene was cruel how she didn't care about graham's fear of dying from cancer. she's like "yeah, whatever i dont care, i'll just go"
@@bahadirozer you are either misunderstanding or intentionally misrepresenting what she said. She in no way said she didn't care; she expressed that she didn't know what to say, and made it clear that her walking away wasn't out of not caring but because she didn't know what to say. She further made it clear that while acting busy, she would be thinking over what she could have or should have said to help.
It's a very natural reaction. Maybe you always know the perfect thing to say in every situation, but others do not. I would say that her response is much more respectful and thoughtful than the usual meaningless platitudes that people would normally drop in such a situation.
@@seangleeson8073 its a very natural answer for a human like you and me. not for a time lord who lived 1000 years and seen lots and lots of people and other living creatures. who lost many friends and loved ones. doctor always knew what to say in these situations. this is weird.
You matter too Rich. Bloody quality as always, this week I can do nothing but agree with you. 3 more left of the series though, not long till its over again. I'll probably miss these ups and downs more than the actual show because atleast these are always great to watch, whereas Who leaves me just hoping that it'll be a good one on Sunday.
I felt the socially awkward thing worked. In my eyes, she is in some ways. Throughout the episode, she was babbling even when they weren't there. She has no off switch. To be honest she has more in common with girl ADHD than social awkwardness.
I felt the same way. I also noticed she never really gets personal with this trio. She may just be uncomfortable when it comes to dealing with personal issues, especially when it comes to the mortality of her companions.
And the Doctor also knows from long experience that a friend saying the WRONG thing is way worse than admitting you don't know the right thing to say.
She cares about the companions and the Earth, but she holds them at arms length. She's not down for the big emotional talk. I thought that exchange was great
I just found it insulting and out of character. It made socially awkward akin to cowardice. Almost every past Doctor has had some level of awkwardness when it comes to social conventions. Hell! 12 needed notecards to use with strangers. But at the end of the day a REAL Doctor will be there for the companion and at least make an effort to comfort them when they are in pain. Using 12 as an example again, look at how he reacted when Clara had to deal with losing Danny. It's just selfish not to even make the effort to make the person feel better just because your a bit out of your comfort zone. That isn't putting others first like a real Doctor would. Heck! She didn't even have to get touchy feely she could have scanned him with her sonic and told him that he was alright. Its cowardly to just say "I'm socially awkward" when someone is being incredibly vulnerable. The Doctor's motto is never cruel or cowardly. 13 certainly hasn't lived up to that and this is just a prime example
@@TokinMex I see that as actually kind of an issue. The fact that she has no chemistry or connection with the companions is detrimental because the show largely revolves around the Doctor/Companion relationship.
These companions don't seem like they ever wanted to be in the Tardis.
True. They never even seem all that surprised or awed by anything. Not to mention they almost never challenge the Doctor like a good companion.
I liked the socially awkward part. It reminded me of Capaldi's "I'm very sorry for your loss" card. 🤭
Yeah, but that was funny and Capaldi usually had good writing. Plus it made more sense with Capaldi's not-big-on-talking-about-his-emotions Doctor. Not so much for Whitaker. She rarely comes off as having a lot of depth. This whole socially awkward schtick isn't working for Whitaker in my opinion. It's becoming one of the few consistent personality traits she has. I think she is overplaying it a bit. Granted it might be better if she consistently had great writing and good direction.
You did an awesome job on the presentation. I first watched Doctor Who when Tom Baker was the Doctor. I continue to watch and stay loyal to Doctor Who. Also, I am happy with Jodi Whittaker as the Doctor.
It felt very much like the impossible planet/satan pit. Loved it!!
Beth Hill No it really didn’t😂
😂 must be sarcasm
I meant more with the ancient being trapped by the people it ruled
It’s so cool that you were in an episode! Congratulations!
I 100% agree with you that the moral messages are feeling too on the nose, i appreciate them more when they make you think, and if you're gonna have so many per season you need to tone it down slightly.
I also thought the dr/Graham scene was really OOC for her and didn't really understand why they did that. I wish they'd have had Ryan overhear and comfort Graham. Especially as they've pretty much neglected the grandfather/grandson dynamic this season which seems odd too.
I'm getting tired of these messages. I watch shows like this to escape from reality, and the constant barrage of the many problems in the world. My world issues cup is full, and I'd appreciate it if they stopped it from overflowing.
If you don’t want to watch it then don’t watch it. Don’t get all angry at the BBC because you think that messages about humans and earth isn’t relevant in a Sci-Fi that’s also educational that send messages out to viewers showing that they care.
@@HybridReal good chat
@@HybridReal you completely missed the point there. Congrats
When every episode is a very special episode are any of them actually special?
Yes, compared to the rest of the show
At dee jay your thoughts reminded me of an animated show "On this very special episode of clone high someone dies"
Mrs Parr: Everyone's special, Dash.
Dash: Just another way of saying no one is.
As someone who’s currently receiving cancer treatment I completely understand Graham’s fears. I don’t feel the Doctor glossed over it, or made light of it. There’s nothing anyone can say to take that fear away.
I love me a cocky villain! Dude rolls in like ‘Yup here’s what I’m doing and I’ll even explain it slowly because you’re dumb’
I bought into the Doctor being socially awkward 100% and does fit into the character.
The 13th is absolutely socially awkward. She doesn't get social cues. She's exuberant and confident but that doesn't mean she's socially skilled
Great video as always and few of the moments I agree with your ups and down Rich. By the way, you were great in that cameo. Keep living the dream and giving thumbs up so you can get more. Perhaps, little less hairy next time? XD
The monster kind of looks like the one of temple run
M O'Neil That’s what I thought watching as well!
First thing my kids said. Especially in a temple like structure in Aleppo...
As someone with mental health I honestly wished (for once) this ep was more PC and be a bit more open about the issues. For exmaple Ryan's freind suffering from lonliness and throwing stuff around the room...I can't tell you enough how hard this hit me personally. But it was never fully spoken like previous episodes (orphan 52 and the plastic episode).
If anything the current DW ep which does a better job about the mental health message is the Van Gogh episode where the Doctor tells Pond that "the good things don't cancel out the bad, but equally the bad things don't make the good things unimportant". Depression is a killer and after the episodes the BBC gave the phone number to suicide prevention hotlines.
Once again through the message was good, Chibnol falls short of Moffat and RTD.
Think you nailed it Rich re the messaging- it ain't the message that's the problem, it's the delivery that hurts. The last two episodes start really well before Chibnall gets his filthy hands on it. And OMG, they need to destroy that bloody sonic screwdriver!
I’d like it if the doctor later on regrets not being there for Graham and tells him something very special.
Yes. Three moral messages is too much in one season. One of the reasons I've liked Doctor Who (since Doctor 3, as a matter of fact) is that it's sci-fi that doesn't take itself too seriously and doesn't preach at me. Translation: it's just fun. great characters, fun adventures, and yes-even a good cry now and then. I really want the show to go back to that instead of pulling out a soapbox to shout from every other episode.
This was definitely my favorite episode of series 12
I agree with you on the last ten minutes. I have nothing wrong with slower episodes with a good message (ie Vincent and the Docotor) but when there are so many in one season, it starts to feel a little preachy. I find that with the Chibnall era there's a lack of fun episodes, I suppose Kerblam was kind of fun.
Her cuffs are made from magnetic steel and her sonic is made of Sheffield steel which is magnetic.
Aint this just like the Nightmare Man from sarah jane adventures?
@Movieflix PLUS why would i do that?
Not really
It's very SJA but scaled waaaay up
@@georgepark6125 yh thats what thought they defo took the idea from it tho and tried to make it there own but It stuck out like a sore thumb.
Having a message in an episode isn't bad... as long as the message is subtle. That is great writing, but when they shout that message from the rooftops and hit the audience with it akin to using a bat or sledgehammer... then that's bad writing and makes one want to skip the show... it's one of many reasons that I hardly watch this show anymore.
Loved it though the ending was rushed. Great messages. Loved the references to the toy maker and guardians. All of the doctors all have a bit of awkwardness in them. That made sense.
Too much soap opera schlock, and the "gods" got defeated waaaaay too easily. And there was too much fingering in this one 🤣
Like i said before, they are not good with technology. Only nightmare stuff
Soap Opera? You really didn't get what this ep was all about, did you...? -,-
This episode was about depression and the idea is that with the help of allies and talking to people you can make a difference and stop depression. The idea that they were not beaten shows that you can only stop it temporarily and they could free themselves again.
@@swannbenziane7880 exactly! Sad to see that people don't recognize subtle messages. They call Orphan 55 hamfisted, but when it is not thrown at them, they don't even see it.
@@MydieLy yeah
Please could you do ups and downs from all episodes of new who? I'd love to watch them!
Anyone else feel they just ripped off the nightmare man from SJA?
I think the doctor Graham interaction was the care and emotion we get from Jodie's doctor. She wants them close even if she's afraid to express it. And it would feel unrealistic if she gave a big speech and he was just alright. The "I don't know what to say, but I'll always listen, because one word isn't gonna fix it" is a more realistic expression for me.
Personally is don't think this episode worked very well. The story felt very reminiscent of classic who, which in itself isn't a bad thing, but when combined with the short 50 min run time (which doesn't allow for the personal stakes gained throughout watching a multiple part story of classic who) and the performance of the 13th doctor being considerably different to a classic who doctor makes the story feel hollow, messy and frankly boring and the doctor seem out of place and unlikable. Although there were some good ideas present, the execution felt rushed and wasteful in my opinion.
Some childrens show presenter helps solve mystery in ancient times and releases an extinction level threat.
@@jmorton201 A good summary:)
@@madeleine5561 thanks
Although I felt “Can You Here Me?” borrowed from many previous story ideas (most notably “Vincent and the Doctor” and “Amy’s Choice” from ‘New Who’) it was, in my humble opinion, THE best episode from the entire two season Whittaker/Chibnall tenure - it had a proper plot and, though it had a message (“messages” seem to be the thing this season) we weren’t beaten over the head with it like we were in the dreadful “Orphan 55” and so-so anti plastic “Praxeus” - the speech Whittaker gave was warranted as it was a defensive argument rather than a sledgehammer lesson from a screeching “teacher”. And it was so refreshing that Yaz had one of the better, more nuanced scenes near the end.
Richard, can we just get over the fact that the sonic for this iteration of the Doctor is a smart sonic with apps for different uses? Yes it can be a plot device, but it’s gonna give you a headache if you don’t let it go!! Lol
i wish they didnt waste such a cool villain with such a blink and you miss it anticlimactic defeat so they could add the message scenes after.
I feel like rather than writing a story with a message now, they are just writing a message with a story. it doesn't work as well though because if someone doesnt like the story its less likely theyre going to heed the message
Am I the only one who thought that the doctors response to Graham was a gag not some big revelation? Or is that just me?
The timeless child in the doctors nightmare looks like a young Yaz? Maybe this is her true secret and there’s a fob watch hidden somewhere in her flat 🤷🏼♂️
Love your channel! Have to give you a red point for your year at 2.17 😜
Did anyone notice that someone at the BBC forgot to do the CGI for inside the TARDIS when they are getting out of it on the space platform?
Those who want drama without characterisation and humanisations, need to understand with out that it’s just action without motivation. Drama like it or not holds is a mirror and shows us the human condition.
Anyone else get a Superman 2/General Zod vibe when Zillin and his pal went down to harvest nightmares?
Theory, the cop who talks to yaz is herself from the future. I think yaz chooses to travel with the doctor a while longer and then decides she want to be dropped of back in time to watcher herself grow up.
Whilst I agree at the end it was a little obvious it did actually make me tear up which is rare for Dr Who. All in all this season is a significant step up so far IMO
I was really hoping to know this doctor better by now. She still doesn’t really have a defined personality and feels like a blank canvas, and she only has one season left. I feel like we still don’t know her very well 🤷♀️
There is nothing forcing Doctors to only have 3 seasons. Whittaker could break the expectations and stay on for another 4 seasons.
My theory is that, at the very least, Ryan is leaving at the end of the season. I’m not sure about Yaz and Graham though.
@Movieflix PLUS why are you asking this on every comment
We can dream.
If you want to have a baseball bat moral hit you, try watching 'happiness patrol" lol
did anyone have nolstlga watching this episode as it was similar to the 11th doctor episode remeber the Dream LOrd
the best bit about the episode was the returnof the Master
When does the master return?
The Master doesn't appear in this episode. If so, where?
I just wanna stay awake though the next episode, haven't watched a single one start to finish in one go yet.
They are setting up team tardis’s departure hopefully. For the first time I don’t feel for these companions like I did with the others. Gone are the fast paced days of Tennant and Smith who ran into danger with a plan. We’re now left with the Jodie the Confused Dr. Perhaps that fall through the train roof was harder than we originally thought
Yeah, I get what they were going for with Graham and the Doctor, but they bungled it a bit.
A bit? ;)
That is like saying WW2 was a bit of a spat! ;)
Love the sonic prop
14:00 Please. PLEASE let Series 12 be the last fucking Series with multiple companions for a while. Four main characters in the Tardis is TOO MUCH when you're juggling them and whatever new side characters there are in the various stories.
darksector41 I think 2 is a good amount
@@prof.evilpictures8696 Two's good. I'd prefer 1 for this Doctor's next series though as I just need more of just the Doctor if you know what I mean. The Doctor interacting with the problem of the week is what I enjoy most about the show.
I didn’t think her exchange with Graham at the end was particularly out of character. Clara: “I’m his carer” Capaldi “Yeah, she cares so I don’t have to” - countless examples (including classic) where the doctor doesn’t do empathy - isn’t sure how to handle emotions of humans. This, to me, was just another one of those. Maybe she just needs another set of flash cards.
I’ve seen a few reviews of this episode and every reviewer has at least once said 1830 rather than 1380. I wonder what is so difficult about saying 1380, there must be something because every reviewer is making the same mistake.
Another episode where the characters are concerned about the passing of time. In Praxius the Doctor says to Yas “we don’t have enough time” and in this episode we see Ryan and Yas discussing how long their adventures are going to take and worried about losing out to the passing of time in their normal lives. Have they all forgotten that they travel around in a time machine?
It seems to be. Why are the companions friends and family even noticing they're away at all? It's not like this hasn't ever came up in Doctor Who at all before. It was actually the fact the Tardis was also a time machine that finally convinced Rose to join the Doctor all the way back after all.
Hi Rich! Let’s *looks at English to English dictionary* have a row about that last down!
I do not believe The Doctor was dismissive. I believe The Doctor was listening intently, considered what she could do or say to make Grant’s *specific* situation better, and decided Grants reaction was reasonable. With that, The Doctor accepted blame for Grant’s lack of fulfillment by citing her own flaws.
I mention Grants specific situation because it’s cancer. Cancer killed my parents (cervical and lung) and threatened my wife (thyroid). Real talk: nothing makes it better. Hell, my wife is a lot like grant; she hits all her check-ups and things look fine. I relate to The Doctor in this scene. What do you say? At least she admits she’s powerless. Respect.
"I have a theory regarding Ruth's Doctor"
Is she a demon? A dancing demon? No, something isn't right there...
I have a theory: Some Dalek's dreaming, and we're all stuck inside its wacky "Doctor" nightmare.
But what's with all the Cybermen? Who needs Cybermen anyway! Cybermen, it must be Cybermen.
Love the Buffy reference :)
Is that by any chance a Buffy (once more with feeling) episode reference? 😁😁😁
As an autistic person, The Doctor's reaction to Graham opening up was actually kinda relatable to me. Sometimes it's not easy for me (and for many autistic people) to express my thoughts and feelings through my expressions or sometimes even my words. And after The Doctor says "I'll move to the console and think of something I should've said in 2 minutes", they look at each other and you can see that she didn't have to say anything to be with her friend. (I actually think 13 shows other autistic traits like talking and explaining too much sometimes (which is disliked by many fans but is very much relatable to me), but I don't know if that was their intent)
I felt like they were trying to show that you don't have to find the right words to be able to help a friend, as long as you're ready to listen to them and be with them the best you can.
I wait for your review more than the episode 😂
I think this episode was another low; some pretty major plot holes or lazy writing. The companions never got a chance to overcome their fears and nightmares but simply saved by the doctor and also the Doctor got out of her nightmare without any trouble. The monster didn’t make much sense and the whole episode felt like 12 ideas squashed into being one episode. The villains sorta we soniced away and then they sorta tagged on some stuff at the end to score some brownie points and tie up the nightmares ( which they should’ve done in the dreams ) - a real weak one.
I’m sorry, but the moral message wasn’t nuanced 😂
It was in comparison to every other Chibnall episode. For once the story came before the morality.
I loved this episode and get more and more vibes of the classic series. The acting was great and several of the sub plots made my eyes wet. Emotional and warm, but still spooky. 8/10 for me.
Council of Geeks makes the (very good) assertion that the episode is about depression- that the eternals are metaphors for the voices in your head that sow doubt and depression, and the twin planets and cell are the heart and the mind and the struggle to keep the negative thoughts from escaping.
Anyone else miss the sonic sunglasses Capaldi had?
Weirdly, yes.
No, can't say I do.
Although I do admit, not having the sonic to save the day did help the show not rely on it as a vice.
I thought the bald guy was going to be the nightmare man from the Sarah Jane adventures
8:05
Hey now, I know it can be frustrating seeing the sonic to much, especially as Jodie waves it about like a magic wand instead of using it like a tool, but take it from someone who watched all of those episodes, being without it is far worse in the long run.
My only pet peeve is that the Doctor is still over using the sonic.
I thought it was excellent....one of the best for a long time. The cheesy pacing was restricted for a change. My only criticism was that the immortal villains were too easy to trick and defeat
David Cripps Shame it wasn’t though
So we finally get a sci fi episode, some good villains ... and they just end it like that. Instead the show ends with 15 minutes of Yas and Ryans friend talking about their mental health. Is this a sci fi show or a soap opera, dr who or eastenders?
This episode reminds me of the impossible planet , especially the part about going by many names. The Sonic really did get overused
Series 12 is photographed fantastically. Much better than you were used to. This episode certainly has its weaknesses (zack - case solved). I think the small number of episodes is a problem - there is little time to really tell a big story.
I watch these videos so I donn't have to put myself through the garbage that is The Chibnall Era
I agree with most of your observations, but I disagree with you saying that the Doctor saying she was socially awkward was disingenuous with her character. I am able to go out and interact with people, but I am not comfortable with it. When someone asks me hard questions, I don't always know how to answer and kind of shut down, like the Doctor did. At least she did it in a way that let Graham know why she wasn't answering and that she did care about him.
For me, it was perfectly in keeping with the Doctor's character and the message of the show.
As much as I really kinda hated the "here's a convenient pill for your brain clot that I conveniently keep right here for just such occasions" thing from the Gangers episode a couple Doctors back, I was honestly a bit surprised that the Doctor wasn't more like, "Oh yeah, there's totally a cure for cancer, let me just whip you up a little thing." I thought the awkward stare down thing was her just sort of waiting for him to ask if there was a fancy time traveler cancer cure and then POOF, here it is and all's well and back to all the other existential crises that have nothing to do with cancer. And on the one hand, I'm kinda glad they didn't just whip out the old Cure of Convenience, but on the other hand, the whole, "still socially awkward" thing and leave it hand and don't even try to connect and just narrate yourself wandering off, wishing you had something good to say was REALLY weird.
Definitely my joint last favourite episode of this season. Looking forward to next weeks though.
I loved the episode
I think the scenario at the end between Grahm and the Doctor is to show that she’s not human, not that she’s socially awkward. Every Doctor has at least one instance where the show that while they can function in Human society, they are in fact, not human, and it is all an act of the Doctor pretending to be human.
This episode was one big acid trip
I feel like this would be better as a two parter
@SpiritusC I was thinking of pretty much the same thing because I was watching it and I thought that the prison blowing up was a great cliffhanger but no they just rushed through the ending
@SpiritusC I was quite exited because I liked the tesla episode and judoon episode but I is gone back to season 11 at this point and there are to many massages
@SpiritusC I wasn't the biggest can of praxius
@SpiritusC the massages in the new episodes are to preachy when the massage should be subtle like depression in Vincent and the doctor
@SpiritusC something about being misunderstood because that is what Frankenstein was and that is the next episode
I loved this episode
We've known that this doctor was socially awkward from her first episode. What we didn't know, is that it might actually be intentional ... ?
Tbh I don't mind that series 12 is so earth bound, as most of the stories are still quite interesting and exciting, even though I still wish that they left out the reveal that orphan 55 is actually earth.
Also: I kinda wish that they stop using the sonic so often, I mean they could just give her a device for scanning or show the doctor building one, instead of using the fancy door opener to do this kind of stuff.
Liked this ep. Loved the backstory on the immortals art style. I liked baldy. Felt like a god would be like. facetious. Unimpressed. Arrogant but not over the top. I wish the dr had done something different with Graham’s last speech. There’ll be a lot of people watching who can relate to this feeling of something that will never truly be gone i.e bad health. That was the time the dr needed a good speech. AND ALSO WHEN DID THE SONIC START DEFYING GRAVITY.
Like I said on an Instagram, Mary Shelley traveled for a time with the Eighth Doctor, are they going to address that?
We still don't know what happened to U.N.I.T and Torchwood, I would like to know what happened
Am I the only one really wanting to see Timothy Olyphant play Howard Hughes in Doctor Who?
I'm upset that episodes 3 & 7 are NOT on VoD! The 77 minutes is a heck more accurate than 99% of the times the Doctor has tried to arrive at specific times. BTW: I still maintain that "The Cabin in the Woods" is a prequel to "Godzilla: King of Monsters". And to be honest being socially awkward is difficult, but sometimes you learn how to hide it. The Doctor, especially THIS Doctor, always looks for the big things to distract everyone and get their attention off of her...even when she's the center of what is needed to fix it. I think this is the episode that is really leading towards them leaving, weather it is them being forced out, left behind, or doing something the Doctor can't forgive them for. Having seen the next episode, and your review of this one, I'm seeing a mixture of them wanting out, but an action either she or they take which seals the split between her and them.
@2:18 It's 1380 Aleppo, not 1830!!