@@Techno_Bunny433 literally just goes,” Have you ever head of the tragedy of the shepherds boy? I thought not. It’s not a story that the Timelords would tell. It’s a human story.”
I've tweeted this before, but I'm going to go into more detail here. To make Ruby's mum work as a nobody, there needs to be an explanation about how the moment Ruby was abandoned was a weak moment in time, as there were Goblins, Sutekh, two Tardises and a time window all interrupting. Playing off the "time is memory" thing, every thought Ruby ever had about her mum became reality. Childhood Ruby has built out a great mystery around her mother, that she's a special robed figure who Gods fear, which brings it into reality. The only thing that's 'true' of her mum, is the point. As Ruby's stood in the time window, calling for her mum, her mother hears her. She turns to point at her daughter in the future, sensing that she will save the universe some day. You could even have her mum say "I always knew you'd be special" when they meet, implying that both their ideas of one another made them important, and that love stretched across time and space even if they'd never met EDIT: Also the song thing could be built into this. Ruby used music to deal with her emotions, so of course the God of Music would respond to such raw emotions. It's something that could be played with more in future, as we see more of Ruby's musical side and maybe build on that 'music is powerful' idea from Devil's Chord
45:40 - Just wanna point out that the explanation for why he can't unfasten the lead is in the episode. When the rope is introduced the Doctor explains that "That hook is a molecular bond", which is a fairly explicit statement that it binds to whatever it attaches to with incredible force, like welding two objects together. Basically, the rope still feels like a cheap ex-machina but the reason he can't remove the rope is very much explained.
Am I the only one who believes that ruby can unknowingly warp reality? The snow appearing, “something is wrong with this creature”, basically how she created an entire reality and story for herself in 73 yards and the importance of her mother being built up enough to scare gods
@@thomasbridge1997 I just started to think that all the mysteries surrounding Ruby were not placed there just to mess with the audience by RTD. Everything started when Ruby entered the TARDIS (the pointing finger memory change and the always-present snow). So, some alteration to the story have been made… by the Narrator. That one may be something/someone coming from very far (The Land Of Fiction in The Mind Robber), and may be Mrs Flood, the one character constantly breaking the 4th wall. Even the lamp-post absence in TCORR may be deliberate by RTD and blameable to her “corrections”. So even if she and her mother are still some “normal nobody” they may be unwilling part of someone else’s scheme.
YES. Honestly that was the twist I thought they were/are pushing, not that her mom was anything special but that *she* was. Maybe she's some dormant member of the Pantheon or something completely unrelated, but I feel Ruby being something supernatural is a much better explanation to the snow, ambulance glitching, 73 yards, mom being a mystery, etc.
The only answer we have right now is that believing in its importance changed reality yes. Ruby had the power to warp reality because laws of reality became more flexible thanks to the salt thing so it became possible to believe in its importance to make it actually supernatura..
There is a way to make Ruby's family normal and have her be responsible for warping reality: someone made a deak with the trickster and diesnt remember it. It could be a human like Ruby herself or either of her mothers. Alternatively, it could explain how Sutekh became a god to begin with. The Trickster made a deal with an extremely powerful mortal in danger of dying to change thier fate. Heck it could be several smaller deals all coming together.
... Man, you're right about Rogue. Definitely a second episode story. Or third if you count The Church on Ruby Road. Now you've pointed out that she only says she's seen space babies before, it just sticks out like a sore thumb. Space Babies, Rogue, Boom, Dot and Bubble, either 73 Yards then The Devil's Chord or The Devil's Chord then 73 Yards. I think that should have been the running order. TDC and 73 Yards are, in my opinion, meant to be the lead up to the final, after a fun beginning which turns dark whenever you pick up on the racism in DaB.
I realised a few weeks ago why no members of Ruby’s birth family could be traced, which is to do with what was happening in The Church on Ruby Road: The Goblins. These days, as ancestry DNA testing is really common in the UK, it’s impossible to have no matches, if not close family, you’d at least have distant cousins. And it’s a pretty big coincidence that absolutely no member of Ruby’s birth family did a heritage DNA test, and major bad luck, so I think that was down to the Goblins. When the Doctor and Ruby were tied up in the Goblin ship, she said that her accidents started happening weeks ago, so I think that it was the interview with Davina on December 1st when it started. To cause Ruby bad luck, I think when she submitted her DNA sample to the investigation team, the Goblins went back in time and stopped any of Ruby’s relatives who’d done a heritage test from doing one, so that when Ruby’s DNA was submitted to the various heritage DNA databases that Long Lost Family had access to, there were no matches. So, before the Goblins changed time, the relatives of Ruby who’d done a test were on the databases until the Goblins sneakily changed things so that Ruby couldn’t find any of her birth family.
Boom if my favorite episode specifically because I'm a sucker for something filmed all in one location. Like an '02 movie called Phone Booth which took place all at one phone booth. I just absolutely love seeing what they do with that restriction.
I love that the Doctor cries at the end of Dot and Bubble, not because he's offended, but because these people are throwing their lives away. He doesn't care that they're racist, he just wants to save them. He cries because they don't want HIM to save them.
This is very random but my class just watched a classic play called Hedda Gabler that only has one set. You can look up National Theatre at home and rent it. It's good, though there are definitely content warnings needed. Even if you look up spoilers, though, it's a good ride.
My issue is the the episodes came out in an order that didn't work. Rearrange the episodes and it works so much better. It needed 1-2 more episodes to really make the arch work, but changing the order helps!
As someone who had never heard of Sutekh before, I was just completely confused as to *WHO* Sutekh was; my instinct even told me it was the Susan Twist character... It wasn't a frightening or tension creating revelation to me, just a weirdly animated Egypt inspired dog and a disbodied voice.The final episode didn't clear this up, and it wasn't until I watched vids on YT that I was sure who I was supposed to be daunted by. A bit of a belly flop for me in other words. Rouge was bloody brilliant though! (Disclaimer: I'm not located in the UK nor British so no access to BBC/previous seasons [but I've seen some New Who] and apologies for grammar and spelling mistakes)
I need more Ncuti written by Moffat. With all due respect to RTD, I want him to be his own Doctor but still feel him embodie every Doctor he has been simultaneously and I don't think he is there yet. Boom gives him that old man in the young man's body vibe like Smith or if talking about 12 who is mature again after a few lifetimes and needs to redefine who the old Doctor is now
I love the freshness of your review. Very positive. I did not mind the low key finale but Sutek is disposed too easily. Over all, I really liked Season 1. More episodes, indeed. Thanks for uploading.
28:58 I spat my drink out from that comment lmao. ALSO 57:39 I outright had someone tell me that "crying is a sign of weaknessm the Doctor isn't weak" and I basically said "I think it takes true strength to cry and show emotion instead of bottling it up. You know what's weak?, being too afraid to show your feelings" and they had a tantrum and stormed off...
Boom: Moffat is back. Do I need to say more? RTD was never my favorite showrunner or writer, Moffat was/is. This episode was amazing, it was everything I wanted from a serious episode (such as Midnight or Satan Pit or Zygon Inversion). "It's a Moffat episode of course a companion is going to die" sent me because it's so freaking true, and yet they always make it in the end. But this was a lovely episode that showcased the importance not of writing fast paced scenes with lots of flair, but rather how to masterfully execute tearjerking and hearttugging suspense out of a guy having to stand still. And I couldn't agree more with the "doctor is helpless" yes, that is the point and it's terrifiying because even in "impossible" situations such as being couped up in a micro tardis or stuck on a dead planet outside of the universe, the Doctor always has an idea or a plan. Here in Boom, the plan is to just... Hope that it will solve itself (until the solution is presented). The one thing I can say about the episode that I didn't like is the fact that it is... A Moffat episode which tends to mean that we get some type of 'deus ex machina' solution in the end having to do with love being stronger than anything (much like the whole of Amys arch which was about love and memories).
Part of me wonders if it is the trickster doing things in order for Sutek to be defeated by the doctor and then it would make it so he doesn’t have any competition. With the Toymaker defeated by the doctor and give him an idea to start to trick sutek into thinking she is important by playing all these tricks and then finally after the doctor’s memory changed in the past making Sutek finally enact his plan.
i think it was good overall, but personally, i enjoy doctor who when it is less just straight up supernatural and more science, i know 11 was more fairy tale but it was still rooted in science i do hope it is a plot point that does get resolved, kate did say that the impossible is starting to become possible, so it could be a season 2 or 3 main plot
I’m not disappointed at all. I mean by your video. Even if one season is not enough to do an analysis like you did for the Capaldi era, but this review makes me feel better: I too enjoyed this season, the new Doctor, the new dinamics and the variety of story types, even if I felt disappointed by both finale deliveries after that stunning cliffhanger. But even if it could have been disappointing (I mean the season this time), it had no “Legend of the Sea Devils” like episode at least in it.
Ive spent my whole 16 years of life hearing about Doctor Who, my parents loved it so much they had a Doctor Who themed wedding and named me after one of the characters, but Ncuti's doctor is the first one ive watched in about a decade, and i love it. I cant speak to how strong the episode plots are compared to other doctors, especially since its still only the first series and i think doctors usually get at least two, but i LOVE his portrayal of the doctor. A campy doctor just makes sense to me. Baker will always be my mum's doctor, DT was my first doctor, but i think Ncuti is in the running for the title of MY doctor. I didnt watch Space Babies but i saw the rest of the episode and i adore them, the musical number was so fun, the acting was great, i pray Rogue comes back if we get another season i love him dearly. I actually really like that Ruby's mum was just some lady, cuz thats how it is to be adopted, you spend years building your biological parent up as some mystical tragedy, only to find out, a lot of the time, they were just young and afraid. Also her grandma was iconic, shoutout to the grandma.
One thing I really liked about Dot and Bubble was the Doctor's characterization at the end. Specifically how he still tries to save the people of Finetime even after learning that they are white supremacists. The people of Finetime are written to be very hateable especially at the end and a lot of non-racist people would probably just abandon them outright because of the racism but not the Doctor. He knows that they wouldn't survive a day without his help and he doesn't want to abandon them just because of their prejudices. So he tries his best to convince them to let him help them and it visibly frustrates and saddens him when he fails. Really peak Doctor moment IMO even though he failed and the people he was trying to save were terrible people.
In 73 Yards, some of the pub people call Mad Jack "The Spiteful One" In Legend, Harriet mentions Reprobate, the God of Spite. Could they be connected? 🤔 RTD did just make up Reprobate after all, as well as Incensor goddess of disaster (who could be Mrs Flood)
I think of this season as a bit of a reverse of season 2 of NuWho, in that this season was really strong but was let down by a weak finale whereas season 2 has a lot of weak monster-of-the-week episodes but is saved by a really strong finale. But for me, the bread and butter, the DNA, of Doctor Who is in its episodic nature (we never got these big season finales in Classic Who) so I would prefer to rewatch this whole season than sit through Fear Her, Love and Monsters, The Idiot's Lantern etc... I tend to skip a lot of season 2 on my rewatches. And the other key thing is having a good Doctor/Companion duo to anchor even the weaker entries which this season definitley has in Ncuti and Millie. I don't think there is any season where there arent some duds but the energy of the leads makes a huge difference as to whether the mediocre stories can still be enjoyable or not.
yeah... however series 2 had feedback so rtd could strengthen aspects of it. Season 2 is already in post production so it could take on board any feedbsck people had. So you will still get the approach of mystery boxes made to generate internet buzz in season 2. Which leaves me feeling mixed because season 1 is highly mediocre
The difference is that s2 has actual 10/10 episodes like impossible planet/satan pit, girl in the fireplace and the final as you've said. S14 just doesn't have anything that comes close with most episodes being subpar or a letdown.
I agree with so many of your points here!! I feel like my general takeaway from the season is that maybe russel doesn't ever plan anything?? he just gets an idea and runs with it. and yeah thats worked really well before like you mentioned but oh my god did it fall flat here when it really needed to soar. the episodes i didn't like (space babies, devils chord and empire of death) all just really suffered from his special breed of half-baked-itis meaning i was left wanting so mcuh more. although i'm annoyed now bc i think if rogue and the devils chord swapped places in the season i would have like it a lot more!! it would have flowed so mcuh bettter. anyway. amazing analysis vid, king. chibnall bad.
Space babies was pretty poor and empire of death was just such a let down but I generally liked the series. Boom and 73yards are two of my faves and top tier stuff. I'm still looking forward to the next one despite rtd doing some really poor arc building. The ruby thing is rubbish but it isn't gonna ruin the series for me.
For the last time, it is a continuation not a reboot. A reboot is when you start telling a completey different story with different character history from the original story while keeping the same characters in order to tell the story in a different way. We ain’t starting over from doctor number 1 this is the next doctor.
Re-quel i think is the official name. A reboot that is continuously telling the story from before. Rebooting all characters but keeping everything Canon. The only same ish characters are the doctor and the tardis, and those are debatable cuz technically they're as new as eccleston was
I wasn’t sure bout the new doctor for like 3 episodes or so but when I saw it, I saw it He’s great actually and while the writing needs improvement, it may very well improve I’m into it bro
The lead on Sutekh was a callback to not just the intelligent rope from the goblin ship, but also the mavity gloves. Which also work as a molecular bond, like Rogue's trap. These things combined are the reason i don't think the ending was as bad as some people say. Because they did set those moments up. I just wish they'd had some kind of a refresher in the episode to remind us of this, because the one line of dialogue is far too subtle, as evidenced by how many people completely missed it. Doesn't make it much better. But it does explain why Sutekh was unable to stop The Doctor's plan. And i think the reason he cares is because of the unexplainable snow. BUT, maybe The Doctor DID explain it. His first thought was that the snow as a warning against going back. Maybe it wasn't Ruby making the snow. Maybe it was The Tardis. Because it knew that if The Doctor went there again, to find her identity, Sutekh will know it's deception regarding the snow, and Ruby's mother's identity. Giving him no reason to keep anyone alive. That's my theory anyway. But i think it makes sense given the events on screen. But even if i'm proven right in season 2, it wasn't well done. They could have shown this stuff on screen in a much clearer way. Especially the pointing. Because The Doctor said his memory changed. Or time itself changed. Which makes me think The Tardis had something to do with it. So overall, i don't think all of it was just made up as he went along. Because there were too many callbacks for that. I think he knew the pieces and the rough shape of it. But it didn't fit together quite the way he thought it would.
Devils Chord: It's amazing. It's a fantastic Dr Who episode. Personally I didn't like the character of Maestro (even though they were portrayed fantastic by the actor), but I loved the overall narrative/concept of Maestro as we had 'just' only seen the Toymaker and having Maestro appear in episode 2 made it feel like we would be getting a whole series of these godlike villains showing up (and we kinda did... Kinda...) The inclusion of the Beatles in the episode felt like a... Well afterthought to be honest. It felt like they knew they wanted a Maestro episode and only after the fact chose to include it in an era which would feature the Beatles. As "the historical characters" in an episode, they felt irrelevant to the greater narrative as they could've been replaced with any talent from that era. The musical themes, like the actual musical piece in the end is straight up 11/10.
Based. Personally enjoyed the season a lot. Lots of good eps & like usual, a mid RTD finale. I wish they would've just called it season 14. Also your take on Space Babies is exactly why I like it.
Rewatching these videos so glad to see this kind of attention to detail to the shows strengths and criticisms instead of just woke been shouted with uninspired thumbnails
I loved this season! Ncuti is brilliant, and I love the relationship with the Doctor and Ruby. I adore Ruby's family. Theyd better being Rogue back. And Sutekh needed a little nose scritch before he went into the void.
Based opinion YESSIR👏👑 Ncuti is incredible. The hate bandwagoning happens for every new Doctor, folks love to form an opinion before even watching just to jump ahead of the crowd on a consensus. Often these are folk who just watched 10-Rose & base all opinions of the show on them! Nostalgia is never a crutch to hate, In the words of Capaldi: Never be cruel. Never be cowardly. Hate is foolish, Love is wise ❤ Ncuti is a huge fan & did his research, I can only anticipate it gets better from here. Love your channel 👏
As much as I love the Superphone returning (and later the giving of the TARDIS key), I agree that it was executed better in The End of the World (and in 42 and The Doctor's Daughter where Martha and Donna have their phones upgrated. Those moments served as importance to the story).
I think, in the 73 Yards timeline, that Mad Jack was indeed a wicked fairy who possessed or made some kind of deal with Roger ap Gwilliam. The fairy wanted to destroy humanity and so Roger planned to nuke the world. In the normal timeline, Roger was still a terrible fascist but not someone who wanted to destroy humanity, and I think Roger's evil nature is what led Mad Jack to seek him out in the 73 Yards timeline.
The reason a lot of people don't like the ending musical song in the Devil's Chord is because it clashes so much with the essence of what Doctor Who is as a show... it's true that Doctor Who has an amazing versatility and can be many different things, but at its core it is a sci-fi drama TV show, and putting in that musical number is so at odds with the show's established identity that it threw a lot of people off.
Yup. It totally isn't a problem if Ruby and her mum are ordinary people 9and yes what a lovely and very RTD point to make) but other characters/ forces needed to have created the snow, the hidden song in Ruby, the glitching memory etc etc - you can't have loads of plot points that go nowhere and expect it to be satisfying. And whatever it was that was creating the snow etc needs to be directly linked to Sutekh and the reason he decides to enact his Sand-of-Susan plan now. And by the beard of Zeus WHY would you make the god of gods and death look like a CUTE DOG??! The skeletal, flesh-eaten face that appears to Sarah at the start of Pyramids of Mars would be a great retcon for Sutekh at the *end* of that story, hopping on board the TARDIS. But no. It's like RTD had one cool idea and then hastily filled in all the gaps.
Thanks for the video, it‘s great! I was getting sick of all the hate that this season has been receiving lately, like people collectively forgot that some RTD ideas were a flop. I haven’t thought of the fact that RTD just likes winging season arcs, but it makes total sense now. Also, comparing the number of times the doctor and ruby cried this season is cherry atop a cake, it reveals how inherently sexist a big portion of the audience is, in thinking that crying somehow takes away the doctor’s whateverness (I mainly hang out in the Russian speaking community tho, I guess it shows). Anyways, you did a great job. Honestly, you kind of rekindled my love for the series, I’ve started rewatching the Moffat era thanks to your Capaldi video ❤
I actually really liked this first season, my only notes is more episodes. The less episodes trend works best when they're trying to tell a consise story and not for just fun adventures. This made it seem like the episodes that were out there in terms of ideas were a much larger part of the season.
I can’t say I liked this season but your videos are very well put together and entertaining. It was great hearing your views. Personally the lack of logic in the season was a big issue for me and that’s even more annoying to me because of lot of issues could have had easy fixes. I also think the limit number of episodes hurt the season as we had so little time with the characters, especially with The Doctor being absent for a lot of Dot and Bubble and 73 Yards. Moving forward if we still have limit episode counts I think we need some new ideas of how to make it work. Regardless it’s nice to have some open discussion about the show without people just saying it’s bad for woke reasons. Really tired of hearing that for every show and movie that comes out these days lol
my first doctor was the 14th. So this was my first full season of Doctor Who, and I must say it was really good overall. I can't wait for the Christmas special and season 2
I'm not saying they're better, but I really think you'd enjoy the 9th-13th era (I'd reccomend starting in 11th since it's the highest quality imo, but 12th was my favorite.) I'm so jealous that you get to watch doctor who for the first time!!
Even if out of order, I'd recommend watching 'Blink' before they destroy that creature even more than they have already. 90% of the episode is without the Doctor so you don't even need to understand what he's like.
Thanks for the interesting review! I'm a big believer that no matter how we feel negativity will get us no where, so in these hate-watching fueled time it's good to see genuine discussion. I have some thoughts I just wanted to share. Fair warning, I haven't finished the series yet, I made it to the end of boom before needing to take a break because the fluctuating quality + weekly release schedule was making me lose interest but here are my thoughts: Gatwa is a FANTASTIC choice, but similar to Jodie he hasn't really had much time to shine and especially nail down an identity. Think back to 10,11, and 12 where by the end of the first episode you know exactly who they are. In comparison Gatwa is vaguely more happy and trama-less (outside of flux/timeless child). I think he definitely needs more "doctor" moments where he gives a monologue or does some miraculous save and talks about kindness. Quality is still iffy compared to moffat era. I feel like I'm pretty open and not weighed down by nostalgia, but even then I had a good amount of problems with Chibnall and unfortunately RTD V2. However, if you go back to RTD V1 you'll realize that the new season is far more similar than you remember. Old RTD was just as goofy and occasionally cringey as New RTD, the only thing that has changed is the time and many fans have been blinded by nostalgia for the Tennant era. I think the worst/best part is many of the ideas are good and extremely interesting. I love the exploration into fantasy, it's cool to get a bit more wild with DW. However, I do think they need to tie it somewhat into sci-fi. Make sure it's clear that they are still aliens. My major problem is that I've left a lot of the episodes feeling like they wasted the idea and didn't fully explore it. A great example is The Devil's chord, the concept is AMAZING, but I really didn't enjoy the episode. The beatles were wasted, the music wasn't very good, and their needed to be more interactions between The doctor and the villain. It felt like a big step down from the Toymaker. Also they have a singing doctor but only used him for a dumb gag at the end!!! Another major problem is the pacing/set-up. This is something I immediately picked up in the 60th specials. It seems like RTD has forgotten how to get characters from scene A to B in a capelling way. I really first noticed this with blue yonder, where before the 4D creatures appear the episode really struggled with the premise and writing. This has also been the case with Gatwa error and imo would instantly make the episodes feel a lot more compelling. We definitely at least need more Tardis banter. Lastly, I agree that it was time to move on from the time war, but I think we definitely need another emotional core for the doctor and timeless child just doesn't do it for me. I've accepted it for what it is but it doesn't provide characterization for the doctor like the time war did. To clarify I do not hate this era. I enjoy it an ok amount, but if things do not improve with the second season I will probably stop watching again for a while. I don't want to hate watch something or stick around for brand loyalty. I think RTD might have gone too far in some places and their definitely needs to be more focus on tightening the scripts/characterizing the doctor.
34:35 did The Doctor and Ruby “travel together for 6 months”, or did they travel together, and then take some breaks, and it was on and off until 6 months passed? I think it’s deliberately vague.
Great review, lovely job on the edit too. Really enjoyed S1, not without faults but overall I felt more emotionally connected and engaged with the show than I have for years - and just excited about it. I think D15 isn't the 'fixed' doctor implied by then end of The Giggle. We're seeing somebody who's coping with trauma by unhealthy over compensating. From forgetting the Butterfly compensation switch, to frequent tears, to falling deeply in love with strangers, behaving so recklessly that it puts himself and his friends in jeopardy (standing on things etc). How has that aspects a fine script and a nuanced performance sailed right over the heads of many people? Maybe because awareness of mental health, especially trauma, is still poor beyond very black and white media headlines. I suspect that we're seeing Who going back to it's deepest roots as an educational show, but rather than D13's rather clumsy handling of 'issues', RTD2 approach is to ask the viewer to go on that learning journey. His bombastic presentation is there to distract the (very loud critics) from it's more complex and subtle subtext. D&B being a good example - it plays differently to people with awareness/experience of microaggressions, and that provokes debate outside the show. So that's an episode superficially about influencer culture, that's really about racism, that's really about privilege and the peril of ignoring minority voices. And for the less aware, the doc is actually blowing a literal dog whistle in the finale. These are episodes designed to become classics, to mature while they sit on streaming services, wait for the clamour to settle, and work their magic. Another case in point is 73 Yards. So badly misunderstood by many, and even people who love it don't quite know why. Yet it's such a simple idea, such a brilliant handling of a Ncuti-lite ep, completely within the lore and spirit of the show, down to the title. Maybe it's a reflection of how reactionary society has become that, like the finale, when we're getting peak who, people are calling for cancellations and resignations. Sad times, but a brilliant series.
Maaaaaaaaaaaan thank you for this video! I just got caught up on the show and wanted to listen to something talking about this season while I worked. It's neat to hear things people notice about the show, or what connections they made watching it. I had to scroll through so many videos that looked like their only contribution would be screaming it was woke or some bs. I'm not watching that Dalek propaganda. Great review, I really liked this season as well. This new Doctor is really something else. The Maestro was a really cool villain, and so was the Toymaker. I thought the finale was fine on first watch, but I'm sure on rewatches the flaws might become more obvious. Looking forward to next season though!
As someone who was an avid "it's a TV show" theorist, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending from lore, but I did enjoy this series! (I also haven't finished the video so forgive me if I'm repeating) EDIT: I'm still into the theory. The idea with Ruby's mom is that Ruby is the "main character" (probably a God of Stories) and so whatever she says goes. There are lots of hints that they're in TV, least of all the 4th wall monologue at the end. The whole "she's special because you thought she was UH I MEAN WE ALL THOUGHT SO" contributes to this too. What Ruby cares about is what matters. DOUBLE EDIT: hooooly shit thank you so much for talking about how sloppy RTD can be. I've been feeling like I'm going insane! Everyone says his writing is perfect and super planned, but I see all these cracks you mentioned. He's not horrible, but literally hearing any criticism is refreshing
im currently doing a full rewatch of the revival, and i gave this season a 6.4 average - brought down quite a bit by a weak start and an offensive finale, but awesome in the middle. it's uneven. comparatively, i gave season 11 a 4.4 - mostly bad episodes brought up by enjoyable if flawed episodes like Demons of the Punjab, Witchfinders, and It Takes You Away. so yeah, according to my math 🤓 i agree with you
I found this season to be both crappy and also the best stuff I've seen in a long time. The episode quality is genuinely so variable its like Series 3 or Series 10. I thought that overall the season is probably a 6 or 7 out of 10. My personal rankings: Church on Ruby Road - 7/10 Space Babies - 2/10 Devil's Chord - 1/10 Boom - 9.5/10 73 Yards - 9/10 Dot and Bubble - 9.5/10 Rogue - 4.5/10 Legend of Ruby Sunday - 8.5/10 Empire of Death - 3/10 Mean (exc. Church on Ruby Road): 5.875/10 Mean (inc. Church on Ruby Road): 6/10 Median (exc. Church on Ruby Road): 6/10 Median (inc. Church on Ruby Road): 7/10 To be more favourable however, I could adjust the ratings to reflect the typical quality and/or significance to the series the episode placements have had in New Who so far. (including Church on Ruby Road as the 1st episode of the Season) Weighting Distribution (in my opinion) First episode usually significant: 15% Second episode often shit (imo): 5% Third episode sometimes shit (imo): 5% Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11% Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11% Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11% Penultimate Story has been bad so many times that it's fucking annoying: 3% First part of the finale is almost always insanely good, even if the finale as a whole is mid: 25% Final episode wraps up the finale to varied success 14% Total Rating: 6.96/10, much better than the 6/10 from before. The bad episodes still do really weigh this season down as a whole but there were some bangers.
I really didn't like 73 yards. We spent a whole episode with Ruby, but didn't really learn anything new about her. Plus since it basically retconned itself, she didn't grow or change either. It honestly just felt like a waste of time for me. I also liked Rogue as a character, but the emotion of the episode just didn't feel genuine to me. I think if Rogue had maybe joined them as a companion for a few adventures and then made a big sacrifice, it would've worked better for me. I just needed more time with him, more time for the relationship between him and the doctor to grow organically and not feel too rushed. The reveal of Ruby's mother still makes me angry. Her being ordinary? Fine as a concept, but the execution was terrible and just didn't work. The explanation the doctor gives doesn't actually explain all the weird stuff that was apparently just Russell lying to us in order to make the reveal more shocking. Misdirection and red herrings are different from outright lying to us. It definitely makes me just not want to bother getting invested in anything else Russell sets up. Why even theorize when I can't trust that the hints will mean anything.
I, for some reason, thought that Ruby was going to either be the Daughter of Clara or the Daughter of River and the Doctor. I did actually like the season, but I do take issue with some of it. In particular, I dislike the 8 episode season, especially because The Doctor isn't really in 2 of them. I don't think the Doctor's small speech to Ruby right at the end is earned. Especially considering how he talks about her giving him a family? Like, crikey, I have issues with the 13th Doctor's run too, but pretending she didn't literally call her Tardis crew, her "Fam." Ruby's mum being generic woman #1202 was just dumb and basically would have been like if the cracks in Amy's wall just needed a bit of filler to fix. I do think, despite the rumours(?) that Russel doesn't want to draw from old content in terms of reusing villains and such (even though the finale obviously contradicts that), that this Doctor would actually thrive meeting older companions. I'd love to see him interact with other Doctor's too, though to be fair, that's always a desire. I'm just saying that a multi-Doctor story featuring 13 and 14 would be a solid way to give 13 a chance of redemption, and they are probably the two doctors with the most in common. End of rant
At 26:56, I feel like I understand what you were trying to say with how non-marginalized groups aren't as well equipped to pick up on the subtle signs of racism. But remember that Lindy being racist IS a twist. The fact that most people wouldn't know that til the ending I don't think is a good example of white privilege. The hints and bread crumbs are still only that, hints. Before knowing anything, all of those things could've developed into anything. If the episode had ended without that twist (plus the whole murdering Ricky thing for good measure), we'd be left with basically nothing except a couple reddit posts and youtube theories. While I acknowledge that I haven't been a victim of marginalization nor racism...like ever, and that fact may have kept me from immediately assuming the worst when meeting Lindy, Lindy and her group appeared to be more of a symptom of their fun-filled, nauseatingly overstimulatized echo chamber--or bubbles for short--and she was immediately dismissive and callous towards Ruby as well. It just felt like there was just too much context missing for anyone to realistically call her a racist, though EASILY enough to consider her prejudiced. Maybe I've missed something, very possible. But I see just about everyone talking about how there wasn't really a twist when there were hints all along or how it was so obvious when looking in retrospect. But the examples provided are so vapid and omnidirectional in their meaning that I honestly believe hindsight is just 2020. I personally was holding out hope for Lindy and I could see all these same hints merely showcasing her ignorance and hilarious stupidity (particularly with the "you look the same" comment). But I love what they went with regardless and it's a masterclass of contextualizing everything in a way that makes perfect sense at every step of the way. Sorry, lots to say about that little point I know, but it's a tiny thing that I feel like massively changes the themes and takeaways of the episode.
I personally loved the finale. There were a few plot holes, yes, I wont even try to deny that. Buttttttt... I really liked the reveal and I have hope that the plot holes will be explained! The baby scene was such a hard watch at midnight and made me shed a tear and, not realising Ruby was returning at the time, her exit made me so sad :( Dont know if anyone else feels this way?
My theory is that ruby is special in someway otherwise the snow stuff would make no sense I think its something from her dad not her mom because we never saw her dad
The video and many of the comments regarding Ruby’s bio-mom seemed to have missed something about RTD’s first run: one of the recurring themes RTD writes, often in blink-and-you’ll-miss it way, is the significance and value the Doctor (both as 9 and as 10) places on mundane day-to-day ordinary lives compared to his extraordinary life. One of the first scenes this happens in is Father’s Day during the Eccleston run, 10 years before the Star Wars sequel trilogy. RTD just made that theme a major part of the resolution of his season-long arc this time. ua-cam.com/video/qpHFJ2n1ptk/v-deo.html That said, yes: her pointing to the street sign was a narratively incoherent contrivance.
I enjoyed this series in some aspects but for me this series was undercooked. Lots of the things didn't have time to be fleshed out. Space babies was okay devils chord was probably my favourite episode boom was great 73 yards i thought was directed beautifully and i thought until the end it was good. Dot and bubble was fantastic. Rogue was not for me. Legend of ruby Sunday was great. Empire of death was underwhelming. Rogue was interesting but i feel like the doctor falling that quick was a bit odd. I'm not gonna act like them making the doctor gay is some cardinal sin. Season 2 has potential so I'm looking forward to it. I would give this season a 7/10. Great video btw.
Personally I think Devil’s Chord, Boom, 73 Yards and Dot & Bubble are all *brilliant,* Judy totally fantastic. I think Rogue is…fine. Space Babies is too heavy on exposition for its own good, and I’ve come to heavily dislike Legend of Ruby Sunday/Empire of Death. I think it’s fat and away the weakest finale the modern show’s had. I find myself feeling about Ncuti the way a lot of people felt about Jodie in her time- great choice for the role, but I don’t think the stories are doing him justice. He’s not been allowed to have a proactive or instrumental role in the solution to many of these episodes, and the result is a Doctor who comes off kinda weak and insubstantial. He’s got potential but 15 is currently at the bottom of my Doctor rankings.
tbh after nine episodes i'm liking him a lot better than i did Jodie, he's still underserved by the material but he has more moments to shine, especially in Boom and Rogue imo
Overall I did enjoy the Season, I think it has strong and weak points like previous ones, but I just dont love it as much as a previous seasons I felt it lacked the little interactions that brough the previous Davis/Moffat seasons down to earth, like chats in the Tardis pre/post adventure etc Ruby and the Doctor just felt like BFFs out of nowhere and didnt have much conflict or disagreement for me I look forward to what is coming but that fact they have filmed the second season without the opportunity to look at feedback makes me a little doubtful
But I don't think they were trying to make them BFF's more like friends getting to know each other, since this is an eight-episode season. You know they're becoming friends
i liked season 1 overall, id call it a middling season in the overall shows run, def feels like its dealing with growing pains kinda like series 8 or series 2 overall good but a little iffy in some places. i like 15 as a character so far, ruby is fine. i feel a little off when it comes to the much higher production value as i feel it takes away from the charm. all in all season 1 feels like jodie Whitakers first season but actually good, both doctors were going for a similar idea as being a fresh face finally moved on from the angst and baggage of the previous seasons ending was... not the best and space babies was mid but 6/8 isnt a bad track record and id find it hard to call any of them particularly bad certainly the best season weve had in 5 years. i really like how much more upbeat this season is, very camp feels a lot like the third doctor i think and i feel ncuti if he continues the way he is i feel will occupy a similar space in the modern era as a very good doctor in a big transitional period that causes him to be overshadowed by the fully established doctors. i do really like ncuti and am looking forward to what's next, much how i really like the 3rd doctor and i really think hes going to be amazing going forward once he gets his footing 73 yards and boom are amazing episodes and definitely think are up there with whos other heavy hitters, dot and bubble is really solid too and the other episodes are just really fun
I honestly think it was a really good series with a bit of a fluffed ending - but i do think there's more to some of the plot threads (73 yards, sutekh, mrs flood) which we're going to receive so many more answers on in S2. I just feel like the fan-base and non fans, particularly the right wing are killing the show currently with constant 'wokeism' arguments and just constantly judging the show against the first era. It's miles better than it was under Chibs, and is still finding its feet.
I wonder if Mrs Flood is Incensor, the goddess of disaster. Incensor is another god made up by RTD after all (like Reprobate the god of spite who I believe could be Mad Jack/Gwilliam) I also wonder what Mrs Flood's first name is.
My episode ranking: 1. 73 Yards 2. The Legend of Ruby Sunday 3. Boom 4. The Devil's Chord 5. Rogue these 5 episodes are all an 8/10 or higher. 6. The Church on Ruby Road 7. Empire of Death these two are ~7/10 episodes 8. Space Babies 9. Dot and Bubble I'm sorry, I get the message, but it doesn't chance the fact I absolutely hated watching this episode until the last few minutes. I would never in my life rewatch this. Honestly, how do people enjoy this episode?
You've got 6k subscribers, so lets engage the algorithm to give you more, so far I am loving the video and will comment on each section so that the algorithm pushes your content towards other Whovians. That said, Space Babies: I agree with you, it's a mid-episode, and the VFX talking babies... Well... We know the Doctor speaks baby already, which could've been made into an actual plot point where the babies might have had (understandable) problems with communication. Overall I actually think it's a good opening episode if we look at it from a vaccuum, if you never engaged in Dr Who before, I would put this episode next to those like Ring of Akhaten (but not as good obvs.) because it's a fun, easy episode to watch and get to understand the jist of the show, the Dr is excentric, he has a companion, they travel in space and get into shennanigans.
I vehemently hate musicals, I hate the idea of singing and dance numbers, I feel like it takes away most of the tension in a show, removes the stakes (at least personally). I loved the Beatles episode
My honest ratings for the series is this Space Babies: 3/10, Pretty solid acting from Ncuti and Millie here. Not really engaging and the babies are just a no for me. The Devil's Cord: 5/10, Really liked Maestro and somewhat entertaining story. The musical at the end of the episode was unbearable. Boom: 7/10, Ncuti's acting is pretty good here, and his in a heartbeat speech was great. How the ambulances were defeated though, I didn't think was that creative. 73 Yards: 8/10, Millie's acting was great, the pub scene was a standout for me. Music was ehh though. Dot and Bubble: 7/10, Acting was decent, fairly engaging story. The episode felt a bit quick for me, although the ending was phenomenal. Rouge: 2/10, The prosthetics for the bird people was way too jarring. The Doctor and Rouge's romance really should have been built up throughout the rest of the series imo. The Legend of Ruby Sunday: 7/10, The acting was standout here, great music, and Sutekh's reveal caught me way off guard. (Cause I avoided spoilers for the finale). Empire of Death: 4/10, Subpar overall, the acting got less engaging, the spoon scene was unnecessary, and the way Sutekh was defeated is just weak man. Overall, this series was a 6/10 for me. Hope that the next series will get better in terms of setup and payoff.
Imagine if 73 yards sent the doctor back to the Heaven sent castle and he just goes "Round 2, Have you ever heard of the sheperds boy?" 😂
wait that's actually a really good idea lmao
@@Techno_Bunny433 literally just goes,” Have you ever head of the tragedy of the shepherds boy? I thought not. It’s not a story that the Timelords would tell. It’s a human story.”
It was the worst Doctor Who ever broadcast, the show is finished thanks to Chibnall and Davies
@@Farsight-nc1ib such a fantastic input to my comment, thank you
@@Techno_Bunny433 well, time someone told it like it is
I've tweeted this before, but I'm going to go into more detail here. To make Ruby's mum work as a nobody, there needs to be an explanation about how the moment Ruby was abandoned was a weak moment in time, as there were Goblins, Sutekh, two Tardises and a time window all interrupting. Playing off the "time is memory" thing, every thought Ruby ever had about her mum became reality. Childhood Ruby has built out a great mystery around her mother, that she's a special robed figure who Gods fear, which brings it into reality. The only thing that's 'true' of her mum, is the point. As Ruby's stood in the time window, calling for her mum, her mother hears her. She turns to point at her daughter in the future, sensing that she will save the universe some day. You could even have her mum say "I always knew you'd be special" when they meet, implying that both their ideas of one another made them important, and that love stretched across time and space even if they'd never met
EDIT: Also the song thing could be built into this. Ruby used music to deal with her emotions, so of course the God of Music would respond to such raw emotions. It's something that could be played with more in future, as we see more of Ruby's musical side and maybe build on that 'music is powerful' idea from Devil's Chord
You're hired.
45:40 - Just wanna point out that the explanation for why he can't unfasten the lead is in the episode. When the rope is introduced the Doctor explains that "That hook is a molecular bond", which is a fairly explicit statement that it binds to whatever it attaches to with incredible force, like welding two objects together.
Basically, the rope still feels like a cheap ex-machina but the reason he can't remove the rope is very much explained.
Why cant he freeze ruby with the immobilising powers that he showcased thirty seconds prior though?
Am I the only one who believes that ruby can unknowingly warp reality? The snow appearing, “something is wrong with this creature”, basically how she created an entire reality and story for herself in 73 yards and the importance of her mother being built up enough to scare gods
ruby's other family???? potentially???? or something unrelayed
@@thomasbridge1997 I just started to think that all the mysteries surrounding Ruby were not placed there just to mess with the audience by RTD. Everything started when Ruby entered the TARDIS (the pointing finger memory change and the always-present snow). So, some alteration to the story have been made… by the Narrator. That one may be something/someone coming from very far (The Land Of Fiction in The Mind Robber), and may be Mrs Flood, the one character constantly breaking the 4th wall.
Even the lamp-post absence in TCORR may be deliberate by RTD and blameable to her “corrections”. So even if she and her mother are still some “normal nobody” they may be unwilling part of someone else’s scheme.
YES. Honestly that was the twist I thought they were/are pushing, not that her mom was anything special but that *she* was. Maybe she's some dormant member of the Pantheon or something completely unrelated, but I feel Ruby being something supernatural is a much better explanation to the snow, ambulance glitching, 73 yards, mom being a mystery, etc.
The only answer we have right now is that believing in its importance changed reality yes. Ruby had the power to warp reality because laws of reality became more flexible thanks to the salt thing so it became possible to believe in its importance to make it actually supernatura..
There is a way to make Ruby's family normal and have her be responsible for warping reality: someone made a deak with the trickster and diesnt remember it. It could be a human like Ruby herself or either of her mothers. Alternatively, it could explain how Sutekh became a god to begin with. The Trickster made a deal with an extremely powerful mortal in danger of dying to change thier fate. Heck it could be several smaller deals all coming together.
I am now a certified Finetime Pole stan
... Man, you're right about Rogue. Definitely a second episode story. Or third if you count The Church on Ruby Road. Now you've pointed out that she only says she's seen space babies before, it just sticks out like a sore thumb.
Space Babies, Rogue, Boom, Dot and Bubble, either 73 Yards then The Devil's Chord or The Devil's Chord then 73 Yards. I think that should have been the running order. TDC and 73 Yards are, in my opinion, meant to be the lead up to the final, after a fun beginning which turns dark whenever you pick up on the racism in DaB.
I realised a few weeks ago why no members of Ruby’s birth family could be traced, which is to do with what was happening in The Church on Ruby Road: The Goblins.
These days, as ancestry DNA testing is really common in the UK, it’s impossible to have no matches, if not close family, you’d at least have distant cousins. And it’s a pretty big coincidence that absolutely no member of Ruby’s birth family did a heritage DNA test, and major bad luck, so I think that was down to the Goblins.
When the Doctor and Ruby were tied up in the Goblin ship, she said that her accidents started happening weeks ago, so I think that it was the interview with Davina on December 1st when it started. To cause Ruby bad luck, I think when she submitted her DNA sample to the investigation team, the Goblins went back in time and stopped any of Ruby’s relatives who’d done a heritage test from doing one, so that when Ruby’s DNA was submitted to the various heritage DNA databases that Long Lost Family had access to, there were no matches. So, before the Goblins changed time, the relatives of Ruby who’d done a test were on the databases until the Goblins sneakily changed things so that Ruby couldn’t find any of her birth family.
Y'know I highly doubt RTD put that much thought into it but that actually makes sense, cool theory!
Boom if my favorite episode specifically because I'm a sucker for something filmed all in one location. Like an '02 movie called Phone Booth which took place all at one phone booth. I just absolutely love seeing what they do with that restriction.
I love that the Doctor cries at the end of Dot and Bubble, not because he's offended, but because these people are throwing their lives away. He doesn't care that they're racist, he just wants to save them. He cries because they don't want HIM to save them.
This is very random but my class just watched a classic play called Hedda Gabler that only has one set. You can look up National Theatre at home and rent it. It's good, though there are definitely content warnings needed. Even if you look up spoilers, though, it's a good ride.
My issue is the the episodes came out in an order that didn't work. Rearrange the episodes and it works so much better. It needed 1-2 more episodes to really make the arch work, but changing the order helps!
As someone who had never heard of Sutekh before, I was just completely confused as to *WHO* Sutekh was; my instinct even told me it was the Susan Twist character... It wasn't a frightening or tension creating revelation to me, just a weirdly animated Egypt inspired dog and a disbodied voice.The final episode didn't clear this up, and it wasn't until I watched vids on YT that I was sure who I was supposed to be daunted by. A bit of a belly flop for me in other words.
Rouge was bloody brilliant though!
(Disclaimer: I'm not located in the UK nor British so no access to BBC/previous seasons [but I've seen some New Who] and apologies for grammar and spelling mistakes)
I need more Ncuti written by Moffat. With all due respect to RTD, I want him to be his own Doctor but still feel him embodie every Doctor he has been simultaneously and I don't think he is there yet. Boom gives him that old man in the young man's body vibe like Smith or if talking about 12 who is mature again after a few lifetimes and needs to redefine who the old Doctor is now
I love the freshness of your review. Very positive. I did not mind the low key finale but Sutek is disposed too easily. Over all, I really liked Season 1. More episodes, indeed. Thanks for uploading.
This channel doesnt get the appreciation that it deserves, another great video!
28:58 I spat my drink out from that comment lmao. ALSO 57:39 I outright had someone tell me that "crying is a sign of weaknessm the Doctor isn't weak" and I basically said "I think it takes true strength to cry and show emotion instead of bottling it up. You know what's weak?, being too afraid to show your feelings" and they had a tantrum and stormed off...
Boom: Moffat is back. Do I need to say more? RTD was never my favorite showrunner or writer, Moffat was/is. This episode was amazing, it was everything I wanted from a serious episode (such as Midnight or Satan Pit or Zygon Inversion). "It's a Moffat episode of course a companion is going to die" sent me because it's so freaking true, and yet they always make it in the end. But this was a lovely episode that showcased the importance not of writing fast paced scenes with lots of flair, but rather how to masterfully execute tearjerking and hearttugging suspense out of a guy having to stand still. And I couldn't agree more with the "doctor is helpless" yes, that is the point and it's terrifiying because even in "impossible" situations such as being couped up in a micro tardis or stuck on a dead planet outside of the universe, the Doctor always has an idea or a plan. Here in Boom, the plan is to just... Hope that it will solve itself (until the solution is presented). The one thing I can say about the episode that I didn't like is the fact that it is... A Moffat episode which tends to mean that we get some type of 'deus ex machina' solution in the end having to do with love being stronger than anything (much like the whole of Amys arch which was about love and memories).
Yes! I like Moffat's writing much more than RTDs personally (more my taste) so I really loved this one
Part of me wonders if it is the trickster doing things in order for Sutek to be defeated by the doctor and then it would make it so he doesn’t have any competition. With the Toymaker defeated by the doctor and give him an idea to start to trick sutek into thinking she is important by playing all these tricks and then finally after the doctor’s memory changed in the past making Sutek finally enact his plan.
i think it was good overall, but personally, i enjoy doctor who when it is less just straight up supernatural and more science, i know 11 was more fairy tale but it was still rooted in science
i do hope it is a plot point that does get resolved, kate did say that the impossible is starting to become possible, so it could be a season 2 or 3 main plot
I agree 100%. my favorite episodes are always the more "scifi-ish" episodes
Hell yeah it is! Great video, brilliant analysis, keep up the good stuff!
Rare dwfan91 sighting
Omg it’s dwfan91 in his natural habitat.
I enjoyed the ride more than the whole. Space babies was the only dud for me and it's not even that bad. Some good Ruby moments. Bring on Season 2!
I’m not disappointed at all. I mean by your video.
Even if one season is not enough to do an analysis like you did for the Capaldi era, but this review makes me feel better: I too enjoyed this season, the new Doctor, the new dinamics and the variety of story types, even if I felt disappointed by both finale deliveries after that stunning cliffhanger.
But even if it could have been disappointing (I mean the season this time), it had no “Legend of the Sea Devils” like episode at least in it.
It's not a far fetched idea that Moffat will take over as showrunner again after RTD leaves again
I am calling it if it happens I think he gonna do what rtd did and launch his era with smith for a few episodes and then introduce his new doctor
@@JonathonHouse-iv3bx I doubt he'll bring back Smith at the start unless he returns for the 70th anniversary, but if he does I'll burst out laughing.
@@DriverHenryWho3245 same ahahaha
@@DriverHenryWho3245 imagine if he brings back Amy and Rory to
Please no. I love him but we need new ppl.
Ive spent my whole 16 years of life hearing about Doctor Who, my parents loved it so much they had a Doctor Who themed wedding and named me after one of the characters, but Ncuti's doctor is the first one ive watched in about a decade, and i love it. I cant speak to how strong the episode plots are compared to other doctors, especially since its still only the first series and i think doctors usually get at least two, but i LOVE his portrayal of the doctor. A campy doctor just makes sense to me. Baker will always be my mum's doctor, DT was my first doctor, but i think Ncuti is in the running for the title of MY doctor.
I didnt watch Space Babies but i saw the rest of the episode and i adore them, the musical number was so fun, the acting was great, i pray Rogue comes back if we get another season i love him dearly. I actually really like that Ruby's mum was just some lady, cuz thats how it is to be adopted, you spend years building your biological parent up as some mystical tragedy, only to find out, a lot of the time, they were just young and afraid. Also her grandma was iconic, shoutout to the grandma.
Love to see this
Thats so fucking sick dude :)
One thing I really liked about Dot and Bubble was the Doctor's characterization at the end. Specifically how he still tries to save the people of Finetime even after learning that they are white supremacists. The people of Finetime are written to be very hateable especially at the end and a lot of non-racist people would probably just abandon them outright because of the racism but not the Doctor. He knows that they wouldn't survive a day without his help and he doesn't want to abandon them just because of their prejudices. So he tries his best to convince them to let him help them and it visibly frustrates and saddens him when he fails.
Really peak Doctor moment IMO even though he failed and the people he was trying to save were terrible people.
In 73 Yards, some of the pub people call Mad Jack "The Spiteful One"
In Legend, Harriet mentions Reprobate, the God of Spite.
Could they be connected? 🤔 RTD did just make up Reprobate after all, as well as Incensor goddess of disaster (who could be Mrs Flood)
That's a really good theory, who knows maybe she could be? I also jive with the idea that she is she's special.
I think of this season as a bit of a reverse of season 2 of NuWho, in that this season was really strong but was let down by a weak finale whereas season 2 has a lot of weak monster-of-the-week episodes but is saved by a really strong finale. But for me, the bread and butter, the DNA, of Doctor Who is in its episodic nature (we never got these big season finales in Classic Who) so I would prefer to rewatch this whole season than sit through Fear Her, Love and Monsters, The Idiot's Lantern etc... I tend to skip a lot of season 2 on my rewatches.
And the other key thing is having a good Doctor/Companion duo to anchor even the weaker entries which this season definitley has in Ncuti and Millie. I don't think there is any season where there arent some duds but the energy of the leads makes a huge difference as to whether the mediocre stories can still be enjoyable or not.
yeah... however series 2 had feedback so rtd could strengthen aspects of it. Season 2 is already in post production so it could take on board any feedbsck people had. So you will still get the approach of mystery boxes made to generate internet buzz in season 2. Which leaves me feeling mixed because season 1 is highly mediocre
The difference is that s2 has actual 10/10 episodes like impossible planet/satan pit, girl in the fireplace and the final as you've said. S14 just doesn't have anything that comes close with most episodes being subpar or a letdown.
I really like this analysis!
53:15 the "real mum" line was intentional. It's meant to be shitty towards Carla. RTD has said this will be addressed in season 2.
"perhaps im a little fruity" and so am i, my friend
It’s nice seeing someone not just hate the season I enjoyed it for the most part but I heard so many people complain lol
The lack of resolution for "73 Yards" still frustrates me. But its negative impact would have been lessened had there just been more episodes!!!
I agree with so many of your points here!! I feel like my general takeaway from the season is that maybe russel doesn't ever plan anything?? he just gets an idea and runs with it. and yeah thats worked really well before like you mentioned but oh my god did it fall flat here when it really needed to soar.
the episodes i didn't like (space babies, devils chord and empire of death) all just really suffered from his special breed of half-baked-itis meaning i was left wanting so mcuh more. although i'm annoyed now bc i think if rogue and the devils chord swapped places in the season i would have like it a lot more!! it would have flowed so mcuh bettter.
anyway. amazing analysis vid, king. chibnall bad.
Space babies was pretty poor and empire of death was just such a let down but I generally liked the series. Boom and 73yards are two of my faves and top tier stuff. I'm still looking forward to the next one despite rtd doing some really poor arc building. The ruby thing is rubbish but it isn't gonna ruin the series for me.
I like your top 2 list, I'd only add Dot and Bubble and those are the top 3 for me
I loved the Capaldi peak video 😊😁 you put in a lot of work, this one too!
For the last time, it is a continuation not a reboot. A reboot is when you start telling a completey different story with different character history from the original story while keeping the same characters in order to tell the story in a different way. We ain’t starting over from doctor number 1 this is the next doctor.
Re-quel i think is the official name. A reboot that is continuously telling the story from before. Rebooting all characters but keeping everything Canon. The only same ish characters are the doctor and the tardis, and those are debatable cuz technically they're as new as eccleston was
the show and the 13th doctor are shit and gay
I wasn’t sure bout the new doctor for like 3 episodes or so but when I saw it, I saw it
He’s great actually and while the writing needs improvement, it may very well improve
I’m into it bro
I was meh on Legend but loved Empire of Death.
Which is why i love this series, each episode is somebody's favourite.
this season is probably one of my favorites of all time, if the rest of Gatwa's era is this good, he might be my favorite doctor
The lead on Sutekh was a callback to not just the intelligent rope from the goblin ship, but also the mavity gloves. Which also work as a molecular bond, like Rogue's trap. These things combined are the reason i don't think the ending was as bad as some people say. Because they did set those moments up. I just wish they'd had some kind of a refresher in the episode to remind us of this, because the one line of dialogue is far too subtle, as evidenced by how many people completely missed it. Doesn't make it much better. But it does explain why Sutekh was unable to stop The Doctor's plan. And i think the reason he cares is because of the unexplainable snow. BUT, maybe The Doctor DID explain it. His first thought was that the snow as a warning against going back. Maybe it wasn't Ruby making the snow. Maybe it was The Tardis. Because it knew that if The Doctor went there again, to find her identity, Sutekh will know it's deception regarding the snow, and Ruby's mother's identity. Giving him no reason to keep anyone alive. That's my theory anyway. But i think it makes sense given the events on screen. But even if i'm proven right in season 2, it wasn't well done. They could have shown this stuff on screen in a much clearer way. Especially the pointing. Because The Doctor said his memory changed. Or time itself changed. Which makes me think The Tardis had something to do with it. So overall, i don't think all of it was just made up as he went along. Because there were too many callbacks for that. I think he knew the pieces and the rough shape of it. But it didn't fit together quite the way he thought it would.
Devils Chord: It's amazing. It's a fantastic Dr Who episode. Personally I didn't like the character of Maestro (even though they were portrayed fantastic by the actor), but I loved the overall narrative/concept of Maestro as we had 'just' only seen the Toymaker and having Maestro appear in episode 2 made it feel like we would be getting a whole series of these godlike villains showing up (and we kinda did... Kinda...) The inclusion of the Beatles in the episode felt like a... Well afterthought to be honest. It felt like they knew they wanted a Maestro episode and only after the fact chose to include it in an era which would feature the Beatles. As "the historical characters" in an episode, they felt irrelevant to the greater narrative as they could've been replaced with any talent from that era. The musical themes, like the actual musical piece in the end is straight up 11/10.
Based. Personally enjoyed the season a lot. Lots of good eps & like usual, a mid RTD finale. I wish they would've just called it season 14.
Also your take on Space Babies is exactly why I like it.
When the career advice officer panics: 38:50
Rewatching these videos so glad to see this kind of attention to detail to the shows strengths and criticisms instead of just woke been shouted with uninspired thumbnails
I love the 15th Doctor's unbridled optimism! Such a breath of fresh air! One of my favourite Doctors! 😁
I loved this season! Ncuti is brilliant, and I love the relationship with the Doctor and Ruby. I adore Ruby's family. Theyd better being Rogue back.
And Sutekh needed a little nose scritch before he went into the void.
Based opinion YESSIR👏👑 Ncuti is incredible. The hate bandwagoning happens for every new Doctor, folks love to form an opinion before even watching just to jump ahead of the crowd on a consensus. Often these are folk who just watched 10-Rose & base all opinions of the show on them! Nostalgia is never a crutch to hate, In the words of Capaldi:
Never be cruel. Never be cowardly. Hate is foolish, Love is wise ❤ Ncuti is a huge fan & did his research, I can only anticipate it gets better from here. Love your channel 👏
Never be cruel etc. was written by Moffat and said by Capaldi both good. This new series is no match for either!
@@lorrainesheridan496Way to miss the point of what that guy said.
As much as I love the Superphone returning (and later the giving of the TARDIS key), I agree that it was executed better in The End of the World (and in 42 and The Doctor's Daughter where Martha and Donna have their phones upgrated. Those moments served as importance to the story).
Finally, someone who isn't just bitching about it!
thank u for ur service!! it's good!
Great review
"Real mum" and the pointing are the worst things.
I think, in the 73 Yards timeline, that Mad Jack was indeed a wicked fairy who possessed or made some kind of deal with Roger ap Gwilliam. The fairy wanted to destroy humanity and so Roger planned to nuke the world. In the normal timeline, Roger was still a terrible fascist but not someone who wanted to destroy humanity, and I think Roger's evil nature is what led Mad Jack to seek him out in the 73 Yards timeline.
The reason a lot of people don't like the ending musical song in the Devil's Chord is because it clashes so much with the essence of what Doctor Who is as a show... it's true that Doctor Who has an amazing versatility and can be many different things, but at its core it is a sci-fi drama TV show, and putting in that musical number is so at odds with the show's established identity that it threw a lot of people off.
Yup. It totally isn't a problem if Ruby and her mum are ordinary people 9and yes what a lovely and very RTD point to make) but other characters/ forces needed to have created the snow, the hidden song in Ruby, the glitching memory etc etc - you can't have loads of plot points that go nowhere and expect it to be satisfying. And whatever it was that was creating the snow etc needs to be directly linked to Sutekh and the reason he decides to enact his Sand-of-Susan plan now. And by the beard of Zeus WHY would you make the god of gods and death look like a CUTE DOG??! The skeletal, flesh-eaten face that appears to Sarah at the start of Pyramids of Mars would be a great retcon for Sutekh at the *end* of that story, hopping on board the TARDIS. But no. It's like RTD had one cool idea and then hastily filled in all the gaps.
I think they should bring back writers “Malorie Blackman” and “Maxine Alderton”
Great commentary!
25:16 this is Martha and Tom Ellis erasure
Thanks for the video, it‘s great! I was getting sick of all the hate that this season has been receiving lately, like people collectively forgot that some RTD ideas were a flop.
I haven’t thought of the fact that RTD just likes winging season arcs, but it makes total sense now.
Also, comparing the number of times the doctor and ruby cried this season is cherry atop a cake, it reveals how inherently sexist a big portion of the audience is, in thinking that crying somehow takes away the doctor’s whateverness (I mainly hang out in the Russian speaking community tho, I guess it shows).
Anyways, you did a great job. Honestly, you kind of rekindled my love for the series, I’ve started rewatching the Moffat era thanks to your Capaldi video ❤
Ruby seems to care more about who her mum is than the various people around that die trying to find it out. I found that kinda odd.
I actually really liked this first season, my only notes is more episodes. The less episodes trend works best when they're trying to tell a consise story and not for just fun adventures. This made it seem like the episodes that were out there in terms of ideas were a much larger part of the season.
I can’t say I liked this season but your videos are very well put together and entertaining. It was great hearing your views.
Personally the lack of logic in the season was a big issue for me and that’s even more annoying to me because of lot of issues could have had easy fixes. I also think the limit number of episodes hurt the season as we had so little time with the characters, especially with The Doctor being absent for a lot of Dot and Bubble and 73 Yards. Moving forward if we still have limit episode counts I think we need some new ideas of how to make it work.
Regardless it’s nice to have some open discussion about the show without people just saying it’s bad for woke reasons. Really tired of hearing that for every show and movie that comes out these days lol
my first doctor was the 14th. So this was my first full season of Doctor Who, and I must say it was really good overall. I can't wait for the Christmas special and season 2
I'm not saying they're better, but I really think you'd enjoy the 9th-13th era (I'd reccomend starting in 11th since it's the highest quality imo, but 12th was my favorite.)
I'm so jealous that you get to watch doctor who for the first time!!
Even if out of order, I'd recommend watching 'Blink' before they destroy that creature even more than they have already. 90% of the episode is without the Doctor so you don't even need to understand what he's like.
Thanks for the interesting review! I'm a big believer that no matter how we feel negativity will get us no where, so in these hate-watching fueled time it's good to see genuine discussion. I have some thoughts I just wanted to share. Fair warning, I haven't finished the series yet, I made it to the end of boom before needing to take a break because the fluctuating quality + weekly release schedule was making me lose interest but here are my thoughts:
Gatwa is a FANTASTIC choice, but similar to Jodie he hasn't really had much time to shine and especially nail down an identity. Think back to 10,11, and 12 where by the end of the first episode you know exactly who they are. In comparison Gatwa is vaguely more happy and trama-less (outside of flux/timeless child). I think he definitely needs more "doctor" moments where he gives a monologue or does some miraculous save and talks about kindness.
Quality is still iffy compared to moffat era. I feel like I'm pretty open and not weighed down by nostalgia, but even then I had a good amount of problems with Chibnall and unfortunately RTD V2. However, if you go back to RTD V1 you'll realize that the new season is far more similar than you remember. Old RTD was just as goofy and occasionally cringey as New RTD, the only thing that has changed is the time and many fans have been blinded by nostalgia for the Tennant era.
I think the worst/best part is many of the ideas are good and extremely interesting. I love the exploration into fantasy, it's cool to get a bit more wild with DW. However, I do think they need to tie it somewhat into sci-fi. Make sure it's clear that they are still aliens. My major problem is that I've left a lot of the episodes feeling like they wasted the idea and didn't fully explore it.
A great example is The Devil's chord, the concept is AMAZING, but I really didn't enjoy the episode. The beatles were wasted, the music wasn't very good, and their needed to be more interactions between The doctor and the villain. It felt like a big step down from the Toymaker. Also they have a singing doctor but only used him for a dumb gag at the end!!!
Another major problem is the pacing/set-up. This is something I immediately picked up in the 60th specials. It seems like RTD has forgotten how to get characters from scene A to B in a capelling way. I really first noticed this with blue yonder, where before the 4D creatures appear the episode really struggled with the premise and writing. This has also been the case with Gatwa error and imo would instantly make the episodes feel a lot more compelling. We definitely at least need more Tardis banter.
Lastly, I agree that it was time to move on from the time war, but I think we definitely need another emotional core for the doctor and timeless child just doesn't do it for me. I've accepted it for what it is but it doesn't provide characterization for the doctor like the time war did.
To clarify I do not hate this era. I enjoy it an ok amount, but if things do not improve with the second season I will probably stop watching again for a while. I don't want to hate watch something or stick around for brand loyalty. I think RTD might have gone too far in some places and their definitely needs to be more focus on tightening the scripts/characterizing the doctor.
34:35 did The Doctor and Ruby “travel together for 6 months”, or did they travel together, and then take some breaks, and it was on and off until 6 months passed?
I think it’s deliberately vague.
I'll say it again: Sutekh is just the flux, but with a doggy (and more specificity)
Great review, lovely job on the edit too. Really enjoyed S1, not without faults but overall I felt more emotionally connected and engaged with the show than I have for years - and just excited about it.
I think D15 isn't the 'fixed' doctor implied by then end of The Giggle. We're seeing somebody who's coping with trauma by unhealthy over compensating. From forgetting the Butterfly compensation switch, to frequent tears, to falling deeply in love with strangers, behaving so recklessly that it puts himself and his friends in jeopardy (standing on things etc). How has that aspects a fine script and a nuanced performance sailed right over the heads of many people? Maybe because awareness of mental health, especially trauma, is still poor beyond very black and white media headlines.
I suspect that we're seeing Who going back to it's deepest roots as an educational show, but rather than D13's rather clumsy handling of 'issues', RTD2 approach is to ask the viewer to go on that learning journey. His bombastic presentation is there to distract the (very loud critics) from it's more complex and subtle subtext. D&B being a good example - it plays differently to people with awareness/experience of microaggressions, and that provokes debate outside the show. So that's an episode superficially about influencer culture, that's really about racism, that's really about privilege and the peril of ignoring minority voices. And for the less aware, the doc is actually blowing a literal dog whistle in the finale. These are episodes designed to become classics, to mature while they sit on streaming services, wait for the clamour to settle, and work their magic.
Another case in point is 73 Yards. So badly misunderstood by many, and even people who love it don't quite know why. Yet it's such a simple idea, such a brilliant handling of a Ncuti-lite ep, completely within the lore and spirit of the show, down to the title. Maybe it's a reflection of how reactionary society has become that, like the finale, when we're getting peak who, people are calling for cancellations and resignations. Sad times, but a brilliant series.
Maaaaaaaaaaaan thank you for this video! I just got caught up on the show and wanted to listen to something talking about this season while I worked. It's neat to hear things people notice about the show, or what connections they made watching it. I had to scroll through so many videos that looked like their only contribution would be screaming it was woke or some bs. I'm not watching that Dalek propaganda.
Great review, I really liked this season as well. This new Doctor is really something else. The Maestro was a really cool villain, and so was the Toymaker. I thought the finale was fine on first watch, but I'm sure on rewatches the flaws might become more obvious. Looking forward to next season though!
Empire of Death has got more going for it than most reviews I have seen give it credit for.
As someone who was an avid "it's a TV show" theorist, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending from lore, but I did enjoy this series! (I also haven't finished the video so forgive me if I'm repeating)
EDIT: I'm still into the theory. The idea with Ruby's mom is that Ruby is the "main character" (probably a God of Stories) and so whatever she says goes. There are lots of hints that they're in TV, least of all the 4th wall monologue at the end. The whole "she's special because you thought she was UH I MEAN WE ALL THOUGHT SO" contributes to this too. What Ruby cares about is what matters.
DOUBLE EDIT: hooooly shit thank you so much for talking about how sloppy RTD can be. I've been feeling like I'm going insane! Everyone says his writing is perfect and super planned, but I see all these cracks you mentioned. He's not horrible, but literally hearing any criticism is refreshing
im currently doing a full rewatch of the revival, and i gave this season a 6.4 average - brought down quite a bit by a weak start and an offensive finale, but awesome in the middle. it's uneven. comparatively, i gave season 11 a 4.4 - mostly bad episodes brought up by enjoyable if flawed episodes like Demons of the Punjab, Witchfinders, and It Takes You Away. so yeah, according to my math 🤓 i agree with you
jesus Bowelstrek, I haven't heard that name in a long time xD
I found this season to be both crappy and also the best stuff I've seen in a long time. The episode quality is genuinely so variable its like Series 3 or Series 10. I thought that overall the season is probably a 6 or 7 out of 10.
My personal rankings:
Church on Ruby Road - 7/10
Space Babies - 2/10
Devil's Chord - 1/10
Boom - 9.5/10
73 Yards - 9/10
Dot and Bubble - 9.5/10
Rogue - 4.5/10
Legend of Ruby Sunday - 8.5/10
Empire of Death - 3/10
Mean (exc. Church on Ruby Road): 5.875/10
Mean (inc. Church on Ruby Road): 6/10
Median (exc. Church on Ruby Road): 6/10
Median (inc. Church on Ruby Road): 7/10
To be more favourable however, I could adjust the ratings to reflect the typical quality and/or significance to the series the episode placements have had in New Who so far. (including Church on Ruby Road as the 1st episode of the Season)
Weighting Distribution (in my opinion)
First episode usually significant: 15%
Second episode often shit (imo): 5%
Third episode sometimes shit (imo): 5%
Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11%
Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11%
Mid-Season, proportional distribution: 11%
Penultimate Story has been bad so many times that it's fucking annoying: 3%
First part of the finale is almost always insanely good, even if the finale as a whole is mid: 25%
Final episode wraps up the finale to varied success 14%
Total Rating: 6.96/10, much better than the 6/10 from before. The bad episodes still do really weigh this season down as a whole but there were some bangers.
I really didn't like 73 yards. We spent a whole episode with Ruby, but didn't really learn anything new about her. Plus since it basically retconned itself, she didn't grow or change either. It honestly just felt like a waste of time for me.
I also liked Rogue as a character, but the emotion of the episode just didn't feel genuine to me. I think if Rogue had maybe joined them as a companion for a few adventures and then made a big sacrifice, it would've worked better for me. I just needed more time with him, more time for the relationship between him and the doctor to grow organically and not feel too rushed.
The reveal of Ruby's mother still makes me angry. Her being ordinary? Fine as a concept, but the execution was terrible and just didn't work. The explanation the doctor gives doesn't actually explain all the weird stuff that was apparently just Russell lying to us in order to make the reveal more shocking. Misdirection and red herrings are different from outright lying to us. It definitely makes me just not want to bother getting invested in anything else Russell sets up. Why even theorize when I can't trust that the hints will mean anything.
I, for some reason, thought that Ruby was going to either be the Daughter of Clara or the Daughter of River and the Doctor.
I did actually like the season, but I do take issue with some of it. In particular, I dislike the 8 episode season, especially because The Doctor isn't really in 2 of them.
I don't think the Doctor's small speech to Ruby right at the end is earned. Especially considering how he talks about her giving him a family? Like, crikey, I have issues with the 13th Doctor's run too, but pretending she didn't literally call her Tardis crew, her "Fam."
Ruby's mum being generic woman #1202 was just dumb and basically would have been like if the cracks in Amy's wall just needed a bit of filler to fix.
I do think, despite the rumours(?) that Russel doesn't want to draw from old content in terms of reusing villains and such (even though the finale obviously contradicts that), that this Doctor would actually thrive meeting older companions. I'd love to see him interact with other Doctor's too, though to be fair, that's always a desire. I'm just saying that a multi-Doctor story featuring 13 and 14 would be a solid way to give 13 a chance of redemption, and they are probably the two doctors with the most in common.
End of rant
The discourse and vitriol around this season was all the proof I needed that I’m doing the right thing by staying away from geek circles online now 😅
I mean, you can dislike something and it still be okay. Some people take it too far, but to be praising subpar production isn't a net benefit either
The doctors criticism of faith in book reminds me of 12 a lot
7:15 had me in stitches
At 26:56, I feel like I understand what you were trying to say with how non-marginalized groups aren't as well equipped to pick up on the subtle signs of racism. But remember that Lindy being racist IS a twist. The fact that most people wouldn't know that til the ending I don't think is a good example of white privilege. The hints and bread crumbs are still only that, hints. Before knowing anything, all of those things could've developed into anything. If the episode had ended without that twist (plus the whole murdering Ricky thing for good measure), we'd be left with basically nothing except a couple reddit posts and youtube theories. While I acknowledge that I haven't been a victim of marginalization nor racism...like ever, and that fact may have kept me from immediately assuming the worst when meeting Lindy, Lindy and her group appeared to be more of a symptom of their fun-filled, nauseatingly overstimulatized echo chamber--or bubbles for short--and she was immediately dismissive and callous towards Ruby as well. It just felt like there was just too much context missing for anyone to realistically call her a racist, though EASILY enough to consider her prejudiced.
Maybe I've missed something, very possible. But I see just about everyone talking about how there wasn't really a twist when there were hints all along or how it was so obvious when looking in retrospect. But the examples provided are so vapid and omnidirectional in their meaning that I honestly believe hindsight is just 2020. I personally was holding out hope for Lindy and I could see all these same hints merely showcasing her ignorance and hilarious stupidity (particularly with the "you look the same" comment). But I love what they went with regardless and it's a masterclass of contextualizing everything in a way that makes perfect sense at every step of the way.
Sorry, lots to say about that little point I know, but it's a tiny thing that I feel like massively changes the themes and takeaways of the episode.
I personally loved the finale. There were a few plot holes, yes, I wont even try to deny that. Buttttttt... I really liked the reveal and I have hope that the plot holes will be explained!
The baby scene was such a hard watch at midnight and made me shed a tear and, not realising Ruby was returning at the time, her exit made me so sad :(
Dont know if anyone else feels this way?
Time to sit down with some mac 'n cheese and watch CosmicNite's newest masterpiece
My theory is that ruby is special in someway otherwise the snow stuff would make no sense I think its something from her dad not her mom because we never saw her dad
The video and many of the comments regarding Ruby’s bio-mom seemed to have missed something about RTD’s first run: one of the recurring themes RTD writes, often in blink-and-you’ll-miss it way, is the significance and value the Doctor (both as 9 and as 10) places on mundane day-to-day ordinary lives compared to his extraordinary life. One of the first scenes this happens in is Father’s Day during the Eccleston run, 10 years before the Star Wars sequel trilogy. RTD just made that theme a major part of the resolution of his season-long arc this time. ua-cam.com/video/qpHFJ2n1ptk/v-deo.html
That said, yes: her pointing to the street sign was a narratively incoherent contrivance.
Sutekh should have escaped during Wild Blue Yonder
42:19 Morris, a 13 year old: Am I a joke to you?
17:29 I have infact just come from said video because i loved it
I enjoyed this series in some aspects but for me this series was undercooked. Lots of the things didn't have time to be fleshed out. Space babies was okay devils chord was probably my favourite episode boom was great 73 yards i thought was directed beautifully and i thought until the end it was good. Dot and bubble was fantastic. Rogue was not for me. Legend of ruby Sunday was great. Empire of death was underwhelming. Rogue was interesting but i feel like the doctor falling that quick was a bit odd. I'm not gonna act like them making the doctor gay is some cardinal sin. Season 2 has potential so I'm looking forward to it. I would give this season a 7/10. Great video btw.
Personally I think Devil’s Chord, Boom, 73 Yards and Dot & Bubble are all *brilliant,* Judy totally fantastic.
I think Rogue is…fine. Space Babies is too heavy on exposition for its own good, and I’ve come to heavily dislike Legend of Ruby Sunday/Empire of Death. I think it’s fat and away the weakest finale the modern show’s had.
I find myself feeling about Ncuti the way a lot of people felt about Jodie in her time- great choice for the role, but I don’t think the stories are doing him justice. He’s not been allowed to have a proactive or instrumental role in the solution to many of these episodes, and the result is a Doctor who comes off kinda weak and insubstantial. He’s got potential but 15 is currently at the bottom of my Doctor rankings.
I liked devils chord when I thought it was setting up something cool, but it was building up a “subversion of expectations”
tbh after nine episodes i'm liking him a lot better than i did Jodie, he's still underserved by the material but he has more moments to shine, especially in Boom and Rogue imo
@@karlfranzemperorofmandefil5547 that set up is like one scene in the episode.
@@junker-f3m I really don’t think he does. Jodie got way more “moments to shine” than people like to pretend she did.
Steaven Moffat is my favourite Dr. Who writer😊
Overall I did enjoy the Season, I think it has strong and weak points like previous ones, but I just dont love it as much as a previous seasons
I felt it lacked the little interactions that brough the previous Davis/Moffat seasons down to earth, like chats in the Tardis pre/post adventure etc
Ruby and the Doctor just felt like BFFs out of nowhere and didnt have much conflict or disagreement for me
I look forward to what is coming but that fact they have filmed the second season without the opportunity to look at feedback makes me a little doubtful
But I don't think they were trying to make them BFF's more like friends getting to know each other, since this is an eight-episode season. You know they're becoming friends
Roger is gonna be a problem when it`s 2046 Doctor Who is still going strong and everyone will say so where's Roger
i liked season 1 overall, id call it a middling season in the overall shows run, def feels like its dealing with growing pains kinda like series 8 or series 2 overall good but a little iffy in some places. i like 15 as a character so far, ruby is fine. i feel a little off when it comes to the much higher production value as i feel it takes away from the charm. all in all season 1 feels like jodie Whitakers first season but actually good, both doctors were going for a similar idea as being a fresh face finally moved on from the angst and baggage of the previous seasons ending was... not the best and space babies was mid but 6/8 isnt a bad track record and id find it hard to call any of them particularly bad certainly the best season weve had in 5 years.
i really like how much more upbeat this season is, very camp feels a lot like the third doctor i think and i feel ncuti if he continues the way he is i feel will occupy a similar space in the modern era as a very good doctor in a big transitional period that causes him to be overshadowed by the fully established doctors. i do really like ncuti and am looking forward to what's next, much how i really like the 3rd doctor and i really think hes going to be amazing going forward once he gets his footing
73 yards and boom are amazing episodes and definitely think are up there with whos other heavy hitters, dot and bubble is really solid too and the other episodes are just really fun
I honestly think it was a really good series with a bit of a fluffed ending - but i do think there's more to some of the plot threads (73 yards, sutekh, mrs flood) which we're going to receive so many more answers on in S2. I just feel like the fan-base and non fans, particularly the right wing are killing the show currently with constant 'wokeism' arguments and just constantly judging the show against the first era. It's miles better than it was under Chibs, and is still finding its feet.
I wonder if Mrs Flood is Incensor, the goddess of disaster. Incensor is another god made up by RTD after all (like Reprobate the god of spite who I believe could be Mad Jack/Gwilliam)
I also wonder what Mrs Flood's first name is.
I agree with Cosmic at 35:56, you should all get outside and touch some grass.
7:15 Morbius's bf jumpscare
They pull the kung fu panda "there's no secret recipe" bullshit
My episode ranking:
1. 73 Yards
2. The Legend of Ruby Sunday
3. Boom
4. The Devil's Chord
5. Rogue
these 5 episodes are all an 8/10 or higher.
6. The Church on Ruby Road
7. Empire of Death
these two are ~7/10 episodes
8. Space Babies
9. Dot and Bubble
I'm sorry, I get the message, but it doesn't chance the fact I absolutely hated watching this episode until the last few minutes. I would never in my life rewatch this. Honestly, how do people enjoy this episode?
I think Ruby's face is a lot like Clara's face. I base this on seeing her in a thumbnail and wondering why Jenna Coleman had blonde hair.
You've got 6k subscribers, so lets engage the algorithm to give you more, so far I am loving the video and will comment on each section so that the algorithm pushes your content towards other Whovians. That said, Space Babies: I agree with you, it's a mid-episode, and the VFX talking babies... Well... We know the Doctor speaks baby already, which could've been made into an actual plot point where the babies might have had (understandable) problems with communication. Overall I actually think it's a good opening episode if we look at it from a vaccuum, if you never engaged in Dr Who before, I would put this episode next to those like Ring of Akhaten (but not as good obvs.) because it's a fun, easy episode to watch and get to understand the jist of the show, the Dr is excentric, he has a companion, they travel in space and get into shennanigans.
hell yes
I vehemently hate musicals, I hate the idea of singing and dance numbers, I feel like it takes away most of the tension in a show, removes the stakes (at least personally). I loved the Beatles episode
My honest ratings for the series is this
Space Babies: 3/10, Pretty solid acting from Ncuti and Millie here. Not really engaging and the babies are just a no for me.
The Devil's Cord: 5/10, Really liked Maestro and somewhat entertaining story. The musical at the end of the episode was unbearable.
Boom: 7/10, Ncuti's acting is pretty good here, and his in a heartbeat speech was great. How the ambulances were defeated though, I didn't think was that creative.
73 Yards: 8/10, Millie's acting was great, the pub scene was a standout for me. Music was ehh though.
Dot and Bubble: 7/10, Acting was decent, fairly engaging story. The episode felt a bit quick for me, although the ending was phenomenal.
Rouge: 2/10, The prosthetics for the bird people was way too jarring. The Doctor and Rouge's romance really should have been built up throughout the rest of the series imo.
The Legend of Ruby Sunday: 7/10, The acting was standout here, great music, and Sutekh's reveal caught me way off guard. (Cause I avoided spoilers for the finale).
Empire of Death: 4/10, Subpar overall, the acting got less engaging, the spoon scene was unnecessary, and the way Sutekh was defeated is just weak man.
Overall, this series was a 6/10 for me.
Hope that the next series will get better in terms of setup and payoff.
based opinion. the musical was the worst thing ever and legend of ruby sunday is underrated