Speaking of historical inaccuracies, the one line that REALLY annoyed me was when Indira Varma's bird character (already forgot her name) said, "We can start wars with the French!" The episode is set in 1813...the first year of the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleonic France. Britain was already at war with the French, unless the episode itself was set between the 1st January - 3rd March 1813, before the war actually started, but judging by the spring/summer night vibe of the outdoors setting, it just seems like the writers forgot to do a quick check on Google for that tiny bit of proper historical context. I know it's an extremely pedantic thing to feel miffed over, but it's something that could have so easily been modified in the script before production. That and I'm sure fellow military history buffs were also facepalming following that line. 😂
as some one who has never heard of Bridgeton before watching the ep i can tell you for a fact it doesnt matter if you know it is a thing or not much like on the 9th doctor it doesnt matter if you know what big brother is or what you are the weakest link is
And the Bridgerton references will age FAR worse than they did because at least they’re part of the story. No one in 20 years will know what Ruby means by “Bridgerton” and will think it’s outdated slang.
For those with comments surrounding Rogue being able to push Ruby out of the trap and why he couldn't have done that with the 5th bird Emily. They established that the doctor set the trap capacity to 6 people. Although it wasn't clearly demonstrated in the episode, my belief is that when rogue jumped on and made it 7, the trap shut off momentarily until Ruby was ejected and it was switched on. I feel they could have made this quite obvious with the bright Red/Blue panelling on the floor.
6:48 Funny how you failed to notice the other face shown here that actually got people talking. Firstly, including the Fugitive Doctor is not suddenly confirmation that it's canon because nowhere in the series is it indicated that it isn't; the only people who debate this are those who wish it wasn't. What's interesting though is that the other face is that of Richard E. Grant, someone who has never played the Doctor on screen, but to hardcore fans is known for playing the Shalka Doctor in an animated series. It's this version of the Doctor that they're possibly implying is canon.
@@KingsNJenssonsIt's not an easter egg. You don't put an easter egg on show for all to see, that's the exact opposite of how an easter egg is supposed to work.
This episode must have had Jack Harkness in mind and then they realised John Barrowman is getting a bit too long in the tooth lol. Also surprised the terrible Susan Twist portrait wasn't mentioned as well, I fully didn't realise it was her until it was shown in the flashbacks of the following episode.
The romance was completey forced, I feel like if they had made Rouge a reoccurring character and built up his relationship with the doctor throughout multiple episodes, the payoff wouldve been much better. But instead they rushed it to cram in a kissing scene that felt completely unearned
I liked the episode, it's not the worst. But, while I like the romance between the Doctor and Rogue together...I will admit it was rushed. Maybe if the rogue had at least episode together with them in the TARDIS before having his disappearance.
due to the nature of the show, lasting for years and years, plus they get a new lead actor often, they have no choice but make sure that a relationship does not last. Also I disagree that you say River was a failed romance - she lasts through 3 doctors and dies happily of old age with him
I didn't hate it but i felt like it was trying way too hard too,it was also trying to be like the girl in fireplace and a hunt,like in the human nature,it was trying way too hard some times.
Didn't touch on the psychic paper joke which was also done with Jack's first scene. AND the 'Who did you lose?' conversation happens between the Doctor and Nancy in THE SAME EPISODE! It was such a hack job, I could NOT believe it
I love your reviews, you're so excessively critical, but I do enjoy your very unforgiving perspective. Especially because you are so critical in ways that I respect. The entertainment value of the depths of pedantry you scour is off the charts and I'm so happy that you are still doing these. You also make me laugh a bunch. An English Vicar of wealthy parishioners would def party 'till dawn, especially in the state of 1800's England.
One thing that seriously bugged me, apart from The Doctor being clearly desperate to get boned, was that he seemed to completely forget Ruby was left in a very dangerous situation with killer bird people roaming around. He was thinking with his dick, not his brain.
I suppose the shocking thing is she appears along with all the mainline post Hartnell Doctor's (even Shalka) so the implication is she isn't pre-Hartnell, in which case, where does she fit in? They didn't show the Morbius Doctors or the Timeless Children incarnations that were shown on screen, so that suggests she's a division Doctor who was plucked out and put back (memory wiped but only a little...?) Between other main incarnations. So... where? 2 and 3? Shalka and 9? 6 and 7? That's where my brain went when we saw her.
@@captbuckyohare5585 There are two ways to answer this question- In universe and Out of universe. Out of Universe, the answer is simple- She is a version of The Doctor that actually called herself The Doctor and went around time and space saving people as the rest of her incarnations did. Those children weren't exactly "The Doctor" yet. In Universe, You could come up with a million explanations, but the one that I like is that it's actually not that different from the out of universe explanation. I don't believe it was actually explained what that device was that The Doctor pressed- All that we know Is that it showed several of his previous incarnations. It's possible it could be connected to his actual psyche, and thus would only show images of him that he actually considered to be part of himself. The War Doctor was unseen in any Doctor montages before The Day of the Doctor. It's possible that realizing he wasn't as cruel as he thought he was at the end of the Time-War allowed him to have a psychological forgiveness of that incarnation, and he truly accepted that version of himself as The Doctor. The Fugitive Doctor is also an incarnation of himself that he has accepted after realizing what she is. The Shalka Doctor also must take place before Hartnell. It doesn't make any sense how he would take place anywhere else. You could say The Doctor learning about the Timeless Child Is slowly causing him to uncover hidden memories of his previous incarnations. Hence why the Shalka Doctor showed up but the Cushing and Curse of Fatal Death Doctors didn't. If the children had appeared, it would have ruined the tone of the scene no matter what
@@carealoo744 Thanks for the thoughtful response. I would argue that there was enough care with the War Doctor to explain why he doesn't appear in montages (The Doctor never considered that incarnation as "The Doctor", that incarnation never defended Earth from enemies, at least in the main show, so when the Atraxi check their records for whether or not Earth is protected, it makes sense that he doesn't appear). I like the idea that it's a device that maps the Doctor's inner acceptance of these faces, which in universe explains why the list can expand with the times, it's a problem that we don't have that explanation in-universe though. I took it quite simply that Shalka is canon now, and in those stories, Shalka was the Ninth Doctor. The idea at the time was he regenerated from Eight, but now we've seen Eight regenerate into War, and only War's regeneration is even mildly flexible because of the cut away, and you could feasibly sneak him in there. It troubles me how clumsy it's all becoming and the more we have to head-canon (alongside all the other inconsistencies over the course of the show's history) just for the sake of easter eggs or whimsical asides RTD and company decide throw in with a short term gain, only to generate long term questions over what matters and what doesn't in the character's history, then I think it's going going to erode engagement and buy-in.
@@captbuckyohare5585 I remember there was an interview where Moffat was talking about the Timeless Child, and sarcastically claimed- "How dare you interfere with a show who's canon is as air-tight and solid as Doctor Who?" Basically with a franchise so complicated, there's bound to be contradictions no matter what kind of timeline you create, and even if you manage to make one that fully explains everything with no plot holes at all, it would rely heavily on pushing the fan brain to its limit to make everything fit, and wouldn't necessarily be how the writers ers believed it to be. 🙃
I love your reviews, Harry, and couldn't agree more with your insights and a lot of the commenter's views here as well. Personally, I'm still not sure what the 15th Doctor's personality is supposed to be. The only remarkable thing about this Doctor is him being camp, calling everyone 'babes' and 'honey' and apparently falling in love quicker than one can say 'Allons-y. He also seems to have rather lost sight of priorities, for example, in this episode being seemingly more interested in kissing a man he's literally just met 10 minutes ago than helping his companion who is stuck in a castle with deadly predators. I really wished that they hadn't put this weird romance in here and made him obviously gay. I always thought that the mystery surrounding his sexuality really added to his alien-like quality and his image of being ancient, wise and unattainable, in addition to leaving you guessing on the nature of his relationship with the companions. Lastly, while there has always been an aspect of fantasy to Dr Who, the 2024 series is leaning so heavily towards the implausible fantasy/paranormal instead of good old time travel that it bores me to tears.
@@cosmonorth7177 Rose was platonic and also after a lot of episodes together! I loved how she admitted it to him (David Tennant) but he disappeared into thin air before he could finish his answer to that. This Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) meets someone and in less than 10 minutes is already ready to kiss someone who just tried to kill him several minutes ago. 🤔 A huge difference and it makes the Doctor look incredibly superficial.
@@cosmonorth7177 Yeah, I don't know whether you just want to be contrarian, but tell me that you can see a difference between The Doctor spending 3 seasons with a companion and going through all kinds of adventures together and him meeting some random alien who tries to kill him and then considering kissing him 10 minutes later, right? .....Right? 😑
I recall from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park that her heroine dances at a ball until 3 AM, and then is hurried off to bed at what is considered an EARLY hour while the rest of the ball continues without her for what's expected to be two more hours. So yeah... they partied until the crack of dawn in the Regency era.
Honestly man, I used to love watching your reviews, but recently these videos have been on a decline. I understand not liking the episodes, but you nitpick and nitpick until it just becomes exhausting to watch. Some of the things you bring up aren't even valid criticism, or are just straight up wrong (like the 73 Yards dream stuff). Maybe the show just isn't for you anymore, and that's okay. But A LOT of the fandom absolutely adores this era (despite its flaws), including me - and just hearing you ramble on about how disappointing the eps are to you is disheartening, as well as reading through the comments of the fanbase you've accrued. Maybe you should try reviewing things you actually enjoy for a change
I agree, used to enjoy the reviews but now it's not even giving it a chance, personally I found this one a bit of fun. I feel like he's going into these reviews with an already negative mindset and I agree it's exhausting
RTD needs to address that new old man doctor tbh. Also, the fugitive doctor being canon is also ruining my experience but I can push her to one side in my head.
To anyone complaining about the review of this episode, just remember that Harry gave *Heaven Sent* a 4/10 too! Everyone has different preferences, I personally thought that this episode was pretty good - not as good as 73 Yards or Dot & Bubble, but it's certainly on par with an episode like The Devil's Chord. And hey, it's certainly no Space Babies, right? The whirlwind romance could have been handled better for sure if there had been more time to develop it - it definitely felt rushed but it was still a lot of fun to watch, Ncuti killed it and the actors have genuine chemistry - but it's a trope as old as time (and at least they didn't properly kill off Rogue, thereby fulfilling the Bury the Gay trope). The Chuldur basically just being loony cosplayers (like less genocidal Slitheen) was great fun - as with the Doctor/Rogue's romance I wish there was more time to explore any world-ending motivations and/or potential that they had. A two-parter would have fixed about 80% of the issues with the episode IMHO, especially Ruby's obvious absence from a majority of the story. Also, and this isn't a criticism of the review since it's touched upon within a couple of minutes, it's pretty clear that a lot of people with... less than favourable world views... are jumping on the bandwagon in bad faith, using the fact that this episode is facing more criticism (like this review) than the last 3 as "proof" that Doctor Who being "WOKE" is ruining the show, as if DW wasn't always socially conscious to a degree. Let's be real - if Chibnall can't kill this show by writing the blandest, most disorganised stories since the 80s, Disney and RTD sure as hell can't either by being "TOO WOKE", writing an interracial homosexual romance set in early-mid 19th century aristocratic England. The amount of hate I've seen just because Ncuti himself is black and doesn't conform to hetero norms is astounding, let alone how the show presents 15, and I hope that these people can actually reflect on why it is that they even hold these worldviews in the first place - challenging such views is a core part of the show, and to act like Doctor Who isn't (pretty much always) politically/socially aware is pure, willful ignorance. TLDR stop getting whiney because your once-favourite reviewer doesn't like "the gay Bridgerton episode", Harry has had many contrarian takes over his 10+ years on UA-cam. This episode is as good as you want it to be - and if you don't like it *because* of the homosexuality, I hope you grow and change as a person. Personally 7/10, lots of fun but needs more everything, yes even the classical pop-music covers that Bridgerton is known for. Rant over. Great review as always Harry, even if I often disagree with your criticisms. I look forward to your takes on TLoRS too, considering how my ambivalence to it seems to be in the *extreme* minority.
I have never watched Bridgerton, no one I know watched Bridgerton, this episode felt like a crossover-fanfiction with Jack Harkness and a show I don't care about. It's like listening to a friend talking about a show you don't watch but you're too polite to say anything so you're just waiting for it to be over. But because of that your friend continues talking for an hour
Also: That isn't cosplaying, it's LARP. Cosplaying is just dressing up as characters, LARP is them trying to act like their characters. They could have done something with it, because Rogue likes role playing games like DnD and they are role playing, but nope
Larping isn't cool or mainstream yet bc most people hate the part of actually having to do something other than just buying cheap costumes off Amazon to get likes. I see a lot of renfairs where people just treat it like a mall you wear a costume to and still look down on the people who like the rp. This episode was just "look popular thing, we said nerd word clap"
@@julians552 i think the dnd thing was just "how do you do fellow nerds" because one thing everyone knows about dnd even the least interested is the dice.
To be honest, I feel like the Docor's race being an important factor in the plot would have made more sense in this episode rather than the Dot and Bubble one
What? No. Making some dowdy upper class 19th century people racist says absolutely nothing. The fact that the future-human society are so ignorant and that makes them racist is the point of the whole episode.
People may enjoy this era but this guys job is to say whats good and bad about the episode why are people so angry at this? If the episodes bad and people are enjoying it then thats great but dont hate on the guy because hes pointing out how its bad and not saying oh well its a little bit of fun
Sending the bird creatures to the Shadow Proclamation would be awesome. I really hope to see that faction play a larger role. In the first RTD era and Moffat's, they felt almost like Doctor Who's Green Lantern corps, and now theyre just sort of forgotten about. But we were led to believe that they're a faction with huge power and influence over galactic affairs.
Yeah I love it when my media has nothing to say. Just show me flashy lights and pretty images, I don't want to think about any social or political connotations to anything I watch. This is what your channel has turned into
@@Futurebound_jpg If you’re only interested in hearing your own opinion regurgitated back at you, you were never a fan of the reviewer in the first place.
@@Longshanks1690 i actually love reviewers who frequently disagree with me. Like council of geeks i almost never agree with yet love their videos, because they act like a reviewer and not a pompous ass. Anyway 🤣🖐🏻
Dont understand the romance in this one, feels extremely rushed. Interesting new aliens, but I hate this period stuff, feel like it couldve been more interesting if it was a diff period
If this episode came earlier in the season it's likely we would've gotten Space Babies, Rogue and Devil's Chord consecutively, which - while I liked Devil's Chord and thought Rogue was okay - would have been 3 controversial episodes in a row and viewership would've fell off dramatically
I liked rogue himself. I like the bird peeps. Episode was dog water Hoping rogue pulls through as a cool return I do feel the need to say though, the doctor running into all these people who seem to reflect his past could 100% be worked in as a plot point. It is a lot of weird coincidence that could be seen as bad writing, OR, with hopeful heart, great setup ;D I would like to also counterpoint: 7:07. The birds wouldn't have multiple faces around them. They would have one true face, then aliases. The doctor's incarnations are shown because they're all his true faces. There's nothing hidden underneath.
Let's ignore the forced romance, paper thin characters, terribly realized plot contrivances, and general awfulness of the script overall for just a second. What was the point of the bird people aside from the cosplaying drama? At what point would these creatures actually be a threat to anyone but idiots? The Doctor and rogue discuss them as if them getting into the royal family and wreaking havoc is either plausible or a threat to anything. These villains are idiots, likely the equivalent of preening goofy teenagers from the thematic of cosplay and other things courting the interest of that age group. They're clearly not warriors, and need to be in close contact with their targets to be effective and there's not very many of them. In actual combat with anyone brandishing a weapon they'd die before they could take their identity. And as stupid as they appear to be would probably get the French Revolution treatment if they tried to rule anything. So, to sum up, bad story, bad characters, forced romance, and terrible villains. Even without the obvious responses from the gay couple hoopla, this is just terrible Dr. Who.
@@friendlyotaku9525 In this context? Not really. The Daleks and Cybermen are organized, militaristic groups that are quite violent and can take down enemies, the Weeping Angels only attack in specific ways as to not be perceived as a threat until its too late, the Zygons are actually better at duplication than these bird aliens and are more adept at fighting if necessary. There are inept aliens through the show's history to be sure, but this episode, they presented no real threat and were given far more latitude than they deserved in that fashion.
@@friendlyotaku9525 Again, in this context? Not really. You don't seem interested in an actual conversation about the topic, so I won't waste any more time on it.
@friendlyotaku9525 they're the ones losing viewers and getting low ratings. I remember when series 7 was the biggest low point and i dropped off then came back with series 10 and watched what i missed and all of that is still better than this series and the jodie era.
The only people commenting negatively on your reviews are die hard fans who don’t understand the difference in quality and how far the writing has fallen
I have the top negative comment on this video and that statement couldn't be further from the truth. There are absolutely things to criticize about this era, but when it's nonstop nitpicking, it's in bad faith. And the transphobic comments + weirdly disproportionate criticism to colored characters rather than white makes me like Harry's content less and less anyway. Its making him feel less like a DW reviewer and more like a Bowlestrek
Not against the romance, just felt it sort of happened just because. I feel fans wouldn’t give a pass to a straight romance written this thinly. Some light flirting was all they shared before they were suddenly infatuated with each other I really liked the episode on the whole but they all name-dropped Bridgerton way too often. And when the aliens actually use the word ‘cosplay’ I cringed. My personal favourite of the season so far, I’m just glad it was a ‘normal’ feeling episode of Doctor Who.
I honestly really liked this episode. I agree, the romance was way too forced, and quite enjoyed Rogue's character before he took a back seat and didn't really feel like himself later in the ep Outside of that, however, I had a really fun time and most of your more minor complaints really didn't bother me so much
I dont have a problem with the gay stuff in the show i have a problem with them trying to write out Captain Jack ever happening. What was the biggest article the next day after this first ever gay kiss on doctor who. Didnt know Captain jack the lizard lady and a couple other people never happened.
It was an OK episode I guess but I wasn't really engaged in the story. I was watching it on iPlayer, paused it for a while and did other things before returning.
Another great review, Harry 👍🏻not sure why people are so particularly critical of your review this week but I thought you were more than fair with you critiques. Personally, I thought the doctor gave out stalker vibes at times and the relationship was way too rushed to carry the emotional weight the writers wanted. Maybe they should've had Rogue travel with them and let the relationship blossom that way...but that'd be another rehash of Captain Jack as well
Why didn’t Rouge use Emily to replace Ruby instead of putting her in then “sacrificing” himself? (He’s gonna show up no matter what we think of the episode)
Its so sad because I loved the two together but it was tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooootally killed that the whole relationship happened in what must have been 3 hours in actually in world time.
Thank god, finally someone who actually talks sense. I have been saying the exact same things you said about this episode since I watched it last week.
This episode review was not it - the nitpicks are so quickly debunked and if you’re complaining about “political messaging” you must not watch a lot of WHO / RTD - literally everything he does has political messaging / social commentary / critique. You also keep whinging that you don’t like subtle political messaging, whilst at the same time claiming chibnall was too heavy handed with it - which is it, Harry?
I find it funny that people think a RTD run DW should be non-political - I shudder to think what might happen to them if they were forced to sit through "It's a Sin"
Watch Human Nature and Family of Blood. They have a ton of social, political, and historical commentary in them. A tonne. But pay attention to how it's presented. The questions asked. How the characters operate within the story and the points made. Then watch say... Rosa? Or Dot and Bubble. Now, if you're going to tell me these things and their conception, intent, and execution are the same... then I think that might be where your confusion is coming from.
@@captbuckyohare5585they’re too smooth-brained to tell the difference. To then jack kissing 9 = 15 kissing rogue. all oblivious to the character complexities, intricacies, and semantics that supplement good storytelling
There are next to no nitpicks in this video. Every point he makes is substantive and is backed by evidence, complaining about the moon being bright is probably the most nitpick it gets but it sounds more like you don’t like he’s criticising an episode you like but rather than refute the points, you dismiss it all as nitpicking.
@@phlippyno thanks. I’ve fallen out of love with the show for a number of years now. Treats it’s audience like babies imo. I find Harry’s reviews really entertaining though, not that it represents my views on the show tho
Ncutis Doctor and Rubys lack of character development can be most easily demonstrated by knowing they wouldnt pass the Wild Blue Yonder test. Put them in that story instead of 14/10 and Donna and they wouldnt be able to do anything with them. Their relationship is all surface level theres nothing substantial and neither would be identifiable against the not things. Compare that to previous Tardis teams: 9 and Rose, 10 and Rose/Martha/Donna, 11 and Amy/Amy + Rory, 11 and Clara, 12 and Clara. They would all easily work in that story. The only comparatively bad/poorly developed Tardis teams are the Chibnall ones.
Jonathan Groff appeared in Glee, and Looking, a show built around a cast of gay characters, his co-star and love interest was Russell Tovey. Of course, he's going to want to snog the Doctor, just like Jack before him. As for "we can argue across the stars" 🤮 just slap a label across it saying Dairylea, it's so cheesy
As a mature gay man (age not attitude) I thought the dance scene was surprisingly good but should have been in a channel 4 drama. The rest is. ..... Bonkers (pun) 5/10
6:50 - of course she's canon, why wouldn't she be? She's a part of the Doctor's history. Also it's weird you point her out yet nothing about the Shalka Doctor?! Honestly this is my favourite episode of the series thus far, loved it!
Am i the only one wondering why they didn't use Zygons? I know in current time there is a truce but the bird people are just zygons only worse lol Will say the Doctor should have smelled Ruby was Ruby, just like when he could smell Martha was a clone in the Sontaran 2 parter I didn't hate the episode but this is clearly just a fun little romp just to have the doctor have a male love interest.
Wow. This new era sure is separating the longtime fans from newly annointed cheerleaders, innit? Imagine? The Who fanbase. Being super discerning, nickpicky, and sticklers for a good story and well-drawn characters? No way. But if this is your first rodeo I can appreciate it's a shock.
I didn't enjoy it either. The cosplay was a nice idea, but it was stretched. The 'romance' was contrived and unconvincing. Wasn't impressed by the acting either and the Bridgerton references were tedious.
political? this episode wasn't political. please don't turn into the "wokism" moaners. it was a sweet romance story and cool little alien plot. i really loved this episode. i also have no interest in bridgerton either but I loved the relationship with rogue the most, although the bird people were awsome too.
This episode was terrible. Ever notice how often the Doctor leaves Rose this season? They have no chemistry and barely a relationship. They had to have a flashback reminding him thay he needs to take care of her, because he apparently forgot.
I feel like the Doctor who fandom just became the Star Wars fandom. You have the fans that really love the show and then you have the fans that just……….. love bashing the hell out of it for no real reason. Seriously, this doctor is amazing and defiantly better than the last one yet all people can do is complain, nag, and rip for no real reason other than,” It’s not new, it’s dull.” Geez, a show over 60 years old is doing the same shite in new ways, no doy?
Hi. 30 year fan here. So the Jodie/Chibs era just happened. The Moffat/Capaldi era came before that. There was the revival. The TV movie. The McCoy years. The Baker years. In what universe or version of waking reality have you observed those periods and thought parts of the fandom weren't critiquing the show? Like... is this your first day?
Harry please just stop reviewing this show if you’re not enjoying it anymore. If all you can muster are nitpicks about the most trivial aspects of an episode, then it makes the review less interesting as a result. At least if you care about the thing that you’re reviewing, then your criticisms are going to have more weight.
Stop watching the reviews then - how do you idiots push this rhetoric with your full chests whilst sitting down to watch the full review. Smoothest brains around
I’ve watched this show since I found old VHS tapes of it when I was 3. I’m now 27 and haven’t really enjoyed the show since 2013 but I stick with it cos there’s always a kernel of something. But, like Harry, when I watch something so vacuous and devoid of any substance, it is frustrating and I think it’s much better people express their true feelings of an episode. Trying to silence valid criticism serves no purpose, it’s harmful to the betterment of television and film.
Rogue is literally just captain jack but worse...it feels like Russell has just ran out of ideas and is doing the same stuff he did in his first era...the man gets a free pass by the fandom for his appalling behaviour during the filming of season 1 in 2005 and he has the fandom wrapped around his fingers...in the classic era you had guys who were nerds but who still were competent and mature, RTD, Moffet, and Chibnall just feel like loose cannons who played with Doctor who dolls as kids and have put their awful fanfic to screen...doctor who has always been progressive, i get that, but it's just getting boring honestly...i wanted fun adevntures with Ncuti and Millies amazing chemistry...what we've got is "issue of the week" borderline soap opera storyboard writing.
@@Longshanks1690 Okay so that's simply not true- you have a whole range of commentary in the modern DW era, like the subtle abortion beats in the space babies ep. If you only see the prominent, obvious message, you clearly don't want to bother looking further into the story. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with un-subtle, out-in-the-open political themes, DW has done it many times before
@@phlippy Do I actually have to put /s at the end of every one of my obviously sarcastic comments? JFC 🙄 DW has done obvious messaging before but never on this scale where the characters just stop the story to look in the screen and tell you the message, that’s very much something only the modern show does. Also do not tell a lie like “the pro abortion message in space babies was subtle.” 😂
@@Longshanks1690 Like what are you even talking about, when have the characters ever "stopped the story to look in the screen and tell us the message"? That was more of a 13th thing, and these episodes are nothing close to Orphan 55 That message WAS subtle, to the point where I didn't get it until my second rewatch and I've not seen any reactors actually pick up on it.
If you need a cheering up, why don’t you watch an anime called ‘Bokurano’. It gets really happy at the end, just watch all the episodes when you’re in a low mood… …actually don’t do that. It’s really depressing, very good but very depressing. If you need cheering up though; ‘Amanchu’, ‘Yuru Camp’ (not about lesbians) and ‘Tonkatsu DJ Agetero’ are very good at lifting your mood. No politics either.
@@phlippy Sometimes you just have to unplug. Which is funny to say you need to unplug from entertainment. But if you really want a multi-million company with enforced quotas to include incredibly complicated ways of living like they’re board game pieces and a mono-political bulldozer not applicable to all the countries they’re available in left or right devoid of any complexity or genuine voice; You do you, sister.
ur bits r funneeee hrrry - first minute was v/solid lols. was rewatching some of ur old ones - the S3 mega review in particular, the internal milk bit just had me dying
@@friendlyotaku9525 the character of The Doctor has been changed beyond the point of return. The Doctor is not sexual, he is asexual, always has been, for good reason. Firstly, it's a kids' show, 2nd he's an alien, 3rd he's inclusive, by giving him ANY sexuality, it excludes by definition. Throughout this season the Doctor has not been the hero. He's done very little. Like I said, not Dr Who, but you're right about one thing, this was THE most Dr Whoish episode so far, which says more about how the bar is than anything else.
@aliservan7188 "he is asexual, always has been" this is verifiably UNTRUE. You just going to ignore 8 kissing Grace, 9 and Jack kissing, 9 kissing Rose, 10 kissing Reinette, 10 being in love with Rose, 10 kissing Martha, 11 and River, 12 and River, 13 and Yaz. "The Doctor has not been the hero" except for the fact he saves people, the literal definition of a hero. This is Doctor Who.
@@seankelly8432 thats quite literally what this epsiode was. A period peice with romance. Thats it. Atleast the girl in the fireplace had other good factors
I am enjoying Harry’s detailed, humorous but stringent reviews as much as ever. Sounds like there’s some salt because the woketards don’t like criticism of any episode with overt examples of alternative sexuality or something but the sad fact is that this season, whilst beautified with all RTDs clever dramatic flourishes is as vacuous, unoriginal and superficial as the chibnall era. Which is why the audience numbers are cratering
@@badger_shorts7708 Costume Party - The Doctor (Simona Brown) and Anita (Anya Chalotra) visit a rich estate in 1813, dressed for the occasion and join everyone in the ball. However, shapeshifters called Lactian are secretly hiding as some of the guests, and when one “guest” is called out for her odd behaviour, she reveals herself by spying and choosing Anita for her next form. This Laction, Elara, tricks Anita into a walk and chat about the grounds. Elara then shapeshifts into Anita, secures the real Anita, and frees the real version of her former disguise, Adelaide. Later on, another Laction called Seraphine does the same to the Doctor, disguising herself as and securing the Doctor while previous disguise Charlotte is released. Has the Doctor finally been defeated by a bunch of shapeshifters? Anyone Can Be The Doctor - Elara and Seraphine, along with their fellow shapeshifters, think that they have defeated the Doctor. Disguised as Anita and the Doctor, Elara and Seraphine continue engaging in the festivities of the ball. But then, the Daleks arrive, hoping to use the planet’s current time period to their advantage and easily conquer Earth. While Elara and Seraphine can use their mental links to Anita and the Doctor to defeat the Daleks with the help of their fellow kind and human friends, Seraphine decides to give up disguising herself as the Doctor because of the trouble she could end up in. However, Elara refuses to give Anita up, so the Doctor has the Lactian promise to be good and care for Anita and the people they hide with. The story ends with the Doctor dressing down the Lactian and telling them to be good and not step over the line again, or they "will not live to see the consequences". She is really mad about how the Lactian free her but not Anita
This review lacks awareness, I don't like to compare, but I'll do it here, you aren't the only person who disliked this episode, Harbor Wholmes also didn't, but he was extremely clear on the fact that he was against the grain in this matter. I have seen such a positive consensus for this episode when ignoring the more blatant bigots and so on. I know you aren't one of those so I wonder what's the point. And I suspect you will dismiss these appraisals of the episode as people lacking critical thinking. But the fact is that your words have influence, people often will just agree for the sake of conformity or because they see you as an authority figure on this matter. I have studied film for years and know damn well how to analyse media which makes it seem to me that this review is exceptionally narrow minded. This episode isn't a masterpiece, but christ almighty, 4/10? Really? Get a grip, mate. I like your videos, but during this era you have been exceedingly over critical to an irritating degree. I'm saddened that this comment gave this video engagement, but it's in the hopes that you see it.
![DID IT SUCK? | Doctor Who [SEASON 1 FINALE MEGA REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/L7DVAmeJJM4/mqdefault.jpg)
![DID IT SUCK? | Doctor Who [SEASON 1 FINALE MEGA REVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
![DID IT SUCK? | Doctor Who [THE POWER OF THE DOCTOR REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/lqBHbpF0wfM/mqdefault.jpg)
“Downton for Ticktockers” is an INSPIRED description, I love that
Speaking of historical inaccuracies, the one line that REALLY annoyed me was when Indira Varma's bird character (already forgot her name) said, "We can start wars with the French!"
The episode is set in 1813...the first year of the War of the Sixth Coalition against Napoleonic France. Britain was already at war with the French, unless the episode itself was set between the 1st January - 3rd March 1813, before the war actually started, but judging by the spring/summer night vibe of the outdoors setting, it just seems like the writers forgot to do a quick check on Google for that tiny bit of proper historical context.
I know it's an extremely pedantic thing to feel miffed over, but it's something that could have so easily been modified in the script before production. That and I'm sure fellow military history buffs were also facepalming following that line. 😂
as some one who has never heard of Bridgeton before watching the ep i can tell you for a fact it doesnt matter if you know it is a thing or not much like on the 9th doctor it doesnt matter if you know what big brother is or what you are the weakest link is
And the Bridgerton references will age FAR worse than they did because at least they’re part of the story. No one in 20 years will know what Ruby means by “Bridgerton” and will think it’s outdated slang.
@@Longshanks1690 It's like if one of the eps from the 80s revolved around references to Upstairs Downstairs lol.
If Rouge can push Ruby out the circle, why does he need to take her place? I don't get how the triangle is a true trap if you can be pushed out.
Im ngl I really liked this episode, it felt like a ninth doctor story, campy and goofy but with some great moments.
I think my one and only favourite piece of dialogue in this episode is:
"Why isn't it cloaked?"
"It's behind a tree..." *rolls eyes*
For those with comments surrounding Rogue being able to push Ruby out of the trap and why he couldn't have done that with the 5th bird Emily. They established that the doctor set the trap capacity to 6 people. Although it wasn't clearly demonstrated in the episode, my belief is that when rogue jumped on and made it 7, the trap shut off momentarily until Ruby was ejected and it was switched on. I feel they could have made this quite obvious with the bright Red/Blue panelling on the floor.
6:48 Funny how you failed to notice the other face shown here that actually got people talking. Firstly, including the Fugitive Doctor is not suddenly confirmation that it's canon because nowhere in the series is it indicated that it isn't; the only people who debate this are those who wish it wasn't. What's interesting though is that the other face is that of Richard E. Grant, someone who has never played the Doctor on screen, but to hardcore fans is known for playing the Shalka Doctor in an animated series. It's this version of the Doctor that they're possibly implying is canon.
> Episode turns up
> “Oh the Shalka Doctor is canon btw”
> Refuses to elaborate
> Leaves
I honestly LOVE that
It's just a pre-Hartnell Doctor. I think that's what the Timeless Children episode was trying to do- Help with the lore
or you could just be like, its a nice easter egg moving on
@@KingsNJenssonsIt's not an easter egg.
You don't put an easter egg on show for all to see, that's the exact opposite of how an easter egg is supposed to work.
@@JAM92right? The special weapons dalek was less obvious in asylum of the daleks lol.
This episode must have had Jack Harkness in mind and then they realised John Barrowman is getting a bit too long in the tooth lol. Also surprised the terrible Susan Twist portrait wasn't mentioned as well, I fully didn't realise it was her until it was shown in the flashbacks of the following episode.
John barrowman probably would’ve been in the episode but he’s a persona non grata and basically “cancelled”
This episode should have been swapped with Devil's Chord in the running order tbh
The romance was completey forced, I feel like if they had made Rouge a reoccurring character and built up his relationship with the doctor throughout multiple episodes, the payoff wouldve been much better. But instead they rushed it to cram in a kissing scene that felt completely unearned
The Doctor only fell for him because he's hot
Wholeheartedly agreed.
I liked the episode, it's not the worst. But, while I like the romance between the Doctor and Rogue together...I will admit it was rushed. Maybe if the rogue had at least episode together with them in the TARDIS before having his disappearance.
Rogue*
@@Reslivo my bad. XD
I always hate when the doctor gets into a romance, it never works, not Rose, River, or whoever else really wish they'd just stop trying.
due to the nature of the show, lasting for years and years, plus they get a new lead actor often, they have no choice but make sure that a relationship does not last. Also I disagree that you say River was a failed romance - she lasts through 3 doctors and dies happily of old age with him
River was probably the only time where it really worked and was solid.
skill issue on your part mate
12/River absolutely worked.
I really wish they would just let the Doctor be an asexual character.
Been saying this since 10
Harry let me tell you, we very much (!!) appreciate your ongoing reviews!! Thank you for your service🫡
I didn't hate it but i felt like it was trying way too hard too,it was also trying to be like the girl in fireplace and a hunt,like in the human nature,it was trying way too hard some times.
Didn't touch on the psychic paper joke which was also done with Jack's first scene. AND the 'Who did you lose?' conversation happens between the Doctor and Nancy in THE SAME EPISODE! It was such a hack job, I could NOT believe it
I feel like this episode would have been better if it had the Rutans or the Harmony Shoal as their foes
No, it would have been better if it was wrote better. Not just swapping X for cooler X.
OOO yes
Or the Slitheen coming back
Yoooo yes. The Harmony Shoal should return asap.
I love your reviews, you're so excessively critical, but I do enjoy your very unforgiving perspective. Especially because you are so critical in ways that I respect. The entertainment value of the depths of pedantry you scour is off the charts and I'm so happy that you are still doing these. You also make me laugh a bunch. An English Vicar of wealthy parishioners would def party 'till dawn, especially in the state of 1800's England.
One thing that seriously bugged me, apart from The Doctor being clearly desperate to get boned, was that he seemed to completely forget Ruby was left in a very dangerous situation with killer bird people roaming around. He was thinking with his dick, not his brain.
Huh? How? The scene at the end is literally about him saving her life and being upset that he might not be able to save her life.
@@friendlyotaku9525 Read my comment and then your comment again and then you might realise how stupid your comment is 😂
I mean... The Fugitive Doctor has literally appeared in the show so of course she's canon
I suppose the shocking thing is she appears along with all the mainline post Hartnell Doctor's (even Shalka) so the implication is she isn't pre-Hartnell, in which case, where does she fit in? They didn't show the Morbius Doctors or the Timeless Children incarnations that were shown on screen, so that suggests she's a division Doctor who was plucked out and put back (memory wiped but only a little...?) Between other main incarnations. So... where? 2 and 3? Shalka and 9? 6 and 7? That's where my brain went when we saw her.
@@captbuckyohare5585 There are two ways to answer this question- In universe and Out of universe.
Out of Universe, the answer is simple- She is a version of The Doctor that actually called herself The Doctor and went around time and space saving people as the rest of her incarnations did. Those children weren't exactly "The Doctor" yet.
In Universe, You could come up with a million explanations, but the one that I like is that it's actually not that different from the out of universe explanation. I don't believe it was actually explained what that device was that The Doctor pressed- All that we know Is that it showed several of his previous incarnations. It's possible it could be connected to his actual psyche, and thus would only show images of him that he actually considered to be part of himself. The War Doctor was unseen in any Doctor montages before The Day of the Doctor. It's possible that realizing he wasn't as cruel as he thought he was at the end of the Time-War allowed him to have a psychological forgiveness of that incarnation, and he truly accepted that version of himself as The Doctor.
The Fugitive Doctor is also an incarnation of himself that he has accepted after realizing what she is.
The Shalka Doctor also must take place before Hartnell. It doesn't make any sense how he would take place anywhere else. You could say The Doctor learning about the Timeless Child Is slowly causing him to uncover hidden memories of his previous incarnations. Hence why the Shalka Doctor showed up but the Cushing and Curse of Fatal Death Doctors didn't.
If the children had appeared, it would have ruined the tone of the scene no matter what
@@carealoo744 Thanks for the thoughtful response. I would argue that there was enough care with the War Doctor to explain why he doesn't appear in montages (The Doctor never considered that incarnation as "The Doctor", that incarnation never defended Earth from enemies, at least in the main show, so when the Atraxi check their records for whether or not Earth is protected, it makes sense that he doesn't appear). I like the idea that it's a device that maps the Doctor's inner acceptance of these faces, which in universe explains why the list can expand with the times, it's a problem that we don't have that explanation in-universe though.
I took it quite simply that Shalka is canon now, and in those stories, Shalka was the Ninth Doctor. The idea at the time was he regenerated from Eight, but now we've seen Eight regenerate into War, and only War's regeneration is even mildly flexible because of the cut away, and you could feasibly sneak him in there.
It troubles me how clumsy it's all becoming and the more we have to head-canon (alongside all the other inconsistencies over the course of the show's history) just for the sake of easter eggs or whimsical asides RTD and company decide throw in with a short term gain, only to generate long term questions over what matters and what doesn't in the character's history, then I think it's going going to erode engagement and buy-in.
@@captbuckyohare5585 I remember there was an interview where Moffat was talking about the Timeless Child, and sarcastically claimed-
"How dare you interfere with a show who's canon is as air-tight and solid as Doctor Who?"
Basically with a franchise so complicated, there's bound to be contradictions no matter what kind of timeline you create, and even if you manage to make one that fully explains everything with no plot holes at all, it would rely heavily on pushing the fan brain to its limit to make everything fit, and wouldn't necessarily be how the writers ers believed it to be. 🙃
I love your reviews, Harry, and couldn't agree more with your insights and a lot of the commenter's views here as well.
Personally, I'm still not sure what the 15th Doctor's personality is supposed to be. The only remarkable thing about this Doctor is him being camp, calling everyone 'babes' and 'honey' and apparently falling in love quicker than one can say 'Allons-y.
He also seems to have rather lost sight of priorities, for example, in this episode being seemingly more interested in kissing a man he's literally just met 10 minutes ago than helping his companion who is stuck in a castle with deadly predators.
I really wished that they hadn't put this weird romance in here and made him obviously gay. I always thought that the mystery surrounding his sexuality really added to his alien-like quality and his image of being ancient, wise and unattainable, in addition to leaving you guessing on the nature of his relationship with the companions.
Lastly, while there has always been an aspect of fantasy to Dr Who, the 2024 series is leaning so heavily towards the implausible fantasy/paranormal instead of good old time travel that it bores me to tears.
"mystery surrounding his sexuality"??? season 2 had a whole subplot of the doctor falling in love with rose?
@@cosmonorth7177 I think they meant classic Who.
@@cosmonorth7177 Rose was platonic and also after a lot of episodes together! I loved how she admitted it to him (David Tennant) but he disappeared into thin air before he could finish his answer to that.
This Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) meets someone and in less than 10 minutes is already ready to kiss someone who just tried to kill him several minutes ago. 🤔
A huge difference and it makes the Doctor look incredibly superficial.
@@harrylane2699 the clone doctor literally kisses her in the season 4 finale
@@cosmonorth7177 Yeah, I don't know whether you just want to be contrarian, but tell me that you can see a difference between The Doctor spending 3 seasons with a companion and going through all kinds of adventures together and him meeting some random alien who tries to kill him and then considering kissing him 10 minutes later, right? .....Right? 😑
I recall from Jane Austen's Mansfield Park that her heroine dances at a ball until 3 AM, and then is hurried off to bed at what is considered an EARLY hour while the rest of the ball continues without her for what's expected to be two more hours.
So yeah... they partied until the crack of dawn in the Regency era.
Found it if you want to read it yourself, Mansfield Park, Volume II, Chapter X:
Just about it's morning & their hairs perfect now.... Balls back then went on all night until dawn. Historical fact😊
Honestly man, I used to love watching your reviews, but recently these videos have been on a decline. I understand not liking the episodes, but you nitpick and nitpick until it just becomes exhausting to watch. Some of the things you bring up aren't even valid criticism, or are just straight up wrong (like the 73 Yards dream stuff). Maybe the show just isn't for you anymore, and that's okay. But A LOT of the fandom absolutely adores this era (despite its flaws), including me - and just hearing you ramble on about how disappointing the eps are to you is disheartening, as well as reading through the comments of the fanbase you've accrued. Maybe you should try reviewing things you actually enjoy for a change
A lot of the fandom adores this era?
People are not watching
You can like doctor who and think the current era is awful
I agree, used to enjoy the reviews but now it's not even giving it a chance, personally I found this one a bit of fun. I feel like he's going into these reviews with an already negative mindset and I agree it's exhausting
“I enjoyed it when you nitpicked a thing I didn’t like but applying the same standard to a thing I like??? Unacceptable!!! 😤”
@@michaelparkinsonsfreeparkerpen Just spend any small amount of time on a fan page like the DW subreddit and you'll see what I mean
@@Longshanks1690 Wdym, I didn't say that
Why are u surprised about the fugitive doctor being cannon and not the shalka doctor??
RTD needs to address that new old man doctor tbh. Also, the fugitive doctor being canon is also ruining my experience but I can push her to one side in my head.
@@NileSWPhotography nah I’m chill with her existing but why did he point her out instead of the shalka doctor
@@NileSWPhotographyRTD doesn’t need to address anything.
@@MFrequiem921 sorry I worded it wrong and just edited it. RTD needs to address the alka doctor not the fugitive
@@JDPrice94 I worded it wrong, I’ve edited it now
To anyone complaining about the review of this episode, just remember that Harry gave *Heaven Sent* a 4/10 too! Everyone has different preferences, I personally thought that this episode was pretty good - not as good as 73 Yards or Dot & Bubble, but it's certainly on par with an episode like The Devil's Chord. And hey, it's certainly no Space Babies, right?
The whirlwind romance could have been handled better for sure if there had been more time to develop it - it definitely felt rushed but it was still a lot of fun to watch, Ncuti killed it and the actors have genuine chemistry - but it's a trope as old as time (and at least they didn't properly kill off Rogue, thereby fulfilling the Bury the Gay trope). The Chuldur basically just being loony cosplayers (like less genocidal Slitheen) was great fun - as with the Doctor/Rogue's romance I wish there was more time to explore any world-ending motivations and/or potential that they had. A two-parter would have fixed about 80% of the issues with the episode IMHO, especially Ruby's obvious absence from a majority of the story.
Also, and this isn't a criticism of the review since it's touched upon within a couple of minutes, it's pretty clear that a lot of people with... less than favourable world views... are jumping on the bandwagon in bad faith, using the fact that this episode is facing more criticism (like this review) than the last 3 as "proof" that Doctor Who being "WOKE" is ruining the show, as if DW wasn't always socially conscious to a degree. Let's be real - if Chibnall can't kill this show by writing the blandest, most disorganised stories since the 80s, Disney and RTD sure as hell can't either by being "TOO WOKE", writing an interracial homosexual romance set in early-mid 19th century aristocratic England. The amount of hate I've seen just because Ncuti himself is black and doesn't conform to hetero norms is astounding, let alone how the show presents 15, and I hope that these people can actually reflect on why it is that they even hold these worldviews in the first place - challenging such views is a core part of the show, and to act like Doctor Who isn't (pretty much always) politically/socially aware is pure, willful ignorance.
TLDR stop getting whiney because your once-favourite reviewer doesn't like "the gay Bridgerton episode", Harry has had many contrarian takes over his 10+ years on UA-cam. This episode is as good as you want it to be - and if you don't like it *because* of the homosexuality, I hope you grow and change as a person. Personally 7/10, lots of fun but needs more everything, yes even the classical pop-music covers that Bridgerton is known for.
Rant over. Great review as always Harry, even if I often disagree with your criticisms. I look forward to your takes on TLoRS too, considering how my ambivalence to it seems to be in the *extreme* minority.
I have never watched Bridgerton, no one I know watched Bridgerton, this episode felt like a crossover-fanfiction with Jack Harkness and a show I don't care about. It's like listening to a friend talking about a show you don't watch but you're too polite to say anything so you're just waiting for it to be over. But because of that your friend continues talking for an hour
Also: That isn't cosplaying, it's LARP. Cosplaying is just dressing up as characters, LARP is them trying to act like their characters. They could have done something with it, because Rogue likes role playing games like DnD and they are role playing, but nope
Larping isn't cool or mainstream yet bc most people hate the part of actually having to do something other than just buying cheap costumes off Amazon to get likes. I see a lot of renfairs where people just treat it like a mall you wear a costume to and still look down on the people who like the rp. This episode was just "look popular thing, we said nerd word clap"
@@julians552 i think the dnd thing was just "how do you do fellow nerds" because one thing everyone knows about dnd even the least interested is the dice.
To be honest, I feel like the Docor's race being an important factor in the plot would have made more sense in this episode rather than the Dot and Bubble one
What, racism only exists in Earth's past? Why wouldn't it make sense in D&B's setting? Racism is everywhere that discrimination is allowed to breed
@@phlippyyes but we don’t need the message that racism is bad forced down our throats constantly, we already know it is.
What? No. Making some dowdy upper class 19th century people racist says absolutely nothing. The fact that the future-human society are so ignorant and that makes them racist is the point of the whole episode.
"Think of all the people who aren't watching the show anymore" 😂😂 That's true I relied on you heavily during the Jodi Whitaker era
People may enjoy this era but this guys job is to say whats good and bad about the episode why are people so angry at this? If the episodes bad and people are enjoying it then thats great but dont hate on the guy because hes pointing out how its bad and not saying oh well its a little bit of fun
Sending the bird creatures to the Shadow Proclamation would be awesome. I really hope to see that faction play a larger role. In the first RTD era and Moffat's, they felt almost like Doctor Who's Green Lantern corps, and now theyre just sort of forgotten about. But we were led to believe that they're a faction with huge power and influence over galactic affairs.
Yeah I love it when my media has nothing to say. Just show me flashy lights and pretty images, I don't want to think about any social or political connotations to anything I watch.
This is what your channel has turned into
If you don’t listen to what he’s saying and make up strawmans for you to easily knock down, then sure. 😂
Maybe his reviews aren't for you.
Maybe go touch grass.
Insert third smug quote here.
Yep 💔 sad watching a reviewer/content creator you love go downhill and become a hater 😂
@@Futurebound_jpg If you’re only interested in hearing your own opinion regurgitated back at you, you were never a fan of the reviewer in the first place.
@@Longshanks1690 i actually love reviewers who frequently disagree with me. Like council of geeks i almost never agree with yet love their videos, because they act like a reviewer and not a pompous ass. Anyway 🤣🖐🏻
Dont understand the romance in this one, feels extremely rushed. Interesting new aliens, but I hate this period stuff, feel like it couldve been more interesting if it was a diff period
we also had way too many of this period stuff.
I feel like this episode would have been much better if the entire reboot series didn't exist.
Bro your reviews are life 😂 I understand the whole “I want to review other things” trap, believe me but please don’t stop these 😂 I love them.
it felt like a backdoor pilot to a Rogue spin-off to me
we're back to typical RTD mucking about
If this episode came earlier in the season it's likely we would've gotten Space Babies, Rogue and Devil's Chord consecutively, which - while I liked Devil's Chord and thought Rogue was okay - would have been 3 controversial episodes in a row and viewership would've fell off dramatically
I liked rogue himself. I like the bird peeps. Episode was dog water
Hoping rogue pulls through as a cool return
I do feel the need to say though, the doctor running into all these people who seem to reflect his past could 100% be worked in as a plot point.
It is a lot of weird coincidence that could be seen as bad writing, OR, with hopeful heart, great setup ;D
I would like to also counterpoint: 7:07.
The birds wouldn't have multiple faces around them.
They would have one true face, then aliases.
The doctor's incarnations are shown because they're all his true faces.
There's nothing hidden underneath.
Let's ignore the forced romance, paper thin characters, terribly realized plot contrivances, and general awfulness of the script overall for just a second. What was the point of the bird people aside from the cosplaying drama? At what point would these creatures actually be a threat to anyone but idiots? The Doctor and rogue discuss them as if them getting into the royal family and wreaking havoc is either plausible or a threat to anything.
These villains are idiots, likely the equivalent of preening goofy teenagers from the thematic of cosplay and other things courting the interest of that age group. They're clearly not warriors, and need to be in close contact with their targets to be effective and there's not very many of them. In actual combat with anyone brandishing a weapon they'd die before they could take their identity. And as stupid as they appear to be would probably get the French Revolution treatment if they tried to rule anything.
So, to sum up, bad story, bad characters, forced romance, and terrible villains. Even without the obvious responses from the gay couple hoopla, this is just terrible Dr. Who.
You could make that argument about most Doctor Who villains.
@@friendlyotaku9525
Okay. Yea. That means they’re also bad.
@@friendlyotaku9525 In this context? Not really. The Daleks and Cybermen are organized, militaristic groups that are quite violent and can take down enemies, the Weeping Angels only attack in specific ways as to not be perceived as a threat until its too late, the Zygons are actually better at duplication than these bird aliens and are more adept at fighting if necessary.
There are inept aliens through the show's history to be sure, but this episode, they presented no real threat and were given far more latitude than they deserved in that fashion.
@@achromat666 Again you can see this about many villains in Doctor Who.
@@friendlyotaku9525 Again, in this context? Not really.
You don't seem interested in an actual conversation about the topic, so I won't waste any more time on it.
Love your reviews
Thank you for your service
This was just weird fanfic that made the doctor not even feel like the doctor
No, he was Captain Jack in this episode, ready to screw his way across the universe. How far this show has sank.
@@screenwritingprofessor7346 Oh no how dare the Doctor be flirty, the Doctor's never done that before!!
@@friendlyotaku9525 Not with men 🤷♂🤷♂🤷♂
@@JunjiItoDougWalker Captain Jack literally exists.
@@friendlyotaku9525 i repeat: not with men
I've gone from touching grass to watching grass grow, thanks RTD and Ncuti! 😂 ☘️
You're basically proving Ncuti right. You look silly.
it was funny at first. You’re just making yourself look petty now
And you’re proving Ncuti’s point well done
@friendlyotaku9525 they're the ones losing viewers and getting low ratings. I remember when series 7 was the biggest low point and i dropped off then came back with series 10 and watched what i missed and all of that is still better than this series and the jodie era.
@@Chamiliatic Sure if you want to ignore any and all context. The show is doing well, the thing is that the TV landscape has vastly changed.
The only people commenting negatively on your reviews are die hard fans who don’t understand the difference in quality and how far the writing has fallen
Or maybe that's just your opinion, many people disagree however.
I have the top negative comment on this video and that statement couldn't be further from the truth. There are absolutely things to criticize about this era, but when it's nonstop nitpicking, it's in bad faith. And the transphobic comments + weirdly disproportionate criticism to colored characters rather than white makes me like Harry's content less and less anyway. Its making him feel less like a DW reviewer and more like a Bowlestrek
The word you're looking for isn't "die-hard fan", it's "die-hard cheerleader."
Not against the romance, just felt it sort of happened just because. I feel fans wouldn’t give a pass to a straight romance written this thinly. Some light flirting was all they shared before they were suddenly infatuated with each other
I really liked the episode on the whole but they all name-dropped Bridgerton way too often. And when the aliens actually use the word ‘cosplay’ I cringed. My personal favourite of the season so far, I’m just glad it was a ‘normal’ feeling episode of Doctor Who.
I honestly really liked this episode. I agree, the romance was way too forced, and quite enjoyed Rogue's character before he took a back seat and didn't really feel like himself later in the ep
Outside of that, however, I had a really fun time and most of your more minor complaints really didn't bother me so much
I dont have a problem with the gay stuff in the show i have a problem with them trying to write out Captain Jack ever happening.
What was the biggest article the next day after this first ever gay kiss on doctor who. Didnt know Captain jack the lizard lady and a couple other people never happened.
I think Barrowman may have outright asked to be replaced.
That's not the shows fault, blame the articles written by people who have never seen the show apparently.
@@friendlyotaku9525 it is when the new doctor says the same thing
@@kevenrules He never said that.
It was an OK episode I guess but I wasn't really engaged in the story. I was watching it on iPlayer, paused it for a while and did other things before returning.
omg this episode was so bridgerton.
Another great review, Harry 👍🏻not sure why people are so particularly critical of your review this week but I thought you were more than fair with you critiques. Personally, I thought the doctor gave out stalker vibes at times and the relationship was way too rushed to carry the emotional weight the writers wanted. Maybe they should've had Rogue travel with them and let the relationship blossom that way...but that'd be another rehash of Captain Jack as well
Why didn’t Rouge use Emily to replace Ruby instead of putting her in then “sacrificing” himself? (He’s gonna show up no matter what we think of the episode)
Its so sad because I loved the two together but it was tooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooootally killed that the whole relationship happened in what must have been 3 hours in actually in world time.
are they still doing that lazy writing where we are shown preivous Incarnation
Thank god, finally someone who actually talks sense. I have been saying the exact same things you said about this episode since I watched it last week.
ALSO: Rogue was so obviously RTD's self insert character EVEN MORE than captain jack ever was, it was so transparent and so embarrassing.
I remember hearing somewhere that they were originally going to use Captain Jack but didn't because of controversy
This episode wasn't written by RTD though.
@@friendlyotaku9525 exactly omg
@@friendlyotaku9525 you dont know how a writers room works, and thats okay!
@@JunjiItoDougWalker there isn't a writers room, that is not a thing with Doctor Who or most UK shows.
This episode review was not it - the nitpicks are so quickly debunked and if you’re complaining about “political messaging” you must not watch a lot of WHO / RTD - literally everything he does has political messaging / social commentary / critique.
You also keep whinging that you don’t like subtle political messaging, whilst at the same time claiming chibnall was too heavy handed with it - which is it, Harry?
I find it funny that people think a RTD run DW should be non-political - I shudder to think what might happen to them if they were forced to sit through "It's a Sin"
@@phlippy don’t forget Years and Years - incorporating Social and Political Commentary is where RTD does some of his BEST work!
Watch Human Nature and Family of Blood. They have a ton of social, political, and historical commentary in them. A tonne. But pay attention to how it's presented. The questions asked. How the characters operate within the story and the points made.
Then watch say... Rosa? Or Dot and Bubble.
Now, if you're going to tell me these things and their conception, intent, and execution are the same... then I think that might be where your confusion is coming from.
@@captbuckyohare5585they’re too smooth-brained to tell the difference. To then jack kissing 9 = 15 kissing rogue. all oblivious to the character complexities, intricacies, and semantics that supplement good storytelling
There are next to no nitpicks in this video. Every point he makes is substantive and is backed by evidence, complaining about the moon being bright is probably the most nitpick it gets but it sounds more like you don’t like he’s criticising an episode you like but rather than refute the points, you dismiss it all as nitpicking.
Love the reviews mate, been watching for a long time now. Interesting choice of beer... ;)
Watching Harry’s reviews > watching Doctor who
Reverse it for the actual truth 😂
maybe watch the show and form your own opinion
@@finnonfilmzmaybe for the older doctor who. I’ve fallen out of love with this TV show in recent years. Find Harry much more entertaining
@@phlippyno thanks. I’ve fallen out of love with the show for a number of years now. Treats it’s audience like babies imo. I find Harry’s reviews really entertaining though, not that it represents my views on the show tho
@@Im-LP
Nothing wrong with that really, do what you enjoy
Ncutis Doctor and Rubys lack of character development can be most easily demonstrated by knowing they wouldnt pass the Wild Blue Yonder test. Put them in that story instead of 14/10 and Donna and they wouldnt be able to do anything with them. Their relationship is all surface level theres nothing substantial and neither would be identifiable against the not things. Compare that to previous Tardis teams: 9 and Rose, 10 and Rose/Martha/Donna, 11 and Amy/Amy + Rory, 11 and Clara, 12 and Clara. They would all easily work in that story. The only comparatively bad/poorly developed Tardis teams are the Chibnall ones.
11 and Clara wouldn’t have, that was a terrible duo. I completely agree with the rest of your comment.
Jonathan Groff appeared in Glee, and Looking, a show built around a cast of gay characters, his co-star and love interest was Russell Tovey. Of course, he's going to want to snog the Doctor, just like Jack before him.
As for "we can argue across the stars" 🤮 just slap a label across it saying Dairylea, it's so cheesy
As a mature gay man (age not attitude) I thought the dance scene was surprisingly good but should have been in a channel 4 drama.
The rest is. ..... Bonkers (pun)
5/10
6:50 - of course she's canon, why wouldn't she be? She's a part of the Doctor's history. Also it's weird you point her out yet nothing about the Shalka Doctor?! Honestly this is my favourite episode of the series thus far, loved it!
Because the Timeless Child isn’t canon.
@@hagridmary It is. Very much so.
@@friendlyotaku9525 It isn’t. Toymaker confirmed he made it all up.
@hagridmary no he didn't. There's been several references to the Timeless Child in this season alone. It happened.
This series is terrible lol. I can’t believe some of yall go out of your way to defend slop written by Russell T Davies
Did it suck:The Crystal Maze. O'Brien, Tudorpole & Ayoade episodes 🤔🤔🤔
The Doctor should've been called out for his race. Not much in the way of Black nobles in this time period
Am i the only one wondering why they didn't use Zygons? I know in current time there is a truce but the bird people are just zygons only worse lol
Will say the Doctor should have smelled Ruby was Ruby, just like when he could smell Martha was a clone in the Sontaran 2 parter
I didn't hate the episode but this is clearly just a fun little romp just to have the doctor have a male love interest.
Yes, yes it did.
I think this episode would've been better if they swapped out the bird people for zygons
Wow. This new era sure is separating the longtime fans from newly annointed cheerleaders, innit?
Imagine? The Who fanbase. Being super discerning, nickpicky, and sticklers for a good story and well-drawn characters?
No way. But if this is your first rodeo I can appreciate it's a shock.
I didn't enjoy it either. The cosplay was a nice idea, but it was stretched. The 'romance' was contrived and unconvincing. Wasn't impressed by the acting either and the Bridgerton references were tedious.
In portuguese "did it suck?" is "chupou?"
political? this episode wasn't political. please don't turn into the "wokism" moaners. it was a sweet romance story and cool little alien plot. i really loved this episode. i also have no interest in bridgerton either but I loved the relationship with rogue the most, although the bird people were awsome too.
HA! This guy thinks gays have romance and arent purely driven by lust. insane
I think by political I think he’s more referring to it’s propensity to be controversial week in and week out
@@blablaklingklang8311 controversial how?
This episode was terrible. Ever notice how often the Doctor leaves Rose this season? They have no chemistry and barely a relationship. They had to have a flashback reminding him thay he needs to take care of her, because he apparently forgot.
you mean Ruby? i understand the confusion though xD
@@jonathandear4914that or he hasn’t watched the actually season.
@@jonathandear4914 LOL oh yes, Ruby
@@somerandomyoutubeaccount5895 I mean, she's a blonde with a very similar name whose also supposed to be 20-21, give me a break
@@dunnowy123Utter rubbish. Gatwa and Gibson’s chemistry is one of the best parts of the show.
Love your reviews. Always have.
LOVE the seethe in the comments. these people just need their political views validated constantly. kudos to you for thinking for yourself
It was crap, really really really crap. Again.
I feel like the Doctor who fandom just became the Star Wars fandom. You have the fans that really love the show and then you have the fans that just……….. love bashing the hell out of it for no real reason. Seriously, this doctor is amazing and defiantly better than the last one yet all people can do is complain, nag, and rip for no real reason other than,” It’s not new, it’s dull.” Geez, a show over 60 years old is doing the same shite in new ways, no doy?
I fully agree - this is why I started watching dwfan91 lol
But starts hasnt a good film in like 20 years. They can rightly complain.
People are not watching it's clearly not for no reason
Why must people like this era to please you?
You aren’t paying attention to the criticism if you think the only thing we have to say against this era is “it’s dull.” 🙄
Hi. 30 year fan here. So the Jodie/Chibs era just happened. The Moffat/Capaldi era came before that. There was the revival. The TV movie. The McCoy years. The Baker years.
In what universe or version of waking reality have you observed those periods and thought parts of the fandom weren't critiquing the show?
Like... is this your first day?
Harry please just stop reviewing this show if you’re not enjoying it anymore. If all you can muster are nitpicks about the most trivial aspects of an episode, then it makes the review less interesting as a result. At least if you care about the thing that you’re reviewing, then your criticisms are going to have more weight.
If you're not enjoying Harry's reviews, perhaps you should stop watching them? Wanna come and join me outside and touch some grass? 😎
Stop watching the reviews then - how do you idiots push this rhetoric with your full chests whilst sitting down to watch the full review. Smoothest brains around
True dat. Want constructive and entertaining reviews? Go to Council of Geeks, DWfan91, harbo wholmes, all more enjoyable.
cry more
I’ve watched this show since I found old VHS tapes of it when I was 3. I’m now 27 and haven’t really enjoyed the show since 2013 but I stick with it cos there’s always a kernel of something. But, like Harry, when I watch something so vacuous and devoid of any substance, it is frustrating and I think it’s much better people express their true feelings of an episode. Trying to silence valid criticism serves no purpose, it’s harmful to the betterment of television and film.
Rogue is literally just captain jack but worse...it feels like Russell has just ran out of ideas and is doing the same stuff he did in his first era...the man gets a free pass by the fandom for his appalling behaviour during the filming of season 1 in 2005 and he has the fandom wrapped around his fingers...in the classic era you had guys who were nerds but who still were competent and mature, RTD, Moffet, and Chibnall just feel like loose cannons who played with Doctor who dolls as kids and have put their awful fanfic to screen...doctor who has always been progressive, i get that, but it's just getting boring honestly...i wanted fun adevntures with Ncuti and Millies amazing chemistry...what we've got is "issue of the week" borderline soap opera storyboard writing.
how can you be annoyed that every episode is making ‘a big political statement’ but then dislike this episode for being shallow?
Yeah because it has to be one extreme or the other, absolutely impossible for an episode to have substance without tackling heavy political themes.
@@Longshanks1690 Okay so that's simply not true- you have a whole range of commentary in the modern DW era, like the subtle abortion beats in the space babies ep. If you only see the prominent, obvious message, you clearly don't want to bother looking further into the story. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with un-subtle, out-in-the-open political themes, DW has done it many times before
Because stating 40 year old political positions in obvious unimaginative and basic ways that offer nothing new to the conversation isn't "deep".
@@phlippy Do I actually have to put /s at the end of every one of my obviously sarcastic comments? JFC 🙄
DW has done obvious messaging before but never on this scale where the characters just stop the story to look in the screen and tell you the message, that’s very much something only the modern show does.
Also do not tell a lie like “the pro abortion message in space babies was subtle.” 😂
@@Longshanks1690 Like what are you even talking about, when have the characters ever "stopped the story to look in the screen and tell us the message"? That was more of a 13th thing, and these episodes are nothing close to Orphan 55
That message WAS subtle, to the point where I didn't get it until my second rewatch and I've not seen any reactors actually pick up on it.
The romance was rushed far too much
If you need a cheering up, why don’t you watch an anime called ‘Bokurano’. It gets really happy at the end, just watch all the episodes when you’re in a low mood…
…actually don’t do that. It’s really depressing, very good but very depressing.
If you need cheering up though; ‘Amanchu’, ‘Yuru Camp’ (not about lesbians) and ‘Tonkatsu DJ Agetero’ are very good at lifting your mood. No politics either.
yeah lets just omit politics or gay people from media, that will make us all feel better /s
@@phlippy
Sometimes you just have to unplug. Which is funny to say you need to unplug from entertainment.
But if you really want a multi-million company with enforced quotas to include incredibly complicated ways of living like they’re board game pieces and a mono-political bulldozer not applicable to all the countries they’re available in left or right devoid of any complexity or genuine voice; You do you, sister.
Saw a bunch of ppl saying the romance was rushed which is hilarious bc they've clearly never been gay before 😭😭
tea!
Yep, I haven't been gay before, don't see what's wrong with that
The same complaint would be there if it was a straight couple
@@cameronfrye8311 Oh absolutely! Its nothing to do with homophobia or anything, thats why its really funny.
@@Bloom8182 bc its not rushed at all 💀💀 gay ppl normally be moving way faster then this
The the Bacteria. I broadcast TV into space. The
i really liked this episode ..
I cant see someone who watches brigiton and watches doctor who lol
This was my favourite episode of the series! Loved the character of Rogue and his chemistry with the Doctor, can't wait to see more of him
ur bits r funneeee hrrry - first minute was v/solid lols. was rewatching some of ur old ones - the S3 mega review in particular, the internal milk bit just had me dying
also first
It was entertaining enough, it just wasn't Dr Who
"It just wasn't Dr Who" how? This is easily the MOST Doctor Who-y episode of this season.
@@friendlyotaku9525 the character of The Doctor has been changed beyond the point of return. The Doctor is not sexual, he is asexual, always has been, for good reason. Firstly, it's a kids' show, 2nd he's an alien, 3rd he's inclusive, by giving him ANY sexuality, it excludes by definition. Throughout this season the Doctor has not been the hero. He's done very little. Like I said, not Dr Who, but you're right about one thing, this was THE most Dr Whoish episode so far, which says more about how the bar is than anything else.
@aliservan7188 "he is asexual, always has been" this is verifiably UNTRUE. You just going to ignore 8 kissing Grace, 9 and Jack kissing, 9 kissing Rose, 10 kissing Reinette, 10 being in love with Rose, 10 kissing Martha, 11 and River, 12 and River, 13 and Yaz.
"The Doctor has not been the hero" except for the fact he saves people, the literal definition of a hero.
This is Doctor Who.
@@friendlyotaku9525when has it actually saved people except space babies as he just saved a snot monster which is so dumb
This epsiode was terribly cringe. A worse version of the girl in the fireplace
na
No, it’s a worse version of Captain Jack Harkness.
How? The two episodes have little in common other than being a period piece and a character having a romance with the Doctor
@@seankelly8432 thats quite literally what this epsiode was. A period peice with romance. Thats it.
Atleast the girl in the fireplace had other good factors
NOOOOOO YOURE NOT ALLOWED TO DISLIKE THE CRINGE BRIDGERTON RIPOFF BECAUSE... JUST BECAUSE, OKAY??
I am enjoying Harry’s detailed, humorous but stringent reviews as much as ever. Sounds like there’s some salt because the woketards don’t like criticism of any episode with overt examples of alternative sexuality or something but the sad fact is that this season, whilst beautified with all RTDs clever dramatic flourishes is as vacuous, unoriginal and superficial as the chibnall era. Which is why the audience numbers are cratering
"Woketards"? Really?
Grow up
"Woketards" how old are you?
It's kack
i kind of enjoyed i cant lie
You dislike it because it's """"political""""? Sounds like a skill issue
This episode is negative infinity out of 10 and I plan to do a better version of the story
Oh yeah, let’s see it then if you can do better as you claim
@@badger_shorts7708 Costume Party - The Doctor (Simona Brown) and Anita (Anya Chalotra) visit a rich estate in 1813, dressed for the occasion and join everyone in the ball. However, shapeshifters called Lactian are secretly hiding as some of the guests, and when one “guest” is called out for her odd behaviour, she reveals herself by spying and choosing Anita for her next form. This Laction, Elara, tricks Anita into a walk and chat about the grounds. Elara then shapeshifts into Anita, secures the real Anita, and frees the real version of her former disguise, Adelaide. Later on, another Laction called Seraphine does the same to the Doctor, disguising herself as and securing the Doctor while previous disguise Charlotte is released. Has the Doctor finally been defeated by a bunch of shapeshifters?
Anyone Can Be The Doctor - Elara and Seraphine, along with their fellow shapeshifters, think that they have defeated the Doctor. Disguised as Anita and the Doctor, Elara and Seraphine continue engaging in the festivities of the ball. But then, the Daleks arrive, hoping to use the planet’s current time period to their advantage and easily conquer Earth. While Elara and Seraphine can use their mental links to Anita and the Doctor to defeat the Daleks with the help of their fellow kind and human friends, Seraphine decides to give up disguising herself as the Doctor because of the trouble she could end up in. However, Elara refuses to give Anita up, so the Doctor has the Lactian promise to be good and care for Anita and the people they hide with.
The story ends with the Doctor dressing down the Lactian and telling them to be good and not step over the line again, or they "will not live to see the consequences". She is really mad about how the Lactian free her but not Anita
@badger_shorts7708 providing nothing is better then this series
@@badger_shorts7708yall willing defending this garbage show lmaoo 💀💀💀 live life
U OK hun? X
I thought this review was very funny keep it up 😂
Wait was that a Harry Potter reference when finishing the bottle because that was very enjoyable
This review lacks awareness, I don't like to compare, but I'll do it here, you aren't the only person who disliked this episode, Harbor Wholmes also didn't, but he was extremely clear on the fact that he was against the grain in this matter. I have seen such a positive consensus for this episode when ignoring the more blatant bigots and so on. I know you aren't one of those so I wonder what's the point.
And I suspect you will dismiss these appraisals of the episode as people lacking critical thinking. But the fact is that your words have influence, people often will just agree for the sake of conformity or because they see you as an authority figure on this matter. I have studied film for years and know damn well how to analyse media which makes it seem to me that this review is exceptionally narrow minded.
This episode isn't a masterpiece, but christ almighty, 4/10? Really? Get a grip, mate. I like your videos, but during this era you have been exceedingly over critical to an irritating degree.
I'm saddened that this comment gave this video engagement, but it's in the hopes that you see it.
Your comment lacks awareness. He critiqued the episode fairly and pointed out its plotholes.
Yeesh
maybe it's possible that... he just didn't like, crazy concept I know.
“Blatant bigots” oh please be fr
@@jamescarr1265 literally the next sentence followed that up by saying he wasn't one of those