Finished this, and Unleashed, still processing! I think I’ll rate it after I rewatch it.
I unfortunately was spoiled about the twist because of set photos (ugh, why do people share those?!).
Watching Unleashed is so interesting because they show how they made the fake Shreek costumes deliberately look cheap something I admit I didn’t notice whilst watching (had to watch on my phone) but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the rewatch. I did think while watching “how did they manage to create these costumes if they are just conspiracy theorists and not TV show producers?” but it was actually done in a realistic way.
I loved Ruby in this.
I loved how unhinged Kate got, just zero ■■■■■ given because he was trying to tear down everything she stood for. Although she may get in trouble for that.
Was the little line about Mel investigating Sydney Harbour a connection to The War Between the Land and Sea? I’m guessing yes.
I thought this wouldn’t be Doctor-lite as I saw him and Belinda in the cast list and saw the photos, but it was. It’s definitely fun to explore what happens when the Doctor isn’t there but I wish we had more than 8 episodes so much
The Doctor being told about Belinda by Conrad is a bootstrap paradox which I love, but honestly I thought it would be something more mysterious behind it.
I agree Mrs Flood is a bit pointless at this point and wonder where they are going with that, if it will be worth it.
My only real complaint is that this episode made UNIT seem a bit weak. One podcaster can undermine them so much in social media, and also infiltrate the base! Kate you need to increase your security and stop hiring castaways, strays, and children!!
I really enjoyed this! I don’t care if it was Doctor lite or not we had some scenes with him and it’s just 1 of 8 after all. That being said, the final scene with the Doctor felt odd timeline wise. So he met with Ruby and found out about this before he met Belinda? Idk seems overly complicated for no reason.
I am so gutted the set photos spoiled Conrad’s friends being dressed up as the monsters. The whole time I was just waiting for it and wasn’t shocked, my hubby was though. I guess it would’ve hit way more for me but yeah I didn’t even go looking for the pics they were just widespread!
Overall though another fantastic episode with some great Kate moments especially, despite them making her straight Gives me some hope for the spin off now more than ever!!
Very popular head canon which Jemma Redgrave supports. Also I just think it’s not believable that she’d end up in a workplace romance with a subordinate.
No clue how I’m going to rate this! Because while I loved the first half, ADORED the Kate stuff (best Kate stuff we’ve ever had on telly ngl), Millie Gibson is just incredible, and that final scene with 15…, I really didn’t want Conrad to be the villain. I felt like it was obvious from the premise of the episode and when it seemed to be going in the direction of he was just a toxically masculine bozo I was loving it. But when the twist happened I rolled my eyes.
That being said. This is an issue with my expectations and hopes. I think the execution of him being a Tate like character was grand, and as I said there’s all those positives from earlier. But I just find the twist super frustrating.
Good episode. Maybe even a great one. But I feel mixed on it.
Oh, and I’m with Jamie: I’m not a huge fan of the Kate relationship (but I feel it also massively lacks chemistry, it’s not solely the sexuality thing though it’s that too)
If this keeps up we’re going to have to upgrade you to a tablet!
It makes sense, they’re a publicly funded organisation that is very secretive and is dedicated to protecting the Earth from “aliens”. While ultimately UNIT are the good guys, the do dip towards authoritarianism in order to protect the Earth, so it’s not a surprise that someone could whip up a frenzy by labelling them as fascist, and social media loves a cause to stand behind. Though this episode does reinforce my belief that the Avengers tower was a mistake and UNIT should have stayed more underground (both figuratively and literally).
Leakers strike again, they’ve been an absolute plague on this season.
I finally understand how the Ruby fans feel , it’s ok Kate we still love you.
Soon after he left Ruby, but before he met Belinda, he found out about Conrad being a dick (probably via UNIT, I don’t see him popping in to see Ruby) and went to tell him off.
Then Conrad mentions Belinda, because he met her in 2007.
I’m guessing straight after this, the Doctor goes looking for Belinda, but not sure why. He’s creating a bootstrap paradox. I hope that’s not why time is broken
Apologies if this is too graphic, but anyone else remember that scene in Dumb & Dumber where Lloyd turned someone’s manhood into his own personal speedbag? I would’ve given anything for that to happen to Conrad in this episode, and it’s been a while since an antagonist has gotten me to hate them that much.
Not sure if ‘enjoyed’ is the right word to use, but I think this was a really good episode.
I’m actually struggling to start even reviewing or rating this episode because while watching I was so frustrated at calling the twist (not cause of leaks or anything, I didn’t see those - just because “Ruby’s new boyfriend is secretly bad” feels obvious to me as a premise) that it genuinely distracted me, but thinking on it I loved everything else I’m way too conflicted help lmfao
You are right, of course. That said, not out of kilter with the portrayal of UNIT back in the 70s on occasion. Moreover, there’s a message here which I think is kind of important. People like Conrad are sad, angry and pathetic in many respects, but they can also do a great deal of damage (especially with help from the inside) and can be underestimated. I suspect that UNIT would be far more effective at anticipating and resisting infiltration or assault from a more obviously structured and organised threat/opponent than from the home grown, oft overlooked, likes of angry podcast boy and his mates. Their lack of overt organisation, their very ‘ordinaryness’ often makes people like this more dangerous because they aren’t taken seriously. There is a danger in not paying sufficient attention to the sad, angry and pathetic that can lead to scenes like the Jan 6th 2021 attack on the Capitol in the US. Additionally, motivated and angry lone actors are increasingly a part of the modern landscape. I think everyone needs to be more alert to this.
Just finished watching - some of the first half felt a little obvious (Conrad is very clearly a wrong 'un from the moment he’s introduced), but everything after the reveal was so good, my rating is honestly hovering around the 4.5 to 5 star range. I think I’ll watch this again this evening before making my rating, because I might just be getting swept up in how much I enjoyed the second half.
Three things I know for certain though - 1, this is the episode that finally made me “get” the RTD2 version of UNIT, 2, this is easily my favourite Kate story, and 3, Series 15/Season 2 has another winner under its belt!
I love Kate a lot and I really am pleased at how she was written here. I was so worried with the leaks she’d be undermined and believe the fake monsters but obviously that was me putting 2+2 together and she had a great moment at the end I loved. I’m excited for her second, tv this time, spin off more for sure! Just a shame still Shirley isn’t Hebe I do hope they’ll explore / explain this relationship or whatever with Ibrahim as much as I don’t like it.
something I admit I didn’t notice whilst watching (had to watch on my phone) but I’ll definitely keep an eye out for the rewatch. I did think while watching “how did they manage to create these costumes if they are just conspiracy theorists and not TV show producers?” but it was actually done in a realistic way.
I didn’t even go looking for the pics they were just widespread!
Gives me some hope for the spin off now more than ever!!
, it’s ok Kate we still love you.
