Set photos: https://x.com/modeluke_smith/status/1921254481078948206
1 Like
Had to save these images instantly lol
8 Likes
Oh, I will say there was a moment where I was going âOh God, donât fluffing combine all those gods into one character and reduce the universe even furtherâ during the episodeâŚ
11 Likes
I loved that they didnât do that. As you say, it made the universe feel really big and the Doctor casually name-dropping all those gods was lovely. And felt so right â what are gods if not stories?
19 Likes
Can we have Inua Ellams every series please
17 Likes
So here are my unfiltered thoughts: This is a tough one. I will definitely have to rewatch to give a final verdict. There was a lot I liked about it and a lot I didnât. Letâs start with my biggest gripe: The pacing was WAY too fast. This is the story that could have benefited the most from a longer runtime. I felt like as soon as the Doctor stepped into the Barbershop, the storytelling was just full throttle and it didnât have any breathing room at all. I think itâs not just the script, but the directing as well but I just felt really stressed watching this.
I also felt like it was pretty obvious that this was written by a playwright, rather than a screenwriter as a lot of scenes were just people talking and talking. Which is not necessarily bad but there were a lot of moments when I felt âshow donât tellâ would have given the story a lot to hold on to.
Letâs move on to the positives though, as there were a lot:
First of all, the acting. Absolutely stellar performances by the whole cast. So much energy, so much emotion. Just an absolute joyride acting wise. No notes.
I also really like stories about stories and weaving that topic into nigerian/african culture via a barbershop is just absolutely brilliant. I got strong Rings of Akhaten vibes from the resolution, but I give it a pass since it was brilliantly executed.
I also have to mention the set design. That was incredible work. These are the episodes that I feel like really benefit from the extra Disney money.
I feel like I have to talk about THAT cameo as well. I love a cameo that comes absolutely out of nowhere and Iâm so blessed I wasnât spoiled about this one. Itâs always nice to see the Fugitive Doctor, although Iâm not sure it made that much sense in this case as the Doctor shouldnât remember anything from that incarnation.
Let me finish this by writing down the first two words I had in mind while watching this episode: Weird and wonderful. And that is EXACTLY what Doctor Who means to me, which is why Iâm going to give this one a favourable rating despite itâs flaws.
This felt very much like an experiment and one that was ultimately successful. We NEED more new writers giving fresh perspectives and throwing us into a whirlwind of exciting ideas more than anything these days.
15 Likes
100% my thoughtâs as well. This was basically a play and very much characters talking to each other instead of visually explaining the plot which can make it confusing.
But I always prefer a story I canât fully follow on first watch, to one that treats the audience as idiots and explains everything ten times.
9 Likes
I loved the atmosphere of this story, just fantastic. Utterly gorgeous visuals.
But the plot of the story felt very muddled somehow, and I am really not sure that it tied the story up satisfactorily for me.
And the whole thing with Abbyâs backstory felt too rushed.
I almost have this feeling like this was the second part of a two-parter, I felt like a lot of set-up or context was missing - or if they were trying to cram too much into the time available.
Seeing Jo Martin made me so very happy though 
The way the titles started was so well done!
Loved how the TARDIS responded to Belinda.
Why did the Barber cut off his own hair when talking about his fake past? What did I miss there?
I rated it at 3,5/5 
, but I have no idea if that is where it ends up when I have had more time to digest the story.
13 Likes
I need something cleared up. At one point I was 100% certain that Abena was Blue from the prequel short story. When she âkissed her teethâ which Blue does a couple of times in the story, I was absolutely sure that was her but then the reveal came that she was a different character.
Was I just massively misreading this or was this an intentional mislead?
8 Likes
âI took a strand of their godsâ blood and essence and built a model, a web-like structure that they expanded, cross connecting concepts, cultures and ideas⌠a pub lit by candles. A Catholic Church confession box. A coal-powered theatreâ
16 Likes
I think you were misreading it. Kissing teeth is common in West Africa & the Caribbean.
12 Likes
A thing that did take me out of the story for a couple of beats is the way the Doctor got so angry at Omo. I just found it so out of character of âThe Doctorâ. If he cares so much about this little home heâs found and that community, why wouldnât he be more than happy that Omo âsummonedâ him? Seems like the sort of thing the Doctor would appreciate and fight tooth and nail to protect.
10 Likes
Also
An electric cinema.
Which was the exact same cinema from Lux, even with the TARDIS to the left.
18 Likes
Did we have our statutory number in this one? I forget which one weâre at now
2 Likes
I have mixed feelings about this episode. One the one hand, it was visually great, I love that there is finally an episode set in Africa with a pretty much all Black cast (I donât think there have been many, if any episodes set in Africa? I could be wrong), and I thought the story about stories concept was cool. The giant spider also looked great and I liked the incorporation of Anansi. I always love when Doctor Who uses folklore and stories.
However, I was generally confused for most of the episode, and it felt very fast paced. Iâm still not sure who the Barber was or what his motivations were. The other characters in the barbershop felt pretty flat, and I thought it was a bit weird that the Doctor says heâs such great friends with Omo but we donât see lot of that and it felt like he got angry at him for no reason?
I feel pretty much the same about this episode as I have for the rest of this season. I liked the concept, enjoyed watching it, but didnât âloveâ it and have no strong desire to revisit it.
Iâm trying to remain open minded and l keep hoping that the next episode will blow me away and Iâll love it to bits.
Iâm so glad that so many others are loving this season though!
12 Likes
As far as lines I hope will be followed up on:
âI was a Fugitive back then. Anansi was wrong to offer that bet. And frankly, darling, I was busy in a different story. That might be finished one day.â
I want that storyâŚ
I do feel this story falls in with Ghostlight, in a way.
16 Likes
Oh this would be such a fun audio
7 Likes
It would be, though I really want videoâŚ
9 Likes
Did a re-watch just before going to bed. The acting and the environment are perfect, and that made my first impression of this episode a 4.5/5. However, on my second watch, I felt that the story was not as good as the other parts, and it made me go down to 4/5. Still a really good episode, but the majority of what makes it good is the actors.
12 Likes