Presumably she wants to somehow use Omega as a springboard to bring back Gallifrey and the rest of the time lords? Given the explicit reference to the other time lords being wiped out, then Conrad saying “but it’s not over” or something like that, I’m assuming that must somehow be her plan, otherwise what’s the point of having another time lord villain?
I wonder if we’re going to end the season with Gallifrey and the wider universe somehow being restored to their pre-The Timeless Children/The Giggle states respectively - I don’t have any concrete evidence other than Michelle Gomez being at the premiere and general vibes, but I found it interesting that this episode positioned Omega as the first time lord, when we now know it’s the Doctor, and I wonder if that and a potential Missy reappearance is indicative that RTD wants to quietly shift back to the “classic” Gallifrey status quo, without an explicit retconning of those other storylines. Until this point, RTD has been very “no Chibnall retcons” but this episode seemed to be quietly pushing that way, at least to me.
Of course, the absolutely massive caveat is that we actually have no idea what is happening next week - how do Susan and Poppy tie in? Next episode really needs to provide interesting answers to loads of questions (I don’t think this one actually answered any, really), and I’m hoping that it doesn’t shy away from some massive lore/status quo shake-ups, as this episode has been hinting at. If we somehow get the time lords and Gallifrey back, I’m prepared to forgive basically any issues!
So, now that I’m sat at my computer I can share my thoughts a bit more. I feel like the episode was painfully slow, and like Legend of Ruby Sunday, I think it wasn’t utilised properly. He’s leaving all the main, important stuff for part 2 yet again and it could result in it being rushed and messy.
Rogue returning took me so off guard, I loved him before and wanted him back so much but I reckon that’s all we’re ever gonna get. Which makes me think why bother? But I think I know why.
The Doctor/Belinda should’ve had their normal selves resotred once they walked into the Bone Palace/stepped through the gateway thing. Essentially that was another episode without Belinda, really, as it wasn’t her. I think that even though I was saying I wanted a trailer, the promotional stuff did give away far too much and it wasn’t surprising at all. It reminds me of how Joy to the World felt, like the promo gave it all away too.
The cliffhanger I thought was really not exciting, last years was amazing this years just didn’t have an oomph. Likewise, the Omega reveal really just was almost nonchalantly done not even showing him? The dialogue from Big Finish intrigued me though, and its nice that two weeks in a row Unleashed have referenced the Rani and Susan appearing in audios.
So next week we have, Omega, Two Rani’s, Conrad, the bone palace, Poppy?, Susan?, and possibly a companion exit? It just seems like WAY too much. This episode could’ve handled more, rather than act as purely build up.
I think it is kinda funny whenever I see you talk about this or Legend of Ruby Sunday cause we have very different takes on both & I wonder if we watched the same stuff But that’s the fun thing about DW, everyone has different takes
Also not relevant to your post but if the “Rani is restoring Gallifrey” theories are right I hope Narvin walks in, goes “Hello I’m Narvin from the CIA. I’m everyone’s 18th favourite Time Lord and now I will tell you my life story. Back in-” And the camera pans away and he’s never acknowledged ever again
Yeah, he was one of the Big Three, but… well, I guess it depends on how one defines the beginning of the Time Lords. Was it with time travel? Regeneration? The anchoring of the thread?
The Rani might not know of the Timeless Child or Tecteun, and made that statement based on the old mythos. But I think it’s fair to call Omega The First Time Lord, if you just consider the founding members of Time Lord society as all the First Time Lord.
I think The Timeless Children (from memory, haven’t seen it for a while) suggests they mastered time travel and changed their name to Time Lords, so he could be argued to be the first still. It’s an interpretation I guess.
I suppose Omega is the first to actually time travel, so he’s the first by that definition? I think you could make an argument for Rassilon (as he defined time lord culture and society), Tecteun (as she “created” regeneration) or the Doctor/the Other (as the source of regeneration) as well.
I do wonder if one of the finale’s big moments will be the Rani finding out Omega isn’t the first time lord, but the Doctor is
But that’s the fun thing about DW, everyone has different takes
