For a story I’ve watched several times, I can never remember what the exact title is! Like many things under Chris Chibnall’s watch, it undermines expectation. For example, when a companion has left The Doctor in the past, it’s often a universe-shattering event - for this era, they often simply decide to leave, as they often did in the classic series.
For his first series finale, CC doesn’t have the universe hanging in the balance or have a plethora of familiar faces return. Just one. The toothy visage of Tzim-Sha (nicely played by Samuel Oatley). It’s not a mind-blowing return although very enjoyable, rather like the story itself.
For the ‘awesome Uks’, we have Adinio and Delph - and, with Paltraki, that’s it for the characters. A small cast, again undermining expectations for a finale. Some fans don’t like the low-key approach. I love it, both in its own right, and the contrast it has with other finales.
Not unusually, Graham shines and has some of the best scenes: with Ryan, The Doctor and yes, the main antagonist. Some fans don’t like a character other than The Doctor as the star of the show either, but on occasion, it does no harm. The Doctor needn’t always be central to everything. And there’s a real feeling that Graham might not be returning from this adventure.
This isn’t the greatest story, but still pretty darn good. It looks superb, the lighting in particular giving it a certain sheen. I always enjoy it.
I’m pleased to read this. I’ve never understood the ire directed at this story. People seem to hate it because… it’s not the kind of finale they expect? Well, maybe (just maybe) that’s the point! It’s not a favourite story of mine, but it is entertaining, does play with interesting concepts and does have a strong personal focus, as pointed out, for Graham. I’m also quite fond of T’zim Sha and the Stenza. I keep hoping we’ll see more from them as enough is hinted at to suggest they are an interesting alien race.
For those who felt the absence of a more typical finale, ‘Resolution’ lay just around the corner and felt more typical. Although also smaller scale, it had much more of the gloss of a season finale. The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos is one of a kind and, as with other stories that frequently dare to be different, I’m glad it exists.
Watched part 1 of Snakedance for the first time. I read the novelisation a couple months back, excited to see it now. Also reading Mardryn Undead now and will watch the story after.
Finished the Face of Evil today. Really underrated! Chris Boucher’s dialogue is so recognisable and fun, and there are some fantastic ideas in there. The cliffhanger to part 3 was fantastic!
Hate to use the word cringe in 2024 but… The Return of Doctor Mysterio is very cringe. All of Moffat’s most self-indulgent smug dialogue thrown together into an incredibly irritating and unfunny script that wastes Capaldi’s amazing talents and some genuinely cool concepts for villains. Definitely one of the worst Christmas specials, and one of the worst 12th Doctor episodes for sure.
Agree. Easily my least favourite Christmas episode. It’s not funny, it looks boring and the monsters are naff (I didn’t even realise they return in Husbands until a good few years later).
It’s fine, but nothing outstanding. The other stories in the set are excellent though. You have Six and Mel versus the Clockwork Droids from Girl in the Fireplace with a brilliant twist at the end. And a two part Silent story with Gangsters told chronologically with the Eighth and Seventh Doctors.
The Pilot is INFINITELY better than I remembered, and I remembered enjoying it when it first aired! Mackie is an absolute delight as Bill, Capaldi is putting in an incredible performance, and god, series 10 Twelve really is my favourite characterisation of this incarnation. Enough time has passed since his initial doubt, and since he lost the people he cares about. And that time (plus the decades of excile) has changed him and helped grow softer, and gentler and more considerate of the world around him.
My only real criticisms are Nardole still hasn’t fully settled into an actual role other than slightly obnoxious comic relief (which thankfully is a lot more toned down than in the two specials he first appeared in), and we don’t really get to know Heather well enough or have her developed enough to fully feel as invested as I’d like in everything between her and Bill.
Still, what a fantastic opener that leaves me extremely excited for the rest of this rewatch!
Comfort Who. Weird, bizarre at times, bold and visually expermintal for its time, this is one of the most Pertwee of the Pertwee era stories. Full on UNIT family, Pertwee being snippy yet brilliant, and a cool alien invasion.
I love how Pertwee’s first interaction with Chinn is immediately to be polite before realising what the man is like. He’s not grumpy for the sake of it but because Chinn reveals himself to be a proper little Faragian grotesque of s man. He fully deserves the Doctor’s ire.
It’s also nice to see.how Pertwee is contemptuous of and disgusted by Chinn’s desire to shoot down the Axon ship without knowing what it is. Then, on learning of the Axon story and of their ‘gift’, the Doctor is the only one who recognises that a) their story doesn’t make logical sense and that b) their gift really does seem tok good to be true.
A shout out, also, to Bill Filer (no, not our@BillFiler - but ‘Hi’ anyway!). I know Paul Grist gets flak for the accent but Filer is a thoroughly decent and likeable fellow. When confronted with patriotic bigotry and threats from Chinn he just politely bids ‘Good day’ before secretly investigating for himself.
Much more I could say, but I’ll leave it there for now.
I adore The Pilot. It’s probably my favourite season opener, one of my favourite Capaldi stories and one of Moffat’s best (if less celebrated) scripts. I love the University setting, which suits Capaldi’s Doctor so well and really adds lovely texture to his final season.
I agree with your quibbles, though they don’t bother me quite so much. I think it’s a wonderful story; clever, atmospheric, occasionally creepy, very imaginative and full of heart. It’s a real winner!
Indeed. I think this story is often overlooked for just how inventive it is and how much it has going on with our favourite characters. Even Pigbig Josh, bless him, a man of no actual words… his death is genuinely horrible, and pretty tragic. Oo-arrr! Plus, the Axons are great, aren’t they?
One of the classic monsters that would really suit a modern day appearance. Especially given anxieties over oil prices and the drive towards renewable energy. There’s a very contemporary story to be told. Plus, they’re so much more than just scary monsters; they’re devious, take advantage of human greed and politicking, intelligent and wonderfully wonderfully weird.
) is when the 10th Doctor name checks the Axons 