As you may know if you’ve followed me for a while, and read my old newsletter (before I gave up on that idea!), I’ve been rewatching Doctor Who in preparation for the new Doctor!
In the rewatch we just got to series 8 and the introduction of Peter Capaldi’s Doctor. In fact last night we watched Deep Breath .. which was not the best episode (30 minutes too long!) but at least is the last appearance of Madame Vashra et al (thank F for that)!
It’s going to be interesting I think to simultaneously watch Twelve and Fifteen!
At the weekend we, of course, watched Ncuti Gatwa’s first “proper” episodes after his introduction in the Christmas Special. I’m so hyped for this Doctor and companion, I immediately loved them both!
Space Babies
The first episode was… A wacky one. Generally I am not one for cutesy kids stuff and I found the space babies were very creepy. I hated the uncanny valley special effects. I also was very confused by the Doctor and Ruby suddenly saying the boogey man was “one of the babies” when it was established it was designed as a terrifying monster by the computer, and literally made out of snot?!
I also did have several eye rolls and out loads groans at the extremely heavy handed RTD writing (“all babies are special”). The man does not do subtle.
Nonsensical plot aside, I did really enjoy this because of the Doctor, and I loved that he was immediately upfront and honest with Ruby about who he was and his background (in the first two episodes he already told her about Gallifrey and his granddaughter!). This isn’t a dark and broody Doctor, this is the Doctor finally at ease with who they are and apparently interested in building healthy relationships for once?!
I can’t wait to see how this develops!
I suspect some of this was for exposition purposes for the expanded American/Disney audience who might be coming on board, but this also felt like such a breath of fresh air after I’ve watched 8 seasons now of the Doctor being withholding, often lying and generally being a dick to their companions.
The Devil’s Chord
Now this was the episode I’ve been excited for ever since I heard Jinkx Monsoon was cast! I love Jinkx! Ever since I saw them on RPDR season 5 they’ve been my favourite (along with Trixie Mattel), they’re sweet, hilarious and insanely talented. Any acting, musical or comedy challenged Jinkx was going to run away with it!
I enjoyed the 1960s setting, loved the outfits! I was glad they didn’t try to do any creepy effects on The Beatles and used actors that looked nothing like them. I especially found the classically handsome and visibly-muscular-through-his-shirt version of John Lennon very amusing casting!
Jinkx devoured all the scenery and stole the show. I loved Maestro, It would be a shame if they’re only a one episode villain!
I didn’t love the dance number they tacked on the end for absolutely no reason – ” there is always twist at the end” was a lame attempt at a joke, and also there isn’t always a twist at the end? It seemed like they did it just because they had the budget for it… and it didn’t serve the episode at all. Everyone I know that watched it hated that part.
But niggles aside, overall I enjoyed it and I remain excited to see what else Fifteen has in store!
For much better Doctor Who commentary than mine, check out My Comic Relief! I love Michael’s thoughtful and always enthusiastic posts, and I can’t wait to watch and read his thoughts on the new series.
Aww, thank you so much for the shout-out! I was excited to read your piece to see your thoughts on the start of Ncuti Gatwa’s era but I never expected to be included like that. You made my day! I appreciate it and I appreciate you :).
Also, HECK YES on the uncanny valley with the space babies! I found myself wondering if we’ll see a lot of this going forward, just wild effects for the sake of having the Disney money to do them. Like you, I really enjoyed both episodes and found them to be a lot of fun but it was a sort of jarring start to see the babies (sorry…space babies) talk with mouths that were on their faces but didn’t *quite* fit.
I’m so hoping for more of Jinkx Monsoon, too! They were amazing and I’d love, love, love to see the Maestro become a Master / Dalek / Cyberman sort of villain who you’re never sure when they might show up. It’s been an exciting start to the new season and I’m now spending every day wishing my week away and simultaneously wanting to drag it out since we only have eight episodes this season!
Absolutely my pleasure! I love reading our thoughts on Doctor Who!
Yeah I am a bit worried about the Disney budget meaning more horrifying things like “space babies” but I do hope not!
I didn’t realise it was only 8 episodes, they make series too short for everything these days!
I know! I was all excited when Russell T Davies vowed we’d have a new series of Doctor Who every year now. “YAY,” I thought, “no more 368 day gaps between episodes!” Well, then I realized they are going to be these super short runs and I thought, “Well, that’s kinda the same thing as my waiting a year between thirteen episode runs.”
And I’m very intrigues to see how the Disney budget continues to shape the show. Granted, Jodie’s run had veeeery different effects from 1963, but to be living IN such a drastic level change in effects always feels a little weird.