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Doctor Who: School Reunion (2006)
Sarah Jane and K-9 were this episode's saving grace.
In my personal opinion, a large part of why this episode is rated the way it is is because some people have their nostalgia goggles on.
Sarah Jane and K-9 were fabulous and had an extremely welcome return. It's just such a shame she and Rose were pitted against each other the way they were. Writing two female characters as all of a sudden being extremely petty, jealous, and catty over a man is hardly revolutionary. And why? Neither character had reason to be so awful to each other, I can only assume it was played for laughs but really it was just cringey. It certainly wasn't particularly likeable, especially on Rose's part... and you'd think she'd need all the help she could get on that front. Also - how awful to make a point of saying that The Doctor had never once mentioned Sarah Jane.
However, it was very good to see the Doctor's "aftermath" in the lives of companions, and Rose's warranted worry about it. Every one of Sarah Jane's scenes with The Doctor were touching and highly watchable - and it was just lovely to see that she still tries to make a difference in the world. K-9 was an absolute delight too, and I remember just adoring him when I first watched this as a child. Smith's last "trading in for a new model" remark was very sad and to be honest, a bit unnecessary in my opinion. I'm glad she and K-9 have each other. Elisabeth Sladen was an amazing actress.
The plot and creatures were... okay? The characters (by which I mean Sarah Jane, K-9, and The Doctor) were definitely the only thing I was invested in, personally.
The Otter gives this 7/10.
Doctor Who: It Takes You Away (2018)
The best episode of Doctor Who in a long time.
It really deserves much higher than its current rating. It's sad that none of Jodie's episodes will ever get a truly accurate or good rating. You just have to look at the massive differences in the ratings to know that. It makes no sense for the majority of ratings to be either 10 stars or 1 star. But anyway, that's a losing battle, onto the episode.
This episode was just fantastic. Ellie Wallwork (Hanne) was stunning, and it was great to see a blind actress playing a blind character - and so well too. I was really invested in the character and the storyline, and it was a great choice to write the character as blind. It gave great moments such as the discovery that there was no monster at all, and that heartbreaking "map" the Doctor wrote on the wall.
The antizone was very interesting and the flesh moths were subtly terrifying. I loved how the filming had been mirrored on the other side too, that was such a cool touch. I have to say I hated Eric until Hanne said that he was unwell and had been since her mother had died. It was a great peek into the ugly side of grief, as opposed to how it emboldened Ryan and Graham. The fact she knew instinctively that the Solitract wasn't her mother was great too.
Graham and Grace... need I say more, honestly. I saw it coming but it still broke me, and that's how you know it was good. The writing, the acting... I cared so much. Part of me was worried Graham was going to stay, but he chose Ryan. And the "grandad" moment! Another thing we all knew was coming, but wow did the tears flow. I mean, they were flowing anyway, but that was such a powerfully touching moment. I was expecting it to happen when Graham was near death, honestly, but I really liked that it was a purely nice and genuine moment.
The frog was ridiculous but in a way that... I really didn't mind? The Solitract was a living, conscious universe - why not a frog, really? I was dreading the reappearance of River, so it was a hell of a relief. I know some are disappointed that it wasn't a previous companion, but Thirteen has never met any of the previous companions. I know they're all the same Doctor, but there would have also been the problem of which one? And then which actor would agree to come back? I think it would have cheapened things anyway, I'm glad that was left alone.
The Doctor was great in this episode. The whole "let them go" speech and the conversation with the Frogitract made my friend and I say what a great and classic "Doctor moment" that was. And I loved how she was sad to leave too.
I haven't cried so much in an episode of Doctor Who since... I wanna say Vincent and the Doctor, probably? I was weeping. Honestly there's so much more I want to say about this episode, but I just don't have the words. Bloody brilliant.
The Otter gives this 10/10.
Doctor Who: The Witchfinders (2018)
Thrilling but occasionally disappointing.
There were a few awkward bits. Like why did the first woman die so quickly? Why did it take The Doctor so long to jump in to save her? Why did she let herself be captured? I felt the "if I were a bloke..." bit was a bit awkward, and lastly... poor Alan Cumming. What was that accent?
Other than that, I really liked it! It was thrilling and exciting, the threat of the aliens and the mystery of it was so attention-grabbing. The music was so ominous too, it was very effective. I really enjoyed the plot, I LOVED the fresh take on witches! Beca was a really interesting character, I wasn't expecting that twist, but I loved it. The fact that she killed all of those people just to save herself... she deserved her end, I suppose.
There were times when The Doctor really shone too, she was fantastic. I couldn't get enough of those moments of power, she was so commanding and I feel it's one of the first episodes we've really gotten to see that side of her. I'm just loving seeing her personality develop week by week. And even with such a serious episode, we still got to see the childlike wonder that characterises her Doctor. The apple-bobbing, "happy Sunday", I love her!
The Otter gives this 8 out of 10!
Doctor Who: Kerblam! (2018)
Another great episode!
I LOVED Kerblam!! Definitely one of, if not THE best episode of series eleven so far. It was fun, exciting, funny, and nostalgic all rolled into one. I loved The Doctor's excitement ("it's the Kerblam man!") and all the callbacks to previous episodes - which actually made me laugh out loud, especially the fez. The robots were great as well, I loved their design - just creepy enough.
Bradley Walsh wasn't as great as he has been, though, and Yaz and Ryan still disappoint me, though both had good moments, namely Ryan and Graham, and Yaz at the end. Speaking of Yaz at the end... I was disappointed we didn't get to see her give the necklace to Lee Mack's daughter, I think it would have been a great scene. I was also disappointed by how little screentime Lee Mack had, I think it was built up to be more and I was definitely expecting him to come back throughout the episode.
Kira was a wonderful character, I loved her so much. I think she would have made a better companion than Yaz/Ryan, as far as acting goes anyway. As a character she was lovable, adorable, which made her demise all the more sad.
Neither or nor my friends saw the twist coming either. We thought it was one of the ones in charge, so that was fun! However I think the ending was a bit of a letdown. Why did the robots have to pop the bubble wrap? I didn't really see the need for it.
Ooh, and I also loved Twirly, the older robot! It was an exciting episode, I didn't know what was going to happen next, and that's always a great thing. The threat was ever-present and enticing.
(But I do wish The Doctor had ripped off the robot's head instead of someone else.)
The Otter gives this nine out of ten!
Doctor Who: New Earth (2006)
A fun if not amazingly-written episode.
Rewatching Doctor Who, I remember being excited for this episode, I loved it as a child! Watching it now, I still love it, but parts were... odd?
I remember the whole Cassandra-mind-switch thing being very funny, but watching it now, it was just... weird. And honestly, unnecessary. Not to mention, how was she able to just flit from person to person when at first she needed an illegal machine? There was a lot of little tiny plot holes like this and unfortunately they do add up. When Cassandra went into the mind of a diseased woman, she was her usual self, but as soon as she left, she seemed traumatised. Why the delayed reaction? The diseased people also basically didn't move off-screen. Several times the Doctor and Rose (and Cassandra) should have been caught by them but weren't. Lastly, I also thought it was a good thing the solution The Doctor concocted worked... considering the reason for the lab-grown humans existence was to experiment on them to find cures. If the cures were already there, why were they infected?
Aside from all that, I do actually like the episode. Chip's character is heartbreaking, and Cassandra's death is moving. Even though I mentioned the cure as a negative, it is actually a really lovely scene. The fact that they all just crave touch is so sad too. The cat people are one of the best alien races in Doctor Who, in my opinion, and they have a successful introduction here. It's also the Face of Boe's second appearance (...well...) and he continues to be a treat.
The Otter gives this 8 out of 10 cat nun nurses!
Doctor Who: The Christmas Invasion (2005)
Brilliant!
What a great episode. Prior to rewatching this in 2018, I remember thinking "first episodes are always a bit shaky" when thinking of Smith, Capaldi, and Whittaker. Now I think... nah, that was just a trend started by Smith/Moffat.
What a great episode this was! It's inevitably a bit silly at times (it's a Christmas episode after all), and it does one of those little things that always bothers me... the Doctor says something in Sycorax language. But how are we hearing it in Sycorax language, when we usually hear everything in English? Such a tiny thing but it never fails to bother me.
Still, David Tennant does an amazing job here, he plays the Doctor finding himself so well. I also love how Rose can't warm up to him to start with, no doubt mirroring so much of the audience. But like the vast majority of the audience, including myself, she does end up falling in love with him.
So entertaining. Makes me miss the old Christmas episodes! They aren't what they once were, to the point where I'm not even that bothered there won't be one this year.
The Otter gives this: 9/10.
Doctor Who: The Parting of the Ways (2005)
Fantastic!
A great conclusion to a criminally short-lived Doctor. Christopher Eccleston shines as always, and his scenes with Billie Piper are absolutely touching.
The Daleks mixing with human DNA and therefore having a concept of religion (to an extent) and self-hatred was just amazing to watch. I can't help but find it difficult to imagine them setting up the Game Station itself, though? But the phenomenal acting and the whole Bad Wolf conclusion cancels out that negative.
It broke my heart to see Jack all left on his own at the end, even knowing what's to come for him.
I watched Doctor Who every week as it came out growing up, starting from Rose, and David Tennant was always my Doctor. Even though I remember crying when Eccleston left, I remembered sulking with Tennant... watching that regeneration now made me emotional and excited to watch the rest of his episodes.
Just a great end to a great series.
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia: Mac Finds His Pride (2018)
I cried.
Honestly the only reason this doesn't get 10/10 is because Dennis's absence wasn't addressed and I find that odd. If he wasn't in it and they'd have called attention to that, it would have had 10/10, but the fact they were acting as if he was there on that day was... just weird.
Anyway, it was amazing. Not to sugar coat or anything, but the very low ratings just smell of homophobia to me - one of the reviews here is literally titled "you'd have to be gay to enjoy this" so, y'know. Some people seem disappointed that Mac is actually gay, they much preferred it when it was laughed at. I understand that this is a comedy show, but throughout this season (not exclusively) it's been proven that humour can come from a gay character's sexuality ("I can do much better than Charlie" "Really, then why don't you Mac?") without it being homophobic. I guess some people are disappointed by that.
Also, everyone complaining about the show "all of a sudden" turning "PC" and left-wing? Hilarious and depressing at the same time that people who claim they're such hardcore fans have been completely missing the point of the show all this time. All the awful bigotry the gang have displayed in the past haven't been to portray them as good - it's literally the complete opposite. Every episode we're reminded that they're all terrible people. It's satire.
I also find it odd people complain about the lack of the other characters as if that's never been done in an episode before. It honestly didn't even strike me. In all honesty, Frank is my least favourite character, if you'd told me this episode was going to mostly feature him and Mac, I would have groaned - but in this episode I actually didn't mind him. I thought he was funny and it was a nice counter to the seriousness going on!
Throughout the episode there were times I laughed out loud! A fantastic way to show that you can be hilarious and hard-hitting at the same time. As a bisexual person, and admittedly, someone with daddy issues... Mac's journey was incredibly moving. The dance absolutely blew me away, and it was such a nice touch to have Frank "get it" at the end.
It was a very unexpected end to the series!
Doctor Who: Bad Wolf (2005)
Shame about last episode's preview!
Bad Wolf is a great episode. I loved the setting and idea behind it, but the only reason I didn't rate it higher was because I found it a bit cheesy at times. The characters were awesome, and the reveal of the Daleks is also fantastic - it's just a shame it was completely spoiled by last episode's preview.
Christopher Eccleston continues to be an amazing actor, and Jack continues to be so much fun. Rose's "death" was done so well that I was surprised even though I've already seen this episode before.
A really unique and clever episode!
Doctor Who: Boom Town (2005)
Surprisingly alright
I am in no way a fan of the Slitheen, and being over a decade since I've seen this series, I'd forgotten they were in it again. At the end of the last episode when I saw the preview, I was dreading it... but actually, it's pretty good. The "comical" farting is removed, we see less of the cringeworthy Slitheen itself, and it's a really good episode that deals with humanity, compassion, and morality. Christopher Eccleston is, as usual, stunning, and John Barrowman is also a delight.
I have to say, Rose's scenes with Mickey make her a bit unlikable. She runs off without a second thought about him, leaving him alone, but when he starts seeing someone else, that's not okay. Still, I don't think this is a case of bad writing. Unfortunately, this is just how people work. She came to an understanding of how she was making him feel by the end of the episode. I would say I'm excited to see where their relationship goes, but I know what's coming so that's not exactly true. Still, I do really care for them, and that's important.
Loved the shoutout to Wales and the Welsh too! I miss it dearly in the newer episodes.
Wyth allan o deg!
Doctor Who: The Doctor Dances (2005)
The Doctor Who we all know and love!
Honestly, the only reason this doesn't get 10/10 is at times I felt conversations (such as the ending) between Jack, Rose, and the Doctor felt a bit awkward and out of place.
Other than that it was a fantastic conclusion to a compelling story. How lovely the "everybody lives" moment is - really tugs at my heart strings. How anyone couldn't absolutely love the Ninth Doctor is beyond me.
Doctor Who: The Empty Child (2005)
Compelling
So begins the start of Moffat's great standalones. Shame about his showrunning, and his sexism does peek through with Jack objectifying Rose, but that's a review for another time.
The Empty Child is a great episode with great characters. I absolutely loved Nancy and what she did for the homeless kids of London, it was very clever and touching. Even now, in 2018, I actually didn't think the CGI of the transformation was that bad - in fact, it was a bit horrific to watch.
Doctor Who: Father's Day (2005)
The characters were its saving grace.
Unfortunately the monsters of the week were a bit of a let down and plot holey - to my memory, they don't show up again, even though the Doctor and others frequently do change history.
As I said in my review of the last episode, it makes no sense to me that Adam was condemned for trying to change history, but Rose barely got a slap on the wrist for what she made happen here. I also can't help but think... history was still changed. Dramatically. Instead of Pete dying in a hit and run, he stepped in front of a car of a young man who immediately called for help. This a) affects the hit and run driver. What if that's what he needed to buckle down and become a better person? Does he do it to someone else? b) That poor boy killed someone. Surely that affected him deeply. c) Jackie herself said Pete stepped out for seemingly no reason. Would she not have come to the conclusion that he'd tried to kill himself? Would that not have had an impact on her?
All in all, at times, it was boring, but generally okay. The character relationship between the Tylers was great and its saving grace.
Doctor Who: The Long Game (2005)
One of my favourite ever Doctor Who episodes.
I love this episode. I loved it when it first aired, and I love it now still. Simon Pegg is as amazing as always - it's a bit of a shame he was wasted on The Editor in a sense. I could really see him as The Master or even The Doctor himself.
Those who slate the episode because of Adam miss his point. He was created to be a "bad companion", he wasn't supposed to be likeable. Saying this, I feel his treatment was too harsh for what he actually did. The Doctor leaves him behind for trying to change history. Yet in the very next episode Rose tries and practically succeeds in changing history. The difference was Adam was left to his own devices, plopped in the future without a word of warning. Rose had the Doctor with her, had been time travelling before, and just blatantly ignored his advice. Not to mention the fact... yes, Adam could have changed history with his knowledge of the future... but what of the fact his head opens with a click? It was played for laughs but surely that has much more of a chance of changing history? So that's the only reason it doesn't get full marks from me.
9/10, creepy, fantastic, compelling.
Doctor Who: Dalek (2005)
Christoper Eccleston marvels.
This episode is amazing and stands the test of time. The Dalek doesn't disappoint, and the whole "you would make a good Dalek" bit is just... amazing. Genuinely. The acting is fantastic all round, and it made me yearn for a return to it in the more recent episodes where companions Yaz and Ryan are often let downs.
Doctor Who: World War Three (2005)
What a shame it was a two parter...
The farting aliens sadly continue to, erm... grace... our screens.
Again, watching from 2018 makes me feel like I just can't give it a low rating. I'm trying to think of it as a product of its time.
Poor Mickey really was unnecessarily picked on by the Doctor, though.
Still, a nice ending for Harriet Jones! She was the saving grace of these episodes!
Doctor Who: Aliens of London (2005)
Didn't age well?
The only problem from rewatching and reviewing over a decade after it first aired is having to think... is this bad, or was it good for it's time?
The plot itself is interesting, the characters are too. The poor pig broke my heart. But the Slitheen... good God, the Slitheen... really not the best aliens Doctor Who has to offer. Never mind the fact they look ridiculous, but the farting? I know it's a kids show and I'm sure I found it hilarious when I first watched it to be honest, but... wow. Not to mention the demonisation of overweight people and the homophobic "you're so gay" line. Awkward.
Doctor Who: The Unquiet Dead (2005)
Rewatching from 2018
Loved it! Eve Myles is fantastic as always, and it's always lovely to see Wales and history in Doctor Who. The aliens were fantastic and even though I've seen it before, the twist took me by surprise. Unfortunately the aliens were a bit difficult to understand once that twist happened.
Doctor Who: The End of the World (2005)
Better than the last episode.
Though I've rated this the same as the last episode, I do think it was better. My only reason for rating the previous the same is because it was the first episode of the reboot, and I think that deserves a point alone.
I loved the characters, species, and plot. Loved Cassandra as a metaphor for racism. There were a couple times I thought time was maybe being wasted (The Forest of Cheem lady died unnecessarily in my opinion), and another where I thought "Rose would be dead by now"... but all in all - good! Funny! Nostalgic and lovely to rewatch.
Doctor Who: Rose (2005)
A review from 2018...
How strange it is to review this so long after it aired, especially as I watched it at the time. Recently though, I've decided to rewatch all of them. This episode brought us the magic that is Christoper Eccleston's Doctor, and he never disappoints.
I'm not sure if it's a case of not ageing well or if they were genuinely bad, but the villains were hardly... well, good.
Still - a great introduction to the characters and their great actors!
Doctor Who: Demons of the Punjab (2018)
Fantastic!
I loved this episode! Those complaining about how historical it is and how confusing the time travel side of it is need to rewatch some of the older episodes - and I don't even mean Classic Who. Father's Day of Eccleston's series tackled a similar sort of baseline in a much worse way. And complaining about history in a show with a time traveller as the main character is just baffling.
As for the "political correctness gone mad" rally cry - Doctor Who has always, always been political, and left-leaning at that. The only difference is they aren't shying away from it as much now. It's very rare that I can say at my age that Doctor Who taught me something - but this episode did. I'd genuinely never heard of the partition before, so for all of the people crying about how unnecessary it is, I very much disagree. It's a very important part of history that we should all know about.
The aliens were amazing. Their design was one of the best designs I've seen in a long time. I loved, loved, loved that they went from assassins to witnesses of those who died alone. I think that's just so heartwrenching and heartwarming at the same time. I loved the characters too - Prem especially was a fantastic actor.
Again, my only let down was that at times nearer to the beginning I was a little bored, and Yaz and Ryan aren't the best of actors. To be honest, the woman who played Yaz's young grandmother was good and I would have preferred her to play Yaz.
The music at the end was also an amazing touch.
Doctor Who: The Tsuranga Conundrum (2018)
Don't get the negativity!
I honestly don't get the negativity around this episode! I really enjoyed it, one of the best of the series. Yes, there were times when I was a little bored unfortunately, but I loved the Pting, I loved the ship, I loved the characters and species. Finally - a male alien who gives birth, I swear I've been waiting for this in sci-fi for years. It's ridiculous to assume every alien species out there would reproduce just like the ones on our planet. Though the hatred for it was sadly predictable.
Loved the non-regular characters, I thought they were fantastic. The Doctor was great, as was Graham, though I still can't really warm up to Yaz and Ryan.
Doctor Who: Arachnids in the UK (2018)
Enjoyable but the ending was a let down
A terrifying episode for all arachnophobes out there! Despite being one of them, it was quite nice to be scared by Doctor Who again - I can't recall the last time that happened.
I very much enjoyed the plot, but I'm afraid the resolution was a let down for me. The Doctor was against shooting the spiders as that was inhumane - but her solution instead was locking them in a room and starving them to death? I was expecting something more along the lines of finding a planet for them. It just seemed very out of character.
Still, I really felt for the spiders. The Trump stand-in was great, still loved the Doctor and Graham, still a bit disappointed by Yaz and Ryan.
Doctor Who: Rosa (2018)
Powerful, educational
Very powerful story. Again, I was very nervous for this story. I had a horrible feeling that they were going to make it so that the Doctor was the one who made Rosa Parks do what she did, I was so pleasantly surprised that she actually had to be involved in there being no seats in the first place. A much-needed tearjerker that I hope will educate many children.
Unfortunately, the one conversation between Yaz and Ryan about the racism they face now felt awkward and forced, partially down to their not-so-great acting. I like the concept of their characters, I just don't think the actors are pulling it off right now - even though there are moments! Like Ryan's first scene with the white Americans.
So glad to see Doctor Who not shy away from these tough subject matters.
(Though I have to say, I wasn't a fan with the use of music at the end.)
Doctor Who: The Woman Who Fell to Earth (2018)
Exciting!
I watched every single episode since the reboot until one of Capaldi's seasons. The last episode I watched was one with that girl from Game of Thrones in it. Unfortunately, I really thought it had gone downhill, through absolutely no fault of Capaldi's. When I heard that the new Doctor was going to be a woman, I was beyond thrilled - if a bit gutted as it had been a childhood dream of mine to be the first woman Doctor. Still - I was nervous. Very nervous. I knew that any negative thing would likely be pinned on her gender.
How glad I was for my worries to be unfounded. Jodie reminded me of Tennant with her childlike wonder and excitement. I had my doubts about Bradley Walsh when I heard of his casting too but he was absolutely amazing! Ryan and Yaz didn't hit it out of the park as much for me, but I do think they have potential.
As for the plot itself, it was great. I was a tiny bit let down with the villain and the resolution, but other than that... loved it!
9/10
P.S
That cinematography though! Christ you can see how far we've come!