Overall, the episode reminded of 70s Doctor Who, particularly the Pertwee era with all the army leaders, a monster threat that is sort of contained for the time being in a certain place and then the scientific threat led by characters who have yet to meet the Doctor or his companion!

 

I do slightly agree that it was dialogue heavy to begin with. I did enjoy the episode although there may be a feel of bridging the gap, as with many second parts of a trilogy. Last week's ep obviously introduced us to the threat whilst next week's episode seems to look at the full blown consequences of the threat and this was the kind of necessary episode looking at how we get to next week. That didn't stop it from exploring some interesting themes though! I liked the notion of it counting down to the end of the world, and increasing the tension, without the Doctor really knowing WHAT they were counting down to. The ways of therefore dealing with the monks and the fact that they could save the world were really interesting to look at.

 

The fact that it was simply bacteria bringing the end of the world was also a good idea because it is sort of the overlooked threat. It could be so easy for something like that to spread and, once it spreads, its so hard to stop it! I liked Erica and it would be nice to see her again next week although that's probably not happening.

 

As I said, that ending was brilliant! It's been a while since I felt that tense when watching a Doctor Who episode, even though I knew it would eventually end with Bill consenting. It was great that the blind arc was able to give such a good climax because I had been slightly unsure about the whole thing. Very much looking forward to next week's episode although the ending will probably be

a reversing of time

. Looks like

The Doctor's regeneration as seen in the trailers

will be next week too.

 

As an aside, I did notice where they'd cut the reference to terrorism which did leave a slightly clunky sequence but it was understandable and completely out of the episode's hands.

Seen some theories regarding the monks that they may be

Mondasian Cyberman

:thinking:

 

Can anyone kindly explain to me why the TARDIS has stopped translating foreign languages? First the Pope's italian last week, now russian.

I know the Pope was down to Moffatt just thinking it was better him speaking Italian and I was going to put that down to it being in the computer world. I don't recall them speaking Russian this episode but I don't have an explanation for that :lol:

Russian was spoken very briefly BEFORE he entered the Tardis and without any Tardis travellers present.

 

I really enjoyed it. I just hope next week keeps it up. Moffat hasn't been too good with conclusions in recent years...

Really enjoyed that episode and it has built fantastically for next week!

A brilliant end to the three-parter although I was half expecting the thing controlling the propaganda to be a copy of the Daily Mail :P

Superb episode and ending, with tricks and turns, but they really missed a trick with the Daily Mail copy!! I got their propaganda and fake news thing, but a Daily Mail paper could have really brought it on home to the people who believe all the trash in it.

 

And this is how a doctor should be: not pandering, not preaching, not invinciblr (like that Tennant twat) but just mad and with non-magic plans that sometimes don't work and sometimes having more intelligent things or plans out there.

Still wonder about Missy: is she actually the Rami or will she turn good then just regenerate into the Master again and become evil once more?

 

But her speech about goodness might tie into the end and Bill and the Doctor's demise.

This trilogy has been Doctor Who at its best. Extremis had me worried at first as it seemed two steps back to overly complicated plotlines that alienated the casual audience but with a rewatch of that plus the second and third parts, I've absolutely loved it. Pearl Mackie is SUPERB, Bill is easily my favourite companion since Donna now and I'd say she's in my companion trinity with Martha and Donna. Capaldi is also superb and while less essential, I do love the touches Nardole adds to the dynamic.

I Just finished watching this episode and I loved this ep for me it was the strongest of the three-parters. I loved the twist and turns. The structure of the episode and the way it was filmed etc was outstanding. The monks were actually powerful threats for me in that they were not outright evil but more sneakily evil if that makes sense.

 

I also have to praise Pearl Mackie's acting! Superb during the doctor hostage scene.

LMAO but Martha is bland as HELL - there's a reason Moffatt NEVER brings her back. She is the worst companion of ALL TIME.

 

Bill is now my third favourite, as Donna is marred from being with an awful doctor:

 

1. Rose

2. Amy

3. Bill

4. Donna

5. Rory

6. Sarah Jane

7. Sweet but boring Clara

8. Basic Bitch

 

I don't want the Doctor to regenerate :( Now he has good writing, he is brilliant, as is Bill (and her acting too). Keep them both for another season!

Edited June 3, 20178 yr by Willy's Tears

That was mainly great, the Monks' Orwellian society (however obvious a nod to 'fake news' it was) was excellently set up, the scene with Bill and the Doctor confronting each other was perfection (even if you knew he was faking, he pulled it off extremely well!).

 

The ending was disappointing though, just Bill's feeling of love saving the earth and then the monks just leave like that? What happened to Bill becoming brainless because of her link broken? I didn't buy it. There was a real moral dilemma that was set up there for them both that was brushed over, plus the monks were great, powerful villains that deserved a bigger battle than that.

 

I agree that Pearl Mackie was exceptional here all the way through, the fact Bill shot the Doctor so willingly was a bit :o makes me think

this could be linked to how he actually dies in the finale? With Missy involved ofc.

 

Edited June 3, 20178 yr by Chez Wombat

That was mainly great, the Monks' Orwellian society (however obvious a nod to 'fake news' it was) was excellently set up, the scene with Bill and the Doctor confronting each other was perfection (even if you knew he was faking, he pulled it off extremely well!).

 

The ending was disappointing though, just Bill's feeling of love saving the earth and then the monks just leave like that? What happened to Bill becoming brainless because of her link broken? I didn't buy it. There was a real moral dilemma that was set up there for them both that was brushed over, plus the monks were great, powerful villains that deserved a bigger battle than that.

 

I agree that Pearl Mackie was exceptional here all the way through, the fact Bill shot the Doctor so willingly was a bit :o makes me think

this could be linked to how he actually dies in the finale? With Missy involved ofc.

 

I think so too - her speech about goodness, and how his is selfish, HAS to play a part, especially given ALL THREE are leaving this series.

I really enjoyed the episode, great way to end the three parter. Bill is just incredible! She's now become my favourite companion.

It was a really brilliant set up and it was nice to have Bill at the forefront of the episode again. Loved the scene where she was confronting the Doctor and the first half of the episode was really strong. The second half faltered in a way, mainly because, once again, the love for a family member saves the day. Why mention that Bill would be braindead, if it's not addressed later on.

 

UNLESS there is unfinished business with the Monks and they're still actually all in a computer simulation?? Considering they were sort of the focus for the three-parter, I don't think they were utlised enough. What was actually their intentions, do they just want to control planets? Considering they're clever enough to run computer simulations, know what is bringing about the end of the world etc, they were defeated so easily and just basically seemed to give up. The scene where they were attacking the sort of military officers with the tapes was really good so it is a shame we didn't see more of them. It does feel like they may be returning in the finale though...

 

I did like the themes and tone of the episode. Once again, the scenes with Missy were great (although I was TRICKED once again as I thought she was going to be there for the full episode). The flashes of 'Truth' and the monks were a good touch too.

 

One question: Surely Missy has at least talked to the Doctor about Clara?? Would that revive his memories??

i feel like the monks will come back for the final couple of episodes??? i can't see them being over FOR SURE

 

anyway i really enjoyed that episode, it really was dr who at it's best. i adore bill

The Doctor has some memory of Clara - remember he talked about her to Clara without realising who she was!

I think that the monks will come back in the final too, especialy if they are Time Lords.

The Doctor has some memory of Clara - remember he talked about her to Clara without realising who she was!

But he doesn't really remember enough for what Missy might say to him. Missy was the one who introduced Clara to the Doctor after all, so it isn't as though she wouldn't care!

 

I think that the monks will come back in the final too, especialy if they are Time Lords.

Oo that's an interesting theory I haven't heard yet. I'd like that a lot more than the

Cyberman

theory I keep hearing.

That is a point but it has been hundreds of years!

 

He obviously told her about Bill and she didn't push, just like she didn't push once she heard about River.

 

I never understood why she introduced her to him or why it was such a big rhing as for Mi to go on about it at the end of the world! Who was the Hybrid btw?

Really great episode tonight I thought. I was worried after the next time clip didn't engage me too much but I enjoyed it much more than I thought (although it wasn't perfect). I liked the Ice Warriors much more than in Cold War, and the Alpha Centauri cameo was pretty fun :kink: (voiced by the same actress as over 40 years ago in the classic series!!)