The 'coming soon' element showing the first Doctors stories in colour is exciting, maybe we'll get them too at some point?

 

Yeah that did look great. I did read that The War Games is meant to be next.

I agree that the music was awful. If they do any more, I hope they don't add unnecessary music.

Ok I really enjoyed that! I’m not sure I can get all my thoughts down straight away so I’ll post later.

I'll post my full thoughts later, but omg Matt Green as the newscaster :cheeseblock: He's really going up in the world, his comedy channel is awesome, let me just plug quickly x

 

That was flipping fantastic. It still feels modern but in a more early revival kind of way? Does that make sense? I know what I mean 🤣 there was so so so much to love about this latest episode but I honestly don't think I could be any happier with the show than I am right now. And of course, seeing my favourite doctor and companion back together again was absolutely amazing :wub:

That was so good,

and I screamed when the Meep appeared :o , taken from a 1980 Dr. Who comic strip :o Ask your parents for more information :lol:

I loved the meep :wub:

cute meep was the best meep. I cackled when Donna spilled the coffee.

I've never been a big fan of Donna Noble and I'm still not. However, I really enjoyed that episode.

 

After criticising the added music in the Dalkes episode earlier this week, I need to say that the revamped version of the theme tune is brilliant.

 

Good to see that the Disney-inspired extra budget also means the return (under a different name) of Dr Who Confidential.

It’s so brilliant having Davies, Tenant and Tate all back! It felt right out of 2000s for me and was nostalgia overload in the best way. I like how they got around the metacrisis and the story was told really well with no long moments of nothing or moments of too much happening too fast if you know what I mean. The diversity and inclusivity was perfectly done as well though I know it will rankle many. I loved the meep twist (and the fact that they were voiced by Miriam Margolyes!) and the new Tardis interior looks amazing. Nice little reference to Wilf as well, hopefully we do see him one last time in the upcoming episodes.

 

It feels like Doctor Who is BACK. I can’t say I enjoyed any Chibnall episode like I enjoyed this.

 

Only downside being getting a text from my dad, a lifelong fan, basically saying it was too woke. But that’s a personal issue I have to deal with in the form of my transphobic parents. As far as I’m concerned the more ‘woke’, the better.

It’s so brilliant having Davies, Tenant and Tate all back! It felt right out of 2000s for me and was nostalgia overload in the best way. I like how they got around the metacrisis and the story was told really well with no long moments of nothing or moments of too much happening too fast if you know what I mean. The diversity and inclusivity was perfectly done as well though I know it will rankle many. I loved the meep twist (and the fact that they were voiced by Miriam Margolyes!) and the new Tardis interior looks amazing. Nice little reference to Wilf as well, hopefully we do see him one last time in the upcoming episodes.

 

It feels like Doctor Who is BACK. I can’t say I enjoyed any Chibnall episode like I enjoyed this.

 

Only downside being getting a text from my dad, a lifelong fan, basically saying it was too woke. But that’s a personal issue I have to deal with in the form of my transphobic parents. As far as I’m concerned the more ‘woke’, the better.

It's not surprising that people feel that way. However, Ruth Madeley showed herself to be a perfectly capable actor. She just happens to need a wheelchair. Should she be denied work because of that? Similarly, trans people exist. That should be reflected in television drama.

I really enjoyed it overall, it felt like any old 2000s episode, albeit not a remarkable one, but that's still better than most of what we've had recently!

 

It's wonderful to see it looking so good again, the inside of the TARDIS is amazing, certainly a bit of help from Disney there but if it helps to build this immersive world and give it the budget it clearly needs, then that's all good with me (for now x). The Doctor and Donna were great as ever and still have incredible chemistry but also that knowing strain between them. I've never read the comic strip it's based on, but it was certainly enjoyable enough, The Meep was basically Dobby, Yoda and Falkor's demonic child, kind of iconic, can see how that was borne out of the 80s x

 

The one part I wasn't crazy on was the resolution to the meta crisis, while I'm glad they found a way to work around it, that felt like a bit of a copout as that was one of the most heartbreaking and tragic ends to the story in the original era and for it to be explained away like that didn't feel right, I get they were keeping it lighthearted, but some of us have been wondering for fifteen years how it could've happened!

 

Can't wait for the 'Doctor Woke' numbskulls to lose their shit and realise that actually Doctor Who was progressive long before they cast a woman in the role :D Possibly heavy handed, but I felt Rose's addition was well done and I really like that that's being represented on prime time TV especially with all the horrible stuff directed at Trans people in the media (the BBC included in some cases -_)

 

I don't know how this will rank as a favourite overall, but as an anniversary comeback, it was pretty fun introduction. Not a lot of hints as to what's coming next or anything (the 'two hearts' line a possible indicator x) or what type of series he's going for, but I'm all good to find out (also, we'll actually get some Wilf scenes? :cry: :wub: I wasn't sure if he was still alive when they were filming)

 

 

 

 

Bernard Cribbins did film but was taken ill on set and died shortly after. He was at a table read for this episode but it’s clear he never filmed for it. I’d like to think they will find a way to use what little he was able to film and make it work.

Such a fun episode and it's filled my heart with joy. Doctor Who is unbeatable when Russell T Davies is at the helm, proven not only by the pure brilliance of Tennant and Tate being back at the helm delivering performances just as fantastic as before, but through the top notch new characters, especially Rose - what a beautiful story they told through her. Shirley was also a great addition and I hope we see her again!

 

The episode was so brilliantly camp, too. The Meep itself was one thing, but the scene where Donna found the Meep and everything that ensued until Shaun's arrival.... pure chaos and so much fun :lol: Funny, gripping, touching, everything I want in a Doctor Who episode.

 

Next week's episode is intriguing me so much, almost nothing is known about it still! :o

 

Spoiler for future episode:

There's a tiny tiny glimpse of Bernard Cribbins in the trailer, just the top of his hat as he's sat in a wheelchair in front of Donna, so I think the scene(s) filmed will be in The Giggle in 2 weeks' time. Apparently the tableread for all three episodes happened together, so not sure if Bernard was ever expected to be in this ep (I can't see how he'd have slotted in, with all the action at the Nobles' house).

 

Well it's a solid 7/10 for me, which is a damn sight better than most of Chibnall's era.

 

Being an old fart I was familar with Beep the Meep anyway so no surprises there but mostly done well, some issues with the Wrarth but more on that later.

 

Tennant remains engagingly enjoyable in the role, although he's never been my favourite Doctor, mainly as I grew up with the classic series and tha show was so dear to me, rather than any criticsim of his work. He clearly relishes playing The Doctor and even though I think bringing him back was a bad idea creatively, it's wrong to hold that against him.

 

Donna was never my favourite companion either but Tate always gave everything in the role and their chemsitry was always clear to see. It was nice to see them back together. It was also kind of fun seeing her family too, although I've never gone much the show's obsession with doing that. Rose was a strong addition there too.

 

And speaking of Rose, I find the choice to use a trans actor simultaneously great, potentially problematic and typically contrived from RTD. The chararcter and actor themselves were both a great addition to the cast and the show but as ever with RTD he loves to push it to the forefront. I get that it's hugely important for representation on screen, long overdue for teatime TV, and I actually thought it was going really, really well until the entire finale hinged on it, and then it felt shoehorned in. I do realise though that this isn't aimed at me, and because of my generation and social circles, trans acceptance is far higher than elsewhere. All the people I know where this is an issue thoroughly support the show's gesture but none of them watch it, so I find it unnecessarily prominant, and prefer it when subtle as I think it is far more effective. They've made the point now so it'll be interesting to see how it plays out now.

Also, I get why some people think it's too 'woke' but frankly, screw them. The programme's been doing that since The Daleks, the show's second story.

 

I also thought the ending with 'just let it go' was a bit feeble and really liked the idea of killing off Donna heroically, and hoped they'd pulled a rug from under us with the promos, but get that it would be quite bleak for a return.

 

Other issues I have are still around RTD's rather rubbish creature designs - the Wrarth whilst faithful to the original art, just looked cheap and reminded me of the awful Slitheen. It seems like they spent all the cash elsewhere, flipping vans over in explosions rather than where it matters most.

 

 

Minor gripes aside it all breezed by very quickly and felt like a soft reboot, with a very safe 'relaunch'. I will always be grateful to RTD for bringing the show back all those years ago and he'll never be my favourite showrunner, nor do I think he's that great a writer but it's a decent return so far.

 

 

 

 

Absolutely everything I want from Doctor Who! It had all the charm of the show that I personally grew up with and was just a whole load of FUN.

 

Yes, the resolution to Donna ‘letting go’ of the DoctorDonna was a bit too easy but I’m not going to complain when we get more Donna out of it. I think the fact it’s 15 years (and not just a couple of episodes later) helps to settle that as her character has changed/grown with having a family and so she’s in a different place even with her memories restored.

 

Also, not sure how I feel about the sonic making forcefields given we’ve already had too much reliance on the sonic in recent years. The data display makes more narrative sense though and makes the sonic are more viewer friendly too.

 

BUT everything else was perfect and exactly what I wanted. Good establishing of UNIT for the new era without being forced and taking over the plot. I need a Meep plushie NOW!!

 

So hyped for next week, given that we know absolutely nothing (and it feels it’s for an actual reason this time!!)

Overnight ratings of 5.08 million, second best of the day. Not exactly stellar but a decent start.

 

https://www.tvzoneuk.com/post/drwho-starbea...vernightratings

 

Maybe I just don't know enough about TV ratings these days but it does seem a decent start given the rise of streaming.

5m was the figure I had in my head as what would be decent so I’m pleased with that. It was the second highest of the night and beating I’m a Celebrity is a great achievement. Apparently the biggest drama launch of 2023 too which is huge, particularly as it is likely to hold that title now!

 

Doctor Who Unleashed also had the highest rating for BBC Three since the channel’s relaunch.

 

The weekly chart position feels like the most telling nowadays (although airing in the same week as nightly I’m a Celebrity episodes won’t help!!). Looking at the last available chart, it would be the 7th most watched of the week and that is just on overnights alone - it will add 1-2m on the final ratings and would probably end up 3rd/4th.

 

It doesn’t matter anyway as they’re already filming Ncuti’s second series and there’s been more speculation this week on the spin-off front. The show is here to stay!

Yeah, Disney has essentially rebooted the whole thing and brought it to an international audience, so I don't think ratings/fanboy reactions will be a point of concern, I think the question is how much more content we'll get :lol: (just as long as they don't what they've done to Star Wars but that's a worry for a different day x)

Just finished it and loved it. My favourite part was when they finished the code words and Donna realised she’d given all the money away, it was just such a perfect first set of lines returning her to ‘normal’

THAT WAS AMAZING, TERRIFYING AND ABSOLUTELY BONKERS