I enjoyed 42 not sure id rank it so low , season 3 is grossly underrated Martha doesn't get talked about enough and wouldnt of minded a second full season (but the original RTD run was apparentlyalways set up as a 4 season arc), I do get the similarities with the impossible planet, I personally prefer this one out of 2,

The visual of Martha in the pod was effectively done but realistically she wasn't in any actual danger (would be an interesting twist to make a big deal of a "new" companion to actually shockingly dispose off a few episodes, like we dont see it coming [not to return like Rory] )

I'm gonna be messy and bump 42 up to #142, not for a numerical reason but on reflection I like it more than the episode I'm swapping it with!

Next episode is #143, then we're going to #141 x

143 Space Babies

Season 1 Episode 1

Doctor: 15th

Companion: Ruby Sunday

Also featuring: Carla Sunday, Cherry Sunday

First aired: 11th May 2024

Writer: Russell T Davies

My last minute switcharoo bumped this down a place, below 42, but I enjoy Space Babies more than much of the fanbase going by the cesspit that is Twitter. Kicking off Ncuti Gatwa's first full series as the Doctor, it set a fun, camp tone much like RTD's premiere episodes did first time around. The Doctor takes Ruby into the future, landing on a spaceship to find talking babies, but also the source of their nightmares: the Bogeyman. The chemistry between 15 and Ruby was strong from the start, their energy was contagious and they're so watchable together. I really like Golda Rosheuvel as guest character Jocelyn (aka NAN-E) too, though I do find the voices of the babies to be a little poorly delivered which takes me out of an already silly illusion. I was quite invested in the plot and I like that the Doctor does what he can to save the Bogeyman after learning about its creation, it was a suitably compassionate move. I can see why this episode feels a little frustrating given the shorter episode order of season 1, meaning this relatively light episode could have replaced by something meatier, but I like a bit of silly escapism and that's all this episode is. The editing does bother me though - cutting the use of Push the Button from the jukebox leaves a gaping hole in the dialogue that comes later!

[note to self: #141 is next x]

The Girl Who Died - Similar thoughts to it's successor earlier, unmemorable two parter that just seemed like an excuse to show they have Maisie Williams.

The Eaters of Light - You'd think with Romans and whatnot I'd remember this, but it's not coming to mind, I recall the threat/conclusion being underwhelming as is often the case with these filler episodes.

Survivors of the Flux - Oh boy, Flux was a mess (impressive for the pandemic though I do agree), but I did think it had great parts to it, this though is a lesson on how to completely kill tension built in the last episode. The companions are still such blank slates and the adventures were so unengaging and convoluted and it was sadly where the story started to fall apart with how quickly we were on a path to the finale.

The Curse of the Black Spot - Fun idea having the Doctor on Pirate ships and all, but a bit throwaway in execution.

Empress of Mars - I'm sorry, I'm sounding like a broken record but this is just yet more filler I don't remember, I don't think the Ice Warriors have been well utilised in the new series.

Can You Hear Me? - This was one of Chibnall's better episodes, and I really appreciated the, um, attempt at character development, it didn't fully work as none of these characters come back and some plotlines were unresolved but it was better than we had so far. There were some nice art styles in this episode, but it suffered from an unmemorable villain and poor conclusion. I do agree that the Doctor's line to Graham was really badly done and tone deaf, this iteration was clearly more peppy than the one before and while it's not out of character to be awkward, there's a way to do it more subtly than...that lol

42 - I did enjoy the timed concept, but a lot of liberties were taken! I've got some good nostalgia for it as I have all of Eleven's era, but it's definitely a filler episode.

Space Babies - Tbh I'm not sure how to judge the RTD2/Fifteen era right now, I'm still a bit angry as to the uncertainty and how they left off, but we'll get to that as we go...I hated this on first watch as, well, it's babies in space with a monster made of snot. Looking back, it's harmless and just not really what I look for in the show, but compared to other more silly episodes to open eras like Partners in Crime and Smith and Jones, it's just really lacking that drama to balance out the silliness.

Space Babies,, im probably in the minority camp that doesn't actually mind it, is it a poor choice of a series opener probably (although personaly TCORR felt more of the series opener to me even if there was months between them 🤣) , if it was released later in the series could it have been better received who knows

The doctor and Ruby's chemistry was there from the off and the series were criminally short (next time spend less on the special effects so we can have more episodes 🤣🤣) the revelation that the bogeyman wasn't a true monster but more that we are programmed to be scared if something was an interesting revelation too

Yeah, looking back, I think Space Babies was their first real muck up. I imagine that would've put a lot of people off instantly and especially with only eight episodes. There was so many other ways they could've given new viewers a flavour of Doctor Who that was more fun/monster of the week, hell a Dalek episode would’ve been perfect given they were going for a soft reboot.

Can You Hear Me - I feel like the villians in that ep was shortchanged...they had interesting powers but idk they didn't have much to do iirc.

42 is one I will say better than most even if it is a rehash The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit.

Space Babies Hmm I like but some of it feels lost like the recurring joke or feels not a opener episode.

I think Space Babies being the opener to season 2 may have been less of an issue, it's just that Ncuti's first season opening with such a light, silly episode probably wasn't setting the right tone for the rest of the run.

141 Closing Time

Series 6 Episode 12

Doctor: 11th

Companion: Craig Owens

Also featuring: Amy Pond, Rory Williams, River Song

First aired: 24th September 2011

Writer: Gareth Roberts

Back when series 6 aired, I remember finding the aesthetic of the series really dark. Almost every episode had a grey or black colour palette, it appeared, so an episode like Closing Time stood out to me with its brighter colours and camp tone. Having dropped Amy and Rory home, the Doctor stops off to see old friend Craig Owens en route to his death, and ends up being roped into electrical disturbances in the area and gets a job at a department store, which has been infiltrated by Cybermen. I actually quite enjoy Craig as a character despite him being James Corden, it was cool to see him play more of an active companion role this time round, and there's some good comedy between him and the Doctor, also involving Alfie (or Stormageddon x), it's just what series 6 was in need of! That said, I think the Cybermen were absolutely wasted in this episode. It was cool to see a Cybermat again but the Cybermen themselves were pretty much useless and it could've been any villain in their place really. The "love saves the day" resolution was pretty corny too, and I'll be honest, I've never been a fan of the idea of Cybermen just encasing your body in a suit of armour like they were doing to Craig - I think it takes away the sheer horror of the procedures involved in an upgrade (but obviously they weren't going to do that to Craig...!). It's ultimately quite throwaway, but I do find it pretty fun to watch and it's an episode I'd happily rewatch if I want to watch something light.

On 25/08/2025 at 16:48, JosephBoone said:

142 42

Series 3 Episode 7

Doctor: 13th

Companion: Martha Jones

Also featuring: Francine Jones

First aired: 19th May 2007

Writer: Chris Chibnall

The first episode Chris Chibnall contributed to the Whoniverse is a pretty run-of-the-mill episode. 42 was Martha's first trip in the TARDIS after being invited aboard long-term, at last, by the Doctor. It sees the duo fighting to save a failing ship on the cusp of falling into a star, but when captain Kath McDonnell's husband Korwin roams the ship on a rampagne, incinerating people with his eyes, the Doctor is horrified to discover that star they've been harvesting for fuel is actually alive. It's a pretty standard "base under siege" style story, with a great claustrophobic feel despite the vastness of the ship. Martha and Riley being trapped in the escape pod makes for a touching character moment and some great breathing space to explore Martha's relationship with her mum, and the twist about the star being alive is pretty interesting. Otherwise it's quite a standard episode, some of the guest cast are dispatched in very quick succession, leaving only McDonnell, Riley and Scannell to get any real development. It feels a little too similar to The Impossible Planet in some regards, particularly as it only arrived a year later, but I find this episode decent enough in its own capacity.

[edit: moved up a position, #143 is revealed next]

I like 42 a lot; yes it shares many similarities with The Impossible Planet/The Satin Pit but I think it fully stands up on its own. I dare say the stakes feel higher on 42, helped a lot by the intensity brought by being one episode instead of two and the claustrophobic, sweaty feel. What it does lack is the time to get to know all the characters so you don’t particularly care when they get killed off, which is something TIP/TSP really excels in.

Martha and Riley in the pod and and Martha’s phone call to her mum do make for some great character moments and finding out someone was monitoring the call is very intriguing. The pub quiz questions to open each door are very entertaining as well as adding to the stakes as you’re willing them to get them right.

Also plus points for Michelle Collins in this episode who I’m a big fan of. Nice to catch up on the ongoings of Cindy whilst she was playing dead!

CT, yeah never really been a fan of James corden too much of an ego for me, the fact this is the second time in series 6 the cybermen have basically been no characters really does diminish their legacy, as you said they could of used any monster and it would of worked the same, did enjoy the doctor , Alfie dynamic of course if any carnation could speak baby it would be Matt Smith made most sense