I've seen the first half, but it's going to be a few days before I get a chance to finish the episode. My only complaint so far is the southern accents. I didn't realize they taught the American civil rights movement in the UK.

DVC2010 said:

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I've seen the first half, but it's going to be a few days before I get a chance to finish the episode. My only complaint so far is the southern accents. I didn't realize they taught the American civil rights movement in the UK.

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It had an impact on their own treatment of blacks and motivated their own anti-discrimination laws. Though I was surprised they knew as much as they did.

Dr. Watson said:

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PacifistAg said:

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Very powerful episode re: Rosa Parks. Anyone see it yet? I felt they really just kind of phoned it in w/ the alien aspect of the story though. Like they threw in some random alien w/ minimal backstory so they could justify the Doctor landing there.

I think Ryan and how he handled all of it was the most powerful aspect of the episode.

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I really enjoyed it. A lot of the historical figure episodes have weak villains. This one at least, in backstory and motivations was a little different from the usual villain of the week.

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True, and I think they certainly left the window open for him to be a recurring villain. We may get a deeper development of the villain in a later episode.

Overall I enjoyed it although the alien aspect felt rather forced. I hope that part of the story is expanded in future episodes and not just a random plot device. If just something for this episode it comes across as lazy storytelling. On the other hand it was nice to have a historical episode that tries to stay true to actual historical event. albeit with a Whovian twist.

The throw-away villain was very unusual.

And, uh, how 'bout those accents? I guess the Tardis' universal translator couldn't help in Alabama.

Main thing i wondered was why they had to stay in a motel instead of just going back inside the Tardis. I realize it gave the opportunity to show a racist cop w/ no search warrant, but seemed kind of sloppy.

Interesting twist to have them realize they were a part of the moment now and couldn't give up their seats.

I think I'll be fine with the new Doctor, but I was less than impressed with the Rosa Parks episode. Bluntly, it felt a whole lot like one of those Quantum Leap episodes (Beckett as the black driver, or as a woman, etc).

I'm not sure if that's a direction I'd like the show to go in.

ChiliBeans said:

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Main thing i wondered was why they had to stay in a motel instead of just going back inside the Tardis. I realize it gave the opportunity to show a racist cop w/ no search warrant, but seemed kind of sloppy.

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Same thought popped into my head and one of the things that that came across as clunky in the episode On the other hand it led to two of the better scenes, the one you mentioned and the dialog between Yaz & Ryan when they were hiding behind the trash dumpster.

"Arachnids in the UK"....not really impressed by this episode. Wasn't horrible, but certainly nothing worth writing home about.

I agree. It seemed to skop a scene towards the end. They are at the resort, the owner runs out to shoot the arachnids, a commercial comes on and we come back with The Doctor and friends in thr Tardis.

The writing's been off to a rough start. May be a rough season.

ChiliBeans said:

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The writing's been off to a rough start. May be a rough season.

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Agreed. It's a shame because I think Jodi's been tremendous in the role. It's starting to remind me of Capaldi's start where the writing doesn't do the acting justice.

My guess is they're trying to hold onto to a new audience with simpler, less timey-whimey plots (along with more direct cultural references). But it could also be new writers/show runner still finding their feet.

The writers are still missing the mark. IMO this is the worst starting 5 episodes for any modern doctor. Hopefully the different writers for the next few episodes will do better.

Jodie continues to be fantastic.

powerbelly said:

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The writers are still missing the mark. IMO this is the worst starting 5 episodes for any modern doctor. Hopefully the different writers for the next few episodes will do better.

Jodie continues to be fantastic.

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Agree. Jodie has been great. The stories have just been boring. I know a lot are screaming about it being preachy. I haven't really felt it was any preachier than before, and that's never really bothered me. But the stories have just been very boring.

I'm fine with the historical episodes, but they need to have more aliens and more TARDIS.

I thought this last episode was much closer to classic new Doctor Who. I agree that we need more aliens and tardis.

powerbelly said:

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I thought this last episode was much closer to classic new Doctor Who. I agree that we need more aliens and tardis.

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Agreed. I saw some people upset about it because they thought it was 'preachy'. I didn't see anything like that. It was just a historical-based episode. Perhaps they were just a British person who thought it was being preachy about British colonialism. Still was more on the boring side, but was an improvement.

Biggest complaint I've read on fan boards is that the doctor and crew aren't really having an impact in their stories, they're just there. I'm starting to think that the different feel of the show isn't just happenstance of new writers, but maybe the BBC went great guns on girl power to draw in a completely new, younger audience. Might explain the simpler plots and lack of references to past stories. Right now, it's just very conventional SciFi "spookiness," for lack of a better word.

But...they could keep doing historical episodes and cash in on the Ancient Aliens crap by visiting George Washington at Valley Forge and showing him what America will become....

JK...sort of. I just hope they don't go meet Lee H. who works at a warehouse in Dallas or something.

You can't do the Pompeii fixed-point-in-time stuff too often.

I think the last two episodes are better than the start. Starting to have a feel for the companions helps.

I actually think I would like if there a little more of a story arc between the episodes. I know they said they would be getting away from that this season, but I think it would help drive the character development a little more.

ChiliBeans said:

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Biggest complaint I've read on fan boards is that the doctor and crew aren't really having an impact in their stories, they're just there. I'm starting to think that the different feel of the show isn't just happenstance of new writers, but maybe the BBC went great guns on girl power to draw in a completely new, younger audience. Might explain the simpler plots and lack of references to past stories. Right now, it's just very conventional SciFi "spookiness," for lack of a better word.

But...they could keep doing historical episodes and cash in on the Ancient Aliens crap by visiting George Washington at Valley Forge and showing him what America will become....

JK...sort of. I just hope they don't go meet Lee H. who works at a warehouse in Dallas or something.

You can't do the Pompeii fixed-point-in-time stuff too often.

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Well we did get two references to past episodes in last night's show.

Take this for what it's worth, seeing as there always seem to be countless DW rumors:

RUMOUR: SERIES 12 IN 2019, CHIBNALL & WHITTAKER LEAVING AFTER?

If true, I'm fine with losing Chibnall. Whittaker is solid. I really like her, but I'm okay losing her if that means a new showrunner. Would be awesome if they could bring back Russell T. Davies.

Just watched 'Kerblam!' last night finally. Much more of a Doctor Who feel in that episode.

I want to start watching from the beginning.
I didn't see it on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
How can I watch from the beginning?
Thanks!

Amazon Prime has all the new Who episodes.

kapon said:

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I want to start watching from the beginning.
I didn't see it on Netflix or Amazon Prime.
How can I watch from the beginning?
Thanks!

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As was mentioned, Amazon has all the new Who episodes. I'd recommend also making sure you don't miss any episodes by checking here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Doctor_Who_episodes_(2005%E2%80%93present)

Amazon breaks out Christmas specials and certain others from the seasons, and puts them elsewhere. They are easy to miss if you don't check it against a list of the episodes.

Okay, I think the past couple episodes have been much better. Loved this exchange:

Crazy lady w/ alien mud monster inside her: "As King James has written in his new Bible, "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live.""

The Doctor: "In the Old Testament. There's a twist in the sequel. "Love thy neighbor." Which is why we've come...to help you fix your problems without killing anyone."

so I heard the show got flack for not having a Christmas special and now they are planning a new years special. is this correct?

Yes. I think it's going to be New Years Day. I get the logic. I believe even Moffat had commented on how the Christmas angle had been explored from every angle. I don't necessarily agree, as I'd have loved to seen them go back to the birth of Christ and deal with some alien robot that had taken over the flesh of Herod.

Good read on Doctor Who's long history of political and social consciousness.

It always struck me as odd to see how angry people got over what they perceived as political/social commentary or PC-ness, specifically after the announcement of the 13th Doctor. The show has a long history of it.

I'm curious where you're seeing "anger." The season premier had great ratings. Big dropoff from the over-hyped premier, but ratings have held up pretty well compared at least to Capaldi's last season. I think the fans have given it more than a fair chance.

My controversial hot take, as I've suggested before, is that the BBC was trying to gin up debate to hype the show and draw in new viewers. Articles like this just seem to be trying to keep that going to shield the show from criticism.

Sunday's show is a great example of the writing problem. Lots of potential with some historical paranormal. But most of the show is just droning on with condescending lectures about pop psychology. Then, with a few minutes left, it's revealed that the superstitious primitive Earthlings were really being tormented by - alien ghost mud! Ahh, if only they had considered that perfectly rational, scientific approach.

Thought it was funny that the Doctor threw out the Arthur C. Clarke quote about advanced technology being indistinguishable from magic. Well yes, that's been an ongoing premise of the show. I guess we were supposed to laugh at the primitive, superstitious Christian 17th century king for not knowing all about alien space ghost mud.

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I'm curious where you're seeing "anger."

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Oh, I saw it all over the place when Jodi was announced. There was a lot of "SJW!" and "PC!" screams. I just assumed the ratings were great for the season premier because of a ton of new viewers tuning in to see the first female Doctor. I think the ratings have settled back down because that's not enough to carry a show and increase the fan base. There was a chance to increase the fan base, but I feel that's been wasted because the writing is still weak.

I'd love to see Davies brought back as the showrunner.

What the heck was that episode? And missed such an awesome shot at bringing River Song back at the end. Very disappointed with that episode and Chibnall's entire season outside a few bright spots.

PacifistAg said:

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What the heck was that episode? And missed such an awesome shot at bringing River Song back at the end. Very disappointed with that episode and Chibnall's entire season outside a few bright spots.

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Didn't even think about that, it would have made what was an utterly worthless episode halfway decent. Easily the worst episode of a meh season. Such a shame since the production values are top notch. Just goes to show you a great story and cheesy effects beat great effects and a poor or uneven story.

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Just goes to show you a great story and cheesy effects beat great effects and a poor or uneven story.

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So true. I'd love if Davies came back as the showrunner. Am hoping rumors are true and that Chibnall is only doing one more season. This season has been rough, which sucks because Whittaker is strong in the role.

The Davies Era had its share of clunkers: Father's Day, The Idiot's Lantern, Love and Monsters (this could have been good with better effects),. Fear Her, the 4 or 5 episodes between Gridlock and Human Nature when Martha was the companion, Voyage of the Damned (yes still awful despite the first appearance Wilfred Mott), The Doctor's Daughter. On the other hand during the Davies Era they kept on a regular schedule and had 13 episodes a season. This season is only ten episodes long so it is very disappointing to have such an unsatisfactory episode.

I understand calling those 'clunkers' in context of the other ones, but I'd still put them ahead of the bulk of this season. I think his floor and ceiling are higher than Chibnall. But yes, regardless, give us 13 episodes and keep it on a regular schedule. This 10 episode thing is annoying.

My dream would be to bring back Davies as the showrunner, and Moffatt as the lead writer. That combo was fantastic:

• Empty Child/The Doctor Dances
• The Girl in the Fireplace
• Blink
• Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead