My biggest issue is how easily Donna and Rose dispelled the metacrisis. I think I would have been fine if the connection with rose totally got rid of it, but by keeping it around and getting rid of the last bit in such an effortless way it all felt less satisfying.

I found it interesting how 14 says “it killed me, killed me, killed me” referencing how for three lives he’d lived and died three lives before he finally got back around to her

RTD showed us he could really go back to his roots with a perfectly paced and thought out story leading into an ending that he came up with in 5 minutes.

Only thing I would change is how the metachrisis was solved. I've gone with the thought of either something like "it was too deep when it was all in one head, but now it's in two heads" or "you've been running all these years on all these adventures, too busy to think. Meanwhile the metachrisis has laid dormant, doing just one thing: finding out how to save Donna Noble".

I thought the ending was a bit contrived, and it wasn't the greatest thing Davies has produced, but that being said they got the core of it right, which is a welcome relief from the past few years. I only hope that once RTD2 is over there are some people left to continue the series. It would be a shame if it got cancelled again, although it would be funny if there was a revival in the 2040s.

This one was actually pretty underwhelming for me. A lot of my interest in having Davies back is in seeing the show reflect his growth as a writer in its absence, but The Star Beast felt like it was written by a man in the exact same mindset he was in when writing The End of Time. It’s another big dumb romp episode with moments of sincerity but which mostly just feels vapid. The “non-binary” stuff with Rose is well intentioned, but I think in execution it hurts that character more than it helps. It’s pretty clumsily presented and it ends up making Rose feel more like a living plot device/memory receptacle and less like an actual person at best. At worst it seems to accidentally suggest that Alien Plot Magic is the only reason she’s trans/non-binary, which is super gross.

I really agree with the point that it felt like a series opener, i really want a full series with the 14 and Donna

I thought they kind of missed a trick in not having the Doctor/Donna be limited to 10’s memory’s/traits (since that’s when the metacrisis happened it would have acted as a cut off for new memories into Donna’s head). Doing so could have meant that we could have basically had 14 & 10 interact in a sense.

Its honestly impressive how he could raise up such a wonderful story and slam it down in 20 seconds. Like the ultimate volley ball move😂

I loved it. Yes, the resolution was extremely forced and felt stupid and we had a few questionable lines, but God, I have been waiting for an episode like this for the last few years and I’m so glad to be able to watch Doctor Who again.

I’m sorry but can we all just give this man credit for his prediction on 14

This episode both had some of the best and worst, most cringey trans representation ive ever seen. I really enjoyed when Sylvia tripped up and accidentally misgendered Rose, and it lead to a conversation about how much things have changed and how she's trying her best. Then, we got an amazing scene with Rose using her experience to relate to The Meep's supposed loneliness. Thats all great stuff - it's organic storytelling that naturally plays to the strengths, weaknesses, and general traits of the characters. But then we got cringe, awkward, and borderline painful lines like "did you just assume that alien's pronouns?" Or "you know nothing, and we understand everything! You should have stayed a women, because this is something a male presenting (LOL WHAT?!) time lord would never understand." Who actually talks like that?!?! I loved almost everything else about the episode, but if this is the kind of writing we can expect for the rest of the show, I think I'll be sitting this one out. The clear and awkward pandering diminished the good faith that even the more subtle and well executed elements have built.

The biggest advantages of the episode: - UNIT is again a military unit capable of taking military action and they can shoot at aliens again like in series 4 or the classics. - The Tardis is camera-friendly again and they are not afraid to show its entire interior. - It felt like this was a series at the same level of advantages and disadvantages as series 4 - Cool looking aliens. Biggest disadvantages: - I'm of the opinion that they could easily rewrite it for the 15th (I already want a new Scotsman...), maybe except for the very end. Then it would even be easier with "can't remember" because a different face would take her more time. Grandma would recognize it right away because it has been her biggest fear for 15 years. Husband would also get it. - They could have said what she donated the money to. At one point I hoped she had donated them to UNIT. - What do they have to do with saving London? They could have left the cracked asphalt. Where is logic in making it suck lava and when ship decides it doesn't wanta lava anymore, asphalt just magically repair itself - Why an hour and not 40 minutes? The plot wasn't so extensive that they wouldn't be able to complete it in 42 minutes.

I'm quite surprised you didn't like the new opener, honestly I think it's my favourite since Matt Smith's first opener. Doesn't feel anywhere near as stuffy or dull, and I feel like the Tardis blasting through colours and space nonsense works really well.

Loved most of it, the ending bit was kinda weird with the "Women are better at letting go" thing but it's not a biggie. The new Tardis console room is GORGEOUS and UNIT's new uniforms/ feel is spectacular; I love feeling like humanity is finally starting to hold a torch to all of the Who universe's alien races.

Honestly my only minor gripe was that the whole solution to the crisis felt rushed. I liked the solution but it just felt like it was a alright we're gonna solve this now.

It was great seeing the new sonic abilities but I do feel like we missed a scene where he upgraded it I’ve always loved those scene where it pops up and they test it out but also we missed the new doctors picks clothes scene due to that weird regeneration so I guess it is what it is

I think the episode was fun, but felt very rushed. I also wasn’t a fan about how they resolved Donna’s memories. I did enjoy this episode more on a rewatch though.

I kinda wish Rose was the next companion. It’d be fitting to her namesake for one but also she just gives off the energy to be a competent companion like Martha was for example

It would make more sense if they made it so that the metacrisis did dilute in Rose, but only a little bit. So that Donna could have the occasional adventure, but would have to stay on Earth generally. So too much adventures would fry her brain, but chilling on earth with her memories intact and the vague occasional alien incursion would not kill her.

I really loved the episode! The only major issue I took with it was the whole “just let it go” thing. It would’ve made way more sense for the metacrisis to just be resolved by the energy being split between Donna and Rose. It felt like it ended twice. The bit about binary and nonbinary was a bit confusing too since Rose is referred to by feminine pronouns throughout the whole episode. Like with the other point, it felt a bit overcomplicated. It would’ve been more logical for it to be just the reveal of Rose having the time lord energy stuff. As a side note, while the “did you just assume it’s pronouns” line was a bit cringe, the joke about the doctor and the meep both using the definitive article was quite funny. A better setup would’ve just been to have Rose ask The Meep for its pronouns.

I really liked it, it felt like doctor who. I think if you go into it with an open mind you’ll be happy coming out of it.

YES! Have been hyped for your video all week man, can’t wait to hear what you think

I liked the tardis, but it felt empty, it's big and pretty but it has nothing in it. I really hope that when the 15th comes around he does what 12th did with 11th tardis, filled with stuff that suited his personality

It’s great to see this channel talking about Doctor Who again, liking or disliking it. That’s how I discovered this channel and for a while your thoughts on characters like Missy or Twelve were a part of the Doctor Who journey. Hoping we’ll all want to be along for the ride again in the Ncuti era.

Isn't it nice when the characters actually, y'know, have characterisation? 5 years of Chibbers got me missing basic competence.

I really wanted to like The Star Beast. Tbh it was hard to enjoy it when constantly getting hit in the face with poorly written activism.

After a week of feeling deflated at the lack of ambition of this episode, thank you for reigniting me to continue to watch the next episode! (I’ve been a Dr Who irl viewer since 1976 and watched the whole damn series in chronological order in 2017

I do think Star Beast was a good "standard" episode of DW in many ways - it's reintroducing us to the series (what's it been like a year or more since the PotD?) and more specifically an RTD-led version, and intentionally trying to reintroduce people that tuned out after Ten's regen or that gave up during Thirteen, as well as complete newcomers. In that respect, I think the episode does very well. I completely agree it feels more like a series opener than an anniversary special, but I think that's a sensible choice and it's job was in fact to be a bit "by the book". The corollary to that (I'm hopeful) is that the next two are a bit more anniversary special feeling, with some interesting lore and implications going into Fifteen's run.

I love how excited the 14th Doctor gets with the new Tardis. It truly is a wonderful design :D I just know that thing David does with his shoulders at Donna will become a GIF Edit: I'm surprised you think RTDs original opener is the best one, I much prefer series 5's opener! And then Capaldi's clock one is great too!

The Star Beast - thumbs up or down? What did you think of the 14th Doctor? I'll be back next week for Wild Blue Yonder!

Notice all the ramps in the new TARDIS. At first, I was thinking that they could be for Shirley Bingham, considering her wheelchair. But, then I had a callback to the production images, one in particular, Bernard's character, Wilf. In a Wheelchair. 🤔

"Relatively low stakes villain" Almost destroys all of London

I realy really enjoyed the star beast. Loved the meep, loved hearing Murray gold again (even if it did feel strange to hear 11s theme for the doctor Dona). Loved the writing of the extended nobel family like Shaun, Silvia and Rose.I loved feeling exited for who and by who again. But man that really sexist line at the end left such a sour taste in my mouth and its such a shame.

I had so many issues with the Star Beast. It had good points throughout, but as both an avid fan of Doctor Who and a genderfluid person there were so many things that felt off to me. So far I'd only seen praise, so I thought I was just being oversensitive, but I'm glad I wasn't the only one to think people have been ignoring the bad sides of it just out of excitement for DoctorDonna. There's going to be a long comment ahead so prepare lmao. First: good points (in no specific order)! I like the amount of references to past parts of the series throughout; like the Doctor saying how the sonic is "really good at resonating concrete", referencing how Nine's sonic definitely wasn't good at resonating concrete in The Empty Child. Then like another commenter says, the Doctor says "it killed me" three times, since they've died in three seperate incarnations since leaving Donna. Then there's how the Doctor says they also use the definite pronoun, (I believe) referencing Four's "You may be a doctor, but I am The Doctor; the definite article, you might say." I also like the CGI and costuming; it didn't feel over the top. (At least not in a way that wouldn't fit with Doctor Who's whole schtick.) I like that there's a trans character - especially a trans female character, since having a trans character in media (especially popular media) is rare, having a main trans character is rarer, and having a trans girl is the rarest. I outright love the holographic upgrades to the sonic; it feels so much more like the advanced sci-fi tech it's supposed to be now. I like that Donna understands that Ten was trying to save her life when he wiped her mind - he didn't want to leave her, it hurt him and he would've done anything to prevent it, but both knew that it would've resulted in her death. Donna is rightfully upset about her lack of choice, but also understands where Ten was coming from, which a lot of writers wouldn't make happen. I like how there's a genuine struggle with Sylvia being supportive - not that she isn't supportive, but she doesn't know how to show it, and is afraid of messing up and hurting her granddaughter because of that. Now for the parts I don't like... which is going to be a lot more. The most glaring surface-level issue, for me at least, is the plot holes. How do Rose and Donna know of everything that happened post-Ten? How do they even know the Doctor had a female incarnation, when he never told them (at least not on-screen) and the Meta-Crisis shouldn't have told them anything about him after his Tenth self? And if the Meta-Crisis did tell them, how did the added weight of over 1,500 years of more memories/knowledge not make the whole split-energy thing pointless? How did the sonic suddenly get upgraded when it's been like 48 hours since the Doctor Regenerated? (I know it was explained in the comics, but this is the type of thing that needs to be explained in the show for the casual viewers). Why was Rose described as a trans woman the entire episode, then when it suddenly became plot-relevant she's nonbinary? If she was nonbinary the whole time but still presents as a woman, then maybe have her use she/they pronouns, or say she's femme enby, rather than suddenly saying Rose is nonbinary at the disappointing ending when there was absolutely no reason either Donna or the Doctor would think that. (Also there's the whole issue of it being heavily implied that alien sci-fi magic "made" her trans, which... yikes.) Then there's the forcedness of the Doctor assuming pronouns for the Meep. It was a small scene, but considering they're a genderfluid alien who has encountered countless species and beings who present as male but don't use male pronouns, you'd think the writers would realise they wouldn't assume male pronouns. There's the ending, which also felt extremely forced. If they want a completely human Donna and Rose, maybe say the Meta-Crisis became completely dormant after they expended the last of it stopping the ship, sort of like in a complex adreneline rush. Maybe have the Meta-Crisis practically gone after it passed between Donna and Rose, so they can still be human. Maybe have it so the Doctor now has more time to think of a genuine solution rather than a rushed "only-way-to-save-your-life" mind wipe. There were so many different options other than getting rid of it in a completely sudden and forced "girl power!!" scene that didn't feel genuine at all. (There was also the whole "you're a guy, you wouldn't get it >:[" thing after it'd already been well-established that the Doctor has been female before? Like, does all their knowledge of what being a woman is like get erased when they have a male body again? If they wanted a scene like that, another commenter suggested something so good: the Doctor wouldn't understand because to them it would be like getting rid of one of their hearts; something so integral to their biology they couldn't possibly grasp giving it up regardless of gender. But to the humans, it's like an extra limb that seemed helpful at first but only became harmful, so getting rid of it is something they want to do. It's an easy reason for the "you wouldn't understand" scene without adding in the misandry and, albeit accidental, borderline transphobia.) Then having a disabled main character - yes! Love it! ...and then her actual character is brushed aside in favour of cool gadgets in her wheelchair (they were cool, I'll give them that). I can't even remember her name because she was practically only used as exposition and a plot device, then disappeared. I really hope she gets actual character development in the future though. Also, this is only a minor gripe that has nothing to do with the actual plot, but I didn't really feel like there was a need for Tennant to return. Not only has he already had three other Doctor roles as Ten, Ten-Again, and Meta-Crisis Ten/Tentoo, but now he's come back as Four-Ten. He's an amazing actor with equally amazing chemistry with Catherine Tate so it, again, isn't too big of an issue (and having Donna come back is also amazing), but I would've preferred Ncuti Gatwa to come early or for another Doctor to briefly take a spot. Anyway if you read this far, thanks! I honestly don't know how you did it. /pos

Something I never understood about this episode is that if the doctor didn’t want Donna to remember him why is he so casual about saying he has two hearts in front of her. Another thing was if the point was for her to never remember why did he have a system in place for her to remember again? If anyone can explain this I’d greatly appreciate it.

I don't actually think the Metacrisis has been fully resolved. Let me explain. The first clue is in the fact we're still yet to see scene where The Doctor says: 'I don't know if I can save your life this time.' Specifically whilst it may be gone in Rose, there has to be a specific reason she's a toy-maker in particular. One of the upcoming villian's played by Neil Patrick Haris is The Celestial Toymaker, a man who plays reality games on his enemies and can manipulate events. It's Rose, who makes toys (this isn't suggest Rose isn't her own character, or even that she isn't as presented, but more that she's been hijacked by Celestial Toymaker's reality game to give Doctor and Donna Noble false sense of hope that the Metacrisis has been resolved, only for it be reactivated in her later soon as Toymaker is done playing around with 14 and Donna as his toys, where the only solution to beating him will be to regenerate leading to the deaths of them both as the new Doctor finally takes over.

THIS is the video I was waiting for! So glad to finally see a positive review

Am I the only one who really likes the new intro? I will agree about the cuts and the music but I LOVE the new theme tune and I think the visuals are so pretty!

RTD lost me when he said he found it to be offensive for Davros to be in a wheelchar as disabled people can't be evil. I watched the special where the doctor helps create the daleks, again. Then saw the terribly written line that has become a meme. The writing is on the wall and I weep for the series.

Let's hope Moffat will return too, not as a showrunner, but as a writer. Him and RTD working together gave us the best of season 4.

Eagerly awaited your video on this and it did not disappoint!!

I think this was a great new start to Who and I am so excited for the forthcoming weeks.

I’m so excited for the remaining specials this one was the fun for the family low stakes episode with wild blue yonder and the giggle I wonder what awaits and I’m sure they’ll be way better

im w you on all of this... except for the opening - - - I LOVE IT! (thanks for another great video)

Omg I'm not alone! The new title sequence looks really cool, but it just feels like it's trying to run through all the trendy film trends. 12:46

brilliant as per mate, loved your vids for years

The episode was mostly good and the characters were written well and realistically. There were some nitpicks but I am more excited than I have been since Capaldi times

Great video as always bro

You perfectly sumed it up with It felt like an opener

What's the music used when talking about the new TARDIS? ~11:00 mark?

Considering in S14 we have a character called Roger ap Gwilliam who leads the New Albion Party I think he is Meeps boss who planned to use the blacklash from Meeps successful plan to garner support and become PM

I think the criticism of this episode feeling like a series opener is totally valid and I agree, but it also makes so much sense. With the Disney deal, this era is set to be another starting point, this will be THE first episode so many people outside of the UK will likely ever see because of how easily accessible it now is to them. Having this episode be a 'basics on Doctor Who' and what makes it good and unique, is great to bring new overseas audiences in, which is what Disney and the BBC want, a fact I think us UK Doctor Who fans have forgotten or not realised. Besides I feel like the next two specials, especially the giggle, will feel more like anniversary episodes.

What us the music at the start of this video called? I've always loved this song

I absolutely loved this episode. I had minor issues but I always have minors issues with doctor who episodes they are rarely perfect , but that’s what I love about it , it’s quirky and unpredictable. I will never grow tired of this show , seeing David and Catherine back has felt like a fever dream. I just can’t believe it. They fit right back into their roles. I do hope they expand more in the other two specials on how much time has actually passed for the doctor since he last saw Donna , not to mention the different experiences that have shaped him. He feels just like 10 which is bittersweet , he really should be showing abit more range considering it’s been over a 1000 years since he had that face.But I’m cool with it

OMG THANK YOU someone who appreciates the sonic shields because the doctor gets shot at wayy too much by enemies with stormtrooper aim.

I loved this!!! I watched who for the first time in 10 years with my whole family and it was lovely, we were all enjoying it and i got my Doctor Back

whats the song you use at the start of this video?

Gonna leave some brief thoughts before watching the review: My mum and I loved Star Beast, particularly how the clues for the twist were laid out.

here it comes edit: the burns are sick hah yeah, just nice overall weren't it? nice. I'm scared of the second special because we've heard so little :o

I watched this episode with my father. It felt like I was a kid again, watching doctor who for the first time and falling in love with the show.

"I would burn down the world for you Darling. Anyone has a go, I will be there and I will Descend." and absolute dead serious promise and a threat rolled into one. Perfect dialog.

I feel like people aren't saying enough good things about this episode. Yes the ending is wank but there's a lot of great stuff in there

The sonic screwdriver shakeup has me unreasonably excited. For far too long one of the most valid criticisms of the show's writing has been that the sonic acts as a non-specific magic wand. Sure, it's definitely still a magic wand, but at least now it seems we'll get to see the "how", rather than just hearing the Doctor explain the "what" and pointing it. I'm also relieved the Metacrisis has been resolved since I actually find Metacrisis Donna quite grating. It's as though they don't know how to represent that she's as smart as the doctor now so they just give her a mountain of meaningless technobabble to say. Nevertheless I completely agree with you about how it feels like this is where the Journey's End finale was always heading. I was worried at first, having never liked seeing big deaths / "deaths" get undone, but as you said, the real time it took to get back to this point makes it feel less like an "undoing" and more just a natural story beat. So glad to see Donna back. The only thing I struggled with, even as an ally, was the reasoning behind the metacrisis resolution. I loved the fact that we were getting some good trans representation without it becoming the plot, but then it _did_ become the plot in such a contrived way that it felt very Chibnall and extremely heavy handed. Love Rose as a character though and looking forward to seeing more from her. Also that "15 years ago" hit me like a train, holy crap.

You spent the first 2:45 talking about yourself and then wrapped up this video in the next five words - I very much enjoyed it.

Having RTD back really highlighted how terrible Chibnal was. I really enjoyed this episode, I knew nothing of the Meep going in so it was a nice twist. Didn't like the whole, "we fixed the doctor-donna problem by letting go" seemed too easy. I'm looking forward to what RTD can do with a new doctor after these specials.

Hot take: The Series 6b opener was the best opener we ever had...and the only one that came close to the RTD theme! I loved the doctors face being in the stars at the end lmao

When it's Timed & Synced Correctly, the Capaldi Opening Credits is my favourite. Love the Clockwork steam punky vibe Twelve gave off. I do like the new opening however it sort of makes me wish that's what the time vortex or outer space in who looked like it's been pitch black for as long as I can remember. It would look little Marvel, but I think Guardians of the Galaxies space design is amazingly cool & vibrant

Aww i was actually blown away by the new intro! 😂 i love it

What's the name of the music near 10:18?

Also his hair was it’s on character ,how much gel do you think went into keeping it up?

You certainly got your wish for the next Midnight with Wild Blue Yonder! That episode was incredible, truly...

I'm happy 14 is different to 10 he's much more open about his feelings (10 let his anger bottle up and couldn't say Love you to Rose Even after 2 Years where as 14 after an hour of life said he loved Donna and Wilf) He's more mature/humble/not a smart ass he's obviously older and dressed different hell I prefer his 14 outfit more to 10's His deeper voice and how he sounds more posh hell I love 14's glasses over 10's he's clearly coated in 10 of course but 14 is his own incarnation Edit he also says Allonsy only once and hell Donna say's OH YES!! and 14 doesn't

Hindsight is a wonderful gift…. You were so close on the money for your future predictions 😂

Overall I think it had some good ideas I just wish it didn't feel so rushed? I definitely would have preferred there being one big story rather them fitting an old school one episode story into the Toymaker story.

I really liked the episode. It used what make doctor who fun to bring us a new fresh take on the show whilst also bringing back the old stuff I loved from Tennant’s era like the what!

what is the music at 11:06?

I agree with you about theintro, but I think it is not the final one, but that for some reason they had to cut it out and patch it up

I'm glad you're back, I missed you, it killed me - Donna's dead You don't have a character say that and then not lose them all over again

I really liked it. Negative reviews seem to be based off Rose's sexuality (did they say she's nonbinary because the metacrisis changed her subconscious? Weird) and the metacrisis being "let go." Thing is, that is literally to scenes. They could have said 'the metacrisis is fizzling out, it's too weak to hurt you now,' and it would have been slightly better, but these are fundamentally well written characters in a well written show. Not only that, but they were written in Russell's style. That might get old, but it's good to see his fingerprint on the show during its anniversary year.

I loved the episode but felt how the Metacrisis was resolved to be rushed. Also didn’t help that the line they used for it wasn’t good “it’s not something a male presenting doctor would know” There were so many better lines to use to still share the same sentiment

In Germany we had to hire a new voice actor for David Tennant because the old voice actor unfortunately passed away but I have to say I like the new German voice actor Of course you have to get used to it first, seeing it for the first time, it's been a long time since I fell asleep during the first Doctor Who episode of applause

Absolute banger of an episode, though I didn't care for the poor writing at points or for the blatant sexism at the end

I loved it. I have been watching Doctor Who my entire life and David Tennant will always be my favorite Doctor. The episode was everything I needed right now.

I’ve said this a number of times on videos - It had all the fun and feeling of a 2005 episode. It just had a terrible ending… it was just a noddy cop out… and I’ve women can just let things go, then why didn’t the Dr realise this she they were a woman…

Full honesty I haven't viewed the series for quite some time. I stopped viewing when the message began to overtake the story. Some individuals might disagree with this take, but the majority don't require a lazy weekly refresher on identity politics. If you enjoy this type of entertainment good on you I simply prefer escapism vs enforcement. .

A great review I think we can agree that the titles need a little more polish, but the idea behind them does work. I think that's a good way to describe the adventure. Solid, well made and great fun. just with one or two sharp edges to get caught on. If I may, the two things that got me was Jasmine Finney's Rose wasn't written as a 15 year old girl and the resolution of the Meta Crisis. What do I mean by those? Well if I was asked to guess their age, without any awareness of their background, Rose behaved like a 20 year old. Now I have no doubt that Donna would be a fantastic mum, but to put it frankly that's not how 15 year olds are. They are bubbling emotional time bombs, impatient to be adults but still children at heart. Sure there are mature ones, but they are just good at hiding it. As a go to look at the first time we see Dawn in Buffy. Not saying they are the same, far from it but one is far more believable as a 15 year old. The maturity and quite frankly confidence she demonstrated here has to be earned and she hasn't had the time frame to do that. A good example is when Beep switches and calls Rose a "weird child". That should have crushed her. This was a new friend that she was really beginning to trust and they betrayed her. How many friends has she lost because they failed to understand her? How many can't understand or accept her for who she is? That single moment should have been utterly devastating. Instead she just rolls her eyes and the whole matter is dealt with as if it never happened. And that final resolution. How hard would it have been for the Doctor to say:- 'Thing is now that there's two of you and it's had all this time to stabilise I can do something about the Meta crisis! The chameleon arch! If I'm more than clever I can rewire this old thing to target the misplaced energy and zap it back into the Time Vortex. Donna, Rose Care to join me in som advanced tinkering?' I mean it will give an excuse to spend more time in the TARDIS and for Donna to stay behind and convince the Doctor to stay for a little while. As it is "Just let it go" is more than a little anti-climatic. Sure a problem shared is a problem halved and it's possible with the whole thing stretched between them it was weaker some how. That said it felt too pat an ending for a character point that has been hanging around for more than decade and a half. I think RTD is a good writer. Not Great, not Legendary. Good. What puts him head and shoulders above many of the other "good" writers is that he knows how to build a production. He gets great producers, fantastic directors, the best actors and great support involved. He knows how to write for them. He pulls other writers together and gets different teams working together. He finds great new talent and merges it with established at all levels. That is why his Who succeeded and has a legacy and this is why I'm excited for what's coming.

So, about that wish for a full series. It looks like fourteen and Donna's run could very well be extended into their own spin-off.

I thought you'd say something about how cheap it is to reverse Donna's tragic ending - like how Moffat did with Clara - but I see your point about having the time to grieve.

You lost me at not liking the title sequence. It felt like them just flexing their new budget and really showing off. I think it fits David Tennant's portrayal of the doctor this time around. Side note, I love your content and I'm very excited for you to review more New Episodes, hopefully with less mental strain on you this time around lol

I could forgive this feeling like a series opener if there was at least 5 special episodes but it's so rough being aware the reunion will be so short lived

What's the intro song?

There were definitely some problems with it but overall it feels like Doctor Who is back again and I can’t wait to see what’s next. It’s been a while since I’ve been this excited for DW.

I love the opening, looks like the TARDIS is a pro at navigating the time vortex and just having a blast with it

I enjoyed the special thoroughly and was hit by so many of its emotional moments - I watched it with my Dad, a lifelong fan and we both couldn't keep the tears away at times! Ultimately was super impressed and found it incredibly satisfying to watch as an anniversary special but not in the same epic way the 50th was, it just felt like it honoured the milestone by "revisiting some old favourites" which as a concept I found super refreshing as it shouldn't really need to always be the biggest, grandest adventure. I think it goes to show there are other ways of celebrating other than another multi-doctor story which admittedly I did need some swaying on in the lead up to this episode initially. That said, I have had a bit of dread about the Disney acquisition and what that may entail. I did find a couple of the lines spoken at the end a bit jarring but after watching/reading lots of reviews (maybe too many haha) some people seem to think it really ruined the whole episode and cast an ominous cloud over the future of the show, which I found alarming. So, I appreciate your viewpoint on the episode; the optimism, praise of the cool bits and enthusiasm for its future. It certainly was a palate cleanser for a lot of the (?fashionable) hate it has received and so many of your takes are spot on and/or really interesting in terms of the potential they pose for the future of show/characters. Love your work, always look forward to hearing your thoughts on this channel, and can't wait for next week's ep!

Honestly I loved the episode, I've watched doctor who with my mom since 10 was on the air. And it was 99% perfect. I think It brought back a certain magic I was missing for so long. David and Catherine jumped right back in as if they never left. As with most people I had an issue with the "male presenting doctor" line. Mostly because it felt like we spent this whole episode making every single character badass then at the end they just kinda were like men just don't get it. Even my mother was kinda thrown off. I loved Rose as a character and I think she was introduced beautifully. But that specific line and I think the little "non-binary" line during rose getting the meta crisis powers was weird asf. Like the binary was referring to the fixing of the chameleon circuit and them making rose say "non-binary" was just not really fitting for the scene itself. Other than those two issues with writing (which literally could be edited out with minimum effort, so I don't really have an issue them being there) I just hope that we can move forward to better writing for the subject in the future as I love seeing everyone represented in this show. It's why I've loved it for years

I also liked the episode and with my thoughts on the "activism" as some put it... Although at some parts it could have been executed better all in all it had reminiscence to others experiences of what I have been told and listened to, being called out by their original name and other similar scenarios and it's something that in all honesty needs more rep in the scene and I stand by David Tennant in his stance.

I just rewatched this with my dad (whos only watched the series once) and my sister (who has never seen a full episode of Doctor Who in her life) and got to sit back smugly while they pointed out all these “plot holes” and then watch them sit in shocked silence when the twist happened, at one point one of them even cracked a joke about the meep turning out to be the villain without believing it for a second lmao

Just wondering have you listened to any big finish

Really felt like I was back in the last 2000s with this episode. Also I think some people who said this episode was preachy forgotten that the show was political back then.