My video on the issue of the BBC's support of Transphobia: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/l7RkqMZhrcDWh3k.html My latest video on the BBC's response to complaints of its reporting: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/qdGYa5R_mtLHiY0.html Shaun's 1st video, which includes some additional confirmed information: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/mJqSqK1-ss_bk5s.html Shaun’s 2nd video, which follows how the BBC is trying to dodge accountability for all of this: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/p8yah6pnuLzOnYU.html Shaun’s 3rd video: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nLieZLiLmczMlHk.html Laura Kate Dale's protest speech outside the BBC offices: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/nqiaetGI0N2lmn0.html

My assumption was that the regenerating clothing was there specifically as a signal that there was something not quite right about this regeneration. I could have assumed maybe it was just a stylistic flourish they'd decided to do-but it feels very deliberate in light of the fact that the outfit *didn't* change earlier in the same story when it was the Master. That inconsistency feels like we were meant to notice it.

The moment I realised that “The Power of the Doctor” was her friends my heart melted and I was giddy with joy, the one thing the doctor has that the master doesn’t is someone to carry her back to the tardis and it was just so emotionally resonant I had a wonderful time

I'm just so amazed that we got one of the ORIGINAL companions back. I can remember watching that very first episode live in my youth and getting to know Ian ... and there he still is, aged 97 and still immediately recognisable....

“I wish it was the finale of a better run of shows” is the truest statement I have heard all week.

Also: I like that while 13's final speech was nowhere near as elaborate as 11's or 12's, they still managed to sneak the obligatory line in there that makes you wonder if it's the Doctor or the actor/actress speaking. 9: "You were fantastic. And you know what? So was I." 10: "I don't want to go." 11: "I'll always remember when the Doctor was me." 12: "Doctor, I let you go." 13: "That's the only sad thing - I wanna know what happens next."

It was lovely seeing Ian!! William Russell will be 98 next month, so it was a big surprise to me that he showed up here. One of my favorite companion actors fun facts is that he is the father of Alfred Enoch, who was born when William was 64.

Sacha Dawan made the episode to me. I hope RTD keeps him because I love watching him chew the scenery as the Master, he's the best thing to have come out of the Chibnall era imo.

My favorite aspect of the Whittaker Doctor is her inventor side, so I loved the nod with her fixing Vindor’s ship.

You're not the only one crying seeing 7 and Ace back together again.... This was the closure we never got to see in the Classic Era

I loved Graham's little companions anonymous meeting. Even though I didn't know every companion who was there it nearlt made me tear up.

The Master’s self loathing shows up in the s12 finale, when he’s disappointed he didn’t die when he shrunk Ashad. I always liked that, glad that they kinda followed it up.

I wasn't as emotional with this finale as I normally am with regenerations because I didn't feel as connected to 13. I think that's in no way Jodie's fault, she was great. But the writing just wasn't there so I didn't connect with her as much as I have with previous doctors.

Fun fact. Jodie is the only Doctor to be in tenure during 2 British monarchs, 3 English Prime Ministers, she is the second longest serving Doctor in terms of on screen portrayal and the first Doctor to actually have 2 hearts inside them whilst being the Doctor cus Jodie was pregnant with her second child whilst filming this episode. Just some fun tid bits of trivia to wave Jodie off with. She has been great and I have enjoyed watching her as the Doctor and I wish her all the best in all her future endeavours both in acting and in life in general. And congrats to her on the recent birth of her second child. I saw it announced a few months ago.

I was so shocked to see Ian again. It just feels cathartic to have someone who traveled with the 1st Doctor talk to 13’s companion.

I’m so glad Jodie got to go out on such a strong note! In retrospect I really respect what she was trying to do as the Doctor. She was so venerable with none of the bluster past doctors used to mask their pain and insecurities. She didn’t always say the right thing but she listened and was always honest with her Fam. Even using that term Fam instead of companies showed that she was, for the first time since Susan, willing to be part of a family again, as well as all the joy and heartbreak that comes with being emotionally honest and venerable with someone.

I really enjoyed the heck out of this. I did love when the “Fifth Doctor” saying “Adric” and then “ brave heart”.

Chibnall's era of Doctor Who has always kind of struck me as ... how to put it? "Off its ADD meds" conveys the feeling pretty well. What was the deal with the paintings, other than giving a hint to the Doctor where to search? Why is Vinder even here? Random leaps in time, random gaps in the story...all the hallmarks of what made his run so frustrating are here (except the completely oh-God-get-off-my-f*cking-screen villains from Flux, thankfully). There are a metric ton of questions that haven't been answered... And yet, this worked for me. Yes, it draws emotion in the cheapest possible ways, but I don't even want to imagine being the kind of grumpypants that doesn't get a kick out of seeing Sophie Aldred in that jacket, hefting that bat and going "Wicked!" I really liked this episode, and for the moment, I'm really interested to see where RTD takes this next year.

First cheer for me? When Ace greets the Doctor with 'Professor'.

the moment where yaz meets ace and tegan and gets hit by the realisation is brilliant. one of mandip's best moments and not marred by any awkward lines.

This was definitely my favorite finale by Chibnall, and one of my favorite episodes from his era overall. Didn't change how I felt about anything that came before it, but at least the era ended on a high note. In regards to Whitaker de-generating into Tennant, I think it was the best option available to RTD when presented with doing the 60th AFTER Whitaker was going to leave. The alternatives were having a new doctor star alone, which wouldn't feel like a climactic celebration of everything that came before, or having a multi-doctor story featuring the new doctor, which would be hard to follow and wouldn't give Ncuti the spotlight he deserves for his first real episode.

Ace coming back just made me wish we could have even more. Sophie Aldred has such a charisma. Honestly, I'd watch a whole show of just ex-companions sitting and sharing stories.

The part that hit me hardest was definitely the little group at the end. While the Doctor takes her last quiet moments to herself, we see something that made me happier than almost any other meeting of companions than ever before; just them coming together and bonding over their shared experience, and being able to laugh and mourne in such a unique way but in a way that's so normal and human, not to mention I smiled when I saw Jo, joyfully chuckled when I saw Mel, and genuinely gasped when I saw Ian. These people, the friends and loved ones left behind, they are the power of the Doctor (which I'm also glad they opted not to literally spell out in the dialogue). And that was the perfect note to end on before having our last moment with 13, with a stunning view, beautiful use of her theme and the most wonderfully playful last line. Chibnal's era has been a mess, but this special reminded me that he is capable of writing good Doctor Who. And it also left me very much sad to see Jodie Whiattaker leave the part and desperately wishing she'd had a better run of series

I think the fact Tennant looked at his clothes directly. There has to be more to this regeneration.

So much happened in this that it's hard to sort my thoughts on all of it, but damn Sacha Dhawan's Master was such a stand-out. I love how over the top he is, and while he's campy there's still great moments of characterization. Realizing because of the Timeless child reveal that he wouldn't be who he is without the doctor and that it's literally impossible for him to achieve "being the doctor" because he just is "less" (in his eyes). And that ties in perfectly with this insane plan of just hijacking the doctor's body. (I guess you could even argue that the Timeless Child thing is what undid Missy's progress who wanted to finally stand with the doctor but the found out that there's no way for them to be equal). I also loved his dynamic with Yaz and when I saw him running around as the doctor I thought I could watch a whole show of that, too. He definitely did steal the show from the doctor a bit for me, but I'm not complaining. If I can get more of this master in the future I will gladly take it.

Once, I got to meet Sylvester McCoy, and I told him why I will always have fondness for his Doctor, because the day I met the person who would become my husband, he invited me to watch the final episode of "Remembrance of the Daleks". I was in the UK, and it was the very first airing. (Yes, I'm decrepit.) And there we were, sitting on a beanbag in front of a telly while Sylvester McCoy was covered in Christmas tree lights. I guess I owe that Doctor.

Not gonna lie I was happy to just have a bloody fun story drenched in fan service rather than 90 minutes of Chibnall trying to clean up all his mistakes.

Something I liked was how the doctor went outside to regenerate. FINALLY has the doctor realized that exploding inside a super advanced space-time ship might not be such a great idea.

"Tag. You're it" Is such a great line. It's perfect for her Doctor.

I do agree that knowing Tennant's run is limited, has not only made it more palatable, but excited to see what they do with it.

The Master disguised as Rasputin dancing to Ra-Ra-Rasputin was probably the best Doctor Who scene I've seen in years.

I'm so happy that you liked this story so much! I know you've wanted to like Whittaker's run for so long. I just saw the special via Amazon Prime, and it was, for me, perfect and brilliant. So many in-jokes and references that didn't detract from the plot, but that made me smile. The Master's brief interactions with Tegan and Ace were brilliant! The Master in general was brilliant, as was the Doctor. And I also cried with Sylvester and Sophie. McCoy is *my* Doctor, and he and Ace are *my* team TARDIS, and so finding out finally how Ace left, and having her get to apologize and him get to apologize, it was so wonderful! I cried at the end as well, when I realized what Graham and Dan were doing, and saw just who was sitting there. I cried seeing Ian there, and hearing him speak. Getting William Russell back for that little cameo was so lovely! And Jo! And Mel! The only thing I think that would have made me cry more would have been for one of the Bannerman Road crew to be there, too. I know this won't be for everyone, but it was for you, and for me, and a lot of the fans of older Who as well as Whittaker's run, and it was FUN. We differ on opinions of the 13th Doctor's era, but I will agree that if more episodes had been structured as carefully as this one, it would have been a stronger era (I loved it and think it's good overall, so for me that would just be turning good into great). And Kate! And the parachuting into the TARDIS! There were so many moments that made me squee while watching. I'm not too thrilled about the regeneration into Tennant, either, but what's making it work for me is the fact that the Doctor thinks something's wrong. They realize this isn't supposed to happen. So I'm assuming the 60th will focus on that, and then we'll get a proper 14th with Gatwa. But no downers! Not for me, not right now. I am happily celebrating that every companion in the Chibnall era left on their own terms (more or less), and accepted that it was time to move on. Companions chose to move on rather than having to be forced out. And the Doctor's final words were brilliant, and completely fitting for Whittaker. Such a beautiful end to a wonderful episode and wonderful run.

Why was this episode called "The Power of the Doctor"? What happened to Rasputin? What was the deal with the paintings being altered *and* disappearing? And most importantly, does the Mona Lisa still have "THIS IS A FAKE" written on its canvas?

Yes, the story is a mess, but every emotional beat works and there are so many good bits here: I love that Chibnall let companions just leave. There was no brain melting or forcing them to leave. All the 13th's companions acted like grownups. Wether on purpose or not, Chibnall gave us enough, that we can head canon away the timeless child, if we want (and I do want to) I'm going to miss Jodi. Her era was hit or miss, as they all are, but she was a solid Doctor. It was so nice to have a Doctor that liked being the Doctor.

This was definitely my favorite installment of Jodie's era, and I say that as someone who genuinely loved these seasons more than most. I, too, had several problems with how it was written over all, but I have had very positive emotions towards the whole thing so far, and this episode just blew me away. The pacing felt good, it kept me guessing (and guessing wrong), they didn't mash up the story too much by having the Daleks and Cybermen there because they focused so much on the master. It had me crying (especially because of Ace and Holo-7), and just seeing Ace again was already enough to have me overjoyed, as she is my favorite companion. 13's (second/third?) regeneration blew my mind, and it has left me with so many questions, but despite how much I love how it turned out, actually my favorite part of it was that it wasn't very sad. In fact, it was kind of happy, like it showed that She was really ok with it, and excited to see who she would be next, and it got me feeling the same way (aided by the fact that I had only seen the "14" 'th doctor by name, having avoided the announcement as much as possible until a mere few days before this episode). I thought the acting was well brill all around, and I will say the Master's portrayal here really sold to me this incarnation. Up until now I have had wavering feelings about it, but it just worked so well here, and everything he did made me uncomfortable and I *loved it*! I also loved his mis-matched Doctor outfit, and the whole idea of him making the Doctor forcefully regenerate into him, for several reasons but especially this: When playing the role of the Doctor, much like how Missy was making fun of him way back when, he sought to imitate her, by taking a companion with, by "going on an adventure" or saving a civilization or something, because that's how he really saw her, but he really missed the point of what the Doctor was really doing. The Master has never really understood the Doctor's reason for seeking friendship, nor what it really meant to have made a friend, even when they tried to (in the case of Missy it really was going quite well, but there was obviously still some kind of disconnect with actual friendship), barring, of course, the Doctor and the Master's relationship itself. And that the Doctor would make friends everywhere she went, that she couldn't even help it, being the reason the Master's plan failed like that was so poetic and wonderful. And the other Doctors showing up as holograms and in their collective regeneration mindscape, bantering all the while? I mean, I'd always loved to imagine that sort of situation going on in their head, and was so wonderful to actually see! Wow, I loved this episode so much!

To quote 10… “WHAT??”

13 feeling like a side character in her own era right until the very end. I enjoyed this overall for the reasons you talked about and I also liked how the lead up to regeneration was played, but my God, Jodie deserved so much better and I'll never not be mad about it. I'd kill to see even one episode of her written by RTD... nevertheless I'm excited for what comes next.

They did Ryan dirty.

Sarah Jane was introduced in 2006 to me and got me to watch classic. So I’m really hoping that both Teagan and Ace will do that for this era of new who

I loved this finale, I watched it twice already. The Master was very camp and his plan was such a wild combination of throwback ideas and high stakes (also like the idea that the entire timeless child revelation was something that shook him so hard that he felt inadequate and had so much self loathing in comparison to the doctor that he schemed to take their body Valeyard style) I loved the older companions coming back, their dialog with their doctor/holograms. The regeneration was absolutely gorgeous! And seeing David back just makes me curious for what's next. (His clothes being changed makes me wonder if something else is interfering with this regeneration) Wonderful time to be a Who fan, this

I can testify to how well the old doctors and companions interactions were: i've never seen any episode with Ace or Tegan, but both of those made me get choked up. I have no emotional attachment to any of those actors except that I know their roles in the show, but man, I knew that if I'd seen any of their episodes, I would've been crying, for sure.

"Why is Jo Martin's TARDIS a police box?"-I assume she landed in 1960s Britain and the chameleon circuit got stuck. :)

It was great to see Paul McCann again. In fact it's always great to see Paul McGann. But the fact he was included in such a significant episode further cements right's status in the canon, although he's always been there for me.

I think David being back before Ncuti is good... I think it's cool that we'll get to see Davis allow His Doctors to pass teh torch to each other

as someone who has only seen the new era, i got teary eyed at the classic companions and doctors reuniting, such a great moment

I enjoyed this one probably more than any other 13 episode. Ace getting her goodbye was the cherry on top. I'd kinda expected the re generation would give us a shock return of Donna - just imagine the reactions - but hey, more 10 will do fine.

I'm glad you enjoyed it! Seriously. Hate to be *that guy*, because I didn't... Sadly. Tried to go in with an open mind, I swear. Like, I wasn't focussed on the hang-ups of wrapping stuff up. In fact... I think the reason why a lot of this didn't work for me, was because of that, almost? Like I didn't really care for the lack of closure, because half the stuff I didn't *care* about in the first place - and by that same token, I didn't... Really care about any of the appearances in this episode itself. The classic era stuff I'm unfamiliar with; the Chibnall era stuff I've always wanted to like, but pretty much all of the characters have been so flat that I can't care either. Thus, it was kind of just watching people run around in chaos...? I think if I did care about one or the other, maybe this would have made it enjoyable to me but... Ultimately, it doesn't work when half the people you're unfamiliar with, and the other half are kinda just cardboard cutouts to you (sorry, that's a bit harsh, but yeah) because what you're kind of left with is a really messy story. Like a really messy one... Lots of just random ideas that surface but aren't really explored within the episode to any satisfactiory conclusion, that keep intercutting each other. And a lot of those ideas WERE interesting (the Master forcing her regen? cool!) but not explored properly: just raised, then dropped, or sustained but not developed, which just felt frustrating to me. I liked Sacha's performance, though. I wish there could have been more focus on him, personally. Also liked Yaz's goodbye, actually. She really grew on me, and I feel like that's partially just the *idea* of her rather than the actual character but yeah. (... ALSO, mentally? I know I'm trying not to touch the Tennant thing. It pisses me off that he's "14", regardless of how they play it, but I'm gonna try to keep an open mind because I do want to put my faith into whatever RTD's vision is - maybe it'll be worth it, in the end. Do hope so! Ncuti looks bloody great in the teaser.)

My prediction is that a running theme of the 'Tenteen Doctor', however long he's around, is going to be about hour 'you can't go home again', I think it maybe just a way for Russell to make a statement that he cannot approach the show the exact way he did before.

I loved this episode. For whatever reason, the whole personality of Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor just clicked with me in this episode (I just watched it last night). She’s honestly in my top ten Doctors now.

I never watched classic who, but I still loved seeing all the faces. I loved the interactions between Tegan and Ace and their respective doctors. I loved how clearly emotionally loaded it was for them. You didn’t have to know anything about classic who in order to enjoy those moments and to feel the weight of them. I LOVED that we got to see Jo Martin again. This is my favorite episode from Chibnall’s run 😂😂😂 it was so so so bad, and this last farewell doesn’t make up for that, but I’m glad to see all of them go out in such an amazing way

A small thing: I'm absolutely delighted that Ace said, "Last time I saw you, you were half-cat."

Just as an aside, you may know of the mess in Britain at the moment choosing a new prime minister. Boris Johnson coming back was being considered, I saw a tweet which was just a picture of Johnson with the words "Doesn't he look tired?".

I think you have summed up how most of us probably felt. I did feel good after all these years, and I too enjoyed jodies final line.

On the head as always! Really enjoyed that, I hope it doesn't fade with time

I feel like part of the reason he never ended up doing anything with The Timeless Child arc was literally because of the intense and immediate backlash from a huge swath of the people who watch Doctor Who. Most people, even diehard fans, really REALLY hated it as a plot element and part of the Doctor's backstory. It ruins the mystery of the Doctor and turns them into a completely different character and it also exists as a bastardization hybrid of the Brain of Morbius plot hook and the Cartmel Masterplan from Classic. I mean, we could also theorize that he was told to shelve the idea from the higher ups at the BBC following the episode's release and reception - but we'll likely never know if that was the case.

"Doctor Whoever-you-are: tag! You're it." was a beautiful line to end on!

Honestly I think one thing I adore about this special is that pretty much all the fan service was actually set up to be tied into the story. Example, I loved how in the doctor’s sub conscious the first one she meets is her first incarnation (Harnell’s doctor,) and then the 8th. (paul McGann.). While I’m not super familiar with the with the 6th and 7th doctor. What I love is its fan service but thematically its set up beautifully since those points were incredibly important for The Doctor’s life. I always hated mindless fan service so them actually setting it up to have a place is honestly awesome!

I love the idea that the power the Doctor has is their companions-very cool. Does anyone else want to see an Ace and Graham Defend the Earth miniseries? Also want to see more Jo Martin-Moffat could write a time paradox episode that ends up making her from the future instead of the past.

Chibnall already stated in DWM that the mystery of the timeless child and the fobwatch wasn't ever going to be answered. He added it in to "add mystery in the show", his words not mine. It'll never be brought up, RTD won't mention it again.

I adored this episode. I was smiling all the way throughout. It was a great romp and a really great conclusion. And what a loveletter to the show, past and present. All the little moments, the returning characters, and the big stuff, like the Master’s wacked out plan. I LOVE this incarnation of the Master. I hope to see him return, but part of me thinks that he’ll regenerate after the ordeal he put his current body through.

I cried SO much when the classic companions returned (especially when they got closure with their Doctors)! It was definitely as you said a cheap move but it absolutely worked. And I actually liked the writing in those scenes as well! Completely surprised and I think it was the best part of the special (although overall, pretty great as well!)

I cried a little bit when 7 and Ace were talking to each other. I was 13 in 1987 and watched them at the time. What a moment. Chibnall smashed this one out of the park. 👍🏻👏🏻

If you liked Ace and Tegan in this, I recommend both of their Dalek episodes, or Earthshock for Tegan and Curse of Fenric for Ace. If you've never checked out classic Who, they're great places to start!

Are we going to talk about how Jo Martin appears as a hologram but not as part of the merge Doctor consciousness and what that implies?

The Master taking over the Doctor's body, "rewriting" it so to speak, reminds me of when The Master rewrote whole of the Earth in The End of Time.

When Rasputin said "We could call this the Master's Dalek Plan - or the Daleks' Master Plan" I was hoping he'd found the lost episodes...

How long before Ashildr/Me or Captain Jack find their way to one of the support group meetings?

I haven't gotten around to watching classic era Who yet, but the stuff with Ace and Tegan definitely still got me going. Like I knew who they were, and had a vague knowledge of how their departures went, but the acting, and how emotional they were making the moment made me cry.

*Chibnall:* "I told you Mr. Baker, I sent you the email, I gave all the living Classic Doctors the invite, you gotta check the spam folder!"

I have seen at least 1 or 2 episodes of each classic doctor (obviously I have seen more but at least 1 and 2 well not many) and when I saw David Bradley I started to scream with excitement but when mcGan came out I was almost crying because just a week ago I started listening to his stories on Big finish (at least the ones I find on Spotify) and he became my favorite doctor with Smith and yes, he needs at least a mini series or something in live action

After seeing both yours and Jessie Gender's reviews on this episode, I kind of want to see you two talk about it. You both have so similar and yet so different takes but somehow still arrive in the middle.

I'm so glad you enjoyed this episode as much as I did I was a bit annoyed things in his era got left but like you said it was worth it for this episode the best of this era thank you for the video as always

honestly as a noob to the classic series i will say i did enjoy the moments with Tegan and Ace with their respective Doctors, i felt like with just those scenes alone i really got to know them, and that's sort of the important thing to have in such a huge episode with these characters, maybe i didn't tear up but i did smile as they where happening

I haven't even watched any classic who, and the little scenes with Ace, Tegan and their doctors got me emotional (Also, sorry for implying that you don't exist on Twitter just now, my bad😅)

Shame Polly couldn’t appear, I feel like she was the only other classic companion they didnt Show Where the actor is still alive and they’d still be on Earth in Contemporary Times. As well as Benton & Yates actually.

a lovely review thank you

The plot was a total mess. The cameos were nice.

Yes yes yes! I just finished the episode and raced here to hear your thoughts, and YES! Since the 11th doctor i didn't really enjoyed the show (yes, I know you loved Capaldi, i didn't. There were some good episodes but it didn't really affected me like it used to), but this episode really stroke a chord. I tried to avoid spoilers, so I don't know what was kept secret and what was known, but seeing the old doctors AND the old companions.... MAN THAT WAS GOOD! And of course the last bit caught me by surprise. I knew Tennant is coming back for the 60th, had no idea this is how it will go down. Talking about a jaw dropped! Loved it! In an earlier vid you mentioned you were concerned that in this episode we will see Ncuti and than immediately afterwards we'll see Tennant again, which will be unfair for any new doctor, and that was a very solid point. At least now Ncuti's doctor will not be overshadowed by Tennat, so that's a clever way to avoid it... Anyway - Yes yes yes!! Loved this episode, loved your (sort of) reaction to it (as always). Yes!

I find it so funny that I’ve only watched one full episode of Doctor Who in my life but I ran to watch your review 😂

It was a lot to take in, but by the halfway point I felt more invested. I like that they finally did something with the idea of "visiting old favorites." I feel like I missed a lot, so I'm going to watch it again. Overall, I really liked it!

I've hardly seen any classic who (or big finish) but those moments still felt impactful for me. You can tell when something means something, even if you're not entirely sure why - and that can be emotionally impactful.

Haven’t watched yet(the review), but I enjoyed it in spite of itself. This version of the master is incredibly engaging.

One of the first things I told my friend after I watched this episode was, "I enjoyed my favorite thing again, I'm so happy."

I really enjoyed this. I didnt really care that the Timeless Child stuff wasn't dealt with - as you said, it would have muddied the already packed plotlines. Everything was dealt with nicely, and Jodie's doctor bowed out in a great way. I would hope that we get some kind of explanation as to why we had the David Tennant regeneration (maybe something to do with the fob watch hidden in the Tardis?) - but not overly worried if it doesn't. Nice little surprises all the way through - LOVED Tegan and Ace, and also liked that the companions weren't killed off, possibly leaving the door open (Hello RTD!!) to bring them back at some point. Sasha's Master was insidious and crazy - and I loved that!! Also kinda unhinged (more than before we could say) Is this the last we see of the Master?? What say you? All in all - an enjoyable finale. Well worth the extra 24 hour wait in Australia.

Chibnall gets an A for effort on this one, but there are plot holes that pulled me out of the episode. I don't know why a third of it was set in Siberia. The fact that the weird alien disguised itself as a little girl is an unnecessary detail. I don't think Vinder really needed to be in this episode, and I think it might've been better that Graeme didn't show up until the end. On the other hand, Sacha Dhawan is owning his part once again. Mandip Gill is acting her arse off towards the end. The lone Cyberman is still cool. Jodie was actually better in the part than ever before, and the episode was very energetic overall. I thought it was a mixed bag, but I'll tip my hat to the fact that Chibnall blew his creative load on it.

Just seeing the classic doctors back was enough

18:26 "I had detached from the baggage of this era." 30:20 "I'm feeling a way that I wish I felt more during this era, during this run." This right here. This explains why I enjoyed this episode so much. I was talking to my girlfriend shortly after this episode finished and I remember saying that this was the first time in a very long time that I was having legitimate fun watching Doctor Who again. Now of course there are other reasons, Sacha's Master being one of my favorites and a highlight, the sweet (albeit somewhat cheap) nostalgia tugs, the revisiting of the Cyber Masters (which I still think is a really cool concept), etc. But the fact that it's almost completely untethered from the Timeless Child, the lost memories, Division, and all this other needless baggage that weighed this era way the hell down, and instead just tried to have a fun finale with some neat concepts, it really made me happy. Was it messy? Sure. But let's be honest, Doctor Who is pretty messy on the regular. This was really good, credit where credit is due. At the very least, I can say this era had a good bookend. Also, side note, can we talk about how the Daleks plan in this episode was such a Classic Who style plan? Like, using volcanos to wipe out humanity? They even have a cartoonishly big drill! It just really felt like a Classic Who idea and I love it for that.

As I said on Tumblr, I was entertained, underwhelmed and disappointed at the same time. I also had a feeling that the Timeless Child nonsense wasn't going to be brought up; I doubt that it'll ever be mentioned again.

When I indignantly (and, turns out, mistakenly) pointed out on twitter that the Doctor's clothes regenerating into new clother along with them "never happened before" , I got well-actuallied and indeed, Tom Baker apparently regenerated new shoes, and William Hartnell regenerated a whole new outfit when turning into Patrick Troughton...this was, however, the first ever on-screen regeneration aaaaand it wasn't even called regeneration at the time! So there! * crosses arms and pouts *

This was Spider-Man: No Way Home for Who fans. It was awesome!

the clothes regenerating to me was reference to the original 1966 regen where the clothes between 1 and 2 also changed. But I feel it is a red herring otherwise David would have to appear twice on the posters and online images with all the Doctors incarnations together.

If the master changes the doctors body to his own and the doctors mind to his own, in what way is that still the doctor? For all intents and purposes, that’s just the master. Isn’t that like changing the broom and the broom handle at once? All he inherited was the doctors clothes that he changed immediately. I’m don’t think I’m being thick here but isn’t this basic metaphysics? the ship of Theseus and all that.

The one thing I found kind of amusing about the regeneration scene is how shallow it makes Yaz look. At the very end The Doctor is like I’m going to change now and Yaz is like bye and Doctor is like bye. And all of this is code for “Yaz you don’t fit into our plan for next year so bye”.

Vera... Thank you for a great review of the episode. I admit that I do not always share all of your opinions, but in this case, your comments almost exactly echo my own thoughts and feelings on this Finale. Without getting too much into the "Chibbers-bashing"... I just wish he could have produced more episodes like this. At first, I was a bit put off by the frenetic pace, and it really felt like he was going to try to shoehorn too much in... in the end, for me, he got away with it (but it was a fine line). I think your point about "not addressing the loose ends" was exactly right... if he didn't have the time to do it properly, he was right not to attempt it at all... That is something that future story writers could come back to. For me, the "Power of the Doctor" has always been their ability to inspire, and encourage... and help people to get to their own solutions... so the episode not only had exactly the right title... it was also absolutely the right message for any particular regeneration's finale. At first, I felt the same way as you, about Dan's exit... I believed that "The Power of the Doctor" rested with the companions (and Dan seemed a bit of a waste in this episode). However, I think it did make sense in the context of the whole episode. I do, however, feel that Dan was a bit wasted throughout his time - but that's a separate thing. Regarding the "distance" we may have felt, regarding Jodie's Doctor, I have rationalised it this way: Accepting the "Timeless Child" situation, and Jo Martin's Doctor being immediately before Hartnell's incarnation, we have a situation where Jodie's Doctor has regenerated into being female, after hundreds of years of being male (and not having any memory of being anything else). Maybe her character was written in such a way, to give substance to the idea that it was a big change for the Doctor, and not just the audience!? And so, she had a lot to process, personally (including the Timeless Child stuff itself), without all the other hubbub that was going on during the "adventures".... making her even more distant towards the companions (and the audience). The real World reason for a "regeneration" back to DT, seems to be to grab back audience figures. I shared your concerns about it happening, in terms of the story. Not only do I agree that as a short term thing, it might be ok... I also think that the whole "forced regeneration" and subsequent "degeneration" could be used, in story, to explain it... also, bearing in mind that it looks like the "Celestial Toymaker" will be around in the near future... maybe he has had something to do with it (including the regeneration of the clothes, too!?!?)... Perhaps it's all some kind of illusion - and in fact, the Doctor did regenerate into Ncuti after all, but is being made to think otherwise!?!? Anyway - thanks again for a great video!

While this episode still sort of epitomised Chibnall's writing style as showrunner, which is throwing a bunch of ideas and expecting it to just work on it's own, this was largely a satisfying watch. A couple of notes though: - While I ADORED seeing David Tennant on my screen again, I can't get over the fact that the clothes changed. SINCE WHEN WAS CLOTHES PART OF THE REGENERATION PROCESS!?!?! - The whole 'traitor' Dalek idea feels like it should've been something that carrys an entire story for me. Instead it's just used as a minor plot mechanic. - Sacha Dhawan is an INCREDIBLE Master. - I love the idea of a Companion "support group" where old companions talk about their adventures with the Doctor. I'm kind of surprised that idea hasn't been used already (Unless I'm wrong and it has). A decent end to an otherwise lacklustre era

From someone who has seen about 1 episode of the 7 and Ace team and read 2/3 of Sophie Aldred's novel, her scene with 7 definitely hit me, it was so wonderful and Ace in general was just so fun!

I loved the moment when the hologram-doctor talked to Tegan and mentioned Adric

I loved this episode and cried alot throughout. I'm not even that invested in classic who but I love what I've seen, especially 7 and ace. But I think this episode will get alot of people who aren't into classic who curious about why these moments are so big. And the support group thing is SO GOOD. I think it's an idea that they've played with before but not seriously and it was perrrrrfect here. I liked chibs more than most but the fact that the last few episodes were really good (at least to me) make me wonder what chibs could have done if covid hadn't happened. Or at the very least what a Moffat run in the time of covid would have looked like.

Having recently watched Tom Baker’s final season (where Tegan, Adric and Nissa are introduced) and then watched Peter Davison’s first season where Adric dies, the moment between 5 and Tegan got me. Then when 7 (who was my first Doctor) and Ace (who was my first companion) talked, that got me even more.

Oh my! When I saw your review come up I swallowed hard, nervous and dove in. I don’t agree a lot of what you have said during the thirteenth Doctor era. But you summed it up - I have rolled with it. So rather like the surprise to you of enjoying the story, I thoroughly enjoyed your review. So glad Thasmin and the timeless child were put in a box, tied with a bow and thrown into the vortex. I loved the call backs, old Doctors and companions- IAN! Sasha was brilliant - call backs to Aunt Vanessa and Kate's father being an idiot - viscous and so funny. the Boney M Rasputin number and Dalek/Cybermen looking at each other had me in stitches. His multi Doctor outfit was brilliant down to the recorder. I think Yaz had her best ever episode and probably so did Jodie. It built up to the bittersweet farewell on top of the TARDIS. I will say this was the most beautiful regeneration ever and the brilliant 13th dr theme. if nothing else the Chibnall era has looked gorgeous. Final lines were fitting and, no, clothes regenerating is not new - 1st to 2nd did it and Bakers boots changed to Davisons shoes. Good to see in the trailer that Gatwa is wearing Tennant shirt and tie. Here’s to the 60th. I so wanted the first part to be on New Years Day. Good look here’s to the future and may all your gripes be little ones 😅