There are some interesting loose ends building up as we go here. Obviously Susan Twist is increasingly being acknowledged by The Doctor and Ruby. The there's whatever's going on with the Tardis, which has been shooting sparks as it moves through the title sequence, and generally acting a little oddly. And here, who is Rogue working for? That one might be a longer term slow burn.

Rogue also felt like a dry run for an American/Canadian Doctor and it might work

love this episode though the aliens and their whole plot is a bit weird for me. though as a huge fan of community and having the best episode of that show pulled off streaming services for the use of blackface...... weird to see that done pretty much the same exact way here. In community it was someone cosplaying as a drow/dark elf who literally have dark gray/black skin. TO have a white woman go full black face to be this black bird person.... Its not like there werent black people of high standing present in this episode so its not like it would have been out of place to have one to play that bird... In both the community episode and this episode its not being done out of malice toward black people but still to have one of those episodes pulled especially being a comedy to see this pop up on Disney felt a little weird. also weird people are offended by the doctor kissing a man... honestly with the chemistry built between those 2 characters and how attractive they both are i would have been offended if they DIDNT kiss... cause damn

I don't care if the Dr is male female gay straight the story's must be fun slightly scary with a point . Some episodes in the last few seasons sharpened the point stuck it sideways multiple times

Yeah been waiting for this ones discussion for sure - and ofc you guys didnt disappoint! I always chuckle when folks say silly things like "Doctor Who was never political or maybe it was but not in your face like it is now in INSERT YEAR HERE" The show has been pretty definitively on the more leftist side of politics (European leftist on top of that. For our American friends - in other words: communist lol, Im kidding ofc with that last one) since its inception, even if you do have to adjust for era - no trans-rights episode in the 60s obviously, the world wasnt there yet. But like...the first big bad guys were a freaking Naz* allegory for crying out loud. That being said - just because the message may be something oneself may agree with, the episode should still be "good". Some writers manage to excel at both messaging AND storytelling, others struggle - sometimes unfortunately with both aspects. This story I personally thought worked well enough, and it had some wonderfully acted moments but its also slightly idk... vanilla? - Overall Id give it around a 7/10.

One of those wierd synchronicities, but in my Subscriptions feed the thumbnail for this episode is right next to a thumbnail featuring a picture of Cthulhu.

They should really get a Doctor and companion to do a cameo on _Bridgerton._ That would be so fun, and there are a lot of actors still around. All the ones from the revival are still working.

If you are going to watch OG Blackexploitation films you have to watch Dolemite and Coffey

The bird people live 600 years. I don't think we know whether Rogue is human or something else or how long he might live?

Oh, yeah, _Faceoff_ was good.

@Syntell, does this remind you of the dance between Louis and Lestat in the first season of _Interview with the Vampire,_ which also shocked the room?

Hey, I've seen all the episodes, and I'm like, how are you going to go to Gailifrey? Maybe we'll find out at some point.

John Barrowman is just like captain jack in real life. If you ever get a chance to see him a convention he’s a blast. Yes he goes overboard but it’s always in fun

Again with the ship size -- just like in "Planet of the Ood." But the TARDIS probably has more space inside.

You know, i think y'all not really liking Donna is kinda clouding how you view her actions and motivations in these stories. Just immediately uncharitable sometimes. Give her a fair shot man.

Indira Varma played the Duchess. In addition to _Luther,_ she was Ellaria on _Game of Thrones._ She also appeared on the _Doctor Who_ spinoff, _Torchwood,_ as Suzie.

I'd described Barrowman as 'cancelled', at least with regards DW media. There were no charges brought against him.

This just felt like a great fun adventure, enemies to lovers, betrayal, regency balls, love kindled and lost. It had lots of hints to past stories (The Girl in the Fireplace shows The Doctor falling for someone fast too, only with a more tragic end) plus others the guys have yet to reach. But yeah, there are a lot of people mad on the internet about this episode.

Double who 🎉we being spoiled today

Been a fan for over 40 years, still a fan. I liked Jodie and her companions but most of the writing was poor. Jodie never had much to work with and the character writing was fairly superficial. To be a long term fan means to be open to constant change.

❤

The writing in this season is below par, I don't see Dr Who in it at all. More like a tourist couple who uses a space and time machine, even the TARDIS is barely used indoors. I'm just watching it to the end but I don't even think "oh it's Dr Who day" and stop everything to make sure i watch it. That's just died in me. Plus's the new aliens I did like, costume and set more historically done than Bridgerton (which i love) thing is Bridgerton is an adult viewing show and that's Dr Who's flaw, its too aimed at sexually active viewers and young teenagers and it does not sit with me, never liked the doctor having a relationship with his companions. Now its just uncomfortable, Ncuti was great in Sex Education, Russel T Davis got my attention with Queer as Folk but two different adult gendres that should not move into family entertainment, thats just borderline paedophillia and say what you want, I'm adult enough to have seen what grooming does. It's sick and shouldn't be in a slot where impressionable children should be watching. A lot of parents have turned off and the current fans are calling them bigots.... not on!

‘Ello Guv’nor ? Is Nekkai going to sell us wares on Resident Evil?

N-Cuti needs to join up with the other sexy Doctor, McGann

Absolute dog shit

great discussion on this one

In Rogue's Ship the song is by Kylie Minogue. She played Astrid the waitress on the Space Titanic.

the Chuldur with the long eyebrows kinda makes me think of a Rockhopper penguin tbh.

Dr Who is a Great British institution that has always made exceptionally pioneering television and groundbreaking storytelling. It can be so brilliant and trailblazing 👌👋

Imo it wasn’t so much that Donna couldn’t bare the fact of how depressing this situation is and is more so she literally couldn’t take how overwhelming hearing the song was whereas because The Doctor is stronger mentally he can cope with it, also I don’t think that Donna didn’t want to do anything about it it’s more so having Donna point out how inhumane the treatment of the Ood was grounded The Doctor into realising he should do better and help free them

You guys are very perceptive. I enjoy seeing you notice things :)

Terrific commentary, as always. Insightful and thoughtful.

9:09 Richard E Grant's Ninth Doctor! Scream of the Shalka is Canon!

The disapproval of John Barrowman stems more from adolescent pranks on-set than from sexual harassment. He seemed to find it funny to wave his dick around in front of people, for example, and to fart in the police box prop whilst others were in there having to wait for someone else to say, "Action!" These childish antics were somewhat blown out of proportion during the heightened sensitivity concerning PC behaviour, but they have now made him a risky hire in certain circles. The only time Barrowman (who is gay) was guilty of sexual harassment (and he once again believed it to be a joke) was when he called for unnecessary retakes of a scene in which he had to French-kiss James Marsters (who is straight) during a scene for Torchwood. The Doctor Who actor who was seriously taken down for alleged genuine, repeated and sinister sexual harassment of women was Noel Clarke, who played Mickey Smith , but he claims to be a victim of "trial by media" and has vigorously fought The Guardian Newspaper in court.

Yall have a surprise in the next 3 eps 😂🎉

Don't look too closely at the revolving heads of other Doctors, there are some spoilers there. But among them is Richard E Grant, who played the Doctor in an animated story during the wilderness years when the show was off the air. David Tennant has a small voice role in the story. Seems he's canon now, and no-one knows what to make of that.

The great philosophical discussion shows why Dr Who is so important in the lexicon. The Ood ,a very kind intelligent species represent the many millions of ethnic human beings who have been subjugated, abused and enslaved for being "different" and the caged and factory farmed animals of the Earth also. The vile racism, misogyny and discrimination is still rampant in society and the writers of Dr Who strive to shine a light on this evilness. Jodie Whittaker was terrific in the role but she suffered so much criticism from the women hating trolls. Ncuti is now being bombarded with racism and homophobic comments in the guise of "anti-woke" whatever that even means. Dr Who is tremendously important in the fight against discrimination and inequality. It shows the eventual deadly consequences of hatred and sectarianism. It leads to mass murder and genocide as we see so tragically happening now.

Double Whoday ftw. :)

The first episode with the Ood was so awful, slavery and death. This was an awful situation too, but at least the Doctor and Donna cared enough to help them and some of them got home. Interesting commentary.

Favorite episode of this Doctor thus far

Favorite episode of this Doctor thus far

*scratches head * Maybe I got it wrong, but I thought Donna couldn't handle the emotional intensity of their suffering, and that's why she told him to stop it, not because she couldn't face how it was really awful to be happening..

Yeah, not subtle. Yet still some will stamp their foot and claim this era wasn't woke like now. 🙄 As far as I'm concerned, woke is a good thing. I like your analogy of the pill wrapped in cheese, and Rekkai is right, some people have their cultural blinders on so tight they still won't see the message, because it's not what they want to hear. Syntell kinda shaming me a bit there toward the end. I have 2 BLM shirts I wear but the most action I take is arguing with people online, and maybe some donations online. My excuse has been that my wife going through immigration, I didn't want any arrests or anything to mess that up, but yeah, I should do more... I just don't know what to do. There have been some instances right in my face where I stood up for POC or people who were LGBTQIA+, but I don't march at Pride or for anything. I've never been to a protest. I should probably fix that someday before I'm too old. I've always been an ally, but I need to be an accomplice, well said!

WOO-WOO!!! Two Syntell Whos within four hours!!!! THANKS!!!!

Gave new meaning to Cosplay.

The juxtaposition between this and "Dot and Bubble" is quite a coincidence.

Sorry, i reply here instead of replying to the episode before. I was busy. In case of the episode before this one. Season "4" episode "2" Does it ring a bell? "42" The answer to everything. "This is an coincidence? If you are considering the circumstances, in that episode, then you know, there are NO coincidences"

And people complain the series only got political and woke during the Chibnall era.