Doctor Who (Spoiler/Episode discussion)

It’s ok. It’s been noted. Come the revolution...

Last night was so poorly scripted.

Plus why introduce a second Doctor one week and then pretend it never happened the next?

In terms of building drama and creating interesting character, this is a complete fail

And reintroducing Captain Jack for a few scenes. Hoping it’ll all come together by the end of the series.

I really miss RTD.

This series for me is really frustrating to watch. You've gone from a good opening 2 episodes with the reappearance of the Master (love his outfit) and the destruction of Gallifrey to this weeks episode that was just a rubbish story. I really like Jodie W as the Dr, and Bradley Walsh as Graham is a great bit of casting, but I have never been a fan of having more than 2 companions at any one time and that's from watching both the classic and new Who series. I've always found that having an overcrowded TARDIS means that someone in the group doesn't get much to do in a particular episode or has little character development long term.

Since new Who started, I've never been a fan of the majority of the stories being done in 1 hour format. Maybe its just me, but I much prefer how it was done in the classic series with stories being told over several episodes and having the classic cliffhanger at the end of the episode. I think having 2 or 3 episodes to tell the story gives you more chance to develop the characters and build up the tension and drama. Ok, tv viewing habits and production styles have changed over the years, but I really don't think WHO works best in its current format.

Another issue that has been highlighted not just on here but on the online episode reviews is the current need to have the "issue of the week" format. Whilst in its history, the programme has often tackled a wide range of social and political issues, its always been done in a way that isn't preachy in the way its done now and didn't get in the way of telling a good science fiction story that was both fun and engaging to watch (even with the naff special effects).

For the current series, with so many plot points yet to be resolved before the series concludes (Galifrey, the new Dr, the timeless child), it wouldn't surprise me if we go into the next series still answering some of them.

I actually thought it was an improvement because it became more complex. The people who kept moaning about Who being too difficult and too dependent on story arcs have got their way with the current incarnation but I miss the idea, as with Moffatt and to a lesser extent Davies, that you didn’t have to ‘write down’ to the audience.

Most of the ideas are a bit obvious for me, at the moment (and all separated off episode by episode). Look at older classics like The Avengers (no, not the superhero one, the Diana Rigg/Patrick Macnee one) and they suffer when watched through a modern eye because of that lack of a continuing story. 

Watched on the tube home yesterday and agree it felt disjointed. I thought we were going to get the Doctor having an adventure on her own, not really sure what the point in dropping the others off only to pick them back up again straight away.

It really felt like two separate episodes were half formed and then mashed together. Not sure the point of even having the Aleppo part? What did it add?

Might have come across better if the Doctor had had a better response to Graham talking about his fears. Or any response really!

Yet another appallingly constructed episode.

Lots of explosions and some confused/confusing dialogue does not a satisfying episode make.

Chibnall is the wrong fit for this show. He has neither the wit not the invention to make it a success.

I don't care that he thinks he is being clever in setting things up for the next season. So few people seem to be invested in it, there is every possibility that season 13 might be the last. All because he got it wrong.

Too many companions. Too many 'messages of the week'. And weak writing.

Plenty of Pyrotechnics in yesterday’s episode, shame there wasn’t much story to go with it.

I’m certainly not a fan of CC’s tenure of DW. There have been too many stories that just haven’t grabbed me. The idea of having “issue of the week” really doesn’t work. As I’ve posted before, the classic series would deal with social and political subjects but have an entertaining and well written story to handle the subject that didn’t come across as preachy as the current writing does. I would like CC to look at some of these classic stories to see how you can do the educational thing but still be entertaining tv.

The current series overall has been a big let down (even if we get a fantastic final episode). The TARDIS crew definitely needs to be cut. There are far too many companions (keep Bradley Walsh as a companion, not fussed about the other 2) and the quality of the writing really doesn’t help their development. A big overall of the series I think is needed. JW as the Dr I like very much, it’s just a shame everything else is a big disappointment.

Started off irritated, oh doctor they've destroyed all our defences, well durr. The companions are very 'we will stay with you through anything, we know you really well' but they wine and complain and annoy me though perhaps not as much as the last cyberman. Imagine how good JW could be with better stories. Too many companions, needs better writing. The sad thing is if it ended now the 'you can't have a female doctor' brigade would say it proved their point when it's nothing to do with that.

For a second season for a new show runner it was terrible. I’ve been watching DW for 40 years, and this is the worst that new Who has ever been. The frustrating thing is that there were so many things that could have been so good- but the very poor writing let the season down time after time.