I wouldn’t watch Doctor Who if this was representative of what the show is like—it’s grim. At its centre is a mean-spirited character who often says and does unkind things. This story feels as though it has a rotten core.

It makes some troubling statements about consent. Clara asks the entire planet for its consent, doesn’t receive it, and then proceeds to act against their will. This effectively strips every person on Earth of their agency, which is appalling. On top of this, the story awkwardly incorporates a mixed metaphor about abortion. While Doctor Who might be capable of addressing such themes (at a stretch) it certainly shouldn’t handle them in this manner. The resulting message—one that comes across as oddly pro-life—ignores the wishes of an entire planet and its future population. It’s an uncomfortable and inappropriate message for young viewers, and I wouldn’t feel comfortable showing this episode to a child unless they were old enough to critically engage with it.

Peter Capaldi gives a fantastic performance and does his best with the material he’s given. I can even accept the moon being an egg. But what I can’t overlook is the coldness of the characters and their interactions.

Ordinarily, there would be room to discuss Courtney Woods, whose character has a sweet premise and is portrayed with reasonable effectiveness. However, the glaring flaws in the story render these smaller elements insignificant.

This is a rare, wholly negative review from me. If I had to find something positive to say, it would be that, when not being unbearable, Clara and the Doctor remain a compelling pair. The intrigue and aesthetic of the planet in the first half of the episode are pleasant, but unfortunately, the story doesn’t pay off in any meaningful way.