This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

Previous Story: The Settling

Not a bad story by any means but when compared to the highs of the rest of the Hex arc it's hard to see this story as anything more than decent. I love the setting, the Great War is very under-explored in Doctor Who compared to WW2. It doesn't really do the most with the setting though, the brainwashing plot feels more WW2-esque and I think even the story comments on that.

It's also quite boring in a lot of places. It's about 20 minutes too long and the Doctor gets put up against a firing range way too many times. I also didn't really get much from the emotions of the story, I just don't think the characters are developed enough for me to really get to care about them.

As much as I despise the Forge for being a really annoyingly edgy and so far uninteresting concept, the little teaser of them was quite nice and reminds us that they're still around. It reminds me a bit of New Who with the way it would tease the finale villain with stuff like Torchwood and Saxon.

I know my review seems mostly critical but it's a solid story. Just a bit unremarkable is all.

Next Story: Shadow Planet