Demons of the Punjab

Other great episode. This Time we learn more about Yaz's history and how it's better to live with what you know rather than pry information out of the past.

Another historical episode from Chibnall this season, at least this one is more accurate. The partition of India and Pakistan but also some alien assassins that don't actually kill anyone. In the end Yaz learns it's better not knowing her families past.

This is one of my favorite historical episodes, and the closest Doctor Who has come in a very long time to a pure historical. Yes, there are aliens present, but other than serving as a red herring they have no effect whatsoever on the events of the story. And yet their presence is beautiful, observing and honoring people who otherwise would have no one to do it. (It's so small compared to the themes here I almost forgot to mention it, but I also enjoy it when scary-looking aliens aren't actually the bad guys)

I love the way the romance, personal feelings, and daily life coexist with the large historical events that are taking place. I love the personal connection to Yaz and her tangible feelings on the matter. All the characters feel real and deep and meaningful. It explains exactly why her family lives in Sheffield now in a very sweet moment.

The whole story is so tragic and lovely I cry every time I watch it, especially at the end when we see Umbreen again in the present day with the added context of her life, but she still hasn't lived a bad life. She's still been happy and loved. This is my ideal serious Doctor Who episode, honestly.

Very good, probably the best of its era.

Beautiful, emotional, gripping and poignant story. It puts focus on a moment in history that was momentous for the people that lived through it and for all generations born thereafter, but that is not given importance in western countries. I love historicals, when they are done right mind you, and this was perfect. The cast is very good, Perm is a really great character and the wedding scene of him and Yaz's nan is tear-jerking (13 is so great). The ending is bittersweet too. I especially loved Graham and Perm's discussion right before the wedding, about how hatred against what's different gains power in a society (pretty on point for today's times) and that all we can strive to do is be good people.

I firmly believe that 13's era is the best at doing historical episodes, but sadly not so much when it comes to full on sci-fi. That's why I would have preferred for them to focus primarily on the past, as since the 60s we really haven't had a pure historical (except for Black Orchid)

I think that Demons of the Punjab is actually quite a good episode. It presents an interesting historical story focussed on a really interesting period of history that I do not know enough about. There are interesting characters and Yaz gets a bit of development which is nice. I also feel that it's well directed with a few standout shots. The aliens feel a bit forced and don't completely make sense. I think that the episode would have worked better as a pure historical. However, the episode isn't bad as is and is probably one of my favourites of the era.