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.

Perhaps the most unfair treatment that a Doctor Who episode has ever received?

The Doctor is an idiot (foreshadowing!) and Clara confronts him for it. Loved it for the drama and the acting (Capaldi and Coleman are fantastic).

The sci-fi stuff is okayish, I can accept that the moon is an egg and that a dragon hatches from it I guess.

The messaging can be a bit misguided. The first time I watched I loved it. Then I went online and saw the controversy this episode caused. I can understand why people hate this episode, but (having just rewatched it) I just don't think it is the intent of the episode to give that statement, although I believe it should have been better written so it could avoid seeming like it was agreeing with that kind of ideology.

The moral dilemma is there for Clara to realise what kind of person the Doctor is, and to call him out for it, so we can have proper character development (which is what the 12th Doctor's run is all about).

Very good stuff, I wasn't really a fan of Courtney and the moon being an egg plot was admittedly a bit silly but it didn't really matter in the end, it was all window dressing for the moral dilemma.

The beginning with the whole base under siege and the and the dilemma and subsequent fall out between The Doctor and Clara made for some fantastic scenes between Capaldi and Coleman. Think that's the moment that will eventually resulting in Clara leave the show so it's nice to see something so significant in a mid-season episode and I think you could understand both characters point of view.

Legitimately offensive episode. Should have never been produced.