I adore this episode. It’s romantic, fun, and so memorable. The costumes and sets are a feast on the eyes and the Chuldur designs are just peak. It’s so wonderful to watch and Rogue is someone I’d love to see as a recurring character. The ending always makes me cry end too. One of Ncuti’s most charming performances, he really encapsulates his own version of the Doctor and hits his stride here. Perhaps my favourite of the new era, defeated only by Lux.

A very enjoyable Bridgerton pastiche; fun and fast-paced, though possible too much so of the latter. I enjoyed the Doctor and Rogue's relationship while watching, but it went a bit too quick for me to really believe in it narratively. Compare to lengthy arcs of distrust and growing understanding as with River Song, and this starts to feel a bit ephemeral.

I also wish that Ruby had been given a bit more to do in this episode; she's sidelined for the majority while the narrative focuses on the Doctor and Rogue. She fulfils quite the sizable narrative purpose at the end, but even that is a completely passive role. She plays it well, but ultimately she gets put in peril and rescued at the last moment by Rogue's heroic self-sacrifice.

Despite my complaints, I did find it fun and enjoyably camp. "Cosplay the world to death" was not on my bingo sheet for the season, but I'm glad it turned up here. The pastiche was lovingly done, and despite me not finding the main relationship entirely believable, Gatwa and Groff certainly delivered the emotional weight of it stunningly well. I hope he turns up again in Gatwa's run to continue this plot thread. I'll be quite disappointed if this just goes nowhere, and it might make me retroactively drop my score for this episode.

overall a solid episode. I thought the pacing was decent, it had the typical doctor who style and was very enjoyable to watch. I liked that both ruby and the doctor had their own moments to shine. whilst ruby's fight scene may not have been the best the classical rendition of 'poker face' more then makes up for it. rogue was an entertaining character and whilst his tension with the doctor felt rushed, overall it worked out in the end creating a compelling dynamic I hope we can eventually see more of (come on big finish)

The chemistry between the Doctor and Rogue is a joy to watch, and feels so natural throughout. I love how they bounce off each other, and I am genuinely moved at the end as they become separated.

I would genuinely love to see more of them together.

The Chulder are also really interesting, cosplaying aliens is such a fun idea which has plenty of potential for stories. They're used so well, and the story setting is so well realised and beautiful.

Rewatched 2025-04-08 (⭐⭐⭐½)