SMASHING

I enjoyed the episode a lot and thought Rouge and the Doctor were adorable. I didn’t love the villains of this one I think it was just the word cosplay it was a little goofy

The first time I saw this it I felt is was quite possbily the worst episode of Doctor Who I'd ever seen, so I wasn't looking forward to it second time around.

The Doctor and Ruby arrive in the early 1800's and attend a dance, not that they know the duchess. All is not well as, not only is a bounty hunter at the scene so are body changing aliens.

Brigerton is mentioned a few times - not something Ive seen, I can only assume its on the same level as Sense And Sensibility, not that know anthing of that either. So as you may guess this isn't an epsiode set at a time and place that excites me.

One of the main plot points is the Doctor falling for the bounty hunter, Rogue. The Doctor and romance is not a new thing. The first Doctor inadvertanly got engaged in the Aztecs, but given its something the character has always shyed away from, even as recently as the Thirteenth Doctor who couldn't commit to a relationship with Yaz. Its really out of place (and character) to for to be here. Personally I don't care for the companions and relationships. Its not what I watch the program for, and there are plenty of other places/series to enjoy it.

We see the Doctor crying once again, and it undermines the value and point of doing it. I said in response on a forum, that if he'd been in the Three Doctors it would have been 'Scarecrow' 'Fancypants' 'Cry Baby". The aliens themselves are slightly comical, not necessarily a bad thing but they are one dimentional and forgettable. Though Indira Varma plays the main one who you may remember from Torchwood.

The redeeming aspects of this story are when the Doctor corrects Rogue when he calls him 'Doc'. It always annoyed me with Graham calling the 13th 'Doc' when its something The Doctor has never liked. Also there is a moment where we see the faces of most of the other Doctors, including the Fugitive Doctor and the Richard E Grant 'Shalka' Doctor its a nice surprise, and it raises some questions.

This series does remind me of the first series of Torchwood, very contrasting episodes that almost don't feel part of the same body of work. So maybe the next series will settle down, and as I've said before, that might be without me, sadly.

I spent a lot of story being bored and clock watching, its not for me, held little interest and not the show I've enjoyed all these years. It wasn't as bad as I remembered, but I suspect it'll be one I seldom view.

If Rogue isn't Jack Harkness I'll eat a shoe. Gay love can pierce through the veil of death and save the day <3

Maybe this would be 5 stars for me if I knew what Bridgerton was...? Alas, I'm habitually uncultured. What I do know is that this episode is great fun. Jonathan Groff was an unknown to me, but he is a revelation as Rogue, who immediately charmed me. I do hope that we'll get to see him again soon, as his blooming romance with the Doctor was pure delight for me.

As the story lives and dies on this relationship dynamic, the villains end up feeling curiously incidental. The Chuldur are... fine. They mostly look good, though it drove me crazy that their beaks weren't connected to their mouths in some way. For shame! (This is not a serious criticism.)

I thought Ruby's side plot was pretty good until her new friend ended up being a Chuldur. Nice twist, but a shame to lose what seemed like a potentially great character dynamic. The fake out where we're led to believe she died is classic RTD, though I'm not entirely sure why it's here.

Minor quibbles aside, I think this holds together as a solid to strong episode, and it may grow on me with time, especially after further appearances from Rogue. Please? Please?