I've always liked the idea of Doctor Who tackling social history or cultural history, the gritty details of everyday life as opposed to the key events or great figures of the past. A world without music therefore sounds like a great idea but the execution left a lot to be desired.

The whole thing felt very disjointed, it meandered along and didn't really have a sense of narrative progression. It felt as if there was no cause and effect and that things simply happened for the sake of it. A major reason for this is Maestro who, besides acting like a pantomime villain for most of their scenes, is a character that has no consistent rules or powers or weaknesses; they act as the plot demands they act with no other justification and that seriously weakens the narrative of the episode. This sense of listlessness isn't helped by the Doctor's passivity and helplessness nor by the dwelling on Ruby's mystery, which was interesting at the time but is ruined in retrospect, nor by the weird scenes with the Beatles who end up with a pivotal role at the climax despite being superfluous and disposable right up until that point.

There are couple of good scenes, like the Maestro and the Doctor having their sonic battle, some funny moments at the start, and the part where music gradually returns to the world, but they can't salvage the episode.

As for the musical number at the end: well, perhaps a world without music wouldn't be so bad after all.

Jesus christ, its barely comprehensible. RTD wake up please, YOU CANNOT WRITE IN YOUR SLEEP.

The Devil's Chord isn't perfect.  It is practically begging to have writes to Beatles music production simply could never reasonably afford.  It's story is pretty simple and straightforward, perhaps to a fault.  And I do have to admit the last song at the end wasn't exactly impressive.

Yet I've always been quite deferential to this episode.  I had fun from pretty much start to finish.  Maestro was the most fun with a villain I've had in Doctor Who since pretty much we've last seen Missy.  Jinkx Monsoon did a great job embracing a very camp villain that absolutely lives up to the energy of such villainy from the Classic Who era.  Sure, the episode is missing some of the Beatles actual music, but there are a lot of musical moments I really like.  The Doctor and Ruby bringing the city back to life with their song early on in the episode, Maestro confronting the two and menacing the TARDIS, and John and Paul finding the special chord - all these moments build up on each other and got me invested in the story. It's my favourite aspect of this season - each story feels like a big adventure, with all the weight and length of a movie more than a standard television episode.  And yes, while there are flaws to the Devil's Chord, I really enjoyed that journey.

the one who waits is almost here.

died 2011 born 2024 welcome back Captain Jack Harkness

Doctor Who meets the Beatles..... aaaeeehhh???? Having a pantheon member obsessed with a single form of entertainment is a perculiar choice, but at least here they make for a three-dimensional character.

You know, whenever I watch these 60's stories they make me look down at my T-shirt and reminisce on what a good 60's story looks like. Tomb of the Cybermen was peak! And so was Blink, WOW, Blink was so good!

Conclusion: Episode 2s are always rocky.

- Lizzie xxxxx

Next up: BOOM