fun episode, loved the concept, end was insane!

This should be an epic given its deliberately provocative title, and its premise which was pitched as "a story which changes The Doctor". We should have been talking about this one for years to come. Yet it ended up being totally forgettable fluff in what has up until this point been a particularly good series.

The pacing is relentlessly poor. The last 20 minutes in particular. The story keeps feeling like it is about to end with one scene bolted onto the next, almost as an afterthought, or to extend the screen time. The paper thin plot lacks focus and intrigue, or at least I was never truly invested in anything I saw onscreen. It isn't helped by the fact that The Doctor initially seems completely nonplussed and a even bit disappointed in the fact his offspring exists. We are not invited to deeply care about them or believe they have much of a bond. She inexplicable has incredible gymnastic skills(??) and doesn't seem to reflect much of either The Doctor or any Time Lord qualities. She is then pointlessly killed, then miraculously brought back to life - leaving the viewer feeling like the whole thing was a waste of time.

The saving grace is that it is all a bit of fun. The Hath are a good creature design. The concept of generation after generation *feeling* like they have been fighting a war forever but in fact have only been fight for a week is hilarious... not sure it really holds up to scrutiny (wouldn't these clones be dropping like flies onscreen?)

Putting Martha for the whole episode with characters who can only communicate with gargles seems like a perfect way to waste her big return - making it all but impossible to have any meaningful character moments with Donna and The Doctor. Sums up this story well I suppose - a wasted opportunity!