I went into this with very low expectations as I’d heard a lot of bad things about chibnalls era in general and the ghost monument specifically but it really wasn’t that bad.

I can see the beginnings of the common criticisms of this era, the very interesting premise was underused, the side characters just started spouting whole tragic backstories in one big exposition, the companions didn’t really get much use, at least not that I liked, the   gun argument felt very pointlessly pointed and out of line with the doctors actual moral beliefs on violence, the sonic was used as a crutch.

So it’s not without flaws but honestly it was still fun and I did enjoy it.The race premise was really cool, the episode was visually great and I do really enjoy 13’s snarky witty little jibes, also the new tardis interior is *gorgeous*

If the ‘actual quality vs what I’ve heard of the quality online’ of the whole era is similar to this one episode I’m optimistic about how much I’m gonna like it.

I went into this story expecting to like it, I didnt want the annoying chibnall haters to be right at all, but for this story I have to agree.

It looks very visualy pleasing and has cool cgi, as well as a cool setting. The idea of an interplanetary race is interesting and fun.

Howerever, the theme of it being set in a race is barely used at all and is only brought up occasionaly for pointless character building of the incredibly shallow side characters, who outright tell us their backstory and motives in a long winded exposition scene on a boat.

Most of this story was everyone standing around in various rooms and saying what they see and what they feel, no one does anything but ask questions all the time and the doctor just sonics to find everything out. 0 environmental story telling, 100% sonic story telling. Also I find the scene with ryan shooting the robots dumb as he is built up to be this emotional character who struggles with his disability, except when chibnall forgets he has it I suppose, Also why would the doctor care about shooting robots? Its not something the character has been uptight about before, only really with sentient robots or advanced robots. Also wish the tardis being the monument reveal happened way later but oh well.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“THE GHOST MONUMENT: A DESERT DETOUR TO A FAMILIAR BLUE BOX”

Picking up directly from The Woman Who Fell to Earth, The Ghost Monument wastes no time throwing the newly formed TARDIS team into the chaos of outer space. After a brief, breathless rescue, they find themselves split across two crashing ships, piloted by rival space racers Angstrom and Epzo, landing them on the harsh and desolate planet Desolation. The tension of this disorienting start—fuelled by shaky camera work, scarred ships, and the growing dread of imminent doom—immediately draws us in.

From the get-go, the companions are forced to adjust to their extraordinary new reality. Ryan plays it cool and dismissive, Graham is more grounded and pragmatic, and Yaz remains curious and attentive. The Doctor, as ever, leaps straight into command, barely breaking stride. The dynamic between the characters starts to gel, with the four feeling more like a team in motion, even if still a bit shaky.

A RACE WITH LOW STAKES

The bulk of the story takes place on Desolation, a dusty, sun-scorched planet reminiscent of Tatooine from Star Wars. Its alien landscape, while visually simple, is brought to life through a warm, evocative colour palette. Sadly, the actual plot—the final leg of a galaxy-spanning race—lacks urgency or depth. The so-called “Ghost Monument” at the finish line is, unsurprisingly, the TARDIS, which robs the narrative of any real surprise or tension. While the idea of building an episode around the Doctor desperately trying to reach her lost ship is a lovely callback to Classic Who, the execution is surprisingly low-key.

There’s also a notable absence of a proper villain. The true danger lies in the planet itself—abandoned, booby-trapped, and cursed by a violent past. It’s an intriguing setting that whispers of something sinister, but that thread never truly builds. Hints about what happens after nightfall or why the world is deserted are never fully explored. And when the “monsters” finally do appear—floating, whispering, sentient rags called the Remnants—they feel half-baked. Despite a haunting concept and a tragic origin, they arrive far too late and leave too little impact, serving mostly to tease the “Timeless Child” arc that won’t come to fruition until much later.

COMPANIONS UNDER PRESSURE

This episode continues to explore the growing tensions and bonds within the companion group. Ryan and Graham are still at emotional odds, grappling with Grace’s death and their uneasy relationship. Ryan pushes boundaries by reaching for a gun, testing the Doctor’s firm no-weapons stance. His dyspraxia is mentioned again, but frustratingly, a key scene of him struggling with a ladder was cut—an opportunity missed to explore his challenges more meaningfully. Yaz, meanwhile, is largely sidelined, a pattern that will sadly repeat throughout the series.

Jodie Whittaker delivers a more confident, vibrant performance here, clearly enjoying the chance to blend rapid-fire science with a dose of righteous authority. Her infectious enthusiasm and optimism are a delight, even if the script sometimes favours sentiment over storytelling.

SECONDARY CHARACTERS LEFT IN THE DUST

Angstrom and Epzo, the two racers, don’t leave much of an impression. Their endless bickering quickly becomes tiresome, and their backstories are delivered in clunky exposition dumps. Neither character is particularly likeable, and their scenes tend to slow the pacing rather than build it. Art Malik appears briefly as Ilin, the race’s organiser and final judge, and while he gives a suitably authoritative performance, his role is so minor it feels like a waste of a strong guest actor.

THE BLUE BOX RETURNS

The emotional payoff comes in the closing minutes, as the Doctor—believing she has failed her new friends—sinks into quiet despair. But just as hope fades, the TARDIS finally materialises, drawn to her once more. It’s a joyous reunion, made even sweeter by Whittaker’s beaming reaction and the stunning reveal of the Thirteenth Doctor’s TARDIS interior: a crystal cathedral of amber light, strange geometry, and warm welcome. It’s a high note that elevates the episode’s uneven journey.

📝VERDICT: 6/10

The Ghost Monument has its moments: a strong opening, a vibrant Doctor finding her footing, and a beautiful TARDIS return that tugs on the heartstrings. But the lack of compelling guest characters, the weak villains, and a meandering central plot prevent it from fully taking off. A classic-style Who tale in structure, it ultimately feels more like a gentle stroll than a dramatic race. Whittaker shines, the companions begin to gel, and the ending lands—but it’s a long walk across a mostly empty desert to get there.

Ghost Monument

Great episode. The doctor and "the fam" accidentally come across a space race, not the space race a race that's in space.

Graham tries to bond with Ryan to no avail, this will happen a lot. A talking rag sets up the series 12 Finale for some reason, The Doctor forgets their gender and finds the TARDIS is the ghost monument

I remember really liking this one on my first watch, and yeah, it is just a comfortable watch for me. It's packed with action from the start and the mystery of the planet kept me intrigued. The TARDIS being the "Ghost Monument" is actually such a cool idea and the race is pretty compelling. I'm liking Jodie's Doctor much more than the first time too, she is actually pretty badass when it comes to calling out people for what she believes is wrong (except for the no guns speech, that was a bit ham-fisted imo). The writing is nothing crazy but the vibes more than make up for it.