Diverting although unsatisfactory. The high point is the way in which the story conjures a futuristic yet timeless Venice. The sense of its decline, both physically and metaphorically, is well sketched and along with certain aquatic creatures evokes both Poe and Lovecraft, all with added class war which I admit I'm a sucker for. Sadly these elements don't all pull together for me, and the sci-fi conceit seemingly necessary to turn this into a Doctor Who story feels undercooked and tacked on.

The Stones of Venice has a somewhat meandering plot with a frankly obvious plot twist - and yet I couldn't help but love it. It's deeply theatrical, dripping in atmosphere and worldbuilding, playing out almost like a historical despite its future setting and sprinkling of sci-fi elements. There's an air of gothic fairy tale about the whole adventure, and Charley really gets a chance to come into her own as a character worthy of being a protagonist. Good stuff!

Atmospheric and sombre, in a wonderful setting, using the setting so well to tell a poignant, interesting story. But the layers added eventually make this a little too messy, and nonsensical to follow, adding some extra plot layers for almost apparently no reason - which is a shame considering all the fantastic elements which were working throughout this, to use the story and its time setting really well.

this was weird. i still dont know why there was such a prominent subplot about the oppressed gondolier underclass

There are many things to be critical of in this episode; the plot is nonsensical, the dialogue is preposterous and the acting is hammy. And yet, to quote Roger Ebert's review of The Mummy, "I was not bored, and sometimes I was unreasonably pleased." I had a lot of fun switching off the critical part of my brain and getting swept up in the pantomime drama of it all. I cheered when the day was saved by love and I gasped at the impending heartbreak foreshadowed by Charley and the Doctor's final exchange. A good fun way to spend a couple of hours.