Review #20

The Empire of the Wolf

This episode was so much fun. I don't normally enjoy 10th doctor story's but this one was really good. The whole concept of the Werewolf wanting to get into the royal family by biting Queen Victoria is a intriguing plot. I also like how this sets up torchwood. The dynamic between 10 & Rose was electric like this is the best we've seen them together as of now. Easy 8/10

Probably my least favorite of the 10 historicals, I don't like Rose's antics in this episode very much and it takes a while for the plot to get going

We get the foundation of Torchwood and the reveal that the royal family are werewolves is ok

2025 REWATCH

• I love the whole concept: Queen Vic and a werewolf in Scotland. It is so much fun!
• The energy of this episode is electric and just gets higher and higher. It's gloomy and thrilling. gotta admire the writing and directing
• The CGI itself for the wolf is genuinely not that bad and still looks pretty good all these years later, especially when it crashes through the glass ceiling
• The only issue I'd say is that overly dramatic cold open with the monks. Did they really need to fly through the air just to beat up some farmers? Too much, you could say, but I guess it keeps you watching.
• I genuinely think this shows the perfect dynamic between 10 and Rose, If 'The Christmas Invasion' and 'New Earth' couldn't do it as well, this episode early on does it brillaintly

Perhaps this is a stronger introduction to the season than New Earth. The dynamic between Ten and Rose is enjoyable, outlining how their dynamic will be different to her interactions with Nine. At times, it does become a little irritable, but it's generally ok.

The Werewolf is terrifying, and even though it begins to look dated, I enjoy the work done to make it scary. The setting, and Queen Victoria as a character are interesting, if perhaps a little frustrating.

It’s fine. I’d say it’s a much better opener for this Series, still very cheesy and still not a favorite, but there are a lot more things I enjoyed compared to New Earth. I am not a fan of the Rose/10 Romance and this one continues their flirty banter, which is fine, I just simply can’t care much about it. Some already mentioned that our Tardis Team is quite unbearable, but honestly I think it was an interesting direction to go, maybe not the best in Execution, but hey I appreciate the Idea. The Werewolf and its CGI aged pretty poor, but hey there are some fun parts, such as Pauline Collins, who gives a good performance.

Overall it’s fine, just not a story that I care in either direction, a simple meh.

Series 2 is so far to a bad start with me, so can’t wait for the next episode, where I finally have some praise again!