(Full disclosure - watched this on a plane so not exactly an ideal viewing experience)

There has never been a Doctor Who episode quite like this one, set directly in Africa and exploring the Doctor’s current Blackness in ways we have yet to see. We learn about this barbershop in Nigeria that provides the Doctor a new community that accepts him. Inua Ellams is a Nigerian-born writer, and it’s clear RTD gave him free rein for this episode. The positives are a truly fresh and unique vibe, the cons are it feels a bit out of sync with the story of the era so far. The idea that there are all these gods that are sustaining humanity - it doesn’t seem to be the pantheon but it’s own thing.

Although punctuated by incredible unique visuals, a lot of the story is essentially people just telling stories in a room to each other. There is a lot of exposition as we get reveal after reveal as it turns out the villainous Barber is really a Storyteller, a man from millennia ago who helped bring the Gods to power and wishes for revenge. With him is the daughter of the trickster God who was pledged to marry…the Fugitive Doctor?? That’s right, Jo Martin is here ever so briefly. I would be over the moon if RTD gives her something big to do/explains her more. There is also a very fannish moment where screens show us famous moments from past Doctors. It does feed the fan brain, but back to the episode.

I think the root of this story is community, and the power that brings. The Doctor is upset when he feels tricked by Omo, in the one safe space he can call his own. Sadly we never see Omo’s love, just a photo of her and her blue earrings. Belinda joins halfway in, and sees a mysterious child which is drawn attention to. Two episodes with not as much Belinda, have we lost a bit of momentum? The Doctor does tell a beautiful story he has learned about her character. The Storyteller gives up his vengeance plot and Omo gives him his father’s name ‘a name people can trust’ so he can start again in a beautiful little moment.

I absolutely want to know a perspective on this from Black viewers and could see how this resonated a lot harder. I only wish we had seen Omo last season maybe so we felt the depths of emotion the Doctor does about this community we just learned about. I also don’t think it’s an accident we had both Black Doctors in this episode.

Most importantly, this era keeps trying big, bold ideas. It’s exactly what the show should be. So even if this wasn’t quite a home run for me, I’m sure it was for some and they should keep swinging.

A Dalek telling kids stories? For only being two parts, this story still packs in the memorable moments from a hyper-cruel Dalek to Constance dressing down the Doctor for his hypocrisy always running off. The idea of mystical forest creatures protecting humans is interesting too. Ultimately nothing special, but a good character story for all involved.

A nice little intro prequel introducing us to Omo Esosa and his friend Blue as they take down an oil drilling operation as kids. They also meet the Fifteenth Doctor, who I am sure they'll remember for The Story & the Engine. The best part is how authentically it feels, of course coming from a Nigerian-born writer in Inua Ellams. Hoping for a great episode from him!

The plot about an alien fungus? Whatever. Introducing me to a British feminist badass, and giving Dodo and incredible speech about women's equality? Sign me up. It actually felt like we got some serious character development for Dodo here which was long overdue. A good end to this boxset.

I'm pretty knowledgeable about history, but 1100s England is never something I'd look into a lot so I had no idea about the real disaster of The White Ship. The first part is pretty standard First Doctor and Steven messing around in history, but the second part is a harrowing description of the horrific shipwreck that leaves only Steven and a butcher the survivor. Listening to them struggle in the sea while walking in the rain definitely added to the feeling. It's a great historical, and can be seen as a precursor to the Doctor and Steven's blow-up in The Massacre.

An hour long and honestly not too much is going on. I love Michelle Gomez and Missy so much, I think she's the best Master, and I understand that all her character development happens on the show itself. But recently all the Missy stories have been 'Missy gets into hijinks' and this is no different. A steampunk world where technology doesn't work and people fall into by accident is a cool idea, but we haven't spent quite enough time with the characters to care. Hopefully we're building somewhere good though!

An unexpected Coda to To the Death released all these years later. The story of the original TARDIS team navigating a ship that has lost its crew in the past is all well and good, but that's not where the true magic is. This story is about Susan grieving the death of her son, and finally deciding she can let him go. It's heartbreaking and beautiful, and how lucky are we 60 years later Carol Ann Ford can still deliver like this?

So far, a fantastic boxset, do not overlook it!

In this episode, we take a detour to follow Ruby and get more development for UNIT. It's overall a solid story, but you can't help but feel like what's going on with the Doctor and Belinda is more important. It takes overcoming that initial hesitancy to real get going, mainly when Ruby's adorable klutz boyfriend Conrad turns out to be a far-right provocateur in disguise. Things pick up more from there as the tensions ratchets up with UNIT under fire, and then we get what is probably Jemma Redgrave's finest performance as Kate. She steals some of the spotlight from Ruby as she lets an alien monster (can we not do better than Shreek?) loose. The best part comes from one of Ncuti Gatwa's finest performances as he dresses down Conrad.

Overall, it's fine. I do like Ruby a lot as a character, but we honestly don't get too much farther than 'life after the Doctor can be difficult'. It was good to see the UNIT gang again, but in only eight episode I wish we could've kept some of this material for the spin-off. At least we know who told the Doctor Belinda's name!

Hey, I quite liked this one! The first part was a little slow, but it captured the vibes of a weird ass First Doctor story I could definitely see happening. I was actually getting emotional in part two as Vicki realized everybody in this world was going to get erased from existence to bring back the TARDIS. Honestly: the TARDIS has a lot to answer for in this story. On the whole, a strong opener for this boxset.

The Twelfth Doctor said trans rights