Not really sure how the first part to a big finale can be filler? Nothing really happens, we set up a world only to do nothing really with it? Why bring back one villain only to sideline them for another next week (I presume anyway), also RTD please stop just having cliffhangers be “name that character”, it doesn’t work. Maybe it’ll all come together next week? But RTD’s track record of finales suggests otherwise.

Fun! Some great artwork and a quickly paced, intrguing mystery with a fun new villain. captures 15 and Ruby fairly well in its short runtime.

Think it’s a well written book, and Darwin is a great character but there’s not really any sort of jeopardy or story? It’s just sort of the Doctor, Darwin and the most generic version of the Silurian story you can do. A shame as there’s some good character stuff.

Eh. Was expecting more from Juno Dawson, since she's written some great expanded media stuff. But this just didn't really work for me.

It feels far too rushed, with too much going on. Exposition is through the roof, and every character just happens to be absolutely perfect to help save the day, it's just so contrived.

A boring villain, and while there's a message there, it's again on the nose.

Rylan was fun!

Also the cameo from a certain character felt like pure fan service and unneeded. Then the reveal of another character just felt so flat and drab? Who cares? Was anyone asking to bring back that villain really?

Roll on the finale I guess?

Wish I liked this more than I did, but it felt rather flat for me in some areas but then beaming with fun and inventive ideas in other areas. I love the idea of this doctor finding his people and enjoying time with them, but Omo doesn't really have a character.

The villain is fun, and a strong performance.

You can absolutely tell this is written by a playwright, the focus on one location, and rather dialogue heavy, which works for and against its favour honestly. Though ending is pretty obvious from the outset.

Sure the cameo is fun though, if pointless.

Really enjoyed this one. Captures 9 and Rose really well, with a strong story surrounding “Frankenstein’s Monster”. There’s a lot of heart to it, and it really captures Rose very well, keeping her humane, understanding and ultimately the Doctor’s emotional support.

"At least your special effects are improving."

Certainly solid. Feels like it needed maybe 10-15 minutes longer to really nail down its characters and story without being too rushed, but it's a fun concept.

Some of the writing is a little surface level, things like Ruby coping after leaving the Doctor needs a little more exploration I think. It's nice to have Kate and UNIT involved again, especially Kate as a stronger, even motherly figure without the Doctor here. Adored UNIT being in a little sleepy village, just like the 70s.

The villain is pretty fun, but again fairly surface level aims and motivations. With some fun monster costumes too.

Still with 8 episode a series now, we shouldn't be getting Doctor-Lite episodes.

I like the idea better than the execution. No Doctor and Jo, leaving UNIT and the Master is fun, giving plenty of characterisation to these side characters. Ian and Barbara too, though it’s their inclusion that makes the whole thing a little too ‘fan fictiony’.

The reveal of the story is fine, but makes it so convoluted and messy, with boring villains and far too many characters introduced to then be quickly dispatched. It happens over and over, making it hard to care about a lot of the side characters.

just all a little too messy.

"Please don't turn your back on me." 

A really strong episode. Perhaps the strongest of Gatwa's era thus far. A tense, atmospheric, well paced adventure, that feels pretty tightly packed in its scope. It's a science fiction horror, and that's what it does. The sets are brilliant at creating a sense of claustrophobia and unease, and the main villain is brilliant. A well thought out premise and powers, with interesting uses.

Rose Ayling-Ellis is the total stand out.

“I’m a two dimensional character you can’t expect backstory!”

Really enjoyable episode, the meta commentary worked far better than I expected with a really lovely but mad scene in the middle that worked. The villain is a great idea, and there’s some great moments for the Doctor and Belinda. It still feels quite rushed however, with some awkward dialogue choices and exposition, but certainly a lot better than last week.