really kind of depressing and pointless? face it tegan, he’s drowned. some iconic scenes here though

somebody LIED to me and said this story was boring and skippable. instead, it turned out to be a perfectly serviceable spooky cyberman jaunt. the worldbuilding is especially notable here, taking the Doctor and Charley from a bustling market on an interstellar backwater to a grungy old garbage-collection ship. you can really feel the rust-caked, creaking, shoddy, unglamorous side of space travel here, far from a bright sparkling future, it's grim and realistic - misogyny, petty crime, smuggling, espionage abound. and, like all the best cyberman stories, it's affirming of what it means to be human, or, in this case, the idea that 'humanity' is neither innate nor permanent. you can take on the mantle of humanity with all the sacrifice that entails, or you can relinquish it. or you could stop angsting and put the kettle on

some incredible writing and performances. memorable and highly fleshed-out cast of side characters. makes GREAT use of the audio format, mick’s controversial call-in radio show is such an inventive way of playing with form. plenty of jaw-dropper plot twists, intrigue and conspiracy. realistic human darkness to rival torchwood. seven at his some of his most ethically dubious… and, of course, mildly incohesive liberal politics that amount to ‘violence is bad even against fascist agitators’, which is to be expected of The Liberal Show. even so, that’s not a flaw — it’s an inevitability.

arrival 2016 and psychogeography

an incredible sense of place developed here. that drab grey scottish seaside town was so clear in my mind’s eye. the doctor didn’t get to do much here, but that’s pretty much my only criticism. perfect setting for nine

this was created in 2016 which makes the fact that it's such a clear-eyed indictment of so-called AI 'art' almost spooky in its prescience

the best doctor who comic i've ever read. absolutely luscious art style and genuinely unnerving body horror, some banger dialogue too. wish it was longer

fun with a fantastic sense of humour. bit weak and predictable on the story/drama side — nothing of consequence really happens — which makes it all feel as missy would say a wee bit pantomime. rufus hound is hamming it up as the monk to the extent of making him a completely comic character and there’s nothing to latch on to emotionally. to listen on public transport after a stressful day, basically

good on alison for dumping joe. giving up a history degree for that mediocre white boy? girl get UP!

Torchwood does Lovecraftian horror. Horrific. Pessimistic. Makes me want to never have kids. Poor Gwen, Jesus Christ. 10/10 the exemplary Torchwood story I'd show somebody if they asked me what Torchwood was like.

Chibnall is a fantastic writer when he does adult drama so why he went the CBBC route with his era of Doctor Who (not 42 or The Stolen Earth/Cold Blood - those were great) is beyond me. It could have been dark and nuanced. The dude clearly understands how to sculpt 3-dimensional characters and tense interpersonal conflict so why were Graham and Ryan so generic, flat and unmemorable? Something isn't adding up here. I've loved the exploration of the team's relationship dynamics with each other in all of his episodes (yes including Cyberwoman) it's just so... incongruent with what 13's era became

imagine if fear her was greeks bearing gifts

timey wimey!

also, holy shit is Ruby Sunday definitely somehow related to the Trickster. watching this has confirmed it for me. the parallels between her storyline and Sarah Jane's here are incredible.

fantastic episode! I haven't seen many SJA stories, but this one is certainly worthy of being on the main show - it's really well-developed and not a line is wasted. the police box fakeout scene is great and unexpected, especially hearing the Doctor's haunting theme get abruptly cut off. maybe the only element that reveals this as being unmistakeably not Doctor Who is the obnoxious Oscar/Graske, but even his presence redeems itself by the end.

obligatory 'f**k Gareth Roberts' disclaimer.