Doctor Who

01-06-2025

An incredibly strong opening to the reboot, with the low budget griminess that makes the show what it is. I completely buy the Doctor as a slightly callous outsider who develops over time with Rose's influence. The companion driven nature of the show is something I've really missed in the latest series, as they seem more like accessories now. I also love the portrayal of London here, this is the city I know and love in all its imperfection.

01-06-2025

Britney Spears would soundtrack the end of the world, wouldn't she? Again, the characterisation of Rose especially is great here, she feels incredibly real with how her upbringing and life pre-Doctor influences the way she interacts with others. She is always so kind to service workers and the like, even more than the Doctor. Incredibly funny of him to take her to the end of the world for their first adventure together, but it does reinforce his alienness. This is also one of those episodes that makes me wonder if people are watching the show blind when they complain about it "going woke" over the past few years.

02-06-2025

I love a good historical episode. Nothing too special, and suffers from awful CGI, but it has a lot of heart to it. Again, with Rose at the helm. I've never been obsessed with her the same way many fans are, but I'm really appreciating how well written she is on this rewatch. First introduction to Bad Wolf too I believe. The Doctor's final conversation with Dickens was the blueprint for 'Vincent and the Doctor.'

02-06-2025

Omg the Slitheen! They're sort of awful but I first met them on 'Sarah Jane Adventures' so it was fun seeing their original appearance again. Semi-reminiscent of the later Saxon episode, thoughg that might just be owing to the location. As a misandrist, Mickey is a bit annoying, but you can't help but pity him. Big up Jackie Tyler for slapping the Doctor and constantly bringing up the fact Rose is ONLY 19!!!! I wish the show did more to explore that side of the Doctor in a way more meaningful that snarky quips from his enemies. Too many fart jokes. Also am surprised I haven't seen any discourse about the Slitheen being fatphobic considering how people get.

02-06-2025

Bled together with the previous part for me. Wow, this Doctor really hates capitalism and I fuck with it heavy. I like the emphasis on the impact Rose's travelling has on her loved ones, particularly Jackie. Again, a nuance I really miss in the newer seasons. The Doctor's exchange at the end with Ricky Mickey was also adorable.

02-06-2025

1000% the strongest episode so far. Rose Tyler, the woman that you are, having empathy for a Dalek and changing its very being. Really interesting stuff being done with the Doctor's trauma and hatred for the Daleks overriding his usual tendency for mercy, becoming just like the creature he loathes. Chilling to hear the Doctor be told "you would make a good Dalek," and having his recognition so visible on his face. Rose takes "I can fix him" very seriously. No wonder he's obsessed with her millenia later. And of course, there is a lot more capitalism critique. They had to make Van Statten an American so the British Museum wouldn't get mad (Source: trust me.)

02-06-2025

Perhaps owing to the strength of what immediately preceded, this episode was sort of nothing to me. More corporation slander (if DW really was woke they would have let Nine meet Karl Marx smh) and didn't really do anything to further the plot or characterisation. A little bland but I wouldn't say I hated it, it was just filler.

03-06-2025

What an incredible episode. I think I may prefer this to Dalek. For some reason I misremembered this and the following episode as part of Ten's run, but I guess not. Great character work, the Doctor initially dismissing Rose as a stupid, emotional, human, Rose being a TEENAGE GIRL overcome with grief acting impulsively... Such a cliche plotline on paper, but it's so raw and executed beautifully. I did shed several tears despite knowing exactly what was going to happen. I sound like a broken record, but I really enjoy how much of the show so far is driven by Rose and her actions. I'm a big fan of how they dismantle the idea of Pete as a perfect father, and there really is so much sympathy created for Jackie too. The CGI is bad, but pretty easy to just ignore, so it doesn't really detract from the emotional core of the episode either. Mickey made me laugh.

04-06-2025

Hello again Captain Jack! I adore this freak even though John Barrowman is a weirdo. Another solid episode, with a great ambiance of fear and dread created. I do wish they didn't show the process of the face being converted into a gas mask because the CGI sort of ruins the fear factor of the unknown. I forgot this was a two-parter so I'm really excited to continue. The Doctor name-drops Marxism in this episode which just furthers my Comrade Doctor agenda. Always a fan of his interactions with children too. Missed the dynamic between Rose and the Doctor, but a great introduction to Moffat. I love the show most when it leans into the horror of it all, so this episode was right down my lane.

04-06-2025

"Just this once, everyone lives!" Such good stuff, Doctor Who at its Doctor Who-est. I don't have much more to say that I didn't already cover in the previous episode, but I love the dynamic between the trio, especially because it never feels too much like the two lads are vying for Rose's attention. More socialism too which is super fun. Such a sweet, hopeful ending for a storyline that started off so creepy. The type of episode that really makes me wish Nine had a longer run.

04-06-2025

Incredibly fun dynamic between Jack and the Doctor. I love seeing the Doctor finding himself reflected in his enemies, which is done decently in the dinner scene. Annette Badland has captivated me since I was a kid, and she does great playing manipulative but also pitiful. It's so much more fun when there's multiple companions in the TARDIS and as annoying as Mickey is, I really enjoy how he interacts with everyone else. Boo to Jack not flirting with him though :/ Sort of mediocre in comparison to the past few -episodes though. The Slitheen just aren't that compelling.

05-06-2025

Ugh... I've been dreading this episode because this is the final arc with Eccleston :((( Such a fun premise though, and lots of nice social commentary throughout that feels like the Doctor's actual opinions rather than being shoehorned in. Thank you Nine for drawing attention to the things that really matter (TV licenses being a scam.) Seems a bit too "normal" of an episode for a semi-finale though. Jack is... so Jack, and it's great. I had totally forgotten that this was set on the same satellite as the episode I dismissed as filler, but it was really interesting to see the consequences of the Doctor's actions long term once he moves on. I wish they'd developed that further because it's a cool thread. The Daleks felt a bit like they came out of nowhere, but they tie everything from the previous episodes together so I'm not too mad about it. I'm excited for the next episode, but also really wanting to avoid it because I'm already mourning the loss of one of my favourite Doctors.

06-06-2025

Over so soon. Bad Wolf Rose is so cool, not sure how I feel about that kiss. It was nice to see more from Mickey and Jackie too, especially the scene where they talk about Rose's father. The idea of religious daleks and a living God is so interesting. Rose got rid of them all incredibly easily, but I guess it feels earned after how many lives were lost beforehand. Didn't catch if she just revived Jack or everyone else too. Big fan of how there's an emphasis on not only is Rose changed by the Doctor, but he is too. So bittersweet because I wish they'd kept Eccleston on for at least another season, but the regeneration is done in a way where it sort of makes sense for him to end there too, so props for that. Seeing how YOUNG David Tennant looked shocked me. Sad to see Nine go, but Ten is great too, so I'm going to have plenty of fun continuing.