73 Yards is the best episode in years - [Doctor Who, Episode 4 review]

[@dwfan91-]

04:00 To be fair, the Doctor-lite episodes were born out of production issues rather than creative decisions. Even this episode only exists because Ncuti wasn't available. The last Doctor-lite story was Turn Left, so it's not just the Jodie Whittaker era that didn't have any. Edit: I'm honestly pleasantly surprised you liked it, given how much you've hated everything that's come before but its a nice breath of fresh air

[@Scumner]

I think “hate” is a strong word. I just wanted to FEEL again, and while the last few episodes had slick production and a lot of sizzle I didn’t get any emotion. While this one is equally messy, they actually managed to execute a strong tone, art is good when it makes you feel!

[@Scumner]

You’ve made me have a lot more appreciation for 13, very much enjoyed the era when I went back this year to it all. You’re right, there were less Doctor-lite episodes after RTD, but there were a lot of very companion-driven episodes (Amy’s Choice, The Girl Who Waited, Flatline) that scratch the itch for me in terms of giving them room to flex.

[@dwfan91-]

@@Scumner True!

[@paulholloway7666]

I don't mind ret-cons so long as there is a plausible in-world explanation for the ret-con. For example, Big Bang. I'd like to think that everything that has happened since Donna threw coffee into the TARDIS console is an alternate timeline that will end up being reset and put right at the end of this series.

[@Scumner]

Big Bang was much worse imo

[@alex-oh8bh]

I hope this timeline will be mentioned in future like "journey to the centre of the TARDIS" thing and its not just a filler

[@michaellanigan1173]

This episode could easily have been a standalone story on something like Tales of the Unexpected back in the day. Then you wouldn't have to know the why's or how's, it would be more easily accepted. In the context of Doctor Who, there's an expectation that the outstanding questions need resolved and I hope the answers come in future episodes. There's been a few odd unexplained paradoxical moments involving Ruby so far... Regardless, you're right it's the best episode in years... Just one week after the previous best episode in years...

[@Scumner]

Things can get better twice!

[@rgardham]

Really liked the idea being explored that if there's an inescapable curse following you around, and you've accepted it and are resigned to it, possibly for the rest of your life - of using it to your advantage and doing something amazing with it. The scene where she gets rid of him by walking onto the pitch blew me away - i can forgive all the unanswered qs and shaky ending for that

[@nickshillito1170]

To me this was one of the finest episodes of Doctor Who ever. I live for the darker, more mysterious episodes. I’m not really a fan of the hugely light hearted silly ones, which is why I pretty strongly disliked the Devils Chord. I was in absolute suspense for the whole time. The whole subversion of expectation in the pub scene was a great move, and just when you think UNIT is gonna swoop in and save Ruby she’s suddenly all alone again. I could really feel her isolation in the episode and I think it’s something a lot of us can relate to, especially anxiety and depression sufferers who feels like everyone is so distant to them. I actually liked the ending, even thought it lacked that big OH MY GOD moment where everything clicks into place. I like the unanswered questions and the continued mystery, and I really think this episode isn’t truly finished in the whole overarching series. We’re going to see more of the evil prime minister. Honestly this episode was beautiful and harrowing and Millie Gibson really really shone. Her character has instantly become a lot more relatable and I can’t wait to see more of her and her relationship with the Doctor. Not to mention her and Ncuti have great chemistry so far.

[@Scumner]

Agree!!

[@joso7228]

Well I am ok with a panascopic range of ideas but not queen gay bum wiggling.

[@badfairy9554]

Turn the sound up at the end of 73.

[@Scumner]

Why?

[@GoDzkRoNiKz]

I honestly enjoyed the episode till the third act. The third act is just so all over the place and the final twist explains nothing at all.

[@alex-oh8bh]

Where was in the doctor broken woodoo place timeline? Did he died ? Why tardis didn't let Ruby in even with key? Why old Ruby was scaring everyone from young Ruby and How!? How did she scared WHOLE unit? (Only answer i think she knows information that we will know in future episodes but i barely believe in it)

[@Scumner]

Lots of unanswered questions!

[@alex-oh8bh]

@@Scumner you know in the "Midnight" episode they didn't answer who the entity was to leave some kind of mystery.but there i don't think it will work that way. It will be rather confusing than mysterious episodes.

[@ab6525]

Surprised at all the negative buzz with this episode because i thought it was fantastic. To me it straight up felt like a classic Twilight Zone episode. And i can see why the ending mightve bothered some people because Ruby needing to prevent a bad prime minister from starting a nuclear war feels a bit out of place tonally . But i think the esistential horror of the premise more than makes up for it

[@Scumner]

Yeah it felt like two rammed together

[@paulshorney3465]

I watched it to the very end and thought..... AND?? Welsh politician underused,the pub scene when ruby walked in was straight out of American werewolf in London 🤔

[@Scumner]

Yeah, but I like American Werewolf in London 🥰

[@paulshorney3465]

@@Scumner fair point! Lol. American werewolf in London knocks spots off this! Saying that Sian Phillips was magnificent in the short time she was on screen 👍

[@Pinchton]

My thoughts on the new Doctor episodes so far: Episode 1 even though the idea was good the execution was bad, Episode 2 enjoyed with the new "God" type entity up until they did the silly song number at the end, Episode 3 was brilliant for had all the suspense of "Will the Doctor survive" (yes we know he would) plus him being clever trying to sort things out and finally Episode 4... well what can we say... if the series carries on with this type of writing the future is secure BUT the older woman I was wondering first of all was it Ruby's mum for in The Church of Ruby the woman who left her at the church was dressed all in black.

[@Scumner]

Trickster time? 👀

[@owenransford2256]

Definitely my favourite episode since The Doctor Falls.

[@Scumner]

Agree!

[@DaveLynchWriter]

Yep. Best episode since 2018! At least 5 inches over the low bar. The tension was great for 20 minutes but ultimately nothing was going explained and the ending contracicted everything. Was great not to have Ncuti mincing about though. Question: how long would a piece of string last if it was left lying on a windy Welsh hill? 🙄

[@Scumner]

Until the magic breaks 🥰

[@eclipse_eternal8178]

I absolutely loved this episode and it was the first one of this series that actually felt like some of the previous doctor who stuff. The ending was a bit off but the rest of the episode was fantastic in my opinion.

[@Scumner]

I’ll take an 90% banger episode 🥰

[@IamNotanumber-z3j]

Thought it was as great as- though I find the lack of explaining what the woman was saying and so bad for everyone to cut her off should have been explained

[@Scumner]

Agree

[@ftumschk]

Soemtimes the destination isn't as important as the path you took to get there.

[@Scumner]

Exactly

[@mrmeteor64]

Ruby persona is clearly Pixie that explains this episode 110 percent yes am kidding.

[@granciporro]

Isn't the background music from Persona 5 velvet room?

[@azassss]

Aria of the soul

[@Scumner]

Persona 4’s version 🥰

[@granciporro]

@@Scumner Oh, nice, i still have to play that. Btw nice video, i'm quite enjoying the new season of doc who, the whittaker era i can't remember a single nice episode, like a watched just a blank screen for 3 seasons.

[@markfuston2714]

Honestly? I haaaated this episode..lol, I've liked the episodes so far but this one legit made me want to turn it off once I realized it was gonna be one of those "Live your life then go back to the beginning and make it never happen" kinda episodes. I understand that things had to return to status quo, but it kinda just left us with no answers. Maybe they'll explain it later, but I dunno, it might've just been part of this episode's story. I love Ruby, so I should have loved an episode focused on her..but I dunno, this one just kinda left me aggravated and wishing I would've waited to watch it. Love hearing another take on the episode though, and glad some people enjoyed it.

[@Scumner]

I hope they explain it toooo

[@doro626]

How much longer is this companion actress on the show for?

[@Scumner]

At least half way through next series

[@ItsMoorbinTime]

Pretty much my exact thoughts. It was a great concept that was well executed but unfortunately was fumbled near the end. Not enough to ruin the episode but stains it.

[@Scumner]

Exactly!

[@Mark-ns3jo]

It was a really good episode with an ending that let me down.

[@Scumner]

Agree, but not super bad!

[@Mark-ns3jo]

@@Scumner Overall the payoff just felt like a waste of time. It was an interesting concept though, but a few too many unanswered questions

[@steve8510]

Masterclass

[@count69]

It was like RTD found a first draft of a Tales of the Unexpected and just thought I'll go with that. It's an unfinished incoherent mess.

[@Scumner]

It’s unfinished, but hardly in incoherent

[@count69]

@@Scumner What is a faerie circle?

[@Scumner]

@@count69 part of Welsh folklore

[@Scumner]

@@count69 they explain that in the episode in the pub scene

[@count69]

@@Scumner Did they mean witches but got confused? Because that's not what a faerie ring is. What they stepped on wasn't even a ring or circle - a faerie ring is an actual ring or circle made of stones or moss or twigs or a natural occuring one made from mushroom spores. what they stepped on looked like witchcraft/Wicca. Since when did faeries use string or write notes?

[@joso7228]

It was alright. Nothing amazing. Decent but below average in a Tennant or Smith series. But at least not cringey because of Ncuti 'Snowflaked' Gatwa.

[@BlasterRiv]

are you living in 2016? snowflake is out of date, the new dog-whistle is 'woke' now

[@Scumner]

What’s “Snowflakey” about him? He’s carried the last few dull episodes.

[@VolrinSeth]

The set-up and worldbuilding is great, the actual writing is crap and ruined by the nonsensical ending that made the whole episode ultimately pointless.

[@Scumner]

I think the writing in the script itself is fine, it stumbled on the plot execution

[@napsac4816]

Started watching this video as soon as you said LGBTQ bullshit community plot line etc.... i turned it off

[@Scumner]

Any reason?