Boom is Unbelievable

Somehow, Steven Moffat returned to Doctor Who. The day we thought would never come is upon us and it sure does feel good. In this video I talk about Boom… for a little too long. I was excited, okay?
Twitter: / joe_brennan_
Letterboxd: letterboxd.com/joefinbarr/
Discord: / discord
Outro Music: • Futuristic Sci-fi Bac...

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Let me know all your Boom thoughts!

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

honestly it is taking us away from the true storyline of the giggle universe... I love Ncuti! But now ... Space Babies (7.3/10) was not horrible but not an important plot episode. The Devil's chord is superior, a 8.7 vs Boom at around 8.2. Ep 2 had gravitas and finally the main thread! But ep 3 "boom" though brilliant sadly is taking us away from the main storyline we must know : when the next part of it will be? Cuz this episode was a "filler" waiting for the true plot to continue. Hopefuly we get more Giggle verse direct stuff soon

[@thatpeskyrat]

@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914 by this logic, some of doctor who’s most beloved and highest rated episodes are “filler” because they don’t tie in to a main plot..? doctor who isn’t really a show that has filler, the plot is always sprinkled through lightly, i’m kind of confused if you’re joking 😅

[@througtonsheirs_doctorwhol5914]

@@thatpeskyrat no it is about the current episode and current era. We need more plot now to make the haters realize this has lore impliatrion. But boom had still lots of great lore. Just not into the current sub-universe of the giggle

[@Uloncl]

classic moffat coming back and immediately killing the companion

[@Joe_Brennan_]

That’s really funny

[@rammy3879]

😂😂😂 it's just tradition at this point

[@christianwise637]

It's funny to see Moffat's reputation shift from "the guy who can't let characters stay dead" to "the guy who always kills the companion" basically overnight

[@venmis137]

@@christianwise637 No no, the reputation is "the guy who always does fakeout deaths", which still holds.

[@ogpandamonium]

​@@venmis137he loves pretending to kill people, but will never let anyone actually die ever

[@nathanielk7415]

I've always kind of thought "oh it's ok if i miss moffat's who i can just watch the old ones" but now I have NEW moffat and i never want to lose it ever again. listening to new moffat quotes in real time just brought me back to watching s5 onward for the first time. and ncuti saying "fish fingers and custard" brought an embarrassingly emotional response out of me lmao

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I absolutely agree mate this is a very lovely way of putting it

[@WHO_is_on_first]

I'm not a fan of him as showrunner (too muddy and confusing plots) but he does so well with single episode stories under other showrunners and I love that

[@thegatesofhertswoodacademy8354]

This episode is where they went from the new doctor and new companion to the doctor and the companion for me

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Such an important moment, I think I probably had the same transition

[@britainbetterthanyou]

LOL

[@Killthefish]

I think my twin was mistaken, Boom was horrible Edit - pretty sure I'm shadow banned, I cant comment without them being removed but you dont get to call me bait without a reply @Melina_Evarblume_Seelie why is everything people criticize bait? Learn to articulate and be original, Boom was bad for a lot of reasons but I'll give you just a few ok? 1. Why does it have lights? Capitalism 2. Why does the "Doctor" get all emotional when he knows the bomb will not go off unless he just... stays calm.... 3. Why not warn everyone "you know I wouldnt come here theres invisible mines" 4. When the cop or whatever she was starts shooting him while hes stood on a mine ALREADY and holding a child who's she wants to "save" If you need more just lemme know

[@Melina_Evarblume_Seelie]

​@@KillthefishNice bait lmao

[@Killthefish]

@@Melina_Evarblume_Seelie why is everything people criticize bait? Learn to articulate and be original, Boom was bad for a lot of reasons but I'll give you just a few ok? 1. Why does it have lights? Capitalism 2. Why does the "Doctor" get all emotional when he knows the bomb will not go off unless he just... stays calm.... 3. Why not warn everyone "you know I wouldnt come here theres invisible mines" 4. When the stupid af cop or whatever she was starts shooting him while hes stood on a mine ALREADY If you need more just lemme know

[@Fff99901]

I think this episode really brought to the forefront what we've been missing over the past few years; we had continuity references that served the world building in meaningful ways (soldier priests from Flesh and Stone and Good Man Goes to War), a companions backstory playing into the plot (Ruby is a musician so used a beat to aid passing the corpse), a companion being put in serious peril and scathing political commentary that wasn't delivered down the lense and over explained. This just felt solid.

[@nicka3697]

'A beat to aid passing the corpse.' A weird party game but ...

[@HishamA.N_Comicbroe]

This felt like Moffat all the tropes & things he'd done in his era in 1 ep while also adding a new element to this Doctor. Just a great DW ep.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Fantastically somehow so familiarly Moffat and so fresh

[@rhodrage]

The army of the church. Check A character who's name is similar to anothers. Check. The weapon forges of Villengard. check. One word title. Check. Probably more.

[@HishamA.N_Comicbroe]

@@Joe_Brennan_ Yup. Also I meant *Moffat doing

[@bowtiesarecool7304]

Yeah def a a Moffat greatest hits, in a good way

[@mahfuzurchowdhury2765]

Yep, except the timey wimey element to some of his scripts.

[@Jumzo_]

Moffat hasn't lost a step at all. Writing absolute all timers all these years later

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I’m sure his mind has just been bubbling with ideas since the moment he left the show and there’s more than one banger left in him

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

@@Joe_Brennan_ Definitely! I love that man's brain!

[@NEWMAN0067]

It was such an easy story to cock up and get boring very quickly, but of course Moffat did Moffat things and kept the pace up throughout the whole episode. When Mundy started talking to whats his name about their relationship, i started to worry slightly, actively saying "Are we really doing this now" Then immediately... well, BOOM, and were right back into the tense atmosphere with a bait and switch. Ive now learnt to never question the Moff again

[@Joe_Brennan_]

That was another fantastic shock

[@DylanTT17]

It felt so quick!

[@AurinneA]

They were the one part of the ep that I'd been feeling a bit mid about, but then BOOM - "OK! THIS is what these guys were here for! Well done..." 😅

[@Lulu-bf1vz]

Your positivity is so infectious! So fun to hear someone who wants to like something therefore seeking things to enthuse about.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I’m glad my enthusiasm came through, I hoped it would but it was VERY late and I worried I was a little subdued

[@Vileplume87]

We need some enthusiasm and optimism in the Doctor Who Community rn

[@HishamA.N_Comicbroe]

@@Vileplume87 Agreed.

[@StupidEdits]

My only wish (hopefully with how 73 yards looks) is that Ruby needs a bigger role. I felt that having the Doctor on a land mine could have been a good setup for a companion solo adventure akin to Flatline.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I think a proper Ruby who episode absolutely needs to happen ASAP, though I felt this did do her justice

[@nairrdlairrd]

I get the sense from the teasers that 73 yards will be that, yeah

[@LisaBeta-42]

The Doctor could not move and Ruby nearly got flatlined...

[@adamfreddo5703]

I think the Skye Boat song is what Patrick Troughton would play on the recorder. A very nice callback.

[@AurinneA]

Oh! Thanks for that! It felt a little random to me (I've only seen about one Troughton episode so far), so that song choice feels more satisfying and in-character now that I know that.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

According to Moffat, he included it with no knowledge of its previous usage, but he’s glad it has a precedent

[@adamfreddo5703]

Recontextualises Troughton's doctor playing that now as maybe he's playing it to calm himself down if he's worried or scared in the scenes he does play it.

[@DayOldMeat]

​@@adamfreddo5703 yeah, I was thinking it's either that or he was trying to stay calm by remembering those times

[@LisaBeta-42]

@@Joe_Brennan_ The subconsciousness goes a far way - like "Smith and Jones" uses a Doctor named Stoker, to be sucked dry of his blood (oblivious tofthe fact who wrote about Dracula), just a Doctor's name from some kids show on tv - and where did they get the name from? Nothing scary about an inventor of monsters to be given care over children.

[@nicka3697]

I love Moffat as a writer so much more than as show runner when he isn't continually trying to one up himself he is so much stronger. Great writing, great performances, great directing. We have been treated over the last 7 shows to a great demonstration of what the show can do for new viewers, existing fans, young and old viewers. Lovely more please.

[@poppyl6456]

Was amused to hear your mini gush about "Wild blue yonder" at the end there as it was very similar to a conversation I had with my brother this morning! I t has got to be good sign for the future to have 2 stand out episodes like these so close to eachother!

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Given any opportunity I’ll leap at the chance to gush about Wild Blue Yonder

[@golden_gloo]

With testimony in action too, there's god knows how many AI copies made of someone of varying levels of quality upon death.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Maybe villengard tech was eventually shifted to something a little more nice by testimony

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Maybe villengard tech was eventually shifted to something a little more nice by testimony

[@jameskilgour387]

And the voice recorder things in Silence in the Library. I think Moffat likes the trope a lot

[@nettieb7604]

Another little thing I love about this ep is how it plays with 15’s singing habit - we’ve already had some campy musical theatre goodness in church on ruby road and of course the entirety of devils chord, but Boom gave us that haunting version of the Skye Boat Song. Second doctor references aside, I hope this quirk carries on in future - singing is a fun characteristic for 15 and ncuti has a beautiful voice! (The next question is how do we get him to do a cover of Pertwee’s Venusian lullaby?)

[@asuonval]

boom was so amazing, it genuinely made me so happy to watch

[@cfsfilms5091]

This episode combined with one of the best moments in Space Babies (Ruby banging the walls and yelling for the Bogeyman so it would target her instead of Eric) really solidified Ruby as an incredibly brave and selfless companion. No second thoughts about putting herself in danger if it gives someone else a better chance of survival, she just goes for it.

[@danthomassolo]

I remember thinking the same thing about that moment in Space Babies - it’s a great moment that tells you a lot about who Ruby is whilst carrying out the business of telling the story. There’s a child in danger and she immediately puts herself in harms way without even flinching. I sat watching and just nodded and smiled to myself - “this is what good Doctor Who looks like”.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

Moffat being the anti-Moffat: "just this once, everybody dies!".

[@NicoleM_radiantbaby]

This episode was all I ever wanted for this season. I've just not emotionally connected with the show much since Capaldi left, so it was so nice to feel that love again for the show (and the Doctor -- Ncuti really clicked into place as the Doctor for me here). 😍

[@Joe_Brennan_]

If there’s anyone who still doubts Ncuti after this episode, I don’t know what could possibly convince them

[@AurinneA]

YES. I've really wanted to feel effortlessly invested in the show and characters but...just...haven't...quite... Until finally this episode. It wasn't a flawless episode, but I feel so satisfied to have finally fully lost myself in these characters and the plot.

[@Naretek]

It feels SO good to finally be excited about Doctor who again! For the first time in years I find myself wanting to rewatch the episodes again the next day, and I just haven’t felt this passion since Moffat left. Fantastic!

[@christianwise637]

As a hardcore Moffat Who defender since 2014, it warms my heart immensely to see that (a) the guy still has the sauce, and (b) everyone else thinks so too. I wouldn't call "Boom" one of his very best scripts, but it's still a fantastic episode and up there with "Wild Blue Yonder" as one of the era's best episodes so far. A brilliant high-concept script with great tension, scathing social commentary and some powerful character moments that will no doubt have this marked as an early contender for "Doctor-defining episode" for Ncuti's incarnation. Speaking of which, both Ncuti and Millie give their best performances in the role to date, particularly Ncuti getting to show more of the character's more serious and angry side compared to the previous episodes. It honestly reminded me of just how good Moffat is at writing the Doctor (and in the process made me sad we never got to see him write for Jodie), and made me even more excited for this year's Christmas special. A fantastic episode and easily the best one of this season so far - now we'll have to see if Russell can keep up the momentum with his next couple of episodes

[@eow4317]

IMO Dr. Who is at its best when Moffat writes the episode and Davies is showrunner

[@danthomassolo]

Agreed. Moffat is really effective when he’s writing a single or two-part story within another showrunner’s overall story. He doesn’t have to pay off anything beyond the episode itself, which is where he normally ends up tying himself up in knots. Every single one of his Davies era episodes are utterly top notch Doctor Who, and that includes Boom.

[@TheGerkuman]

I thought Thin Ice was really good, personally. Especially that awful guy being punched in the face. Boom is really good, and it is good to see Stephen Moffatt back to winning form. He's just so much better when he hasn't got to juggle multiple plates. (Doing Sherlock at the same time as Doctor Who was a really bad thing for both shows)

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I always bring up an episode to make a point that ends up catching unnecessary flack, I quite like Thin Ice as well

[@LisaBeta-42]

@@Joe_Brennan_ There even was that "stepping on a butterly" joke in it - but reading the children a STRUWWELPETER story from an old letherbound book? Silly anachronism - the thumb-sucking Conrad was always printed in a picture book, the author wrote for his toddler-son (being a doctor for childcare he introduced a lot of "misbehaviour" of children that got named after those protagonists). BUT the time "Thin Ice" is set in, has that author only being 8 years of age! Time machine storing literature from the future is a nice thing, just don't read it out to the wrong audience and lock the library if you've got guests...

[@eastoneone4015]

My only gripes with Boom were the child actor stuff and the fact that Mundy said the failsafe would activate in under 5 minutes when actually it was about 10. You know its a good episode when your only complaints are things like that.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Tbf Mundy didn’t sound particularly sure

[@jumbojaba1235]

I think this and the next 73 yards ep is gonna kinda be like a midnight and turn left, where Boom more focused on the doctor and 73 yards is gonna mainly focus on ruby

[@Joe_Brennan_]

It would be great to have a dedicated Ruby episode, especially after I felt she shone in this episode

[@DylanTT17]

I have loved Ncuti in every moment so far, but this episode truly made him THE Doctor. This was his first I am the doctor moment I feel. Don’t get me wrong, as I said I adored Ncuti before Boom and the episodes, however I feel dr who truly shines when it takes itself more seriously and this episode was perfect to me

[@jotarodio4750]

these past 3 episodes are legit the range of doctor who the silly, the camp but dramatic and the tragic social commentary that makes you happy at the end

[@TripleJumpYTP]

Moffat comes back and shows everyone why he has some of the best episodes under his name. 9.5/10 for me, this era has been such a lovely surprise for me. I expect it to be good but i didn't expect it to be this peak!

[@ianboswell]

We're BACK, baby! I am getting so tired of all these people hating on the new show just because it's unapologetically open about being its own silly little self. The addition of magic to the world of Doctor Who kind of opens up some new possibilities and BOOM is a perfectly executed episode. It's also a scathing critique of all the folks out there who just "Thoughts and Prayers" away solvable problems rather than actually solving them.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

One of Moffat’s most scathing scripts

[@Vaborn77]

Sorry buddy, but this new WHO is crap. I wonder how Jinx’s prediction bout 3 new people showing up cause there’s diversity in these shows ( I guess WHO never had black or gay characters before) for every one real fan who’s tried of this agenda driven rehashing of older stories, from the guys that wrote it originally

[@bowtiesarecool7304]

​@@Vaborn77cry more 😂

[@nicka3697]

​@Vaborn77 it's been challenging sleepy thing since the 60s. If you can't take a show that challenges your world view this isn't the show for you and never was.

[@ILikeTrains324]

Magic does NOT belong in doctor who. There should at least be an ATTEMPT at making it believable. Totally pulls you out of the experience.

[@sansfi]

Considering just these new RTD 7 episodes, this is the best row of 7 episodes from any RTD season.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

That’s a bold claim that I’ll have to give more thought

[@sansfi]

​@@Joe_Brennan_ Hmmm... I'm not sure if the best, but the one with the most evenly good quality. The show used to be more irregular, with really dull or bad episodes from here and there. These are all memorable in some way.

[@Mgooy]

The one who waits is the Moxx of Balhoon, calling it now

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Of course!

[@jamesheller5242]

I never want to see another SEASON/SERIES of Doctor Who helmed by Moffat ever again, but I will GLADLY take an episode each season.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I would be sad not to get more of him post-Christmas

[@RobTFilms]

Boom is a fine example of why the Moffat2 Era HAS to happen.

[@nairrdlairrd]

I know it’s unlikely, but I kinda hope Varada Sethu comes back AS Mundy Flynn. I’ve been DYING for another companion who’s not from present day earth, and it seems especially plausible now that we know Ruby’s staying on for next season as well. We could have another 9/Rose/Jack dynamic (totally underused btw) with one companion who has only common earth knowledge and one from a different planet and a later time. What do you think, Joe?

[@richardvinsen2385]

The Doctor did say he would return to the planet sometime to check in.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I think having one companion that represents the audience and another who is a space future person would be such a great compromise. I’m not sure Mundy is necessarily a character Russell would want to keep around more permanently (her more faith-based origins might make things complicated) but I’m it could be great.

[@AllofTimeandSpace]

It made me feel nostalgic for Capaldi ere Moffat in the best way! I can’t wait to find out what the deal is with Susan Twist. Also I think possibly there are hints that the Doctor is Ruby’s father. It’s probably not but it would be great if the theory that Ruby is Twelve/The Doctor and Clara’s daughter is true.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Getting what feels like a new Capaldi era episode in 2024 is a bizarre surprise treat

[@AllofTimeandSpace]

@@Joe_Brennan_Now if only someone could convince Capaldi to change his mind and come back at least once. I would burst into tears of joy if that ever happened!

[@joehorne2808]

This episode was superb. All of what made Moffat Moffat in one singular episode.

[@lasseehrenreich5502]

I loved it - the script was a Banger Ncuti's performance was explosive and I found it really fascinating how it handled what Ruby and the Doctor would do in a hopeless situation without any chance of surviving and how the Doctor was furious at the humans for letting their religious fanaticism made them being tricked into going to war against a non-existing foe for the sake of money. Also how the system is working but not meant to work for the people is a clever interpretation that I didn't notice - thanks Joe

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Happy to provide political rants veiled in Doctor Who criticism for the rest of my life

[@lasseehrenreich5502]

​@@Joe_Brennan_ Thanks - you are the best at that.

[@Saycheeseburger]

Steven Moffat is so very skilled at writing exposition. It’s so succinct but adds so much. Davies may be good at character writing but Moffatt is a stellar storyteller. Boom has been the best from the season so far.

[@PapaLuge]

It was a certified Banger. I'm not sorry.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Ok boomer

[@PapaLuge]

@@Joe_Brennan_ well played

[@deepsquatproductions2227]

I genuinely think space babies and episodes like it are a necessary part of a good season of doctor who. As much as I love episodes like boom, if it was all edge of your seat thrills and heart wrenching drama, there’s no sense of “this is a doctor I want to travel with.” Doctor who needs to be fun and escapist for the danger and loss to hit harder. Plus as Russell said, the world is tough rn. I honestly really appreciate just some breezy fun. That being said… holy shit Boom was a masterpiece and I loved every second of it. And if things get as dark as Russell says by the end of this, hoo boi I’m excited.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I feel exactly the same way, I’ll be interested reflecting on the season as a whole once they’re all done

[@AurinneA]

While I do see the slightly-Clara vibe, I think it's interesting how many people are associating traits of standing up to the Doctor, ignoring the Doctor's instructions, talking back to the Doctor as Clara things...as if Rose didn't do it from the start (e.g. S1 Ep 2 where she tells him off for letting the Tardis get in her brain and auto-translate without asking her, or iconically in Dalek, among many other instances), and as if that wasn't also a huge part of Donna, Amy, River in their own ways... As I said, I do see how some find the vibe is reminiscent of Clara...but not that much, right? Or we wouldn't also have had so many "Rose 2.0" comments.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I think there’s something specifically about how Moffat writes those interactions that reminds me of 12 and Clara more than it does Donna or Rose

[@kateglew580]

Joe, do you think that RTD found out that Ncuti was really good at crying on cue and just decided to make him cry in every episode? Obviously I don't mind the Doctor being emotive, but I feel like the impact of seeing him cry is lessened when it happens in every episode.

[@TheGerkuman]

I am fine with it in this one because I totally would be sobbing my eyes out if I was in this particular situation. But you have a point!

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I think it’s possible because Ncuti is great at it, but yeah I think we could do with a little less so it hits harder

[@TetchyEquation]

Another thing I loved about this episode is at the end when Ruby straight up disagrees with the Doctor about the dad being "gone", that feels like such a strong character beat that has been missing for so long

[@kuraihikari5785]

For me I feel like it would have been much more effective if the roles were switched. I never really felt the tension because it was the Doctor, I knew he was going to be able to hold himself together. But if it was Ruby on the mine instead, a character we’re a lot less accustomed to, it would have been a lot more reasonable that she could figuratively (and therefore literally) blow at any second. And I think the Doctor being on the sidelines trying his best to calm her down and save her with just his words could have provided for more great moments between them. I guess we wouldn’t have gotten the threat of the gigantic explosion, but I think that could have been written around if they really wanted to.

[@lorbaborb]

i guess i was a little scared that with disney involved now there would be big plot twists just for shock value and im so glad that hasnt happened (yet). i saw the "youre fighting yourselves" reveal coming a mile off but it was fine. made me feel clever while still having a proper satisfying conclusion. and it was so good to have a political episode that had a clear message innit like moffatt knew what he wanted to do and he did it.

[@the_amazing_crappo]

I kinda felt like it had been in Star Trek but couldn't find where. Arsenal of Freedom is the closest I found with weapons made for sale being the antagonist but even then it was completely different.

[@rhodrage]

Disney can't really do much but suggest, its up to RTD if he does it. They mainly supply money. Basically, no need to worry.

[@backpackerraden6268]

It's really funny that Moffat managed to blow through all of his usual tropes in one episode except for rampant amounts of flirting/browser history jokes

[@Kron0]

Just wanted to say I only stumbled on you with the last episode, but I think you are giving the best critiques/reviews of dr. who I've seen at the moment. Definitely subscribed.

[@WSDigitalArtwork]

“wow jboi nice video I appreciate your insight into these stories and I eagerly await your coverage of the rest of the season”

[@Dubble77D]

This episode made me want to see a regeneration mid-season without any warning. I don't know if they could even pull that off, but it would slap so unbelievably hard if they managed to keep it hidden until it happened.

[@mikaylaeager7942]

My only critique of this episode is that killing the love interest felt unnecessarily cruel. (And yes that the daughter should have been cast younger). This was a fantastic episode with that trademark Moffat magic and I hadn’t quite realized how much I missed it! Wild Blue Yonder is still the best of this era, but that was such a high IMO it would be incredibly hard to dethrone.

[@darius4405]

I understood Splice’s interactions with the hologram as the normalization of the technology + her understanding of death combined with her faith

[@danthomassolo]

8:43 I feel like the word you’re looking for here is “disgust”. What an utterly cracking episode!

[@aesthetrick2424]

Cracking episode, love the suspense and acting from Ncuti

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Isn’t he astonishing

[@ogpandamonium]

I think what you said at the start is so true. The first two episodes were great fun but not genuinely great. This is actually just really good. Also this has evil healthcare AND an artificial afterlife, it's the classic moffat returned!

[@ogpandamonium]

And, as someone else pointed out, religious soldiers

[@wispa1a]

I hope the naysayers are humbled by the iPlayer viewing figures. Because who's going to wait for 7 pm when i can watch it with breakfast or before sleeping.

[@rhodrage]

I like to wait.

[@fullriver1234]

It’s so weird hearing Moffat dialogue in 2024

[@josephl5128]

Gonna have to Um Actually you there Joe - I don’t think this could conceivably count as a “bottle episode”, based on how expensive that huge, complicated, GLORIOUS set looked. Seeing that physical backdrop covering the space was wonderful, I know they used volume -style technology as well in there, but crikey, how lovely when the work is done in camera. A superb episode, this Moff has got a bright career ahead of him.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

You’re absolutely right, I’m happy to be um actuallyed when it’s done so politely. I was thinking of the “stay in one place and focus on the script” components rather than the budget saving.

[@josieMayday]

this episode really solidified my opinion that mofatt is my favorite writer for doctor who, while RTD is my favorite showrunner.

[@venerablevase]

I absolutely adored Boom! The episode genuinely flew by, he set out to do edge-of-your-seat, nail-biting tension and he really did do it. My only real issue with the whole episode is that it ends a bit quickly, but that's standard 45 minute syndrome not giving quite enough time, alongside it seeming like all of the episodes so far had to be cut down cause they were written for longer time slots (though that's just conjecture). In my opinion, Boom could be one of Moffat's all-timers as well honestly. It's not quite Heaven Sent, The Empty Child or World Enough and Time, but I wouldn't say it's quite that far behind them either. The dialogue is amazing, the ideas in the story are amazing, Ncuti's performance is brilliant, it really feels like everything is there! Also, on the note of Moffat coming in and sort of "trouncing" RTD with Boom being better than all of the other RTD2 episodes so far (including Wild Blue Yonder imho), it is worth keeping in mind that Russell's job as a showrunner is much greater than that of a guest writer who's only on the show to write one episode for the season as opposed to Russell's 6 (+ other responsibilities). I mean even Moffat was way less consistent during his own tenure than he has been outside of it.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I think the “not quite on the level of his best but not much far behind” is a really great way to put it, speaks to how strong it is

[@SmartSmears]

Its kind if interesting how in just 6 episodes we have an all time classic from both Moffat and RTD. I feel like it took years for us to get Midnight and Blink and werks to get Wild Blue Yonder and Boom.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

And people will still say the show is in some kind of trouble

[@SmartSmears]

@Joe_Brennan_ I do think Doctor Who Twitter is caught in a negativity spiral because people got a bit to used to complaining about the show or fighting with the people who complained about it in the last era and in general it's a good idea to just separate yourself from that. But I also think people just seem to consider the 2023 episodes a different era and forget they exist for these discussions.

[@joehorne2808]

The One Who Waits is Sutekh. I'm calling it now.

[@fushicon6121]

You’re either a very natural script reader or a very eloquent speaker. Impressive.

[@TheOutatimeFilmPodcast]

I was really happy with this episode, it could even be the best of RTD2 so far! One thing I really enjoyed was seeing the Doctor and Ruby tested and not just being besties, they were put in peril and kinda arguing a bit. I'd argue that this is the better time for her to receive a TARDIS key, and it speaks to a strange structure of the season. I haven't really clicked with Ruby, I think she's just too similar to Clara, and this episode definitely continues that, but I did really like her arguing with Mundy and the kid, especially when she tackled the latter. The idea that she isn't able to talk her way out of everything and isn't opposed to getting physical, is a great turn for the character and differentiates her a bit. Loved the episode

[@malcolmarcher4239]

well said you told us EVERTHING that described why this is so good thank you

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Thank you for watching!

[@wghtmf]

I don't know if 'Rose-tinted glasses' was a deliberate pun but it's genius either way

[@joshhodgson5613]

we love basemnet joe

[@christopherjohnston3569]

Thin ice do be a banger tho

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I like it! But I don’t think it belongs on any top ten lists

[@msoda8516]

I have truly enjoyed this doctor. I feel each episode has been doing a great job showing the things great about Doctor who. The space babies reminded me of old episodes like the one with little adipose babies or the farting aliens, the devils chord showed how doctor who can do a great villain. This episode was truly a cherry on top show how amazing the doctor is when you have a well written story this is up there for me with blink in top episodes.

[@Jackson-ub1uv]

I do quite like this episode; the issue I’ve come to have with it is that the 15th Doctor keeps crying. I get that it’s a harrowing situation, but the Doctor has been through far worse on an emotional level with far more composure. This is the same who was trapped facing death at the end of a corridor, with no way out, and only reacted with a slightly shaky realisation that he was scared of dying. This is the same man who stood defiant against the Daleks, even when reduced to a frail old man who could barely walk up a set of stairs. This is the _same man_ who fought off an army of Cybermen with nothing more than a screwdriver, _just_ so a group of children could have another day’s worth of hope. With all this in mind, I _cannot_ see the Doctor as someone who would cry over stepping on a mine.

[@mathieuleader8601]

this episode was kafkaesque

[@kendiggs]

Excellent observations!

[@Bubblesthewitch]

I’ve definitely been seeing a lot of Clara and 12 in Ruby and 15 all season. I felt a bit too much of the 11 era side characters writing for my liking, but I get that most people think that was his best stuff.

[@Winjoe69]

Loved it! Also, I feel so lucky to be comparing Davies vs Moffat in real time! This season is off to an absurdly strong start.

[@jonathangmallender]

Great to see positive comments from real Dr who fans, this is obviously one of the channels where the real fans are! Boom was banging, but I'm loving all the episodes so far. Ncuti and Millie are rocking this. Well done Moffat and RTD

[@chrisleneil]

Loved it so much! And your energy made me sub immediately - so sick of cranky old people (even if they are young), complaining about anything that… frightens them? Annoys them? Exists outside of their experience!! It’s so weird. Adore the new era - it is giving me everything I wanted to see from 13, but knew I wouldn’t get due to Chibnall’s writing not being to my taste. (Love some of his concepts; wish others would write his concepts into stories) Ncuti & Millie are great together 💜💜➕🌈🟦

[@Mgooy]

I really liked this episode, for me vibe-wise it was less like the Moffat episodes from RTD 1 and more felt like an episode from a Moffat season had inexplicably aired in the middle of the new season

[@user-pq9kb3fi3h]

i've noticed that a lot of the episodes mirror older episodes and this one was very similar to the doctor's daughter in the setting

[@scrambled5948]

Despite the title of the episode Boom didn't really blow me away but I can't say it was a waste either. It's definetly somewhere in the top ten of Moffat episodes but it was a good time with an enjoyable concept and those scary as hell ambulance droids. If this was a 13 and Yaz story, it'd easily be the best one of 13's run.

[@Joe_Brennan_]

That Chibnall perspective is a great one

[@stormagedden785]

Finally an episode that I can say was proper good.

[@domlo66]

Sometimes i think the best showrunner is always the one who ran the show the longest time ago. If Moffat took over again i'd go right back to hating him

[@planetprobable]

😆 Isn't everything always like that?

[@CulturePhilter]

Is crying going to become the 15th Doctor’s “I’m sorry, I’m so so sorry” ?

[@azizuladnan2957]

I commented this on someone's video, but I just want to commented it again, cause I'm a douchebag, sort of I guess? XD Ummm, it's just the part where the Doctor does not concern at Ruby after The Doctor step off the mind, like he did not hug her, or ask her if she's alright. He just kept on rambling... I love the monologue that the robots got defeated by father's power. But I don't like the part where "Can we tell the story by using drum beats?" (Thinking back, I wonder if he just doing it just to entertain Splice, but I feel like he already done it by givng her a fistbump...) The "your lifespan sucks" is just the Doctor's banter in general, such as having one heart, or stuck on Earth like a rubbish human, that just makes me chuckle. Overall, great episodes, love the resolution, just his behaviour that threw me off (like, just imagine, from my point of view, I was relief that Ruby was okay after getting the defliribator, that I said in front of my screen "Doctor, please check on Ruby further to see if she's alright". And that never happen, so that threw me off, lol)

[@crystalcove99]

I really like how you commented on the whole "looking back on the 2005-2010 Davies Era with rose tinted glasses" thing. There were definitely a lot of great stories during that era, but I feel like far too many people ignore the fact that for almost every very strong Davies episode, there was also a rather weak or downright bad Davies episode. At least in my opinion, I find that Davies only strong episodes were usually his finales, with any other episodes he writes in a season being pretty bad at worst to okay at best. But people seem to look back on the earlier seasons, the Eccleston and Tennant Eras, and either pretend those low- to mid-tier episodes either don't exist or were actually REALLY GOOD and SUPER UNDERRATED (I'm not going to bash anyone for saying that their favorite episode is one I don't really care for, but let's not pretend that Love & Monsters is actually a masterpiece just let down by a stupid joke at the very end).

[@undying_artv2]

It's official I clearly watched a bootleg version of boom. I don't understand why it's getting praised to high heaven some even saying top 10 of all time. I found it really stupid / cringe with a glimpse of great ... Ncuti for me is carrying this season so much he has some great lines The grand moff is my favourite show runner yet I really weren't vibing here the love story was completely not believable at all

[@Joe_Brennan_]

That’s a shame to hear

[@undying_artv2]

@@Joe_Brennan_ it is , I thought they wasted mastro in the last episode but was hyped for this. But I agree with everything you said about Ncuti and the doctor in this

[@a.i.1905]

I agree, thought this episode was a snore-fest unfortunately 🤷🏻‍♂️ I feel like they want me to care SO much about these characters and believe they have this amazing bond but it’s episode 3? If this episode came later when I maybe cared for the characters more or believed their chemistry more I might have liked the stakes more, but this felt too early for this kind of story imo

[@genevievemccluer7503]

I definitely watched the same one as you. I was expecting to absolutely love it and it just kept failing to impress me. Nothing but Moffat quotes and some awful secondary characters.

[@danmaloney9215]

I was worried...but this was great

[@lukedominicodonnell2347]

Boom was a fizzle

[@lukesmhudson]

People who love this era of doctor who are the sort of people who would’ve been top students in the Hitler youth… you’ll go along with anything

[@deetvleet]

BOOM was so good!!! It really feels like a return to "normal" doctor who, which is something you said about space babies, but for me SB was... Well let's just say I'll be skipping it on the rewatch

[@Joe_Brennan_]

I’m glad it didn’t take too long for you to have that return moment

[@chanceneck8072]

Ncuti Gatwa just has charisma and positive energy. Now we just need to rescue and save DOCTOR WHO....

[@evie._.lake20]

What's your deeper perspective on what Doctor Who is really about? I'm quite curious on your opinion

[@leacwm]

peak. i love moff. sure it wasnt heaven sent but it was the beast below and i needed that

[@supersecret4390]

This is going to be something I'll have to rewatch. After only having episodes written by Russel, Moffat dialogue seemed really out of place to me, the juxtaposition with how Ruby and the Doctor acted and talked was a bit shocking. I'm sure I'll like it way more after we've seen more writers write for Ncuti and Millie

[@burgunbeerd]

I just don't get why the Doc and Ruby hang out. Like they were just immediatley besties and there doesn't seem to be anything deeper. I think if the Doctor actually wanted to solve her mystery it could be much more of a throughline instead of him saying "i can never take you to find your mum or the church" I'm hoping 73 yards gives me more to her

[@planetprobable]

You're completely right about the child actor but unfortunately Who has rarely done well with child actors (though has sometimes like the wonderful Thomas Sangster and also Caitlin Blackwood ). The bunch from In the Forest of the Night come to mind. While child actors are normally a year or two older than they are playing, this girl was obviously much older than she was meant to be. I think that was a weakness really, unless they had established that she suffered from developmental delay or something similar.

[@YuzuruA]

I was thinking the same -completely strange reactions from a child supposed to grow up in a war

[@fantasticoproduction]

you know what i've been realising is this we are back to having weird things in the background that aren't explained yet. like the snow is the obvious one, but the recurring actor, "mavity" and mrs flood and so on are just ticking away at the background. it's nice to have these threads to pull on for theories again. i'm not sure how that was sort of dodged in chibnall, i guess recurring threads there were more direct like just calling out timeless child or lone cyberman or something, but now these are so abstract and we've no idea how they connect yet

[@thatpeskyrat]

this is the episode that proves this series can do both campy and serious!! I love it i hope it can keep this quality and even improve on it. they’ve all been good so far, although I didn’t love church on ruby road and space babies. i hope those are the only duds for me, because i think there’s much less leeway for ‘low quality’ doctor who episodes than there used to be. dw has always had some stinker episodes every season to the point that it’s almost a staple of the show, but with only 8 episodes this season i just don’t think they can afford to put out any significantly worse ones. three out of twelve episodes being stinkers is whatever, but three out of eight could be bad, especially with the streaming format of the show. maybe i’m just being too cynical. next episode preview looks promising! great video as usual :)

[@Iflifeexsisted]

Top notch video 👍

[@Joe_Brennan_]

Thank you mate!

[@amymorgan886]

its my favorite so far.

[@Scroteydada]

I think Devil's chord just about clutches it but this was great

[@Joe_Brennan_]

This surprises me!

[@jamesa.5830]

I loved Boom! It is certainly nice to get a more proper straight ahead tense and serious Doctor Who story. It is a script that has a lot to say within the confines of it story, but is never preachy. I will say as much as I really enjoyed Boom I actually liked The Devils Chord more. Maybe partially because it is so different. It takes chances and has fun with the full space of all that Doctor Who can be. That is a less sophisticated script certainly, but it is just so completely entertaining, joyful, and well directed and performed that I can ignore some flaws and go along for the ride. Back to back very good episodes in my opinion. I like the synopsis and trailer for the next one as well so let’s hope that continues for another week.