Overdue Doctor Who Review: Bad Wolf

[@PixelatedH2O]

I personally consider this episode one of the best of the season. It may be dated, but it's fun, and each of the scenarios Rose, the Doctor and Jack are put into fit them as people. Eccelston's season got too dark for me at times, and seeing a bit of lighthearted goofiness was awesome.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

I loved the 9th Doctor and series 1 of New Who. I prefer a darker, edgier tone. Recently, I also have a new appreciation for rhe 12th Doctor. I find myself going back to Capaldi's era. He was sexy w/ that Scottish accent and oh, so cerebral....helluva combo!

[@gingergoddess8953]

I think Bad Wolf is one of the few times were I disagree with you on an episode of DW, if only because I was easily entertained by it...and I got to see a half-naked John Barrowman. I KNOW it's filler only meant to set up Parting of the Ways and yeah I recognize it's not deep or intense, but it was fun to me, and still a hell of a lot better than Love and Monsters, which absolutely had no point, and drags on for ever. I definitely see your points, but I still look forward to Bad Wolf on my annual re-watch. :)

[@englishgiraffe2124]

Personally I love this episode, even as a standalone story. It has such a good hook of mystery, is quite imaginative and makes great fun of the current state of the shows that Russell is making fun of. It almost feels like Black Mirror, before Black Mirror. However, there is something I have a bit of a nitpick about. I don't think this should have been a Dalek story, rather a Cyberman story. While Daleks are definitely manipulative and cunning with using human resources, it almost feels a little too out-of-character for the Daleks to know what TV stations are and how to create parodies out of shows. Considering that Cybermen are more human, and they exploited sugar before in the Moonbase, Bad Wolf feels more it fits with the Cybermen. That, and we just had a Dalek story 6 episodes ago.

[@francisbarraclough959]

I would be interested in hearing more about this cybermen alternative Badwolf/Partying of the Ways

[@Gamelover254]

Well I think the Dalek story in episode 6 was meant to be a build up for this finale. We saw how much chaos a single Dalek could cause so that made the entire army so impactful. Though I do agree, if they only appeared in episode 6 and then the four appeared in the season 2 finale, it would of made the season 4 finale a much bigger surprise and have more impact.

[@RubberyCat]

I think they made it a Dalek story, as they are technically on a much higher threat level than the Cybermen, probably the highest in general, and that was kind of required to set up the Bad Wolf - solution(which was very overkill) and possibly the effect on Jack.

[@maurinet2291]

I don't think Cybermen are creative enough. Yeah, they used to be human, but when they gave up their humanity, they gave up ingenuity. Daleks still have it. Their plans are often convoluted, clever, and involve disguise. Cybermen may use an element or two of deception but really they mostly show up and start assimilating everyone. That's it. Their plans are painfully straightforward. This felt on par with the other Dalek attempts we've seen.

[@ibelieveimalex]

This is the first review you've done that I completely disagree with - I love this episode! It's so much fun! Used to watch it over and over

[@NPCarlsson]

British version of What Not To Wear? I thought What Not To Wear WAS the British version.

[@PatrickSpelman]

And Trinny and Sussanah are forever relevant in my eyes.

[@LeoChris64]

I don't particularly think the references are dated though? I mean, I'm Canadian so my basis for pop culture leans more towards the US than the UK, but The Weakest Link is a classic and Big Brother as a franchise is still ongoing. Basically, the shows are still relevant.

[@bernkastel6129]

Yep. I'm not much of a fan of either, but both shows have persisted and seem unlikely to go away even after all this time. If anything, them being in the future is fitting given that they are examples of those shows that will never die, no matter what. So, having them persist like that is actually good satire.

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

Well, they still exist. Whether or not they were ever relevant is debatable.

[@Gamelover254]

Even if you’be never heard of them it still works as an episode. When I first saw this I was young and didn’t know what Weakest Link or Big Brother was, I was too focused on the characters and overall story which is done really well in this episode.

[@michaelolsen2760]

I blame the marketing people for spoiling the next episode. Seriously, this happens way too much in movies too.

[@Venemofthe888]

They learnt a little in the next series with the cyberman 2 parter

[@Gxbbzee]

I love the fact that this episode is so outdated! As a brit, it just brings back nostalgia for all these shows. It was a simpler time before an abundance of crossovers, so I really liked seeing that.

[@lexihopes]

I never watched the other two or shows like them, but I watched a lot of old game shows growing up, and especially would watch the in the summers while visiting my grandparents, so there's definitely a lot of nostalgia in that section at least. I loved this episode.

[@liftlash98]

The whole commentary on media is done better in half an hour in this episode than 3 whole books of the hunger games (and said element is the best thing about that series)

[@MovieMagic515]

@@elijahfordsidioticvarietys8770 No they're not.

[@Greycatuk]

Your chats make me want to call you and debate - in a friendly way! The parodies went down so well when this was first broadcast. The taking the p*ss out of these British TV institutions... by a FAR bigger British TV show. ‘In your face!’ says Dr Who - ‘I’ve been doing this longer and I’m better’ ;) But also the underlying horror and warning about apathy over reality tv at its extreme... it’s a sci-fi trope brought home to the brand new generation of Who fans. The kids got the joke AND the warning. They’d rather watch/be the Doctor than those other shows. I think that message carries on (even if the RTD social references are dated immediately). I rather love that the BBC dared to mock itself in this way. Speaking as a British adult, so aware of the nuances. I said at the time that the guy who cancelled Who back when must be grinding his teeth.

[@AhsimNreiziev]

+

[@davidcremin3837]

I actually really enjoyed this episode. Your so hard on season one

[@alfiecollins365]

To be honest I love this episode it might be because your American it’s mainly for a British audience anyway still a good video keep up the work

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

I liked the episode. As an amateur anthropologist, one can learn so much about a society via looking at its popular game shows. The sci fi riff on them, just made them all the more Compelling!

[@nevem5010]

I agree. Looking back at the episode now, the parodies have a kind of kitsch quality that I enjoy, plus a more detached, "historical" interest. Sometimes datedness undermines a piece, but other times - perhaps more commonly, now I think about it - it results in a snapshot of a past culture, and I think the parodies in this episode fall into the latter camp.

[@tmmartinesq.6216]

@@nevem5010 Agree, Neve M!

[@martynstembridge7714]

The Dalek reveal was NEVER a surprise ... I remember knowing they were going to be the 'big bad's' for the season a few weeks before Bad Wolf aired. It was in the media, and fairly common knowledge. As for the episode itself, it's a case of - you had to be there - imo. By this point the series was VERY popular and the idea of mocking some of the most watched shows on UK TV at the time was PERFECT for the Saturday evening sofa audience. In 2005 Britain was Big Brother OBSESSED, you can't begin to imagine how popular that bloody show was ... My memories of Bad Wolf are of an episode that was easy to watch, a LOT of fun, and had a VERY exciting ending that got the whole nation excited for the finale ...

[@IG7799-c4u]

Completely agree with this.

[@heda7842]

I don’t know this episode always scared me- there was a high level of tension and threat. Maybe it’s because I grew up when Big Brother and the weakest link were on TV so it makes me nostalgic but I quite like this episode 😁

[@tylerowens]

I liked the episode. Eccleston's performance carried the Big Brother segment, I watched The Weakest Link a lot as a kid so that segment worked for me, and Jack is just so damn fun to watch in the What Not to Wear bit that even though it was arguably the most pointless of the three it might just be my favorite. I really have to agree about the next time segments. My wife and I are watching through the show for the first time (we just watched Planet of the Ood from series 4) and we always make sure to have the remote near us so we can skip out of the episode before we see all the spoilers.

[@artifice7838]

Patterson joseph as johnson in peepshow is one of the funniest characters i have ever seen, he would be a great doctor. Not sure how big peepshow is over the pond but if you haven't seen it get it on the list.

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

Definitely!

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

He was brilliantly weird in the first season of Leftovers, also.

[@IG7799-c4u]

He is indeed hilarious in Peep Show.

[@MrRjhyt]

I have to disagree with the end of your anger about the reveal of the Daleks. This was/is a very British phenomenon, a show as iconic as Star Trek in the US. The attention on it was incredible, there was an awareness, of it's public recognition, and interest. Chris had pretty much revealed he wasn't happy, as the first episode was being launched with a great fanfare. So, his departure by the time this was broadcast was expected, so the Daleks would also be expected as his most iconic enemy. I too, would love to see more Paterson Joseph on screen too. He's brilliant in *_'Green Wing'_* a hospital based comedy with, Olivia Coleman (amazing comedic actress), Michelle Gomez (brilliantly brutal), and Tamsin Greig (subtle and understated).

[@IG7799-c4u]

Paterson Joseph also appeared in "Peep Show" (a popular British sitcom), as Johnson.

[@WaterCarrier07]

This episode is a fantastically fun and suspenseful episode with the danger of death, the brilliant parodies and the ending where the Daleks are revealed! Come on Man

[@sarahwalker775]

Personally I would still or prefer to watch this kind of episode over the present shit we get now from Doctor Who. It’s one of my all time favourites of Series 1.

[@IG7799-c4u]

I'm with you there. Series 11 especially fails to incite any excitement or interest for me whatsoever. It's sad to see that we will probably no longer get anything entertaining / well-written for the foreseeable future, as long as Chibnall is in charge :/

[@glenmcculla6843]

I actually put a £10 bet on Patterson Joseph being the next Doctor when Tennant was leaving. Grrr. Arrrgh.

[@Smithylufc]

I've only recently started to watch your content in the past year but have gone back to watch some of your older stuff, and i have too add i'm a big fan. But i was wondering how many more old seasons of new who do you have to review that are 'overdue'? I'm really loving these look backs on older episodes and hope there is a few more seasons to come

[@jacobhogan3208]

1-7 (for the most part.)

[@IG7799-c4u]

Probably all up to the current series.

[@ihateunicorns867]

Was the whole gameshow thing put there just so the *"Rose, I'm coming to get you"* line has relevance? (As Davina would always say _"[contestant's name],_ I’m coming to get you" whenever a contestant got evicted from Big Brother).

[@AshleyOlivia90]

The defabricator makes it all worth it (Bad Wolf is one of my favorites of all time)

[@Spiritwhisperer11]

I don't know why I took this so personally? I think part of it is that I'm a youngin (18) and I saw this for the first time when I was about 9 and I LOVED IT. I have a very strong attatchment to this season in general, but especially the finale episodes... IDK I love them so much. I totally respect your opinion tho, I've just got some nostalgia goggles on when it comes to DW

[@wggraceful]

Remember how simultaneously funny and terrifying these dystopian versions of British tv shows where when I first watched this aged about 9. Holds strong memories even if they are dated now.

[@greasyhair5754]

I watched it when it originally came out and I really enjoyed it then Bad Wolf seemed was awesome, and I love Jack and I loved the idea of a killer game show no matter how many times people do it nor what the game show entails.

[@SirMeowsAlot89]

I never watched any of these reality shows that this episode spoofs. But I get all the jokes and references.. kinda weird. But I do like this episode!

[@NelsonStJames]

I think this is a perfect example of familiarity breeds contempt. The parodies are "only" dated if you are familiar with them in the first place and then only if you didn't like the thing being parodied. Otherwise this was a very solid episode. The Eccelston era is still my favorite season of Dr. Who and I really lament that Eccelston didn't get a second season, it was one of the most consistent seasons of new Who.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Except if you don’t know that they’re parodies it becomes even more glaring that they go on for as long as they do.

[@joelbrown2782]

With the two part stories, I think they shouldn't show a next time because it ruins the tension were the Doctor gets stuck, they should have done what they did for Stolen Earth/Journey's End were they didn't realise any material for the next episode. This is something which has always been a nitpick of mine with the show.

[@tomchaney6085]

Alright,, so Doctor Who doing game shows maybe didn't go so well, but game shows doing Doctor Who is worth a look in. I believe the DW episodes of The Weakest Link and Never Mind The Buzzcocks are available on KZbin

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I think whether you enjoy this episode or not depends on whether you are from the UK or not because this is one of those episodes that is heavy on the UK TV pop culture references. So a lot of this episode only makes sense to those living in the UK.

[@PanelHopper]

Thank you! I also thought Patterson Joseph would have made a good replacement for Tennant at the time (although I mainly knew him from comedies like Peep Show and Green Wing) and would happily accept him in the role in the future.

[@CleoPinto4317]

i lovve the "im gonna wipe every last stinking dalek out of the sky" moment. it adds a note of darkness and sets up the more morally ambiguous actions he takes in parting of the ways.

[@RichardM-kv4uu]

I definitely agree, Paterson Joseph would have been an amazing Doctor, he's such an undervalued actor!

[@MrRjhyt]

I have to wonder if what was happening behind the scenes, made a massive re-write/edit essential. Hell, even the return of Captain Jack, was pinned on afterwards with him becoming immortal. It has (for me), the same feeling as a movie franchise changing directors. Of course, it could just be TV people, inside their TV bubble indulging themselves in an echo chamber of self-approval. But, boy was it *_never_* going to date well.

[@emilyangel13]

Paterson Joseph is great in the show Survivors too (British TV Series not the US Reality Show). It needed more than 2 seasons

[@ZipplyZane]

So far I've not agreed with any of the episodes you hate. The only one where I sorta agree is with the Slitheen, where you acknowledge it was an okay episode without the farting, which is also my opinion. But I loved this episode, I love the cat people, I loved Fathers' Day. If I hadn't, I probably wouldn't have been so gung ho on the series. I missed a lot of Season 2, but then adored the hell out of Season 3 (though even I know that one thing at the end was bullshit.)

[@ZipplyZane]

Why? Why the parody? Because they need to establish exactly what the problem is. They need to show that the threat is TV. And it's the stuff *we* watch. What regresses humanity is being addicted to *our* TV shows. Our stuff from 2005 is what they use to harm humanity. We are part of the problem. It was also a complete blast. The TV show stuff was at first comedic, but we got to see it turn into an obstacle, and then a genuine threat (or so it seemed). It would suck to have all this talk about how TV is ruining everything but not have it featured in the episode. The message needs the TV shows to be a part of it.

[@KingArannir]

I love this episode. Something about the out of date references is amazing for me. Big Brother and Weakest Link were parts of my childhood/teenage years and are nostalgic? for me. The more light-hearted tone compared with what's to come in The Parting of The Ways is, in my opinion, great. The reveal is great too. Then again, this is nostalgia talking. And nostalgia blinds me...

[@amberhon]

Paterson Joseph was also in the show Survivors. I loved that show!

[@rosabowen731]

Do you think the Reverse Ninja Theory applies to the Daleks in this episode? (Or the next one, I suppose.) I feel like it was handled well, but it has been a small while since I saw these episodes.

[@thegameloopmedia]

'Bad Wolf' definitely isn't as good as 'The Parting of the Ways' but I still really like it. The game shows don't bother me at all but that's just me. Great video as always!

[@andrewbowman4611]

In an issue of Doctor Who magazine published at the time (it may be #360, the earliest one I own), RTD admits to a great love for reality television and quiz shows. He goes on to say that he thought it was a fun idea to parody them in a future setting. I think the key word there is "fun": for the most part, this the calm before the storm, and it's perfectly justified artistically. Bad Wolf is more of a character piece, not unlike the current iteration of Who, and as such succeeds admirably, in my view.

[@M-E_123]

I think this episode has aged quite well actually. As you get more removed from the TV shows they spoof the shows seem more bizarre and twisted. Personally I really like this episode - the reveal that the contestants are being killed while the rest of the world passively watches the industrialised slaughter - even to the point of the other contestants accepting their fate. I like the psychology of the situation is fascinating to me - kind of similar to why I enjoy the Hunger Games. In my view this one is underrated. And I actually quite like this as a 2 part story better than I would when considering 2 separately. On the point of the Dalek reveal it was leaked in the British press that Daleks would be in the last 2 part story and the Doctor would be regenerating into David Tennant - and Daleks equal ratings (always have) - so "giving away the surprise" wasn't really a consideration - once it's out there you need to lean into it and make sure everybody knows so you at least maximise the rating boost.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Nope, I’m still going to complain. Because the Daleks breaking in the press can be avoided. It’s work to avoid those but you can. The Daleks breaking in the preview that plays before the end credits of the previous episode is nearly impossible to avoid if you’re not in the habit of expecting the show to spoil itself (and in series 1 who would expect that?!?)

[@M-E_123]

@@CouncilofGeeks I don't really disagree with you - but at the same time I can see why the creative team may have made that decision so on balance I'm willing to let it slide. I do enjoy hearing your thoughts on these "old" Dr Who episodes though - even when I happen to disagree with you on some points. Keep up the good work.

[@BaronVladHarkonnen]

7:26 I know right tbh they do it every time as well when it’s supposed to be a big reveal a good example is at the end of turn left before the stolen earth

[@markpostgate2551]

Steven Moffat's theory of the two-parter, with which I don't agree, is that the second part should be distinctly different from the first in terms of setting that it still feels like a seperate episode. He admonishes himself for The Empty Child not following this rule.... the idj-yut! The Empty Child is beautiful, he wrote it, and yet he admonishes it for not following his rule that is proved wrong by the very existence of the Empty Child! But you can see how his rule applies to Bad Wolf/Parting of the Ways, Silence in the Library/Forest of the Dead, Hungry Earth/Cold Blood, Under the Lake/Before the Flood. Unfortunately it also applies to In Extremis/Pyramid at the End of the World/Lie of the Land which was terrible, and part of the reason it was terrible is the dystopia set up in the third part could have used more than one episode to explore and certainly more time to come up with a better resolution to, and the second part could have done with significantly less time - it was tedious. If the rule hadn't been strictly adhered to the dystopia could have been set up in the middle of the second part and far more time could have been spent in the dystopia which was potentially interesting, and less time figuring out what exactly the monks meant by "consent" which was dull and tedious. Also Moffat! Moffat disproves his own rule by being beautiful when he breaks it and by being crap when he adheres to it. Stupid rule! At best it should be a guideline!

[@Jedi_Spartan]

Will you be splitting up other season finale episodes in future

[@hmsljj]

It never seems to fail. He always has such well thought out opinions of WHO episodes, well spoken and thorough. And for most of the time I totally disagree with his assessment. So although I appreciate the time and and effort put into each review, it makes it hard to come back knowing that he really doesn't get WHO. "Bad Wolf" was the perfect setup to the finale, and made me want to immediately watch "Parting of the Ways". An episode cannot be bad and have that affect: BTW: "Bad Wolf" also includes one of my favorite Nine speeches. It's kickass & sooooo Eccleston: kzbin.info/www/bejne/h5fOiJyHo8uVZrs

[@Kasino80]

So...you didn't like it? It's really not that bad. This was made on a much smaller budget than what they get afterwards, so I think they cut some corners with what they had in house, and as such it works for me.

[@oscarlenehan3507]

This actually kind of ties to the reverse ninja theory you were talking about a while back because I think this two partner has the proper scaling as until the end, the daleks never lose a man as far as I can tell and kill off the entire cast but the main two, so I feel that this works as an example of reverse ninja not being a flaw. This only occurred to me during this review so the comment goes here.

[@Slarty947]

What made the experience of this episode even more frustrating in 2005 was the fact that the huge Dalek reveal was spoiled in the trailers *before* this one aired! So if the parodies weren't your thing (as is the case for you, obviously) then you were sitting even more impatiently for 30+ minutes waiting for the Daleks to show up.

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

I thought the same thing! I saw Neverwhere in around 2000 and thought that if there was ever more Doctor Who, they should get Patterson Joseph for the role. Marquis de Carabas was solely responsible for drawing me into that story.

[@Frahamen]

I learned from it. Never watch the "next week" trailer. There is a stop button available.

[@alancoker1459]

The David Tennent series where Bad Wolf appeared throughout the series and wasnt apparent as to what it was about until cult of Scarro came about

[@Jedi_Spartan]

Also if the scene where they all find out about how the Game Station works would have been better if it kept on moving between the 3 of them with the danger appearing at the same time (by the way how does that one Jack's in help the Dalek's plan)

[@savannahkrystall2698]

I think the dated references work in this episode’s favour actually.

[@WaterCarrier07]

I love Ecclestone's Doctor he was dark but funny and clever and should've got more series time

[@williamedongesiii541]

I do agree that Patterson Joseph is fantastic as The Marquis Decarabas. Don't mind Capaldi as Islington either

[@Roggoll]

nah you're wrong about this one. It's not supposed to be funny. It's supposed to be unnerving.

[@Coin945]

The plot was basically identical to The Longest Game with a random twist shown at the end. I smell some rewrites to turn this into a Dalek story.

[@kristavaillancourt6313]

I like the Neverwhere miniseries. It isn't as good as the book allows you to imagine it should be but it's screen representation of a great story.

[@maxeyre2024]

Will you re rank your top 10 9th doctor episodes/stories after next week?

[@TheWindowBat]

If you want to see some fantastic Paterson Joseph, I'd recommend Peep Show, That Mitchel and Webb Look, and Survivors

[@markpostgate2551]

I suppose the advantage of this episode introducing us to Lynda-with-a-y is it makes her death in Parting of the Ways more impactful, so it wasn't a complete waste of time. 8:31 Doctor Who returning was pretty massive news in Britain, so people with cameras in phones eager to gather information was as much an issue in 2006 or whatever it was, as it is now. However, those "next time" trailers - they were a pain in the ass; they should have ditched those. Eventually I think Moffat did ditch the Next TIme trailers for some two-parters. Can't remember which ones. You can see why you would need them for one-parters to give people something to tune back in for, but with two parters what on Earth did they think the cliffhanger was for?!

[@Stargazer_Ley]

Do you think the reveal of how deadly it was could have been saved if they set it up so all of the main characters could figure it out at the same time in a sort of split screen? Also, that contestant, Rodrick, later shows up in another time travel show- Timeless. I kind of liked seeing the Anne-droid because I liked Anne as a host on Weakest Link.

[@crimzonheretic4575]

I love this episode tbh haha

[@vinesnono3589]

Am I the only one who loved the parodies? I found them both hilarious and a super interesting concept-and nothing will ever compare to the Anne-droid. Maybe I see it with too much nostalgia and not enough of a technical brain :/

[@FuchsiaShocked]

I feel like the gameshow parodies/love letters were in there 1) to get promotion from mainstream media pundits and publications, who normally don't watch science fiction, by presenting something they can relate to the stuff they normally cover 2) because the BBC as an organisation absolutely loves to pleasure itself while thinking about itself 3) probably as a result of writers/producers having to get the support of people higher up in the chain to keep funding for what at the time was still regarded a niche science fiction show)

[@FuchsiaShocked]

But yeah, they sucked then and they suck even more now that the references have dated so badly

[@kennethnystrom593]

For "Parting of ways" have this in mind: The actions the Bad Wolf entity (Rose/Tardis) takes are all spread out thru BOTHs (Rose and TARDIS) whole lifecycle both BEFORE and AFTER this moment. In the case of the TARDIS it has ALWAYS worked its way toward the eradication of the Daleks. And same in Rose whole life. Thing is we have been seeing Rose ALOT more then what is obvious in the show Doctor Who. If things really add up to what I have multicorrelational reasons to think that really is so. Rose Tyler could more then very well be the timelord we know as Romana AND the "New" White Guardian of time (seen in End of time pt 1 and 2)(because Rose/Romana might just have been present at the Gallifreyan High counsil when Rassilon activated his ascention device at the very end of the Timewar. and when the Bad Wolf erases the Daleks she just not only erase them from that moment in history. she erases them from ALL of history in both Universis the Bad WOLF could affect. aka both the Classic UniverseTimeline (seen primerly 1963-2006 & about half of series 5 )AND the New Universetimeline 2006-today

[@literaltruth]

Survivor didn't work when they did the British person. Basically everyone made friends, shared a pot of tea and agreed to share the prize whoever won.

[@theodombrowski3868]

Oh my GOD! I couldn't agree more about how previews for the next episode almost ALWAYS spoil something!!! I actually stopped watching the 'next time on doctor who' a long time ago. Haha, even now with season 11, I turn it off the second the episode ends. Love these reviews, and I can't wait for the rest. (I've caught up on all your who videos excluding the classic stories that I haven't watched yet:) ) thanks for your videos.

[@judgemario]

I loved this episode. It was a great way to begin the end of the season.

[@martinmaguire-music6692]

The long, slow gut-punch when it appears Rose is dead kind of saved the episode for me, it felt like the mix of ridiculousness of the games and the point where she's transmatted (not to mention the amazing score in that part) and the subsequent BSOD of the Doctor was one of the highlights of the season for me. But I'm biased because I was 11 when I watched it I guess.

[@bneisasmiler4942]

Patterson Joseph could totally have been the doctor! That would be amazing!

[@Katherine_The_Okay]

I think our takeaway from this review is: game-shows suck, watch Neverwhere! By premise alone, it could have been a fun episode, if it hadn't been placed where it was and doing what it was trying to do in terms of leading up to the apocalyptic final showdown. Watching it the first time, not knowing what was about to happen, it was weird but fine. Every time I've watched it since, it's been "Dude, this is the last time we'll see Nine, and the last time we'll see Jack for quite some time. Why are you wasting them on THIS!?!?"

[@daveh6125]

What do you hate the most Bad Wolf or Hell Bent?

[@maxeyre2024]

DAVE H He definitely hates Hell Bent more, he even said there’s some elements in this episode that he likes. Hell Bent was just... no.

[@TheMarcHicks]

100% agree with you. They wasted far too much time on the whole "Deadly Game-show parody" thing.

[@jamiestevens3074]

About the dated tv shows, for young people they would probably assume these shows are completely made up as they would’ve never heard of them. So it kinda works in that way. :)

[@Domino2097]

Yeah Big Brother just aired it's final series here in the UK... Saying that though this is its second final series so it'll likely come back again lol

[@ostsarahb7466]

I have to disagree about the references being dated. I’m 17 years old, living in France, without any access to UK or US TV channels, and I watched this episode with my 11 year old sister (who wasn’t even born when the episode first aired) and yet we were both able to pick up on them (expect for my sister not getting the Anne droid joke). We don’t even watch these types of show.

[@stevenclubb7718]

I enjoyed it because I tend to like RTD run-arounds... but I think a somewhat disconnected episode for setting up the supporting characters helped build drama in part 2. I liked the almost-romance that tragically never came to be.

[@adampoll4977]

I agree with your idea for a Doctor casting choice; he is always solid, and Carabas stole the show in Neverwhere (altho Mr Croup was a close second :) )

[@marionbaggins]

Fear Her did the same, someone was shot by a Dalek Laser.

[@YGOTolley]

I decided to watch Badwolf after this and while I know that it is a Dalek, you do see Rose on their ship through their eye stalk with like 6 minutes let on the show's run time, so I do not think it is a complete spoiler with the next time clip. Edit: Also you see their reflection when the beam The Controller up to their ship for giving The Doctor their coordinates. Extra edit: The Doctor literally mention Daleks by name with 3:30 left on the episode run time, so the next time clip showing them is 100% not a spoiler.

[@CouncilofGeeks]

Um... the "Next time" clip on the previous episode had a Dalek rounding a corner and going "Alert! Alert! We are detected!"

[@YGOTolley]

@@CouncilofGeeks Oh you meant before Bad Wolf, my apologies then, I completely misunderstood you, I thought you meant at the end of Bad Wolf the 'next time' clip ruined it.

[@curiouslytryingthis]

\o/ Yes! As someone who can't stand reality tv programs and never watched the Weakest Link (and being a casual viewer these first 2 series when it first aired, because I really don't like Rose at all...) I agree with you. I left the room when this first aired, because the Doctor was dropped into the Big Brother house. I didn't watch it until after series 3 had finished and I got the first 3 series on DVD.

[@Lovemypirates11211]

The first time I watched this, I didn't mind them as much, but on rewatch I tend to kind of skip over the ones with Rose and Jack and pay more attention to Eccleston as he knows as soon as he's in there that something's weird, I think, and is just trying to figure out how to get out of there. I much prefer Parting of the Ways and I'll admit, while I didn't at the time of my first watch, now when Eccleston regenerates, I do cry because I enjoyed him so much and while I love Tennant, I wish we could have had more of Eccleston!

[@Silverwind87]

I liked when the Doctor gets mad at the woman who said "we're just doing our jobs" as an excuse for what is essentially genocide, since in the next episode it's revealed that "the prisoners, the refugees, the dispossessed" were sliced up and transformed into Daleks. Given that the Daleks are basically space nazis, the Bad Wolf Corporation sounds a lot like a eugenics program. So yeah, "I was just following orders" is a bullshit excuse for being complacent in that.

[@Joel1998_]

Watching this episode as a child I loved it. But as an adult not so much. I suppose because you don’t really care about the writing of an episode when your a child! You just care about what’s on the screen in front of you, not if the story makes sense. But I’m biased to be honest! Because Christopher Eccleston was my first Doctor and every episode with him in, even the episodes that are regraded as bad. Hold a special place in my heart. Christopher Eccleston had so much more to give to the role.

[@WaterCarrier07]

another quick note! WHO EVEN WATCHES THE NEXT TIME ITS SO MUCH BETTER WHEN YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S COMING UP

[@fergusmcshane9527]

I fundamentally disagree with this review. You criticise the fact that the doctor and jack realise the game is deadly after rose but what is the alternative? the author would just divinely teleport the information to there heads or they would just magically escape and appear where needed? With regards to an actor being wasted how? he was given a part and played it well as did most of the supporting and main cast. Just because you like an actor and they aren't used as much as you want doesn't make it a fault with the episode or writing. Or to put it another way if others think he is a terrible actor and hate him then he was used perfectly. Now onto your filler criticism. The purpose of those scenes was to establish that something is wrong and explore the personality, strengths and weaknesses of each person by showing how they respond to the situation and eventually escape it (or don't in roses case). It was also to set up the motivation for finding out what is going on and to set up the next episode. These parts aren't filler they are set up, i can understand why you think they drag but take them away the episode doesn't work, likewise take away this episode the parting of ways doesn't work. So a simple example of this is jack's seperation results in the creation of a gun which is latter used to kill a dalek, take that away the next episode fails. Put the doctor and rose in the same room you get ride of roses death scene. you can't shorten any of these scenes substantially without creating plot holes in the episode, its that simple. This episode primarily served the purpose of setup. it establishes something is wrong, then it explains why. If you don't like episodes establishing something is wrong or that it's parodying something that's fine. But don't try and make it out that the scenes were too slow when without them the episode doesn't work you have to fundamentally rewrite it. Or at least if you are making that complaint point out were or what could go otherwise it's hard to buy into the criticism.

[@superraegun2649]

I’ve always wanted them to get rid of the next time trailer. Completely pointless.

[@EmeralBookwise]

I don't know... sure the game show parodies were kinda pointless, but to me that was the point. Because aside from the Daleks being spoiled in the preceding episode's teaser, this episode is all about misdirection, about setting itself up as an incidental filler adventure only to reveal something far more insidious lurking behind the scenes.

[@Ben-vf5gk]

I still like this episode even though I haven't watched any of the shows it parodies but nostalgia could have something to do with it. I thought Rose's "death" was well really well done and effective. It annoys me now that they revealed the daleks in the next time trailer. Really glad they didn't do it in Utopia with the Master.

[@roro-mm7cc]

what?? I love this episode - really scared me the first time I saw it.

[@HereComesPopoBawa]

I agree with all of these criticisms. I found Bad Wolf to be a fun watch, but it was neither good nor necessary. It should have been a mid-season romp instead of setting up the big finale. Considering that "The Long Game" was rather half-baked as a media commentary, I would have tried to combine these stories into something more substantial.

[@ST-mo8ur]

unpopular opinion but bad wolf is better than the parting of the ways, i love the tv show references, and I'm pretty sure most people now would remember those shows

[@ITSMeatMan]

I just bloody love this episode

[@JarvisCockerxLiamGallagher]

Well, I actually like Bad Wolf and the paradoies, to be honest, I'm surprised how controversial it is.

[@gunlovingliberal1706]

As others pointed out, these shows originated in the UK. We Americans think we invented everything. I have to agree with your review. The end of the episode was epic. The games show segments were boring.