'Eve of the Daleks' Review - Doctor Who

[@johnsensebe3153]

I think a clock on the screen, as you suggest, would have helped immensely, and would have been so simple to do. The novelty of this time loop episode, compared to most, is that the loop is shrinking and has a definite end, but you don't really feel it. Most time loop episodes have the characters go through many, many times and exhaust nearly every possibility before coming up with a solution. Not here.

[@monged4life442]

The idea of a timeloop happening again and again but being slightly closer to the end was explored far better in agents of shield I feel. You don't realise it's happening until about halfway through the episode (though there are hints if you go back and rewatch), and about several hundred loops in...

[@freebeerishere]

i felt the rush

[@deltadom33]

But the thing is the end time loop was longer they said it was shorter but if you worked jt out it would have been longer as every action would have taken them a specific amount of time say running from the hallway to downstairs

[@Jedi_Spartan]

Why do the Daleks aim like Stormtroopers at several times? How can a Dalek miss when 2 people are running down an empty corridor?

[@jannyjan90]

Especially with their enhanced shooters But yes they do

[@TRGOTSVODS]

It's great you mention that, because the scene with the doctor and Yaz running things down the corridor was when my suspension of disbelief finally couldnt take it. The rest of the time, I thought "maybe the gatling gun is just less accurate at longer ranges", but in a narrow corridor in a straight line? Come on.

[@capricorn878]

This time they could really make their kills more accurate, killing when their are running, but no! that kind of make me mad lol

[@edenvowles8225]

Completely agree. This just completely took my out of the episode.

[@Here_is_Waldo]

Machine guns aren't as accurate as sniper rifles, maybe?

[@ko9killer]

All things considering, I thought Eve was a very enjoyable special. Not the best…but definitely more watchable than some of Chris’ other outings. I’ll go 7 out of 10🙂

[@jannyjan90]

I agree, but for me the episode is solely save by the Sarah and Nick characters. Would watch it again but not for the doctor, which is a shame.

[@adamburke4738]

4 out of 10 for me

[@joeespin4377]

nothing chibs does deserves anything above a -1 out of 10

[@eliesh3833]

To be fair, it wasn't written by Chris.

[@adamburke4738]

@@eliesh3833 it was. It literally said so in the title sequence.

[@30somethingmanchild]

True. In Remembrance of the Daleks, McCoy did detect "massive internal displacement" by just touching a soldier. I'd forgotten that.

[@aliservan7188]

The thing about Chibnall, a supposedly professional writer, is that absolutely EVERYTHING he does is open to obvious improvements. He writes like a 13 yr old fan. He's just a dreadful hack and this was too flawed to enjoy, again.

[@Neil070]

It's ironic that he appeared on TV as a teenager criticising Doctor Who's writing....karma, what goes around....

[@aliservan7188]

@@Neil070 haha after you told me that I had to look it up. You're not wrong!!

[@CobaltMagmaStudios]

It was an ok special, glad that they didn’t do the clichéd kiss with the fireworks. Sarah and nicks relationship actually felt like it had some solid ground to it, since psychologically relationships whose first dates involve a shared trauma do have a pretty solid base rock to build on.

[@roswheadon]

I can't believe that Chibs wrote an entire episode about running down corridors; run, die, repeat. And why didn't the Doctor regenerate?

[@jonathansim7148]

"But the thirteenth doctor felt so odd in this situation." Not odd, wishywashy, which her charater has been for the entirety of the last three seasons.

[@TheDrummingWarrior]

I think this episode is one of the only one of jodies episodes I’ve actually wanted to watch again by the end. For me it was great to see the Daleks actually being a threat, yes the timeline reset every time but for the first time in a very long time a small group of daleks actually were somewhat threatening instead of the Moffat era trope of having a huge army of daleks present in the episode but never actually killing anyone or maybe only one or two people. As for the Gatling gun design I wasn’t a fan at first but felt it was justified by seeing the incredible speed a which a single dalek could take out multiple people. Not to mention some of the deaths weren’t preceded by the daleks giving exposition some were just no talking and all shooting and some tormenting the victims, which I felt did give the daleks some of that threatening aura back. Not giving the victims time to talk their way out. Of course they did do this at some points in the episode and had stormtrooper aim but at least for some of the episode these daleks gave me series 1/2 vibes.

[@joshuakilpatrick7824]

Yeah I would say this was easily the best Whitaker episode to be honest. It was good fun

[@trav1369]

Can we just ignore 13 and act like she was never anything. Not like she is anyway roll on when she regenerates...

[@BlueSparxLPs]

@@trav1369 Her era may be a lower point in the show overall, but it can't be denied that there have been some real standout episodes in her era that have a place among the greats as well.

[@brianmurphy2521]

What planet r ye on

[@trav1369]

@@BlueSparxLPs all's I see are shit episodes or ones that fuck up the history we all knew and loved

[@hornbeam7131]

I enjoyed it. I liked the character development of Aisling's character which I thought was handled well in such a short time. Some of the cheesy dialog actually made me smile "Daleks do not have managers", "Daleks are never sorry" and I groaned and laughed equally at "Ex-terminated". I wonder if the whole of that aspect of Nick's story was done to allow for that terrible but hilarious pun. I agree the strategy was not clear, I was not sure what the decoy loop actually achieved. By far the biggest problem to me was the fact they kept saying they had minutes, time was running out etc and yet they kept pausing in their tasks to hold forth about their lives and aspirations. On the whole an enjoyable Special 7/10. As for the romance. For such a wise character, ancient and universe trotting individual, the doctor seems 'unaware' of the feelings some of the companions develop for her; its safer and avoids the eventual heartache. I think Dan is the first companion to see through this. I have read people saying they wanted Yaz to have some time as the doctors only companion but I think the addition of Dan (a kindly friend with an outside perspective) was genius. In two sentences he has advanced the whole Doctor/Yaz thing more than in any of the previous 3 series.

[@Waxwing66]

Yes, the sonic screwdriver overuse was something I thought way too much part of the plot. In fact it seems it's actually replaced the Doctors brain. No working out a problem, now just wave a sonic screwdriver at it!

[@christopherkendrick1582]

Gotta say Nick Briggs is an absolute legend. So many doctors, companions and writers have come and gone and he's been here for so long! amazing

[@Reactordrone]

One of the best bits was him saying, "I am not Nick." as a dalek ;)

[@damiengreef1245]

Agree with your points. I wish they’d done more with The TARDIS. When it cracked up I would have loved that the reset had broken time a little so that when they opened rooms in the storage place they led to different eras. Maybe a call back to that tunnel guy. Or a door leading to The Grand Serpent escaping or something.

[@CashelOConnolly]

Best performances for me were Aisling Bea and the wonderful Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle in Father Ted) only she could give such a great comedic performance over a video call to her daughter Sarah (Aisling Bea) some have said they played stereotypes,not one bit! I’m a Dubliner and sometimes when I’m out at the bars she’ll call me this is how the conversation usually goes “Hi mammy,what do you want,I’m trying to get drunk” Mammy: “ that’s grand son but have you got condoms” Me: “yes mammy but you’re Catholic you shouldn’t agree with such things are you going to tell Father Quigley that you’re encouraging me to use condoms” Mammy: “ Father Quigley can go and shove something up his “*@#%” anyway you’re gay and I shouldn’t approve of you but I do because I love you” Me: I love you too mammy,G’night” ❤️🇮🇪

[@markdaly1903]

im a dubiner too this was the highlight of the entire episoide

[@adamtoms761]

Yes, I’d also put it at about 5.5, maybe a 6 out of ten. My groan count has risen sharply since Chibnall. Doctor Who has always been cringey, part of its charm, but some of his dialogue, plot directions, and the way some of it is delivered just gets under my skin. Also completely agree with how nobody knows who the 13th Doctor is, including Jodie. It’s not intentionally mysterious, as Chibnall has, mistakenly in my opinion, dropped a bombshell as regards her ‘true’ origins. It just seems to me that 13 has been written and acted a as generic ‘Doctor’, seeking to adopt the characteristics of those who’ve played the role before her without thinking properly about their place in the universe, motivations, conflicts, darker/lighter side to the character, etc.

[@MutantProductions]

you give yourself much more time to explain your position (or rather I purposefully limit myself in my own reviews lol), but we appear to be in sync - heck we even both mentioned Mummy on the Orient Express ;)

[@ben-tendo]

Tonight’s Doctor Who may have been the best self contained episode of Jodie’s run that Chibnall wrote himself. Jodie’s most quotable speech of her entire run in here too. Why couldn’t Chris have done episodes like this sooner when left alone? I’m not saying it’s an instant classic, but it’s the strongest he’s been I feel for a standalone story. Also, Nick Briggs saying he’s not Nick is Doctor Who moment of the year… as in 2022, I doubt it’ll be topped… 😹

[@joeespin4377]

he's a hack that's why her couldn't/didn't write better episodes. his entire era has been an era that's been more about the message than getting good entertainment out. the message they were trying to get out is one not one single fan wanted or deserved to hear nor should have heard.

[@tommytingtong]

@@joeespin4377 totally agree, pathetic writing and acting , end of …….

[@vgamer42]

@@tommytingtong bad writing but not acting. Jodie Whittaker is an amazing actor it's just Chibnall's bad writing that gives her nothing good to work with in the first place

[@AdamJasper18]

A general rule I feel should be followed with the Daleks is if they shoot at you, you are dead. That's part of what makes them so terrifying and when it's not followed they become a lot less threatening. Also it doesn't really make sense when they miss. The Daleks are a race of genetically enhanced soldiers who are incredibly smart and can scan things in seconds. They also likely use mouse and keyboard, so there's no reason for them to miss. The one time I would allow it would be the moment when he ducks as that was a pretty cool moment.

[@jvblhc]

There was a moment where The Doctor, Yaz, Dan and the two others were in all in a corridor with a Dalek or Daleks shooting at them, and not a single one of them got hurt.

[@ElJohnerino]

Yup, we seem to have lost the fear factor for Daleks - they're supposed to be deadly, unstoppable tanks. As portrayed in S01's "Dalek". There'd be no running around that one like a twat - midsection swivel, FWAP dead. Also, some Daleks don't mouse & keyboard, but they get aim assist so still no missed shots.

[@irrevenant8724]

Yaz's Mum asked her in _Arachnids in the UK_ if she and the Doctor were seeing each other. So she at least seems to be aware of Yaz's sexuality and have no issues with it.

[@tommytucker83]

I enjoyed the episode, it’s one of Chibnall’s better episodes. But it was pretty run of the mill, this would have just been a standard mid season episode during the run of any other show runner since 2005, not a tent pole Christmas special. Kind of says it all about the standard of his time as showrunner.

[@SmartSmears]

The christmas specials are never really that great so I'd say this was a standard festive special

[@commandZee]

Felt like there were no real stakes. I agree, the revelation of Yazz's feelings were the best part, but it felt a bit tacked-on, if only it were built up over several episodes the way Martha's romantic attraction to the Doctor was. It would be interesting if Yazz stays on even after the Doctor regenerates. What if 14 is a man, or a gay man?

[@orangut4ng]

I'm pretty sure the doctor is attracted to women looking at their record but yaz's feelings were rushed and also contradictory to one of the primary components of her identity

[@obiwankenobi687]

@@orangut4ng we all knew Yaz had feelings but the prospect of the doctor having those same feelings for Yaz absolutely came from nowhere. She’s spent the last three seasons shutting her out.

[@orangut4ng]

@@obiwankenobi687 thasmin is just trash

[@markpostgate2551]

I don't know why they are looking to recast the Doctor; at this point the Sonic Screwdriver could go on adventures without her. All it needs is enthusiastic non-sequitors and deliver preachy rhetoric functions and the Doctor is pretty much redundant.

[@billydeeuk]

There was a couple of plot points and pieces of dialogue that really jarred with me during this episode and even on a re-watch: 1. Dan asking “What’s a Dalek?”: Dan knows what a Dalek is. In the episode with The Flux he was involved in the plan to break up the shield protecting earth. He was introduced to the species of The Daleks and so he should know who they are. It was obviously put in for people not familiar with the Daleks, but it made no sense Dan asking that question, particularly when The Doctor had to explain it again to Sarah & Max a couple of scenes later. 2. The gunk and multiple doors being explained as “Flux Debris”. It was a huge deal in The Flux as to why the Tardis was playing up and bleeding. The Doctor was generally puzzled. Fast forward to the start of the NYE episode and she’s all breezy and dismissive of it 3. Dan saying that The Doctor saved The Universe fed in to the idea that somehow the Flux was reversed at the end of The Flux, potentially with the Universe being restored. This is undone by the idea that the Dalek Defence Force still being wiped out. Chibnall introduced a universe changing (literally) event in The Flux and we need to know how much of that damage remains - with the next special taking place both in the past and on Earth, I doubt we will get clarity from it then

[@bobhale7302]

Something DW has in common, and has always back to the Hartnell days had in common, with many other shows is that the potentially massive consequences of one story rarely if ever carry over into subsequent stories and never has that been more on show than here. While Eve of the Daleks is itself not a bad story it follows on from the Flux where the whole point was that the Flux would have consequences - most of the Universe destroyed for a start- and those consequences are hand-waved away in a couple of lines of dialogue. I can accept that the Daleks weren’t all destroyed and they only sent their war fleet but Dan’s line about “she just saved the Universe” just isn’t true in the context of what went before. Most of the Universe was destroyed in the Flux? Oh no it wasn’t. All the weird stuff in the Tardis? Literally, and I do mean literally, reset now so we can ignore it. The massive problem with this episode isn’t actually from this episode. It’s that clearly all the consequences of the Flux are ignored and, on the evidence of this special, are going to continue to be ignored. I do like a time loop story though. (Incidentally if the Tardis was being reset, wouldn’t it be “to factory settings” - ie, back to Hartnell’s Tardis. Now that would have been fun.)

[@thomasnieswandt8805]

Thats the Problem with C.C. he can write good episodes, look at P.S. BUT especally since 12.7 he started throwing stuff in each episode and if felt like "this week we do that, next week we do that", but not for the sake of the show but his ego. "Im the greatest, look what i have done" With hartnell the show wasnt made to have have an impact on next week. It was "This time we meet Nero, next time Napoleon, Marco Polo after that. But the show at some point did reference it. The show started with "real" consequences around Toms eara. The Doctor was fighting bad guys for 10 years so they needed to adress it more often. As for this season. I have said it before. I never was so uninteressted in the overall plot. I mean why would i? We know Jodie stays until the 60th or close to it, so no problems for the Doctor. We know there is another season, so they cant destroy the universe, no consequences here. We know the BBC is looking for the 14th !! Doctor. So no consequences with C.C.s messing of the canon, so there was nothing of this "biggest story ever told" that could mean anything. Some episodes been pretty good, i liked Kevin McNally.... But there has to be a reason, why the BBC gave creative controll to RTD like they did in 2004. They didnt say it, but i guess behind the doors they are like "You saved the show before, please do it again." Tbh, his idea /cowritten by Moffatt, of the Time-War was pure gold, the way he connected classic storys could work this time too.

[@obiwankenobi687]

In RTD’s days stuff actually had impact

[@thomasnieswandt8805]

@@obiwankenobi687 well that what i said, and he went back to classic Who, and his Time War lasted until Capaldi and also Big Finish

[@edenvowles8225]

Exactly this. There were so many chances in this episode to at least comment on what had happened, more than "ah well, all sorted now, never mind." I also love the idea of the TARDIS being reset to Hartnell's, although Chibnall has already ruined that with the whole timeless child thing since we now know the doctor had the TARDIS before Hartnell (Ruth's TARDIS for example). Honestly by this point I just want RTD to come back and reckon the whole thing. I mean I would literally accept "and it was all just a dream" by this point.

[@Dhjjgghjbf]

@@edenvowles8225 yeah at this point i would be happy with rtd retconning the whole thing but, honestly, i dont think it'll happen because it might create tension between the writers if one just completely deletes 3 series of work from the other, not to mention ttc does actually open up for a lot of interesting character conflict that i think rtd could develop on far better than cc. I just hope he can actually make the "bold storyline" actually mean something to the characters and audience

[@heatran1919]

Could've been better, but honestly it was one of the best of the 13 era, definitely top 5. But I do agree that they could've upped the horror angle. At least Dan got some decent utilization

[@paullaing5921]

I liked this episode a lot more than last New Years Day episode where it starred the Daleks for a whole 20 seconds. But I did think throughout the episode that a Dalek with a gattling gun was kind of redundant when a regular Dalek is deadly enough with their little pea shooter. Especially when it was incredibly inaccurate when the plot called for it. Also, I like the classification "Executioner Daleks", it really helps set them apart from the usually happy and fun loving Daleks.

[@tonyjohansson7567]

Great acting skills saved this episode. And the sweet talk between Dan and Yaz was very nice. I liked the episode. A solid 7/10.

[@mjohnstone2399]

I wouldn't go that far a generous 5/10 at best for the idea for the time loop. It's not an episode would rate to watch again.

[@ThomasFishwick]

I am STRONGLY against Doctor romance stories. There have been one or two exceptions (madam Du’Pompador and River), but those were Classic doomed romances from the beginning. The idea of the Doctor and Yaz… To put this in context I’m an old school Buffy fan and my favourite relationship there was Willow and Tara. The two of them discover each other and then themselves. Through that they grow. It’s amazing to watch happen. The Doctor and Yaz does not have that. It feels like a box ticking exercise (even if it’s not). There is something forced in it. It’s certainly much needed character development for Yaz, but not much else. It doesn’t ring true, it’s something that was mentioned back in series 11 on tumbr and hastily thrown together at the last minute (with only two adventures to go no less). Love is love, but this?

[@CutleNoodle]

I feel Yaz's love for the Doctor was done better than others in one particular way. With Yaz, it wasn't something that happened right away, or at least didn't show it was right away. It took time for the love to really be noticed and for the audience to get that confirmation. With other Modern Who companions, I felt they loved the Doctor right away. I especially feel that with Martha, who started pining after the Doctor in the second episode of her being a companion.

[@oliviapanzica8833]

I completely agree! Their relationship is one of the most realistic in doctor who. They start off as friends, Yaz admires her a lot and loves to travel with her, and you can tell from over the seasons that she starts to look at Jodie different. It’s not love at first sight and falling for an attractive alien man (looking at you Martha, Amy and Clara), it’s falling in love with a best friend. I liked seeing Yaz getting more angry with the doctor in series 12 and 13 when the doctor shuts her out. Jodie and Mandip did a great job!

[@cassandra.wladyslava]

I respectfully disagree. It felt like it came completely out of left field to me. Heck, it seemed to come out of left field for Yaz. Lol. What was it she says? “I never told anyone. Not even myself.” Thinking on it…Maybe it’s the execution of the ‘reveal’ that rubs me the wrong way. It felt so…expositional to me.

[@CutleNoodle]

@@cassandra.wladyslava ​I can see that point and and even partially agree. I don't actually think Yaz was the perfect example of love blossoming; I just like that she wasn't *instantly* in love with the Doctor and wish that were more common. One thing I didn't say, because I didn't know how to word it at the time, is that I felt there weren't enough sprinkles. The first time I feel it really shows Yaz has some sort of interest in the Doctor is in "Revolution of the Daleks," which was after two full series and only 7 episodes ago. It feels like it took too long for her to come to the realization and didn't give enough time to show it blossom. Part of me feels that's because Yaz was really underutilized overall. This is something I think the other companions had going for them. I do feel they were rushed a lot, but the stories still made sure to put a little bit of focus on the emotions the companions. As for the "I never told anyone, not even myself" line, I can't really put it into words for whatever reason, but I do personally understand it.

[@baaron7]

At least you saw rose's relationship grow with 9 and 10. There was literally 0 chemistry for the first 2 seasons, then they skip a year ahead and we see none of their relationship growing and all of a sudden she loves her. Don't know where you saw it grow at all.

[@orangut4ng]

Yaz is the type of person to be vegan and eat meat 3 times a week

[@chunktwin1886]

I think this episode would’ve worked so much better as a timeloop involving the Weeping Angels

[@Votterbin]

Assuming something doesn't happen to Yaz in the next two specials, I expect the relationship to play out very similarly to Time Of The Doctor/Deep Breath; I think Yaz is gonna feel betrayed by the Doctor's regeneration and it'll take a couple episodes for the spark to reignite. Part of me hopes Yaz lives at the end of the 3rd special, though, because I think a scene with her and the Doctor fully embracing their feelings for each other just as she regens could -- if executed properly -- be a very heartfelt scene.

[@joeespin4377]

NO we are not going to cease calling out egregious box ticking when we see it. like i said under kareokekids post NOTHING chibs does for this show deserves anything above a -1/10.

[@marineboy1964]

Doctor who running up and down corridors , check out chibnalls response to that in the past

[@stevemc81]

Interestingly I predicted a time loop as soon as the two guest characters were killed off, but I expected it to be Swarm and Azure's time loop running down, oh well! It was a reasonable story, didn't like the interactions between the two guest characters but I can get over that, don't think it needed the daleks to remember to work & having them remember on the loop with the cross fire, would raise the stakes at a late stage. I love your idea of the death countdown. I think we should have had Jeff die in the first or second loop, to show the consequences, which wouldn't change the story.

[@condiment_king1232]

The real question is, who has the worst shot? The stromstroopers or the daleks?

[@BrotherMag]

That depends on the writing lol

[@Jedi_Spartan]

Have Stormtroopers missed shots while their targets ran down a straight and empty corridor like the Dalek here? Also I'm surprised the Daleks weren't painted white because - like Stormtroopers - white Daleks have always had terrible aim, from Imperial Daleks in Remembrance to the Supreme Dalek of the short lived Paradigm. The only exception being the Special Weapons Dalek.

[@monged4life442]

The accuracy this episode was awful. I made a comment at the start that they could only ever hit a target with a fucking gatling gun if it was stood still in front of them and that held for the entire episode... Dan running around the dalek completely fine then just deciding to stand still after they'd chatted for a bit was so dumb. The bit where one dalek was chasing 5 of them down a TIGHT corridor, firing 40 I think I counted shots and ALL of them missing was just ridiculous. Why give them rapid fire weapons if they can't use them to save their lives?

[@callummccubbing4506]

Am I the only one confused here? Like I sort of knew it was going this was between the Doctor and Yaz but there's literally zero sexual chemistry there, I don't understand it?

[@scpatl4now]

So, where did these Daleks come from? Were they not wiped out by the flux? Another throw away plot point. I think we should call these dangling plot points Chibblits.

[@jonnaughton]

They did address this in episode by saying that the Doctor only wiped out the Dalek War fleet.

[@ftumschk]

That plot point was explicitly addressed in the script, when it was clarified that only the Dalek Invasion Fleet was wiped out by the Flux, but Dalek high command (among others?) survived.

[@TheMetalOverlord]

@@jonnaughton Yea but the whole universe except the earth is wiped out of existence by the flux at the end, so where those other Daleks were at the time, to survive the flux? And how they survived? And where they are hiding now, that the universe does not exist anymore?

[@TheMetalOverlord]

@@ftumschk But survived where, if the whole universe is erased by the flux and only earth is left?

[@ftumschk]

@@TheMetalOverlord I don't recall it was stated that ALL the Universe apart from Earth had been obliterated. The Flux had consumed large parts of the Universe, but by no means all of it, as far as I'm aware.

[@thegreygrappler6280]

I don’t understand why the doctor didn’t regenerate

[@TheBrowncoatcat]

Mr. Chibnell is an ideas man, but has difficulty turning those ideas into the full episode. He needs an old fashioned Script Editor. Imagine what Eve of the Daleks would have been like if Robert Holmes had script edited it.

[@magicalmrwest]

I give this the highest rating I’ve ever given a Chibnall episode… adequate.

[@mrericmmurphy]

Thank you for the balanced critique. I think you hit the nail on the head with the whole chibnal era. It’s not that it’s actively bad. There are things to appreciate, but the ideas are always better than the execution. It became aggressively average sci-fi. ‘It takes you away’ could have been a heart breaking meditation on grief and loss, but chibnal added a B and C storyline, and that is his writing style. He adds more for the sake of having more. What would be ideal for the final specials is if he pitches an idea and a good competent writer, they go off to make it, then he doesn’t touch the script. But I’m pretty sure the final specials are going to be more of what we got: good idea, maybe even a brilliant idea, blandly executed.

[@AbruptCanine4]

Awesome review! I recently got into reviewing and this episode was my first! I am glad you brought up the School Reunion line too regarding Thasmin! Awesome review as always! 😍😍🤩💖

[@hornbeam7131]

Did anyone else pick up on the blink and you will miss it Easter egg? The guy watching the fireworks at the station and snapping pics with his phone was Karl the crane operator from "The Woman Who Fell to Earth", played by Jonny Dixon.

[@friday6448]

Tbh I did enjoy the episode but I'm gonna nitpick something that really annoys me: my biggest problem is the fact that the amount of time happening in the episode never lined up with the amount of time happening on screen. Like the time it really stood out was the loop that started at 23:55, Sarah says that she needs to save Nick because he does not survive past 23:55, but then we get a two minute scene where she confesses her feelings about him to the Doctor and the Doctor convinces her to stay in reception while she goes and gets Nick (who should already be dead because it'll now be 23:57), then we get a minute scene scene where Nick encounters the Daleks and the Doctor catches up with him, then she takes him back to reception where they have a three minute talk/planning session about what they are gonna do. Now that might seem fine, assuming there is some overlap between the first talk scene and the Nick scene, it's not unreasonable for six minutes of screen time to represent five minutes of in-episode time. But, that's not the problem, the issue is in the first loop, when Sarah's mum calls her, she says that it's four minutes till midnight, so the call happens at 23:56, one minute after the 23:55 loop starts. So when does the call happen? After five minutes into a five minute loop, Sarah's mum calls her four minutes till midnight at what should be midnight. So you're telling me that five minutes of screen time actually represents one minute of in-episode time. C'mon... It's even worse when you remember that they never make it to midnight except for the last one, so they actually have less time A couple of the loops are like this, the 23:54 one lasts ten minutes, and the final loop that starts at 23:59, the "super important that we work quickly cuz we only got one minute" loop lasts three minutes (it's even worse when you consider that they never make it to midnight except for the last one, so they actually have less time). Again, this is just a nitpick and it is annoying me more than it really should, and ordinarily it wouldn't, but when you put so much emphasis on having so little time and giving us exact minutes as references, it's cheating to then give the characters more time than they actually have.

[@adamburke4738]

You’re nitpick is absolutely on point. It got to the stage where I just couldn’t take the episode seriously, the last minute was more like 2 minutes. For me, the nitpick was that realised it was a loop straight away. I would have been more convinced if it took them three times at least to realise it.

[@TheMetalOverlord]

Do you really expect Chibnall to care about such small details when he can't even make the single main plot of a season working or having sense?

[@KindaKhul0205]

Yaz and the Doctor is a ✅ boxing exercise! Chibnall had three seasons with over 30 episodes to develop this relationship. THIRTY EPISODES! He didn’t. Why? The only explanations are is that it he considered it way back in Arachnids in the Uk but then decided against it. He then saw the shipping on social media and only then decided to make a thing of it in Jodie’s last few episodes. Truly xxxx poor writing, xxxx poor planning and xxxx poor execution. The fact that this was the main talking point of Eve of the Daleks says more about that episode than any in-depth review could . There is a reason that this got the lowest overnights for a Special ever. 3.2 Million tells us the public don’t care about this stuff. They want exciting stories. Over to you, RTD!

[@GordonHudson]

The sonic thing is part of the Harry Potterisation of Doctor Who. It has become a magic wand. Hence the broomsticks in one of the Flux episodes.

[@aliinlondon]

Thanks, dude :) Great stuff, many thanks, & happy new year. I know that when you are again a happy bunny with da'Who I can start watching again

[@benj8460]

I find myself agreeing with you a lot about this episode, so thanks for putting words where I couldn't find some 😊 I wish you'd given us for thoughts and feelings on the return of the Sea Devils though 🙂

[@Rik77]

I think you hit the nail on the head about the 13th character. I do think she is deliberately unconfident at times, very emotional (which she does her best to avoid and manage), elusive. But it doesn't quite come across properly somehow.

[@Myne1001]

I'm glad I have been fully vindicated that the sonic screwdriver is basically a sci-fi magic wand that could disable any standard Dalek gun. I got told by so many people "The screwdriver only blocked the recon Dalek's gun in Resolution because it wasn't fully synchronized with its casing!!!!" and yet in this story its just flat outright said it can to ANY standard gun stick so the Daleks upgraded their weaponry (which I like a lot tbh)

[@allbrave8781]

It actually was slightly suggested that the TARDIS may have deliberately orchestrated the situation, or altered it in some way. The Doctor says to the TARDIS near the end "thanks for looking out for us, if you were." Meaning it did cross the Doctors mind, that the TARDIS had a hand in the events.

[@ealadubh4800]

I had a lot of fun with this episode as a knockabout comedy lark with some great running gags and the cast and crew clearly having a lot of fun. It was a lot more straightforward in structure than usual with one central mechanic given room to breathe without needing loads of technobabble and lore, and the Daleks were played up as straight-men who weren't in on the joke. There's definitely a case to be made though that the time-loop is probably not the best idea to do straight-up sci-fi comedy with as it has so much more potential than that which wasn't exploited. So yes, on the one hand a fun romp in the spirit and vein of The Chase and The Space Museum. On the other, it cribs from The Chase and The Space Museum.

[@ZEPCASTS]

Great acting saved this episode but my god the script was brutal (again). Love how the daleks used to be able to cut through near indestructible blast doors but for some reason in this one it seems to hang outside a thin metal door for 10 minutes before trying to shoot at it

[@Gfreak250]

I feel like what's gonna happen between Yaz and the Doctor is that they're going to have that big moment together and then BOOM, regeneration event

[@TerryOnTuesday]

"...She's not entirely sure what she's doing..." - Well said. She's been clueless from day one. Everything she says boils down to "er, I'm not sure...I dunno."

[@henrya3530]

Yaz and the Doctor's feelings for each other have been hinted at for some time with all the subtlety of a fog horn. The double bed in the Tardis control room (S13,E01) was a bit of a giveaway... For the hard-of-thinking - at the start of that episode it is implied that Yaz and the Doctor have been off adventuring together for some time. They are the *only* people on the Tardis. The bed has clearly been slept in. We know that the Tardis is large with crew cabins/staterooms and even a library and swimming pool so why put a bed for two in the control room unless you want real quick access to one? Even if they aren't as Barry White might say "in lurve", it's obvious they have been sleeping together. Time Lords are notoriously difficult to kill. Why didn't the Doctor start to regenerate after being exterminated? Daleks have also been shown to be difficult to kill. What became of the Dalek remains after the building collapsed? Why is it in Chibnall's Doctor Who that every time the Daleks turn up NO-ONE has heard of them?!? I haven't watched mainstream British TV for many years so I have no idea what other shows the actors in Doctor Who have appeared in. Judging by their performances in this episode I have to say that for the most part the Daleks displayed more personality than anyone else. Nice to see the Sea Devils will be making a reappearance!

[@matthewrobinson5221]

So, Yaz wants to scissor with the doctor...

[@ianresc3615]

It was nice. Aisling alone made sure that it didn't suck, but while I found this special to be above average, which is rather good for Chibnall, I still wonder what happens to all the stuff that happened during the Flux. At least they mentioned some of the things, yet nothing has been resolved. We have two specials left and the trailer for the next one doesn't look like it will do much for the resolution of the Timeless Child, Master, etc stuff. I am "beginning" to think that Chibnall has moved on from that, which would be even worse.

[@legendarypft2124]

Yeah the curse of chibs. 0:37 .I also was thought this was the last story but now learned there are another 2 specials before its over.

[@LostinKateWinslet]

The joke that made me laugh hard was the line about what's more believable: a time loop with killer robot aliens or three council employees working on New Year's Eve. There has been one decent dad joke in each of Chibbers NYD specials and this old man is here for that. As for Thasmin being a tick box exercise? I agree with Rich. Get in the sea with that suggestion. There may be a bit of opportunism in that Thasmin might be Chibnall running after the fan fiction but it's being handled in a reasonably sensitive way.

[@DodgeThatAttack]

i actually think a lot of the problem with people thinking thasmine being a check box exercise is that they have TERRIBLE characterization which makes the whole thing feel unearned. it doesnt FEEL like yaz cares that much, we've just kinda been told that yaz really likes the doctor. i mean, it totally could be BBC check boxes, ive noticed similar things in the past, but this does feel like the intended direction chibnall had... he just fucked it up, like the rest of the series.

[@momzrusso1]

I enjoyed most of the episode but, like you, feel the countdown clock would have made things easier to track. I couldn’t figure out how they came up with the time of death revelation…. The reveal of Yaz loving the Doctor was an “Ugghh” moment for me… another companion in love with the Doctor….

[@deltadom33]

What I find crazy is there sitting in the reception area and waiting for the daleks to show up and then suddenly 3 daleks show up they could have escaped by then if they didn’t have to listen to the drs diatribe. With the time loop going on there was actually more time with each time loop not less . As it would take them time to run around corridors, It is not determined that all the daleks are killed as there is only two or three. By destroying the building . By destroying the building it assumes that all the daleks are in the building. it does not determine whether the daleks have beamed in from a ship or that why they are purely in that building. If the daleks can just beam in from anywhere and knew the time loop they would just simply beam outside the tardis and kill the dr over and over again. As how would the daleks know that the dr is going to be there. There is still the whole question of how much the flux has destroyed the universe as resetting the tardis does not restore the universe.

[@throatgorge2]

3:32 just watched the entire run of the 7th doctor and I don't think I saw him use the sonic screwdriver one time. Similarly, they use psychic paper too much. In the classic series half of the fun was watching the doctor think on his feet to win someone's trust.

[@KeplersDream]

To be fair, the seventh Doctor didn't get a sonic screwdriver until the TV movie. It was written out in The Visitation out of recognition of its being overused as a deus ex machina and an excuse for lazy writing. It should have stayed dead.

[@michaelkeudel8770]

The sonic screwdriver is overused, for everything. Same with the Daleks and Cybermen. The stories are stale because there's barely ever anything new.

[@throatgorge2]

@@KeplersDream I did not know there was a reason for its absence! Is there an episode where he gets it back, or did some writer just resume using it?

[@KeplersDream]

@@throatgorge2 In the story The Visitation, the Terileptil leader shoots and destroys the "sonic device". I believe it was Eric Saward's idea as a shock moment for the audience, he thought the Doctor would just have a drawer full of sonic screwdrivers and simply pull out a new one. However it was decided, probably by JNT, to let it stay destroyed, as it was too convenient to use as a 'get out of jail free' device and its absence forced writers to be more creative. In the TV movie, McCoy simply has a new screwdriver, with no explanation of how (I'm sure there's hundreds of fan fiction books and comic strips exploring it in excruciating detail though). Neither he nor McGann waves it around like they're conducting a symphony orchestra.

[@BrotherMag]

Happy new year 🎉

[@Rik77]

I agree with all your observations. I enjoyed this,but it was just fine. Mainly because the things you highlight are what was missing from moving the story from ok to great. A lot of it was played for comedy, which is OK, but squandered the horror setting. And the idea of people dying at particular times didn't seem to go anywhere. And then I got a bit confused about where they were in the building and why. I think Aisling was the star here, she can turn any dreary setting or scene into a lightning one.

[@cwt_arts582]

I actually think this would have been better as a doctor light episode. Sarah and nick were definitely the best part of this, along with Dan and Yaz. Leave the doctor in the tardis. She was the worst part of this. The sonic and the obnoxious rudeness to everyone was just really unpleasant. Plus, there were at least two of the loops where she wasted most of it talking about nothing, just standing in one room. Why not let the companions have those conversations on the move when running? Rather than just stood around again being expositioned at by 13. Have the conversation with Dan and Yaz when they’re separated from the doctor for the episode. Let Yaz be the doctor figure - she’s met the daleks before. We saw Sarah work out the time moving forward with the phone visuals, but then the doctor just explained it to us in a massive rambling speech. This was one the best doctor who concepts in years - and it was just made messy and frustrating by the 13th doctor.

[@adamburke4738]

It wasn’t even just the Doctor. I thought Sarah was annoying as hell.

[@monged4life442]

Showing that quote of Tennant explain why relationships with him wouldn't work just massively highlights the difference in writing quality now. All we get today is "You know she likes yah, don't you?"

[@DodgeThatAttack]

i genuinely had some enjoyment out of this episode, even though it still has major inconsistencies and other issues. maybe im just dropping my standards because this shit is so universal with the chibnall era, but im finding it easier to look past the 1000s of issues that crop up everywhere. However, i do still have to ask... why isnt nick dead after the loop they said he will stay dead? why do the daleks stop shooting the power out after it worked so well? why did the daleks always give people a chance to run away at the start of a loop? does resetting the tardis mean she just lost her memories? what about other things she keeps in the tardis? do we ever get an explanation for why more doors were appearing in the first place? why is the universe suddenly "saved" ?? it was destroyed before. why did the doctor spend so long to look in the boxes right next to her? if the daleks locked down the building, why could they just run out at the end? amongst others i already forgot yeah on second thought this is still utter shit

[@iainmaynard1]

So, not only did we get to see Daleks that had a weapon upgrade, but couldn't actually shoot for shit, but we saw one stopped in its tracks by an aluminium roller shutter! I've never in all my 44 years as a DW fan seen the Daleks portrayed so abysmally. Terry Nation must have been spinning like a turbine in his grave over this one. Like so many of Chibnall's ideas, it's good, but he hasn't got a clue on how to execute them. There has been so much wrong with his tenure that I would be walking away from the series altogether if it wasn't for the fact he was leaving. I feel sorry for Jodie Whittaker. A good actor, but given nothing to work with. I feel she has never found 'her' Doctor and has been left with doing the odd impersonation of Doctors gone by. I think she spent more time waving the sonic around than delivering dialogue. All blame must be put at Chibnall's feet for this. I fear this sinking ship may have already sunk. I hope RTD has his scuba gear ready, and can get this ship, not only afloat again, but sailing at speed again in a good breeze.

[@Jules_Diplopia]

I would give it a 6, but if the Daleks could beam into this timeloop, why not just beam down to the outside of the warehouse. And beaming in from where? Also the US audience is going to be mighty confused by Dan's reference to Manc's. But I loved it.

[@aaron24wood]

The problem with the time loop concept in something like this is that they don't get enough loops to flesh stuff out. That'll be why the loop itself was about 10 mins in their time, so the episode could squeeze in as many as possible. Which is also why while I like your idea of "you have to survive your death time to make it to the next loop", giving the loop a few mins to allow characters to move from their starting spots, it would have been tantamount to bumping one of every minute or less. As for The Doc and Yaz, I think this is heading for a kiss just prior to the regeneration. That would be the "television" thing to do. Dunno if there's any word on Yaz hanging around after the regen, but it would be interesting to explore. Doubt it will though. Clean slate and all that...

[@danmzungu3427]

I wish that Yas and the doctor that big reveal that dan came out with never happened, because we’ve only two specials to go on a bike time they open up and admit the feelings… Boom… Dr. DAD, and it’ll just be a tragic they never had a chance because I didn’t open up to each other earlier, and it just seems so pointless unless he has carries on with the next doctor, but every previous doctor said I don’t do relationships with companions, it’s just back on the nose of companions falling in love with the doctor

[@harryhughes6124]

It was ok, not great but I wasn’t expecting much of it. Im pleased with what we got, but it did feel a bit rough. However im optimistic as the sea devils are returning!

[@k.stewart007]

Another thing that I think is holding 13 back with yaz. The doctor could literally be someone else tomorrow or the next day. Someone yaz may struggle to bond with but someone who could completely feel differently towards yaz. We saw it with Clara. 11 playfully flirting with her then all of sudden.. "I'm not your boyfriend, I don't want any of that nonsense I don't even see you as a woman anymore" it's so complete for the doctor.

[@marklehossin]

I liked the idea, especially for a “isolated” episode, the way it even tied up the little romance at the end. A bit like “ah another adventure with the doctor” Struggle with the Daleks “learning” but can’t lock on to kill and shoot each other… Too much sonic, why would you need to sonic “we’re in Manchester” 6.8 / 10 for me

[@MartialFitness656]

I would like to doctor to not like yaz like that and doesn’t want to hurt her and also she can’t deal with losing anyone else she loves, i mean the doctor still hadn’t gotten over rivers death by the end of Capaldis run and I’d still like that to be the case

[@baaron7]

I just can't get into anything Chibbers writes. I found this episode extremely boring, but once again, the side characters stole the show. The forced love shit Yaz and the Doctor is so frustrating. The Daleks were boring. It's never explained why those daleks chose to stay behind and, as far as they knew, die from the flux instead of going with the rest of the daleks to the sontarans slaughter. Can't wait to see him fuck up the sea devils next week.

[@Moparinmyblood]

Firstly apologies for commenting before I even watch your review, they're great by the way! I thought it was good myself, but I'm a sucker for a time loop story and I listen to far too much Big Finish.

[@LMC97]

This is a rough 50/50 episode for me. I know quite a few like it and some even call it one of Chibnall's best and that is great that they enjoyed it but I'm quite a nit picker. There were some amazing scenes. The whole TARDIS reset was just FANTASTIC. It looked absolutely stunning! I was honestly expecting a new interior and the opportunity was there. Then they left the TARDIS and not long after, the Doctor brings out her magic wand a.k.a. the sonic screwdriver. I really wish the Doctor would start to examine her surrounds through more clever methods than just relying on just the sonic to tell her. For the Daleks, I was wondering if they were the right villain for this episode. To be fair, being trapped in a building with narrow corridors with just even one Dalek...I know I would be scared and pretty much dead. Though I think if I survived via a time loop, I wouldn't say "I think I was exterminated" like Yaz did as if it was just a paper cut. The new gun is great though I think the Daleks are out of practice when it comes to aim. My biggest nit pick had to be how long that one Dalek took to get through a thin metal shutter door. The scenes with them in the dark were amazing. Just seeing their blue eye stalk emerging from the dark was just chilling. Though I was questioning why the Daleks, who have clearly found their targets, were waiting for their conversations to be finished. I didn't think Daleks had manners. That also brings up another nit pick...why do the Daleks keep talking to their targets? This was something that even Moffat did where the Daleks have their targets cornered but then engage in conversation. I remembered how scary that one Dalek was in the episode Dalek where it just killed without saying anything. It was cold. I guessed correctly that the time loop was being caused by the TARDIS. The "resetting", the cracks were a hint and also I didn't think the Daleks were behind the loop as it wouldn't make sense that the Daleks would cause a time loop when they succeeded in their task the first time. Hunting down enemies as sport feels more like a Sontaran thing than a Dalek thing to me so I presumed it was the faulting time machine that was the cause. Though that might've just been a lucky guess. I wasn't that sure on the ending. I might've missed something. I know the time loop fixed itself and the original batch of Daleks were killed....by fireworks and a collapsing building...what stopped more Daleks coming down to kill the Doctor and company after the time loop had expired? Unless that was all the Daleks which they may have mentioned and I completely missed. So, I would give this episode a 5. It had some great scenes but there were a few things that didn't make sense to me.

[@ShaneDR009]

Nailed it. Watched it on a hot Sunday afternoon in Australia and fully enjoyed the show. But, when you analyse it it doesn’t hold up to scrutiny. Really does sum up the Chibnall era and further frustrates me the Jody isn’t staying on with another Showrunner. So confident she could be truly great if she could he handled correctly.

[@calumchamberlain2861]

I would like to see Yaz and the Doctor express their love for each other. I'm just worried with two episodes left and with Chris's writing it's not going to handled well. I seriously hope that I am wrong romance and relationships don't mix well with the Docotor after all. I do have faith that Jodie will do her best as she has done throughout her time as the 13th Doctor. Hope everyone had a good time watching Eve of the Darkeks and has been able to spend it with freinds and loved ones throughout Christmas and new years :).

[@jannyjan90]

With the Yaz romance I get major Martha or Clara Vibes. In love with the idea of the Doctor but not actually the Doctor. They haven't really spent the time ON SCREEN developing their relationship to where i feel they are mutually deeply connected. All of that development has happened off screen and in adventures we don't get to see and all of their on screen interactions have been snappy and full of friction or have failed to develop Yaz as a character at all. I have no problem with a relationship if it is earnt.

[@simsforever791]

I really loved it. 8/10. Things that brought it down for me was Jodie’s speech needed another once over and smoothened out . I wish there was scene between Jodie and Yaz about their feelings or something. We only have two more episodes left before she regenerates.

[@JDKrug]

I thought it was an okay episode. Not my favorite. The only thing I really want to see happen soon is the sonic written out of the show for a while sort of like how it was done starting with Peter Davison

[@bobhale7302]

Agreed except where you say "for a while" I'd be happier with "for ever". They should get rid of the psychic paper as well.

[@MrProbeNWatch]

The problem with the yaz and doctors relationship both platonic and intimate, is that, we have always been told they're friends but we've never seen it😂. Sure the dialogue tells the audience HEY LOOK WERE GREAT FRIENDS, but they lack the chemistry or development so I didn't even blink. That's why I don't like this, not because the doctor and relationships are EWW because I think the dilemma for the doctor would make a great story, but the fact there is 0 development for their relationship and dynamic.

[@ampersandcastle1091]

I agree, and it’s weird that the chemistry is t really there because the actors have such great chemistry irl!

[@MrProbeNWatch]

@@ampersandcastle1091 yeah, while i have my own personal issues with the acting and performances throughout this era. The dialogue they're given is by no means helping in anyway

[@MrStarbuck27]

I loved this episode, The background cast were very entertaining and I got to see Thirteen and Yaz exterminated several times! 🤣

[@CharlestonRat]

My boyfriend has a question for you: Do timelords regenerate in their sleep, and what would happen if they did? I don't really get what that has to do with this episode in particular - he was just curious to hear your opinion on the matter 😁

[@jvblhc]

In the 1996 Doctor Who movie, the 7th Doctor "died" and then regenerated into the 8th Doctor.

[@woods6720]

This episode was not really my cup of tea but Man the thing that bothers me is that they are still only bronze. It will be even be nice change even if they had a little recolour or a little change to to the design. even if it is not to much. I feel like this cuz they have a diffrent weapon that is more devastating (well maybe not the aim 🤣) they should look a bit diffrent just to show there rank or to show they mean business, not just a gun readjustment like a new tool

[@mr.sentient7344]

Yeah. But every time they do change the design the fandom just bitches about it relentlessly

[@TheAppeyes]

I LOVE time loop stuff, but this didn't do it for me. The fun of time loops is that after 50 times around the characters would take some loops to have fun and mess around consequence free. While the different setup of this one was interesting, it didn't seem to stick to it's own rules/the continuity was off. The first few loops, Sarah and Nick start each one in a slightly different place, indicative of where they were at that time previously. Later on, they have set starting positions on different sides of the building. Also, the first few loops Sarah's mum video calls her, then a few loops later she regular calls her instead. Then there was something about Nick dying and not coming back in the next loop? And for some reason they thought they only had until midnight to get out of it when that was never said. Also, I seem to remember The Doctor saying something to Nick that she wouldn't have known from a previous conversation she wasn't involved in. We also find out that the Daleks are trying to kill The Doctor because she wiped out the war fleet in the Flux. So if we line that up with what happened in 13x06: the Sontarans invite the Daleks to a place to be safe from the Flux, and for some reason the Daleks only send their war fleet, leaving the rest of the Dalek race to die?

[@Myne1001]

The Dalek-Flux bit is some serious Game Of Thrones Season 8 energy. Also I lol'd at Dan saying the Doctor "saved the universe" - did she? I mean she stopped the final wave of the Flux from eradicating everything, but as I recall most of the universe was still gone.

[@TheMetalOverlord]

You also forgot a really big plot hole: Why going outside of the building would save them from the Daleks? They know where the Doctor is and they send more and more Daleks at every loop, meaning that they know about the loops outside the building and that the whole universe was trapped inside that loop, not just the building. So going outside only mean that the Daleks now will chase them outside the building too, why should they stop teleporting Daleks to the Doctor, especially after the loop ended so the Doctor would remain dead, unlike the previous dozen times they actually achieved to kill him in the building? At the end they didn't resolved the Dalek problem, they only escaped the time loop, that was a separate problem from the Daleks, but for some reason the episode treat those two things as the same problem so solving one will remove the other too, for some unknown reason. What should have actually happen is that after they went outside and the building exploded, a dozens Daleks teleport in front of the Doctor, like they always did inside the building, and kill them all for good, because no more time loop. What stopped them from doing so?

[@dazfd]

Think you're spot on, this ep is mix of some great moments and then more boring stuff. And that Yaz line probably the best line Chibb's written for the show, very nuanced for him. And well acted by Mandeep.

[@MrSocrates1979]

Another great review. What puzzled me about this 'Special' was, why didn't the Doctor start regenerating after each death.... ?and that death looks quite painful... would't the ensemble be terrified about the pain about to be inflicted on them? I remember Tom from 'Tom and Jerry' having more emotional catharsis than this lot, and he just-got hit on the head with a frying pan!

[@JohnWilliams-rp2ib]

I personally think that if Jodie stayed on for a series or 2 with RTD as the show runner and better scripts she would shine

[@ViolentStillness]

Thanks! I throughly enjoyed the assessment and you justified your points well! My only knit-picking is please, PLEASE let us pick from 10 options if it is one to ten. I think for most people the differences 6, 7 or 8 is pretty big. Also, otherwise it s one to five with a improper paint job! Otherwise keep up the good work.

[@LostRoswellian]

I for one enjoyed it. Probably a 7 for me. Bit run of the mill but relatively enjoyable. Loved the guest stars. Felt like I couldn't necessarily predict what was coming between them because they were both a bit weird/gruff. Bit I enjoyed the pay off. I actually enjoyed the Yaz/doctor stuff in this episode. I wonder what it would be like for Yaz to finally admit feelings to the doctor, right before she regenerates? And then had to deal with a new regeneration. Felt like the timing stuff was a bit off though. I think they didn't show a clock because it was horrendously inconsistent. They literally had one minute to get to the 5th floor, back down, light it all etc.....nup. At least without the clock you could suspend belief just enough to enjoy it....

[@Kimmybo82]

I like your ideas of adding a sense of more urgency. It felt more of a case of, get it over with and just win already. As for Yas, I have been watching her developing feelings for a while and glad they brought it out in the open. I think that even though Yas and her family are muslim her mum would be supportive. In the hotel episode with the ruddy big spiders I believe her mum asks Yas if her and the Doctor are a thing. It wasn't asked with any negativity behind it. and that there would have been a demand for them to meet the Doctor officially for a dinner. Plus I think the Tardis is secretly rooting for them ... they landed on a double mattress in the first episode of the flux. I know that the Tardis didn't even give Amy and Rory one and they were married. Couldn't 2 single mattress's have worked? Just like the Tardis taking them mostly where she feels is best for the Doctor, she is hinting at them that she approves. My opinion anyway.

[@kevingregory2718]

The biggest flaw I noticed (and I noticed a lot) was this: Why did the Dr never know he could reboot the Tardis from day one? Wouldn't this has fixed the tardis' cloaking problem as therefore we would not need to have a police box always? Though I do love the look. So why does rebooting the Tardis not fix the original problem? Isn't that what usually happens when you reboot? Face it Chibnal has changed just about every Dr Who icon in the whole messed up 3 seasons so amazingly he hasn't changed the police box. I am counting down till he disappears. The other biggest flaw was letting everyone know that there was a time loop unfortunately Chibby could not resist boasting about his great plot. If we did not see it coming it would have built up more suspense. Another failure. But not as big as some of his other pathetic attempts.

[@alexfoxleigh9443]

On an unrelated to this episode note, I think Chinballs has done so much damage now to the continuity of this show that I'm actually glad he left a hook that RTD can use as a 'get out of the Chinballs era - mostly - free card' with the secondary universe. I'm hoping that it turns out that when 12 regenerated into 13 and things went haywire, she actually landed in another universe somehow and that 14 finds a way back into the 'prime' universe where the whole Timeless Child thing wasn't true of our Doctor. Would have to accept a bit of hand waving but I'm game.

[@meganrmarshall]

Not a disaster but also no fireworks (even with actual fireworks). In comparison to previous christmas/new years specials I think it stood up fairly well and Aisling Bea was a delight. I think I'm just struggling to find much emotion over 13 leaving, mainly because she hasn't changed over the course of the series. Her character (whatever it may be) has been a bit stagnant across the series, although this episode's conversation with Dan about Yaz probably showed the most about her ... I was hoping for something à la 10 in School reunion about why she hesitates, even a 'I've lost people' to give a nod to previous incarnations. Whilst she says 'I'm the doctor' in her first episode, I feel like previous incarnations have always spent time figuring out and developing 'who' their doctor is. 13 hasn't seemed to grow really, and that's a shame. But anyway, I'm still here, I don't think i could ever commit to stop watching Dr Who haha

[@Ace_Larrakin_Productions]

My personal review is that *Eve of the Daleks* wasn't terrible (glares at *The Timeless Children* and *The Vanquishers* ) however it wasn't brilliant either. I think the one that suffered the most from poor characterisation this episode was Nick. Now I realise that shared experiences can change people, but having Sarah and Nick as a couple when not 30 minutes of run-time earlier we'd discovered that he had apparently hired a storage locker for the sole purpose of storing items from his hundred or so ex-girlfriends is a bit ... well, not great. Also, having Yaz tell Dan that she liked the Doctor, only for Dan to turn around and out her in the next loop as soon as she was out of ear-shot was not great. I know his heart may have been in the right place due to his experience with Di during *Doctor Who: Flux* but that isn't really his secret to share. Personally I give it a 4/10.

[@thevacuumofcomments2946]

Yeah I was annoyed at Dan too until I realised that the reason he outed her was that he realised the Dr already knew and just called her out on it

[@chrisgorton4577]

I am a 58 year old massive fan of Classic Who. I have never liked The Doctor having romantic involvement. It humanises the character. Reduces the enormity of who The Doctor is. And before anyone mentions The Doctor becoming 'engaged' in The Aztecs, that was simply because The Doctor had shared a cup of Cocoa, accidentally not realizing it's Aztec custom implications. In fact Waris Hussein - the very first director of Who - during a recent interview, really came down hard on the idea.