Why This Doctor Who Episode Is Unfairly Hated

[@HarboWholmes]

Complaints Box: www.patreon.com/harbowholmes

[@konikonitrainerwill5969]

Do you think that RoA wouldve been liked way more if Clara's 101 places to see book or the Doctors memories were what killed off Akhaten?

[@Thrakus]

Do you think the BBC knows they are at 299 Stories in Doctor Who , Will they do something for the 300th Stories , I did not even know just fround out on wiki , did you guys know this?

[@konikonitrainerwill5969]

@@Thrakus really? That might be interesting. Isnt the Centenary the 300th?

[@Thrakus]

@@konikonitrainerwill5969 No. of episodes 870 episodes 299 stories So not yet , I hope they do something for the 300th , All 12 Doctors would be nice , Maybe the first with clips if he is still mad at the BBC over being fired.

[@vullord666]

@@konikonitrainerwill5969 Even if Clara’s character and background had been know more at the time. Think about it from an audience perspective. Clara was a very knew character as a whole. Compare that instead to the Doctor getting vulnerable and sharing memories going back to some of the most iconic moments from Classic Who. I can get what it means and what Moffat is trying to do, but at the end of the day my emotions are going to gravitate towards the character I know and care more about.

[@emperorcubone]

I think the fact that an instrumental version of the song is used during Eleven's regeneration says a lot about this episode! (Seriously, go watch when he "sees" Amy, this song is blaring!)

[@harryvideoz8863]

It’s called Trenzalore / The Long Song / I Am Information

[@beeeeeesbury]

Thats such a great detail! I cant believe I never noticed!

[@velocidellix]

This right here added SO much emotion to both this episode and the 11th Doctor’s regeneration for me once I noticed this. Beautiful how they did it.

[@amerespectator3023]

Song was great, the Doctor's speech was great, even the setup to all of this was very well done, with Clara's skills with kids helping build a connection with Merry while telling us about herself. THe ending, however, feels like a bit of a let down, taking the power out of the Doctor's speech and attempted sacrifice. I do like Clara using the leaf, but having the leaf coming after all of that makes it feel less powerful.

[@vullord666]

Exactly. The episode was fantastic. One of my favorites hands down. A rare moment I loved Clara’s character (she is great with kids and I wish that aspect of her was explored more (with early 12 especially it worked with him having a far more cold demeanor and not being the best with children) but it was only a few episodes in series 7, bogged down by a toxic relationship with 12 and Danny in series 8, and gone in series 9). Some of the best acting from Matt Smith and all of DW. I still get chills seeing that weary old traveler in a young body taking off the mask and just being tired (that was always something fantastic in Smith’s portrayal that Moffat really used to his advantage (especially having the oldest actor to play the Doctor come next)). I loved the alien setting and The Doctor’s little cameo to Susan. It felt like such a classic Doctor Who episode. Peter Capaldi literally states it among his favorite episodes in a fan show. The problem is just the ending. It leaves a very sour taste in the mouth. With endings honestly you don’t need to hit gold. An okay ending people forget and just remember the fantastic beginning and middle (assuming it had that). A bad ending makes everyone forget the fantastic beginning and middle and just focus on the sour taste. It wasn’t even the fact that the leaf was dumb (it kinda makes sense). It was that we got this emotional and historical breakdown of a character we’ve been attached to for decades and it was undermined by the leaf from a version of a character we barely know or care about (or in some cases of fans just kinda hated). I honestly don’t even remember any of Clara’s or the leafs backstory. It just paled that much in comparison to the far more interesting alien background, ceremony, Doctor’s speech, etc. This was probably the biggest problem in Moffat’s tenure in general. Personally, I enjoy his era more than RTD’s, but I think I can see why a lot of people feel strongly in the opposite direction. Moffat had a tendency to fly too close to the sun and get burnt right at the ending. It happened with Amy and Rory, the series 6 finale, Clara, the Series 9 finale, etc. He is such a good writer, but I’d say he often reached too high when an okay ending would have been better. Then a lot of people end up focusing on his endings instead of the fantastic stories told between. Hell Bent is a major stain on Heaven Sent for example (and itself, because it had such a great beginning).

[@mrafton9457]

If the Doctor was going to definitively die, this would have been the sort of speech I'd expect of him.

[@danielayala6067]

That's because the powerful moment WAS Clara's, not the Doctor's.

[@amerespectator3023]

@@danielayala6067 it should have been all hers, then. Not split between the two of them.

[@White.Rabbit.Productions]

@@vullord666 completely with you there mate. Clara's leaf undermining the Doctor is such a kick in the teeth. He's a frickin Time Lord, has lived through THE TIME WAR and everything, and obviously infinitely more potential than Clara (because he would outlive her). The story just doesn't know how to resolve itself. Does the song stop Akhaten? No. Does the Doctor? No. Clara? Apparently yes :P

[@blue_eyedfloozy]

I’ve been out of the fandom for years so I didn’t even realize this episode was so hated. It was actually always one of my favorites of 7B and I was so disappointed when the rest of the season didn’t match up

[@Comicbroe405]

I always thought it was popular cuz of 11's speech lol

[@Luke-fu5co]

Honestly i loved the leaf conclusion, not only was sentimentality a huge theme in the episode, but defeating the villain with all the potential of what could have been was really poetic since it had taken away the potential of what could have been from all of the children that had been sacrificed to it. The Doctor was just feeding into what already was happening, no matter how poignant his speech was, focusing on nothing but the past was what fueled all of the harm, but looking to would could be was the solution. Its a really good critique of not just religion but just how a lot of people live their lives. I genuinely didnt know that this was considered an unpopular episode tbh, it works so well, people just take any opportunity they can to hate on Clara which i really dont get because there is plenty of things to critique the character for but this really isn't one of them

[@stephjovi]

It just fits.since sentimentality is literally the currency of this civilisation

[@irrevenant3]

It also works so well IMO that they defeated a parasite that fed on stories by feeding it a story about infinite potential.

[@janAlekantuwa]

Rings of Akhaten is one of my favorite episodes. I love the music, the mythology behind the Sun-singers of Akhet, the setting on the rings, The Doctor's speech, the massive amount of alien species, the way The Doctor joined in with The Long Song, the power of memories, the throwaway line referencing Susan, Clara's dynamic with both The Doctor and Merry Gejelh, "We don't walk away," the Vigil, the power of song, the value of memories and sentimental objects, Clara's sacrifice, literally everything is perfect

[@Drp_br_]

Ngl was so happy The Doctor mentioned Susan.

[@jamesalflattsbarkingmadpro3480]

I wish the long song was played when he regenerated

[@richardmillhousenixon]

This episode has always had a special place in my heart. I lost my father just a week into 2019, only a few months before I graduated high school. I never realized why this episode meant so much to me but your review really explains it all. Great job P.S. I am legally obligated to say "First comment"

[@josefschiltz2192]

I lost a good friend - who happened to be a Whovian as well - on that very weekend. This would have been the last episode he saw. He went very suddenly with an aneurism.

[@y_fam_goeglyd]

I'm so sorry for both of you. Such losses must have been very hard. My parents are gone, too, so I've been through the grief as well. Take comfort from wherever you find it, and don't be afraid to grieve even now if you need to. There's no time limit. Much love to you both.

[@richardmillhousenixon]

@@y_fam_goeglyd Thank you, man, same to you as well. People say "time heals all wounds" but it's not time that does it, it's the people you meet and the things you do that help you heal.

[@Westonator2005]

This episode is just amazing to me. The Doctor's speech to Akhaten is one of the best speeches in the entire show to me. Easily one of the best episodes of Series 7.

[@Drp_br_]

I really love this episode of season 7B Matt smith’s speech. The mention of Susan The visuals The monsters The story The costumes, ect. I just fricken love this episode of Matt’s era

[@xylasatanari525]

Watching this episode and hearing those beautiful speeches with the Long Song behind them used to be a New Years tradition for me and my family. I'm surprised that a lot of others hated it. I feel like they missed the point

[@agm5424]

This episode always reminded of the french comic Valerian and Laureline due to all the similarities. Lots of weird and unique alien races mingling together in a basic way like just shopping in a market, technology with a retro-futurism aesthetic, a sense of mystical and wimsical wonder, alien religions, a sense of antiquity and an actual cosmic entity.

[@X08-Chill]

I'm so surprised but glad to see the love for The Snowmen, The Bells of Saint John and The Rings of Akhatten, I love all three episodes and I understand everyone has their opinions but 7b smith era is honestly underrated af

[@X08-Chill]

@renideo 7 is in aspects weaker than many other series, however for me it's better than all three Chibnall series and possibly Series 2. The concepts are good, Smith is great, it felt fresh after series 7a and although some episodes are just alright or definitely weak I particularly enjoy the opening trilogy of 7b along with Day of the Doctor

[@Jordan_brothers]

Series 7 is actually one of my favourite series. Theres so many solid to spectacular episodes and episodes like cold war feel very classic who which I like.

[@X08-Chill]

@@Jordan_brothers Nice, which is your favourite episode from the season?

[@Jordan_brothers]

@@X08-Chill either the snowmen or rings of akhaten. I also think cold War is very underrated

[@jockturner1547]

I don’t understand the dislike of Season 7B. Matt Smith is at his absolute best in that’s last half. I feel like this is really where Matt came into his own as the doctor. Truely understood who this version of the doctor was. It’s also filled with some great episodes and being only half a season it’s left a rather large lasting effect for how little episodes it really is.

[@sanddagger36]

18:43 In a later episode, the doctor wants to know why a house is being haunted so he goes throughout history taking pictures of an astronaut trapped in tidbits of time. When Clara realizes what he is doing she gets angry that for him everything that could ever happen has already happened for the doctor and every person he has met or will meet is already dead as far as he is concerned. Here he did essentially the same thing with Clara's whole life. Her claim that to the doctor everyone is a ghost hits a little harder when you realize he has watched her grow up from the shadows and potentially will outlive her.

[@goldengear1000]

My problem with this episode isn’t that the leaf’s sentimentality being a powerful force doesn’t make sense, because it does. My problem is that it doesn’t make sense for it to be enough to overpower a literal planet-sized god. Like, there have to have been other people who gave up mementos of loved ones that died young over the past millions of years, right? There’s no way Clara was the first to do that.

[@rebeccalambeth3427]

I like most of the episode, particularly the ending song/speech. It definitely has its moments. My only major criticism of the episode is we never find out what happens to the surrounding people/planets after that planet is destroyed because surely that would have an impact/consequence on anyone who'd been living near it.

[@Jordan_brothers]

I feel like this happens a lot in doctor who though. A lot of episodes are left without seeing the aftermath.

[@mellowthebear]

I when the sun (?) Planet was destroyed I just felt, oh no how will he save everyone now? And he didn't. Surely if they live there ans that is their closest sun, everything will die on those planets surrounding it, how can anything grow... I don't know, thr ending disappointed me but I liked the episode other than that.

[@Robertbuccellatobooks]

Actually watched this episode for the first time last night. I loved it. Clara’s speech at the end made me cry like a freaking baby. As an adult who lost his own mother too soon, I think the grief and hope she conveys was handled wonderfully. Personally it reminded me a lot of Tom baker’s first few serials (some of my personal favorites) it’s a wonderful introduction to the Doctor’s world for a new companion. I completely agree with you about Clara, I think she is a great character and her chemistry with her doctors is magical. I don’t get the criticism people have for this season. I’ll be honest when it came out I had just graduated college, got married, moved into a new house, and started a new career. So there wasn’t much room for Who. But I love your channel and it inspired me to watch this missed season. I completely agree with your assessment. 7A does not deserve the praise it is given. 7B is a huge breath of fresh air and a great return to form.

[@harroldinab]

What I dislike about the leaf thing is that these people have been giving Ahkaten objects of sentimental value for millions of years. No way none of that was more special than Clara's leaf.

[@adamsullivan1576]

I think I would've liked the ending better if they had made it seem more like both the doctor and Clara defeated akatan together. Like the doctor with his memories being of all the adventures that have happened, and Clara's leaf being all the adventures they're going to have. Past and future finally overwelming akatan

[@Redboots]

man. the rings of akhetan was the first episode in my current era of watching dr who that I saw when it was first broadcast and having watched the snowmen and the bells of saint john earlier that day I could not wait to watch it and I absolutely credit this episode to me falling in love with the show

[@dalekcaan99]

God I am glad you agree, this is one of those episodes I have never been able to understand the hate for. Always been one of my favourites. Im not much of a fan of all of Clara going forward, but this episode was always brilliant.

[@matreimer]

The song is actually amazing, the grand orchestration of the main theme is my personal favourite in the doctor who series, and I love how they bring the same theme back in Matt Smith’s final episode before he regenerates. It’s so powerful in that moment. I love it so much.

[@Kolya-chu]

🥹 this video actually moved me to tears. I love Clara in this episode and 7b, and I thought I was seeing something where there was nothing. But you picked up everything the episode put down and engaged with it like me. I love when Clara is comforting the queen and she describes feeling lost: “my heart broke, the world ended.” That’s how scary the world is. I remember getting lost in Target a couple of times when I was young. And sometimes that’s how pain feels now that I’m older. When my dog died almost a year ago, my heart broke, my world ended.

[@jayloren7029]

I like to think the doctors memories made the parasite incredibley full so it stopped but when Clara presented it with the infinite possibilities it got greedy and ate until it couldn't, it took both of them

[@iaincoe]

I like to think of the rings of akhaten as an allegory for writers and their audiences. The people are writes giving the most personal and intimate moments to their art and their audience. The planet is the audience always hungry and never satisfied. Don’t know if that is what Moff was going for but I like it.

[@flo4223]

Ooooh, I really like that theory!

[@uhmyself11111]

I think the worst part of this episode is the Doctor ending his grand epic speech and using the word 'baby'. I can't help but cringe a little.

[@MrApplelovin]

People say this is 11's key speech but I honestly find it way too predictable and don't find Smith's delivery very convincing, he is just shouting by the end and doesn't quite carry the emotion the words should be able to hold

[@saintarkweather]

For me the line that I cringe at is "I have seen things you wouldn't believe". It was so generic compared to the rest of the speech which felt more personal to the doctor's character. I feel like any movie/TV main could've said it. It also happens late into the speech and it kind of kills the momentum of it because the rest of it feels like a great buildup.

[@therealpbristow]

@@saintarkweather Also, that line invites comparison with another famous big speech, from "Blade Runner", which was much more powerful, despite (or partly because of?) being spoken very quietly. Matt does get some great speeches, but after a while it seemed like the big speeches were becoming a habit, and some of them should have been trimmed back a bit - Especially this one!

[@emperorholocron8278]

16:47 Do they? Do the Doctor’s experiences lack sentimentality? Losing countless loves of his life? Rose? Sacrificing Donna’s knowledge of him? His children and grandchildren dying? Jenny? Having to commit genocide on his own people? Even recently having lost Amy and Rory? Does that lack sentimentality? Really?

[@Spoot401]

The tear running down his face must've just been for show rather than an indicator of how much he cared about these memories and how they made him feel.

[@White.Rabbit.Productions]

Exactly. Honestly Harbo's really scraping the barrel for excuses now. The Doctor is way more sentimental, experienced and travelled than Clara. But her stupid leaf trumps his epic existence. Ugh

[@RoyalKingOliver]

I like this episode Sue me Edit: To people criticizing whether or not the lead is the “most important leaf in the universe” let me put you with this. That leaf is what paired Clara’s parents together. Clara’s parents gave birth to clara. Clara becomes a companion to the doctor and helps him with his adventures. The Doctor is someone who practically saves the world/Galaxy/universe so often people forget how much it happens. The doctors life is threatened by the great intelligence who splits himself into the timestream to kill the Doctor. If the doctor dies he wouldn’t have saved so many worlds, people and the entire universe so many times. Clara is the one who saves the Doctor. And even if you don’t like the twist, it all works out because it’s good set up and pay off. And where did all of this come from? That leaf. It has a lot of sentimental value, but it’s also really, really important to everyone in general.

[@ashleytuchin7693]

That's actually a really good point. I've never considered the leaf's importance in the wider context of things.

[@rileymartin2202]

I felt the leaf having been the all the infinite potential to defeat the planet thingy was great as it showed how not even the doctor after a great big speech can defeat someone on his own he needs help and having practically infinity to aid him shows just how durable the thingy was and how our late loved ones can still impact us in the future in many ways more than one

[@Slowburn_-lk4oh]

Both season 7a and 7b were what made me grow past doctor who a bit but this was one of the only episodes I remember enjoying

[@ColorOfSakura]

Rings of Akhaten is easily my favorite episode of Series 7 as a whole -- its such a good introduction for Clara and such a great modern DW story. Thank you so much for acknowledging how important Clara's speech at the end of the episode is. I've always felt her speech was more important and much better than the Doctor's speech and so many people hate it. Also Clara's comment at the Doctor at the end of the episode is so brilliant in terms of her claiming her own agency and calling the Doctor out on his fixation of her as an object or puzzle. "If you want me to travel with you, that's fine. But as me. I'm not some bargain basement stand-in for somebody else. I'm not going to compete with a ghost." So good.

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

Gotta love that this episode features notorious author Mick Lewis as one of the Vigil. Wasn’t always a fan of this episode and found Neil Cross' other Series 7 story, Hide way more interesting.

[@MrTambourineMan.]

I didn’t hate this episode and the speech at the end was brilliant acting by Matt Smith. However, it perfectly incapsulates Doctor Who during the Clara years. Her memories are somehow more important than The Doctors for this alien, even though he’s lived thousands of years and seen the craziest stuff. The lighting is excessively dark and makes it hard to see what’s going on. And parts of the episode feel disconnected.

[@magica3526]

it's not her memories, it's cut off potential

[@Bacbi]

@@magica3526 I'm fully aware that there is a 90% that this is possibly just my own head canon when I did my first rewatch years back. I just got a feeling that the Doctor was actually confused as to why it worked and made up an explanation he didn't necessarily fully believe himself. But didn't want to be rude or ruin the moment for Clara. And that the real reason actually was because she was scattered all over the timeline, and while he didn't know it at the time, he did figure it had something to do with meeting her again. I mean if it isn't I understand what they were going for, but we are meant to believe that this is a fairly devoted religious place, you mean to tell me that is the first time someone had tried giving a similar offering in the history of that living planet?

[@TheWhovinerd-1963]

I absolutely love this episode and have never really understood why people hate it so much. I think it is an amazing story that despite its simplicity and goofiness manages to inspire and engage the viewers. The doctor in this story is perfect serving as more of the side character because the main character of the story is Clara. This story proves that Clara really does have character to her. She’s clever and inspiring she’s in many ways exactly like the Doctor. The first thing she does when meeting the queen of years, despite not knowing her at all is comfort her, she has no idea who this girl is or what she is like but she comforted her. This is exactly what the doctor would do. I think the use of comedy in the episode doesn’t even really detract from the story it works effectively. The songs and speeches are awing and heart warming, keeping the viewers engaged. The speech’s from the doctor and Clara are amazing and the performances from both actors are immaculate. Ik people mock the leaf 🍁 a lot but that’s because they don’t understand that it’s not literally the leaf that defeats the monster in the story. It’s the symbolism behind it. The leaf is a representation of Time itself and Clara’s life. The creature feeds on memories so Clara gave it the leaf which represents what happened, what could have happened and what could never be. And I like how it’s not the Doctor who saved the day ( which can be a common problem in new who with the Doctor always saving the day) It adds so much more to Clara’s character and the dynamic between the madman in his blue box and the impossible girl. Overall I love this episode as it’s a sort of comfort story for me. I give it a 10/10 from me. You may disagree and that is alright to each their own as they say xx

[@russelltietjen4407]

I was going through the motions with Doctor Who at the time of this episode's airing. Series 6 and 7 weren't doing it very much for me and I was kinda just watching out of habit at this point and because the 50th was coming up. However, by the end of this episode, my love for the show was suddenly reinvigorated and it kept me going for the rest of the year! During lockdown last year I rewatched all of NuWho and was ranking the stories of each Doctor and the Rings of Akhaten was head and shoulders above the rest my favourite 11th Doctor story. Even if it's apparently one of the lowest rated episodes of the show, there's no taking that away from me.

[@BINACmini]

The very best part of this episode is the music. Murray Gold went all out.

[@batmanbeyond5766]

so are we not going to talk about how Clara's mother died in the Auton attack of season 1

[@ashleytuchin7693]

This is one of those rare times when I actually agree with your controversial oponion. I've always liked this story and absolutely love the Long Song speech, which is one of my favourite moments in all of Who history. I have no idea why people don't like it.

[@TheMutantCreeper]

I always thought that this episode was good. The song is lovely and the interactions between The Doctor and Clara were sweet. Clara’s backstory was nice too. I never knew it was bad until recently.

[@Rudromukherjeenerv]

This is genuinely one of my favourite episodes of Doctor Who! It's so beautiful, both in the imagery (That shot of the Doctor, almost in silhouette, bent down in despair, with the burning planet behind him is an iconic image!) The wonderful speech he delivers, followed by Clara's "leaf" speech and of course Murray Gold's phenomenal soundtrack! The Long Song is so haunting and melancholily, it perfectly describes the tone of the story! I have no idea why people wouldn't love this episode! I suppose haters gonna hate! Also, a very young Emilia Jones as the Queen of Years! It's a 10/10 from me!

[@wcapewell3089]

I really liked series 7b, im always going back to it when i look at my doctor who boxsets. I think it has matts best costume, clara is a great companion, and the stories are really interesting.

[@PrinceOfWhatifsGG]

Ima have to disagree with the leag thing, how about all the days the doctor couldve had with rose or donna, those infinites also apply to him litteraly losing his whole world, the most important leaf in history is a huge stetch, the doctor is 1000s of years old and might never even die and his whole existence is a paradox considerng he has a time machine, he stared into the time vortex for christs sake, that leaf shit just doesnt work

[@IK-11-l1m]

I am here since season 1 reviews and waited for Clara’s run patiently. Now this updates make my day. Thank you!)

[@luxage595]

I had no idea people hated this episode.... I actually loved it. It's one of my favorites

[@KhuestionableDecisions]

I think the leaf ( 17:01 ) is a great ending for this episode (despite making little sense) because it’s thematically very fitting. The episode is sentimental and feels more like fantasy than sci fi, so like any good fantasy story, theme is more important than logic.

[@gregf9160]

What's so bad about it? I literally don't have any memory of it. At All. I watched it -- that I remember -- but have _no recollection at all_ It was _that_ "memorable".

[@NotAgnor]

Clara actually said the leaf was what worked because it had infinite potentials and the Doctor said one infinity is too much for the gods appetite

[@Jordan_brothers]

"Are you joking it's massive" always makes me chuckle

[@yeet-qi7ys]

ive watched series 6 multiple times and i literally can’t remember anything about the plot in this episode. just that there was an important little girl and matt smiths brilliant performance and speech

[@rileymartin2202]

Probably because this is series 7

[@yeet-qi7ys]

you know what, that’s a very very good point

[@White.Rabbit.Productions]

Yeah the ep looks visually great but the story is very confused. The music's great and so is Matt Smith's speech but that's it.

[@pedroxqui]

This is one of the cases were your explanation and analysis are better than what the episode presented itself

[@malakai9738]

The thing I've noticed is that, even though loads of people think 7 is the worst series, there's no consensus on the episodes themselves. I think Doctor Who fans need to go back and watch this series again, and they'll realise how many good episodes there are, and it'll be better than they remember

[@brobs0463]

This episode took space opera too literally. And I love it

[@TheHufflepuffSaint]

This is a long shot but I like the reference on Ellie's grave date of passing being; 9th March 2005. Not only when the show rebooted but it's possible that she could've got killed during the Auton attack in Series 1. It's a little link and open to interpretation but I think it's a good little theory. And I agree with what you said about some people seeing Clara as just the story arc item for the season rather than an individual character. I honestly prefer this version of Clara before we get Series 8 and I really wish we could've had more of Jenna and Matt instead of just half a series and two specials.

[@jbcatz5]

There’s a DWM comic strip storyline from the Twelfth Doctor period iirc where the Doctor and Clara meet another echo of her. This aspect of the character is something one of the New Series Adventures novels could have explored, a more thorough examination of what these alternate Clara’s go through in terms of identity crisis with meeting the Clara Prime.

[@lazulenoc6863]

I really liked this episode I felt like it was doing exactly what it intended to do and I love the marketplace scene. Edit: the "creepy monsters" at 6:00 look a lot like they have the similar heads to the Shades from "mission 2110".

[@Ryysight]

This episode is one of my all time favourites because for me it really focuses on the strengths of The Doctor and Clara, it showcases their capability as individuals, The Doctor's speech was Matt Smith's character highlight, Clara as the companion added so much to the story and demonstrated her independence and strength and I must add... it's nice to see how popular Clara has become in hindsight considering she initially received mixed reviews from fans, looking back she was an absolutely solid companion

[@calumgardner7793]

100% agree with all of that (and that's not something I say every single day). To me, Rings Of Akhaten actually has all the tasty ingredients you could want in a great Doctor Who episode: spectacle, heart, mystery, (intentional) nightmare fuel, powerful speeches, a great score, all of which it just about nails (maybe at times by the skin of its teeth, but even so). Plus it's so refreshing to hear & see Clara getting a bit of praise as a character & person for once, to me Jenna Coleman always did a really good job with her throughout her entire run on the show, and this episode is no exception. Not to mention you're totally right when saying it proves she's so much more than just the plot device for Series 7 most people unfortunately see her as

[@person-hq2xq]

I've always loved this episode partially due to nostalgia as it was the first Smith episode I ever saw, but I also love it for every reason in this video and if anyone says Clara has no character I say watch rings of akhaten

[@nero294]

I always liked the theory he hangs his head at the end of the speech because a small part of him wishes that giving up his memories meant he would forget the pain but that didn't happen.

[@wiki_learner]

I honestly was shocked to hear people didn't like the Rings of Akhaten! I remember when I was in my early teens and watched Doctor Who without any fandom in my ear. Rings of Akhaten was a favorite episode of mine, easily rewatchable and enjoyable. Made me cry every time, with music and motivation that I needed. It's a stand out episode and one of my favorites in all of New Who. That's what I've thought of this episode at least. The Long Song is one that never fails to brighten my mood.

[@tomnorton4277]

Clara would have been an excellent mother. I don't think she can give birth after what happened in Hell Bent but she has wonderful maternal instincts and mentioned in Kill the Moon that she'd like to be a mum. Merry is one of the most underrated one-off characters in Doctor Who history. Nobody talks about her but Emilia Jones, who was only 11 years old at the time, managed to share the screen with Jenna Coleman and Matt Smith without being overshadowed by them. She could have very easily faded into the background and been more of a mcguffin than a character but the kid has screen presence. If she could pull off such a good performance as a child, imagine how good she is now. I wish Clara and the Doctor had gone back to see her at some point in Capaldi's era, after Capaldi grew out of his sociopathic arsehole stage.

[@abenerice]

The rings of Akhaten is my favourite espisode of all Doctor Who series. - The music is amazing, always makes me cry, - The story is beautiful and moving, yes is is more fairy-tale, it appeals to our childhood soul and that's great ! - I like the idea of sentimental value exchange. Like everything in this episode, it's original and exotic - The setting is beautiful, those many aliens are amazing, really completely unfamiliar - Clara is immensely moving, as a compassionate, dedicated character willing to sacrifice herself for protecting a little girl I have always loved Clara as a character : intelligent, compassionate, and daring, and having flaws like any great hero - but espcially, selfless and dedicated to doing good. I always wished there were more episodes with her and 11th. At any rate, I wish there were more episodes like this one, titilating our Sense of Wonder.

[@hannahborel6135]

I never knew people hated this, its the perfect first adventure for a new companion imo

[@irrevenant3]

_Rings of Akhaten_ is the first episode since _End of the World_ - and maybe the *only* episode other than _End of the World_ that really gives you that feel of a cosmopolitan galaxy filled with a wide variety of weird and wonderful alien beings. I so wish there was more of that in the show.

[@Not_An_EV]

I always loved the line from the episode "it's big" "I've seen bigger" "really?" "Are you joking"

[@themasterofterriblecgi5498]

I have never understood why people hate this episode so much. It is one of my top 10 favourite Doctor Who stories, Classic Who included. As for people saying Clara lacks personality in 7b, I absolutely agree with you that they are wrong. I fact, I much prefer her in 7b to her in the Capaldi era, though she was still great in those seasons too.

[@Jan12700]

Wait, this is a planet? Thought the whole time it was a star (a brown or red dwarf)

[@kenthomas505]

Me too! it looks like a star with a face on it. Didn't think it was a planet at first. 😅

[@__keys]

This guy trying his hardest not to say "maternal" oml

[@alisonjane7068]

i appreciate the ambition behind the episode, and i don't hate it, by any means, and it is certainly beautiful to look at, but i just find it overwrought and kind of boring towards the end.

[@timeladyclara]

How anyone can hate this episode just baffles me. This is one of my favourites in the entire show because it's not only a gorgeous story about loss and turning grief into something powerful, but it also makes the DW universe feel so real and lived in the way the OG Star Wars trilogy managed to do so effectively. Akhaten is such a brilliant setting and this is the episode that convinced me Clara would be a phenomenal companion. I love everything you said about it.

[@jamesalflattsbarkingmadpro3480]

Wow, just in this episode, you've made me change my view on her a but more, I've remembered what I thought about her at first before the capaldi era , than for reminding me with that memory of how it felt watching this episode. This episode made me feel that same as you

[@firesword9561]

This was my first episode of Doctor Who. Everything about it drew me in. All the aliens, seeing the tardis for the first time, and even the sonic screwdriver. One of my personal favorites.

[@Addy0302]

13:32 If I had a nickel for every time a sun was evil in DW, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice

[@AxelaxiB]

After watching the Name of the Doctor Always assumed that the leaf also carried the power of her being spread across the doctors timeline since this is the Original Clara that will eventually do that so this leaf really is full of not just sentiment but is also almost infinite itself.

[@meedabuhuh3084]

Actually just came from listening to the episode soundtrack 💀 but I actually liked this episode, never understood why it was hated. Yes, the doctor speech trope is overused, but this is one instance where its still incredible.

[@tomnorton4277]

I have a vague memory of the first time I watched The Rings of Akhaten. I wasn't hugely impressed on my first watch but then I rewatched it, I think later in the same week or perhaps even the same day, and I loved it. It's a criminally underrated episode.

[@anoNEMOs]

I keep finding out my favorite episodes are hated

[@stephjovi]

Is there anyone who doesn't love the long song? It's so beautiful. I love the prom version. Glad you finally have something good to say about an episode

[@Logan_Irrelevant]

The Doctor’s speech alone puts this episode leagues and leagues above anything else in season 7. It’s the best scene Matt Smith ever did in the show, and I would say the best speech we’ve ever gotten.

[@jacobnothnagle9978]

Really enjoying these series 7B reviews. This is the series that essentially hooked me on the show. I agree with your opinions on these so far. Rings is one of my all time favorite episodes. The whole wild alien vibe mixed with a full on sing along is so odd it just totally works for me. Enjoying the reviews. 😃

[@ShaneB24642]

I always thought that the planet at the centre that was alive and had a face was actually a star that heated up and illuminated the city on the asteroid (I suppose I never paid attention to every time anyone mentioned it was a planet in the episode becuase i thought it was a star from the very first time I saw it at the start of the episode) So when it disappeared after feeding off of the Doctor and Clara's memories I thought that, in reality, the asteroid city would lose its source of light and heat and the inhabitants would slowly die out or have to seek shelter from the cold and darkness despite the fact that the episode made it out to be a happy ending and victory for the Doctor and Clara in that episode. Also, as you said without a planet or star to orbit around, the asteroid and all the rocks and fragments that used to surround the planet would just drift aimlessly through the vacuum of space, something that would likely vastly alter the civilisation on the asteroid alone in addition to them losing the planet they used to worship. Otherwise, I understand this is just an overanalysis of a few unimportant details in the episode that don't affect the actual quality of the story of the episode as a whole. I really enjoyed it myself and it still gives me nostalgia even to this day.

[@danom3572]

The alien market/bar has been a trope since starwars but hardly ever in dr who, i really loved the actual location they created, it was the character, the "god" being a sub plot.

[@tomnorton4277]

Jenna Coleman was 26 when she did this episode and still managed to look like a 16 year old during the flashbacks. She also played a schoolgirl on Waterloo Road when she was 23 and an 18 year old Queen Victoria when she was 30. People even complained that she was too attractive to play Victoria when she was cast. Time barely seems to affect her. Jenna's even mentioned that people often compare her to Christina Ricci, who also seems to age very slowly. I saw a picture of a pregnant Christina while she was 41 and she still managed to look like she was in her late teens or at most her mid twenties. It took 4 decades and 2 kids for her to finally start visibly ageing. She and Jenna should play sisters at some point because, despite Jenna being British and Christina being American, you could swear there's a family resemblance. They've both got excellent genes even though they aren't from the same bloodline.

[@scorb-]

This just goes to show how much of a pedant I am, but one of the things that always bugged me about this episode was the gravestone being Calibri, even though the font was released in 2007. Even despite that, it'd be an odd choice for a gravestone font. Yes, I am fun at parties.

[@DivineDefect]

I would definitely say the doctor's memories of his adventures have more sentimentality, the countless days that should have been that were lost due to the loss of a companion, or the apparent destruction of gallifrey, would have fed it, but those countless lost days weren't what Akhaten was feeding on because that wasn't brought up.

[@lucypreece7581]

For me the final Speech is Matt Smith it his finest. you are hooked on every word and you are feeling every single emotions he is feeling. This is a good episode and it looks beautiful throughout. oh and love the little Alice In Wonderland quote that is snuck in there. Yet again I say the Clara/Smith era is underrated and over hated. It has a lot of solid episodes in and this is a solid episode. for me it's a strong 8 out of 10 in my ranking. Not brilliant but perfectly enjoyable to watch and has the golden moment with the speech.

[@adamharvey907]

My problem with it is the doctors speech is so powerful and one the best in the series but then gets undercut by Clara and a fukin leaf, wtf is that about, she just chats shit about infinite possibilities in a leaf, like that is not a powerful as the doctors emotions and experiences idgaf Clara ruins an amazing scene

[@batmanbeyond5766]

boring fact: this was the first episode of doctor who I ever watched

[@matty_mls]

Im intereseted to see your opinion on cold war, as one of my favourite series 7 episodes

[@jeremy1860]

Really? I'd never heard anyone talking negatively about this episode before 🤔

[@greenscreenfx3117]

I adore the rings of ahkatan, I never even knew it got hate?? It’s so good and it’s such high concept

[@CineScarborough]

I'm so glad to see this episode get the praise it deserves. It's an absolutely fantastic one that gives us an alien environment that truly feels lived in, and Matt Smith delivers that final speech expertly well.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

Great episode. If you haven't done so yet, go watch the Long Song paying careful attention to the lyrics, and then go watch Eleven regenerate with it's Long Song reprise.

[@woopsen184]

I always loved the long song, it was in my Playlist for years. it really is an amazing peace of music on its own which proves again Murray is a great composer

[@raininscotland]

What annoyed me about the lead was how it's now from a completely different type of tree than the first time we saw it.

[@danielwalker8133]

The doctor's star speech to merry reminds me of the Babylon 5 "Star Stuff" speech

[@AnythingMachine]

Went far too far off the scale on sentimentality to me. Laid it on in such an over the top absurd way that it just became a joke. Basically the worst of all Moffat's 'Doctor Who should be a fairytale' tendencies coming out

[@attackmanatee02]

Im not sure exactly what it is about her, but as young as Clara is, she always felt the closest to a mother figure out of all the doctor's companions. Maybe it's her deep care for pretty much every character she interacts with. She just always feels like she's really empathizing with and considering every single person.

[@NileSWPhotography]

This whole episode was cool to me and the music at the end was beautiful but the fact Clara beat the God with a leaf from her book after 11’s beautiful speech will never sit well with me.

[@gabrielvega1713]

meanwhile its my absolute favorite episode ever. The doctor and claras speeches make me bawl like a baby everytime

[@libbyford6765]

I absolutely love this episode! The songs are ingrained in me and the doctors (and somewhat Clara's too) speach was astounding, one of the best!