The Craziest Doctor Who Episode Ever

Did the Chibnall era end with a bang or a whimper?
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#DoctorWho #PoweroftheDoctor #Regeneration

[@HarboWholmes]

Complaints box: www.patreon.com/harbowholmes

[@jonathanwatson4484]

Just want to say to you that I am glad to find someone that said the doctor who flux was good, the plot of flux was very much enjoyable as it had some pretty decent plot written, so thank you for that.

[@gillianthomas2299]

i LOVE THE SUPPORT GROUP IDEA!! it could be a whole episode on its own honestly

[@nerino_chan]

The chair in that meeting wasn’t empty - their was a computer with what is assumed to be other companions

[@ptolemeeselenion1542]

The Chinballs Massacte is over. Long live The Doctor!

[@bigh99267]

I honestly feel so sad for Jodie, she obviously brought a lot of enthusiasm to the role and was up for it, she's extremely talented as an actor and I feel like she was just given the worst possible writing and support.

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

And what bugs me is that she did get some well-written stuff to work with, but everyone seems to just overlook it in favor of saying the entire era is just “bad writing.”

[@thomashayhurst6547]

Oh don't worry. I imagine Jodie will get the same treatment that Paul McGann got from Big Finish

[@_somerandomguyontheinternet_]

@@thomashayhurst6547 fingers crossed!

[@jebbryant6522]

She's great in black mirror it's entirely the script and director. Hell even Ian McKellen sucked in the later xmen movies despite being a brilliant actor. Turns out even a master artist can't make a good sculpture out of pure crap and a few moldy skittles

[@patrickhaley1312]

Came here to post something similar. Super glad I didn't have to, and that there are people who see the fault of this run of Who with the people who actually deserve it.

[@gabriel38g]

The writers of this episode said:"We're going to throw everything in but the kitchen sink" and then Chibnall walked in and said: "Where's the kitchen sink?... Gotta have the kitchen sink!"

[@ytcfy]

😁

[@thomasleongeorgerobertglad7560]

100% fucking accurate and for once it actually works

[@kentonbaird1723]

This was all kitchen sink and a lot of drain.

[@rogershore3128]

Should have got Elon Musk, he brought a kitchen sink

[@PhantomBanker]

The good: Clearly the best episode of the Chibnall era. The bad: It’s still Chibnall.

[@user-is7xs1mr9y]

Well said.

[@MightyMarioBros378]

the only REALLY good episode that Chibnall created was cold blood and hungry earth

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

@@MightyMarioBros378 I've heard Kerbkam and the series 11 pilot turn out alright

[@endgame6782]

This isn't the best episode of the chibnall era, this was quite bad tbh.

[@MightyMarioBros378]

@@endgame6782 exactly this episode actually was not good there is definitely better episodes he made

[@lewgallagher463]

Absolutely robbed by not seeing Tennant in Whittaker’s clothes (edit: I’m referencing Harbo’s tweets about him in her underwear. I’m partially joking; but I do think people raise the point that it may have been done intentionally for a plot reason in the 60th).

[@richardmillhousenixon]

What an absolute tragedy

[@Cammm06]

Fr, he would've slayed 😔💔💔

[@hotdog1214]

Indeed, I actually enjoyed the episode as a whole but that is a tiny niggle for me as well. Part of the fun is watching the next Doctor bobbling about in the previous ones ill-fitting or tattered clothes. I really hope they give us a proper reason other than, it wasn't convenient in real life.

[@doneisenbarth]

THAT’S WHAT I WAS SAYING!

[@NileSWPhotography]

Nah I didn’t wanna see that

[@GabrielBadwolf]

I’m a firm believer in some stuff works better in fanfiction than in cannon, the entire Chibnall era is a perfect example of it

[@TravelKnowHau]

It would be a stroke of genius for RTD to reset everything and say that Chibnall's era was just not cannon and David T was having a wibbly wobbly moment. But the cat is out of the bag with the timeless child. The Doctor has been made into an immortal God where death isn't an issue.

[@GabrielBadwolf]

@@TravelKnowHau I used to joke back when RTD was first announced as new show runner that he should have David Tennant wake up in the shower and it’s just been a dream.

[@arandombard1197]

@@TravelKnowHau The timeless child can just be abandoned as a storyline and never brought up again, then casually dismissed from canon with a throwaway line in 10 years.

[@JB-ys8ct]

@@arandombard1197 it's just like how in the TV Movie they had the thing about the doctor being half human. Don't think it was ever mentioned again after that.

[@greigbutler4498]

@@GabrielBadwolf I want capaldi to wake up in the snow (twice upon a time) and say oh what a nightmare, then regenerate into someone who is not Jodie

[@pepsicrabz264]

I know it's 'cheap' to bring back David Tennant, but as someone who stopped watching 3 episodes into Chibnalls era, this has brought me back.

[@ArielTheMermaid151]

Agreed!

[@RoyalMudcrab]

Yeah, I clocked out at 2. And I didn't outright dislike Jodie or anything, but something did feel... Off. I only started hating the era when I realized what had been done by The Timeless Children.

[@augustusaurelius2628]

Same, just momentarily tho

[@michaelallan5211]

@@RoyalMudcrab yeah, I think most people’s issues with the 13th Doctor’s tenure are as a result of the show runner rather than Whittaker

[@zekehorsman9532]

Yuuup

[@hermitpriest9820]

This does definitely feel like Chibnall saying "If I'm not getting the anniversary for a multi-doctor story I'm sure as hell ending my run with something similar." with how many returning characters are in it.

[@CheeseypiPlays]

"tag, you're it" felt perfect for this doctor honestly, I love it

[@yaboiiii4458]

It felt cringe so I agree that it felt perfect for the 13th doctor

[@CheeseypiPlays]

@@yaboiiii4458 🙄

[@TeamTheme]

@@yaboiiii4458 I cringed so hard as well

[@llewelynshingler2173]

@@CheeseypiPlays In Ya Boiiii's defence "Fun" is a concept that must not, for any reason be allowed near Doctor Who

[@purefoldnz3070]

perfectly stupid ending for her. She might as well said "Fam!" then exploded into a pile of suspenders and rainbows.

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

Even if this episode was quite messy, the regeneration scene was definitely well done

[@ShadowKamehameha32]

Aside from Yaz basically being told to f*ck off at the end 🤣🤣🤣

[@thevfxmancolorizationvfxex4051]

@@ShadowKamehameha32 I was talking after that anyway when she's on the cliff

[@-haclong2366]

Nope, clothes don't regenerate.

[@Marshall-Ridez]

agreed

[@Marshall-Ridez]

they even brought back the season 11 soundtrack was amazing comeback :)

[@sock2828]

I watched this episode on a muscle relaxant and thought that was the reason why I didn't understand the plot at first. But then I looked at other people's reactions online and realized everyone else was just as confused.

[@kian8082]

Muscle relaxant🤨😂

[@e-madart9420]

Maybe somehow everyone was watching on a muscle relaxant too Lol

[@VeracityLH]

Nobody's drugs are good enough to make sense of this.

[@AggyManCollects]

I don't think bringing Tennant back will do more harm, mainly because Ncuti is going to be featuring in the specials. Russel and the BBC know that the viewing figures are going to be insane next year, the specials will most likely be used to ease Ncuti onto the audience, to make the old fans and current return for series 14.

[@markgrehan3726]

I agree it's not a great sign that Who is in a good place when they feel the need to bring back a fan favourite in the hope that it will bring back the viewers to then switch to the real new Doctor.

[@mauzki-]

yeah, like they were being pretty open that the next doctor is Ncuti but Tennant is going to act as a soft reboot for the new RTD era. Honestly sorta wish it would have been ecliston that would have been really intresting.

[@bryntownshend6528]

And to add to your comment, David is coming back for the 60th anniversary year, the time that the show does usually pay more attention to fan service plot lines. The upcoming episodes next year are no ordinary Doctor Who - that doesn't begin until Ncuti takes over fully

[@Ixarus6713]

I think of it as Doctor Who washing it's hands of Chibnall. Better to get someone who's already been the Doctor to clean up most of the mess so that it makes it easier for the next Doctor to absolutely smash it. I have no doubt Doctor Who is going to come back in a big way when the next series comes out. I cannot wait for Ncuti! 😁😁😁

[@markgrehan3726]

@@bryntownshend6528 Cool.

[@speed24601]

I’m a bit stunned that I haven’t seen anyone compare the companion support group to the “Doctor Lite” episode where the blonde guy goes to a Doctor support group and meets Rose’s mum to try to find the Doctor, and his girlfriend gets turned into a slab. Love & Monsters, I think.

[@jcrossan1351]

Would’ve been cool to see Elton there

[@CountScarlioni]

That's cos mos of us have blocked that episode from our memories to deal with the PTSD.

[@Whiteythereaper]

That would be LINDA, the London Investigation N' Detective Agency

[@Jedi_Spartan_38]

Three things about 13's regeneration: 1) I find it funny how someone described it as "Jodie regenerated on the Windows 10 cliff." 2) Stubagful either is a f***ing prophet or the Doctor Who version of Charlie Brooker. 3) The Doctor Who channel was REALLY unsubtle about who Jodie would regenerate into in a video explaining regeneration and I called the outcome immediately after watching it.

[@DigitalCrate]

Everyone already knew she would regenerate into him so that’s why they didn’t really hide it.

[@hotdog1214]

@@DigitalCrate I think there was an element of uncertainty as we'd had effectively two Doctors announced at once, Tennant returning and Gatwa as the new one so it wasn't set in stone that it would be Tennant, especially for anyone who had managed to avoid spoilers (or Tharries!). Right until the moment, there was still a question of would it be Tennant, Gatwa or no one? I've even seen reactors remarking at the wide shot (are we not going to see it?) so that latter option was presumably something the fans had considered, due to the long gap between filming.

[@mikefine619]

@@hotdog1214 even though it wasn't confirmed which it would be, I think it would have been weird to have Gatwa show up only to regenerate into Tennant later. It makes more sense for Tennant who's already been on the show to show up for a short time before the new doctor arrives even if you didn't know leaks

[@carealoo744]

How is Stubagful a prophet?

[@syweb2]

@@carealoo744 Who even is Stubagful, anyway?

[@killgriffinnow]

Nothing RTD and Tennant could do would ever do more damage than Chibnall tanking the show to its second lowest point in history…I really hoped the fandom would unite over this

[@namugriff]

Feel that the Timeless Child storyline killed the show for a lot of the fans, and most won't come back unless that is retconned from existence.

[@FireStriker_]

@@namugriff as one of the said fans i will be returning for the 3 eps with tennant and watching RTD Who hoping it gets retconned but never will i ever watch anything from the Chipnall Era after this. which is sad, Jodie was a great doctor who never got to grow. never got any good eps. never got good writing.

[@TravelKnowHau]

Disney+: Challenge accepted 🤣

[@vullord666]

@@namugriff I feel like at this point its been soft retconned. Likely gone the way of the “my mother is human” from the TV movie. The show doesn’t say it didn’t happen, but its never mentioned again. And honestly one of the biggest problems it had when Chibnall threw the idea out there was that it didn’t matter. He specifically wrote it in the most frustrating why possible where immediately after revealing it he also says it doesn’t matter (and it doesn’t; Moffat already solved the regeneration problem by having the timelords give the Doctor more and then conveniently forgetting how many that gave him. And the Doctor doesn’t know. The door was open for future writers to give as many regenerations as they wanted (infinite or even only a few more to make a conflict with Gallifrey plot)).

[@PlatinumAltaria]

@@namugriff It has effectively been retconned, even Chibnall hasn't mentioned it since he threw it down a big hole. No one else is gonna use anything he made.

[@TrevorCopter]

Honestly, Regeneration Stories DEMAND the Kitchen Sink. It SHOULD take a bonkers amount of effort to kill a Doctor. The real measure is the emotion. All the spectacle in the world can’t replicate a story with heart

[@ryanmerino5747]

Don’t be sad because it happened. Be happy because it ended.

[@-haclong2366]

The Doctor kicking Yas out is like the B.B.C. kicking Chibnall out.

[@ryanmerino5747]

@@-haclong2366 But whereas Chibnall is gone forever, please god don’t let there be Chibnall era 2 Electric Boogaloo, sadly Yaz will probably come back for some anniversary.

[@owenshebbeare2999]

@@ryanmerino5747 Rita, from 'The God Complex, played by 'Amara Karan was a much better character, more engaging, interesting and definitely more memorable than the rather bland Yaz.

[@z4781]

I do appreciate your critical view on the return of David Tennant, hopefully it pulls through and doesn't ruin their arcs in the end of time.

[@endgame6782]

But what's the need to be critical about it right now?? - we don't know why Tennant is back story wise and to assume it's because they're desperate is a huge assumption to make at this point.

[@haydenhall7760]

@@endgame6782 this is a good point. RTD has been a brilliant writer when he rebooted Who, but his writing evolved so much over the past decade. I’m sure that it will be a satisfying run of specials ushering in Ncuti’s super exciting new Doctor.

[@MrGreaves]

The Doctor turning into The Master was mainly done to erase the Doctor completely - as the Daleks, Cybermen and The Master have tried and failed to kill them numerous times, so why not just completely get rid of them? I think the Master attempting to tarnish their name was just additional fun.

[@api3360]

Plus the fact that the Doctor is the Timeless child, my theory is that the Master wanted to get the infinite (?) regenerations that the Doctor have

[@erubin100]

@@api3360 that seems the most plausible, but maybe they wanted to downplay the whole timeless child thing as much as possible due to the backlash.

[@johnnyyuma5747]

The master still trying to kill The Doctor when The master claimed to be his oldest "friend" makes no sense and the Daleks / Cybermen hate all Timelords so why would they side with The Master regardless of if they are Timelord cybermen

[@api3360]

@@johnnyyuma5747 I mean the relation between the Doctor and the Master has already be explained several times in the show. For the cybermen/time lords, they were under the control of the Master so it makes sense that they side with him. And for the Daleks I admit it's a bit unusual, but it's not the first time they side with other species against the Doctor (see the Pandorica opens for example)

[@johnnyyuma5747]

@@api3360 true the Daleks have aligned with others as a means to an end and i understand why they sided with The Master and Cybermen but understanding something doesn't mean i have to agree with it or as a fan of the show like it as it just comes across as lazy retconning and bad fanfiction

[@zachh6868]

I think the "tag your it" felt really good and natural with Jodie's incarnation

[@mr.sentient7344]

Yeah she was a very playful incarnation so it made sense to me

[@FarronAnimations]

Uncommon Chibnal W with that line, perfect for Jodie’s character Along with the other gold in this era being the Logo and Console Room

[@zachh6868]

Even if The Master's story was... well... so disliked it's basically expected to be all a lie, that version of the master was quite fun. I liked that actor, I was hoping he'd be back. But isn't he also up for regeneration due to the regeneration machine stuff?

[@DigitalCrate]

I feel like if Chibnall didn’t keep all post 2005 characters away from this episode that Martha would be in the support group.

[@calumbishop7082]

I mean I would even of taken having Clara or Bill being there (would make just as much sense as having Mel there)

[@DigitalCrate]

@@calumbishop7082 Clara is dead and Bill is a cyberman

[@calumbishop7082]

@@DigitalCrate I mean Clara ended up becoming effectively immortal with a Tardis of her own, and Bill was transformed into a oil alien thing. No reason either couldn’t return (except for the actors)

[@DigitalCrate]

@@calumbishop7082 Clara still died at the same time she always had to go back to her death and bill i can’t remember havent watched her in sgrd

[@RavenThom]

Mickey wouldn't let her

[@AnythingMachine]

It's like when you're a kid, the first time they tell you that Chibnall Bad, and you can't quite believe it because you think 'yeah maybe Chibnall bad but what's the big deal', but I can feel it. Every line of dialogue is jarringly wrong, every character is a charisma void, every plot makes no sense, and I can feel it...

[@GskitzIndustries]

That's who he is. Now forget him, Sammy Martin.

[@erubin100]

He wasn't that bad AS A SIDE WRITER. Still bad, but not apocalyptic. As a showrunner though....

[@LabradorIndependent]

​@@erubin100 Managed to write some incredible Torchwood episodes too. Rough diamond of a show, but worked in a way his Who run didn't.

[@NileSWPhotography]

Brilliant. Fantastic. Molto Bené.

[@ArielTheMermaid151]

Yep. Whole time I kept yelling what is going on , this is not how things would go 😂

[@MrProbeNWatch]

Honestly the best part of this episode was that the cybermen can aim slightly better now

[@haydenhall7760]

I mean, the tried shooting down a straight, narrow crawl space a lot and still missed.

[@MrProbeNWatch]

@@haydenhall7760 oh yeah it was only an improvement until the plot needed them to miss, but hey at least in the opening sequence they could aim 😂💀

[@MrZoay]

I really don't understand why they didn't let Jodie portray the master (ie Cassandra Tennant, cyber master matt smith) instead of having the master in her clothes, it's like they didn't think she had the chops to portray a villain OR to properly interact with Tegan and Ace - when Tennant is with Sarah Jane you believe the history between them is there, but I didn't see it with Jodie and Ace/Tegan until the holograms were brought in

[@gm2407]

Probably because the master is so over the top there is no where else for Jodie to go. It is to hard a sell.

[@timrob12]

This was, in my opinion, a good finale and I really loved most of it. Tegan and Ace being back was a joy, the regeneration was beautiful, the past Doctors was a wonderful scene and completely believable (It actually reminded me of a scene here on KZbin from the audio Zagreus), Tegan and Ace talking to their respective Doctors is very well done and finally the companion support group at the end + the return of IAN CHESTERTON, I mean, that's a win. No arguing there.

[@elliottnoad1270]

Glad I wasn't the only one reminded of Zagreus. Kinda cool /kinda weird that between this and Flux chapter 3 we got a pseudo-remake/homage to Zagreus. A main character (the Doctor in Once, Upon Time & Charley in Zagreus) jumping through different scenarios (Holograms in Zagreus, Time streams in Once, Upon Time) with the cast all playing different roles than they usually did (Mandip Gill being Vinder's superior & part of the Martin Doctor's Division team and John Bishop being Karvanista in Once, Upon Time and in Zagreus; Davison being a vicar, C.Baker-a Vampire & McCoy- space Walt Disney and all the actors for each companion big Finish had the licence for at the time, being recast. ) & then, Power Of The Doctor having the past Doctors & the Whittaker Doctor work out if it was possible for the Dhawan Doctor to be degenerated. Zagreus having the Davison Doctor, C.Baker, McCoy Doctor help (mainly in just turning up) the McGann Doctor work out how to survive being stabbed, as he wasnt (since he briefly didn't want to, after everything) regenerating.

[@johnnyyuma5747]

i was going to comment on the blatant stupidity of having The master be the main antagonist AGAIN but frankly i think you hit the nail on the head when you used the terms : "jingling the keys" and "fan service/ bad fanfiction" as both of those terms as trite as they are can be used to sum up the whole 5 years of the Chris Chibnall era

[@sunsetsstarsrise3011]

I don't mind Tennant being back as the present it as something that shouldn't have happened. He's confused and showed shock when he realised who he was. Also in the trailer Tennant said "I don't know who I am anymore" so that makes me believe it won't be 10 as he was in the early 2000s but a different take on his character which could be interesting

[@Juho.S.]

Indeed.

[@endgame6782]

Thank you - 10 being back was something that was clearly set up as something that wasn't supposed to happen; we acc have no idea as an audience why 10 (and donna) have returned so to assume it's cheap or desperate is a little too premature imo.

[@curtb9567]

@@endgame6782 My guess is 10 didn't want to go and leaving Donna forgetful didn't sit well with both 10 and 13 so he was given another chance to get it right with donna.

[@DragonsDungeon]

I really misunderstood the masters plan in this, mostly the regeneration: though surprisingly it didn’t ruin the episode for me, I still think it’s one of the best chibnall has done for Doctor who. But I was assuming the Master wasn’t taking the Doctor’s body, he was implanting his face and personality to her, like what normally happens in regeneration. Like imagine if the doctor with all their memories, had the maddened, angry self loathing of Sasha’s master. Imagine the Doctor with his morality. Trying to do good, and being quick to kill to get it done. I was fully assuming that moment in the box was the end of Jodie, and the only way to save The Doctor, was to kill The Master Doctor and have Ncuti Gatwa take there place to save the end of the episode. Like imagine Yas, who was falling for 13, with very little understanding of regeneration cause 13 was incredibly secretive, think that killing this false Doctor would bring back her Doctor. As an officer, shooting The Master Doctor watching him regenerate - only for Ncuti to appear instead of Jodie - and her having to grief Jodie’s loss while trying to understand how the man in front of her is still the woman she fell for. I think this would have been more interesting than the master stealing her body, probably for the infinite regenerations, but I expect it wasn’t stated as that to distance the timeless child stuff…

[@LukeJarrett1]

Agreed. Don't really understand the Master's motivations here. He literally just destroyed Gallifrey and all the Time Lords because he was so disgusted at having a part of the Doctor's DNA. And, yet, now he wants to be her?

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

@@LukeJarrett1 no, he wanted the Doctor to be him - he forced the Doctor to regenerate into him, not the other way round. Honestly, it's a fascinating concept in a continuity that allows forced regeneration, and one that hasn't been explored.

[@syweb2]

@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg Because of how weird this is, it's both at once. He wants her to be him, but he _also_ wants to be The Doctor, in a sense (by taking over their body and impersonating them, running their reputation into the ground).

[@jmurray1110]

From what I understand I think it’s less the fact he has her DNA but the crushing weight of his inadequacy in comparison He always saw them as friends turned rivals equal in all but morality and the fact that she was the timeless child deepened his self loathing he became the doctor to get back on that level At least that’s what I think

[@LukeJarrett1]

@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg I don’t see how that changes anything. It’s another interesting concept poorly-executed. Here’s a thought - if you can’t make your main antagonist’s motivations clear in a feature-length special, you probably shouldn’t be writing one at all.

[@timelapis_]

I like this episode but I was so overly mad about the fact that she said a "good" Dalek hadn't been done before, probably cause dalek is one of my fav episodes but COME ON CHIBBERS! But yea other than that I really like this episode surprisingly lol

[@zzzzzzzzzzy]

i’m convinced chibnall never actually watched doctor who before he took over

[@omargod236]

I unashamedly love this episode for all the fan service and the really fitting line she says as she regenerates. Its very optimistic and a pleasant change from some of the more mopey regenerations of recent doctors. Plus, I'll never not be a Tennant stan and I almost cried seeing him again. Judge me please.

[@clayton_rose]

I’m excited to watch this once Davies retcons the doctor being the timeless child

[@carealoo744]

I agree honestly. I know that this was technically the 100th anniversary of the bbc, but it could also easily just be seen as the beginning of the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who. I feel that if the rumors were true that this was about to be the last Doctor Who episode ever, I don't think it is of good Final of Final finale's, but it's a lot of fun for what it is.

[@thebrokentable7554]

@@clayton_rose that’s not going to happen

[@lorlok623]

I agree the regeneration scene was visual beauty and the speech was fitting, to bad to me, it didn't carry the weight and emotional it should have, because 13th's era just failed to build up to it, and I never grew attached to 13, at most I didn't dislike her

[@bloodyneptune]

@Clayton that poor man has _so_ much to retcon. The Timeless Child, the Time Lords all being Cybermen, Gallifrey destroyed, _the clothes regenerating_

[@willanrac]

chibnals whole run feels like a fanfiction ..

[@FireStriker_]

thats cause it basicly was

[@llewelynshingler2173]

That is said a lot, and nobody ever says why that is bad.

[@benjix5500]

@@llewelynshingler2173 because fanfiction/fan service is not good writing, its cheap and lazy and incredibly boring

[@llewelynshingler2173]

@@benjix5500 Fanfiction is unofficial fan made content. Fanservice is dropping lines fans will catch/ making scenes fans should like. They are not the same thing, or automatically bad.

[@OkMakuTree]

This truly was a Chib-tastic finale. The 13th Doctor, the doctor with the most vocal dislike for guns, is saved from being permanently body swapped because Yaz tricks the the Cybermasters into shooting each other (even though they shouldn’t be able to see the hologram doctor without the implants) and because Vinder threatens to murder the Master with a gun. You’ve done it again Chris XD

[@syweb2]

Vinder and The Master didn't have the implant though, right? Shouldn't they have also been unable to see it if that was the case?

[@tyrxian6452]

@@syweb2 I think it's more the implant projects it to everyone, than the implant is something only you can see.

[@masterofthelag8414]

That's kinda what I thought-This was not only a Dr who episode where the easy answer was "Just shoot the guy already!" *BUT THEY ACTUALLY DID IT*! And it works! And then doc goes out to a laser beam powerful enough to bore through a planet in seconds but that doesn't even scorch her jacket?...

[@kirstyholmes9318]

I’m a lapsed Doctor Who fan, the Timeless Child killed it for me so I stopped watching as I hated this storyline so much after one too many disappointing episodes. I love the idea of Tennant returning as an interim Doctor and it has reignited my interest immensely. I really can’t fathom your antipathy towards this turn of events, I know you explained your reasoning in the video but I don’t agree with your conclusion. I think it’s a great way to get lapsed fans like me back ahead of doing something new and exciting with Ncuti, it gives his Doctor a bigger audience off the bat and a better chance of success. By success I mean higher viewership and a reignited, impassioned fandom!

[@thegamerfromhell10]

Tennant returning fixes what would be a 20 month break because of Ncuti's schedule, it also allows RTD to make the 60th special a SPECIAL. I trust RTD to resolve why the regeneration was so different (old actor and clothes changing) and to tell some fun stories with the promise that a new doctor and direction is coming in 2024.

[@gm2407]

Wibbly wobbly, memberberry, timey wimey one off adventure and now new doctor. Hopefully the last decade has given him new ideas for the post 60th seasons so he doesn't run on fumes. Running big shows like this can exhaust creativity and everyone sees your writing patterns.

[@natbarmore]

Also Rasputin has a reputation for being unkillable, which also fits the Master. Rasputin was actually the Master, or at some point was tissue-compressed and the Master took his place, is an _awesome_ idea for a Doctor Who story! But it’s barely used here, and on 1 watch-through I didn’t catch anything it even contributed to the plot? Would anything else have to change if the whole story was set in the present?

[@Dan_Roland]

Honestly the last 15 minutes of this episode were golden for me. I wish they used that theme that played Jodie out more often throughout her run, but at least it didn't go the way of I Am the Doctor.

[@Thomasmemoryscentral]

Ironically it took Jodies doctor for them to finally have a doctor and the tardis before regeneration. Only took some writers this long go realize maybe your body upgrade should be done once you've landed and not during a moving machine

[@bmvthemoviefanatic7282]

I will say that Tennant coming back seems to be mainly for the 60th. I mean, obviously it's to attract fans in, but isn't that the same thing for the cliffhanger to "Name Of The Doctor"? It's intentionally meant to hype you up for the anniversary special. Then we go into Ncuti after a few episodes, who is already being heavily marketed in the trailer and on the KZbin channel. Yes, there is the fear it will be shameless, but remember, IT'S RTD!!! Has he EVER let us down? I know you said you'd reserve judgment, but it was with a hint of cynicism 😂 If it was any other time other than the 60th, and was not written by RTD, I would agree it's worrying. But it's not, so DON'T WORRY! Doctor Who lives on 🙏 Side Note: Don't wanna seem like I hating your review, Harbo. 100% AGREE! Just trying to offer a...glass half full view on where the show's going. We gotta stay hopeful, am I right? 😁

[@umbai8962]

The fact theyre pushing ncuti alot more than david is the biggest sign that they are treading carefully and know that the future of the show is what is most important. Davids return is a celebration of the show and of russels best years as doctor whos showrunner. I also wouldnt be surprised if the 60ths story is a story hes had up his sleeve for a while in case he did return because he truely loves the show and wants to leave nothing behind when writing it

[@Vristatos789]

Letting us down?… Miracle Day anyone?

[@DanTheMan2150AD]

McGann deserved better. #McGannGang

[@chrispy3369]

This episode gave me Big Finish vibes to be honest. Especially when 13 verbally explain everything and the quartet of Big Finish voice actors Peter, Colin, Sylvestor and Paul makes an appearance.

[@arandombard1197]

The Dalek going rogue and wanting to destroy its own species because it had lost faith in their ideology was an interesting idea. In typical Chibhall fashion, it of course went absolutely nowhere. Also, building up the Yaz/Doctor romance and then not having the courage to actually commit to a gay kiss was just utter cowardice.

[@MrLethalShots]

23:35 One of few moments that I will defend in this episode is the "Tag, you're it". I think it's a nice line and represented quite well the childish, playful Doctor they intended Jodie to be. Unfortunately it is preceded by the awful ADHD infused "whoever I'm about to be" which better represents what we actually got from her Doctor. (all in all it's a perfect final line then :-))

[@FarronAnimations]

Thank you, I agree, awesome line

[@liekkianimaatio3652]

I think the 42 reference was definitely intentional and is a fitting episode to reference. Given that it was Chibnals first ever Who episode he wrote, and that it starred Tennant. Considering this is his last episode and reintroduces Tennant

[@ohauss]

Not sure what your problem with the last line is. "Tag, you're it" is an intriguingly paradoxical way to demonstrate a more mature attitude towards regeneration than the previous incarnation by using a phrase from a child's game. Or, as another Doctor once said "There's no point in being grown-up if you can't be childish sometimes".

[@Tyranniod]

I've had so many problems with this era, with me only actually really enjoying about 7 episodes in total. That said I loved this episode. It was abit messy but it was just so fun and that's all it wanted to be. Jodies regeneration was also so nice and simple.

[@nanogex2970]

something i loved was when 13 orders yaz to be given a gun after the master threatens her knowing that he is the biggest threat in the universe and knows that a gun wont really stop him she just wants peace of mind knowing yaz has the ability to defend herself if she needs to but they missed the mark having vinda shoot the master instead of yaz just thought that would of been a good payoff to her getting the gun

[@chriso5507]

Goddamnit, I wasn't ready for the Sarah Jane mention. That got me.

[@gyszabolcs]

One positive thing: there wasn't a literal ticking clock at the end which is a cornerstone of Chibnall's writing :)

[@mimikyugigas8106]

i entered the mcgann gang fairly recently so my mother was very confused as to why i was exploding upon seeing him

[@HarboWholmes]

#McGannGang

[@tomnorton4277]

Paul McGann is one of my least favourite Doctors simply because I've never listened to his audio work and you can only get half of the performance out of voice acting anyway. Being the best part of the TV movie isn't enough to impress me since that movie was trash anyway. However, he still looks like the Doctor. It's like the universe is actively preventing him from ageing and screaming "Give Paul a full series while you still can, you fucking idiots!" Unfortunately, Peter Davison, Sylvester McCoy and especially Colin Baker no longer look like the Doctor. The ONLY advantage of Colin having what I count as an offscreen regeneration, simply through the logic that he wasn't on set, is that he could have aged dramatically as the Sixth Doctor. He could technically return with his current appearance because William Hartnell, John Hurt and Matt Smith all reached old age in their respective incarnations.

[@JackThuRipper1]

I really liked “Tag, your it!” as the last line

[@shmikex]

Message from Doctor to companion whilest regenerating in the new series: 9 to 10: Rose, I'm going to change, but I'm still me so it's okay. Plus I'm more hot now. 11 to 12: Clara, I'm changing and you should stay with me because I need you. 13 to 14: Yaz....I'm going to drop you off, okay?

[@TheMindofRa]

From what I understand is that David is going to be a bridge Doctor. The next next Doctor is finishing up work on a movie so will be unable to make the 60th anniversary. So it's either have the doctor revert to a previous form before fully finishing up the regen into the doctor they were originally going to have play.

[@randomspider725]

“Power of the Doctor” is the “Spider-Man 3” of regeneration stories. Also, I had assumed that David Tennant was returning as the Metacrisis Doctor, so the regeneration took me completely by surprise!

[@chanceneck8072]

Gotta admit, that glow in 13's eyes at 23:52 looked so fucking awesome. 😍 Best acting I've seen so far from Jodie, like this actually made me feel something very deep.

[@bloodyneptune]

I'm pretty sure the Master was Rasputin because they wanted him to dance to that song. Like, the sole reason.

[@Iraijus]

Absolutely.

[@alansmithee419]

5:50 The Master is basically the only person to ever use tissue compression. The answer here is simple: he's never *wanted* to reverse it before. It's not that it couldn't happen, it's just that he never did it. Also it might only work on beings being artificially kept alive such as cybermen. Plus the toy was what was shrunk, the cybermasters inside weren't (timelord technology - it's bigger on the inside, and can maintain its dimensions even if the exterior shrinks). It's entirely possible that while yes, it is reversable, it wouldn't restore the victim to life. Just make their corpse full size.

[@TrakeniteAdventuress]

My personal theory as to why the Master's plan is so intricate is because hes just like that

[@calumgardner6936]

I’m not surprised Chibnall felt the need to cram it full, especially with all the of nods to classic Who given how it was part of the BBC’s 100 year celebrations, but at least it all moved along pretty decently and I feel like everyone else involved did as best as they could with they’d been given by him. The companion support group Graham set up at the end though was definitely one of my main highlights of the episode and I’d love it if RTD bought it up again with all the other modern ones there as well as the ones who already were Also I understand the concern with David & RTD’s return, like ngl I was a bit like that myself when they made that very first announcement about it, but at least from what I’ve seen they both seem pretty happy to be back and look like they wanted to be in the first place. Plus with David it is only at the end of the day gonna be for 3 feature length episodes celebrating the show’s 60th anniversary before he passes the baton over to Ncuti, and I’m confident that even if the whole thing is a strategy to win people back, it’ll at least certainly be better written, produced & directed than what we’ve been fed by Chibnall these last 5 years (I mean I can already tell from that teaser it’s definitely gonna be better shot, that’s for sure 😂)

[@lja1993]

I do not believe for one moment that bringing RTD or David Tennant back will damage the show. Nu Who is RTD's baby, there is no way he would have made such a gamble unless he knew it would work. He's already got a plan in motion, and David Tennant should just be the very start of it. With the announcement of the show being on Disney+, I am firmly confident he has bigger plans for the show than anybody realise. Aside from providing good stories, new ideas and audience engagement all-year round, having the show accessible to everyone globally on Disney+ in advance of Tennant's return next year, will do wonders for hype if nothing else! I hope he manages to get back Moffat for a few stories, too. That would be sick.

[@JazzyWaffles]

Not "too many cooks" so much as "exactly one cook, and god, has he never made a decent meal before, but boy does he try his best, bless his heart."

[@DonHbankz]

Also regarding the forced Regen thing didn’t the master absolutely hate the face that a part of her was in him in the Timeless child what happened to that. It like Chibnall has forgotten his own story which isn’t surprising as a lot of the concepts and things during his era has been surprising done better in current/expanded media

[@Bacbi]

I think this was the best episode of the entire run. If the show had been more like this and what I consider the top 5 episodes of this run which besides this were all in series 12. I think I would have felt more than just shock and disbelief at the ending.

[@aeloswindrunner]

Fully agree with this assessment. I have specific nit picking complaints (Ashad was pointlessly brought back and should have been a commander cybermaster, the traitor dalek should have been Rusty and should have survived, and Kate Stewart was weirdly characterised and strangely cowering when she's normally deadpan fearless), and the story was a mess. However, fundamentally the episode was just plain fun to watch and Chibnall's era hasn't always had that. And while the final line was a bit weak, the whole regeneration was very suitable for the character, and it looked pretty spectacular (though why did the clothes change, that's so weird). I also share your concerns about Tenant 2.0. I hope time travel shenanigans mean we get Tenant and Gatwa together next year, but it's definitely a weird vibe

[@justanormalhumanbeing1903]

this is both the most chibnall episode to ever chibnall and the least chibnall episode to ever chibnall

[@themoxcast]

It was basically "Curse of Fatal Death - The Movie".

[@NileSWPhotography]

I hate when people say they hate the CGI in doctor who like they got a whole marvel budget 😂 jesus

[@simonorourke4465]

Especially when slightly dodgy special effects have been a calling card of the series from its very inception lol.

[@NileSWPhotography]

@@simonorourke4465 exactly😂 at heart it’s a children’s sci fi show. Harbo acting like they got a £100,000,000 budget for one 1hr 30 min Tv special I’ll admit the episode was a bit iffy but the CGI looked good for what it was.

[@leeci33]

i loved the member berries in this episode. all the craziness is the only reason it was so WHAT???!!! i cooked breakfast while watching and listened for the good parts and didn’t miss anything. idk what the DoctorDonna has for us but im ready and happy it will be on Disney+. im tired of googling where i can stream this show here in the US.. i also don’t believe the Master is dead. they didn’t show it. i believe the Master had a plan to save himself somehow.

[@alexanderhorter1287]

All the doctors' enemies come together to put em in a box. Why is that so familiar?

[@catfancier270]

Liked how 13 was killed-she is an innocent personality that doesn't anticipate the level of spite the Master has-it seemed fitting. Despite the horrible lack of morality in the Chibnall era (end of Spyfall story, end of Kerblam), I really thought Jodie contributed something unique to the role. I hope she does a cameo years from now, or does some Big Finish.

[@lasseehrenreich5502]

Very good review. Can't wait for your 12. doctor review. Your jokes are very funny and I also confused it with Power of the Darleks

[@ballybally1]

I love your content man. Just be happy Tennant is back and enjoy the ride while it lasts

[@DakanaGarretson]

I think the Master's plan of making The Doctor become him could have been such an interesting point if they'd have doubled down on when he begged not to go back to being himself. If they'd have dropped hints to that throughout, having his self loathing more of a thing, I think it could have been so much better.

[@danielx7609]

The sad thing is, this episode was made to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the BBC! Chibnall may as well have given them a cow dung adorned with birthday candles.

[@ftumschk]

Excellent review. I really enjoyed the episode, although I was totally aware of its shortcomings... which were basically the same ones that you picked up on :)

[@CharmingK.Stylez]

I have to say, I don't agree with most of this. Though there were a lot of great points. 1. The master's plan was so convoluted to keep the Doctor and her companions separated and busy. The master was able to do everything because everyone was split up trying to put out all the fires. Those fires allowed for him to get her alone without anyone to help her out of the situation. He used her biggest enemies to make the threat even more dominant in her head, she was more worried about the overall plan because of this, and was completely blindsided. 2. The master didn't want to just "pretend" to be the Doctor because then the doctor could stop him and undo what he had done, but AS the Doctor, there was no-one to stop him, no one to try to go against him as well because of how feared she is. Also, her Tardis. To have real control and support from the Tardis, he couldn't be the master. The Tardis would have seen him as the actual Doctor allowing him to officially have it and be able to wreck havoc all over space and time.

[@Clapsy199]

At least David's return has some in-canon explanation. Tom Baker's line atthe end of the 50th special about how he will revisit old favorite faces

[@ramonegues5689]

This episode has been the best shitpost Chibnall was able to make

[@batmanbeyond5766]

The master dancing to Rasputin while pretending to be Rasputin is why this episode is peak doctor who

[@nathanielfarkas4431]

It makes sense to bring back a old doctor would be to hard bringing in a new doctor for the 60th Anniversary u can’t try bring in a new audience during the 60th anniversary.

[@mrt136]

When Chibnall is gone, maybe it is time to start watching Doctor Who again......

[@helzbelle13]

As much as I love seeing new doctors running around in their first adventure in the previous incarnation’s clothing, it’s fairly obvious that the clothing regenerating along with the Doctor was intentional. Even the Doctor reacted with sheer confusion about the clothes, on top of the familiar face. I think the clothing regeneration will play a part in the mystery of the old face being the new face and will (hopefully!) be explained in the anniversary specials

[@Sparx632]

I don’t think I’ve disagreed with you this much before lol This was probably Chibnall’s best episode and a great way to celebrate 100 years of the BBC, I also think a little bit of Tennant is exactly what the show needs right now.

[@syweb2]

You can't argue that there's way too much going on, though. (Also, they've stripped cyber-conversion down to just being zapped in a chair or by the cyber-planet, which is just dumb).

[@Sparx632]

@@syweb2 There was a lot going on but it never felt too much to me. The biggest issues I have with the episode are to do with Dan being cast aside immediately and the way Kate was acting weirdly and a little out of character. I also did comment while watching it with my family on the "this is new thing" with the traitor Dalek.

[@Ixarus6713]

@@syweb2 it was definitely too much, Chibnall wanted a multi-doctor anniversary episode but he didn't get one, so he just shoved everything in there. There are some moments of gold in between the mess though.

[@michaelfraser1073]

Dan almost dying and deciding to leave would have been a far better way to introduce Yaz's feelings for the Doctor. Dan asks her why she doesn't leave despite constantly almost dying, and then it all comes up

[@michaeldemarco9950]

I’d say the Doctor’s clothes changed upon regeneration, because that’s when the Teselecta showed up, and the newly-regenerated 14th Doctor is actually inside, asking, “What the he’ll just happened?”

[@kanton4108]

I'm pissed that Chibnall retconned At Childhood's End and also added a falling out between her and the Doctor that never happened.

[@skinner219]

I think I can speak for millions of Whovians and say… Thank fuck it’s over…

[@bloodyneptune]

Yeah, I don't even care that the clothes regenerated. It was just Chibnall f*cking up one more thing, and whatever, fine, at least its over

[@ChemicalPenguinn]

I brought out your Chibnall bingo card for this episode. I ticked off a fair few while I was watching this on TV haha

[@thetimelord68gaming]

Anyone else notice that this is the first regeneration story that isn't set at christmas of the revived series

[@redcr33perproductions]

The Parting of the Ways and The End of Time: Part Two are regeneration stories that aren’t set on Christmas

[@leipherd8118]

Remove all the dead ends and unnecessary fluff and it is a very simple story - The Master captures the Doctor and steals her body, as he has attempted to do a couple of times before by putting her in a tube. Yaz sorts it by putting them back in the tube. Which I presume is why Chibnall packed it with as much distraction as possible.

[@bencorbett562]

Firstly, The ep had so much build up, just for it to be fixed in a few rides in the Tardis. David returning is a good thing. Nculti can't revive doctor who by himself, whist bringing back David means that more people will watch it, and Ncuti can prove himself to the Audience and hopefully make them sick around, instead of not giving it a go. Also, I hate how they confirmed that Regeneration is death for that doctor. I know that it was hinted at and kind of just said, but still liked it how it was more ambiguous and up to us to think and theories over it, instead of them just saying it.

[@tomnorton4277]

Honestly, my only wish for next years Doctor Who is that it ERASES the entire Chris Chibnall era. If Neil Patrick Harris truly is the Celestial Toymaker, he could make it happen as part of the story. The Toymaker is powerful enough to do that because he can manipulate time, space and even reality to his will. It would make Jodie Whittaker an amalgamation of the Doctor, like Michael Jayston's Valeyard or Toby Jones' Dream Lord, instead of a true incarnation. And David Tennant would still be 14 while Ncuti Gatwa would still be 15 because Sir John Hurt is the true 9th Doctor. It would not only get rid of Chibnall's trainwreck through very clever storytelling instead of an outright retcon but would also give the late Sir John his long overdue credit as the 9th incarnation without screwing around with the numbering. Also I want to see a scene where Neil Patrick Harris laughs at the Doctor and tells him that the Timeless Child bullshit was just his delusions of grandeur. Granted, they should be delusions implanted by the Celestial Toymaker's powers but he's gaslighting the Doctor for falling for it. That would be the ultimate "fuck you" to Chris Chibnall.

[@Doodle128]

Chibnall threw a bunch of shit into it because he actually thought he would get the honor of having the last doctor who episode during writing and production

[@duvall5jd]

I’m upset Martha wasn’t in the companion support group.

[@lazulenoc6863]

I would love to have a full, uncut version of the Master's dancing scene.

[@jaybennet4491]

I COMPLETELY disagree about the final words. I LOVED her final words. "But I want to know what happens next." "Tag you're it." I've never seen more characterization given to Jodie's Doctor than her regeneration. Tag you're it conveys what Chibnall originally wanted her Doctor to be. Unbaggaged by the previous Doctor's traumas. She's like a curious child, she wants to see what happens next, but she knows it's her time, so she hands over the baton to the next Doctor in the most Thirteenth Doctor way. "Tag you're it." Definitely one of my favorite regenerations. I wish we could have seen this Doctor throughout Chibnall's era instead of the inconsistent mess that she turned out to be.

[@daedalus6433]

Sadly he was too busy forgetting basic lore and characterization in favor of hamfisted plotlines that gets to the conclusion in some of the most confusing ways possible

[@FireStriker_]

her final lines are truly Jodie's doctors way of saying goodbye. I just wish the music was more emotional, the whole scene was empty.

[@jaybennet4491]

@@FireStriker_ oh for sure. I would kill to hear what Murray Gold could have come up with for her. Something choral, with some hints of Vale, to subtly hint at what comes next. But not overtly sad, like Vale Decem was. I think the score we got was decent, but not incredible, and certainly not to the caliber of what a regeneration like Jodie's should have entailed. And the silence after her regeneration is complete felt very weird. Weird enough to attract attention at the sudden silence.

[@jaybennet4491]

@@daedalus6433 here's hoping that Big Finish rehabilitates her Doctor

[@daedalus6433]

@@jaybennet4491 They always do.

[@MakiPcr]

Full Fat Video predicted that David Tennant would return as the next incarnation of the Doctor and it made me think of Marvel's Spider-men. Back when Ultimate Marvel started and everyone wanted to crossover with the regular Marvel Universe, they said that a crossover between these 2 universes would be the sign that they had ran out of ideas, and then they made Spider-men, a crossover between those 2 universes; so now that FFV has been proven right and Tennant has come back, well I feel what I felt when Spider-men was announced. BTW I do not believe this was an actual regeneration, their clothes change back to 10th's; whatever this is, is not it

[@RicPendragon]

Eleventh Doctor : I never forget a face. The Curator : I know you don't. And in years to come you might find yourself revisiting a few... but just the old favorites, eh? Need I say more? 😂

[@shawn6669]

I think you're a hundred percent wrong about Tennant and Davies. The show would likely have been cancelled from sucking so hard lately, and this is a way to make that not happen. Not only does it give us what will likely be an amazing season that Davies SHOULD be able to tie together with everything and give them the time they need to plan out what comes after so it's successful. That being said the suits in the entertainment industry can never be counted out to destroy that which creators create TO BE successful. My 2c.

[@tomnorton4277]

I just hope Davies has the balls to use the Celestial Toymaker's powers to erase the Chibnall era. It could work as a story but I don't know if Davies is brave enough to do it. If he does, Whittaker will be like the Valeyard or the Dream Lord and won't count as a legitimate Doctor. Plus, it would give John Hurt his long overdue recognition as the true 9th Doctor because Tennant is still confirmed to be 14 and "all THIRTEEN" Doctors swooped in to save Gallifrey in Day of the Doctor.

[@jotunfalls4026]

Come on why can't we just be esxcited the best doctor is back? I'm so happy to see my fave companion and doctor again

[@ElManReborn616]

Thasmine could have been at least a way to justify why Yaz leaves, like the doctor could reject her or pretend to

[@Nixus237]

I think them bringing back Tennant is a good thing, the next doctor is busy filming other things for the 60th and they don’t want to nothing for another decade milestone so why not being the most popular doctor back for last run instead of doing nothing