YOUR HOT TAKES On Doctor Who: Space Babies & The Devil's Chord!

YOUR HOT TAKES On Doctor Who: Space Babies & The Devil's Chord!
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Doctor Who is a British science-fiction television programme broadcast by the BBC since 1963. The programme depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called the Doctor, an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the universe in a time-travelling space ship called the TARDIS. The TARDIS exterior appears as a blue British police box, which was a common sight in Britain in 1963 when the series first aired. With various companions, the Doctor combats foes, works to save civilisations, and helps people in need.
Beginning with William Hartnell, fifteen actors have headlined the series as the Doctor. The transition from one actor to another is written into the plot of the show with the concept of regeneration into a new incarnation, a plot device in which a Time Lord "transforms" into a new body when the current one is too badly harmed to heal normally.
The fourteenth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who is set to premiere on 11 May 2024, and is expected to air through to 22 June. It will be the fifth series led by Russell T Davies as head writer and executive producer and the first since his return to the show, having previously worked on it from 2005 to 2010. This series is set to be the fourteenth to air following the programme's revival in 2005 and will be the fortieth season overall. The fourteenth series was announced with Davies' return to the programme for its 60th anniversary in 2023 and beyond, with Bad Wolf becoming a co-producer for the series. The series is referred to in marketing and promotional material as "Season One" following the production changes and the acquisition of Doctor Who's international broadcasting rights by Disney+.
The series stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor, a new incarnation of the Doctor, an alien Time Lord who travels through time and space in the TARDIS, which appears to be a British police box from the outside. The Fifteenth Doctor was introduced in "The Giggle" (2023) through a "bi-generation", in which he split from his predecessor, the Fourteenth Doctor (David Tennant), rather than replacing him. The series also introduces Millie Gibson as the Doctor's newest companion, Ruby Sunday.
The series, which was preceded by a Christmas episode on 25 December 2023, will consist of eight episodes, which have been directed by Julie Anne Robinson, Ben Chessell, Dylan Holmes Williams, and Jamie Donoughue. Alongside Davies, who wrote six of the episodes, the writers include Kate Herron, Briony Redman, and former showrunner and head writer Steven Moffat. Filming began in December 2022 and concluded in July 2023. It was the first series to be produced at Wolf Studios Wales following the move from Roath Lock Studios for the preceding anniversary specials.
Auditions for the role of the Fifteenth Doctor started in December 2021, assisted by casting director Andy Pryor. Davies was interested in casting "new talent" and someone "younger", with most of the actors who auditioned under the age of 30. There was also no limit on gender and background, with auditions held for men, women, and one non-binary actor. Pryor said that when casting the Doctor, "you always want someone unexpected... an actor who contrasts with what's gone before yet still brings those essential qualities that the Doctor has". Ncuti Gatwa was the final candidate to audition for the role. Davies said that the production team "thought [they] had someone and then in he came and stole it", describing it as "the most blazing audition". Executive producer Phil Collinson stated that Gatwa "did things with [the role] that I'd never seen an actor playing Doctor Who do".
On 9 January 2023, the BBC announced that Aneurin Barnard would appear as the mysterious Roger ap Gwilliam, and that Jemma Redgrave, having reprised her role in the previous series would continue to appear as Kate Stewart during the fourteenth series. On 20 January 2023, further casting announcements from the BBC revealed that Anita Dobson and Michelle Greenidge would appear as Ms Flood and Carla Sunday. On 3 April 2023, it was announced that Jinkx Monsoon would play a major antagonistic role in the series, called "Maestro". On 5 May 2023, it was announced that Jonathan Groff would play a key role in the series. On 24 May 2023, the BBC announced that Indira Varma would join the series to play The Duchess. On 7 June 2023, Bonnie Langford was announced to be reprising her role as Mel Bush for the series. On 15 June 2023, Lenny Rush was also announced, to play a "mysterious" character named Morris. Alexander Devrient will reprise his role as Colonel Christopher Ibrahim.
#doctorwho #ncutigatwa #15thdoctor

[@wheatley9601]

"gone are the exposition dumps" did that guy watch the same episode i did??

[@TomoBakerinio]

I say that a lot to all the bs people come up with

[@QDebode]

Yeah.. the first ten minutes were pure exposition 😅

[@R.senals_Arsenal]

I feel very much like I did in 2005 when we got Plastic Mickey, flat Cassandra, farting aliens, sentient Trees, rushed unearned endings. Now we get space babies, a snot monster, a farting space station, and the Maestro, with all that I'm like, "yep, RTD is back at the helm, this is what we asked for." I think it will get more serious with time just as RTD1 did. I never get YT Community broadcasts cause I don't use YT on a phone often at all.

[@RH1812]

Yeah. Plastic Mickey was ridiculous. But I rewatched it today and it’s way better than SB.

[@SnowLily06]

​@RH1812 Yeah, but that's not the same comparison anymore because you know where the story goes, and you've seen this episode presumably multiple times throughout the years. In 10 years, I guarantee space babies will be more loved than it is now, and that's coming from someone who wasn't really impressed with the episode

[@jukesy1992]

Yep, there's people out there who saw space babies and now won't give this era a chance. We're not even half way through. I would understand their utter hatred if it was half way through and a rubbish arc was developing, but come on. Instead of just saying they're checking out, they outright rile and take the full blown mickey out of it for others as well, taking pleasure in it. At least with you lot here I'm not seeing much of that and am seeing honest criticism which is a good thing. I love this place.

[@kbg12ila]

I thought it was really fun! And this is the thing! RTDs biggest strength is his characters and all the stuff with the Doctor and Ruby is excellent and depending on how it all ends, this episode will be elevated with time. Just like all of Donna's episodes, even the more average one's are great because of her. Also it will deffo get more serious as it goes on.

[@josephchambers2000]

I’m happy that others are seeing this show as wonderful, but nowadays, it just doesn’t feel like the show I fell in love with.

[@TomoBakerinio]

Times change, and so must I.

[@jukesy1992]

That's fair, it is different to 2005, if anything it seems more fast paced than usual.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

I think it's down to the younger generations' attention span. Things are being rushed and spoon-fed to keep the tik tok generation from losing interest part way through... I understand where it's coming from, and hopefully, once the new fans are hooked in, they won't have to do it as much.

[@halemacepig]

Perhaps the snow is the 'snow' of an old school tv screen when it loses focus/fades out.

[@kingdot2616]

I really like that idea

[@reyramirez5710]

When Ruby mentions Star Trek and The Doctor said they should meet them that made me think they’re in a TV show.

[@genevac2185]

honestly the devils cord would of been so much better as 2 parts give time to explore the repercussions as well as see more of the beetles.

[@Mark_LaCroix]

13 and the fam were *constantly* having fun and goofing off in the middle of episodes, but when you have a negative view on a certain DW era, you only remember the stuff you wish there was less of and completely forget all the other stuff. It's like how some people only remember 12 as a dour curmudgeon or 11 as a living god, forgetting that both were *also* total goofballs, just like 13 was, and literally every other Doctor, too. In fact, the opening scene of "Devil's Chord" where 15 and Ruby are laughing and playing dress up is exactly how the episode "The Idiot's Lantern" from Series 2 starts, where 10 and Rose laugh and wander into a new setting before they realize what's happening. Both episodes get pretty serious/creepy after that.

[@RH1812]

Rewatched Rose this afternoon. Now That was the way to start a season. RTD has changed. Can’t say evolved, but definitely changed.

[@HappyBob701]

Rose was miles ahead of this crap. Hopefully there is some serious improvement to this series as we go on

[@jukesy1992]

@@HappyBob701 agreed.

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

So far I'm enjoying how they've handled 15 being more emotional, not only is more open and honest with Ruby both the good and bad which is refreshing. Him crying doesn't bother me (yet) because it's less of a rage like the other Doctor's, who mainly let their emotions build till it bursts, if it's was that every time then it wouldn't get grating, 15 let's him emotion slowly bleed out, which is the best approach if you want an emotional Doctor, they give themselves the freedom to feel Joy or Sadness.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

This! I love seeing a more emotional doctor, we've seen where stoicism got him and I think it's about time he feels things as they happen. Much healthier, and probably a better role model that the "keep calm and carry on" of the old days. Yeah, it can make for good drama sometimes, but you don't want to live that way, especially for thousands of years.

[@Idk-ys7rt]

Devil's chord was the better episode for me! Space Babies wasn't very good imho.

[@dst9997]

To people saying it doesn’t feel like it used to, RTD1 was made 20 years ago and if it were anything like a previous era then I’d be disappointed. To those saying that it feels childish or too Disney, you’ve gotta remember that a) it’s literally a show for children to watch and it usually (and still) toes the line with what it can get away with, and b) modern audiences have the attention span on goldfish and our culture is de-maturing before our very eyes, so that’s got to have some influence (and fair enough). Glad to see some love from yourself Tharries, balanced as ever and honestly I thought they were both great. Just so glad to have new Doctor Who STILL and to be able to escape for 45 mins with a big smile on my face, I couldn’t ask for more. Also, I LOVE Ncuti and Millie, absolutely perfect castings!

[@Agent_Ant]

They say Disney has no input so why does it feel like the next failed Disney show? I'm a lifelong fan, from Tom Baker, but I'm struggling currently.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

"The bing bong of the bang bing."... Brilliant 😂

[@lant7123]

I love "crazy campy silly" so I liked "Babies," but they should have killed the bogey. "Chord" was nothing less than brilliant. And I'm a "gen x Tom Baker fan."

[@thomaspark5439]

Couldn't stand either of them felt like a complete baby show

[@lanceuppercut3498]

Agree 100% If these episodes were done for Sarah Jane Adventures on CBBC I would be more accepting, its perfect for your 11 to 15 year olds or a parody from a sketch show, not a Doctor Who episodes. As bad as they are would rather watch Twin Dilemma and Timelash, yeah there crap but at least it resembles a Doctor Who episodes/serial, these two did not. The Devil Chord has no influence by Disney, I know that they have just paid to have two season shown on their Disney streaming platform. But plenty will see this musical numbers and just automatically, think Disney influence, wrong but plenty won't know this. I detest musicals and why I watch Doctor Who as its a sci-fi show and not a musical, well not this one sadly its a musical fantasy. Space Babies, my god a snot monster, is it related to Curryman from Red Dwarf would of been perfect for that show but unfortunately this is Doctor Who

[@xroo7922]

I have no issue with anything beside the childish vibe it seems to have, really wish they’d drop that and embrace the nuance of life like interactions and drama as well as the wacky stuff yknow? Like dw ain’t meant to be a comedy but it feels too comedy like currently. I think boom will be the definitive episode that’ll get me super excited for the rest of the season. I still need to rewatch though so maybe il turn around completely aha

[@TheCagedCorvid]

I think the fast paced, comedic, spoon feeding type vibe will dissipate as the season continues, it's a way to bring in a younger audience who have very short attention spans due to things like tik tok and such. Once they're interested and hooked in I think the show will really hit it's stride properly, I enjoyed the first one, loved most of the second, and I think the third is going to be even better.

[@hiddenrio]

The six-month gap in The Devil's Chord threw me for a loop as well, but I suspect that that episode may originally have been slated to be shown later in the series. It wouldn't surprise me if the two-episode drop was a late decision (probably pushed by Disney) and the production team had to make some difficult decisions regarding episode order.

[@Sparx632]

Hmm idk, Devil’s Chord was already episode 2 before the double episode drop was decided on, Doctor Who Unleashed for Space Babies calls Devil’s Chord “next week’s episode” so it clearly hadn’t been decided yet.

[@Beantbeantbeant]

There is proof that the 2 episode drop was not planned. In the Doctor Who: Unleashed episode for Space Babies they say "and here is a sneak peek for next week's episode" (The Devils Chord)...

[@jamesbaxter1667]

I think the musical number there's always a twist at the end and the devil's chord was a foreshadowing of something yet to come either this season or next season

[@1123adam]

My theory on the musical ending is like with the toy maker he used the last of the energy from the mistro to make the big musical number.

[@amycatass]

i love the new direction personally. after years of dour, self-serious silly sci-fi backing Moffat and Chibnall into a corner, Doctor Who is fun again.

[@LGWalkingTours]

The Devils Chord was great!

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Oh, I didn't know about this. I'd have written something. Will we be getting one for Boom?

[@Pooter-it4yg]

On a future space station huge quantities of infant excreta are the cause of and solution to a problem. A tediously over-theatrical elder god of music is summoned by an augmented fourth, devours all music and humanity starts falling apart. Music becomes living cartoon spools of score throughout and the god is banished by a major chord read from visible notes floating in the air. Cue silly dance number. Oh what fascinating fun, now let's all waffle about how refreshing, ground breaking and "meta" it's supposed to be... Frankly it seems like different for different's sake and smells of desperation. To quote Noel Coward's shiboleth buster - "Why must the show go on?"

[@moniqm3607]

Really didn't like space babies but did like devils chord.

[@McDonald_Mando]

I’ll be honest space babies was quite fun for me. Some bits were a little painful but I had a good time. Devil’s chord lost me a bit at the end tbh, like all the concepts were interesting but I stopped caring at the end

[@Gibson1976uk]

So we have gone from genesis of the Daleks to baby fart saves the day?? WTF

[@Sparx632]

Nah Doctor Who has always switched between serious and silly.

[@hotdog1214]

I didn't love either episode, but didn't hate either of them either. I agree with Tharries, its the endings that are possibly lowering my enjoyment somewhat - snot monsters and nappy engines? show tunes and singing in the rain? - hmm not really my bag. Despite that I think TDC was elevated for me by Jinkx's performance - I'll be honest when I saw the promos for Maestro I was very sceptical but glad to be proven wrong - Maestro was over the top, scene chewing and magnificent! I hope that isn't the last we see of this villain, as one of my negatives is that the 'music battle' was a bit haphazard and yes a little too easy for John and Paul to have fixed by accident by happening upon a piano with floaty notes above it. I feel if they'd integrated the musical number from the end as the way to defeat Maestro that may have worked better. I really appreciated the nod to Totters Lane and Susan, it informs Ruby, new viewers and touches base with us oldies at the same time, nice. I do like the Doctor companion dynamic already, Ruby has that sense of adventure and wonder you expect from a companion but also contributes, she isn't just standing around asking "hey Doctor what's that button?". For the most part I enjoy 15s energy but do prefer him in his calmer moments - I know we're going for carefree Doctor now but still, I'd like less bouncing about and more serious Ncuti just to balance it out a bit - we already had the childlike Doctor in 13 - I'd like to see more of 15 slightly more subdued as that's the parts where he really comes across as the Doctor best for me.

[@breeklauser1547]

space babies “ thanks i hate it “ devils chord i wanted to like more because jinx was amazing but was so rushed and was a fan of the hairspray musical number . works for a christmas episode but what is this riverdale? Also, the chaps who played the Beatles were really boring and had bad wigs

[@racerunner1234]

Hot take: the curse of the black spot and eve of the daleks are GREAT episodes!

[@evanson69]

🤣

[@thevirgologychannel6215]

I’m a Gen X fan too and Tom is my favourite but Jon was the first I watched. I can say I preferred the Devils Chord to space babies and I love Ncuti and Millie but I was left with nagging question. Who are they aiming for ? I love Doctor Who and suspected that RTD2 would have to come up with something different for 2024. But I was left thinking, we have a fantastic Science Fiction series that is taking the world by storm now. “Fall Out” why isn’t Doctor Who that !!?? Chibnall gets a lot of hate but I think his vision with the flux was more like the idea expressed by RTD as Doctor Who having its own universe like the MCU or Star Wars. Also I think the excuse of a jumping on point for new viewers who know nothing is a bit of a lame excuse. Fall out was a game that I’m sure many have never played or know about. I will continue to watching and hope it pulls me in but I have to say, is the musical theater the ingredient Doctor Who was missing? Also not to dive took much into film theory but there is a slight racial trope with Ncuti being the only Doctor who is first shown as cowardly and tearful. So far he’s very jazzy hands and not giving the smartest man in the planet vibe. I’m fact the mestro, alludes to his lack of genius and the Doctor kind of concurs. I can’t think of any other version of the Doctor conceding to that. Just saying

[@bradleylea8460]

I don’t think the review scores are ever going to be the same. People just love to hate in 2024 and if any show doesn’t have a white male lead it’s automatically PC. Even if Moffat’s Episode is incredible next week they will find something to nit pick at. People’s lives are that sad they’d rather watch a show they don’t like and bash it rather than just not tune in.

[@Gibson1976uk]

It’s just s**t :)

[@bradleylea8460]

@@Gibson1976ukYet you’re still watching and then watching a video about it. Proves my point about how sad your lives are :D

[@Gibson1976uk]

@@bradleylea8460 well done for a completely dumbf**k comment

[@TheCagedCorvid]

Sounds like somebody felt called out lol... remember, hate watchers, you're still providing engagement with these comments, so, go off I guess...

[@mathieuleader8601]

I think Eric is going to comeback as Rush's character that is linked with UNIT

[@magnetmountain33]

Brussel tea Davis With his creative energies running wild running like The runs after a bad curry😂😂😂

[@Schming]

Really looking forward to the inclusion of "the bing bong of the bang bing" next season, last seen in the pertwee era, I believe

[@emperordalek102]

Yeah now you mention it the doctor was a lot more emotional that previously. I think ncuti just needs to tone it down a bit.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

Personally I'm loving the more emotional aspect of the Doctor, it feels like he's able to wear his heart on his sleeve for the first time in far too long, and frankly, he deserves that freedom. It's similar to when your life has been stressful for a long time, and when the clouds finally lift all that repressed stuff comes pouring out disproportionately. It feels realistic from a psychology point of view.

[@emperordalek102]

@@TheCagedCorvid yeh i can asee that but yeah tbh i like that about him too.

[@hotdog1214]

@@TheCagedCorvid I'm liking this heart on sleeve aspect as well, he's not sobbing his way through but a few tears are shed to show us that he is touched by whatever is happening, I like it. In fact, while I like his enthusiastic energy in parts, I prefer it when he's more subdued, he comes across as a more compelling Doctor to me in those moments - it looks like we might get more in Boom, so looking forward to seeing more of that side.

[@brotherurth1625]

It’s always been RTD’s biggest problem, great ideas, with no idea how to end them. I’m hopeful that other writers will rectify this. Looking forward to Boom.

[@jacobbryan2056]

Could be wrong, almost certainly am, but I feel like the transition from Space Babies to Devils Chord is on purpose. Something about the way Ep.1 ends abruptly without really addressing anything with the Sundays then to transition to Devils Chord so abruptly is a choice meant to trick the audience who forget details about episodes between weeks, but was spoiled slightly by the double drop. So the whole like non-chalant dropping of the 6 months thing isn't because they have glossed over it but the underplayed nature of it is cos its meant to be a clue we've missed. Don't know how it fits together but the shift between episodes 1 and 2 feels like a purposefully editing misdirect a bit like Last Christmas had within the episode we aren't meant to realise till later

[@frizzlewho91]

Sb was underwhelming and dc was okay

[@FilmflickerCinema]

Space Babies and The Devil's Chord were both a level of absurdity that I appreciate almost beyond my usual form of criticism - They feel like Joh Waters in Space. I think both have a few big problems, but I have so missed the Camp, Absurdism and Pulp that I just kind of let them go. One thing I don't love however, is Pantomime, and I did find the Maestro just kind of annoying levels of Pantomime occasionally, but thats been a Doctor Who thing for a long time. My only gripe is previously in the RTD era, the absurdity and camp would amalgamate into a melodramatic climax that made me cry and neither stories did that...however Boom was maybe the best episode of the last 10 years in my opinion so it made up for it. Btw, Anyone else as happy as me to see the Dutch Angles back?? Oh man I love Dutch Angles. The Devil's Chord was shot so fun.

[@ThatTsukuya]

I’m surprised everyone is mentioning the TV show theory without mentioning the “Bridgerton” references in the trailers (multiple times) Something else I noticed was that they used a sample from the goblin song in there’s always a twist, so maybe that’ll add up to something, although I doubt it

[@thesickbot2895]

I've loved Doctor Who since the 80s, but after giving it a fair shot with the past couple of episodes, I'll be taking a break. To me, It feels like a CITV / Disney kids show now, not the show I obsessed with for many years.

[@grantmason740]

If there have to be articles and KZbin videos explaining why there was a musical number at the end, then RTD hasn't done a proper job. Everything you need to know should be contained within what is contained within the series.

[@ZuGineeris]

Partners In Crime is a series opener I'd lay my coat in a puddle for

[@ZuGineeris]

And Deep Breath

[@stevemc81]

I didn't like Space Babies personally, but loved Devils Chord - though I do think there were too many 4th wall breaks, 1 or 2 is intriguing but they went far beyond that. The dinner lady made a seemingly out of place comment about Margaret Lockwood in The Wicked Lady, I wonder if that's connected to later events?

[@SWHEWAEW]

RTD is building a new audience up. Lool at Tom Bakers episodes. Light hearted, then dark, light hearted, mad, whacky then dark... Editors can be at fault for rushed scenes

[@UselessFingThing]

I really hated them. I spent the whole time involuntarily sighing and muttering ‘Oh for fucks sake’. May Dad got bored and wondered off after twenty minutes. I just *hated* them.

[@polgarauk5606]

Ok I was surprised to see my comment in there and thank you for reading it. I think you are correct in the most part a lot of people watch you because they generally agree with you. Take the Tv show theory great minds think alike because that was my theory too. I don't understand the haters that are here tho. If you don't like it anymore stop watching and stop going on Dr Who related channels it's pretty simple really 🤦 Really enjoyed the video and the points you made 😊

[@davidblyth6886]

People did stop watching and the shills have been coping, I enjoyed both episodes but they are objectivley camp cringe

[@jd.online]

I loved them… at the end when they gave the “next time” the nostalgia and feeling of “yeah DW is back” is one i never got during the 13th era

[@QDebode]

To me, the show feels too "disney". A giant baby fart saves the day and the other one was basically a musical. Love Ncuti but the show itself seems a bit childish now.

[@FeedMeNuggies]

Don’t watch then 👋

[@Tomatech]

Strongly agree, I'm really hoping the "Trapped in a TV Show" theory is true, which would recontextualise the "disneyified" aspects of the season as references to various TV tropes

[@TomoBakerinio]

No that was written by RTD not Disney.

[@lRlMlGl]

True, 2 true

[@JB-ys8ct]

i mean...RTD's first series literally had the Slitheen pretending to be politicians and farting constantly. Heck, his first episode had goofy ahh plastic bins that went round eating people and making Autons out of them..

[@grantmason740]

Why was it left to Ruby to point out their outfits didn't suit the 1960's? Surely the experienced time traveller should have been aware of this? Alternatively he could have explained the Tardis Perception Filter took care it, rather than it now being reduced to simply a translation service.

[@FlatSatire]

I really don't think any viewers need any exposition dump after 60 years on the air, whether they are in the UK or not. If you don't know anything at all about Doctor Who, you must not have internet! I also don't agree with many British reviewers repeating how the show is seeming more American. Here in the U.S. I'm a longtime DW fan, and do not agree it's "Americanized". If is was, they would not have kept going on about "bogeys" in Space Babies. In the US, we do not use this term for "snot" or "boogers" ... "bogeys" means enemy combatants in a war zone. So they are sticking to UK terms overall. Kinda a dumb thing to even discuss, but I felt like it shows that DW is really not that Americanized.

[@basilblackwell9332]

I‘d love to watch the bing bong of the bang bing …. 😂

[@robtaylor4709]

well space babies was abysmal, and Devil's Chord was OK.

[@skroehr]

I'm gonna check in once or twice a season to see if there's any improvement, but the stories for the sixtieth, and the first couple regular season ones, have disoriented me and gone SO far over the top, that I'm essentially out. I think it's designed that way though. They're not after my demographic, it's clear. In fact it seems fairly obvious that us doctor 9 - 12 nerds are specifically excluded from the writing, tone, feel, production and storytelling of the reboot. I mean seriously. Two out of three shows so far, have full blown song and dance numbers. I like musicals, but it's not something I was looking for in Dr Who. We can watch reruns of Glee for that. I DO like the acting, and some of the effects are beyond. But the writing and storytelling are so bad that it's embarrassing for me.

[@stuartcastle2814]

First, the good stuff. I like the first episode. I find both Ruby and the Doctor to be likeable characters, and while Ncuti seems a little excitable as the doctor, there are hints in the first episode that he could be quite dark. I also enjoyed the story, which was clearly influenced by Aliens.. The episode was funny, But I'd like it to be a been a little more scary, Sorry, having the Doctor acting scared then explaining it away by having him say he was hearing a sound that at a frequency that probably wouldn't be heard by a lot of viewers, even assuming it wasn't filtered out by the compression used in digital TV doesn't cut it. Then the bad. OK, not that bad. I don't think the second episode should have been a musical. We had one at Christmas, and I think Jinx Monsoon was far too camp. They didn't come across as evil, they came across as a pantomime villain. OK, full disclosure: I'm not a fan of musicals. I like the odd one, but I think they have to have a good story, and any songs have to have a decent explanation for being there. Having the characters just suddenly burst into song for no readily apparent reason, unless you are taking the p out of musicals (which is actually a reason, IMO), is just stupid. The songs in this felt like they were shoved in to make it a musical, with the story changed a little to give a sort of reason. And lose the woke stuff. Don't get me wrong, I believe people should be treated fairly regardless of race, gender, age etc. I believe in equality, and integration. Doctor who has, to me, always been about those values, certainly since 2005. However, it has not shoved them down our throat, and I think the musical actually does shove them down the viewer's throats, becoming a little preachey in the process.

[@badfairy9554]

I enjoyed both.

[@Worldoffanboy0278]

In my opinion the first episode was okay mixed with cute and horror but the second episode was goofy and full of bonkers and chaos

[@SWHEWAEW]

What has 1923 got to do with Jinx then jumping to 1963...?

[@stephengabbey8908]

What's improved over the final era are the leads The new doctor and Ruby will save the season while space babies was ok the Devils cord was off key with a pantomime dame villain

[@wolfgangbailey3730]

Gonna agree with the "this definitely feels a bit Disney". Also going to say something unpopular, which is that for now, I'm not enjoying the pairing as much as I hoped I would. I'm getting 10+Rose vibes, and 10+Rose is one of my least favourite doctor companion vibes. They were far too "goofy". Almost every other line was a joke. Whereas 9+Rose had some fun and jokes, but it also got really heavy at times. I haven't really seen that from these two yet. I'm also sick of musical numbers. That's two in the last 3 new episodes now, and that's enough please

[@sarahchristine4298]

I loved them both. It felt to me like things got too serious for too long. And don’t get me wrong I liked chibs era well enough but I do miss the silly fun episodes. Hot take: I hated there’s always a twist in the end. It actually brought the episode down for me, it didn’t fit the tone of the episode, and felt like it went on forever. I’m not a big musical episodes fan. Like I’d watch a musical if I wanted that ldk. With the exception being strange new worlds I actually enjoyed that quite a bit. That’s just me personally though and I think I may be in the minority here because musical episodes tend to be very popular (perfect example being once again with feeling. I dont like it but it’s regarded as one of the best Buffy episodes). Anyhoo that was a tangent lol. I’m very happy with these episodes. Nothing will ever recapture rtd1, it’s my favorite for a reason. But so far rtd2 is shaping up to be great.

[@jukesy1992]

Always a Twist has good orchestral arrangement, but rubbish lyrics and goes on for one verse too long. This coming from a musical theatre fan.

[@TheCagedCorvid]

It was pointed out to me that the notes in the song kind of mirror the notes in the giggle. I didn't much like having a seemingly random musical number tacked onto the end either, but with that in mind, perhaps it's not as random as we think...

[@jukesy1992]

@@TheCagedCorvid I'm starting to think the same thing as well actually. If you think about it, maestro stole music and sucked good writing and lyrics out of it. The music is braught back, but I think the soulful lyrics may take longer to return as the human race gets used to music once again. So could there be some of maestro' influence still, just before it wares off and music fully returns?

[@sarahchristine4298]

@@TheCagedCorvid oh interesting, I’ll have to listen for that on the rewatch. It does seem to mean something. I hope RTD can pull off this arc he’s planning. It seems like it’s big and there’s only 8 episodes

[@TheCagedCorvid]

@sarahchristine4298 yeah, I'm honestly nervous about it, it feels like it might be too much for so short of a run... I'm just one person, but I have so many theories, many of them conflicting, and I really hope I'm missing something or it's going to be rushed.

[@bobhale7302]

Aged just six and a half I watched the very first episode back in 1963. Since then I have never missed an episode. And now I am finally giving up on a show that just has nothing for me any more. The problem for me has nothing to do with any of the actors or the messages (though they are a bit heavy handed). The problem is that it’s all too silly for me. Jinkx Monsoon inadvertently summed up the problem in their BBC interview - “it’s almost like Doctor Who directed by Bugs Bunny”. It may get better - I hope for the sake of whatever audience it attracts that it does. I, however, am not going to be finding out.

[@SnowLily06]

I would recommend watching just 1 more before leaving since the next episode is more serious and written by Moffat but regardless i hope you have a good life and find another show you love :]

[@Sparx632]

Chibnall is where I gave up watching every episode (though I have now watched them all), the last 6 episodes are what brought me back in again.

[@AlmightyBruce]

At least stick around for the next two episodes. As the series goes on it’ll probably get more serious.

[@orionishi6737]

🙄omg it'sonly going to be eight episodes. You can make it through to find out what the whole story is. Let me guess, you call young people delicate snowflakes.

[@SnowLily06]

@@orionishi6737 Woah woah woah no need to be so hostile. If they don't like the way the show is going that's fine there's no legal requirement to like it. They're free to stop watching the show if they wish.

[@joebees21]

I really really wanted to like these. If you compare this introduction to Rose from 2005 it falls short in every way. These new episodes are littered with overracting, poor jokes, political agendas, weird story choices. It really makes you go back and appreciate Eccleston's performance - he really feels dark, mysterious and alien whilst also balancing a bit of fun. I haven't gone off Ncuti's Doctor yet - but he seems a bit silly which isn't helped by the story but it is hard to take it seriously when they just treat it as a joke.

[@Ontir]

Space Babies was a misfire which wanted to be Rose. Thank God for Jinkx! Whilst the previous episode was ridiculous, Monsoon brought the full-tilt, Disney ß!+@# & really high stakes! The Mr. Mxyztplk calls back to the worst of Moffat. I thought the musical number was utter 🐴💩 but, someone pointed out a character present whom I'd not seen. I'm going to go back and rewatch. I was trepidatious about RTD'S return but, having seen Cucumber, Sin &, Years, I hoped the show epidural be more Andor. Sadly, thus far, it's more Paw Patrol. Weekday I loved about Chibnall was he brought a more Hinchcliffe feel to the show. That's been flushed. The danger of shooting 2 seasons before anyone has seen anything is, if your direction is off, you can't adjust. If the show doesn't work for Disney, that could end the show.

[@mrdr0161]

How did space babies want to be rose? It was nothing like rose at all

[@Ontir]

@@mrdr0161, @mrdr0161, in function. A lot of exposition about the TARDIS and being a Time Lord. It was clumsier than Rose.

[@mohzayd1234]

To be episode one was okay and 2 was slightly better. But the show doesn’t feel like doctor who. It doesn’t have the spark that was there during new who. It doesn’t feel Doctor who at unlik all of series 1-13 including the chibnall era.

[@grantmason740]

I'm sorry Space Babies was nearly unwatchable. The butterfly scene was ridiculous- the Doctor can now breath life into things? Really? This completely invalidates all the high stakes situations of the past. Remember when Grace and Chang Lee came to life through the power of the Tardis (can Ncuti not pronounce that properly?), not from anything the Doctor did. How wonderful and unique that was, but now everyone comes back to life? The talking babies were poorly executed/dubbed; Look Who's Talking in the 1990's was more believable! The babies were incapable of doing anything for themselves yet one could climb out of his pram and hide in a storage cupboard. Thinking of incapable, the nurse character said she didn't know how anything worked but could track then trap the monster and operate the airlock. How? Low point of low points being RTD relying on fart jokes. Again. As for The Devil's Chord this was marginally better but the bar was already low. Jinkx Monsoon over-hammed things like Disney's Cruella Deville appearing in Panto. The premise for the episode was good enough but poorly executed. The music battle was lame, just like the "thrilling" game of catch previously. Do better. The Devil Came Down to Georgia it certainly wasn't. As for the song and dance routine, I know RTD possibly thinks he's being very clever with There's Always a Twist at the End but we've seen enough of the musical numbers now. Obviously referencing the actress Susan Twist and the alleged return of Susan Foreman but most keen observers had already put two and two together. We've now had sufficient heavy handed referencing to family, thank you. The same goes for Genocide. The Doctor was the first to wipe out the Time Lords, or at least think that he had. Only to find the Master had survived, so logically others might have too. Of course now we ignore that and refer to the Master's actions. The same caveat as above applies, some might have survived just as the Doctor had and it is also questionable whether you can commit actual genocide on your own race or species but that's more of a philosophical question. Perhaps RTD should have chosen his words more carefully. All in all these were poor and it's no real surprise around 200,000 British viewers turned off between episode one and two.

[@MrEtherlord]

I'd really appreciate less clickbaity thumbnails, but of course it's your channel.

[@JamesGrady2]

Love angry RTD, and can’t stand goofy RTD. It’s a Sin and Years and Years were belters - he’s been on incredible form these past few years- the 60th was great, Christmas was great, and then… these two episodes were just cringe. (I tell a lie, 1st half of Devils chord was ok)- I’m just not into all the cartoon god stuff, it’s not dr who enough, feels like all these villains are just Jim Carrey’s The Mask. Still trust RTD and these actors to do good stuff in the coming weeks but that song and dance bit was tough going. If any other show had done that I’d be out. It wasnt Jinx’s fault - she was hilarious - it’s the w-w-whackyness and floating music notation - being eaten by a cello… I like sci-fi guys, I like sci-fi. Also this has nothing to do with the ‘fantasy’ genre either. Fantasy still needs its only internal logic and coherence - it’s not a licence to shrug at the plot. That last 15 minutes was just gurning, no peril, no breadcrumb clues for how the doctor will crack the case, no mystery, just loud zany wackiness - felt sickly - like I’d eaten too much candyfloss. Also, there are about 500 fan stories about the doctor and the Beatles that are way better. Check this audio one out by John Higgs - The 23rd Doctor and the 5th Beatle on.soundcloud.com/daAjWtyXTCNCjAwj9

[@shlonkyplonky]

I didn't like either episode very much, although Devil's Cord was far more bearable. Space Babies was just miserable to sit through. I don't really understand the "chemistry" some viewers are praising. Tbh, I don't find their duo very believable, I just can't buy it, and at Millie Gibson's acting, I just can't help but cringe.

[@richardtherrien4696]

Not happy with it. Too Disney.

[@BenLindsay3001]

I hated both episodes and the Christmas special. It’s just not to my liking at all. Too childish and pantomime. It felt like a parody. Hopefully this Moffat episode is better otherwise, it pains me to say I think I’m going to jump ship.

[@MightyMarioBros378]

Wasn’t bad if I have to say I was more of a fan of space babies on first watch and on re-watch I think I prefer The Devils Chord now

[@MightyMarioBros378]

Space Babies 6/10 the Devils Chord 8/10

[@racerunner1234]

Space babies 7/10 Devils chord 8/10

[@TomoBakerinio]

@@MightyMarioBros378 That's pretty much my rating

[@TomoBakerinio]

@@racerunner1234 Valid!

[@Andrew-Vegemite98]

Cbeebies version of Doctor who

[@lRlMlGl]

Well, isn't the whole show just, mid now? Just look at how divisive it is among new and old fans!

[@lant7123]

The show isn't divisive. Some fans are.

[@lRlMlGl]

Sure, maybe

[@HillarySJohknaym]

Misgendered Maestro, *they/them

[@davidharding1299]

I didn't watch the episodes. I don't intend to either. I haven't watched the show since "The Giggle". After 45 years, I can safely say I'm done with "Doctor Who". When the show started up in 2005, I was able to get a few of my friends and co-workers to watch the show... and now, none of us are watching it. Oh well. I'll just have to find a new favorite show.

[@frankcouture428]

Doctor Who is completely broken at this point.

[@FeedMeNuggies]

Nope :)

[@oblivion2477]

Yeahhhhhhhhhh, sorry. I'm done. Call me a bigot, call me unable to connect. I'm going to go sit outside with my Non Binary Child and Their Daughter and touch some grass. I've watched Doctor Who since Tom became Peter. It's been a rollercoaster❤❤❤❤. But my family is done with having DEI and WOKE shoved down our throats. My Kid is horrified by the writing, the portrayal of LGBTQ community. The unnecessary need to be so "I'm down with the social structure" etc etc. To be honest, my kid is shit scared that this will only invite more hate towards their community. And I love my kid. They're right........ So, I'm done. I'm a bigot, I'm intolerant, I'm closed minded. I'm gonna go outside now with my granddaughter and her parent, play about and "touch some grass". Here's to bring a bigot❤

[@deltaproductions313]

God the show isn’t even that woke it’s just shit now

[@NP-ip3nj]

They sucked