7X04 The Power Of Three (Grading/Discussion) (SPOILERS!)

[The Nth Doctor]

I enjoyed this episode, especially if you look at what it's really about: The Doctor's relationship with Amy and Rory. The situation with the cubes was a fun background trapping for their story so I don't mind that it was quickly resolved. It does bug me a bit there was no explanation for why some people were taken to the ship and The Doctor and company inexplicably forgot to take those people with them when they fled. A minor gripe to an overall very enjoyable episode.

I love the connection to The Brigadier and I had no idea Kate had appeared in Downtime, which I still haven't seen (in fact, I haven't watched any of those unofficial productions from the 90's...yet). Either way, her appearance was very sweet and I hope we get to see her and the reformed U.N.I.T. more in the future.

I quite enjoyed the cubes, Almost as much fun as the Adipose.

Haha, I'm glad I'm not the only person who thought of the Adipose in regards to the cubes.

 

[Alidar Jarok]

I thought it was an intriguing episode that worked for the most part, but only gets a good because of the seriously, seriously rushed ending.

I liked the Cubes, though. The idea of a slow invasion that everyone would take for granted and then something that would catch people's attention was great. I thought the character moments were really nice - especially between the Doctor and Amy. Really my only complaint is the ending. I'd hope the Tally will be revisited or else it would be almost completely pointless, but it was certainly sudden and easy.

 

[Cutter John]

I enjoyed this episode, especially if you look at what it's really about: The Doctor's relationship with Amy and Rory. The situation with the cubes was a fun background trapping for their story so I don't mind that it was quickly resolved. It does bug me a bit there was no explanation for why some people were taken to the ship and The Doctor and company inexplicably forgot to take those people with them when they fled. A minor gripe to an overall very enjoyable episode.

It makes me wonder if the subplot of the kidnapped patients and the twin nurses didn't get trimmed out for time. Maybe we'll see more once the dvd rolls around.

 

[Kruezerman]

I pretty much agree with the rushed ending but I wonder if the Shakri will become a returning villain. Also, I slightly saddened by the fact that the Fields of Trenzalore and the "Fall of The Eleventh" isn't being touched upon. Surely this series must have some plot behind it?

That being said, I miss the more mature plots of the Tennant era, Smith's episodes just seem too kiddie to me. He's a great Doctor but it just seems like he's going to be a child show star instead of THE Doctor.

 

[tomalak301]

It was a decent episode enough, but I am dreading what will happen to Amy and Rory next week. I did appreciate a present day (At least 10 years I guess) earth story, even though I wonder, is this tandem (Amy, Rory and the Doctor) the longest tandem the show has had? 10 years traveling with the Doctor and Amy and Rory haven't aged very much. I just find it crazy it's been that long.

Anyway, I liked the idea of the cubes, but that ending could have been pretty much the entire second half. I'm not sure if wanting to do a character piece and have the cube story in there was a good mix because we learned a lot in the final 5 minutes that are probably going to go forgotten.

As for season 7, I have to agree with those that kind of miss some of the serious themes. I look at the Eccleston and Tennant era doctors and think how commanding they are in the role and I can believe that's what the Doctor is supposed to be like, especially Eccleston, in episodes like Dalek, Boomtown (Which I liked), the "Are you my Mummy" two parter, and the finale. With Smith, I think they're trying too hard to make it kind of the child like figure instead of that commanding presence, and I kind of noticed it more in this episode than the previous one where I appreciated the seriousness. This is what is holding Smith back in my view, the range of the character.

Also, I knew about the hiatus, but I still find it sucky that we get 5 weeks of a new season and then they are going off on a fall finale. This is after waiting a full year and a half just for the new season to start. I know they are pushing things for the 50th anniversary, but I still say they could have gotten a full season in, taken some time off, and then do what they did in Tennant's final year and have specials leading up to the celebration. While this is a new season, for some reason I get a feeling like this is more of the pre-season, or Season 6 epilogue just to get rid of Amy and Rory. We have all been speculating things in previous episodes coming up again (Like why the Doctor is acting the way he is, kind of like going back to what Tennant's Doctor saying he can do what he wants) but with just one more episode left until we wait for Christmas, I doubt we're going to get answers. I'm fine with individual stories, but I also wish they addressed some things in the various arcs now that there is one episode left. I feel like the last 4 episodes might go to waste.

Anyway, I did enjoy tonight's episode, but looking at the big picture, well, it kind of makes me sad and disappointed.

 

[Kelso]

My second favorite episode of the season, after "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship." Chibnall is on fire this year.

 

[Orac Zen]

Better than last week (which wouldn't have been difficult), with some really nice moments - the Doctor and Brian discussing companions, the Stewart thing (which actually made me tear up a bit), and then there's this:

I enjoyed this episode, especially if you look at what it's really about: The Doctor's relationship with Amy and Rory.

Agreed (and I'm even more appalled than you by that ). The only thing that would have made it better would have been some mention of River, the fact the Ponds are (more or less) his in-laws etc etc. It's pretty silly that she effectively ceases to exist for them all when she's not actually in an episode. (I wonder if Brian knows she exists / has met her? That would be worth seeing. )

I also agree with those who found the resolution was rather rushed, but the positives were enough for me to overlook it. Just. It's not something I'd want to see too often.

Between that Doctor / Brian conversation about companions and the few who've died, Brian sending the Ponds off with the Doctor, and the preview, I'm really, really not looking forward to next week at all - or even less than I have been already. Doesn't look good for people like me who actually like Amy and Rory.

 

[Deckerd]

Child friendly except for Amy's "Och aye, ah've always wanted a troop of soldiers tay give me a raight good seeing to, hoots mon".

What's with the Scot bashing? It's offensive, she is Scottish, she has a Scottish accent. She doesn't talk like a bad comedy stereotype.

I'm not Scot bashing, just Amy bashing. And she does talk like that when I'm restating what she said in a comic way that makes its meaning clearer.

She doesn't talk like that. Ever. It wasn't comedic effect you were going for. Also what's wrong with a throwaway joke like that? Don't patronise 21st century children. They're not clueless and they're not innocent.

 

[Captain Crow]

Chris Chibnall is the one with glasses, without a beard, and yellow tie in this segement from Open Air shown after series 23.
[yt]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=irIqTPQqgvQ[/yt]
I wonder what his 1986 self would say about his 2012 self's episodes since they contain some, if not most, of the elements he whinged about to the presenter and got snitty at Pip and Jane Baker over.

 

[StCoop]

So looks they swapped the running order of the last two episodes around, as we see Rory losing his phone charger in Henry VIII's bedroom this week after it being referred to it last week. (It also explains why there was no "Picking up the Ponds" scene in that episode.)

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Better than last week (which wouldn't have been difficult), with some really nice moments - the Doctor and Brian discussing companions, the Stewart thing (which actually made me tear up a bit), and then there's this:

I enjoyed this episode, especially if you look at what it's really about: The Doctor's relationship with Amy and Rory.

Agreed (and I'm even more appalled than you by that ).

Stranger things have know to happen.

The only thing that would have made it better would have been some mention of River, the fact the Ponds are (more or less) his in-laws etc etc. It's pretty silly that she effectively ceases to exist for them all when she's not actually in an episode. (I wonder if Brian knows she exists / has met her? That would be worth seeing. )

I didn't think about that during the episode, but now that you mention it, the lack of mentioning River does seem rather glaring. With her return next week, maybe that's something that'll be brought up?

And I would love to see Brian's reaction to meeting River.

Between that Doctor / Brian conversation about companions and the few who've died, Brian sending the Ponds off with the Doctor, and the preview, I'm really, really not looking forward to next week at all - or even less than I have been already. Doesn't look good for people like me who actually like Amy and Rory.

Yeah, I'm fairly worried about what next will bring.

Although I forgot to mention it in my review, I also loved Brian's conversation with The Doctor about past companions' fates. Brought both a smile and a tear to my face.

So looks they swapped the running order of the last two episodes around, as we see Rory losing his phone charger in Henry VIII's bedroom this week after it being referred to it last week. (It also explains why there was no "Picking up the Ponds" scene in that episode.)

Good point. I was willing to shrug off the lack of "Picking up the Ponds" scene last episode but coupled with the Henry VIII reference, it does seem like they swapped the episodes. Makes sense, though. They probably thought "The Power of Three" is a better set up to the Ponds' grand departure.

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

The episode was apparently 100% filler material and I've forgotten most of what happened in it.

 

[Allyn Gibson]

So looks they swapped the running order of the last two episodes around, as we see Rory losing his phone charger in Henry VIII's bedroom this week after it being referred to it last week. (It also explains why there was no "Picking up the Ponds" scene in that episode.)

There's also the theory floating out there that "A Town Called Mercy" happens during the wedding anniversary party in this episode.

 

[Saul]

Ok episode, better than the last two weeks at least. Some nice lines in it. The Doctor is running to things, not away from them.

And if suddenly cubes did appear everywhere and did nothing, that is exactly what we'd do with them. Or use them as free bricks and build houses with them.

Maybe initially, I think after a while someone would find some uses for an indestructable object.

Yeah, Captain Jack would!

 

[Mr Light]

3/4 good episode!

Loved seeing UNIT and the Brig's daughter. They need to bring her back! Loved all the character comedy. And it was interesting to see a "boring" alien invasion that didn't do anything, lol. It set up a very intriguing mystery that kept you glued to the story even though nothing was really happening.

This is season is much better than the last two so far. I've been into every episode, versus last year where the non-story arc episodes left me feeling bored.
Asylum Daleks 3.5/4
Dinosaurs on a Spaceship 3/4
Town Called Mercy 2.5/4

 

[StCoop]

There's also the theory floating out there that "A Town Called Mercy" happens during the wedding anniversary party in this episode.

Actually that makes even more sense, since they don't want to carry on with the Doctor at the end of ATCM.

 

[Starkers]

My second favorite episode of the season, after "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship." Chibnall is on fire this year.

Have to agree with this, especially if you factor in Pond Life as well.

anyhoo, liked this, not spectacular but probably on par with Asylum of the Daleks, some nice stuff, just a shame the resolution was a bit rushed, but some great lines and some nice foreshadowing.

For me this series so far has gone:

AotD- Good
Dinos- Geronimo
ATCM- Average
Cubed- Good

I'm hoping this means next week will be another Geronimo!

 

[sonak]

what a boring, pointless episode. This season's been a disappointment so far. The only episode I've liked has been "asylum of the Daleks."

 

[StCoop]

Given that it only ran 41 minutes I'm assuming that a bunch of scenes that would actually have, you know, explained things properly ended up on the cutting room floor.

For example, as it stands all the other patients on board the spaceship were just left to die by the Dynamic Trio. (And what were they there for anyway?)

 

[Jax]

It started well and there were some nice funny scenes + Unit back in it but in the end it felt a little empty and half baked so going to give it an Average grade. Next week looks great though will be so sad to lose the ponds