Oxygen (Grade & Discussion Thread)
- Thread starter TommyR01D
- Start date
Oh, nice catch. I hadn't realized that happened. Good question about the blindness. I just figured it would come back sometime during the three-episode arc we're about to hit, but having him stay blind until the regeneration would be interesting. I doubt they'll have The Doctor "incapacitated" in such a manner for so long, but you never know.Well played BBC. On the left a shot from the trailers on the right the shot from the episode.
So does this mean he's going to stay blind until the pseudo-Regeneration scene in Episode 8?
Agreed about the season in general. I would say "Smile" and "Knock, Knock" are equally weak in story while still enjoayble, but the latter is slightly better because of the wonderful David Suchet.
I have to admit I'm getting a bit annoyed. Capaldi's last series and they're finally giving him the kind of stories he should have had from the start. This is definitely looking like my favourite Moffat series so far.
Another very good episode, I'm not sure whether or not this or Knock Knock is my favourite of this series so far, I'll have to judge upon re-watching it. I thought the Doctor going blind made the stakes feel higher, and it seems that it'll play an important part in the next episode or two/three. Also glad everyone didn't magically come back to life.
This was definitely a very political episode too, a lot of left-wing points, but tbh I didn't really mind it, worked well for the story.
This was definitely a very political episode too, a lot of left-wing points, but tbh I didn't really mind it, worked well for the story.
I don't think Clara was bad for the series as a whole. The problem was that they kept Clara after her "impossible girl" arc was resolved so her character lost its purpose. Also, Clara was a good fit for Matt Smith's Doctor, but not a good fit for Capaldi's Doctor.
Yeah, sorry, but this episode did nothing for me. It felt like filler, really. Generic story about zombies somewhat scientifically explained as the suits becoming automated which becomes a bit of a heavy-handed anti-commercialism parable by the end. The guest characters are non-entities aside from the blue guy, and even he's mostly just a joke about racism until he becomes a zombie. And, worse of all, it was just dull. About the only thing important about the episode is that it makes the Doctor blind, which no doubt is important for the coming story arc.
And despite being the first true adventure with the whole TARDIS team since the premiere, something just didn't work for me. The Doctor and Bill are still good together, but I find Nardole works better as the nagging guardian of the Vault than he does on an adventure.
Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if maybe reducing the episode count further might not be a bad idea. Trim the fat, get better quality control and what not. Then again, maybe Chibnall will be better able to fill out twelve episodes with better results?
And despite being the first true adventure with the whole TARDIS team since the premiere, something just didn't work for me. The Doctor and Bill are still good together, but I find Nardole works better as the nagging guardian of the Vault than he does on an adventure.
Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if maybe reducing the episode count further might not be a bad idea. Trim the fat, get better quality control and what not. Then again, maybe Chibnall will be better able to fill out twelve episodes with better results?
I certainly think it's premature to reduce the seasonal episode count. I think Moffat is burned out, both as a writer and as a show runner, and the show clearly needs fresh blood. Let's see what Chibnall brings to the table and then reassess.
As I've gone on about all season (and in past seasons), one of the biggest things Chibnall needs to do is stop having Earthbound companions. I think the flow of the seasons and the individual episodes will work much better if the show returns to its adventure in space and time roots.
Last edited:
Best episode of the season! The previous stories all had weak plots but at least good interactions between the Doctor and Bill. Finally, this episode had a great plot and good interactions.
Add my voice to those who hopes that Chibnall ditches the part-time companion thing. I don't like it.
Add my voice to those who hopes that Chibnall ditches the part-time companion thing. I don't like it.
I found this really bog standard as they say. Simply passable, storywise. Honestly, most of this season has been but they had snappy patter and brightness to make them work. This was just kinda mush.
Even the capitalism bit was barely there. I figured they were going to have to keep earning their air credits and what not but didn't go far in what could've been some decent satire or commentary. It basically provided a Weiland-Yutani expendable crew setup that really didn't need the oxygen credits deal to work. Just have "Velma" blow the air and compromise the suits and you have the same plot.
Having the Doctor still blind is intriguing though and I liked the Doctor's handling of Nardole and his babysitting. It wasn't horrible but just rather unremarkable and unmemorable.
Even the capitalism bit was barely there. I figured they were going to have to keep earning their air credits and what not but didn't go far in what could've been some decent satire or commentary. It basically provided a Weiland-Yutani expendable crew setup that really didn't need the oxygen credits deal to work. Just have "Velma" blow the air and compromise the suits and you have the same plot.
Having the Doctor still blind is intriguing though and I liked the Doctor's handling of Nardole and his babysitting. It wasn't horrible but just rather unremarkable and unmemorable.
He could have you on ignore? Though he has zero obligation to respond to you anyway.
Excellent episode and best of the season by a mile. The chemistry and banter between the 3 main characters is superb and gets better every week IMO. Loved the atmosphere, pacing and resolution, it was enjoyable from start to end. So how was the Doctor able to survive space for 5 minutes? Was regeneration energy behind it and if so why does the energy not cure his blindness?
Yup. Also goes for Amy. Too bad it took Moff Steve this long to get it right. Very RTD feel, as someone else already stated.
Best episode so far, easily.
Velma the spacesuit voice was hilarious.
The Final Frontier.
Velma the spacesuit voice was hilarious.
The Final Frontier.
Respiratory bypass.
He healed River's wrist with a smidgen of regen energy. I was waiting for him to do that for his eyes. Not a whole regeneration, just a "touch-up".
I wish I had as little to complain about as who starts a thread on an internet BBS and the content of said thread. Must be nice.
Not for the first time where new Who is concerned, I find myself wondering if I watched the same episode as everyone else. Then again, there's this:
Not for the first time where new Who is concerned, I find myself wondering if I watched the same episode as everyone else. Then again, there's this:
This is pretty much how the episode came across to me. The anti-capitalist thing was about as subtle as a brick through a window and the rest of it was by-the-numbers stuff IMO. And much like the Kovarian stuff back in the day and the Missy drivel more recently, I'm over the references to the Vault and whoever / whatever is in it. At this point, it's boring rather than intriguing. Bill remains interesting and Mackie is an engaging performer but that's about it for this episode as far as I'm concerned. Oh, well.
Similar threads
