Spoilers The Power of the Doctor grade and discussion thread

[The Wormhole]

Well, that was a thing that was on television.

Okay, watching it in the moment, it's actually not bad, kind of enjoyable in fact. It's only afterwards when I think about it I realize, it didn't really make a lot of sense. The plot actually reminds me of a really sarcastic movie review I read years ago which said something along the lines of "there's a plot that's about something." That more or less sums up the plot of this episode, it's about something. And ultimately, meh, who really cares.

I will say, the character moments are what really saves this episode. We really do get some nice and great stuff there. Which reinforces that Chibnall actually is a good writer when it comes to character oriented stuff. I don't know why he didn't decide to take his era of Doctor Who in a more character oriented direction. But whatever.

And really, bland and forgettable storyline with brilliant character work. That pretty much sums up the Chibnall/Whittaker era precisely. So I guess when you look at it like that, this episode is the perfect representation of its era which makes it the perfect tribute to and send-off for it. So it has that going for it anyway.

 

[CuriousCaitian]

I agree with the general consensus. Huge amount of fun to watch, more energy and pace than any other Chibnall-era ep, but doesn't make a lick of sense. True, as others have noted, par for the course with nuDW end-of-season/era/anniversary eps, but taken to a new level. I'm not sure there's any connective tissue at all, just a rush of Big Reveals and Big Moments, and a better capper for the Chibnall era I can't imagine.

Wasted potential, is how I'd sum up Chibnall's Who. Great actors, good moments, some good ideas, a few good eps, but nowhere near what it could have been. As much as I enjoyed RTD's first stint, I certainly had issues with it, and await his second with interest more than anticipation.

 

[Australis]

^ Or he could've just killed the Doctor while he had her trapped.

No, humiliation first because OTT mad.

 

[DigificWriter]

Degeneration is the obvious consequence of forcing one just five minutes prior

This isn't a degeneration, though.

It's a representation of the potential
ity of a Gallifreyan's regeneration resulting in a body that is physically similar to a person or face that said Gallifreyan knows.

 

[Saul]

This isn't a degeneration, though.

Yep. David Tennant is listed as the 14th Doctor by the BBC. Ncuti Gatwa will be the 15th.

 

[Timofnine]

This was the *best* scene in the *entire* episode!

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[Steve Roby]

Wasted potential, is how I'd sum up Chibnall's Who. Great actors, good moments, some good ideas, a few good eps, but nowhere near what it could have been.

Yeah, that's how I feel about the Capaldi era.

 

[diankra]

Another how? Ace has stuff stashed in the new UNIT HQ? Did she have a hand in building it maybe?

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Tardis transporter beam. Probably something handy on type 72s. A more pressing problem is ‘why did he go from unit, back in time to be Rasputin, when if he was successful in the past at cyberising, none of that would happen… so the Daleks having a re-run of their invasion is even more confusing…’ but this episode treated the Doctors timestream as apparently all occurring in real time with events in other places.

Should have been a crossover with Everything Everywhere All At Once /s

I wish we could get rid of the Cybermen and Daleks for good but yeah that will never ever happen.

 

[Jayson1]

This was the first Doctor Who I watched since I gave up early in season 2 of the Chibnall era. I thought it was nice. Liked the character stuff. Really like the current Master. Can't wait to see what they do with Tennant and the new Doctor after him.

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

Where exactly was the big UNIT building?
Surely that coming down in the middle of a busy area wouldn't have attracted some attention?
Does the public know the building is for UNIT?

 

[The Nth Doctor]

This was lovely.

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That was wonderful. Although I do wish we got to hear from the returning Doctors and companions. I get the feature was focused on the core cast but it still would've been nice.

Will the Renegade Doctor be something to explore in future episodes? Because things definitely weren't tied up there.

We don't know one way or the other but I certainly hope we'll see her sooner than later.

It's been so long since I was surprised or unspoiled by something. I had no idea we'd be seeing past regenerations.

Is the rumored Five-ish Doctors Re-reboot thing still happening, or was it a cover for this episode? If it was a mis-direct, it was a good one.

I never heard more than idle talk from Peter that it would be something he would be interested in doing again but I don't think anything was ever confirmed.

I certainly hope they do a sequel because that was my favorite 50th anniversary celebration, even more than "The Day of the Doctor."

I don't hate Chibnall. I am disappointed that an outstanding actress too often didn't get material worthy of her talent and unfortunately that's on Chibnall. There's no question that the vitriol he attracts is very much over the top at times, though.

I certainly understand that disappointment and I do think she was let down in some ways, but I still think Whittaker got a number of great episodes and almost always shined even with subpar material (much like Colin Baker). To be clear, I don't think of you (or the few others who have legitimately expressed frustration and disappointment with some of the material that she has had to work with) as a Chibnall hater. I respect those opinions even when I don't 100% agreed with some of it. I'm just tired of the larger vitriol Chibnall gets that drowns out the calmer, even-keeled opinions.

I'm seeing it pointed out in various places that the empty chair in the support group scene was likely a tribute to Elizabeth Sladen, and now I'm crying again.

Oh.

DUH.

Of course.

I didn't notice the chair until I watched the episode again today.

Damn.

How did The Master get from 20th century Russia to his Tardis (empty when The Doctor entered it) on the Cyberplanet ?

I just figured he had a hidden Time Vortex Manipulator.

 

[Jax]

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?

 

[Gingerbread Demon]

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?

I love that line and it is such a wonderful line by Tom Baker.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

How did the defaced paintings factor into anything?

They're MASTERpieces, of course!

The plot actually reminds me of a really sarcastic movie review I read years ago which said something along the lines of "there's a plot that's about something." That more or less sums up the
plot of this episode, it's about something. And ultimately, meh, who really cares.

That CAN work. TV and movies have a lot of pieces, imagery, music, characters, actors, sets and costumes, directing, cinematography, pacing and so on (not to mention writing...). I've liked a lot of subpar movies because one or more of those elements worked for me and a movie can sometimes be more than the sum of its parts. I don't begrudge anyone who's enjoyed Chibnall Who, I just wished it worked as well for me.

 

[Commander Troi]

I enjoyed it. The pacing helped and I didn't look too closely at the plot.

I did *not* expect the 5th through 8th Doctors or seeing Ian, Jo, and Mel. Such a joy!

Peter's scene with Janet... nearly did me in. I was a teen during the 80s and 5 and Tegan were the first "yeah, they're together" I shipped.

As much as I adore Tennant, I kinda want to see the new guy more. Still, I'll keep an open mind.

I'm seeing it pointed out in various places that the empty chair in the support group scene was likely a tribute to Elizabeth Sladen, and now I'm crying again.

They're MASTERpieces, of course!

Thanks!

 

[Orac Zen]

I'm just tired of the larger vitriol Chibnall gets that drowns out the calmer, even-keeled opinions.

So am I. It never ceases to amaze me how absurdly worked up people are prepared to get over something as ultimately trivial as a TV show, but the level of hostility expressed toward Chibnall at times is completely and utterly ridiculous. (I find some of the gushing over Davies equally absurd, but that's another matter altogether.)

 

[DigificWriter]

Commenting on a YouTube video on the Council of Geeks channel, commenting on another message board, and reading a fanfic on Archive of Our Own has calmed me down a little bit.

I still think RTD's decision is fanwank, but I'm not as angry as I was yesterday.

 

[Starkers]

Watched the regeneration scene but have yet to see the episode itself (have to wait 6 months for that). I wasn't bothered by the clothes changing this time and there is a very logical reason dramatically for them to skip it this time. Having the doctor running around in their predecessors clothes for part of the episode highlights to the audience that they are no longer who they were - as both the Doctor and us the audience discover their new "self." When the doctor first chooses their costume, it symbolizes them realizing and embracing their new persona. Since they went back to an established doctor now, there's no need to go through that process - doing so would needlessly slow down Tennants first episode. Or I guess his second first episode. We know who he is, he know who is, so get on with it. And as mentioned upthread, there is precedent for the clothes to change with regeneration

I don't even think they should address it - the big question is why the doctor "degenerated" to a previous form. With all the revelations and left turns thrown into the matter of regeneration and counts, clothes are the least of the problems and inconsistencies to contend with.

There's no need to waste time. Tennant regenerates in Jodie's outfit, says "What?" a lot and cut to credits.

Start of the next episode he steps out of the Tardis back in a recognisable outfit.

 

[Orac]

Ace: What's that smell? Were you having a fanwank?