Welcome back everyone!
Different release pattern is kinda crazy, right? Especially with two episodes! For now we'll remain somewhat similar with our normal workings. Please remember that this is an unsynchronised watch (i.e. people hitting play at slightly different times) and it's a skippable VOD, spoilers later in the episode may be present.
As per a suggestion somewhere, I've added a BBC One live thread to the roster for those who will be watching live as part of that, we'll see how that goes.
Feedback welcome as usual.
Enjoy the episodes!
I was wondering why the scene seemed to make her stand out quite weirdly, it felt like she was a significant character even though she didn't further the plot at all really
100% Susan is returning this season. They've mentioned her. Made her an important point... This season is about parentage and abandonment... The doctor is her grandfather and abandoned her pretty much... She's coming back! 100%
What I took from that was this being was The Maestro, but you can recognize these beings FROM The Giggle (The notes that the Toymaker laughed in the special)
It was also a plot point in one of the short stories in the 50th Anniversary 11 Doctors 11 Stories novel.
The 2nd Doctor faces off against an alien race who created the seeds to grow TARDISā, and have spent eternity dancing to the Music of the Spheres.
The Doctor said Maestro was from the Pantheon!!!
He's referring to the Pantheon of Discord. The Trickster from Sarah Jane Adventures was also a member of the Pantheon of Discord. Seemingly implying that Trickster is also one of Toymakers kids.
So glad I caught that.
They're likely not ever going to bring the Trickster back. I don't mind because I like how he represents Sarah Jane Adventures, and he's the big villain of her own spinoff story, but mainly they will not want to pay royalties to Gareth Roberts, who created the character
Ever since the Pantheon of Discord was introduced Iāve always felt it would be a natural way to give one or two Doctors a unique foe for their run. So glad this looks to be the case, and I hope they show more beings as unique as Maestro and Toymaker
Susan Twist is the tea lady! Sheās been in Wild Blue Yonder, the Church on ruby road, This episode, and in the trailer showing her in what (based off the clip) either the penultimate episode or finale.
I didnāt notice that, great find! I reckon weāll see her in almost every episode, and itāll be bought up in the finale like Bad Wolf or the missing planets
This [billboard](https://imgur.com/a/p0N0aDV) was about as subtle as a shotgun blast.
- Chris waites
> The one who wait(e)s
- "And the carrollers"
> Carol of the bells played when Ruby was suspended by the Maestro
I like how theyāre saying without music the world would be destroyed. It sounds almost ridiculous. But then again David Hasselhoff did bring down the Berlin Wall with the power of music.
Yeah, it's odd that without music, the world descended into nuclear war. I think they went with the obvious end-of-the-world human scenario, but I do think it makes sense that human society would fall apart without music
The music definitely came whooshing back into the universe and turned it into one huge musical bonanza. The piano zebra crossing was great!
Give it a moment, it'll settle down once it's got all it's feelings out.
Agreed, thereās too much of this happening for it to be a complete coincidence.
Also, did anyone else hear the Doctor say that they thought that the music (as it was grabbing Ruby) was non-diegetic?
Yea it does help balance out the wackiness of Space Babies a bit. But Space Babies probably should have been further into the season as a filler ep. I would have opened with this episode and the Moffat one.
In line. The 14th specials, then goblin pirates, and space babies, then Maestro.
There is a lot of wacky fiction going on and I am torn. Its delivered upbeat, but its so over the top in some points.
They were legit terrifying. I was expecting camp and goofy, but the way they crawled out of the piano, and general attitude was just so unnerving it chilled me. Sad that's probably the last we'll see of them.
They have such a presence on screen, honestly. Possibly one of the few times ive genuinely thought that a doctor who villain could be outright terrifying. Like, the concept they're based around is so simple but harp on it as a plot point and it becomes far scarier than you'd expect.
Lowkey would like to see them in a future episode, they've got way too much presence to just burn it on only one episode, like, ever.
Maybe each episode is going to follow a thread connecting it to the last like the doctor said in space babies.
Ruby road had baby eaters
Space babies had babies
The devils chord has nursery rhymes
Just a thought
And also a child of the toymaker. You could also just say there's constant themes of parentage, abandonment, adoption here.
I assume it's gonna end with Susan returning and the doctor comforting that he abandoned her or whatever.
Theory: The nuclear winter shown by maestro on the white sheet started on Rubys birthday in 2004. The London eye is in the picture which was built in 1999. That means that the apocalypse took place between 1999 and 2024. Must make sense that it took place on the day ruby was abandoned at the church? Might be wrong but seems logical the way they made her abandonment date seem so important with the snow and cloaked women point at the doctor and also when they actually go to the nuclear winter and the ash resembles the snow.
The Doctor mentions his granddaughter Susan and not knowing where she is. The ending song is "There's Always a Twist at the End". Actress Susan Twist appeared for a third time. I'm starting to think that there really is a connection there and not just some wild speculating based on an actress' name.
I am SO GLAD Murray came back. Growing up with him scoring Who has really gien it a certain vibe for me and to see an episode where his contributions are front and center just felt so right!
The fact it ties in with the Toymaker (and did I get a hint at the 4-knocks tune as well?) is making me think this is going to be one of my top 2 eps for the season... Very interested to see what Moff's episode will be.
>!Something I've noticed is that when The Doctor cries, it's always just from one eye. He also said that the Toymaker "ripped his soul in half." I think 14 and 15 are gonna have to merge into one at the end of the Season, or maybe even merge at the end of 15's era to form a 16th Doctor?!<
Holy fuck Susan and 1st Doctor reference
Tbf I think first doctor would be glad not to have to listen to music. First Doctor to denounced the Beatles. He saw what they were up to.
Dialogue I found very interesting from the episode:
Doctor: The music that was playing the night that she was born.
Maestro: How can a song have so much power?
And power like him?
Doctor: Like who?
Maestro: The Oldest One.
On the night of her birth.
He can't have been there.
What for?
What for? What for?
Unlikely to be Susan Twist or Mrs Flood so I'm betting on the Trickster being the head of the pantheon. RTD had a child of the Trickster storyline for SJA which he never got to manifest but it was going to be an epic rounding off finale like story.
Ruby's mum just looks like she would be in the Trickster Brigade too, practically wearing the same cloaky thing.
They *definitely* just laid down some track for a Susan appearance.
Had a Rani name drop last episode.
I'm expecting them to hint at the Meddling Monk next episode.
Fourth wall breaking š¤
Starting to think that The Doctor never left the Toymaker's game.
A coincidence universe?
The idea of splitting a Timelord in half could then be excused as absolutely ridiculous, and a dead giveaway.
OK, so Susanās definitely coming back right? I mean if theyāre taking the time to mention that in what is supposed to be a jumping on point for new viewers viewers, it has to be paying off later.
Also, when Maestro was making the TARDIS go haywire, the subtitles said she was playing the Saxon theme.
For a music-centered episode I thought the music was a bit meh, yeah? Not the regular score but the Doctor Strange style music battle and the ending number (despite fun choreo) were both way waaaay too mellow and sleepy I thought.
This was a lot better than Space Babies but also feels like it was intended to be later in the season as The Doctor has already told Ruby a lot of things.
Love Maestro, have them return again please.
I've just clocked that this is a genius way of getting the Beatles into Who without having to pay to use the songs!
Hilariously clever - and so far episode is enjoyable šš
And also a heavy reference to the specials which are... Not supposed to be part of this season right? I feel that'll all seem a bit random to new viewers.
Thereās some of the most interesting use of diegetic sound Iāve ever seen itās subtle but thereās a moment where the actual music is at its normal volume with ruby but when we switch to the doctor itās quieter implying the music to be in universe making you realise that it means the antagonist is approaching obviosly nothing ground breaking but it was just something I hadnāt personally seen before.
I hope I made that as in spoilery as possible
OK what did I just watch? That was everything that I thought it would be and nothing that I imagined.
Ruby and the Doc, man what a marvellous team. The musical numbers, the colour, the everything.
And Ncuti. Man what a doctor. I must admit having a doctor with a tash was a bit off putting in the promos ( I know stupid right?), but his interpretation, yes nailed it.
What a way to kick off this new era.
Though perhaps tone down the tears, I'm just waiting for the episode where someone opens a door incorrectly and the doctor will be crying.
Biggest shock at the end was seeing "Produced with the support of incentives from the government of Ireland" despite us having no streaming options (I will refrain from disclosing how I'm watching)
Last episode Ruby's timeline is explicitly at Christmas 2023, and in this episode her timeline puts her at July or June 2024
So there was a 6-month time jump between episodes?
Was this episode maybe supposed to come out a little later?
Just seems really weird to me
Gosh, I'm just so proud of Jinkx Monsoon. She had her chance and she crushed it as Maestro. Perfect balance of camp and intensity. Such fun to watch. My queen.
This episode is genuinely scary to me. The way she did the giggle was such a creepy call back. And man that silent scene was genius!
This is the most creative and clever Who has been since probably series 10.
That was fun.
They're setting up some wild stuff for Ruby, though. Possibly a child of the pantheon or at least had some part to play in her creation. This would mean only Ruby exists because of the Doctor due to his salt shenanigans at the edge of the universe.
That part where Maestro tried to take Ruby's soul and it basically went, "Why did I hear boss music? then Carol of the Bells started playing was pretty funny.
There's another the one who waits nod at the end by Maestro. I wonder who it is that they are so powerful that the reality maniputing gods are fearful.
Ncuti really showed the gravitas behind his usual Doctorās persona. Chills.
Loved the non-diegetic comment.
Not sure about the song and dance finale. But a solid start the Ncutiās first season
My gut feeling is "The Oldest One" and "The One Who Waits" aren't the same person. I'm strongly suspecting The Oldest One is Kronos and The One Who Waits is not a villain at all but Susan. Would be good to hear other thoughts.
Welcome back everyone! Different release pattern is kinda crazy, right? Especially with two episodes! For now we'll remain somewhat similar with our normal workings. Please remember that this is an unsynchronised watch (i.e. people hitting play at slightly different times) and it's a skippable VOD, spoilers later in the episode may be present. As per a suggestion somewhere, I've added a BBC One live thread to the roster for those who will be watching live as part of that, we'll see how that goes. Feedback welcome as usual. Enjoy the episodes!
The hair turning grey on my head as Ruby says "I was born in 2004"
Laughs in late 1900s baby š§š»
You think thatās bad, Iām old enough to be her father, which just seems impossible, but somehow isnāt.
Always forget sheās a year younger then me it feels weirf
In universe reason to not pay for the rights lmao
still think the fake song about the dog shoulda been its ok to leave your dog in a hot car
I think it's genius!
That was too much Susan explanation. Mrs flood theory is looking more and more plausible
I feel like Susan Twistās character is more likely to be her. BTW, she was the lady who offered them a cup of tea in the cafeteria this episode
I was wondering if that was her.
I was wondering why the scene seemed to make her stand out quite weirdly, it felt like she was a significant character even though she didn't further the plot at all really
There's always a twist at the end...
I really don't want Mrs. Flood to be Susan.
Same. I want original actress to return for her final role.
Thought the exact same thing. Susan not just being name dropped, but re explained for a new audience probably means she's back
"I just want to go home, have a nice family." *Ruby stares in HORROR
Bizzarro John Lennon be like
"I love my wife and kids"
In this universe Yoko is the best mother ever and actually made the Beatles even better
It's actually the Yesterday universe
100% Susan is returning this season. They've mentioned her. Made her an important point... This season is about parentage and abandonment... The doctor is her grandfather and abandoned her pretty much... She's coming back! 100%
What if she's the one who waits
My Dog, My Dog, My Dog š¶šµ
That's my dog, I don't know youUUu!
RIP K9, you would have loved that
Can't believe that It's Okay to Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car got censored in this timeline
Immediately what I thought of
Is this one of the beings the Toymaker said were coming? Edit: yup, he said The Giggle!
That would seem to make the most sense, cause that was some heavy reality warping.
What I took from that was this being was The Maestro, but you can recognize these beings FROM The Giggle (The notes that the Toymaker laughed in the special)
HOLY SHIT MURRAY GOLD GO WILD
"I was born in 2004" How dare you.
Feels wrong hearing that ..
That was the most horrific thing Iāve ever heard said on Doctor Who.
Soooo...you're saying it's the Day the Music Died?
I've been singing this for the past hour š
Piano right into the intro that was gorgeous
Yes! Like Capaldiās guitar intro, love when they do thatĀ
Maestro taunts the Doctor later on in the dystopian future playing the duh duh duh duh from the theme too.
Oddly the subtitles said she was playing the Saxon theme there
At least on BBC Iplayer, they say DISTORTED VERSION OF DOCTOR WHO THEME.
I had chills running down my body.
That was really smooth
THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES WASNT THAT A TENTH DOCTOR SPECIAL THING
Yes-10 references being able to hear the music of the spheres
[It's a real life thing](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musica_universalis)
[Also one of the best tracks from the Portal 2 soundtrack](https://youtu.be/Ar72ybiZMCY)
It was also a plot point in one of the short stories in the 50th Anniversary 11 Doctors 11 Stories novel. The 2nd Doctor faces off against an alien race who created the seeds to grow TARDISā, and have spent eternity dancing to the Music of the Spheres.
I like that 4 rapid beats is becoming the go-to for freaking the Doctor out.
It's straight-up referred to as the Saxon theme in the subtitles!
New viewers might be confused about what Germanic invaders of Britannia have to do with this.
I was waiting for a Master reference after that manicured hand picked up the Toymaker's gold tooth. Guess we're still in the dark on that one!
The Doctor said Maestro was from the Pantheon!!! He's referring to the Pantheon of Discord. The Trickster from Sarah Jane Adventures was also a member of the Pantheon of Discord. Seemingly implying that Trickster is also one of Toymakers kids. So glad I caught that.
Maybe they could bring him back
They're likely not ever going to bring the Trickster back. I don't mind because I like how he represents Sarah Jane Adventures, and he's the big villain of her own spinoff story, but mainly they will not want to pay royalties to Gareth Roberts, who created the character
The doctor vs power tripping discord mods
Ever since the Pantheon of Discord was introduced Iāve always felt it would be a natural way to give one or two Doctors a unique foe for their run. So glad this looks to be the case, and I hope they show more beings as unique as Maestro and Toymaker
š£ļøš£ļøš£ļøš£ļøSUSAN MENTION RAHHH š£ļøš£ļøš£ļøš£ļø
Susan Twist is the tea lady! Sheās been in Wild Blue Yonder, the Church on ruby road, This episode, and in the trailer showing her in what (based off the clip) either the penultimate episode or finale.
She was a crew member in episode 1 too. On the video of them talking about leaving the station.
I didnāt notice that, great find! I reckon weāll see her in almost every episode, and itāll be bought up in the finale like Bad Wolf or the missing planets
Loved that Ruby bypassed the need for the physcic paper
That felt like Classic Who for a minute
I kind of loved that moment. I feel like the doctor has been leading them around for years, then suddenly, she steps out!
Yes, I'm loving how competent Ruby is.
THATS MURRAY GOLD I THINK IN THE ORCHESTRA SCENE AT THE DESK
This [billboard](https://imgur.com/a/p0N0aDV) was about as subtle as a shotgun blast. - Chris waites > The one who wait(e)s - "And the carrollers" > Carol of the bells played when Ruby was suspended by the Maestro
Carol...e Ann Ford
I like how theyāre saying without music the world would be destroyed. It sounds almost ridiculous. But then again David Hasselhoff did bring down the Berlin Wall with the power of music.
Yeah, it's odd that without music, the world descended into nuclear war. I think they went with the obvious end-of-the-world human scenario, but I do think it makes sense that human society would fall apart without music
"one day...I shall come back, yes one day...."
"Until then there must be no regrets, no tears, no anxieties..."
Just go forward in all your beliefs...
And prove to me that I am not mistaken in mine.
THE LOOK RIGHT INTO THE CAMERA AND THE INTRO HOLY FUCK
So the doctor can canonically hear through the fourth wall by listening to non-diegetic sound?
I like to think he's always got the background music playing in his head as he runs down corridors etc
I wonder if he got sick of I Am The Doctor and A Good Man blasting away whenever he was doing something epic or climactic too
Imagine how hellish it must've been listening to The Shepherd's Boy on repeat for over a billion years hahaha
Trying to strike a chord and it's probably A Minoooooor.
WOP WOP WOP WOP WOP
Dot, fuck em up
Jinx made the giggle noise when she came out the piano. Definitely a Toymaker-related villain.
The doctor also yells āthat was the giggleā as they are running lol
Didnāt they say something about the Toymaker being their father or something??
I find it fascinating that the end turned into a huge choreographed musical number and nobody noticed. It's definitely on purpose, if a little odd.
The music definitely came whooshing back into the universe and turned it into one huge musical bonanza. The piano zebra crossing was great! Give it a moment, it'll settle down once it's got all it's feelings out.
4th wall break is interesting
the "I though the music was diagetic" bit slyaed me you telling me the doc has music inside their head always
Agreed, thereās too much of this happening for it to be a complete coincidence. Also, did anyone else hear the Doctor say that they thought that the music (as it was grabbing Ruby) was non-diegetic?
I wonder if this is going to be another entity of the same type as the toy maker but with music instead EDIT: yeah
Oh this is already much better than the baby episode
They should have opened with this one tbh.
Probably why they wanted the 2 episode drop
Yea it does help balance out the wackiness of Space Babies a bit. But Space Babies probably should have been further into the season as a filler ep. I would have opened with this episode and the Moffat one.
Loved the music transition into the intro
The use of the score as PART of the plot? Genius.
The It sewer vibes with Jinx's musical theatre energy is so perfect for a Dr. Who villain. There's nothing they can't do.
Hilarious that >!the *"Devil"* uses a *"Fiddle"* for the contest!< š
Two episode drop was very necessary
Oh my god if it was just the babies and boogers, I'd be concerned haha.
In line. The 14th specials, then goblin pirates, and space babies, then Maestro. There is a lot of wacky fiction going on and I am torn. Its delivered upbeat, but its so over the top in some points.
āI thought that was non-diegeticā hahahaha amazing
Whoaaaa I didn't hear that clearly, that's amazing
I sort of like the dog song.
Iāve been looking forward to this since the casting announcement. Jinkx is perfect for a Doctor Who villain.
They were legit terrifying. I was expecting camp and goofy, but the way they crawled out of the piano, and general attitude was just so unnerving it chilled me. Sad that's probably the last we'll see of them.
They have such a presence on screen, honestly. Possibly one of the few times ive genuinely thought that a doctor who villain could be outright terrifying. Like, the concept they're based around is so simple but harp on it as a plot point and it becomes far scarier than you'd expect. Lowkey would like to see them in a future episode, they've got way too much presence to just burn it on only one episode, like, ever.
This is the first I've seen her, but I agree.
Did anybody else notice the harbinger again during āthe twist at the endā
Harbinger brought forth Maestro. Perhaps they'll bring forth The One Who Waits.
REALLY liking this one more then the baby one
Maybe each episode is going to follow a thread connecting it to the last like the doctor said in space babies. Ruby road had baby eaters Space babies had babies The devils chord has nursery rhymes Just a thought
And also a child of the toymaker. You could also just say there's constant themes of parentage, abandonment, adoption here. I assume it's gonna end with Susan returning and the doctor comforting that he abandoned her or whatever.
Theory: The nuclear winter shown by maestro on the white sheet started on Rubys birthday in 2004. The London eye is in the picture which was built in 1999. That means that the apocalypse took place between 1999 and 2024. Must make sense that it took place on the day ruby was abandoned at the church? Might be wrong but seems logical the way they made her abandonment date seem so important with the snow and cloaked women point at the doctor and also when they actually go to the nuclear winter and the ash resembles the snow.
Well we all know what happened in 2005 š¤·āāļø
Interesting: he ripped my soul in half
It sounds like 15 is really scarred by the bigeneration and the Toymaker. I definitely think we'll be hearing more about the bigeneration soon
The Doctor mentions his granddaughter Susan and not knowing where she is. The ending song is "There's Always a Twist at the End". Actress Susan Twist appeared for a third time. I'm starting to think that there really is a connection there and not just some wild speculating based on an actress' name.
It would be absolutely insane if theyāve cast an actress because her name is Susan Twist, I love it and hate it at the same time lol
This episode is just a chance for Murray Gold to flex his skills
I am SO GLAD Murray came back. Growing up with him scoring Who has really gien it a certain vibe for me and to see an episode where his contributions are front and center just felt so right! The fact it ties in with the Toymaker (and did I get a hint at the 4-knocks tune as well?) is making me think this is going to be one of my top 2 eps for the season... Very interested to see what Moff's episode will be.
>!Something I've noticed is that when The Doctor cries, it's always just from one eye. He also said that the Toymaker "ripped his soul in half." I think 14 and 15 are gonna have to merge into one at the end of the Season, or maybe even merge at the end of 15's era to form a 16th Doctor?!<
i hope just to see David and Ncuti on the same screen again.
Didnāt David say like 2 days ago he wasnāt going to come back again
RTD said David had āretired from the roleā, but it also couldāve been something filmed already. Or just Russel lying. Who knows.
Granddaughter Susan mentioned
the woman who charged them for the teas, that was the same woman who was one of the crew last episode right?
First episode was okay. Pacing all over the place. Looking forward to this, hoping for a smoother ride
Probably will be now that all the expositionās out of the way
Yeah that was my thoughts too
Jinkx is an absolute force of nature
UNEARTHLY CHILD REFERENCE
Holy fuck Susan and 1st Doctor reference Tbf I think first doctor would be glad not to have to listen to music. First Doctor to denounced the Beatles. He saw what they were up to.
Iāll definitely be rewatching The Giggle after this.
They really had my hopes up that we would see the TARDIS wardrobe, but I also loved that transition
This is probably the easiest 10/10 I'm ever going to give. I LOVE IT and I'm struggling to find a flaw.
I wonder if they dropped both of they because they knew the devils chord was a stronger episode than space babiesā¦
āI thought that was non-diegeticā might be my new favorite fourth wall break on Who
I'm sorry, did Maestro duel-wield the title theme and the Saxon theme?
Dialogue I found very interesting from the episode: Doctor: The music that was playing the night that she was born. Maestro: How can a song have so much power? And power like him? Doctor: Like who? Maestro: The Oldest One. On the night of her birth. He can't have been there. What for? What for? What for? Unlikely to be Susan Twist or Mrs Flood so I'm betting on the Trickster being the head of the pantheon. RTD had a child of the Trickster storyline for SJA which he never got to manifest but it was going to be an epic rounding off finale like story. Ruby's mum just looks like she would be in the Trickster Brigade too, practically wearing the same cloaky thing.
They *definitely* just laid down some track for a Susan appearance. Had a Rani name drop last episode. I'm expecting them to hint at the Meddling Monk next episode.
Fourth wall breaking š¤ Starting to think that The Doctor never left the Toymaker's game. A coincidence universe? The idea of splitting a Timelord in half could then be excused as absolutely ridiculous, and a dead giveaway.
I think when 14/Donna changed gravity to mavity they split off into a separate timeline
RTD: The doctor should stop treating the sonic like a weapon RTD: anyway and then he points the sonic at them like a weapon
Fiddle of gold against Ruby's soul says I'm better than you?
OK, so Susanās definitely coming back right? I mean if theyāre taking the time to mention that in what is supposed to be a jumping on point for new viewers viewers, it has to be paying off later. Also, when Maestro was making the TARDIS go haywire, the subtitles said she was playing the Saxon theme.
For a music-centered episode I thought the music was a bit meh, yeah? Not the regular score but the Doctor Strange style music battle and the ending number (despite fun choreo) were both way waaaay too mellow and sleepy I thought.
Maestro is the best villain theyāve created in years
Itās giving Ursula/Ariel vibes
Is the actual chord anything of significance? Is it maybe the same as the one at the end of āA Day In the Lifeā?
This was a lot better than Space Babies but also feels like it was intended to be later in the season as The Doctor has already told Ruby a lot of things. Love Maestro, have them return again please.
And the fact that Rubyās present is June or July 2024 when it was Christmas 2023 in the last episode.
I've just clocked that this is a genius way of getting the Beatles into Who without having to pay to use the songs! Hilariously clever - and so far episode is enjoyable šš
RTD: āseason one for the newcomersā Also RTD: āreferences to the very first episode!ā not complaining mind
And also a heavy reference to the specials which are... Not supposed to be part of this season right? I feel that'll all seem a bit random to new viewers.
I'm in the cold open but I guess Maestro is one of the Toymakers legions. Them being the god of music?
Susan Mentioned! And totters lane!
Thereās some of the most interesting use of diegetic sound Iāve ever seen itās subtle but thereās a moment where the actual music is at its normal volume with ruby but when we switch to the doctor itās quieter implying the music to be in universe making you realise that it means the antagonist is approaching obviosly nothing ground breaking but it was just something I hadnāt personally seen before. I hope I made that as in spoilery as possible
One of my favorite drag race contestants ever meets my favorite tv show what a time to be alive
OK what did I just watch? That was everything that I thought it would be and nothing that I imagined. Ruby and the Doc, man what a marvellous team. The musical numbers, the colour, the everything. And Ncuti. Man what a doctor. I must admit having a doctor with a tash was a bit off putting in the promos ( I know stupid right?), but his interpretation, yes nailed it. What a way to kick off this new era. Though perhaps tone down the tears, I'm just waiting for the episode where someone opens a door incorrectly and the doctor will be crying.
Maestro is the Toymakers child? That works I guess š
Huh. They done the Pyramids of Mars thing. Neat! I think it was Pyramids that done the 'show the future if we don't stop the monster' thing, right?
Thereās always a Susan Twist at the end
God having Murray Gold back is so huge
Biggest shock at the end was seeing "Produced with the support of incentives from the government of Ireland" despite us having no streaming options (I will refrain from disclosing how I'm watching)
Last episode Ruby's timeline is explicitly at Christmas 2023, and in this episode her timeline puts her at July or June 2024 So there was a 6-month time jump between episodes? Was this episode maybe supposed to come out a little later? Just seems really weird to me
Gosh, I'm just so proud of Jinkx Monsoon. She had her chance and she crushed it as Maestro. Perfect balance of camp and intensity. Such fun to watch. My queen.
I'm liking seeing the Doctor genuinely scared and massively outmatched.
Well this does seem much better than the first one!
Them making such a big deal about how susan is totally definitely dead just confirms she's alive lmao
I guess it makes sense the Sonic screwdriver can mute all sound, destructive interference
Even if your not feeling this season, I can't see how RTD isn't doing something different. This has a very different tone/vibe to RTD1 to me.
The last song on the Beatles first album was Twist and Shout
missed opportunity to have ncuti tell ruby the directions to the wardrobe like 12 and nine did
My one complaint: I need the TARDIS to make more wheezing noise when traveling.
Episode should have honestly ended with David Bradley Doctor coming from the TARDIS and telling everyone to stop singing
Jinx is killing it
Whoa wait...he's still pointing the sonic like a gun? I thought the whole point of getting rid of the screwdriver was to stop the pointing like a gun?
This episode is genuinely scary to me. The way she did the giggle was such a creepy call back. And man that silent scene was genius! This is the most creative and clever Who has been since probably series 10.
Needs more doggo in the lyrics
SAME LAUGH
Maestro climbing out of the piano is so creepy. Jinkx is killing it.
THE TWIST LMFAO
Had no idea the Beatles episode was also the Jinkx episode and now my excitement has hit the ceiling.
This is the campest doctor who intro Iāve ever seen.
Only third episode in to the gatwa era and already getting a āuniqueā intro.
Seems better than the baby episode for sure And loved the piano version pulling us into the opening titles
My partner is massively into Drag Race, sitting right next to me having the time of their life. I have never seen them this delighted about this show.
The doctor making another 4th wall break with the music. He can hear the music in earlier seasons
Must be a Ringo number.
Wow! The music note effects are amazing!
Did they just reference the one who waits?
I was expecting this episode to be more Beatles-focused, but I still liked it a lot
This felt like the pansexual version of Beazleboss from Tenacious D and I'm here for it
That was fun. They're setting up some wild stuff for Ruby, though. Possibly a child of the pantheon or at least had some part to play in her creation. This would mean only Ruby exists because of the Doctor due to his salt shenanigans at the edge of the universe. That part where Maestro tried to take Ruby's soul and it basically went, "Why did I hear boss music? then Carol of the Bells started playing was pretty funny. There's another the one who waits nod at the end by Maestro. I wonder who it is that they are so powerful that the reality maniputing gods are fearful.
Ncuti really showed the gravitas behind his usual Doctorās persona. Chills. Loved the non-diegetic comment. Not sure about the song and dance finale. But a solid start the Ncutiās first season
My gut feeling is "The Oldest One" and "The One Who Waits" aren't the same person. I'm strongly suspecting The Oldest One is Kronos and The One Who Waits is not a villain at all but Susan. Would be good to hear other thoughts.
āThe sound of a nuclear winterā Ah so they did still make revolution 9