I am less impressed by the “Master reveal” stuff, not because of Dhawan, but because it hinges on a ridiculously clunky bit of writing - the “champion sprinter/no good at running” stuff where he gives his identity away - aka the Doctor noticing that a piece of information she’s just heard (and so did we) doesn’t line up with a piece of info she knew from earlier in this episode by reading a file (but we did not). It’s just such a clumsy way of doing that sort of thing, without any of the clever and satisfying setup Moffat would’ve given it. Feels like flunking Writing 101.
Anyway, this story sees the start of what I like to think of as Chibnall in hedonistic, maximalist mode, which is really where he stays until he goes. It never makes sense and it might all come crashing down at any moment but it is at least often quite breezy fun in the moment and has an energy S11 was kind of missing. On the other hand, despite being a bit plodding and ponderous, S11 more often felt like it was trying to be about something.
My favourite thing about the Master (apart from the deliberate non-explanation as to how they escaped whatever inevitable fate they faced in their previous appearance) is that when they do reappear, it's often in some role that would have taken quite a long time to establish themselves in, and which would require the sort of patience that the Master clearly doesn't have.
I mean, yes, obviously there was probably some mind control nonsense going on, but even so, it amuses me.
I am less impressed by the “Master reveal” stuff, not because of Dhawan, but because it hinges on a ridiculously clunky bit of writing - the “champion sprinter/no good at running” stuff where he gives his identity away - aka the Doctor noticing that a piece of information she’s just heard (and so did we) doesn’t line up with a piece of info she knew from earlier in this episode by reading a file (but we did not). It’s just such a clumsy way of doing that sort of thing, without any of the clever and satisfying setup Moffat would’ve given it. Feels like flunking Writing 101.
Anyway, this story sees the start of what I like to think of as Chibnall in hedonistic, maximalist mode, which is really where he stays until he goes. It never makes sense and it might all come crashing down at any moment but it is at least often quite breezy fun in the moment and has an energy S11 was kind of missing. On the other hand, despite being a bit plodding and ponderous, S11 more often felt like it was trying to be about something.
My favourite thing about the Master (apart from the deliberate non-explanation as to how they escaped whatever inevitable fate they faced in their previous appearance) is that when they do reappear, it's often in some role that would have taken quite a long time to establish themselves in, and which would require the sort of patience that the Master clearly doesn't have.
I mean, yes, obviously there was probably some mind control nonsense going on, but even so, it amuses me.