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Tom Marshall's avatar

The jewel in the crown of the Chibnall era. Which is heartening in its own way because I do think this is not a story RTD or Moffat would’ve commissioned. So it is an example of the Chibnallian approach paying off, even if it takes an actually good writer to make it work.

Also, Segun Akinola’s finest hour.

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Jonn Elledge's avatar

absolutely top pun

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Adam Clegg's avatar

I remember sheer relief when this aired, at last they’ve worked out how to make Who that feels different and unique. It was a nice feeling while it lasted.

Is Jodie miscast or is Chibnall the first modern showrunner to seemingly not understand the strengths and weaknesses of his leading actor and thus never write a script that lets her shine?

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Richard Smith's avatar

The concept of a race of aliens who've suffered near total loss who are there to comfort those who die alone - with no one to talk to or even bear witness - is profoundly moving and indeed quite haunting. You achingly want it to be true, lest.

It also feels like a different path the Doctor could've taken after their own losses, and a role we've seen them play a few times.

It also feels quite poignant given that the Doctor did face their last 'death' alone in Twice Upon A Time, in a hopeless situation where his world was torn apart despite his best efforts and he didn't even have the stars for comfort. (And was similarly 'saved' by alien intervention.)

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