Legend of the Sea Devils

I couldn't tell if the bad script, bad acting or bad editing let this down the most. The story had some potential that would have benefited from a longer running time or been a two parter. Most of the scenes felt like they had been cut short causing to jumps in story telling. The episode seemed to stall and playing catch-up all the time which resulted plot points been lost to the cutting room floor. What was worse about the episode was the weird won't they won't they arc between the Doctor and Yaz. Fingers crossed they can redeem the show with the centenary episode.

The CGI is like 90s TV show level. The chroma (colour) is off on scenes. The acting is b-grade level, the plotline is dull, the whole special is garish.

Chibnalls work has been very subpar, the writing terrible and Jodies acting as the doctor off with this new era, apart from an episode or two that stand out as 'nearly Who'. But this episode, wow, just wow. I don't know how anyone signed off on this. It's that bad.

The Doctor, Kaz and Dan end up in 19th century China where they encounter one of the Timelord's old nemeses, a 'Sea Devil' (last encountered in the silly Warriors of the Deep (1984)), who is searching for a key to unlock the power to inundate Earth and return it to the rule of his aquatic brethren. The story doesn't make a lot of sense and is marred by one of those 'futz with the alien technology and the existential threat is conveniently nullified' cop-out resolutions. There is a nicely rendered but under-utilised sea monster, some unfunny pirate-themed humour, a poorly choreographed fight scene, and some more 'historic characters' who look like millennials playing dress-up. Kaz's romantic pining for the Doctor is revisited but fortunately she is rebuffed (surely the Doctor is lying when she says that Kaz is one of the most interesting people she's ever met). The Doctors' personal lives are rarely explored but it is canonical that the first Doctor had a granddaughter, so there must be some history of romantic attachments. The Sea Devils are an interesting homage to the originals and look pretty good (although sometimes a bit awkward and 'rubbery'). The story jumps erratically at times as if segments had been cut out (notably when the Doctor et al and a seemingly spontaneously freed Ji-Hun appear on the Flor de la Mar, and for either budget or covid reasons, the sailing ships seem to operate without crews, which just seems ridiculous. Overall, a simplistic story-line with uninteresting characters, unimpressive CGI and a contrived ending. The show's recent trend towards self-righteous posturing is kept to a minimum, so the episode is just weak, not irritating.

I was keen to watch the return of the Sea Devils to see how they would be updated to mirror the Silurian cousins and being a feature length episode, a good backstory to reveal more of these famous foes. And I was generally okay with many of Chibnall era of stories. However, I was terribly disappointed from not only the lack of Sea Devil design, but their low budget puppetry appearance which made classics version look so much more contemporary. And the story with a loosely added last minute plot was so clumsy written (lets add this and that now lets forget we did that) it just felt like they making everything up on the spot. As was the acting, nothing more than a children's pirate pantomime. Chibnall era was well-known to spend good money on graphics and special efforts, but the skills and lack of polishing off of effects was so bad I was horrifically transported back in time to early 80s film technology. I was one of those fans that was okay with Chibnall era. But this episode was a complete let down in every way.

I've liked Jody Whitaker and some of her past works. The Flux was not too bad, but I'm hoping the return to the Old guard will help with things right.

In general I don't blame jody, but it feels like the latest show league has been trying to desperately steer the series in his own direction and sake of his own legacy and has been failing.

This latest episode just felt like something that was thrown together last minute. The effects would give the classic series and run for its money, but by today's standards are really low quality.

This episode I had stiff acting, lines that just seem to be thrown together and action that was poorly directed.

With all of this era's episode spread out so much, it's hard for me to remember everything, but I would say this is definitely one of the low points. I hope Jody gets a chance to redeem herself for the last episode.