The Zygon Inversion

Capaldi's great speech? Seriously? Utter, juvenile rot. Also, I don't see how anyone can write that Tenant over-emotes, compared to Capaldi. I have completely given up on Doctor Who. I won't watch another episode while Moffat is in charge. I might watch Capaldi again. He probably can be a good actor, if given decent material.

One final comment. When you look back at the great episodes Moffat wrote several years ago, they were all very much fantasy as opposed to science fiction. The man obviously couldn't distinguish a planet from a plant, or a moon from a womb. With Moffat in charge, there is zero sense of verisimilitude. I also strongly object to the creepy-weepy Doctor-companion style---under Moffat in particular, but for the whole NuWho years in general.

This television has always been good at bringing a subtext to the story telling element . The Pertwee era was good at this though was slightly obvious but when you've a production team who are professionals who treated DOCTOR WHO as "a mere job" it's not necessarily a criticism . It's probably summed up by Terry Nation's first story for the show all these decades ago - Daleks are space Nazis in metallic shells . Yeah I'll buy that and if we get an entertaining story to go with it all the better . And stories don't get much better than the 1970 Pertwee tale The Silurians an allegory on what happens when pragmatism and compromise fails with one of the most bitter ends seen in a DOCTOR WHO story

With all due respect to Malcolm Hulke his job was made easier by having the story spun out to seven 25 minute episodes which meant more room for drama , especially characterisation . Writers on NuWho don't have that luxury , everything involves around brevity and fast pace . That said there's a massive lot wrong if we're watching this as a two part story especially where structure is involved . Let me explain:

Part one of this story involved much incident and over ambitious globe trotting . One set-piece stumbled in to another slightly misjudged set-piece . On top of that we had constant exposition delivered in a clumsy manner . This second part is entirely different pace wise and the opposite problem - nothing really happens and we have 45 minutes of talking . And talking . And talking . One problem remains and that is once again plot exposition . You want to know about the Osgood box . Well here's an explanation and if you don't get it or pop out to make a cup of tea there will be another explanation again in a couple of minutes . War and racism are bad things ? We know and if you don't someone will point this out every couple of minutes . Everything is far too on the nose and if you're getting bored by this ( I know I was ) don't worry because someone will re-explain all this by putting on a fake American accent because ... well because . And if you're really bored to the point of terminal collapse (I know I was) then try and count the number of game show references and be thankful for the fact the Hughie Green was never cast as The Doctor

I really am puzzled by the decision to make this story a two parter . The first part was over paced while the second part indicates there's not enough premise to make up a satisfying episode where everything ignores the writing rule of "show don't tell" . There's only a subtext to the narrative because the audience are told there is one . It's not subtext at all just plot devices with names being used as sounding boards . I suppose if there ;s any positives it's down to the fact no matter how much an episode of NuWho disappoints me I will always tune in to it every Saturday come what may and I mean that most sincerely folks

The suckered and puckered Zygon. Rebels quest, for world domination. But will they box clever? Through leader Zygella. Keep the peace, and restore paragon.

I think that the first part is somewhere between bad and average (probably closer to average) whereas this second part is really entertaining and good. The first part had a sense of confusion, inaccuracy and acting like it's not what it is, yet this feels well paced with like the 3rd best capaldi speech (1st being his regen speech, 2nd some random bit in heaven sent), has a good atmosphere and has that mind reading thing with the zygons that is done very well.

I will criticise the woman with the ? jumper not saying her species. Didn't change much as far as I can remember, just in there for dramatic effect and for me was more annoying. It is a small flaw in an otherwise above-average episode though.

Overall, 9/10. Would give up to 9.5 (don't like 10/10 ratings)

A glimpse of just how good this Doctor and Clara could, and should have been, given the material.

One of the best episodes from The Capaldi era, after several revisits, I would still say it's awesome.

I was a little unsure after the first few minutes, the dream sequence seemed to go on a bit, but once that was done this episode left me absolutely speechless, a truly worthy conclusion to the excellent opener. Peter Harness role a wonderful tale, one of morality which has subtle a political message at its heart, condemning the act of war.

The best performance I have seen from Jenna Coleman so far, she was terrific, why has she not been allowed to be as good as this before? I almost wanted her to stay a Zygon, she did 'bad guy' brilliantly. Zygella demanding the whereabouts of the Osgood box from Clara, was one of Jenna's standout moments. She is going out on a high.

I will say hand on heart this is the best performance yet from Peter Capaldi, his speech was the high point of his time as The Doctor, powerful, charismatic, I've been waiting for him to get the chance to be this good!

A special mention of Nicholas Asbury, he played Etoine, the Zygon forced into revealing his true self. He did an incredible job in such a small space of time, it was a wonderful effort, super special effects helped create a cracking scene.

After that showing I get the impression we will be seeing more of Osgood in the near future, The Doctor said he was a fan, and after that so am I.

10/10 so good I had to put it straight back on. This season has been very strong in general.