The Ghost Monument

In the vacuum of space suspended, scooped up before being blended, off to Desolation, a small compensation, with saviours who've been befriended (almost).

It's a race to The Ghost Monument, on a planet designed to torment, you can't drink the water, there's robots that slaughter, killer cloth, slaves were forced to invent.

The reward for the Doctor is bliss, a brand spanking spectacular TARDIS, she's gathered her team, designed a new theme, what could possibly go wrong or amiss?

Keeping it concise, the jury is still out for me on Jodie. The potential is there. She's a great actor. It's got to come down to the writing, which is what lets this episode down. The concept is there and the setup but the payoffs were weak and the ending rushed and unbelievable. So far the companions are good though clearly ticking all the PC boxes. This week it was guns. Next week it's civil rights movement. I hope it doesn't get bogged down in politics and just get on with good stories. We all want to see Who succeed so I'm staying positive.

Yes, I understand that the misogynists will hate it. Yes, I understand that the die-hard Whovians will uncritically adore it. But the truth is, this was lacklustre. Predicable to the extent that even the plot holes were predictable, but offset with fair - although not outstanding - character development of and acting by the four main players. The cinematography and editing were both uneven - sometimes very good although not superb, sometimes weak, although never appalling.

But like any show, the writing makes or breaks it. And in the absence of evidence to the contrary, the writing was mediocre, too. There was none of the philosophical blockbusters that both Davis and Moffatt could produce in their series defining works, and it's even way off the pace of Chibnalls best to date, the tautly written episode "42".

Perhaps this will turn out to be the episode that laid the foundations for something special, that seeds were sown here which will yield a sumptuous harvest in later episodes. We can but hope.

Not great, not bad, just okay. Jodie seems to be trying to mimic both Matt and Peter when she's a throwing in the odd silly line as an after thought. . Not a bad thing I suppose, but they were both really good at it, and it doesn't feel as genuine when she does it. I would have changed one of her lines from "because I'm smart" to "because I'm clever" as a slight nod to Tennant.. That was the way I expected that line to end after she started it, but alas... The last few minutes are the saving grace of the episode. All in all, a forgettable entry. Not one to re-watch any time soon. It was a struggled to rate this as high as a 6, but it's better than a 5, but 5.5 isn't an option. series 11 started strong, and then this? I hope it's not going to become a trend.

It's quite obvious by the 1's and 2's given by many folks, these are the same angry boys that the Doctor is female.

It's like when a bunch of angry, politicized people slam a restaurant on Yelp for whatever reason.

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The story was not too bad. It was not as fast-paced as episode 1, but this episode was more about character development imo.

There was a couple of weak moments with Jodi as she's still getting her feet under her. It was odd seeing the Doctor so lost. Vulnerable almost.

I have a suspicion, that like every other iteration, the series will be more about the companions influence on the Doctor.

Special effects and setting was nice. A cute twist in the middle that while somewhat predictable was fun.

The guest stars were fun if lightweight.

I think something the negative reviewers are forgetting, is that there was a deliberate attempt to aim for a younger audience (young adult).

I don't agree with that decision, but it's not mine to make.