The Ghost Monument

This episode, more than anything, will always be remembered as the episode where the new Tardis is introduced, that's it. Everything before is just a forgettable experience, It just feels like a typical filler. I was sat with three other people, and when the credits rolled we were like "oh, cool tardis.... Oh yeah and those robot thingys in a desert with... three suns?"

On the positive side Jodie's performance was memorable in this episode, though the acting seemed a bit forced at times. That can be forgiven as it's only her SECOND episode. I wish the same could be said for the rest of the cast...

Ok so the writing was bad for the intro. Cast is still amazing. But seriously. I think I've seen better plots on farmland than in this script. Horrible.

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.

The ghost monument is a episode that feels like it bridges the gap between two better episodes. Yet again camera work and CGI is top notch and everybody's acting is as good as ever. The story is alright, feels a bit sluggish at times.

I feel like this season has two issues. Exposition and endings. Chris chibnill can't appear to actual explain something naturally, instead having five minute blocks between much more exciting scenes. Chris also can't end an episode naturally, instead the ending feels disjointed and force. This is less present here then in a later episode.

Overall, you can skip this one if you want, but if you want a adventure story, it's for you.