In the first sequence she says she has been to Wales twice. At the end when Old Ruby returns Young Ruby says she has been to Wales three times making "now" an accurate statement even if her memory of it is fading (or has faded) away.
5:50 Whilst "pren" does mean "wood" - as in planks of wood, not as in forest/thicket - it also means "tree". So Y Pren Marw in this context means "The Dead Tree"... hence the dead-looking tree on the clifftop and the painting on the pub sign.
Another honest review Chimp. Really enjoyed this one myself. We are a similar age and have the same fondness of Who. Personally I think Doctor Who has always pushed boundaries and tried different things going back to the original run., Sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn’t. This indeed works, not everything needs explaining. Just a great ride.
You're right, it was a wonderful journey of an episode and the loose threads don't need to be tied up neatly. Although maybe some of them will be in future episodes...
Perhaps through whatever agency is driving Ruby's story the episode happens entirely in Ruby's head as the scenario that will most push her to stop the Doctor breaking the faerie circle? Her trigger is being abandoned, unwanted and being an outsider, rootless and disconnected, and the set-up of the timeline does seem to centre on that. I'd guess 'beyond this universe' as per Toymaker and Maestro is on the circle's other side.
The black mirror episode was part of there special film visions. ( Different color) There seemed to be no narrative commitment on tech, which is black mirror's thing. In parallel, this episode lacks the vortex as if it is as you ironically said it not doctor who. It's so mysterious, I love it. Thanks for your @chosenchimp fake anxiety. It was a fun review.
I'm with you, I fear that there won't be explanations. But the hand gestures of the "older Ruby" were so specific and repetitive, and I can't think that just saying "I'm old Ruby" would have scared off both her mother and Kate. I feel like I *want* there to be something, at least a reference or small revelation later in the series.
I wasn't overly fussy on this episode, other than the fact that it was set in Wales, and it had Sian Phillips in it. I also found it a little far-fetched, because fairy circles are as rare as red dragon's teeth around 'ere.
What's good about your reviews is hearing your opinions about the episodes. I feel like the format of just explaining the whole story first kind of takes away from that, especially seeing as we've all already seen it. No meanery intended, I've been watching since the beginning, just a suggestion.
A show as old as doctor who needs the occasional shake up with something different. I will always appreciate that in episodes like this, though this one wasn't for me. Genuine highlight, when Kate Stewart sent in the troops I giddily exclaimed unit doing stuff😃
I watched it at midnight and hated it. I watched the background progs later and then the YX and with a different perspective - knowing the plot rather than being pissed off by it, I could enjoy the show. I won, but I had to work at it.
