Yeah, the sunglasses....yeah. However, I personally find them a bit more bearable when you consider that the behind the scenes reason for them was that Peter Capaldi wanted to make it easier for kids from poorer families to cosplay as the Doctor. Sonic Screwdriver toys are expensive but now you can be the Doctor with just a cheap pair of sunglasses.
Yeah, I just posted about this downthread. It annoyed me when all the "pro" cosplayers complained about Capaldi's evolving costume choices. "Oh he looks like a hobo with that hoodie and I hate the glasses, it's not unique," etc. It was an intentional choice to make it easier for kids to be the Doctor. Not everyone can afford to assemble an expensive costume to show off at a Comic Con. It was specifically important to him that poorer kids could dress up and be him as easily as possible.
I'm sure there are others, in "The Daleks" they had beds in the cells, a table and a chair. Also if they rebuilt everything from scratch, then (why is there so many dead Daleks in the sewer and) who's chair is that? Colony Saff's?
My head-canon is that since sometimes the Doctor's pockets are bigger on the inside, at any given moment the Doctor is always carrying whatever the plot needs him to be carrying. The dimension inside of the pocket probably also has its own gravitational field so the cup doesn't spill when he runs.
I love how Missy, kind of keeps her promise, she promised that if she met Davros, she would poke him in the eye (Magician's Apprentice) and she did 15:57
Full context, this is the first time that the Master and Davros have ever appeared together, to some fans, including Capaldi, this was a LONG time coming.
MyAbridged I completely forgot about that part in the movie. Granted we have no idea if The Master met Devros then since we don’t know what year he was sent to Scaro.
The movie really did shit on the characters lore. Making him half human, which was later ret-conned in a audio book as a "cunning trick", the Daleks capturing the Master on his last life also made no sense. The master body swapped back in old who and had a whole new set of lives, the actor sadly died and then was replaced in the movie by a goa'uld snake from StarGate.
"Magician" and "Witch" both come from old words for wisdom. They mean someone who has special knowledge, beyond that of ordinary people. There's another old word for someone like that: Doctor. So... the Magician's Apprentice, the Witch's Familiar... the Doctor's Companion. Davros' whole thing about "a man should have a race" and "protect your own"... it sounds good put that way, doesn't it? But the Daleks have always been Nazi stand-ins, that was REALLY obvious in the old series, and in that light it's clear that he's (a) completely sincere and (b) means it in the sense that, as a fascist, he believes everyone should identify with their race above all else, that other races are inherently a threat, and therefore one is obligated to fight to protect their race. He's actually putting a pretty spin on some seriously nasty racist bilge--very clever writing in that scene, as well as spectacular acting. Also, I love that this episode actually recognizes the correct answer to "If you could go back in time and kill baby Hitler, would you?" The answer is "Why are you so eager to murder a baby? If you have access to baby Hitler, your moral obligation is to try to TEACH him, so he doesn't grow up to be freaking Hitler!"
The Doctor should have really taken this opportunity and honestly TEACH child Davros. Stay with him, Idk, I think this episode could have explored something very interesting.
Capaldi starts the trend of showing that he has chemistry with pretty much anyone Doctor in Davros’ chair is hilarious too Friendly Reminder that Missy is still a vicious, relentless psychopath... ‘Genocide is a choice’ and ‘are you ready to be a god’ is another Genesis of the Daleks callback The translation of Dalek words is interesting though, what if they’re saying something else? Such a tender moment, that’s ALL A RUSE! At least the snake man gets killed The Hybrid is a season theme btw Davros made a tactical error of massive measures Secondary Reminder that Missy is a malicious, conniving psychopath Sonic Sunglasses, controversial pick but I love it, it’s cool, fits this theme of Twelve and has actual utility The Doctor still learns a lesson though, mercy and compassion should be given even to your enemies It’s a great opening too, it sets the tone for the characters, the season’s theme and the relationships between the characters. You know exactly where you stand with Clara, Missy and Capaldi. Deep Breath/Into the Dalek was great but it left a lot of questions but this goes straight into it 9 weeks though, just gotta wait 9 weeks for my favourite
For me this two-part story is one of my personal all time favourites and is what made me connect with 12. Davros is my fav Who villain period; if Missy/the Master was the dark mirror, Davros is the complete opposite and I thought this story was an amazing, powerful exploration of two bitter arch-enemies who will never fully understand one another because of two very different ideologies yet are brought together here and are shown more as equals than they like to admit. I particularly loved the imagery of the final scene with the Doctor and child Davros holding hands on the Skaro battlefield with the Doctor holding a Dalek gun while Davros is holding the sonic screwdriver. Julian Bleach was amazing as the twisted Dalek creator, but this is where Capaldi completely won me over. His scenes with Davros were astounding, and his speeches about compassion and mercy were brilliantly sold. I would never have thought any Doctor would rival 4 as my personal favourite, but 12 did here. IMO, this two-part story is a modern classic.
Huh, I thought it was a cookie/biscuit or something XD. Cause I thought it's like 'Jammie Dodgers' But I didn't know how to spell the 'Dodgers' part, so I though, he was talking about it XD
I love that the final scene of this episode is The Doctor holding a Dalek gun walking away with Davros holding the sonic. Something very symbolic about that.
I think some people went over the top complaining about the glasses. Someone even said at a panel that everybody hated the glasses IN FRONT of Capaldi! They obviously thought they were being clever but Moffat just owned her. The reason was that it was heavy and ruining 12’s coat so they went for alternatives. The glasses are actually used for some practical things in this season and the next but don’t worry the sonic’s not out completely. I also love the explanation of the difference between compassion and mercy. Davros will still become who he becomes but because of a single act of mercy from an enemy he gives his creations the concept and indirectly saves those he and the Daleks despise.
Also, I think some people complained about the glasses because they wanted another screwdriver to buy (cosplayers). Having the glasses made it easier for kids to dress up as the Doctor (something very important to Capaldi) because you didn't NEED real Rayban Wayfarers. Any Wayfarer knock-off could do just fine. A lot of people/cosplayers complained about Capaldi's evolving costume for the same reason (I saw "hobo Doctor" more than once) but he was trying to make sure kids could assemble their own costume easily.
Mine list goes 1. Series 10 2. Series 4 3. Series 9 4. Series 1 5. Series 3 6. Series 5 7. Series 8 8. Series 7 9. Series 6 10. Series 2 11. Series 12 12. Series 11
OH MISSY YOU'RE SO FINE. Also, YOU FINALLY GOT MONKEYS! (Almost) I'm so glad you love Missy. I love this two-parter, and I think this episode in particular shines with its two team-ups. The Doctor and Davros both acting their (metaphorical) socks of, and then Missy and Clara being one hell of a team dynamic and I love it. Definitely one of my favorite Dalek stories as well. It wouldn't be the first time we've seen the Doctor without a sonic, but it is a bit odd, yeah. Honestly, I kind of love this idea Peter had about the glasses (and personally I think he pulls them off really well), that it would make it possible for almost any kid to dress up as the Doctor, you wouldn't need to get a fancy toy or anything. You just need a pair of sunglasses, and you're the Doctor. I think that's really sweet. So I don't mind the sonic sunglasses, even though I know quite a few does. :D S9 is underway and I am so hyped!
Also, this was a not-quite-restored fossilized Dalek from a universe that has never existed, talking to River in a collapsing bubble of reality. I think there's some leeway here.
Technically since the Doctor instilled the word "mercy" to a young Davros before he even made the Daleks, it means in a retroactive way that Dalek was able to use the word "mercy" due to the events of this episode. What doesn't make as much sense is why Clara couldn't make the casing say she was human or even say her name. I mean one of her alternate versions from _Asylum of the Daleks_ who was turned into a Dalek, was able to say it. "I'm human. I am not a Dalek, I am human. I am not Dalek, I am human!" "I am Oswin Oswald. I fought the Daleks and I am human! Remember me."
Yes the shades are here to stay. While giving no spoilers you're in for a treat season 9 has some great moments including what I consider one of the best episodes of Who that includes Old and New Who.
Aidan Vickery The only other actor who I think could have carried it as well (albeit in his own way) is Troughton. You know all those convention hijacks where fans get past Doctors to read other Doctors' speeches? I'd love to see that episode given treatment,
15:46 is a nice line callback to Davros's final confrontation with the 7th Doctor In "Remembrance of the Daleks". When he realizes that things are going south and he's lost control he says in that story too: "No!...This cannot be correct."
Technically it doesn't matter when mercy was spoken by a Dalek prior to this episode because the ending of the episode technically happened before the Daleks existed therefore they would always know the word mercy. Idk if I am making sense but it's timey wimey.
One of my all time favourite episodes, I love that it revolved around just four characters and really explored the 'frenemy' angle a lot. Missy and Clara are amazing together, and Twelve and Davros was just really compelling. I like the idea that there's likely an element of truth to what Davros said to the Doctor as well. I think he would be genuinely happy in his own twisted way for the Doctor regarding Gallifrey - it's given the Doctor something to fight for, and Davros sees the beauty in the concept of fighting and conflict...in that moment, it renewed his own blood-thirst too, and is probably what passes for happy in Davros' eyes. And then the fact he said the rest with his own eyes rather than his Dalek eye, it's as if there's still that underlying 'humanity' to him, pushed so far down inside beneath all his hatred. Asking if he's a good man himself wasn't only a nice mirror of the whole theme from Series 8, but also is the kind of question he would have asked himself long ago... his last moments of sanity and a good conscience before he became something evil. Sure, he uses it to his advantage here, but I don't think that has to discredit any of what he was actually saying. I love that depth of character, and just how much fun this two-parter has with the whole thing as it goes.
Well, Sesska continues to not just be a great reactor but a great critic. Picking up on so many important themes already, I love that. This is gonna be a really good end of series review, I can tell already. Series 9 is my personal favorite outside the Pond era, so I hope it holds up here.
I love the Doctor/Davros scenes in this episode. They are rich with thought-provoking dialogue, more than any other scene between them in the past. I like the sonic glasses. They are a nice departure from the overused sonic screwdriver. The Missy/Davros meeting never fails to make me laugh.
The season opener was one of the best one since Season Six two-part episode. What they have both in common is setting up a very interesting season ender. Some key points that I loved about this episode 1) Missy's Doctor story that showed the First, the Fourth and then the 12th. This symbolized the most important "Doctors" to the Dalek mythology. The Fist Doctor was the introduction to the Daleks. The Fourth Doctor was the introduction of Davros and the creation of the Dalek. And the 12th is just the current Doctor. 2) Call back to Clara's first appearance in "The Asylum of the Daleks". She's was trapped in a Dalek, but died, In this episode, Doctor actually "Saves" Clara Oswald. This is almost metaphorical, as Clara's life is beginning to enter a new phase. 3) Sonic Sunglasses. Every once in a while, Doctor Who shakes things up. As mentioned before by other posters, Capaldi made some cosmetic changes to his doctor so that poorer kids could "cosplay" the Doctor easier. He swapped out the shirt and vest to a T-shirt and pants. Also, as people had the tendency to forget, "Google Glasses" were trying to become a "thing". And it failed horribly. But had it actually caught on, Doctor Who would have been part of a vanguard. 4) The Quiet Davros, Doctor moments. Despite the fact they always will be enemies, both actually have very similar traits: Wanting to belong and protect their own. The Doctor "own" is a far much wider people than Davros singular vision. 5). Missy and Clara relationship. Believe it or not, it is Missy who actually helps educate on a key part of the Doctors method. Under "The Magicians Apprentice" Clara is shown to have gained skills as a companion of the Doctor. She notices the planes stop moving even before the "official" summons. Clara gained the skills to know how to hunt the Doctor down. But she doesn't know how the Doctor "plans" . It's Missy who gives this to her this key: "The Doctor assumes that he will win" . But Missy has never been protective but has always USED people. The whole episode she has used Clara as a measuring device, Dalek bait and Doctor Trap. 6) The definite highlighting of how important the Doctor and Clara's to each other. It's kind of hard to define their relationship. For Clara's part, last season showed how much of an addict she's become to the lifestyle. She was willing to lie, cheat and steal to maintain it. 12th Doctor needs Clara in order to have some form of connection to the people he deals with. This should kept in mind for the season.
Another nice callback to the classic series at 18:26 with the Hostile Action Displacement System, (or H.A.D.S.) first seen in action in the 2nd Doctor story "The Krotons".
"There's no such thing as The Doctor. I'm just a bloke in a box telling stories... I came because you're sick and you asked; and because sometimes, on a good day, if I try very hard, I'm not some old time lord who ran away. I'm The Doctor". I absolutely love the exchange with Davros and The Doctor in this episode and this is another one of those moments where Peter owns who The Doctor is. This is the beginning of where Peter really took over as my favorite Doctor.
No, I didn't say... nah, you're pretty much right. ALTHOUGH, Aidan Vickery said (I quote) "I *think* this season hits the highest highs of nuWho" I said that he had EVERY RIGHT to *think* that. On the other hand, I just noticed that he said "the highest highs" plural, meaning I should have said "ALONG WITH The Stolen Earth and ...." I also just realised I wrote Journey's End instead of The End of Time like I intended to write. Let me just go fix that real quick. There you go. I went back in time and changed the comment and now I didn't even put Aidan's original statement in question. ( THE LAWS OF TIME ARE MINE. *AND THEY WILL OBEY ME!* )
This is a really good 2 parter ..I personally think Series 9 as a whole is really good (though I know the finale is divisive to say the least ) but I think Series 10 is Capaldi’s best .
I still love this season´s finale! All three episodes basically, the holy trinity to me, so to say! Nothing beats Time of the Doctor though! So quirky, over the top, yet still perfect to me...
I can't wait to talk about why the finale is my personal favorite ever episode in the show's history in a couple months. And I mean it, I've seen them all. But it's a divisive one for good reasons.
Script Scribbles We're really spoilt for choice with Capaldi finales. All three are easily, to my mind, the best conclusions the show has done, short of The War Games.
Aderack Online All three are absolute pinnacles of the show. The series 10 one gets me more emotional, but series 9's is so subtle, thematically dense, and forward looking for the show that it's my absolute favorite.
Script Scribbles I don't believe you've seen them all. All the new ones (2005 - now), maybe. But not all of them. Also, despite loving parts of the finale, I personally despise it for a number of reasons and Face the Raven was the episode of Doctor Who that pissed me off the most, I wanted to go live on top of a cloud over victorian London, brooding in a box. I respect you and your right to love these episode, I am simply talking about how the episodes affected me. (Personal views on the quality) does not equal (The actual quality)
Julian Bleach rules as Davros. I think my personal favourite is Terry Molloy from the eighties, but that's only because he's done a lot of the audio dramas with the other Doctors and knocked it out of the park on every single occasion. It's my hope that they don't bring Davros back unless they have a really good story for him, because I really don't want to start taking Bleach for granted in that regard.
Greatest is undoubtedly Michael Wisher - originated the role and brought brilliant chemistry plus that famous Davros trait of going from really quiet to screechingly loud in one monologue. "Yes.... I would do it, that power would set me up above the gods!! etc."
I like the neat little time travel play with this episode. When we see Davros we believe he thinks the Doctor is ashamed of leaving him behind, when actually he thinks he's ashamed of saving him. But in the end the thing that Davros thinks the Doctor should be ashamed of is actually something that ends up getting rid of that shame. I like stable time loops.
Something I love about Davros' relationship with the daleks is that he created them but he has almost no control over them. There is one 5th doctor story where davros is forced to make a cure for a virus only deadly to daleks. I honestly love this story and I feel they should do more stories like that.
I absolutely adore this two parter. The scenes between the Doctor and Davros are incredible. For me, Series 9 maintains this high standard, with (again, for me) just one so-so episode, but also the greatest episode of Doctor Who of all.
One of capaldis best performances up until series 10 where all his performances were brilliant. This season has a few other fantastic episodes where capaldi absolutely knocks it out of the park, truly made me appreciate him even more.
My favourite part of this whole reaction is that you remembered the scene with Ian from The Daleks. It's nice to know that Ian is equally as important to you as Clara or the Doctor. I really love that original crew.
Love your reactions started watching when you had about 8k subscribers subscribed because of your doctor who reactions you've come so far keep up the good work :)
I loved the Mercy thing. I figure that Moffat being a superfan noticed that Daleks have showed mercy several times before, not just in what he wrote, and he found a neat way to explain that occasional weakness in their evilness. While also answering the 4th Doctor's question, which ever since it was said was begging to be done. If you had been wondering all these years then he gave it smart answer.
Ah yes, the sonic sunglasses. One of the most polarizing topics in all of Doctor Who. Right up there with Clara, Rose, Jodie Whitaker, and Steven Moffat.
That wasn’t even intentional. But seriously, all of those things seem to divide the fandom into half love and half hate. Not like how 99% of fans like Matt Smith or how 99% agree that (AN UPCOMING STORY) was a really bad episode.
JovialJollyJames Well, I mean, it's meant to be. The whole thing is a piss take, meant to irritate people. Which to my mind seems fair enough Especially given how great he looks in 'em.
Truthfully though, I'm getting sick of the overuse of sonic devices in general. It's become somewhat of a deus-ex machina in a lot of episodes. They dropped the screwdriver with the fifth doctor and never brought i back until Eccleston. Maybe they could consider doing that again.
Ian Chesterton has got to be the most BADASS schoolteacher in all of time and space : he conspired in the French revolution, lead the Thals against the Daleks, defeated the best aztec warrior in Mexico with a Vulcan nerve-pinch before that was invented, fought his way through the roman empire to rescue Barbara from Emperor Nero, was knighted by King Richard Lionheart, fought in the crusades and (if you believe the novels and audios are canon) wrestle with a lion and KILLED IT, he also lead the christians against the romans at Masada and was the last survivor (it was a really messed up short story. Seriously, look up the fortress of Masada)
Jamie was cool but he actually was a warrior, so him being a badass is kind of expected. Ian was just a high school science teacher *and he still kicked all kinds of ass across time and space!* I will agree that Jamie is a more interesting character. I do have a personnal fondness for companions who are not from present-day London, in particular those who come from earth's past (i.e. Jamie, Victoria, Katarina, Charley) because it gives us a point of view of their adventures in the TARDIS that we don't see very often with present-day companions. I think it also enhances the feeling of wonder and amazement since even an adventure on present day earth to them is like one on 2157 earth to us.
Just wanted to say I’m loving watching your Doctor Who reactions, I started to rewatch from Chris Ecclestone and I’ve started watching your vids after I watch the episode. You made me cry a lot the last few seasons and I’m really looking forward to your take on this season and yes, fuck the snakes!
When you say "Oh shit!" at 15:51, that's literally what's happening in the story, lol. I never realized until I saw this story how much I wanted to see the Master and Davros meet. Terrific reaction as always! Glad to see you get such a charge out of this one!
13:24 "Bad Doctor, stop it -- ckckckcfkdfmckc I hate everything." You're too awesome. ;) This was a very good opener to the season, and I do wonder if using up all that regeneration energy cost him a-- for lack of a better word, a "life" like it did with Ten when he regenerated with the same face. Great reaction, looking forward to next week. :)
So many great quotes in this episode. Clara hanging upside down and learning that Missy is whittling a stick to hunt "Why am I tied up then?" Missy "In case there is nothing to hunt." (wink) Missy "Teamwork is all about respect, every miner needs a canary." Missy "In future, if you are going to take my stick at least have the courtesy of actually killing me." The Doctor "I have been at the heart of your empire for 42 minutes and I own it and I haven't even gotten out of my chair." Davros "I am dying Doctor" Doctor "You keep saying that, you keep not dying, can you give it some wellie?" Dalek "You are a Time Lord" Missy "Time Lady, thank you. Some of us can afford the upgrade."
I always felt, when watching this as it broadcast, that it felt so much more like a series finale - that epic scale and feel. A really solid opening story for the series. I think you're going to love series 9 😊
To address your shock to what Davros says. In Skaro, there was a war between two groups of people; the Kaleds and the Thals. Davros, a Kaled, mutated and turned his people into the Daleks in order to win the war against the Thals and survive on the war-torn Skaro
Glad to see you enjoyed it. This is definitely a favourite. I personally quite enjoy the next two parter even if the second half is divisive -- I hope you like that too. I also hope you like hearing the word "Hybrid" ominously said as if we forget the last five thousand times it was said, cos that happens a lot.
This is one of my favs. Lots of callbacks to classic who. I was so irritated when the dalek said “Mercy” to River, because it shouldn’t have been able to do that. But now it makes sense. At the end, when the doctor saved the child davros, with the dalek weapon, I wondered if he planted the seed for that weapon in Davros’ mind. I was hoping you would watch the classic episode “genesis of the daleks” before this one, but I’m still curious as to your reaction to that one since it’s so connected to this one
On June 11, Fathom Events will show the 1975 serial Genesis of the Daleks in movie theaters, one night only. This is a must watch DW serial in which the Doctor (Tom Baker), along with Sarah Jane and UNIT doctor Harry Sullivan encounter Davros for the first time. Passing this along to anyone here who might find this of interest.
To be fair, that dalek talking filter makes close to no sense. You mentioned one saying mercy to River, but also Clara has been a dalek before(kinda). In ep 1 of S7 as one of those «Impossible girl extra Claras» just called Oswin Oswald, she had become a dalek, but she rejects the fact, and even from outside of the dalek shell she says «I am not a dalek. I am human.»
My favorite dialog of this episode, which speaks tons about the Doctor's character (simplified): Davros: "Compassion will kill you in the end"/ The Doctor: "I wouldn't die of anything else" Instead of trying to justify that he could act with compassion and still win every battle, he establishes with this short answer tha compassion is more important than winning, or even saving his life.
I remember bot liking this two parter at all on release. I was in a phase of thinking whether I should stick around for Doctor Who or not. After rewatching it a couple of times, I can't believe I was thinking that.
Most iconic enemies and concepts which are now seen as being an important part of the show were invented years after it started, and/or went missing for years at a time. The sonic screwdriver is an excellent example of this. The sonic shades are simply a new spin on the idea. A lot of people saw it as Steven Moffat trolling the fanbase (and that does seem to be part of his reason for doing it), but really it makes a lot of sense, and getting rid of the screwdriver is nothing new. Even after it was first introduced in the classic series, the sonic screwdriver was used much less often than it is now, to the point that some Doctors never even had one.
To me it also comes across as, you can do shit like this in *this* show. It shouldn't be taken seriously, just for fun because what other show can actually do this at random.
Yeah this is one of my top two parters ever, certainly top three. I always get excited when the Daleks rock up, even though they are overused, because you end up with gems like this somewhere along the way. Davros is my favourite villain, I just adore the character. So twisted and evil and undeniably sad. I think once a show runner is probably best for his character as he tends to overshadow the Daleks when he does appear but there is just so much history and resentment and hatred between he and the Doctor and yet there is undeniably respect there from both sides, because of the type of people (?) they are. Both see the universe as something to grasp and discover but they go about it in ways that signifies everything the other hates.
