I think when it comes to 14. I do believe that he’s probably off in his own Tardis with his own companion just relaxing on a beach in a galaxy far away.
Some nasty comments on other channels - of course the casting of Lenny Rush, at 15 already an established actor with several TV roles to his credit, is being dismissed as "woke" and "diversity casting". Forgetting that Warwick Davies played Porridge opposite Matt Smith without any such comments. Which is why I find the Chimp such a refreshing change. Good, honest and articulate criticism, not just some (usually non British) gob on a stick screaming about "the Message" and slagging off the BBC. PS personally I think the casting of Rush is inspired, though the "passing asteroid" line is odd, with 7 billion people on the planet, only he was affected? Better to make him an alien, possibly an asylum seeker....room for a future backstory and something else for the gammonati to scream about
I thought Lenny Rush was great, but I wish they'd have cast him in a different role. I just don't like the idea of an international security/intelligence organisation like UNIT hiring a 13 year-old, no matter how prodigious, as a scientific adviser. I know RTD was briefed to grow the younger audience, but I thought this was ridiculous. Liz Shaw must be spinning in her grave.
Even though I had heard all the rumours about Sutekh or possibly Omega I completely discounted them because I thought there was just no way RTD was going to bring back a pretty obscure villain like Sutekh. So when they went to the reveal and put Sue Tech together I was flabbergasted. I loved it. It gave me chills, even on rewatch. Harriet's speech and her rundown of the gods was chilling. My only complaint is I would have liked it if they had used the old Sutekh mask but the CGI doggy was fine. Can't wait to see what happens next. I agree with you that it better damn well be satisfying.
I think Mrs Flood will be Susan. Its the slight of hand of waving one hand but the other hand has what you're looking for. Also Susan is a Chekov's gun at this point, so Mrs Flood being the more optimistic reveal (in contrast to Sutekh) that she is Susan makes sense at the very end. Also I think Empire will end with the Doctor saying they need to find Susan, but look, she's there in plain sight as Mrs Flood, to be continued, etc.
I can see a possible moment with this kind of thing - Sutekh: We are both the last of our kind doctor, and soon yours shall be extinguished as will all others Susan/Mrs Flood: He is not quite the last
I was thinking the same thing. This season arc has been magician level misdirection. For example, focusing so heavily on a recurring actress, names Susan Twist, after setting up Susan for newcomers early in the season, but completely handwaving the bizarre noises the TARDIS was making... Always having an excuse at the ready... Then there is Mrs. Flood saying with almost a giggle about how she is always hiding herself away only a couple scenes after it was explained that Timelords can disguise themselves to hide... Which kinda feels like plausable deniability. Something that seems so nitty gritty that people will dismiss it on the grounds of it being something humans say all the time... On the surface seeming as silly as people thinking Rory was The Master because of a single line. But we already know she is almost certainly not human, so there are more grounds to tear apart her dialogue. Esp since, from her appearance here, we know she is deliberately misleading the people around her, which also clarifies a lot of what happened in Church on Ruby Road... Since her shifts in behavior there were not as clearly a choice she was making as they are here.
I'm guessing Mrs Flood will be Susan, 14 doesn't help because he is starting to become the Valeyard (He really doesn't want to go!) and Ruby's powers can interact with the time window and take her back to Ruby Road so she can change the events that allowed Sutekh to ensnare the Tardis. I But hopefully I am completely wrong and surprised by the last episode (except for the valyard... He'll be appearing in a few seasons once the casual viewer has forgot about 14 still being around.)
Carole Ann Ford is still alive and has said she would be open to coming back, so I don't think Susan will be a new actor or a big reveal. I think next week will end with a small cameo from OG Susan because the Doctor will finally go back to see her. She'll tell him she had a good life etc. and give them both some closure.
This is what I also think in regard to Susan. I think it would be faux pas of RTD not to allow the original Carole Ann Ford to reprise the role one last time.
Great review chimp as always. The reveal here for me was completely fresh. Totally marked out. Having moved away from UK and social media blackout not spoilt for me. Bring back Sutekh is perfect as you put it. So malignant. Just hope RTD can deliver on the finale….first question how??!!! How did Sutekh manifest in the Tardis? Loads more. Can’t wait. Great to be excited for Doctor Who again after recent years.
Deus ex machina time knowing rtds track record. Although, I'm hopeful it won't be just like in the parting of the ways. I think Mrs flood will probably be Osiris or someone who can help defeat sutekh
