Doctor Who is at its best when it connects to earlier (and later) stories even across time. The fact that this story takes place 367 minutes after 2019's Resolution is great. I am crazy about all the small cameos dropped in this episode.
I like the Dalek redesigns. They are still classic, but also classy and modern.
I love how Harry Potter is considered a literary classic billions of years in the future from now.
Yaz, Ryan and Graham work well together and understand each other by now, so seeing them try to save the world from your typical crazy politician and his lone Dalek.
Jodie Whittaker and John Barrowman have amazing chemistry together. You really cannot notice it's been ten years Barrowman appeared on the show previously. He picks up from the point at which the character was left ten years ago seamlessly. Chibnall knows his Jack, and the character appears exactly as he did back during the RTD era.
The character moments between Jack and Yaz as well as the Doctor and Ryan are beautiful in so many ways.
Like the Dream Crabs in Last Christmas (2014?) I love the jumping, face-hugger Daleks featured here. They bring terror and excitement to the story while feeling like an upgrade that isn't completely implausible.
The story deals with the fallout from The Timeless Child without sinking too deep, allowing the upcoming season to confront the matter with bigger detail.
The darker tone and the unusually proficient Daleks make this a fairly dark and depressing episode to watch at times. It's been a while since the Daleks felt this dangerous.
The focus is understandably on the Dalek threat and the titular revolution among the new Earth Daleks and the original models. It's in this crossfire the audience will find themselves in.
The script allows proper time for the companion sendoffs at the end, giving those final ten minutes a proper emotional punch. Ryan and Graham's journey goes full circle and receives a satisfying ending, with interesting possibilities for the future. It's also great to see a very mundane, happy companion departure for a change.
Bonus point for the troll invasion in Finland. Waiting for the Big Finish story in 2025!
The Bad:
The basic plot with the Daleks - them being used as new weapons for humans, them using humans as their slaves - is a classic, but a pretty worn-out concept.
The revolution part of the story feels like a disappointing excuse to introduce a new Dalek (and Dalek toy) model since it's disposed of pretty quickly.
I did expect more of a twist to the story, but the Dalek threat is very straightforward and unsurprising, with a disappointingly simple solution.
The Ugly:
When do humans learn not to trust the Daleks or try to utilize them as allies?
VERDICT:
A fun adventure, with surprising darkness and emotional depth, slightly hampered by a clichéd and forced appearance from the Doctor's arch enemies.
Review by Theo KallströmVIP 6BlockedParentSpoilers2021-01-03T12:28:49Z
THE GOOD: 'DOCTOR WHO: REVOLUTION OF THE DALEKS'
WRITING: 60
ACTING: 80
LOOK: 85
SOUND: 85
FEEL: 80
NOVELTY: 40
ENJOYMENT: 80
RE-WATCHABILITY: 65
INTRIGUE: 70
EXPECTATIONS: 75
The Good:
Doctor Who is at its best when it connects to earlier (and later) stories even across time. The fact that this story takes place 367 minutes after 2019's Resolution is great. I am crazy about all the small cameos dropped in this episode.
I like the Dalek redesigns. They are still classic, but also classy and modern.
I love how Harry Potter is considered a literary classic billions of years in the future from now.
Yaz, Ryan and Graham work well together and understand each other by now, so seeing them try to save the world from your typical crazy politician and his lone Dalek.
Jodie Whittaker and John Barrowman have amazing chemistry together. You really cannot notice it's been ten years Barrowman appeared on the show previously. He picks up from the point at which the character was left ten years ago seamlessly. Chibnall knows his Jack, and the character appears exactly as he did back during the RTD era.
The character moments between Jack and Yaz as well as the Doctor and Ryan are beautiful in so many ways.
Like the Dream Crabs in Last Christmas (2014?) I love the jumping, face-hugger Daleks featured here. They bring terror and excitement to the story while feeling like an upgrade that isn't completely implausible.
The story deals with the fallout from The Timeless Child without sinking too deep, allowing the upcoming season to confront the matter with bigger detail.
The darker tone and the unusually proficient Daleks make this a fairly dark and depressing episode to watch at times. It's been a while since the Daleks felt this dangerous.
The focus is understandably on the Dalek threat and the titular revolution among the new Earth Daleks and the original models. It's in this crossfire the audience will find themselves in.
The script allows proper time for the companion sendoffs at the end, giving those final ten minutes a proper emotional punch. Ryan and Graham's journey goes full circle and receives a satisfying ending, with interesting possibilities for the future. It's also great to see a very mundane, happy companion departure for a change.
Bonus point for the troll invasion in Finland. Waiting for the Big Finish story in 2025!
The Bad:
The basic plot with the Daleks - them being used as new weapons for humans, them using humans as their slaves - is a classic, but a pretty worn-out concept.
The revolution part of the story feels like a disappointing excuse to introduce a new Dalek (and Dalek toy) model since it's disposed of pretty quickly.
I did expect more of a twist to the story, but the Dalek threat is very straightforward and unsurprising, with a disappointingly simple solution.
The Ugly:
When do humans learn not to trust the Daleks or try to utilize them as allies?
VERDICT:
A fun adventure, with surprising darkness and emotional depth, slightly hampered by a clichéd and forced appearance from the Doctor's arch enemies.
72% = :white_check_mark: = GOOD