November 11th, 2018
51 comments
We earn a commission for products purchased through some links in this article.
Poll – What Did You Think of Demons Of The Punjab?
Now that the sixth episode of series 11 has aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.
India, 1947. The Doctor and her friends arrive in the Punjab, as the country is being torn apart. While Yaz attempts to discover her grandmother’s hidden history, the Doctor discovers demons haunting the land. Who are they and what do they want?
Please note we no longer have the reply facility and comments will close automatically after a few days.
The Doctor Who Site
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
Merchandise
Flickr
YouTube
Puddle
November 12th, 2018 - 9:05amHistorically wrong Jodie pulling face yet again and two of the three companions might as well stayed at home poor
Anonymous
November 12th, 2018 - 8:43amSonic poses, Bradley still looking like he should be in another show, Yaz got a bit more script, and Ryan, who could easily be replaced with a plank of wood tied to a roller skate, fully used his three facial expressions. It was business as usual for the gang, with lots of standing around informing us of historical events, the incidental music upped its game, blundering in here and there with little consideration of the scene, sorry, his lack of experience shows, (if you just sit and watch any other quality TV drama you will realise how random these scores are). Oh, and lets not forget, some aliens….cos’ it’s Dr Who. Chibbers must have bought himself a villa in the South of France as again, the budget was noticeable by its absence. This weeks SFX a transmat and some hologram heads. SFX to date, some floating tubes, flying tea towels and an angry bogie. Another story where the aliens were tacked on, and no need for the Dr to be there at all except to give us all a history lesson. Ahhh..…just to open a door and be faced with a Dalek….almost forgot what one looks like……
Tyler Prescott
November 12th, 2018 - 8:20amIt’s also the first time in ages that the show has made me passionately care about a character. I don’t quite know what it was, but I was really rooting for the characters when the men on horseback came towards their land with guns, and the handling of the guy’s death was done really well.
Tyler Prescott
November 12th, 2018 - 8:05amGreat episode, much better than last week’s. The villains’ resolutions were a bit underwhelming, and the dropping of the watch felt a bit obvious, but the mix of characters and monsters, as a whole, was great, and the storyline was excellent. I also learned something about history, which hasn’t happened from Doctor Who in a long time!
Mick C
November 12th, 2018 - 7:18amOf the 3 Companions I think Graeme will be back next year if Walsh says yes, Yaz is growing on me and has a quite strength to her Character and is growing into the role, Ryan is nothing but a Passenger really hasn’t done much at all and at this stage I cant work out why he is even there.
The way I’m seeing it is Yaz will be back next year, Graeme if Walsh says yes, Ryan no. Nothing against Tosin Cole but the scripts have just left him as a bystander and I think it would be difficult to change his quite introverted Character now.
The Moffat Paradox
November 12th, 2018 - 1:49amWas definitely and surprisingly better than I was expecting after what the majority of us thought was the debacle of last week .The only way after that was surely up.The Vajarians looked almost Predator like so it seemed almost a waste of them after the build up that their originally a race of assassins (implying killers for hire contracted by somebody) to then later learn that their now good guys.
When Jodie’s got lines though like she would have a word with Lord Mountbatten whenever she saw him again and that she officiated at Einstein’s wedding it doesn’t cause me to anymore mentally readily associate her with the other incarnations.in the way it just would if said by them. It just makes me think your not really them even though your supposed to be an extension of them.
That said 6/10.
Anonymous
November 11th, 2018 - 11:55pmSurely Yaz’s nan would’ve remembered her own granddaughter being at her first wedding?
Did anyone else notice the tip of one of the crystal things in the Tardis going up and down in time with the big lump of rock in the middle of the console?
Lucas1701
November 11th, 2018 - 11:10pmVery good. I’m enjoying the character driven basis of this season. Jodie is great (a 10/11 mashup) and her companions are very likeable. Bradley Walsh in particular is stellar. I don’t mind the more situational jeopardy of this year, although that will not be able to continue indefinitely. Compelling villains are part of the fabric of Who and is the only thing missing this year, for me. Maybe that’ll be put right before this season is finished.
RORY DOCTOR RIVER POND
November 11th, 2018 - 10:13pmGenerally I quite enjoyed that, especially the directing and music. Again, aliens are pushed back to the side, but i did still enjoy the story despite the lack of sci fi towards the end. I thought Jodie was good in this episode, but still find Graham and Ryan’s acting a bit off. All three companions didn’t really do much I thought, I think there’s too many of them. Even though this episode was meant to be about Yaz, i find that I still don’t know much about her, apart from her family history
But apart from that, I did enjoy it – I’ve kind of got used to the fact that there isn’t a massive alien presence/lack of villains this series, so I went in with that mindset
Cuthbert
November 11th, 2018 - 9:48pmHello
A total distortion of the facts about partition the Indian Politicians other Gandhi wanted separation. Montgomery had no choice the did not make the Indians fight and kill each other. The mutual hatred which continues till today, had existed before the British arrived.
I did not think the BBC would produce fake news.
Anonymous
November 11th, 2018 - 9:46pmBad acting from the supporting cast and Ryan
Jodie, Bradley and Mandip all did amazing this episode. The direction was perfect and the music. Can we all just praise Segun for his amazing music, so fitting, and that Bollywood style Doctor who theme was perfect. They should do that more often. I felt the pacing was really bad at the beginning, as I was just thrown into the episode in a blink of an eyes with no idea what was happening, but it slowed down near the end and moved me. I love learning things from Doctor who this season especially
Mick C
November 11th, 2018 - 9:20pmDefinitely the best Episode of the Season so far.
I have an idea for a Historical story for next Season. At Botany Bay shortly after the arrival of the Convict Ships, there is so much potential around Aboriginal Story telling for a Dr Who story and as an Australian I would love to see a Dr Who episode set in Australia.
The Living Shadow
November 11th, 2018 - 8:54pmWow. I adored this episode! I loved how maturely some of the themes were handled and, like ‘Rosa’, the writers are clearly making an effort not undermine the real impact of the respective historical event and the political climate, which I think is amazing. Of course, some will label this as being “too pc”, as they’d rather ignore the reality of history in a show about time travel! But sadly history hasn’t always been great and Doctor Who is a Sci-Fi drama, and shouldn’t always be lightweight feel-good fantasy, so I’m glad they’re not sugar-coating history.
I liked how the Doctor had a good amount of involvement without coming across as obnoxious, but this was definitely Yaz’s time to shine! I’m really loving this series’ focus on its characters. The directing and soundtrack were superb and really help the visual storytelling of the episode and that closing theme was beautiful.
Pats86
November 11th, 2018 - 8:44pmThis episode has taken me by surprise, enjoyed it. A good storyline good acting almost throughout.
Historical element good, I expected a preachy story regarding how the British Empire was completely good for nothing! It didn’t happen thankfully.
Sadly Jodie’s Doctor is somewhat lightweight still, although this week was an improvement in this respect.
Aliens looked good, quite moving last 10 minutes, music was excellent throughout and I even found the end titles that blended in with the last musical peice respectfully done.
The historical divide of India and the pain it caused many family’s was eluded to be coming, we know this happened and the episode dealt with this really well.
I shall watch this one again for sure. It was not perfect by any means but it was a vast improvement on the last five weeks, next week we have Lee Mack and Bradley Walsh! Could be a comedy episode to cherish?
On first viewing 7/10, and I never imagined this could have been possible.
prototype dalek
November 11th, 2018 - 8:41pmBetter than the last 5 I think and much better than Rosa. Though Jodie was trying to be a bit Tennant/Smith at time’s, think she needs to be herself and try not copy her predecessors.
Don’t think Ryan and Graham were needed really, bit like last week where they say the odd thing and make on occasional apperance here and there but more of a side line really.
I am wondering even though they have covered the civil rights movements in Rosa and history of religious divide today but will we see other situations such as the break up of the USSR, East and West Germany, North/South Korea, Holodomor, Conquistador’s in South America. I just hope they cover all type’s of history and not one’s in the public eye or might be not as interesting to some as I wouldn’t like picking the choosing of some history.
the ergon
November 11th, 2018 - 8:35pmI think maybe there was a bit of political allegory here. The parallel divisions of a country and faranji or whatever, becomes farage.
DannyTheNerd
November 11th, 2018 - 8:31pmIt was average. I really want a good sci fi ep, not all this pc historical stuff.
Simon W
November 11th, 2018 - 8:28pmIs there really not going to be a Xmas story. Its not Christmas with out Who even if the story has not got a Xmas theme there has to be a episode on Christmas Day so come on BBC give us a story on the day
whovian
November 11th, 2018 - 8:23pmI hope next week is better than this.
So far, it’s been nothing but character-driven stories and its getting a bit bland having the monster/aliens taking the back seat (which is the main part of Doctor Who). I hate to say it, but I’m starting to agree with those that think it’s becoming a soap drama type program. It really doesn’t feel like Doctor Who anymore.
Jodie’s talent as the Doctor is great, but she isn’t being used to the best standards, I just want to point out, she is a great Doctor, but I wish we had writers who knew how to make enticing stories.
Next week’s “Kerblam!” Does look good, especially with the creepy robot Postman, but I don’t want to get my hopes up, only to be disappointed.
So far:
The Woman Who Fell to Earth 8/10.
The Ghost Monument 3 1/2/ 10
Rosa 7/10.
Arachnids in the UK 7 1/2/10.
The Tsuranga Conundrum 2/10.
Demons of the Punjab 4/10
Pusher
November 11th, 2018 - 8:18pmThis is Brave and bold territory for this show to proceed across. No season since season 4 with the fires of pompeii has made me want to know what happens to any character. Strange that peter capaldi’s first who role was his best, as caicelius. That roman family was very engaging.
Good to see a companion actually being fleshed out for once.
R1ch1e
November 11th, 2018 - 8:15pmThis was one of the most wonderful episodes i have ever seen. Certainly the best of this series! Vinay Patel can come to the Doctor Who party again
the ergon
November 11th, 2018 - 8:07pmBy far the best story of the series so far. Very moving and even though the Aliens were of a compassionate nature, they were nearest to any who monster than the crop we have had to endure this season. Hope this is an upward trend.
The Prydonian
November 11th, 2018 - 8:04pmSorry. I thought it was awful. Convinced without a doubt JW is the worst Doctor ever. There is no hint of the once great Time Lord. I’m now out. Thanks Chibnall the nails are firmly hammered home ( much like the simplistic, childish stories of this series)
The Temporal Jelly Baby
November 11th, 2018 - 8:01pmI thought most of it was fantastic. My one criticism is that I thought there was a bit of a lull between finding out why the demons were really there and Prem’s death. It lasted for 5 to 10 minutes and brought the episode down a bit. Other than that though, I thought it had a great story, some good acting (I’m having doubts about Ryan now though – seems a little deadpan) and was even a bit emotional at the end. The demons were good when they were there too. 8/10.
James Guthrie
November 11th, 2018 - 7:59pmStone. Cold. Classic. It was funny, emotional and beautiful – and Graham set me off again! Utterly brilliant – my favourite episode of the year so far, I think.
T.A
November 11th, 2018 - 7:59pmWow I actual enjoyed this episode, final a good episode. I really like the side characters, I thought there acting was good overall, but only some times I found it a bit ify, Jodie was good in this episode, but the times she overacts or acts like smith, doesn’t work for her character, the compaions was good, but Ryan felt unneeded, and so did graham at certain points. I’m just going to call them demons, and I found them well used in this story. Only negative I had was the first fifteen mins was boring.
7/10
The Master
November 11th, 2018 - 7:59pmExcellent story! I’m getting to like yaz more now
Anonymous
November 11th, 2018 - 7:58pmThis and rosa are diamonds in the rough. Powerful story and a clear journey into history. Did find the doctor’s agreement to go back in time to be a bit silly after what happened in fathers day with the reapers although the story was really good. Also nice to have some realistic looking aliens who aren’t evil.
The Master
November 11th, 2018 - 7:56pmThis was excellent they historical so well ! Very enjoyable story
doctorsmith12
November 11th, 2018 - 7:53pm1st one this season that i thought was alright