November 25th, 2023
34 comments
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The Doctor is caught in a fight to the death as a spaceship crash-lands in London. But as the battle wreaks havoc, destiny is converging on the Doctor’s old friend, Donna.
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The Star Beast 7/10
December 1st, 2023 - 2:59pmReally enjoyed the episode until Donna’s and Rose’s needless anti male sentiment. I’m surprised the 14th Doctor didn’t regenerate back into the 13th Doctor there and then! Added nothing to the story and was misplaced. Men’s mental health is a serious issue, and I don’t wish to see any anti male messaging. We should be treating everyone on a more equal footing. The whole scene was such cringe written rubbish and very tacky.
RPG74
November 29th, 2023 - 10:19pmSwore blind I wouldn’t watch this, but caught the first minute after the credits while channel surfing, and thought, what the Hell, keep an open mind why don’t you. Stayed to the end, and, surprisingly, quite liked it. One thing robbed it of greatness though, and no it wasn’t the wokeness (although that was over the top), but David Tennant. I still fundamentally disagree with the degeneration, as a point of principle-once they’re gone they shouldn’t come back-and I resent the idea that Tennant is considered bigger and more important than the franchise so the rules shouldn’t apply to him. I still think this canon breaker could be the final nail in the coffin of the whole thing, but we’ll see.
Anyways, Mr Open Mind here will give WBY and The Giggle a chance, and definitely give Ncuti a shout at Crimbo.
One more thing: in that scene where Tennant runs around his new Tardis, did anyone else get teary eyed or was it just me? I don’t even like Ten, but when he started throwing himself around to Gold’s music my eyes were suddenly moist and I’m like What the Hell?, lol.
Doctor Stu
November 29th, 2023 - 9:23pmPeople saying it was dreadful are just like me and haven’t calmed down yet, the non binary male presenting nonsense was utterly pathetic and left such a sour taste in my mouth, fresh off the back of RTD’s ridiculous Davros comments as well but the more I’ve had chance to digest it you’ve got to admit it wasn’t a bad episode. It was a welcome return to Doctor who but with scattered awful moments in there. But now that’s all people and me personally can focus on. Which is why I simply do not understand why companies continue to do this. Have a brilliant story and then have to go back and sprinkle it with claptrap that they KNOW will get them a massive backlash and lose viewers the following week. It’s the tv equivalent of delivering good news and then saying ‘oh and by the way your cats died’ before leaving the room. Hoping people will ride the wave of good news and ignore the bad that you’ve had to sprinkle on top. Yasmin was great, she was great in heartstopper and her trans storyline was fine, people are incorrectly saying people had a problem with that aspect, they didn’t. It was the nonsense non binary resolution to a 15 year storyline and the jab at ‘male presenting’ people. Even if they’d slagged off men I would not have cared but the phrase male presenting is such an executive add on and unnatural line of dialogue placed there PURELY for representation and no narrative reasons at all. When you can see the inclusion meddling, it makes people angry. So it baffles me why people keep doing it and then act surprised when their viewers slump and they get rubbish reviews
Pam
November 29th, 2023 - 4:43pmI had enjoyed this epsiode very much. It was great to see David Tennant and Catherine Tate back together. The alien Meep Meep was very cute at first he reminded me of an overgrown Furby with big eyesand vulnerable. It came a shock to see him as a villian of the galaxy. He made the comment about reporting the presence of the doctor to hios Boss, which made me wonder if this is the Master we shall see in the other epsiodes to be screened.
Doctor Stu
November 29th, 2023 - 9:11pmNot everything is the master, it’ll just be some creature in the new series to make a mini connection.
Gerry
November 29th, 2023 - 1:14amThe 60th was truly dreadful. I am so sick of the woke propoganda.
Anon
November 28th, 2023 - 6:55pmThe Star Beast had an overnight audience of 5.08 million on BBC One, making it the biggest drama launch of 2023.
WhoCollector
November 28th, 2023 - 9:22amGotta say, looking at the audience reviews – it seems the honeymoon phase is “wearing a bit thin” (forgive the reference, aha!)
Just gonna throw this out there, The TV show Loki – was far more enjoyable. It handled politics well, and had a very inclusive cast – without writing labels on everyones foreheads. I actually felt “excited” to see the next episode instalments – each time.
Pete
November 28th, 2023 - 3:18pmLoki was excellent. Everything I wish Doctor Who was. Also check out The Lazarus Project, 12 Monkeys and Bodies for excellent and original time travel series.
For a series that supposedly can do anything and go anywhere, Doctor Who is very formulaic, The Star Beast being one of the main offenders. If you asked AI to write and make a bog standard episode of Doctor Who, The Star Beast would be the end result (but with a better ending).
Kone112
November 26th, 2023 - 4:48pmPlus points – tennent is a great doctor.
At last a villain who’s a villain.
Looks and sounds amazing.
Negative points-the same woke nonsense that crippled jodies run.
LolaIvemadeupmymind
November 27th, 2023 - 4:13pmJodies era had many villains with no agendas. Flux was full of them. Also woke isnt a criticism.
The Moffat Paradox
November 27th, 2023 - 7:09pmIt is a criticism by definition if it’s too overtly peddling a “progressive” agenda more than good storytelling or asking the viewer to pick the writers chosen side instead of making their own mind up about any social commentary/ parallels with real life and events.
LolaIvemadeupmymind
November 28th, 2023 - 4:58pmSo being transphobic is a good thing? There is no good or bad side to this. No debate. Your either good human or transphobic.
The Moffat Paradox
November 29th, 2023 - 2:24amYou might want to explain LolaIvemadeupmymind to many many biological women who are also concerned about female minors how formally legally bending over backwards for those who “identify “as another gender is necessarily such an unalloyed good and “human” thing?
As a Former First Minister of Scotland found out when she got herself into a lather over the incarceration to be given to a “trans prisoner” with a violent past.
And its the obsession with group instead of individual identity while trying to have it both ways with negativity shown to males who identify as males and presumptive preaching instead of at most providing food for thought without it getting in the way of good storytelling like Star Trek at it’s best used to do.
WhoCollector
November 26th, 2023 - 11:42amFun to see David Tennant back, but if we really are looking through the lense of doctor who in 2023 (as RTD stated) – i do take issue with the representation of women assaulting men, as humour. That was one of my main issues with the story. We are in 2023, and although it was a long running joke in 2005-2010, we are in 2023 and humour does change.
Its also a little be backwards that, especially with womens & men’s mental health being a big issue in society, than two women tell a man that he “cant let go” because hes a man. Surely Men are able to let things go? Thats just generalising people.
I personally don’t think it was appropriate to encourage that behaviour, especially to doctor who’s audience.
I hope booboo allows this comment, because it is a genuine concern to me.
Haza14
November 26th, 2023 - 9:03pmI loved the episode overall and I’m so excited for what this era will bring.
I do agree with your comment on the male presenting people can’t let go joke though. It felt really jarring to me. Yes it’s a throw away line, and maybe my reaction says more about a fragile ego than anything else, but men are intersectional too. I don’t think people would dream of generalising other groups in the same way (they absolutely would have in the past but in most cases we’re now better than that). Lines like that really grate on me. I’m right behind the push for an inclusive show, so let’s not take cheap shots.
WhoCollector
November 27th, 2023 - 9:40amI totally agree with you, thank you for the response! Basically, i just think that its a problem with society stereotyping and generalising men as being “closed off” or “not able to let go” – and really, it should be, shame on RTD for enforcing that stereotype. Im aware that he has been trying to make changes to stereotypes for the lense of doctor who in 2023, but maybe he took his attention away from this stereotype – while focused on the others. Unless he is focusing on what he may consider “more important?” Im not too sure what to make of Doctor Who’s Moral standards with its political messaging. It can be interpreted as fighting fire with fire, which is never the answer.
Another thing that bugged me is that while he has been busy concerning him self with stereotypes of villains in wheelchairs (which i never once looked at Davros and thought, “disabled”) – he has played into the stereotypes of people in wheelchairs having gadgets and weapons concealed with in them… but nothing to accommodate with stairs. Thats just baffling to me as a viewer.
If the doctor slapped sylvia, that would be seen as cruel (and rightfully so) – but a woman assaulting a man… thats used as a comic relief moment?
Also, did Donna and Rose Temple Noble technically create a disassociation from Jodie Whittaker and David Tennants Doctors by treating them like two separate entities. Surely the experience Tennants New Doctor has, from his previous regeneration, should be carrying over. They are the same person, so he should be able to remember.
It does almost feel like the new RTD has double standards, but that is only from his first episode back. I cant say whether it will continue this trend, but it doesn’t seem out of the question.
(Oh, and it seems a bit outdated for someone to tell people how they can dress… cough cough donna cough cough – even if for comedy)
If Doctor Who wants to make its focus on being politically correct, no worries (in fact, thats brilliant) – but it has to commit to it. It cant pick and choose when and where it wants to be. It needs to be universal, and unwavering
Overall, i loved mirriam as the meep – but i dont know if that’s because i think shes a funny person in general, aha. The sonics a bit OP now, and Golds score is nostalgic yet fresh. Loved the Tom Baker Judge reference, and whats not to love about David Tennant – serious and funny (in the right dosage!)
Haza14
November 27th, 2023 - 3:41pmI don’t think it’s possible to please everyone all of the time. And it’s impossible to get everything right all of the time, partly because with so much of this stuff there isn’t one right answer. There’s only coming at things with empathy and understanding. And it’s undeniable when you look at society that men have it easier, in general, than all other groups. There is of course nuance to that that is impossible to go into in a comments section.
However, the fact that men have it easier, doesn’t mean therefore it’s okay to take cheap shots and that’s why I do think the “men can’t let go joke” is worth calling out, precisely because it lacks empathy and understanding. It’s cheapening and a generalisation. I don’t think Russell enforces that stereotype though. Both the Doctor and Shaun are positive male characters.
I don’t take issue with some of the other things you mention but I accept that if the roles were reversed with some of these examples then it would be rightly deemed unacceptable. I think the Sylvia slap is a power dynamic thing. The Doctor holds the power there. Would Sylvia have slapped The Doctor if it was Jodie and she knew she was The Doctor, probably. But I take your point.
What’s most important is they genuinely seem to be passionate about making the show inclusive in the right way, and if they are doing that, while telling great stories, as was evidenced on Saturday, then it’s all good.
WhoCollector
November 27th, 2023 - 5:22pmI completely get and understand your views. I respect them. However, i do feel strongly that assault is assault. No matter if you know the person. To be honest, i think Jodie may be the only nuwho Doctor who hasnt been slapped (now that i think about it). Nothing comes to mind anyway, so i may be wrong. I know that 9/10/11/12 were on multiple times by Jackie, Mrs Jones, Sylvia, River, Clara etc. Im not so sure sylvia would slap the thirteenth Doctor, i think she would be in shock personally.
I wouldnt say it was a “great” story either, (nothing like Heaven Sent / World Enough / The Sea Devils / Remembrance / Dalek – to name a few) it had “fun” moments. But for an anniversary special, it wasn’t really too special. Once nostalgia and gimmick of more budget wears off, people will probably start to be harsher. I think a lot of fans are in their honeymoon phase.
Anyway, how the new era evolves – “only time will tell… it always does”
Anonymous
November 26th, 2023 - 10:00amReally enjoyed the first episode. It was great to see David Tennant and Catherine Tate back in the TARDIS. I like the look of the TARDIS inside, really cool. Welcome back David and Catherine.
Pats86
November 26th, 2023 - 9:50amEnjoyed it, the stakes will no doubt be heightened in the next two episodes.
Personally I am just glad to see the back of Jodie Whitaker’s Doctor, but would love to see Jo Martin’s Doctor again?
Gordon
November 26th, 2023 - 7:56amCouldn’t have felt more like a 2008 episode if it tried. Loved it
KORSAIR
November 26th, 2023 - 12:40amOne word…………….EXCELLENT.
Anomie
November 26th, 2023 - 12:32amEnjoyed that, but… just as “woke” as Jodie’s era! Yet no complaints… hmmm
Anonymous
November 26th, 2023 - 7:21pmHAIL TO THE MEEP
Harldin
November 25th, 2023 - 10:31pmApparently Disney is committing 10s of millions of dollars into Dr Who, but someone forget to tell the Advertising Department. It dropped Sunday morning here in Australia with less fanfare than the 7.00am weather report gets. It never got a coming soon, it is in a small window a couple of rows down, easy to miss if you were not looking for it. Basically the same treatment as a 25yo movie everyone has seen a thousand times would get.
Persona
November 25th, 2023 - 9:35pmIt was fantastic and I was surprised to hear 11s theme near the end.
mark kavanagh
November 25th, 2023 - 9:30pmHow the heck does a simple story like this make me feel so deeply!!!!!!!
The magic was back and worked on me.
Scott
November 25th, 2023 - 8:48pmBrilliant, just absolutely brilliant
Anonymous
November 25th, 2023 - 8:05pmFantastic!
Darren collier
November 25th, 2023 - 8:25pmAmazing. Fantastic. Back. Doctor who at its. Best. David tenant was. Great. Again. Just hope we’re see maybe next week some old doctors maybe?? Well done. RTD wellcome back
David
November 25th, 2023 - 7:57pmOutstanding.
Young j
November 25th, 2023 - 7:46pmthe first 60th anniversary special was amazing and very joyfully and funny
Obi-Jiff Kenobi
November 25th, 2023 - 7:37pmWow! No spoilers, but wasn’t that great? The only thing I wasn’t that keen on was the new theme tune, too heavy on the drums, but that aside it really is a return to the Who of old; the programme has rediscovered its sense of fun and enjoyment.