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June 10th, 2017 89 comments

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What did You Think of Empress Of Mars?

Now that the Ninth episode of series 10 has been aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.

The Doctor, Bill and Nardole arrive on Mars, and find themselves in an impossible conflict between Ice Warriors… and Victorian soldiers.

As the Martian hive awakens around them, the Doctor faces a unique dilemma – this time the humans, not the Ice Warriors are the invaders. When Earth is invading Mars, whose side is he on?











Doctor Who Series 10 Parts 1 and 2 Blu-ray / DVD

Available to order in the UK from www.amazon.co.uk

Available to order in the USA from www.amazon.com

Peter Capaldi returns as Doctor Who for twelve thrilling adventures. He is joined by new companion, Bill (played by Pearl Mackie), along with returning loveable alien, Nardole (played by Matt Lucas).




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89 comments

  • 47

    June 11th, 2017 - 1:38pm

    I enjoyed this episode, very much so.

    I was a little dubious to have Victorian soldiers on Mars, but it was written in well, and made believable across the story.

    The repetitive movie references were a little forced, but, that’s O’K on the balance of the episode.

    I do appreciate stories like this where the Doctor (or the companion) isn’t the centre of the universe like so many in the Moffatt era. Although, just to niggle, was Nardole (who is terrible), Missy and The Vault arc really needed – this could have been a real stand alone episode of great quality.

    However, as I said, I really did like this episode, very good indeed, excellent use to tell the Ice Warrior story, sound characters, and so much better than last week – wherein I only like The Doctor’s jacket – very swish !!
    Good, Good !!

    Reply
  • Skaroman

    June 11th, 2017 - 1:25pm

    It was a really good episode. However, I felt that it could’ve been great if it were a 2-parter. If this happened, then:
    1. The humans (and Ice warriors) could be fully fleshed out;
    2. They could show how the humans got to Mars through flashbacks (literally everything is just told to us and we just accept it)
    3. The battles could be extended
    4. Watching Nardole and Missy together would’ve been interesting

    (Just my opinion), but all-in-all: 7/10

    Reply
    • Jordan Scott

      June 11th, 2017 - 1:40pm

      I thought about this but then decided that this story is actually more suitable for a single episode, I think if it was drawn out more it would appear boring. Although I would love to see more of the Ice Warriors on Mars, the teases of them that we get here equally as exciting I think.

  • Alex Who?

    June 11th, 2017 - 12:54pm

    9/10 Great episode! Just a hair away from being perfect.
    Finally we got Ice Warriors galore and on their Homeworld.
    Nice touch with Alphi Centauri at the end.

    Reply
  • Pats86

    June 11th, 2017 - 8:46am

    After a rewatch I can give this episode 7/10. Some nice touches obviously Alpha Centauri being the main one, Ice Warriors looked brilliant, The Doctor and Bill came across well and Missy at the end was interesting?
    It was a fun episode and certainly made up for the last three disastrous efforts. Gattis has at last wrote a decent story not since The unique Dead has he given us something to be happy with.
    This season is such an improvement on the last 2 but that isn’t say much in terms of writing, I think it has more to do with Bill replacing Clara that has improved the show!
    Now looking forward to seeing the real Master (Simm’s) but with a great deal of dread considering Moffat will be in control, but you never know and time will tell.

    Reply
    • Tim M

      June 11th, 2017 - 12:13pm

      Bill (Pearl Mackie) is the REAL success story of this series. A real breath of fresh air after the long and tired adventures with Clara. Even Capaldi’s performance seems reinvigorated by Mackie’s strong performance. Clara worked best with Matt Smith’s Doctor, with Capaldi’s Doctor however, Clara seemed mis-placed and the Tardis team balance was all wrong. The teaming of the 12th Doctor, Bill and Nardole is perfect. I only wish this happened a series earlier. As it is, when people look back over the era of the 12th Doctor, it will unfortunately feature more episodes with Clara, rather than the much more suitable Bill.

    • Pats86

      June 11th, 2017 - 6:16pm

      Yes the REAL Master, he was brilliant far better than anything Gomez has brought to the show.

  • Tim M

    June 11th, 2017 - 8:00am

    The series has returned to form, after the inconsistent mess that was the monk three parter. Mark Gatiss has written one of his best scripts, and I hope it’s not his last, nor the last we see of the Ice Warriors. ‘Empress of Mars’ was very good. Dare I say, a modern classic Doctor Who story.

    Reply
  • Dr phil

    June 11th, 2017 - 1:39am

    I really enjoyed the episode. One thing is starting to annoy me is the the very British centric theme of some episodes. I know the show is British but I don’t think that should overlap as much as it does. I starting to think the doctor is the defender of England as opposed to the whole planet. I don’t see how a Gallifreyan would align with one nation of Earth so much as opposed to the whole planet. It would be nice to see a visit to Scotland again, and maybe even Wales or Ireland, or further a field.

    I think this episode missed a great opportunity to maybe play on some more realistic themes of empire and colonialism, especially with someone from a BME background as the companion. I think the show should highlight history, not rewrite or ignore certain aspects of it.

    I’m not intending to offend anyone, but some times references to empire etc are cringe worthy.

    Reply
    • Stop that TARDIS

      June 11th, 2017 - 10:54am

      Considering next week seems to be based in Scotland, half your wish is granted! πŸ˜€

    • Obsie

      June 11th, 2017 - 6:37pm

      When he does go to Scotland it seems it will be the second time he’s been in Aberdeen-shire, after accidently dropping Sarah Jane off there all those years ago-by mistake naturally.

    • The Werewolf

      June 11th, 2017 - 10:50pm

      Scotland and Wales are in Britain.

  • The Moffat Paradox

    June 11th, 2017 - 1:01am

    Liked the Curse Of Peladon reference with Alpha Centauri and as the Victorians might have said : A SPIFFING EPISODE!

    Reply
  • Exterminator

    June 11th, 2017 - 12:36am

    I thought it was the best episode of the series so far. I loved the movie references especially when the doctor mentioned Frozen! So funny to think he’s not seen Terminator or the thing but he’s watched Frozen. Lol

    This was mark gatiss at his best. A great story and wonderful ending with alpha centauri and even better Missy in the Tardis at last!!!! I just know she’s going to steal it or something.

    The costumes and effects were very good, I really liked the crumpled body effect from the ice warriors sonic guns, that was very cool.

    I think it’s so sad that there’s only 3 episodes and the Christmas special left of Peter Capaldi’s doctor. I really don’t want him to go.

    Reply
  • Anonymous

    June 10th, 2017 - 11:11pm

    The Ice Warriors looked superb. Very enjoyable episode

    Reply
  • 100,000BC

    June 10th, 2017 - 10:39pm

    The portrait of Queen Victoria being of Pauline Collins (who played her in Tooth And Claw with David Tennant) was a nice continuity touch.
    Also, I don’t think that Iraxxa was referred to as Empress in the episode, but I realise that the title is a reference to Queen Victoria’s title ‘Empress of India’ – since the soldiers had an ambition to claim Mars for the British Empire.

    Reply
    • Thewhoman

      June 11th, 2017 - 4:56pm

      She claimed she was the Empress of Mars at the end of the episode while in conversation with Alpha

  • D0CT0R WH0

    June 10th, 2017 - 9:30pm

    I found the first 30 minuets of the episode a bit boring but the end was very good. I loved the ending with the return of the alpha centauri and Missy in the tardis.
    The empress of mars 6/10

    Reply
  • Nigel M

    June 10th, 2017 - 9:08pm

    Brilliant ! The comical scene drinking tea at the dining table reminded me of Carry On Up The Khyber – “Things are getting pretty desperate”.

    Reply
    • Pats86

      June 10th, 2017 - 9:38pm

      Nigel M I hadn’t noticed the similarities with the old carry on classic, thanks for pointing it out you made me laugh πŸ™‚ If Gattis did that on purpose then good him.
      Have not decided what I feel about the episode yet, will probably sleep on it and have a rewatch in the morning before I make up my mind.

  • The Dalek Whovian

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:52pm

    You can tell Mark Gattiss had fun writing this episode, so as the audience I had fun watching this episode. Also that cameo at the end was fantastic

    Reply
  • Harold Saxon

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:34pm

    Very good episode indeed! I can’t figure out what was going on in the scene at the end with missy it was a bit odd not sure what it means but there’s more to come from missy

    Reply
  • The Temporal Jelly Baby

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:28pm

    OK, newly revised series 10 scores…

    The Pilot: 8/10
    Smile: 7/10
    Thin Ice: 8/10
    Knock Knock: 7/10
    Oxygen: 7.5/10
    Extremis: 8.5/10
    The Pyramid at the End of the World: 7.5/10
    The Lie of the Land: 6.75/10
    Empress of Mars: 9/10

    Average so far: 7.7/10

    Reply
    • The Temporal Jelly Baby

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:30pm

      So far for me, not a single bad episode in series 10. I thought The Lie of the Land could have been much better but I wouldn’t call it a bad episode as you can see from the score. It just didn’t live up to my expectations.

  • James Harlow

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:24pm

    The acting in this episode was just…. awful.

    Reply
    • Jordan Scott

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:26pm

      How? It’s at the same standard as every other episode of the series.

    • prototype dalek

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:27pm

      Didn’t really see that myself, thought it was very good

    • Whorules

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:53pm

      Er… how was the acting Awful?

    • Stop that TARDIS

      June 10th, 2017 - 9:28pm

      I thought it was very good. Our mains were good as usual, the British troops were great at keeping the British up and the ice Warriors were handled well to me πŸ™‚

    • James Harlow

      June 11th, 2017 - 9:01pm

      I don’t think it was Capaldi or Mackie’s best work, and the Victorians seemed really over-acted, even for Victorians. Bill’s line about “Making allowances for your Victorian attitudes because, well, you actually are Victorian.” just deems so clunky and slow.

      As for the Ice Warriors, their voices seemed way too human. Comparing it to Skaldak’s voice in Cold War, where his voice was deep, gravelly, and powerful, while being fairly monotonous, but angry, the Ice Warriors in this episode seemed like a drunk man in the pub doing a pathetic impression of Dark Vader.

      The Empress was even worse. Did anyone else see that CBBC show Wizards Vs Aliens, written by Steven Moffat a few years ago? The Ice Empress sounded like the female lead alien on that. Just an English woman speaking slowly. She should have sounded a bit more like the Empress of the Racnoss, but with more power and authority, and less like Nigella Lawson.

  • r1ch1e

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:19pm

    Not gonna lie to you my friends but seeing Alpha Centuri back has made my whole life! I thought that was a brilliant episode.
    Mark Gattis if you ever read our comments on this site then I have to say that that was your very best work. More Ice Warriors in series 11 please!!!

    Reply
    • Alex Davis

      June 10th, 2017 - 9:30pm

      Agreed

    • Doctorfan

      June 10th, 2017 - 11:09pm

      Perhaps a two part story with the ice warriors and alpha centauri set on peladon!!! That would be great

  • Jordan Scott

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:18pm

    I think this is my new favourite episode of series 10! Absolutely loved the return of Alpha Centauri, one of my favourites from classic who and the Ice Warriors were fantastic!

    Reply
  • Run you clever boy

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:15pm

    BRILLIANT EPISODE, WHAT WAS GOING ON AT THE END SCENE, WHAT IS MISSY UP TOO AND HOW WILL JOHN SIMMS MASTER COME ABOUT. ALSO WHEN IT COMES TO THE FINAL INAM LOOKING FORWARD TO TWO MASTERS BUT I HOPE THEY DONT SHADOW THE CYBERMEN.

    Reply
    • D0CT0R WH0

      June 11th, 2017 - 8:41am

      Is it just me or if you pause at the end of the episode, on the second before the “next time” trailer, I thought I saw Missy start to slightly go. Did you notice the same? If so, was she about to regenerate?

  • 100,000BC

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:13pm

    Unless I misread the credits, Alpha was played by Ysanne Churchman, the original voice actor. Grinned madly when I heard the voice!!
    Brilliant story!!

    Reply
    • Mark Belsom

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:15pm

      Yep same actor and yes I to had a big grin on my face when I heard that voice.

    • The Temporal Jelly Baby

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:16pm

      As did I.

    • WFK DVD Collector 17

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:19pm

      “This is Alpha Centauri, welcome to the universe!”

      My head exploded at that moment. Very clever πŸ™‚

    • Jordan Scott

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:22pm

      She’s 92 and sounds exactly the same, very impressive!

    • r1ch1e

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:22pm

      Me too. It was the highlight of the series for me!

    • Prof Horner

      June 11th, 2017 - 1:40pm

      And given she is over 90, it is good she is still with us in more ways than one.

  • Whorules

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:08pm

    I think I have my new favourite capaldi story. Ice warriors were great, love the new sonic gun effect and alpha centauri Back! Let’s hope that the warriors are back soon.

    Reply
  • JasonisnotaRobot

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:07pm

    Apart from the Empress reminding me of a Power Rangers villain, pretty good episode. You know you have a good series when even the Gatiss episode isn’t bad

    Reply
  • Eluma Narty

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:07pm

    Good to see the alien cucumber with a giant eye. Only ever seen it before in pictures.

    Reply
  • Doctorfan

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:06pm

    Centauri is my favourite underrated classic who character!!

    Reply
  • Weeping Angel

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:06pm

    I really liked the episode, but I thought it was called THE Empress Of Mars instead of Empress Of Mars. I would have preferred that title with the THE in, as it reminds me of old style doctor who πŸ™‚

    Reply
  • Tim M

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:05pm

    Very good. Really enjoyable story with a good mix of humour and drama. The Ice Warriors looked superb, and how great was it to see and hear Alpha Centruri. 9/10

    Reply
  • The Temporal Jelly Baby

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:05pm

    Quite possibly Mark Gatiss’ best ever story! Tense and exciting throughout, a nice story in general and simply a thoroughly enjoyable watch. And Alpha Centauri!

    Reply
  • Eluma Narty

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:05pm

    Really enjoyed that. Although, why does Missy think the Doctor isnt alright?

    Reply
  • The Silent Silent

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:04pm

    The Ice Warrior Empress Sounded like the Empress of the Racnoss from “The Runaway Bride”

    Reply
    • Techruyc

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:13pm

      I thought that too.

    • whovian

      June 10th, 2017 - 8:16pm

      Same here. Closed my eyes and just heard Sarah Parish’s Racnoss Empress

  • prototype dalek

    June 10th, 2017 - 8:04pm

    Really enjoyed it a lot and I loved the tie in with Alpha Centauri at the end. Nice to see the Ice warriors back

    Reply

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