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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Obsie
June 11th, 2017 - 6:34pmOoops, sorry that was meant for Dan23 and Exterminator
Obsie
June 11th, 2017 - 6:33pmI think for some reason, best known to itself, the TARDIS decided to initiate the H.A.D.S
protocol. I can’t see Missy simply escaping to mess with the machine and go quietly back to her vault. If she’d have gained access to the TARDIS the universe would have been her oyster.
Pats86
June 11th, 2017 - 6:16pmYes the REAL Master, he was brilliant far better than anything Gomez has brought to the show.
When The Doctor Was Me
June 11th, 2017 - 5:34pmReally enjoyed this one. Was a lot of fun (which is what I thought the Monk trilogy was heavily lacking) and the Ice Warriors were great. Even though through the promotional images I was not a fan of the Ice Queen design, I have to say in the episode it looked great.
Second Favourite episode in this series!
Series ranking so far:-
The Pilot – 7/10
Smile – 7/10
Thin Ice – 8/10
Knock Knock – 7/10
Oxygen – 10/10
Extremis – 3/10
The Pyramid at the End of the World – 4/10
The Lie of the Land – 3/10
Empress of Mars – 9/10
Series Average – 6.44
A strong series only let down so far by the Monk trilogy which I just found so uninspired and frankly boring.
Thewhoman
June 11th, 2017 - 4:56pmShe claimed she was the Empress of Mars at the end of the episode while in conversation with Alpha
Whorules
June 11th, 2017 - 4:39pmCan’t say I’m looking forward to simms coming back, never thought he was that great an actor. How about Chris Marshall for the next master?
Dan23
June 11th, 2017 - 4:25pmNewspapers are saying it has : “crossover with ITV’s Victoria and throwback to a David Tennant episode with a portrait of a Queen Victoria from a 2006 episode of the show”
Exterminator
June 11th, 2017 - 4:16pmIt wasn’t explained. Maybe Missy somehow sabotaged the Tardis so that she’d get released from the vault?
Dan23
June 11th, 2017 - 4:11pmWhat was the reason the tardis left mars & wouldn’t go back?
Random Critic
June 11th, 2017 - 2:15pmThese British characters from the 1800s are just hilarious. Even without the sci-fi element, I’d watch just for the period drama stuff alone.
In this episode, I didn’t particularly have much interest in the Ice Warriors and their pantomime villain spiel. However, the British army soldiers more than made up for that, and Catchlove just stole the show with almost every one of his lines.
It was nice to see the death flag still in use. Yes, Vincey, when this is all over, you’re definitely gonna get back to your gal and live happily ever after. Lol! Honestly, the only thing more funny than listening to that was watching Catchlove later use him as a human shield and then nail it with the line “Sod this for a game of soldiers”. I really can’t hate the guy for being such an entertaining self-serving rat-bag, rather like Arnold Rimmer.
Long live the 1800s.
Prof Horner
June 11th, 2017 - 1:40pmAnd given she is over 90, it is good she is still with us in more ways than one.
Jordan Scott
June 11th, 2017 - 1:40pmI 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.
47
June 11th, 2017 - 1:38pmI 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 !!
Skaroman
June 11th, 2017 - 1:25pmIt 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
Alex Who?
June 11th, 2017 - 12:54pm9/10 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.
Tim M
June 11th, 2017 - 12:13pmBill (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.
Stop that TARDIS
June 11th, 2017 - 10:54amConsidering next week seems to be based in Scotland, half your wish is granted! 😀
Pats86
June 11th, 2017 - 8:46amAfter 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.
D0CT0R WH0
June 11th, 2017 - 8:41amIs 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?
Tim M
June 11th, 2017 - 8:00amThe 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.
Dr phil
June 11th, 2017 - 1:39amI 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.
The Moffat Paradox
June 11th, 2017 - 1:01amLiked the Curse Of Peladon reference with Alpha Centauri and as the Victorians might have said : A SPIFFING EPISODE!
Exterminator
June 11th, 2017 - 12:36amI 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.
Anonymous
June 10th, 2017 - 11:11pmThe Ice Warriors looked superb. Very enjoyable episode
Doctorfan
June 10th, 2017 - 11:09pmPerhaps a two part story with the ice warriors and alpha centauri set on peladon!!! That would be great
100,000BC
June 10th, 2017 - 10:39pmThe 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.
Pats86
June 10th, 2017 - 9:38pmNigel M I hadn’t noticed the similarities with the old carry on classic, thanks for pointing it out you made me laugh 🙂 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.
Alex Davis
June 10th, 2017 - 9:30pmAgreed
D0CT0R WH0
June 10th, 2017 - 9:30pmI 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
Stop that TARDIS
June 10th, 2017 - 9:28pmI 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 🙂