January 26th, 2020
85 comments
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What Did You Think of Fugitive of the Judoon?
Now that the Fifth episode of series 12 has aired what did you think? Was it everything you had hoped for or not what you expected.
Trigger-happy space police the Judoon are targeting 21st-century Gloucester. The Doctor, Yaz, Ryan and Graham race back to Earth in order to prevent them doing too much damage to the cathedral city.
Single constructive comments on the article in question only. The reply facility has been permanently removed.
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Pats86
January 27th, 2020 - 8:00pmHaving watched this episode again I have come to the conclusion that Chibnall has definitely shot himself in the foot, I have always been vocal on my dislike of Jodie’s Doctor because she comes across as weak and without any presence on screen at all.
Now we have a major problem after this episode? Jo Martin’s Doctor is everything Jodie’s is not, Jo’s Doctor has presence and she stole every scene in which Jodie was in!
I was not happy with the gender change of our hero and Jodie only confirmed this to me, she became the worst possible Doctor we have had the misfortune to watch.
But it is quite clear that the role was miscast, If we were going to have a 1st female Doctor we should have been given Jo Martin as Doctor number 13!
She has out done Jodie in every department, a strong presence, gravitas and a very nice TARDIS interior.
I honestly feel vindicated for standing up and giving my honest opinion on Jodie’s Doctor, we can all see Jo Martin would have bridged the gap for those like myself who were upset with the gender change, now I will be wanting another Doctor ASAP or even a series with Jo’s Doctor?
Seeing Jo Martin’s Doctor’s dislike of what was in front of her was pure lol gold, and in that Chibnall has inadvertently given us a superior Doctor? So how on Earth are we expected to want to watch poor Jodie now?
Please don’t think I dislike Jodie personally because that is not the case, she has unfortunately been miscast and if it wasn’t evident before for some it sure is now.
Looking forward to seeing how this all pans out and Jo Martin’s Doctor again.
Anonymous
January 27th, 2020 - 7:15pmThe cybermen used their own heads as logos in the sixties Daniel!
Dalek Command
January 27th, 2020 - 6:59pmSorry but rewriting such an iconic show as Dr Who’s history is treading on dangerous ground. It’s like digging away at the foundations. Keep going down this path and it will fall down and Dr Who will die. Maybe this time never to return.
ADAM
January 27th, 2020 - 2:48pmAnd so the destruction and re-writing of Doctor who lore continues…we all know how this will pan out.
Good old “Woke” BBC can’t help themselves.
Anonymous
January 27th, 2020 - 2:47pmThere have been alternate Doctors in other media, (Richard E Grant, David Warner) just never in the show itself….until now. I’ve watched the show for so long I’m used to change. The show has depended on change from the very beginning. But so many fundamental changes to the show in so brief a time has left me reeling. It can be seen as the best thing that ever happened to Dr Who or speeding it’s end, depending on your point of view. One things for certain, this will split fandom right down the middle, creating for Who fans the kind of divisions we saw recently with the Star Wars community over The Last Jedi.
Daniel
January 27th, 2020 - 12:59pmInitially the episode felt like another show entirely that the Doctor just stumbled into and I was fine with that. Then it ended as something fundamental to the Doctor and I was even more into that. It had a ‘Cartmel Masterplan’ vibe with the new-old incarnation reveal and I’m intrigued to see what comes next.
One piddling qualm – why do the Judoon have a logo based on their own heads? Seems kind of hokey to me but then they are a pretty hokey race. I prefer to imagine them looking like Vogans rather than the lazy design choice of sticking anthropomorphized rhinos into a rip-off of Sontaran armour. 🙂
Anonymous
January 27th, 2020 - 12:50pm“Everything you think you know is a lie”
Exciting times…
Dalek Eye Stalk
January 27th, 2020 - 9:56amThis show has become some kind of spin off parody of Doctor Who, with half of the regular cast that can’t even act. Jodie is weak as the Doctor, and Tosin as Ryan says every sentence in the same monotone voice. Lacking any depth, realism or emotion. Gallifrey gone…already done, the time war! Incarnation of the Doctor we haven’t seen before…already done, John Hurt’s superb War Doctor. It’s nothing more than a spoof now. Such a shame.
Pats86
January 27th, 2020 - 9:41amHaving had time to give this episode some thought I think I quite liked it, as we don’t know how it will all pan out I will hold judgment on possible canon changes.
It could still be a parallel Doctor, just because she also has a police box TARDIS doesn’t rule this out. The multiverse theory can change someone’s life by just turning left instead of right. So the Doctor could have still have landed in a junk yard like our 1st Doctor did.
The multiverse theory and many world’s interpretation both would see somethings the same but changes at any given time all the time.
I have to say having only seen Jo Martin as the Doctor for a very short time she really stole the show for me, she had presence which I have always maintained Jodie’s does not, she is the worst ever, I wish Jo Martin had been cast as she is quite clearly better in everyway.
It appears this new Doctor is an older one, and I liked her distaste of the sonic screwdriver.
6/10
Anonymous
January 27th, 2020 - 7:31amSuperb. Just superb.
The only negative I have is that I was so enthralled with the main plot line that Jack’s cameo was an unwanted distraction, although now I have had time to digest the episode, I love that he has returned
So Ruth Doctor –
Can’t be pre “1st Doctor” as the TARDIS would not yet be stuck as a Police box.
Can’t be an incarnation between 2 and 3 as 3 had 2’s clothes on when he fell out of the TARDIS and it would completely screw up the regeneration count within the Doctor’s first cycle.
Only options are a future Doctor that for some reas8n can not remember the past or an alternative universe Doctor.
Interesting that the Ruth Doctor described the the TARDIS as her “ship” – so maybe an alternative first Doctor.
For the first time.sunce Capaldi’s 2nd series I litterally can not wait for the next episode.
Broken Cylon
January 27th, 2020 - 4:55amFinally nice to see this Doctor get a little sassy w/the companions, I miss that…
Also, as for Ruth’s Doctor, it was strange to see her immediately embrace the space assault rifle & tactically take out the Judoon Captain w/physical combat, did she mention “training”.? Kinda like Doctor Wick…
Furthermore, I didn’t really care for the way she broke the poor guys horn off after she already had him under control, felt kinda cruel & out of character for the Doctor…
Doctor Mysterio
January 27th, 2020 - 3:36amHave just watched this week’s episode, and I have to say, I was gripped. The plot had more twists and turns than a twisty turny thing, an old friend has returned and an intriguing mystery has been set up.
Others seem quick to judge on that last point, but I’m going to wait to see how this one pans out. In fact, there seems to be some negativity around this series as a whole that I don’t think I fully get. Critics of last series were unhappy that it wasn’t steeped in continuity, with no recurring monsters or timelords, but this year we are truly being spoilt. And still some aren’t happy.
After 57 years of stories, it must be hard to come up with something fresh and new, and I applaud them for trying.
The addition of a new Doctor out of time is hardly a new concept, you only have too look at the War Doctor (or Jackson Lake), so fans shouldn’t be too surprised by this. And while admittedly, Jo Martin is no John Hurt, in this story she was terrific. And you know what, Jodie sparked off her wonderfully. The fact her companions were removed for a good part of the episode gave Jodie a chance to show what 13 can really do when freed up from the constraints of too many supporting characters. It was easily the best 13th Doctor entry so far.
This season, aside from the poor Orphan-55 episode (Benni?), which must have been a blip, has exceeded my expectations. Most importantly, it has also really cemented Jodie into the Doctor role, and it’s good to know that she’ll be back along with Bradley Walsh next year.
I am still confused by the negative reaction from the small vocal minority about Jodie. She’s a great actress and is doing brilliantly with what she’s being given. The writing isn’t always there for her but she’s clearly making her mark on the part and can hold her own with any of the guest cast that come in.
And this is probably the first time in years where I haven’t had a clue where the season is going. Even with a big surprise like YANA, I sort of knew where season 3 would go, but this time, no idea! And that’s great. I’m hoping for a fantastic pay off – and have a feeling we’ll get one too. (I’m also now secretly hoping for a Jo Martin Big Finish boxset too!)
And it’s great to see a proper TARDIS interior back…
Last season may have been the new production team finding their feet, but this season is pacy, fun, suspenseful and surprising. It brings something new the party. What a great time to be a Doctor Who fan!
Mick C
January 27th, 2020 - 3:17amWhats truly great about the season is we have had 3 major surprises and none have been spoiled at all
1/ 0 being the Master
2/ Jacks Cameo
3/ Ruth being the Doctor
Jacks appearance would have been a very tightly held secret, with just the 3 Cast members and a small production team in on it, Jodie probably didn’t even know about it till after they had filmed it.
Awesome episode 9/10 for me and am thoroughly enjoying the storyarc.
The Moffat Paradox
January 27th, 2020 - 1:18amYes well on its own a good episode but as a more clearly interlinked story arc is now at work unlike season 11 to say too much more just now that’s positive or negative seems a bit like pronouncing on a book when your just at the mid point.
I was reassured though about no violation of continuity when the “Doctor” talked of seeing Gallifrey destroyed twice and hopefully the series denouement is an improvement at least on Moffat’s without being too much of a canon wrecking ball beyond that of the same Moffat’s legacy. And maybe there’s an inkling of at least a BIT more of a pumping down the volume on agendas and preaching.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 11:50pmThat was a great episode. There was a lot of surprises, The Return of Captain Jack was a shock. As for Jodie’s performance, I really liked it. Jodie has brought many things to her doctor, joy, fun and sadness. When Jodie was first announced as The Doctor, I thought yes that’s The Doctor. I fully support Jodie as the Doctor, she has become my favourite Doctor. Also love the companions, Yaz is cool, Graham is funny and I can relate to Ryan. Like Ryan I also suffer from learning disabilities, it’s nice to the representation of people who suffer. Thank you to the writers of Doctor Who 10/10
Exterminator
January 26th, 2020 - 11:40pmBlimey, I wasn’t expecting anything like that. Good though.
I think Dr Ruth is before the 1st Dr as her Tardis had a very classic look inside, but why it’s a police box I’ve no idea? Also she didn’t know what the sonic was.
I’m guessing the new master is also from before all the other Masters we’ve already seen.
Whoever this new Dr and Master are and where they fit in to the Dr’s life span story I can’t wait to find out. It’s certainly got us all thinking.
ColinB
January 26th, 2020 - 11:21pmIt can’t be the doctor from an alternative universe cause they have the same DNA code and both tardises can’t land near each other without causing a temporal feedback loop. It must be the same doctor from the same universe but a different timeline. My brain is hurting now.
Gordon
January 26th, 2020 - 11:11pmI enjoyed the hell out of that. It’s a real 9 and a half out of 10. That was a lot to take in. Not sure how I feel about the Ruth revelation to be honest as we don’t know all the answers at present.
Living Shadow
January 26th, 2020 - 10:53pmWow that was a lot to take in. There were certainly some surprises there! I loved the Doctor’s relationship with the companions this time around, and I like how she was openly vulnerable. Great stuff!
As for the Doctor, not Jodie, the other one! I think she’s an alternate universe Doctor. I feel like this era has kind of hinted at possible alternate dimensions or universes with ‘It Takes you Away’ and ‘Spyfall’. Maybe these alternate universes are something to do with the Time Lords and that’s what the master is kind of hinting at…
All I know is that I’m glad to see fans discuss and debate about things other than politics! I’ve missed this.
Doctor Stu
January 26th, 2020 - 10:30pmI wonder what was embargoed on the Judoon figure? It can’t be a captain jack figure surely as it’s a whole separate thing, if it was one of the accessories then maybe that temporal canon thing? Or the bio chest thing as an accessory. I’m assuming the name of the device maybe gave away plot points like the fact they were hiding their dna or something. Do you know personally what it is booboo or were you just told that it was embargoed? And if you do know, do you have any ideas of when everyone else will?
booboo
January 26th, 2020 - 10:36pmjust told that it was embargoed
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 10:17pmWow. So much to compute.
Alternate universe Doctor or connected to what the Master said about everything being a lie.
One question – how have they not heard of Cybermen after the attack on London?
Best episode I have seen in years.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 10:13pmPertwee was wearing Troughtons clothing when he first came out of the tardis, so it doesn’t make much sense for Ruth’s Doctor.
Doctor Stu
January 26th, 2020 - 10:09pmWow, wow, wow, that was sooooooo good. That was better than anything in series 12 and series 11, haven’t had that much hype, or investment or such a big grin on my face since series 10.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 9:55pmI believe this is an alternative universe version of the Doctor, as her having a police box exterior makes no sense as we know Hartnell’s doctor was the first one with the police box exterior as the chameleon circuit was broken.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 9:52pmThat was more in response to other people boo boo. Personally I think it’s an alternative universe doctor. Spyfall is linked to an alternative universe/dimension so it’s a possibly solution. Besides it doesn’t matter. Everything we have seen in the last 57 still counts no matter what happens. It’s like day of the doctor. As far as Ecclestone and Tennant are concerned they destroyed gallifrey. That is their memory. Smith also believes that until the end of day when he now knows he might not have destroyed it. All the stories before it still count. So yes the tardis is a police box. Yes the doctor seems to have a new unexplained body. Great!
The Drums The Never Ending Drum Beat
January 26th, 2020 - 9:51pmJust gonna throw out the brain of morbius to fans for their theories
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 9:39pmIf I had to bet on it: Season 6B.
The TARDIS is a police box (so post-Hartnell), it’s pre-Time War (so not a future Doctor), and the Doctor is on the run from the Time Lords after having done some shady work for them (say for example, the events of The Two Doctors).
We never did see Troughton become Pertwee, it just cut to black…
ColinB
January 26th, 2020 - 9:31pmJust rewatched it and realised that Lee (ruths doctor) is/was a gallifreyan cause he knew Gat and Gat knew him as she said they are both the trained the same. So he must have used a chameleon system to hide his DNA but not his memories. Interesting. Also forgot to mention the great music and good cgi especially the tardis flying over the earth. Ps Ruth doctors tardis interior is WAY better that the current tardis interior
Anonymous
January 26th, 2020 - 9:23pmHow about this. The doctor had another regeneration cycle in the past of the time lords. For whatever reason the doctor gains a new cycle and ends up on gallifrey as the first hartnell doctor. The doctor’s memories of his past are wiped. As far as the doctor and his fellow time lords are concerned he is the first doctor. That doesn’t change anything. Everything we know still stands. As far as the doctor is concerned she left gallifrey, ended up on trenzalore in her final body then was given a new regeneration cycle. The master’s comment stands as well. Everything the doctor remembers is based on a lie. That she began where she thinks she did. Just a thought. Brilliant episode. It doesn’t negate what we know just puts a new spin on it. And for a show approaching 57 years that is not a bad thing.
booboo
January 26th, 2020 - 9:32pmHow about this. The doctor had another regeneration cycle in the past of the time lords.
If so then then why is the buried Tardis a police box
Time Maker
January 26th, 2020 - 9:16pmMy Top 5 favourite Parts of Fugitive of the Judoon
* Brilliant to see the Judoon back to their brutish ways of catching criminals that was in my opinion both more amusing and more intimidating than before, great to hear their catchy language and the returning of their cataloging. also nice to see the return of their spaceships and we finally get to see the inside of one.
* The return of Captain Jack Harkness I was not expecting, it’s certainly been a long time and out of the two known immortals I’m pleased it’s everyone’s favourite Captain Cheesecake and not the irritating Ashildr/Miss Me. very happy to see jack still has his confident, friendly and of course cheeky personality and nice to see him caught up in other dangerous events going on throughout the Doctor Who Universe.
* While the companions took a bit of a backseat for this episode it’s was very entertaining seeing Yaz and Ryan act as the Doctor’s detective deputies and Graham’s embarrassing introduction to Captain Jack. It was also very touching for all three companions to show how loyal they are to the Doctor considering her family and promising to stand by her side no matter the dangers.
* While I had a feeling Ruth was the fugitive what I did not see coming was the reveal of her to be a new mysterious incarnation of the Doctor! How is this possible? did the Doctor somehow forget a past incarnation but if so how come the Doctor still has a full 13 incarnation cycle that didn’t include the Ruth incarnation?! could she even be from a parallel universe? or is it as simple as a clone of The Doctor? The Master said that the founding fathers of Gallifrey have lied about something, and I have a hunch this mystery Doctor is something to do with it, could she even be the Timeless Child? This episode has left me with so many questions that I look forward to seeing answered, I just hope the ending of this series goes way better than that admittedly bad series 9 final episode Hell Bent.
* “Beware the Lone Cyberman, don’t give him what he wants.” Just this one warning is enough to make the cybermen’s soon to be return more disturbing. having a solo Cyberman story is a first and why is it so important? Another Mystery that I can’t wait to see resolved.
It’s hard to think of any parts in the episode that could have been done better, I thought it was brilliant though perhaps there were a few too many plot twists for one episode.