milo bloom

I liked Jodie a lot, but the episode around her was only okay. I felt the same way about most of Capaldi's run - it was enjoyable watching him grump through the countryside, but sometimes the stories were just kinda plain.

And holy shit the commercials. We watched at a friend's place on BBCAmerica and we started late on her DVR so we could skip the commercials, but the frequency of them was still horrific.

This is why people (just hypothetical people, you know) torrent things like this.

The Cow

Our house complained a lot about the commercials as well. And it did take us out of the episode with the frequency. We won't be watching it live going forward.

The Infidel

I streamed it from the BBC app. Didn't feel like much commercial interruption at all.

bryce0lynch

Is she another messianic Doctor, or have they come to earth with this one?

Unclejosh

Jodie was decent so far but I usually take like half a season to warm up to the new Doctor so this is no different. But the story was bleh and I didn't care about any of the people and kinda wished they all died. I am not a fan of multiple people in the Tardis in general 2 at most so we will see how it plays out.

Adam Tyner

Amy Pond made one out of her phone and other scavenged bits and bobs, so I guess there's precedent!

The Valeyard

The Infidel

I believe the Doctor was scavenging pieces and parts from Tim Shaw's teleport/pod thing, so if that's true, that lends a little more feasibility.

The Valeyard

Tonight: The Ghost Monument

Superman07

Stronger second episode with some pluses and minuses.

Think I’m good with the new credits. Definitely high on the synth to the point of 80s...but the graphics are neat.

I’m liking the new companions too. I’m sure we’ll get to know them more and their personalities over the next few episodes.

A few portions portions seemed a bit preachy. Maybe it was the combination of delivery and exposition.

Can’t say I love the new interior of the TARDIS. Given how bubbly the new Doctor is, the interior is quite dark and drab.

I thought I read somewhere that this series wasn’t supposed to have any story arc running throughout. However, a few tidbits were left in this episode! 1) looks like Tim Shaw’s* people are responsible for a lot of mischief around the galaxy. 2) I think it was either implied the Doctor was an orphan, or is unaware of something to do with a child.

*I wouldn’t be surprised of Tim Shaw makes another appearance by the end of the series, and if an invasion of earth is not far behind.

RoboDad

One thing I didn’t like was the exterior changes to the TARDIS. One of the premises of the show since day 1 has been that the ship was stuck in its current appearance due to a broken chameleon circuit. How is it that it can now change aspects of its external appearance?

And I agree that the new interior doesn’t “fit” the Doctor’s personality.

randian

A mystery. But since there is supposedly no story arc expect no explanation for either this or the other mystery, "timeless child."

Unclejosh

I am not a fan of the new interior at all. Worst one yet in my opinion.

Weird question. Is this still being broadcast in 16:9 ratio or is it different this year?

Koby

On Amazon it was 2:1 AR. It played as 1920x960.

Jay G.

It was shot in a 2:1 aspect ratio using anamorphic lenses.
https://io9.gizmodo.com/jodie-whitta...e-a-1829197864
https://www.geek.com/television/repo...-look-1724791/

For broadcast, that's going to be a 16:9 image letterboxed down to 2:1.

And yes, this is a change for this series; prior series since 2005 were shot 16:9.

Unclejosh

Thanks! I was going crazy trying to figure it out.

Jay G.

1) The Stenza, which "Tim Shaw" was one of, apparently could be a through line for this season.

2) The killer scarves reference the "Timeless Child," and seem to imply The Doctor may be it.

Read more: https://www.springfieldspringfield.c...episode=s11e02

milo bloom

2nd Episode was kinda light on story but some nice lore bits (Timeless Child and the Stenza returning).

I liked the new TARDIS interior. A nice change from previous ones and the cookie dispenser was fun.

As for the exterior, there have been subtle redesigns of it over the years. Just imagine the chameleon circuit is fighting with the ship’s self diagnostics so it’s constantly tweaking the look to keep itself in shape.

Kdogg

Thought the second episode was fine. Jodi seems to be more subtle in taking over the Doctor than the previous actors.

I did not like the new intro or the new TARDIS interior. The intro hurts my eyes. The interior feels claustrophobic and to orange/yellow. We will see how it plays out.

randian

I thought the new theme music was awful.

AGuyNamedMike

Huh, after that second episode my wife remarked, "They're trying too hard."

Hopefully they find their footing soon and Jodie can have a successful run as the Doctor.

I'm still hoping against hope for a sarcastic Paterson Joseph as the Doctor down the line.

DWilson

I hate to say it, but I struggled to stay with the second episode. I don't mind Jodie but I usually expect some cleverness, -some new angle, -with a DW story and this was about as generic as it comes. I was okay with the thin-scripted first episode (since there was so much character business to handle), but I'm starting to get a bad feeling here. Still, I'll give it a few more episodes to get on its feet.

Josh-da-man

0 for 2 so far.

Chibnall’s first two episodes have come across like middle tier Davies-era stories... far beneath “Family of Blood” but above “Fear Her.” A lot one Chibnall’s Tenth Doctor episodes, “42.”

Whittaker hasn’t really been a disappointment, but she's not doing anything that stands out much, either. She comes off like a fairly generic Doctor. The new outfit doesn’t help much, either.

It seems like they’re regressing back to the Tenth Doctor era after Eleven’s manic energy and Twelve’s cranky cynicism, and going back to fairly generic, rote stories that aren't exactly bad, but tend to be forgettable.

DWilson

Obviously, they've costumed her not to give off any kind of sexual vibe whatsoever, but it just manages to be what someone wears on Laundry Day.

Adam Tyner

I feel the same way. Dreadfully paced. Uninspired. Zero tension.

Plus, Yaz was far and away my favorite thing about the premiere, yet she wasn't given much more to do here than show up. I kind of just want Ryan to go away.