I know there are several people who loved this episode, and the majority seem to feel it is average, but for me, this is the worst episode of season ten. There is nothing interesting in this episode aside from Nardole (hilarious) and some of The Doctor's lines. "That is the sound of my PATIENCE shattering!" Is probably my favorite, mostly because mine did too very early on in this episode.
The premise is okay, stumbling upon interdimensional monsters that devour light (though why this kills people directly is not well explained) while looking to see what happened to the ninth Roman legion in Scotland. But this episode has so many weaknesses and irritations. I don't understand why people were so excited for this writer to return; the writing is horrendous and feels like a ridiculous fanfic love letter to both Scotland and the Romans somehow. Not that there's anything wrong with Scotland that I know of, but constantly pointing out, "hey, they're in Scotland" detracted from what little enjoyment the episode had to offer. And the treatment of the Romans was even more ridiculous. The Romans butchered entire communities but that's ok because they were "enlightened" enough to accept homosexuality!? I understand this is historical fact and an issue in modern day culture, but the oversimplification and dismissal of their atrocities (even just to the Picts in this episode) is egregious. And not for a second do I believe any of those child actors are Romans or Picts! But at least we got another appearance from Missy to tease the next episode. 6/10
The premise is okay, stumbling upon interdimensional monsters that devour light (though why this kills people directly is not well explained) while looking to see what happened to the ninth Roman legion in Scotland. But this episode has so many weaknesses and irritations. I don't understand why people were so excited for this writer to return; the writing is horrendous and feels like a ridiculous fanfic love letter to both Scotland and the Romans somehow. Not that there's anything wrong with Scotland that I know of, but constantly pointing out, "hey, they're in Scotland" detracted from what little enjoyment the episode had to offer. And the treatment of the Romans was even more ridiculous. The Romans butchered entire communities but that's ok because they were "enlightened" enough to accept homosexuality!? I understand this is historical fact and an issue in modern day culture, but the oversimplification and dismissal of their atrocities (even just to the Picts in this episode) is egregious. And not for a second do I believe any of those child actors are Romans or Picts! But at least we got another appearance from Missy to tease the next episode. 6/10