Double, double toil and trouble, a story about a muddy tendril, that doesn't come close to casting a spell, though it does remind of a living hell. The Doctor's clearly lost the plot, this episode composts and rots, the writers take us all for fools, put them in chains bound to ducking stools.
87 Reviews
Something is Missing
mjstanley26 November 2018
Doctor Who has always been a very specific show, but this new series isn't and it almost doesn't feel like the same show anymore, which is probably a bad thing since most people watching are used to something else. In a way I think Doctor Who is alienating it's longtime fans.
Decent story, bad script, excruciating acting
sheffieldscotts28 November 2018
I still can't decide whether it's Jodie Whittaker's CBeebies take on the character or the excruciating dialogue she has to recite which makes this season so bad. Either way, this is now painful TV. Add that to the relentless 101 lessons in racism and sexism "women really did have it tough in the middle ages!" and my embarrassment in being a Doctor Who fan is now complete.
This episode is actually a pretty good story, set in the superstitious middle ages where witch-hunts clash with mud-aliens of genuinely interesting genesis. Alan Cumming's light-hearted take on an improbably hands-on witch-finding King James I is fun and engaging and as you'd expect from a classy actor, Bradley Walsh's understated Graham is as ever watchable, and guest star Siobhan Finnerhan does a good job as the paranoid antagonist. And that's it. Characters Ryan and Jasmin are dull but fine I guess, but I'm afraid Whittaker, who has the unenviable task of carrying the show, simply doesn't deliver the nuances required of her character. Authority, light and dark, exceptional knowing and occasional arrogance - virtually none of these traits come through in her performance. All we get are over-exaggerated movements, facial expressions and verbal intonations that make Horrible Histories look subtle.
I've had enough.
This episode is actually a pretty good story, set in the superstitious middle ages where witch-hunts clash with mud-aliens of genuinely interesting genesis. Alan Cumming's light-hearted take on an improbably hands-on witch-finding King James I is fun and engaging and as you'd expect from a classy actor, Bradley Walsh's understated Graham is as ever watchable, and guest star Siobhan Finnerhan does a good job as the paranoid antagonist. And that's it. Characters Ryan and Jasmin are dull but fine I guess, but I'm afraid Whittaker, who has the unenviable task of carrying the show, simply doesn't deliver the nuances required of her character. Authority, light and dark, exceptional knowing and occasional arrogance - virtually none of these traits come through in her performance. All we get are over-exaggerated movements, facial expressions and verbal intonations that make Horrible Histories look subtle.
I've had enough.
Doctor Who vs The Patriarchy
TheDonaldofDoom26 November 2018
Season 11 stoops to a new low. This episode is full of terrible dialogue, cringeworthy acting and simplistic moral signalling, and the only reason anyone could defend it is because it's Doctor Who, and Doctor Who *used* to be good.
Compare the dialogue to the episodes of the RTD era or early Moffat era. It was sharp, to the point, intelligent and witty, whereas the jokes here just aren't funny. Its attempts at humour involving King James are pathetic. It's as if the BBC have aimed it at preschool kids. That's the level of sophistication we're talking about here. The funny thing is Doctor Who used to be intelligent enough to appeal to kids and adults at the same time. I think that if I was still a kid, I'd be equally furious to see it dumbed down like this.
Look at the portrayal of historical characters we see here. I don't know much about King James I but I couldn't believe what I was seeing when he came onscreen. Is that accent supposed to be funny? Is this the level Doctor Who's "humour" has stooped to, overexaggerating accents? Not to mention the completely unfunny lines given to King James to make him seem like an utter twit. There is no comparison between this and NuWho's portrayal of Queen Victoria. She was realistic but also the source of jokes. But those jokes were actually funny, in keeping with her character, and not totally stupid. Plus, the acting used to be good. Alan Cumming goes out of his way to look idiotic, but I don't much blame him in a way because what else can you do with such an atrocious script?
As if this episode wasn't bad already, it throws in countless PC comments about how bad life was for women in those days. The duck stool was for shutting women up, apparently. Good job we have the Doctor here, battling for social justice across time... oh, what was that she said a few minutes ago about not interfering in history? Oh, I get it. What she meant was don't interfere unless you see a woman being harmed, in which case it's absolutely fine to break the Gallifreyan law of non-interference!
I could go on, but what's the point? Chris Chibnall has decided what direction he wants to take Doctor Who and there's nothing we can do about it now.
Compare the dialogue to the episodes of the RTD era or early Moffat era. It was sharp, to the point, intelligent and witty, whereas the jokes here just aren't funny. Its attempts at humour involving King James are pathetic. It's as if the BBC have aimed it at preschool kids. That's the level of sophistication we're talking about here. The funny thing is Doctor Who used to be intelligent enough to appeal to kids and adults at the same time. I think that if I was still a kid, I'd be equally furious to see it dumbed down like this.
Look at the portrayal of historical characters we see here. I don't know much about King James I but I couldn't believe what I was seeing when he came onscreen. Is that accent supposed to be funny? Is this the level Doctor Who's "humour" has stooped to, overexaggerating accents? Not to mention the completely unfunny lines given to King James to make him seem like an utter twit. There is no comparison between this and NuWho's portrayal of Queen Victoria. She was realistic but also the source of jokes. But those jokes were actually funny, in keeping with her character, and not totally stupid. Plus, the acting used to be good. Alan Cumming goes out of his way to look idiotic, but I don't much blame him in a way because what else can you do with such an atrocious script?
As if this episode wasn't bad already, it throws in countless PC comments about how bad life was for women in those days. The duck stool was for shutting women up, apparently. Good job we have the Doctor here, battling for social justice across time... oh, what was that she said a few minutes ago about not interfering in history? Oh, I get it. What she meant was don't interfere unless you see a woman being harmed, in which case it's absolutely fine to break the Gallifreyan law of non-interference!
I could go on, but what's the point? Chris Chibnall has decided what direction he wants to take Doctor Who and there's nothing we can do about it now.
Not as bad this week, I can actually say I enjoyed this one.
jackVSjack26 November 2018
Not too shabby this week. For most part this series has been shockingly less than average. But this week's episode took a few tiny steps closer to the standard I had come to expect from Doctor Who.
I hope the remainder of the series a few more of these.
I hope the remainder of the series a few more of these.
This season is just terrible.
d-justins26 November 2018
There's no arc. There's no sense of a character of the doctor, just an ambiguous entity that "doesn't know" until about 26 mins into the episode when she magically knows everything about the alien/issue at hand. There's no development to the doctor, companions, or antagonists... it's soooo dull and lacking any actual story. So disappointing.
Plot was better
kreivimaunula26 November 2018
This time the plot was quite good and the creatures are as well getting little bit of interest.
But It is very, very disappointing that I do not want hear any talking from group inside that telephone box. All four are still acting like talking heads and those loose moral sentences keep coming. The Doctor also tried to make some faces but still no success.
I just can't anymore
theactress0027 November 2018
I have watched every episode for 11 seasons. On occasion there would be a storyline I didn't care for which is understandable. For the most part I have loved and enjoyed it all. This season,... It has been painful to watch. I am bored. It's not exciting anymore. The storyline's I hate to say are uninteresting. I don't understand what has happened to this show. I do not blame the actors. Now I watch out of loyalty and hope that the next episode is better... I find myself fast forwarding through scenes and walking away without pausing.
Quintessential Doctor Who
timdalton00720 November 2019
Warning: Spoilers
The word "quintessential" is a fun one. Behind is the idea of something that is most representative of something. If, as a Doctor Who fan, I looked at Series 11 and was to pick the episode from it that re[resented the series, there's a strong possibility that I would pluck for its eighth episode, The Witchfinders.
Certainly, it has all the makings of a classic Who story. Team TARDIS travels back in time to a small village in 1612 Lancashire, things start on the lighter end of the spectrum with a festival-like atmosphere, and the Doctor going bobbing for apples. Things, of course, take an invariably darker turn quite quickly. The local landowner, Becka Savage, is in the midst of a witch hunt. A witch hunt that, soon enough, sees the Doctor and company becoming involved. What starts out as a simple effort to stop senseless killings is revealed to have greater significance with strange happenings and the arrival of monarch James I upon the scene.
As I said, it's a quintessential Doctor Who set-up.
One of the fascinating things about the episode is how much the script from Joy Wilkinson feels both familiar yet fresh. It is easy to imagine a version of it made during the late Third Doctor era, for example, or during the early Tom Baker years for that matter. What separates it from those eras, besides its shorter running time, of course, is in its TARDIS crew and how it realizes the alien threat that ultimately underlies things. It's a fine combination of what makes Who, well, Who, both past and present.
It also helps that the episode has a choice guest cast, with one member of in particular standing out. That Doctor Who managed to land Alan Cumming speaks to the power of the program, and it's to the credit of those involved they put him to full use. Whether it's comedic moments such as his introduction as King James I or even more earnest scenes such as a confrontation with an arrested Doctor, Cumming shines. He's clearly having a good time, but not at the expense of overplaying the role, thankfully. And what are the odds that Who would manage to get two stars from The Good Wife in the same season (the other being Chris Noth in Arachnids in the UK)?
The rest of the guest cast is solid, as well. Siobhan Finneran's performance as Becka Savage offers up a fascinating character, one that is far more than your typical Who villain. Tilly Steele's Willa Twiston is another interesting one, playing with so many different aspects of being an ordinary person caught up in events. What's intriguing is how they both play different sides of the same coin. Both are women at a time when being so meant having little power over one's life. It's how they react to those situations, and how they let it effect upon dealing with the events of the episode, which makes them different, and gives the episode much of its power.
The higher-end production values are also on full display here. Tim Palmer's photography, in particular, gives the entire episode a rich cinematic quality, one that makes adds immensely to the horror film atmosphere of the piece. That atmosphere is also something that director Sallie Aprahamian takes full advantage of, as does composer Segun Akinola. As polished as Series 11 has been to date, The Witchfinders adds to it even more.
The end result is, for me, one of the standout episodes of Series 11. After all, there's a neat trick at the heart of The Witchfinders script. It's an alien invasion story masquerading as part celebrity historical, part folk horror tale. It's a combination that is perhaps quintessentially Doctor Who. Where else would you find witches, aliens, and the King of England all in the same place?
Certainly, it has all the makings of a classic Who story. Team TARDIS travels back in time to a small village in 1612 Lancashire, things start on the lighter end of the spectrum with a festival-like atmosphere, and the Doctor going bobbing for apples. Things, of course, take an invariably darker turn quite quickly. The local landowner, Becka Savage, is in the midst of a witch hunt. A witch hunt that, soon enough, sees the Doctor and company becoming involved. What starts out as a simple effort to stop senseless killings is revealed to have greater significance with strange happenings and the arrival of monarch James I upon the scene.
As I said, it's a quintessential Doctor Who set-up.
One of the fascinating things about the episode is how much the script from Joy Wilkinson feels both familiar yet fresh. It is easy to imagine a version of it made during the late Third Doctor era, for example, or during the early Tom Baker years for that matter. What separates it from those eras, besides its shorter running time, of course, is in its TARDIS crew and how it realizes the alien threat that ultimately underlies things. It's a fine combination of what makes Who, well, Who, both past and present.
It also helps that the episode has a choice guest cast, with one member of in particular standing out. That Doctor Who managed to land Alan Cumming speaks to the power of the program, and it's to the credit of those involved they put him to full use. Whether it's comedic moments such as his introduction as King James I or even more earnest scenes such as a confrontation with an arrested Doctor, Cumming shines. He's clearly having a good time, but not at the expense of overplaying the role, thankfully. And what are the odds that Who would manage to get two stars from The Good Wife in the same season (the other being Chris Noth in Arachnids in the UK)?
The rest of the guest cast is solid, as well. Siobhan Finneran's performance as Becka Savage offers up a fascinating character, one that is far more than your typical Who villain. Tilly Steele's Willa Twiston is another interesting one, playing with so many different aspects of being an ordinary person caught up in events. What's intriguing is how they both play different sides of the same coin. Both are women at a time when being so meant having little power over one's life. It's how they react to those situations, and how they let it effect upon dealing with the events of the episode, which makes them different, and gives the episode much of its power.
The higher-end production values are also on full display here. Tim Palmer's photography, in particular, gives the entire episode a rich cinematic quality, one that makes adds immensely to the horror film atmosphere of the piece. That atmosphere is also something that director Sallie Aprahamian takes full advantage of, as does composer Segun Akinola. As polished as Series 11 has been to date, The Witchfinders adds to it even more.
The end result is, for me, one of the standout episodes of Series 11. After all, there's a neat trick at the heart of The Witchfinders script. It's an alien invasion story masquerading as part celebrity historical, part folk horror tale. It's a combination that is perhaps quintessentially Doctor Who. Where else would you find witches, aliens, and the King of England all in the same place?
Loved the atmosphere but watched in disbelief
tmd-643-82781825 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Whilst I thought the episode did a great job creating a fantastic atmosphere and visual Stewart setting, I found that the set up for the episode was too convenient. The Doctor being tried for witchcraft could be seen a mile off before the episode even began. James I didn't sound Scottish enough and I felt like more time could have been given to the aliens. I was interested in this world but couldn't step into it.
Lamentable!
doorsscorpywag25 November 2018
This weeks nonsense began with The Doctor warning the 3 Muppets she/he travels with that time travellers have a responsibility not to interfere with time.
Of course that lasts about a minute.
Witches & James 1st come together to make an episode worse that last week.
Whittaker wanders around the 17th Century dressed in her clown suit and 3 idiots in tow and nobody seems to notice they are not from around here.
A really useless alien and dialogue that would make Ed Wood think twice. One of the idiots wears a big hat for some ridiculous reason and lots of really boring stuff happens.
Doctor looks at his/her sonic stick and seems to get information magically by reading something on it. Not as much waving around tonight. Eventually all's well and so ends another pile of steaming manure.
By this time Whittaker should have become The Doctor but she is not fit to clean Sylvester McCoys TARDIS let alone the worst Doctor Who's of the classic era. This is a disaster and blindly believing this is good because it has a female Doc will not save this rubbish.
Worst ever series of Doctor Who, worst stories, worst companions, worst Doctor but best opening sequence.
Witches & James 1st come together to make an episode worse that last week.
Whittaker wanders around the 17th Century dressed in her clown suit and 3 idiots in tow and nobody seems to notice they are not from around here.
A really useless alien and dialogue that would make Ed Wood think twice. One of the idiots wears a big hat for some ridiculous reason and lots of really boring stuff happens.
Doctor looks at his/her sonic stick and seems to get information magically by reading something on it. Not as much waving around tonight. Eventually all's well and so ends another pile of steaming manure.
By this time Whittaker should have become The Doctor but she is not fit to clean Sylvester McCoys TARDIS let alone the worst Doctor Who's of the classic era. This is a disaster and blindly believing this is good because it has a female Doc will not save this rubbish.
Worst ever series of Doctor Who, worst stories, worst companions, worst Doctor but best opening sequence.
A step in the right direction
melodypond-2003826 November 2018
This episode was a step in the right direction. Not brilliant, but promising. The writing has been subpar this season and I have lost interest after the first few episodes - Chibnall's writing has done more harm than good for woman and minorities. However, the latest two episodes have been promising and has returned some of the fun and goofiness that I enjoyed about the first few seasons. Let's hope that they continue along this line
Saved By The Strong Horror Element
Theo Robertson25 November 2018
This is a strange beast. It's very much old school but if there's any negative elements it's all down to NuWho. Let me elaborate ...
If you first watched DOCTOR WHO in the years from 1967 to 1977 then what probably attracted you to the show was the horror imagery that got a generation of children running behind the sofa , only to tentatively peep over the sides to be greeted by more horror imagery. It's a sensation more addictive than crystal-meth and crack cocaine combined and once producer Phillip Hinchcliffe left and Graham Williams was brought in with the remit that no more horror was allowed in the show the show gradually went downhill from which it never really recovered
For a hardcore reactionary fan like myself there's no substitute for horror. Horrible scary monsters doing lots of nasty things to human beings is what I seek from the show and after seeing the giant spider episode I thought this would be the only out and out creepy episode this year so it's good to see another one follow so quickly
There are bits that don't work and NuWho seems to rewrite history in a misguided utopian way. A matriarch in 17th Century England ? The Doctor posing as a female witch hunter ? I know the show is fantasy but the whole idea is to sell this fantasy to a sophisticated audience and women would be on a par with cattle than equal humans in this time period. The episode isn't helped by King James played by professional ham Alan Cumming who spends much of the episode mincing around like he is appearing in another television series entirely
This is a pity because the scary bits involving zombies is genuinely very well done indeed and despite being than satisfying one would have hoped to have seen more of this. As it stands I've got a feeling that this episode will be fondly remembered until actually watched again and the episode's flaws are quickly spotted. In many ways it might end up as the 1971 episode The Daemons which was regarded as a masterwork but is only considered a good story decades ater. Rather appropriate since The Witchfinders uses a line from that story as the Doctor's closing speech
If you first watched DOCTOR WHO in the years from 1967 to 1977 then what probably attracted you to the show was the horror imagery that got a generation of children running behind the sofa , only to tentatively peep over the sides to be greeted by more horror imagery. It's a sensation more addictive than crystal-meth and crack cocaine combined and once producer Phillip Hinchcliffe left and Graham Williams was brought in with the remit that no more horror was allowed in the show the show gradually went downhill from which it never really recovered
For a hardcore reactionary fan like myself there's no substitute for horror. Horrible scary monsters doing lots of nasty things to human beings is what I seek from the show and after seeing the giant spider episode I thought this would be the only out and out creepy episode this year so it's good to see another one follow so quickly
There are bits that don't work and NuWho seems to rewrite history in a misguided utopian way. A matriarch in 17th Century England ? The Doctor posing as a female witch hunter ? I know the show is fantasy but the whole idea is to sell this fantasy to a sophisticated audience and women would be on a par with cattle than equal humans in this time period. The episode isn't helped by King James played by professional ham Alan Cumming who spends much of the episode mincing around like he is appearing in another television series entirely
This is a pity because the scary bits involving zombies is genuinely very well done indeed and despite being than satisfying one would have hoped to have seen more of this. As it stands I've got a feeling that this episode will be fondly remembered until actually watched again and the episode's flaws are quickly spotted. In many ways it might end up as the 1971 episode The Daemons which was regarded as a masterwork but is only considered a good story decades ater. Rather appropriate since The Witchfinders uses a line from that story as the Doctor's closing speech
Nope
eddiehines26 November 2018
Good adventure with a feeling of doctor who
R2D2K926 November 2018
From the very beginning, I've loved Whitakers take on the doctor. The episodes were a bit weak to begin with, felt flat, but this one is one of the better ones and it does feel like doctor who to me. I'm especially happy with the villain, although they were defeated quite quickly. This might had worked better as a twoparter. But in general I'd say it's a good, basic episode. Don't know why people hate it. The comedy wasn't a 10/10, but I still enjoyed it a lot.
Just Entertain Us Stop Preaching!
alsmess29 November 2018
Good things about this episode.Alan Cumming as King James hamming it up gloriously and upstaging everyone else every time he came on (That wouldn't be hard with Tosin Cole who is truly awful).The "witches" were unsettling and scary like the best Doctor Who monsters should be.Some gags to lighten the mood.Bad things about this episode.The Doctor just doesn't have the same weight or depth of previous Doctors, it's too light,too jokey in all honesty she could be another companion.This is highlighted in the scenes with Alan Cumming who basically acts her off the screen.The "Message" I'm getting sick and tired of the message of the week being shoved in the episode and shoved down my throat.This week it was 'women were treated like second class citizens back in the day actually' Really? Duh! I think we knew that. I've got news for you there are certain parts of the world today where they still are. I watch Doctor Who to be entertained, not lectured, just entertain us and stop the man bashing.
BBC have trashed Good Who!!!
MoonIndy26 November 2018
Finally Getting into a groove
dtoborg225 November 2018
Very impressed with this story, first one that Whitaker has actually stood out in, and after three straight solid episodes it seems that the show is finally getting into a groove. It's certainly no coincidence that these were the episodes not written by Chibnall, he has no idea what he's doing, and is hopefully not long for this show. The resolution of the plot was a bit subpar, which is why I could only give this nine stars, but the dialogue was strong from start to finish.
Oh dear
ewaf5825 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Well it started promisingly with a good atmospheric location and photography but then descended into a standard alien invasion plot with poor stabs at wit and an in your face feminist agenda.
It would have been a lot better not to have any alien threat at all and just focus on a historical lesson in witchcraft as a lesson in how socially backward and superstitious we were centuries ago.
Another problem is that decent attempts to ramp up the tension are ruined by the insertion of supposedly humorous lines at key points.
The doctor's companions are almost like cardboard cutouts at times - they just seem to stand together in the same position in each episode like mannequins - - devoid of any real personality - and then occasionally they're allowed to say something. They basically do not function as a team.
So just two episodes left in this season - let's hope the BBC took a long hard look at what they've done to the series and try and rescue it if it returns in 2019.
It would have been a lot better not to have any alien threat at all and just focus on a historical lesson in witchcraft as a lesson in how socially backward and superstitious we were centuries ago.
Another problem is that decent attempts to ramp up the tension are ruined by the insertion of supposedly humorous lines at key points.
The doctor's companions are almost like cardboard cutouts at times - they just seem to stand together in the same position in each episode like mannequins - - devoid of any real personality - and then occasionally they're allowed to say something. They basically do not function as a team.
So just two episodes left in this season - let's hope the BBC took a long hard look at what they've done to the series and try and rescue it if it returns in 2019.
Strong story, better gags and a great cameo from Alan Cumming
englishman_in_bratislava25 November 2018
This is more like it. Last week's 7th episode saw an improvement with a decent concept, and a better paced story. Tonight's 8th episode continued in the same vein. A strong story, which changes midpoint proving appearances aren't always what they seem. The set and gloomy feel was very Sleepy Hollow in feel. The team was decently split up doing different jobs.. gags and punchlines didn't feel too out of place, interaction was fine.
Alan Cumming totally stole the show, camping it up as James I... his flirtation with Ryan was handled quite nicely i thought, and probably ticked a few boxes for the Beeb's diversity agenda.
I'm sure there will be some naysayers re: the MOTW - yet there were Fenric-esque flashes in the initial chase scenes, but the motive and full plot was uncovered.
Jodie's doctor again had to make a choice re: saving the witch, continuing the running theme about extreme violence in the current season. Will we see some climactic coming together of these plotlines in the 2-parter next time out? Chibnall will be back to narrate, hopefully the pacing and closing acts of the episode won't suffer - he seemed unable to write an ending during his earlier episodes.
Alan Cumming totally stole the show, camping it up as James I... his flirtation with Ryan was handled quite nicely i thought, and probably ticked a few boxes for the Beeb's diversity agenda.
I'm sure there will be some naysayers re: the MOTW - yet there were Fenric-esque flashes in the initial chase scenes, but the motive and full plot was uncovered.
Jodie's doctor again had to make a choice re: saving the witch, continuing the running theme about extreme violence in the current season. Will we see some climactic coming together of these plotlines in the 2-parter next time out? Chibnall will be back to narrate, hopefully the pacing and closing acts of the episode won't suffer - he seemed unable to write an ending during his earlier episodes.
Messy mud aliens
wolfdog-3485126 November 2018
Warning: Spoilers
Travelling back to Stewart England the Doc and gang get entwined in a witch hunt led by King James I. Sadly the story goes south from there with typical aggressive aliens plotting to take over the world.
I desperately want to love Dr Who but it keeps delivering gimmicks instead of good stories. I think Whos biggest problem is the time format - trying to setup, explore and resolve these stories in 40 minutes seems past BBC writers. I think of great scifi series like Stargate which had virtually the same mechanism, a doorway to anywhere, and I'd argue stargate had over a 90% success rate with delivering brilliant stories. Dr Who hasn't really excelled in story
Telling since The Doctors Wife - when it explored and expanded upon itself brilliantly. Again, series like Stargate sourced their plots in current scientific theories and turned them into emotional, clever, engaginng science fiction. Dr Who seems to want to squander the possibilities the tardis offers the writers. It's a mystery to me as there is so much good British television; shows like Being Human, Misfits, Humans, Red Dwarf have all managed what Dr Wbo cannot - meanwhile there are shows like Prineval that like Dr Who simply squander thier resources while retreading old ground and playing the monter of the week game. It's low brow tv. After watching American Horror story with it's insanely clever stories and well planned plots it's almost painful to see my childhood favourite being dragged about and tossed around for the sake of spectacle. We're talking about the most advanced race, the most advanced ship and the most advanced technology and week after week we're treated to jibberish. Ok, there were a few good scenes this week, the Doctor talking to King james about mysteries of the heart was good, the historical references and settings were great and even the acting was excellent. But then theres the story- mud alien prisoners escaping through a broken lock - poorly executed zombie looking cgi creatures. I have said this many times about Who, it needs to decide what genre it is and what age group it's for because if this is a show for kids then fine drop the gay sexual inuendo and make a kids show but if this is for families then please have layers adults can enjoy. And decide if this show is educational or fantasy- because if you want to use history then using a time machine you should have much smarter stories and decide cause and effect rules now and stick to them. Use real science instead of jibberish. I don't want Dr Who to be cancelled- it's my favourite show from my childhood, i want it to find itself and to be interesting, inspiring and engaging without relying on silly cgi gimmicks - that Punjab episode was spot on the money- you need more episodes like that where you balance heart with science and history (future or past) but so far this season is only mildly better than last season- and that's pretty sad.
Convoluted mess
danzorny25 November 2018
What even was this. It felt so messy. It felt so dark and gritty as well. No real threat to speak of. The plotnwas so slow and then sped up so quickly the final confrontation was literally 5 mintues. It was lacking substance, weakest episode of the season for me.
Where did this come from!!!!
Sleepin_Dragon25 November 2018
Well I'm speechless. The series has definitely gotten better as it's gone on, but this is the first truly wow episode, a stunning story, which was superbly written, amazing performances, fabulous production values, and at last I felt the Doctor has a bit of individuality.
This week has seen plenty of talk about Chibnall and Whitaker leaving, it is a shame, because this shows the true potential. A pity it's taken eight episodes for Jodie to get a speech, it wasn't awesome, but it was good.
I like historicals, but I love sci fi, the former has been well realised this season, with the latter lacking for the most part, this combined both elements to superb effect.
Fabulous costumes, this is one of the best looking episodes I've ever seen, but the best elements were the performances of Alan Cumming and Siobhan Finneran, they were superb!
Wasn't expecting this, this really felt like Doctor Who. Congratulations all involved, I loved it. 10/10
This week has seen plenty of talk about Chibnall and Whitaker leaving, it is a shame, because this shows the true potential. A pity it's taken eight episodes for Jodie to get a speech, it wasn't awesome, but it was good.
I like historicals, but I love sci fi, the former has been well realised this season, with the latter lacking for the most part, this combined both elements to superb effect.
Fabulous costumes, this is one of the best looking episodes I've ever seen, but the best elements were the performances of Alan Cumming and Siobhan Finneran, they were superb!
Wasn't expecting this, this really felt like Doctor Who. Congratulations all involved, I loved it. 10/10
Witchfinder fam
nightroses13 March 2020
This was a pretty good Doctor Who episode. It was back in the late 16th or early 17th centuries during a witch hunt. The foggy dark woods, a place of mystery that is really not as it seems. Dead women who were executed as witches return from the dead, and were all just buried in unmarked graves. The appearance of King James caused a lot of pounding hearts from the Doctor, who nearly got herself killed. This was gothic and muddy.
These are hard times for Dr. Who fans, if we're not being bored, we're being patronised to death
jamesrupert20149 January 2019
I paraphrase but ...The Doctor et al. end up in Jacobean England just in time to witness a witch-dunking. Needless to say the Doctor is outraged and despite her earlier warnings about not changing the past, immediately starts to do so, then King James I shows up to help with the witch-finding, then (surprise!) aliens appear, and finally the Doctor wraps up everything with some trite homilies. After last week's generally entertaining episode ('Kerblam!'), 'The Witchfinders' is back to the pseudohistory and simplistic moralising of earlier season 11 episodes. Combine this with a weak, contrived story, gimmicky camera angles, completely unbelievable interactions between the Doctor's companions and the people of 17th century England, and Jodie Whittaker's continued failure to do anything interesting with the iconic character, you get yet another almost unwatchable episode. The only thing of interest is Alan Cumming's physical resemblance to portraits of King James (of course, as the King disagrees with the Doctor, he needs be presented as a weak, pompous fool).
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