The Doctor, Kaz and Dan end up in 19th century China where they encounter one of the Timelord's old nemeses, a 'Sea Devil' (last encountered in the silly Warriors of the Deep (1984)), who is searching for a key to unlock the power to inundate Earth and return it to the rule of his aquatic brethren. The story doesn't make a lot of sense and is marred by one of those 'futz with the alien technology and the existential threat is conveniently nullified' cop-out resolutions. There is a nicely rendered but under-utilised sea monster, some unfunny pirate-themed humour, a poorly choreographed fight scene, and some more 'historic characters' who look like millennials playing dress-up. Kaz's romantic pining for the Doctor is revisited but fortunately she is rebuffed (surely the Doctor is lying when she says that Kaz is one of the most interesting people she's ever met). The Doctors' personal lives are rarely explored but it is canonical that the first Doctor had a granddaughter, so there must be some history of romantic attachments. The Sea Devils are an interesting homage to the originals and look pretty good (although sometimes a bit awkward and 'rubbery'). The story jumps erratically at times as if segments had been cut out (notably when the Doctor et al and a seemingly spontaneously freed Ji-Hun appear on the Flor de la Mar, and for either budget or covid reasons, the sailing ships seem to operate without crews, which just seems ridiculous. Overall, a simplistic story-line with uninteresting characters, unimpressive CGI and a contrived ending. The show's recent trend towards self-righteous posturing is kept to a minimum, so the episode is just weak, not irritating.
119 Reviews
Meh
Super_Bob117 April 2022
Another episode of the same quality we've come to expect from Chibnall, sure it's not awful but considering this is Jodie's penultimate episode it's hugely disappointing. The fact that we've had 3 seasons of this and there are a couple good episodes says a lot.
Lackluster.
linseedoyle17 April 2022
To be brutally honest, I quit watching the show some time back, but having had some Easter brandy, I felt like giving it a go. The last episode I watched, features some spiders, some poorly generated spiders, and the first thing I spotted, the cheap and nasty special effects, and this time, Covid cannot be blamed, nor can time constraints.
The Sea Devils, looked rather good, and were perhaps the best element. The sea monster, reminded me of another unfortunate creation, incidentally featuring the last time a sea devil appeared on the show.
My issue, previously, had been the quality of writing, or rather the lack of, and I'm sorry to say, but I saw no real progression, Jodie's Doctor once again seemed to lack any sense of character, and as for those action scenes, no amount of clunky camera work was going to make them look sincere.
The only thing I can think, is that at least watching this, meant that I wasn't forced to look at Simon Cowell's botoxed face.
The Sea Devils, looked rather good, and were perhaps the best element. The sea monster, reminded me of another unfortunate creation, incidentally featuring the last time a sea devil appeared on the show.
My issue, previously, had been the quality of writing, or rather the lack of, and I'm sorry to say, but I saw no real progression, Jodie's Doctor once again seemed to lack any sense of character, and as for those action scenes, no amount of clunky camera work was going to make them look sincere.
The only thing I can think, is that at least watching this, meant that I wasn't forced to look at Simon Cowell's botoxed face.
A new low
thebenjaminnunn17 April 2022
My hopes were raised after the strong showing of the New Years special, but more the fool me.
A BBC production hasn't been this poorly produced in 25 years. Flubbed lines and alternate takes are somehow left in.
That's not to mention the appalling writing that's taken the already abysmal Chibnall norm to a new low.
The Doctor, as the smartest character in any room, is always a source of exposition. That said, when a good writer takes the helm, that exposition will be punched up with some comedy, drama or character work.
Under Chibnall, Whitakker is forced to prattle off whatever incredibly boring exposition he churned out. What's more, it's almost never plot relevant. It's like the writers are aware that The Doctor needs to say clever things but aren't aware there's also meant to be a story happening.
And don't get me started on the Doctor's reactions to things. She seems shocked that a high tech laser sword can cut some old rope. She constantly explains what's going on even when it's something incredibly straightforward.
It's a shame that Whitakker didn't get a chance to really show her chops as The Doctor but thank god this atrocious run is almost at an end. If they can pull out one good episode for the finale later this year it would truly be a miracle.
A BBC production hasn't been this poorly produced in 25 years. Flubbed lines and alternate takes are somehow left in.
That's not to mention the appalling writing that's taken the already abysmal Chibnall norm to a new low.
The Doctor, as the smartest character in any room, is always a source of exposition. That said, when a good writer takes the helm, that exposition will be punched up with some comedy, drama or character work.
Under Chibnall, Whitakker is forced to prattle off whatever incredibly boring exposition he churned out. What's more, it's almost never plot relevant. It's like the writers are aware that The Doctor needs to say clever things but aren't aware there's also meant to be a story happening.
And don't get me started on the Doctor's reactions to things. She seems shocked that a high tech laser sword can cut some old rope. She constantly explains what's going on even when it's something incredibly straightforward.
It's a shame that Whitakker didn't get a chance to really show her chops as The Doctor but thank god this atrocious run is almost at an end. If they can pull out one good episode for the finale later this year it would truly be a miracle.
Actually hard to believe it's this bad
drael6419 April 2022
The CGI is like 90s TV show level. The chroma (colour) is off on scenes. The acting is b-grade level, the plotline is dull, the whole special is garish.
Chibnalls work has been very subpar, the writing terrible and Jodies acting as the doctor off with this new era, apart from an episode or two that stand out as 'nearly Who'. But this episode, wow, just wow. I don't know how anyone signed off on this. It's that bad.
Chibnalls work has been very subpar, the writing terrible and Jodies acting as the doctor off with this new era, apart from an episode or two that stand out as 'nearly Who'. But this episode, wow, just wow. I don't know how anyone signed off on this. It's that bad.
Just stop ... you are embarrassing yourselves
clgottardo18 April 2022
A new low. Since the introduction of Whittaker and Chibball, Doctor Who has steadily nose dived with each episode worse than the previous one.
Who is the target audience? It used to be something adults could watch with their children. With the reboot back in 2005, it too catered for an adult audience.
Today, it's flat, lacks pace, dire acting particularly Whittaker, CGI team must be amateurs and the dreary and drab scripts.
The only saving grace is that the Whittaker/chibnall combination is just one more, likely to be unwatchable, episode ... then we can have another Doctor and the return of Russell T. D.
Who is the target audience? It used to be something adults could watch with their children. With the reboot back in 2005, it too catered for an adult audience.
Today, it's flat, lacks pace, dire acting particularly Whittaker, CGI team must be amateurs and the dreary and drab scripts.
The only saving grace is that the Whittaker/chibnall combination is just one more, likely to be unwatchable, episode ... then we can have another Doctor and the return of Russell T. D.
Chibnall has really gone it
brainwerx-118 April 2022
Since Chris Chibnall has taken over, the series has been dying a slow, tragic death. Whittaker has done her best with what she has, but it isn't enough.
RTD coming back is a great sign. I just hope it's in time. This episode was one of the worst ones. Frankly, I'm not sure it can be saved... I hope it can, having been a fan for decades...
RTD coming back is a great sign. I just hope it's in time. This episode was one of the worst ones. Frankly, I'm not sure it can be saved... I hope it can, having been a fan for decades...
Just not sure!
steve5399017 April 2022
I was looking forward to this, but I've finished it and I'm just not sure again.
There's a half-decent story, the effects are pretty good, but it feels a little messy again. It does move at a decent pace and it's fun and there are things to like here. I guess I prefer the more episodic Doctor Who where scenes have time to breathe a bit more and that only happens towards the end here.
I do like the Yaz and Doctor storyline and the dialogue between the two is well put here and at last we do get some progression.
So as the Chibnall era is coming to an end, I can't say I will be sad when it does. This has been a period of massively fluctuating quality saved somewhat by the Flux storyline. I wish that Jodie had been given better material as she is a great actor. I'm not sure she ever felt like the Doctor completely to me but I don't feel that was her fault. I hope she gets to bow out of the series well.
There's a half-decent story, the effects are pretty good, but it feels a little messy again. It does move at a decent pace and it's fun and there are things to like here. I guess I prefer the more episodic Doctor Who where scenes have time to breathe a bit more and that only happens towards the end here.
I do like the Yaz and Doctor storyline and the dialogue between the two is well put here and at last we do get some progression.
So as the Chibnall era is coming to an end, I can't say I will be sad when it does. This has been a period of massively fluctuating quality saved somewhat by the Flux storyline. I wish that Jodie had been given better material as she is a great actor. I'm not sure she ever felt like the Doctor completely to me but I don't feel that was her fault. I hope she gets to bow out of the series well.
Disappointing once again
Kenjislamberry22 April 2022
Yet another bad episode . Chibnall keeps disappointing time and time again. Like another reviewer mentions the story telling is bad . It jumps all over the place . Chibnall keeps trying to tell fantastical over ambitious stories and fails miserably every time. I'm starting to think Broadchurch was a fluke . When first came on as the show runner I expected good stories because of Broadchurch . Thankfully this nightmare is almost over with upcoming centenary special this fall he will be gone . I look forward to rtds return. He has a lot of work to do to fix Chibnall's mess. I will probably watch the centenary special but i don't expect much . Its cool classic who companions are returning but Chibnall's writing will ruin Astrid and Tegan.
The standard, was very good.
Sleepin_Dragon17 April 2022
The Doctor, Yaz and Dan arrive in China, and have to take on a Pirate Queen, and an old foe.
Credit to them, this was certainly ambitious, as this is the penultimate episode for both Chibnall and Jodie, they went for something pretty epic, the question, did it succeed?
For the most part, yes, I enjoyed it, I wasn't sold by the trailers, however, the story was good, and surely this must rank as one of the show's most beautiful ever episodes, the visuals, apart from some dodgy CGI, it was incredibly stylish.
A very simple story, and after the complexity of Flux, that wasn't a bad thing.
I loved the design of the sea devils, close enough to those of the past, but fresh, I'm so glad they didn't go for a full redesign. Jodie herself looked so much better out of that hideous costume, it was easier to take her seriously. She finally had some action scenes, but please please stop the sonic from being a magic wand..
Beautiful lighting, they have been so guilty throughout the last few years of over lighting everything, this was more subdued, more subtle, and looked a lot better.
On the downside, the running time was a major disappointment for fans, and Dan.....they've continued to make him the fool, such a shame, they at least didn't have him falling over as they did in Flux, but his outfit, all he needed was a blow up Polly The Parrot on his shoulder.
A lot better than most of what's been given to us over the last few years, 8/10.
That trailer though!!!!!
Credit to them, this was certainly ambitious, as this is the penultimate episode for both Chibnall and Jodie, they went for something pretty epic, the question, did it succeed?
For the most part, yes, I enjoyed it, I wasn't sold by the trailers, however, the story was good, and surely this must rank as one of the show's most beautiful ever episodes, the visuals, apart from some dodgy CGI, it was incredibly stylish.
A very simple story, and after the complexity of Flux, that wasn't a bad thing.
I loved the design of the sea devils, close enough to those of the past, but fresh, I'm so glad they didn't go for a full redesign. Jodie herself looked so much better out of that hideous costume, it was easier to take her seriously. She finally had some action scenes, but please please stop the sonic from being a magic wand..
Beautiful lighting, they have been so guilty throughout the last few years of over lighting everything, this was more subdued, more subtle, and looked a lot better.
On the downside, the running time was a major disappointment for fans, and Dan.....they've continued to make him the fool, such a shame, they at least didn't have him falling over as they did in Flux, but his outfit, all he needed was a blow up Polly The Parrot on his shoulder.
A lot better than most of what's been given to us over the last few years, 8/10.
That trailer though!!!!!
Intense
rohanumpleby18 April 2022
The sea Devils were great to see, especially being a young man not having much recognition of the Sea Devils and therefore I was hyped up for this episode and the trailer made it look exciting, and I enjoyed it, but was disappointed with the end results. The Sea Devils design doesn't look all that good, and the effects on them are horrible. The scouse Dan made me laugh though, the pirate costume was very good, the action and set pieces were marvelously done, and the steaks were high. The colour and lighting was also very good, giving off some very nice scenery and scenes with them. The story Is intense because the story moves at such a bristly pace you may even start to wonder what happened before, it's so quick you probably couldn't say Doctor in time, even before the episode finishes, that's how quick it is. The negatives still comes down to the script. It's about as shallow as the depths, and the characters have no real time to shine. The Doctor is tolerable at best but she's no David Tennant and certainly far from all the other doctors her acting is not very good, I'd rather hit myself on the wall then call her a doctor. A decent episode that's abit of a let down. Go watch it if your a fan of it still, Don't if your not
Rating stands at: 6.1/10 Tolerable at Best.
Rating stands at: 6.1/10 Tolerable at Best.
What on EARTH
samtimoney-7975818 April 2022
Dreadful. Just awful.
I was Very very disappointed.
P. S. Me and my dad love this show and have watched all of chibnall's episodes. However, this was the first one he fell asleep during.
- mild character building.
- little to no sense in the story or scripts
- it felt empty and stupid. No love went into this as it did before.
- bad acting, Jodi Whitaker just about saved it in that respect but everyone else..
- looked like a PlayStation 3 game
- good to see the sea devils return but this episode was not the return they deserved.
- it started and was over before I even noticed.
- the money clearly went into graphics instead of cast and script and effort.
I was Very very disappointed.
P. S. Me and my dad love this show and have watched all of chibnall's episodes. However, this was the first one he fell asleep during.
What happened?
keiths2930 April 2022
Warning: Spoilers
The story is awful, the production value is awful, the pacing is awful. The reviews are dead on. This was so bad. I was willing to give Jodie Whittaker a hall pass and blame this all on Chibnall, but this is wrong on so many levels. The creature effects are straight out of the 80's. Is this really the best you could do? So shots on the deck of the ship looked like a high school drama production (all apologies to all the HS thespians). No depth, bad lighting, frankly embarrassing. The relationship? So forced, and without any build up, was frankly sad. Love affairs/flirting with Rose, Amy, Clara and River, but somehow Yaz is the love of her life (not to mention Queen Elizabeth, Marilyn, Cleopatra)? I'm not letting Dan off the hook either. Please bring back Graham.
I was really hopefully when Jodie was announced. One her first season was over I thought she would grow in the role. The season two trudged on, then another. Just never clicked. No talks about Peter Capaldi time as the doctor much but some of his episode are classics (Heaven Sent is a tour de force and his finest moment). None of the last three seasons even come close. I only hope RTD can breath some new life into the show. I'm not ready for this universe to end.
I was really hopefully when Jodie was announced. One her first season was over I thought she would grow in the role. The season two trudged on, then another. Just never clicked. No talks about Peter Capaldi time as the doctor much but some of his episode are classics (Heaven Sent is a tour de force and his finest moment). None of the last three seasons even come close. I only hope RTD can breath some new life into the show. I'm not ready for this universe to end.
Awful
neatmachine17 April 2022
Was originally gonna give this a 3 but it just kept getting worse. I wasn't expecting this episode to be bad going into it but it had bad writing, bad CGI, spotted 2 editing mistakes in the first 10 minutes where characters lips weren't in sync with their voice because it was a different take. The Blue Screen was really bad where you could still see blue on the characters, the jokes weren't funny and the "romance" was completely forced between The Doctor and Yaz.
Overall I was just bored for the first half and cringing in the second half. A standard Chibnall episode.
Overall I was just bored for the first half and cringing in the second half. A standard Chibnall episode.
Devils of the Caribbean
bosporan18 April 2022
Carelessly written and earnestly delivered dialogue with dreadful diction made my ears bleed!
Actors standing stiff on their heels on second-rate sets and an effects abomination made my eyes bleed!
An appearance from Jack Sparrow might have rescued this unremitting cluster-muddle!
Actors standing stiff on their heels on second-rate sets and an effects abomination made my eyes bleed!
An appearance from Jack Sparrow might have rescued this unremitting cluster-muddle!
Return of the Sea Devils
Tweekums23 April 2022
This Easter one off episode opens in the early nineteenth century China. Pirate Madam Ching goes to a coastal village and starts hacking at a statue depicting a Sea Devil hoping to find a clue to the whereabouts of lost treasure; it turns out it was more than a mere statue. A Sea Devil was encased inside it and her actions release it. Once released it kills a villager, whose son, Ying Ki, blames Madam Ching. Meanwhile The Doctor, Yaz and Dan arrive nearby and make their way to the village. It turns out that Madam Ching and the Sea Devil are after the same thing; a treasure lost centuries ago... she needs it to pay a ransom, he wants a single item that he believes will enable him to flood the Earth so his species will reign supreme. To defeat this plan the Doctor and her two companions must team up with Madam Ching and Ying Ki.
I thought this was a decent enough episode but nothing special. While the Sea Devils looked good they weren't particularly scary... not even in a child friendly way. There are a few gags but they weren't that funny; I guess young viewers may have enjoyed Dan dressed as a cliché pirate. Over the years the series has often incorporated real people; in this case Madam Ching, perhaps the most successful female pirate, who I'd previously not heard of. Any story that encourages one to learn more can't be too bad. The acting is solid enough and the special effects are pretty good. Overall not a classic episode but it passed forty five minutes well enough.
I thought this was a decent enough episode but nothing special. While the Sea Devils looked good they weren't particularly scary... not even in a child friendly way. There are a few gags but they weren't that funny; I guess young viewers may have enjoyed Dan dressed as a cliché pirate. Over the years the series has often incorporated real people; in this case Madam Ching, perhaps the most successful female pirate, who I'd previously not heard of. Any story that encourages one to learn more can't be too bad. The acting is solid enough and the special effects are pretty good. Overall not a classic episode but it passed forty five minutes well enough.
Dreadful
wms5922 April 2022
Speaking as a long time Dr-Who viewer, this was truly, truly woeful.
Skipping over the under-usage of an old established 'bad-guy', there were really no redeeming features of this episode whatsoever; awful writing, amateurish acting, embarrassingly bad direction and editing. Even something basic like sound quality was all over the place.
This should be used in Drama school as an example of how NOT to do things.
Skipping over the under-usage of an old established 'bad-guy', there were really no redeeming features of this episode whatsoever; awful writing, amateurish acting, embarrassingly bad direction and editing. Even something basic like sound quality was all over the place.
This should be used in Drama school as an example of how NOT to do things.
Legend of the Sea Devils
Prismark1017 April 2022
Dinosaurs and pirates tend to bring a buzz into Doctor Who these days.
No dinosaurs in this one. It was the return of the Sea Devils and they have their own galleon and lightsabre type swords.
The Doctor arrives in 1807 and meet Pirate Queen Madam Ching who has freed a Sea Devil who was encased in a statue.
He now plans to flood the world and make it fit for the Sea Devils and I presume their cousins the Silurians.
He just needs Madam Ching to find the lost treasure of Ji-Hun from three centuries earlier. It contains something special the Sea Devil requires.
The story had a bright opening. Some of the special effects were wonderful although you can tell it was very green screen heavy. It was light breezy fun.
It did suffer from some choppy editing and the story became too much of a generic Scooby Doo style romp. This might be a reason why some reviewers thought it was all at sea.
The Doctor/Yaz stuff was superfluous and is bound to go nowhere as this is Jodie's penultimate episode.
There were a few good jokes from Chris Chibnall in this one. I particularly liked the one about Stephen King novels not translating well on screen.
The next time trailer was ace.
No dinosaurs in this one. It was the return of the Sea Devils and they have their own galleon and lightsabre type swords.
The Doctor arrives in 1807 and meet Pirate Queen Madam Ching who has freed a Sea Devil who was encased in a statue.
He now plans to flood the world and make it fit for the Sea Devils and I presume their cousins the Silurians.
He just needs Madam Ching to find the lost treasure of Ji-Hun from three centuries earlier. It contains something special the Sea Devil requires.
The story had a bright opening. Some of the special effects were wonderful although you can tell it was very green screen heavy. It was light breezy fun.
It did suffer from some choppy editing and the story became too much of a generic Scooby Doo style romp. This might be a reason why some reviewers thought it was all at sea.
The Doctor/Yaz stuff was superfluous and is bound to go nowhere as this is Jodie's penultimate episode.
There were a few good jokes from Chris Chibnall in this one. I particularly liked the one about Stephen King novels not translating well on screen.
The next time trailer was ace.
What went wrong
stuartpbottomley18 April 2022
I couldn't tell if the bad script, bad acting or bad editing let this down the most. The story had some potential that would have benefited from a longer running time or been a two parter. Most of the scenes felt like they had been cut short causing to jumps in story telling. The episode seemed to stall and playing catch-up all the time which resulted plot points been lost to the cutting room floor. What was worse about the episode was the weird won't they won't they arc between the Doctor and Yaz. Fingers crossed they can redeem the show with the centenary episode.
So much hate yet so much to love!
nickingriola27 May 2022
Not that gripping, not that bad
tom-64018 April 2022
Lots of people can't stand Chibnall and I have to admit, I'm not the biggest fan either, but it really wasn't that bad. It was just a bit forgettable.'
The plot is pretty simple - sea devils are woken up, need a McGuffin to destroy the world, some things happen, Doctor saves the day. There's not a lot of character development, not a lot of character generally, and some of the lines are presented pretty flatly. I also swear to God that if the Doctor says, "Unless...!" one more time, I will throw something at the TV...
But apart from that, it was fine! I mean, the CGI wasn't great but it was perfectly adequate. It mostly looked okay. The plot bounced along fairly cheerfully. It was pretty much straight down the line generic Who. It didn't blow my mind or anything, but I definitely didn't hate it.
Honestly I'd probably give it a six, but everyone's so damn negative I felt like I had to give it a bit of a bounce. It's basically a Shakespeare Code level episode which has a 7.6 on IMDB, and that's closer to what it deserves. Feels like a bunch of grumpy old men wagging their fingers at something that's just ... you know ... fine.
The plot is pretty simple - sea devils are woken up, need a McGuffin to destroy the world, some things happen, Doctor saves the day. There's not a lot of character development, not a lot of character generally, and some of the lines are presented pretty flatly. I also swear to God that if the Doctor says, "Unless...!" one more time, I will throw something at the TV...
But apart from that, it was fine! I mean, the CGI wasn't great but it was perfectly adequate. It mostly looked okay. The plot bounced along fairly cheerfully. It was pretty much straight down the line generic Who. It didn't blow my mind or anything, but I definitely didn't hate it.
Honestly I'd probably give it a six, but everyone's so damn negative I felt like I had to give it a bit of a bounce. It's basically a Shakespeare Code level episode which has a 7.6 on IMDB, and that's closer to what it deserves. Feels like a bunch of grumpy old men wagging their fingers at something that's just ... you know ... fine.
Missed the opportunity to tale the Sea Devil backstory.
leoalexanderscott19 April 2022
I was keen to watch the return of the Sea Devils to see how they would be updated to mirror the Silurian cousins and being a feature length episode, a good backstory to reveal more of these famous foes. And I was generally okay with many of Chibnall era of stories. However, I was terribly disappointed from not only the lack of Sea Devil design, but their low budget puppetry appearance which made classics version look so much more contemporary. And the story with a loosely added last minute plot was so clumsy written (lets add this and that now lets forget we did that) it just felt like they making everything up on the spot. As was the acting, nothing more than a children's pirate pantomime. Chibnall era was well-known to spend good money on graphics and special efforts, but the skills and lack of polishing off of effects was so bad I was horrifically transported back in time to early 80s film technology. I was one of those fans that was okay with Chibnall era. But this episode was a complete let down in every way.
?????????????
vintagevaultarcade17 April 2022
Did I just watch a Saturday morning special from the 70s? The special effects, acting, storyline and costumes are on par with Sid & Marty Krofft TV shows from that bygone era.
Maybe, if that's what Chibnall was going for, then bravo? You nailed it.
Maybe, if that's what Chibnall was going for, then bravo? You nailed it.
Horrifyingly bad.
pjdickinson-2782217 April 2022
The central performance is even worse than it normally is in Whittaker Who. Stuff happens. The green screen work is astonishingly bad. People got paid. It's an absolute mess of really bad TV making and I want my money back.
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