I wasn't so keen on last week's episode but the set up is very promising. I hope this episode delivers on that promise.
"The Woman Who Lived" Grading and Discussion Thread
- Thread starter The Nth Doctor
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Well, as a major, major Highlander fan, I thought this was an enormous wasted opportunity. The entire sub-plot with the fire-breating lion (!) was almost an afterthought.
Good thing the two actors were good at it. Lovely banter, even if the dialogue went on circles after a while.
Good thing the two actors were good at it. Lovely banter, even if the dialogue went on circles after a while.
This episode is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, the relationship between The Doctor and Ashildr (sorry, Me) is superb, both because of the thematic elements of immortality and the intense chemistry between Peter Capaldi and Maisie Williams. While it doesn't work for the themes explored in this episode, I would love to have Maisie Williams as the next companion.
On the other hand, the actual plot of the episode was complete rubbish. Or rather, the plot was very basic and the denouement was complete rubbish. Plus the aesthetics of Leandro felt like a complete waste. With what little material Ariyon Bakare had to work on, he brought a great presence to the role...and yet had nothing to do but growl. Pity.
On a side note, I've been reading Neil Gaiman's The Sandman for the first time and I couldn't help but think of Hob Gadling, a man made immortal at a whim and amusement, and is subsequently visited by Dream once a century. The themes covered by that character are touched upon here but the outcome is different.
Lastly, I loved the callback to The Visitation. "No, that was someone entirely different." Cheeky bugger!
On the one hand, the relationship between The Doctor and Ashildr (sorry, Me) is superb, both because of the thematic elements of immortality and the intense chemistry between Peter Capaldi and Maisie Williams. While it doesn't work for the themes explored in this episode, I would love to have Maisie Williams as the next companion.
On the other hand, the actual plot of the episode was complete rubbish. Or rather, the plot was very basic and the denouement was complete rubbish. Plus the aesthetics of Leandro felt like a complete waste. With what little material Ariyon Bakare had to work on, he brought a great presence to the role...and yet had nothing to do but growl. Pity.
On a side note, I've been reading Neil Gaiman's The Sandman for the first time and I couldn't help but think of Hob Gadling, a man made immortal at a whim and amusement, and is subsequently visited by Dream once a century. The themes covered by that character are touched upon here but the outcome is different.
Lastly, I loved the callback to The Visitation. "No, that was someone entirely different." Cheeky bugger!
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1. The Pompei reference didn't really get any follow-up.
2. They seem to have re-used the Charles II set from The Impossible Astronaut (where Matt Smith hides naked under a woman's dress).
3. The jokes at the gallows were beyond excruciating.
4. The excuse plot with the alien invasion was given no effort at all.
5. The Leonians look like cut-price Klingons.
6. Rt Hon Nicola Murray MP meets Malcolm again next week.
2. They seem to have re-used the Charles II set from The Impossible Astronaut (where Matt Smith hides naked under a woman's dress).
3. The jokes at the gallows were beyond excruciating.
4. The excuse plot with the alien invasion was given no effort at all.
5. The Leonians look like cut-price Klingons.
6. Rt Hon Nicola Murray MP meets Malcolm again next week.
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Good acting mostly, but the fire breathing lion was probably the worst monster of new who, it was laughable. It looks like something out of the 80s. Weighs the story down.
Ok, I was wrong. Nothing THAT lasting, just little lasting. 
Fun episode. I voted Good. I laughed, I giggled. Now I'm watching Guardians of the Galaxy. If anything, this episode will probably make us go 'oh, that's what they were hinting at' or something. But as an episode in it self, it was just ok.
Fun episode. I voted Good. I laughed, I giggled. Now I'm watching Guardians of the Galaxy. If anything, this episode will probably make us go 'oh, that's what they were hinting at' or something. But as an episode in it self, it was just ok.
The SFX review made exactly the same parallel, I'd forgotten about Hob till you reminded me, it is an interesting link.
Now as for the episode. Weakest episode of series 9 so far for me. The plot felt incredibly undercooked and the alien invasion throwaway to say the least Lenny the Lion was a trifle lame as well. Some of the gallows humour was well observed but the longer that scene went on the worse it got, I'm not sure if that was written because Hound is a comedian but it went on far too long. I'm not sure about Ashildr's change of heart (or rather remembering she had one).
What saved it was two great performances by Williams and Capaldi, they bounce well off one another.
Frankly I think this episode will prove important for what it sets up rather than as an episode in itself, its a means to an end nothing more.
Nice to see Jack got a mention, and I'm intrigued to see what kind of threat/ally Ashildr is going to pose in the future. I'm still not convinced she's the War Minister, or if she is I'm not certain the War Minister will necessarily be a bad guy.
For those who were wondering Jenna was off shooting this while this episode and the next two were being shot. (So don't expect her much in them either.) To be honest I find it very odd that she was allowed go off and shoot a film at the same time as the series was in production, especially after she begged to come back. (I hope she wasn't getting paid License Fee money for those days she wasn't there...)
And on the subject of Clara, one theory I've seen is that from the Doctor's POV she's already dead and he's been cheating by going back to before it happens to spend more time with her.
And on the subject of Clara, one theory I've seen is that from the Doctor's POV she's already dead and he's been cheating by going back to before it happens to spend more time with her.
Sigh... See, this is why I would prefer more stories over 2-parters (12 instead of 6). That's the second time that only one episode of the two was good so far, and half the season is gone already.
On the one hand, there were some good exchanges about immortality. And I liked the Doctor and "Me" teaming up to break into the house. But the rest of the episode just didn't engage me and the fire-breathing Wizard of Oz lion was just "WTF?"
On the one hand, there were some good exchanges about immortality. And I liked the Doctor and "Me" teaming up to break into the house. But the rest of the episode just didn't engage me and the fire-breathing Wizard of Oz lion was just "WTF?"
DW was great - funny, still has a lot I identify with, and good guest stars. The only downside seemed to be that it ends up with yet another "timey wimey mystery woman who wants to be the Doctor's Jiminy Cricket"
Lastly, I loved the callback to The Visitation. "No, that was someone entirely different." Cheeky bugger!
Since I haven't seen The Visitation yet, I missed the reference. What was it?
The (5th) Doctor started the Great Fire Of London.
Didn't like the plot holes and anachronisms very much {Who in 1651 ever uttered the words "Turn that thing off!", and how come Ashildr thinks that Clara, who she met 800 years ago and is apparently still alive, is a mere mortal?).
Still, I found it entertaining and erudite. Ashildr is more of a character this episode, and Maisie Williams gives maybe my favourite performance of hers despite a few dry line deliveries later on.
Given the reference to Captain Jack, I'm wondering if Ashildr will turn out to be the head of Torchwood and possibly someone who sees the Doctor's sponsorship of the human race as a bit problematic, a poisoned chalice. But as regards the supposed hybrid of two warrior races, I think she's a red herring.
Anyway, four out of five. I think this is an episode that will engender fond reminiscences.
Still, I found it entertaining and erudite. Ashildr is more of a character this episode, and Maisie Williams gives maybe my favourite performance of hers despite a few dry line deliveries later on.
Given the reference to Captain Jack, I'm wondering if Ashildr will turn out to be the head of Torchwood and possibly someone who sees the Doctor's sponsorship of the human race as a bit problematic, a poisoned chalice. But as regards the supposed hybrid of two warrior races, I think she's a red herring.
Anyway, four out of five. I think this is an episode that will engender fond reminiscences.
... MAYBE she'll be the War Minister?
I wonder if it would've been effective to save this part for a later airing so we the viewers would've somewhat vicariously experienced the sense of time the Doctor had left her.
Excellent. I really enjoyed this one and didn't miss Clara at all. Love the interaction between The Doctor and Ashildr.
It was the Terelipil's overloading gun that started the fire.
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