I have loved the RTD2 era, but this looks like a very gun, very by-the-numbers generic medium-gritty sci-fi with a very tired Romeo-&-Juliet trope. There must be some sort of twist to this, right? But I’m nervous that this is more Pete McTighe, who wrote the only bad episode of last series and seems only capable of accidentally writing ethically repulsive episodes with the worst dialogue you’ve ever heard.

BILL: Sorry, what do you mean, it’s his real name? Nobody knows the Doctor’s real name.

MISSY: I do, because I grew up with him, and his real name is Doctor Who.

Romana, for sure

I’m more excited for this episode than I have been for any episode this series. Inua Ellams is awesome and a perfect fit for Doctor Who.

a beekeeper in “Delta and the bannermen”

Goronwy! Moffat endorsed the fan theory that he’s a future Doctor in retirement like the Curator. Honestly, this is why I happen to actually like the bigeneration - the idea that the Doctor would ever just retire and leave the universe to sort itself out while he collects art and beekeeps used to bother me, but if he himself is still out there running around, then it becomes delightful and sweet.

I’m not sure that Sarah Jane sleeps from Planet of the Spiders all the way through Revenge of the Cybermen, so Belinda has joined an illustrious club! Donna also has a shit day all through the 60th specials.

I almost always prefer frock to gun and this episode was not for me, but I am a base-under-siege Grinch and know my limitations. This is my second-least-favorite RTD2 episode after Empire of Death, though I am thoroughly enjoying this series, even more than the last.

Yes, the Klingon augment thing was deeply stupid, both in-universe and out, and I think it’s to SNW’s strength that we’re all just going to pretend it didn’t happen.