The Interstellar Song Contest

[Rick]

As I’m not a big fan of song contests or game show type stuff, I wasn’t really looking forward to this one. I was expecting basically a filler episode to pad the season. And there was a lot of stuff here that was pretty much exactly what I expected. But then a couple unexpected things happened: a familiar face returns, an unexpected turn of emotions at how attempted mass murder was depicted, the cold still dark inside The Doctor, and then the big reveal. It all elevates what could have just been, at least for me, merely an ordinary filler episode into something special.

[Rick]

I was definitely pleasantly surprised.

[Elizabeth]

Rick wrote: "I was definitely pleasantly surprised."

Same. Not my favorite this season, but certainly quite enjoyable. And finally some answers, not just teasers.

[Rick]

Yep. Really excited for the last two episodes now! 😸

[Lori S.]

Whoa. Most fun episode of the bunch with interesting characters, two returning characters (yes, I was delighted to see CAF show up) and ... (view spoiler)[The Rani (hide spoiler)]?! This is going to be a gallop to the end.

[Rick]

Gallop? It’s a full on CHARGE! Tally-Ho!

[Travis]

Mixed feelings.
The main story was better than I expected: fun supporting cast, decently written, I was amused by the return of 'mavity', rather than being annoyed and it had some good things to say.
Loved holo-Graham, Norton!
The cameo earned RTD a lot of points!

The not so good:
Never a fan of angry god Doctor in new Who, so Ncuti doing it wasn't fun.
Another villainous incel...?
What are they going to form an alliance and show up in the finale...?

The reveal of Mrs. Flood wasn't worth it.

[Rick]

But is it the reveal that’s important, or what she’s got planned?

[Travis]

Rick wrote: "But is it the reveal that’s important, or what she’s got planned?"

Either way, I don't care.
RTD dragged out the Mrs. Flood stuff too long and it stumbles over the earlier (better) appearance of a character and feels slapped on to a really solid episode.

PLus, bi-regeneration has gone from something rare to everyone can do it and the big reveal is that Mrs. Flood is watered down Michelle Gomez

RTD may wow me in the finale, but so far this hasn't done it.

[Lori S.]

Travis wrote: "PLus, bi-regeneration has gone from something rare to everyone can do it and the big reveal is that Mrs. Flood is watered down Michelle Gomez."

Gotta agree with the bi-regeneration. What's wrong with just regenerating? Once was enough.

[Travis]

Lori S. wrote: "Travis wrote: "PLus, bi-regeneration has gone from something rare to everyone can do it and the big reveal is that Mrs. Flood is watered down Michelle Gomez."

Gotta agree with the bi-regeneration...."

and not only is it just a thing, after it being a myth five minutes ago, but apparently everyone who does it swaps races.
The whole thing is so clunky.