For all the talk about mysticism, "Space Babies," "Boom," "Dot and Bubble," and "Rogue" were all pretty standard episodes with the typical sci-fi-ish trappings. Even the Sutekh story didn't really require extra story elements to work.
In the end, I think the "magic exists now" line is pretty overblown.
Oh, that's fantastic - more Thirteen and Yaz can't be a bad thing.
That would be my guess, as well - Buenamigo had the class recalled in anticipation of them being mothballed.
I'm not sure I'd leave Neelix in charge of the Female Changeling's prison cell...
This episode is bursting at the seams, and I'm not sure how well it really holds together. The titular giggle is only a factor in the story for the first act, and is almost dropped entirely when the Doctor and Donna get to UNIT. From that point on, the special races from scene to scene, barely stopping to catch its breath.
And dammit, it works, largely on the strength of the performances. Everyone is at their best, from David Tennant, to Catherine Tate, to Jemma Redgrave, to Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker. Tennant sells the Doctor's absolute dread of the Toymaker before the episode has really earned it, and just as ably sells the Doctor's weariness as the episode essentially hits a reset button on the era that started back in 2005. The eventual bi-generation, and the fourteenth Doctor earning his "retirement," feel well-deserved. On top of all of that, Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor seems fully-formed right from the jump.
All in all, it's very fun, and very watchable. As a stray observation, I noticed the line about how UNIT's computers are running Triad on this rewatch.
Overall, I think the 2023 Tennant/Tate specials were a big success. They served up three distinct "flavours" of Doctor Who - madcap romp, existential horror, and epic final battle, and it did it well. I don't know how well it plays to new viewers, but they were certainly a good way to "wrap up" the 2005 reboot era, and start the new one.
Dammit, I need to see this poster.
Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who
Saturday, July 27, 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Room 6A
The collaboration will kick off at San Diego Comic-Con, where Alex Kurtzman, showrunner and executive producer of the Star Trek franchise, and Russell T Davies, showrunner and executive producer spearheading the Doctor Who Whoniverse, come together for an exclusive creator-to-creator conversation about the art of storytelling in alternative universes and to celebrate the power of friendship. The SDCC Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who will be on Saturday, July 27, from 5:30-6:30 PM, in Room: 6A, and will be moderated by Keisha Hatchett, staff editor of TVLine. Attendees to the creator conversation will each receive a special Doctor Who X Star Trek poster designed by artist Dusty Abell.
"Friendship is Universal" Gallery Experience
Thursday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28, 226 and 230 5th Avenue in Gaslamp Quarter
Under the banner of "Friendship is Universal," Star Trek and Doctor Who will operate a special celebratory gallery experience at 226 and 230 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The gallery experience will feature original costumes and props from across the storied histories of both, highlighting themes of friendship and shared values between the two universes. There will also be photo opportunities for fans as well as special friendship bracelet giveaways. "Friendship is Universal" activation hours of operation are Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, and Sunday July 28 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Admission is free. No SDCC badge is required.
What if you're only one of those things? Asking for a friend.
Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who
Saturday, July 27, 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Room 6A
The collaboration will kick off at San Diego Comic-Con, where Alex Kurtzman, showrunner and executive producer of the Star Trek franchise, and Russell T Davies, showrunner and executive producer spearheading the Doctor Who Whoniverse, come together for an exclusive creator-to-creator conversation about the art of storytelling in alternative universes and to celebrate the power of friendship. The SDCC Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who will be on Saturday, July 27, from 5:30-6:30 PM, in Room: 6A, and will be moderated by Keisha Hatchett, staff editor of TVLine. Attendees to the creator conversation will each receive a special Doctor Who X Star Trek poster designed by artist Dusty Abell.
"Friendship is Universal" Gallery Experience
Thursday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28, 226 and 230 5th Avenue in Gaslamp Quarter
Under the banner of "Friendship is Universal," Star Trek and Doctor Who will operate a special celebratory gallery experience at 226 and 230 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The gallery experience will feature original costumes and props from across the storied histories of both, highlighting themes of friendship and shared values between the two universes. There will also be photo opportunities for fans as well as special friendship bracelet giveaways. "Friendship is Universal" activation hours of operation are Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, and Sunday July 28 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Admission is free. No SDCC badge is required.
Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who
Saturday, July 27, 5:30 - 6:30 PM, Room 6A
The collaboration will kick off at San Diego Comic-Con, where Alex Kurtzman, showrunner and executive producer of the Star Trek franchise, and Russell T Davies, showrunner and executive producer spearheading the Doctor Who Whoniverse, come together for an exclusive creator-to-creator conversation about the art of storytelling in alternative universes and to celebrate the power of friendship. The SDCC Intergalactic Friendship Panel: Star Trek x Doctor Who will be on Saturday, July 27, from 5:30-6:30 PM, in Room: 6A, and will be moderated by Keisha Hatchett, staff editor of TVLine. Attendees to the creator conversation will each receive a special Doctor Who X Star Trek poster designed by artist Dusty Abell.
"Friendship is Universal" Gallery Experience
Thursday, July 26 - Sunday, July 28, 226 and 230 5th Avenue in Gaslamp Quarter
Under the banner of "Friendship is Universal," Star Trek and Doctor Who will operate a special celebratory gallery experience at 226 and 230 5th Avenue in the Gaslamp Quarter of San Diego. The gallery experience will feature original costumes and props from across the storied histories of both, highlighting themes of friendship and shared values between the two universes. There will also be photo opportunities for fans as well as special friendship bracelet giveaways. "Friendship is Universal" activation hours of operation are Thursday, July 25 through Saturday, July 27 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM, and Sunday July 28 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM. Admission is free. No SDCC badge is required.
I thought that's what she was getting at at the time, though IIRC she didn't actually finish her sentence.