Doctor Who - The Lie of the Land & Empress of Mars - Review: "A price worth paying"

© BBC Pictures Episode: 10.08 "The Lie of the Land"
Directed by: Wayne Yip
Written by: Toby Whithouse
Air date: 3 June 2017
Reviews so far:
Episode 10.01 - "The Pilot"
Episode 10.02 - "Smile"
Episode 10.03 - "Thin Ice"
Episode 10.04 - "Knock Knock"
Episode 10.05 - "Oxygen"
Episode 10.06 - "Extremis"
Episode 10.07 - "The Pyramid at the End of the World"

It's a great conclusion to the three-part story and a wonderful chance for the characters and actors to shine. You can't help but see the similarities between the world created by "the Monks" and the real life - with the history being sometimes rewritten (with "alternative facts") and told in a way that's best for the ones in charge - but fortunately it doesn't overshadow the story being told in the episode, just gives a reason for reflection, something to think about for us all. It feels especially relevant and meaningful in lights of recent events and it seems perfectly placed in time. And hour to remember for sure.

First, quick recap. It's been six months since "the Monks" took over Earth but they're creating an illusion of always being there for the people, guiding them throughout the history as just protectors and rulers. The ones who fight against the false history are being quickly arrested and sentenced to death by so-called memory police. Bill spent this time trying to keep a low profile and waiting for the Doctor to appear and help the world. But in these few months the only way to see him is through the worldwide broadcasts where he appears to praise "the Monks" and their guidance over humanity. Things change when Nardole shows up at Bill's place and takes her to where the Doctor is held captive. Though initially he claims to be on the side of the invaders it soon becomes clear that he's only pretending to gain the trust of "the Monks" and recruit more people to join the right cause. The Doctor and Bill visit Missy to ask for her help in fighting "the Monks" as she has already encountered them before. She reveals that the only way to stop their hold over people is to essentially kill the link between them and humanity. The link that happens to be Bill who requested their help in the first place (to save the Doctor). When the Doctor and Bill get to the source of the psychic transmission that "the Monks" are sending across the world the Time Lord tries to break it by broadcasting the true history from his memories but it proves to be too much for his mind to process. That's when Bill takes his place, wanting to sacrifice herself to save the world and finds a way to permanently destroy the power "the Monks" have over people - by showing the pure image of love in a memory she created of her mother. "The Monks" leave the Earth and things go back to normal with the world forgetting about them completely. And Missy... Missy appears to finally express remorse for everyone she killed.

Bill Potts – what a fantastic character she has become! I genuinely didn’t expect to like her as much as I already do when she was first announced and introduced to the series. Yet she continues to grow on me with each episode and each story she’s a part of. Ever since the premiere I keep thinking about her as if she’s the breath of fresh air the show needed to make this one of the best and most memorable seasons of New Who so far, especially during the Twelfth Doctor’s saga. These two, along with Nardole, have incredibly well done interactions and work together perfectly as can be clearly seen in this episode. In this hour Bill truly became the heart of the story as we’re introduced to the strange new world through her eyes and we realize just how much she’s struggling to hold on to the truth. The reveal that she’s created a memory of her mother, to have someone by her side, to be able to talk to openly, was such a significant moment for the character. We’ve already seen how much a simple picture of her late mom meant to Bill, but the emotional bond, love for someone she was never able to get to know, made all the difference in the world during the final confrontation with “the Monks”. There’s so much about this scene, where Bill’s vision of her mother shatters the illusion created by the invaders, that reminds me of “The Rings of Akhaten”. While that episode wasn’t necessarily one of my favorites the moment when first the Doctor and then Clara confront “Grandfather” is one of the all-time best for me. But even though in this hour we didn’t get similar breathtaking speeches, the emotional impact of Bill’s sacrifice felt very much the same. The Doctor and his incredible knowledge about the world and its history are a true force but it’s love and the impossible infinity in the image of a person that could have been are so much more…

Bill is already such a wonderful character thanks to the brilliant writers and the actress portraying her – Pearl Mackie. Pearl has been doing an amazing job with all that’s given to her so far but it’s her performance in this episode, and especially the scene where she finally finds the Doctor after months of being trapped in this new and terrifying world, that has impressed me the most. First she’s full of hope and ready to fight back, to work against “the Monks” with the Doctor in whom she puts her faith, only to have his words and behavior completely break her down. Seeing her fall apart and admit just how hard these months have been for her and how much she needs the Doctor, was absolutely heartbreaking. Pearl Mackie truly stole that moment with her powerful performance and I can’t wait to see what Bill’s going to do next.

The Doctor of course had a plan to defeat “the Monks”, or rather a beginning of one. But despite me being convinced that it’s impossible for the Doctor to give up on people and just accept “the Monks” as the “guardians” of humanity, Peter Capaldi’s delivery of the Doctor’s speech had me truly worried for Time Lord’s state of mind for a moment. Yet another fantastic performance in this great episode. The scene went further and longer than one could expect, so with the actual arguments for standing with “the Monks”, it was all built to have one unsure about his true intentions. And the fact that the actor and writers are able to raise even the smallest of doubt in the show’s long-time fans are truly admirable. His unshaken belief that there’s another way to save the world from “the Monks”, that didn’t involve hurting Bill, was beautifully done as well. His care for all the people in the universe and his love for his friends is always one of the things I like best about his character. There’s a quote at the end of the episode that really made me stop for a moment and think about its meaning. “In amongst seven billion [people] there's someone like you. That's why I put up with the rest of them." It’s heartwarming and perfectly suited both for the Doctor and our everyday life. Surely one to remember.

Another character who got to truly shine in the episode is certainly Missy. To be honest, though the actress has always done an amazing job with her portrayal, the character was quite a hit or miss for me for a while. I do, however, absolutely enjoy her story in this season. Her interactions with the Doctor and Bill, when the two came to visit her, were one of the main highlights of this great hour and probably my favorite scene in the episode. Kudos to the talented Michelle Gomez! It certainly feels like Missy’s on both sides at the same time, struggling between what was and what could be, the best and worst of her personality. And if there’s even the smallest chance that her attempt to become better, a good person even, are honest, that’s one story I would love to see more of. The ending with Missy and the Doctor especially was surprisingly emotional and makes me very excited for the future. Really interested to see how the Master fits in this plot… Can’t wait.

Finally there’s Nardole. This might not have been the biggest episode for his character but all his scenes during the hour are consistently making him grow on me. He’s both brave and scared, serious and hilarious, grounded and emotional. And he works so well with the Doctor and Bill. It certainly feels like he’s become quite attached to Bill and considers her a friend. And though he has different interactions and relationships with the two, it never seems like he’s standing between them. More like he’s keeping them all closer together creating just the right balance for them all. Matt Lucas is doing a really good job so far and I hope to explore the character more in the future episodes.

Even though "the Monks" didn't end up being one of the greatest foes the Doctor had to face and obviously there were parts of the story that were a bit out of place I very much enjoyed the episode overall. And just for the characters' development, their interactions and actors' performance I truly think this might be one of my favorite hours of the season so far. Now to the next!


© BBC Pictures Episode: 10.09 "Empress of Mars"
Directed by: Wayne Yip
Written by: Mark Gatiss
Air date: 10 June 2017
Another good episode! I really didn't expect to like it as much as I did after watching the promo a week ago. While the previous episode focused mostly on the developments for the main group this time we're very much invested in the lives of the guest characters - soldiers from Victorian Britain and Ice Warriors. It's not an easy task to make these people we watch for about 40 minutes seem multidimensional and interesting but I did feel for quite a few of them, so kudos to the actors & the writer (Mark Gatiss!) for a job well done.

Quick recap of the episode. When visiting NASA headquarters the Doctor, Bill and Nardole discover a curious message on the surface of Mars - the words "God save the Queen" written with stones. They travel back in time to when the sign was originally left on Mars and find human soldiers from Victorian Britain living underneath the surface of the planet. They reveal that they helped an alien, who they met at their last post, return home in exchange for gold and treasures buried on Mars. The soldiers eventually recover the tomb of the Ice Queen built with the crystals that tempt one of the them. His actions awake Iraxxa, the Ice Queen and the conflict between her and the humans quickly escalates. Though the Doctor attempts to make peace between the two races the fight ensues and Captain Catchlove of the Victorian army only makes the matters worse. Eventually it's the sacrifice and honesty of Colonel Godsacre (revealed earlier to be a deserter) that convinces the Ice Queen to stop the fight and join forces with humans to help her awakening Warriors build a better life on the dying planet. The Doctor, Bill and Colonel end up being the ones who leave the message at the surface of Mars and Nardole, who was away for most of the episode after troubles with the TARDIS, returns to take the Time Lord and Bill home with an unexpected passenger on the ship - Missy.

Let me start with the main focus of the episode - the two armies. I really like the fact that there was no clear distinction of good guys and bad guys here. Though Captain Catchlove proved to be a cruel and selfish man who only cared about himself and made things worse for the others, the rest of the fighters really did try their best to live peacefully together. I genuinely cared for the few good and honorable men who lost their lives doing what they believed to be the right thing. The most memorable characters were definitely the Colonel, Friday and Iraxxa. Colonel Godsacre was a scared man who wanted a chance to do better but was never ready to take it. He trusted the Doctor's words and advices and despite running away during the fight he came back when it mattered the most and with his honesty and good will he proved that there's a possibility for humans and Ice Warriors to stand together. Then there's Friday. His choices and alliance he made with humans really made all the difference in this story. He found his place among people and showed them not to be afraid of the unknown. His relationship with the soldiers is the cornerstone of this new world the humans are building side by side with the Ice Warriors. He remained loyal to his Queen throughout the episode while also working for a hopeful future for all. Finally, Iraxxa, awakened from her long sleep, doesn't accept these new circumstances right away. She sees the worst in humanity but is not blind to the good choices they make in the end. In this scenario it's her planet that's being invaded by humans so she does what any Queen might see as logical. She does prove to be a good leader when she's ready to talk and offers a second chance to those who work to earn it. Wouldn't mind to see her (or the Ice Warriors) return in the future episodes.

Some of the moments I really enjoyed in the episode are the ones when Bill and the Queen interact. They're the only women in the fight and there's a quiet understanding between them. Once again Bill proves to be a great companion. She speaks up when it's needed and doesn't let fear overshadow her actions. She knows what's right but trusts the Doctor when he asks her to. I'm really happy about the relationship between these two. The Doctor doesn't have as much of a role as he usually has in similar situations. He puts himself between the armies to offer them advice and ask for peaceful solution and uses his words and knowledge to show them a better way. Though he's not the one who eventually stops the fight I truly believe he makes an impression on Colonel and the Queen who end the conflict. It makes it even better for the others as they're not dependent on him to act, only inspired by his behavior and responses. It didn't really seem like there was much to do for the Doctor and Bill during the hour, as they were mostly witnesses to these events but I think they made a difference in a few moments that mattered and their presence changed things for the better.

Another character who didn't have a big role to play in this hour is certainly Nardole. He only gets a few short scenes, though entertaining as always, but he makes one significant choice - lets Missy out of the vault. He pretty much breaks the Doctor's promise, the same promise he's so determined to see the Time Lord keep. All to save the Doctor and Bill, to return them home. That's surely quite a risk, which proves worth it in the end, but I feel like it marks quite a change in Nardole's priorities and his friendship with the Doctor and Bill. Their lives had more value to him than they would when we met him first. I really enjoy this development for the character and would love to see it explored more.

At last, there's Missy. We barely catch a glimpse of her during the hour but it's significant one for sure. Her help is quite invaluable and the fact she offers it without expecting anything in return, quietly returning to her prison later, is unexpected. There's still a big question of how much of her new behavior is real and how much is just a play she's so good at. But there's a new question she raises in the final seconds of the episode. Is there something wrong with the Doctor? With everything that he's been through during the season and the regeneration in the near future is the change already starting? Is he sick, injured, dying? Or something else completely. We've got the response to "who's in the vault", so time to speculate on this one. Can't believe we're so close to the end of the season. It's been such a great journey so far. Already excited for the next episode. Kudos.

Whovian notes and questions:
1. What's wrong with the Doctor? Or rather is there something wrong? It might just be Missy's guess or trick, or she's able to see far more than we currently do. Any theories you'd like to share? It seems that more and more people are starting to say the regeneration has somehow already started, it's just taking quite a long time.
2. What did you think about the Ice Warriors and "the Monks"? Did you enjoy more focus on the guest characters in the "Empress of Mars" or would prefer to keep it on the main group, similarly to "The Lie of the Land"?
3. Are you currently more inclined to believe that Missy's change is real or do you believe it to be just a clever trick on her part?
4. How do you feel about Bill's and Nardole's development? Anything you would like to see or focus on more in these next few episodes?
5. Another few references in these episodes. Not sure if the one to "The Rings of Akhaten" was intentional or rather just my personal impression but the portrait of Queen Victoria, the history being changed by "the Monks" in the clips from previous stories and a callback to Alpha Centauri were all very well done for sure. Any favorites?

Memorable quotes:

1. The Doctor: “In amongst seven billion [people] there's someone like you. That's why I put up with the rest of them."
2. Missy: "I keep remembering all the people I've killed. Every day I think of more. Being bad... Being bad drowned that out. I didn't know I even knew their names. You didn't tell me about this bit."
3. Bill: "I don't want our last conversation to be this."
The Doctor: "I don't want this to be our last conversation."
Bill: "Goodbye, Doctor. Thank you. God, it was worth it."
4. The Doctor: "There’s no setting for wood! Why is there still no setting for wood?"
5. Iraxxa: "And you! Female! What do you say?"
Bill: "Me?"
Iraxxa: "We are both surrounded by… noisy males. I would value your opinion."
6. Bill: "You knew that would happen."
The Doctor: "Always been my problem."
Bill: "What?"
The Doctor: "Thinking like a warrior."

What did you think about "The Lie of the Land" & "Empress of Mars"? Any favorite scenes, quotes or theories? Feel free to let us know in the comments. Check out the press release & promo for the next episode "The Eaters of Light". As always, thanks for reading!