It seems a while since we've had a what if story, some memorable ones, turn left, sound of drum etc, this one poses the question 'what if the monks had been with us since the start?'
Some very interesting elements, The Doctor needing to ask Missy for help, the question of free will, and a companion that wasn't only willing to shoot the Doctor, she did so multiple times. Mackie has been sensational all series, but I see this as her best episode to date, her performance was impeccable, I've not witnessed such emotional engagement since Donna. I loved the scenes with Missy once again, especially those remorseful scenes at the close of the episode. I thought the images of the statues were excellent, as were the stories of the monks having always been here.
The disappointment I feel comes from the monks, during the first two instalments were led to believe that these Monks were virtually all powerful, able to influence free will, control weapons, infiltrate technology etc, and yet there was none of that here, they stood around passively, even the ending, this massively powerful race undone.....by a photograph.
I'm sure many of you will have spotted the electrical shop, Magpie, I always love a reference back to a previous episode, a nice touch. Is Maureen returning one day I wonder.
I enjoyed it, the trilogy deserved a little more 6/10
Some very interesting elements, The Doctor needing to ask Missy for help, the question of free will, and a companion that wasn't only willing to shoot the Doctor, she did so multiple times. Mackie has been sensational all series, but I see this as her best episode to date, her performance was impeccable, I've not witnessed such emotional engagement since Donna. I loved the scenes with Missy once again, especially those remorseful scenes at the close of the episode. I thought the images of the statues were excellent, as were the stories of the monks having always been here.
The disappointment I feel comes from the monks, during the first two instalments were led to believe that these Monks were virtually all powerful, able to influence free will, control weapons, infiltrate technology etc, and yet there was none of that here, they stood around passively, even the ending, this massively powerful race undone.....by a photograph.
I'm sure many of you will have spotted the electrical shop, Magpie, I always love a reference back to a previous episode, a nice touch. Is Maureen returning one day I wonder.
I enjoyed it, the trilogy deserved a little more 6/10