[initial reactions] Doctor Who and Praxeus - 12x06

[grimorie]

A really nice breather episode and unlike Orphan 55 used a big cast really well, one thing to say about Pete McTighe’s writing is that he knows how to utilize a big cast very well and makes use of them.

Yaz is being even more of a thrill-seeker than usual and the Doctor is very, very concerned for her. Yaz does like to leap before she looks, and now I don’t know how Yaz can go back to work if this is how she usually operates.

Ryan comforting Gabriela and then talking to her after, and I love Gabriela’s snappy: “And you know me for how long?”

And then, of course, Graham sitting with Jake as he struggled with his own emotion.

That’s the second episode we’ve had two men kissing, and it’s real kissing, not a ‘hahaha’ joke kissing.

I also love the guest stars and I was so sad when Aramu died but also I’m really glad Gabriela,  Adam and Jake lived.

Also, I do love Thirteen appearing out of random places but also I keep going back to how Thirteen is very, very, very worried about Yaz going off on her own. And Yaz being very Doctor-ish this episode. We’ve been seeing hints of it through the season but this is really where we see more of it.

I also love Ryan being chuffed at a) getting the bird and then b) dissecting the bird which led to the Doctor’s breakthrough. Also, I think we can gather that the Doctor’s sense of smell is really good but they’ve never really spoken about it -- until the dead bird. Heh.

In terms of writing environmental concern episodes, this was IMO better written than Orphan 55.

What a nice breather episode after the game-changing Fugitive of the Judoon.