The new era has arrived, bringing with it unforgettable new villain Maestro.
Warning: thisDoctor Whoreview contains plot spoilers.
To use some technical musical terminology this ones a banger.
Like most fans, I was very intrigued when I heard that Russell T Davies would bereturning as showrunner.
Its not like heneededto come back.
He had nothing to prove.
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But with The Devils Chord, it feels like the new era has decisively arrived.
And the focus on music, and its integration into the narrative and visuals, feels fresh and invigorating.
Weve never seen the Doctor trapped inside a drum, or the companion trapped inside a double bass.
Honestly, this review could just be a bullet point list of the episodes cool details.
The knocking from inside the piano, so simple yet so effectively creepy.
Maestro using a tuning fork like a sonic screwdriver.
The unsettling, fantastically realised flash forward to apocalyptic 2024 andMillie Gibsons heartbreaking Wheres my mum.
I could go on.
Its a huge relief in some ways, because there were reasons to be apprehensive.
Happily, they pulled it off.
Its debatable whether the performances could have sustained heftier screen time, but theyre used just enough to resonate.
And ultimately, The Beatles arent actually the headline here thatsJinkx Monsoon.
Consistently funny and charming,Monsoonwas the underdog winner ofRuPauls Drag Raceseason five.
All that said, not everything quite worked.
I cant survive that again.
But when Ruby said You never hide, I found myself thinking… he kind of does, actually?
The episodes continuity references were also hit and miss.
And then theres the twist at the end.
But honestly, thats okay.
I respect big swings, and its great to see the show try new things.
The orchestra has finished tuning up.
On with the show.
Oh, and The One Who Waits?
Im calling it its Rory Pond.
