The Empress of Mars is the 9th episode of the 10th series of Doctor Who. It features the 6th appearance of the Ice Warriors as well as a return for The Master in a cameo role and Alpha Centauri's 3rd appearance, the first recurring character from the classic series to appear in modern who. The episode is Gattis' 9th episode to the show.
Well this episode was quintessentially Gattiss. His two favourite things in one story - Ice Warriors and Victorians - together. This does appear to be Gattiss's swansong adventure. Alpha Centauri's appearance is absolutely fantastic. Did you know that Winston Churchill was even meant to appear. The episode also felt very classic who. Perhaps the most since the series return. Thank goodness it wasn't a Sleep No More episode (even with a cheeky reference). Gattiss alternative story of Peladon leaving the Federation would have been better in my eyes, but or well. Just before I start I just want to make the point that I did not get the ending. Why was that a cliffhanger?
The Doctor
12th Doctor: 8/10 - Brilliant acting as ever but he doesn't do too much
Companion Rating
Bill Potts: 7/10 - Good but didn't seem quite like her. She felt very genetic of a companion
No Nardole in a main role as Gattiss's script had already been finished before Nardole was added to the crew.
Monster Rating
Iraxxa: 8/10 - Looked great but didn't do too much and wasn't very worrier like.
Ice Warriors: 8/10 - Got to give them this score becasue their back. If they did more this would be higher
Catchlove: 8/10 - A human scambag. Always love it when it is revered about who is the enemy
Story Rating
Story: 7/10 - Nothing too new but a good old romp.
Scariness: 7/10 - Nothing scary but I did get shivers when the Ice Warriors awoke
Seriousness: 7/10 - Very grounded, no scale but that is fine for story like this
Humour: 7/10 - Good bits here and there
Continuity: 10/10 - Alpha Centauri and Ice Warriors. Fantastic. Thank you Gatttis! Yvennne Chapman back too. Fantastic!
Rest of Cast
Goscare: 8/10 - Good actor and great to see guest star Anthony Calf
Friday: 7/10
Jackdaw: 7/10
Vincey: 7/10
Sergeant Major Peach: 7/10
Missy and Alpha Centauri weren't in it enough to get a score. Centauri would have got 10 of cause!
Total: 113/150
1. Return of the Doctor Mysterio = 72%
2. The Pilot = 74%
3. Smile = 71.66%
4. Thin Ice = 73%
5. Knock Knock = 74.29%
6. Oxygen = 73.07%
7. Extremis = 80.77%
8. The Pyramid at the End of the World = 78%
9. The Lie of the Land = 70%
10. Empress of Mars = 75.33%
Quite high up there. It is my third favourite of the ten episodes (ten already!) - according to this. I thought it was good adventur that felt very classic. Did I mention I loved the Alpha Centauri cameo?
1. Return of the Doctor Mysterio = 72%
2. The Pilot = 74%
3. Smile = 71.66%
4. Thin Ice = 73%
5. Knock Knock = 74.29%
6. Oxygen = 73.07%
7. Extremis/The Pyramid at the End of the World/The Lie of the Land = 76.26%
8. Empress of Mars = 75.33%
Drops in third for story count too
Return of the Doctor Mysterio: 7/10
The Pilot: 7/10
Smile: 6/10
Thin Ice: 6/10
Knock Knock: 7/10
Oxygen: 8/10
Extremis: 8/10
Pyramid at the End of the World: 8/10
Lie of the Land: 7/10
Empress of Mars: 7/10
Good episode. Close to the Pilot in terms of quality - and Knock Knock. Struggling to think which is my favourite there. Your'll have to went and see.
Now next week features the first episode of New Who written by a classic series writer so that will be interesting. It is my lowest anticipated episode of the series but I will keep my mind open.
My GCSE's are nearly over. 13 more days! Soon I will be able to give a more detailed review and of course, line counts.
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