DOCTOR WHO: Demons of the Punjab {Roundtable}

This week we saw another episode that deals with Human history. This time from another perspective outside the US. We can’t wait to discuss Demons of the Punjab with you, so here we go!

First of all, I’d like to get an overall impression from everyone. How did you feel about the episode?

Karen: I liked it! I enjoy episodes of any series that teach me something, and this week qualified in that purpose. I also liked the personal tone of the mission.

Cara: I really liked it as well. I’m loving the history related episodes, and I thought this one shed light the on the contributions to the war that are sometimes overlooked, and on the painful legacy of Colonialism.

Roz: It’s a good episode to have around the Armistice/Remembrance Day, to see something about war but in a way that isn’t usual. I appreciate some history lessons in my sci-fi.

This week focused on an event a lot of Americans aren’t familiar with. Did you find the subject matter intriguing?

Karen: I did. Unlike “Rosa,” this was an event I wasn’t nearly as familiar with. It was good to get a perspective, and it shows the humanity involved in historical events. The 1947 Partition is something that is probably well-known in England, so the fact that they’re not afraid to expose their own failings was enlightening.

Cara: I know a little about the partition and the violence that surrounded it, so I was familiar with the historical context, but I enjoyed seeing it from a more personal angle. I also appreciated the ending, though it was heartbreaking, but I’d hate to see such a tragic time be softened by too much nostalgia.

Roz: I’m a historian by trade so I know a bit about the Partition of India, but not in the micro level of what it did to families that were carved into Pakistan or India.

We had a writer other than Chibnall this week for the first time this season. Did you notice a difference in writing styles?

Karen: Not so much. I think Vinay Patel did a great job assimilating his episode into the Season as a whole. I could tell how much research was done. If you see his twitter feed where he discusses writing “Demons of the Punjab,” you can see how much effort he put in.

Cara: I didn’t really notice a difference, but I think Patel did a wonderful job scripting incredibly complex and still relevant subject matter.

Roz: I didn’t notice any difference, but it’s good to see someone who has a great understanding of events to write it.

Once they learned of the alien’s involvement, the mission was altered to make sure history played out – not unlike “Rosa”. Did you like the echoes to that episode?

Karen: This isn’t the first outing in which the aliens were misunderstood, but I was super touched by these particular aliens. The fact that the “Demons” referenced in the title were actually humans is a staple of Doctor Who, and even though it’s used often, it’s always in a new and different way.

Cara: The aliens mission and history was very interesting. I’ve always loved the way the Doctor forces us to see people less as frightening enemies and more as misunderstood peers. I agree with Karen that learning that the humans are really the baddies is something this show does particularly well.

Roz: The troubles between Muslims and Hindi in India and Pakistan is something I remember from watching Gandhi, so to watch the episode go from thinking the aliens were going to be the Big Bad, to watching humanity hurt itself was different. Truly people hate each other for the most minor of reasons, and this episode highlighted one such hatred. to see Yaz’s Nanni find love with another man after what happened to Prem reminds me of the power of love and why we should fight to protect all forms of love.

Favorite Lines or Scenes?

Karen: I absolutely adored the interaction between Yaz and Graham, and the last scene with Yaz and her Grandmother was so tear-worthy I couldn’t deal. (I mean, I could, but it wasn’t easy) The music for this episode in particular was very stirring, so I want to give Segun Akinola a big shout-out. Check out his twitter feed (linked here) for some “Behind the Music” tweets.

Cara: The most touching moment for me was when Graham was helping Prem prepare for his wedding. It was almost more emotional for me than the wedding itself.

Roz: “There’s nothing worse than when normal people lose their minds.” – Prem

Next week on Doctor Who:

KERBLAM!

“Delivery for the Doctor!” A mysterious message arrives in a package addressed to the Doctor, leading her, Graham, Yaz and Ryan to investigate the warehouse moon orbiting Kandoka, and the home of the galaxy’s largest retailer: Kerblam!

Guest starring Julie Hesmondhalgh and Lee Mack. Written by Pete McTighe. Directed by Jennifer Perrott.

Doctor Who airs on Sundays at 8PM on BBC America.