DOCTOR WHO: The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos {Roundtable}

In the final episode of the regular season, The Doctor (Jodie Whittaker), Ryan (Tosin Cole), Graham (Bradley Walsh) and Yaz (Mandip Gill) answer several distress calls and find themselves up against a familiar enemy.

Let’s see what Roz and I thought of “The Battle of Ranskoor Av Kolos”.

What are your thoughts on the return of Tzim-Sha/Tim Shaw?

Cara: I suspected we might see him again eventually, but honestly this was a complete surprise for me. I’m still not entirely sure I understand how he ended up being sent here and not back home, but however it happened, he was too good of a bad guy to see gone forever. He creeps me out, but he also forces the Doctor and her companions to see just how compassionate they are against a baddie who has absolutely no remorse or redeeming qualities. And, I’m not sure we’ve seen the last of him this time either.

Roz: I remember there being buzz when the series started that the episodes were supposed to be self-contained, but here we are at the finale with the big bad from the premiere. He’s one creepy guy, and how he got into this planet and stayed there for three millennia is torturous, but he’s also a mass murderer so I care less how or why he suffered that long. That said, it’s sad to me that he was able to pervert the Uxes belief in a divine being to have his ends met with their means.

Picture shows: Sniperbot

How do you feel about Graham and Ryan’s responses to facing Grace’s killer?

Cara: I think we all knew that Graham would make the right call in the end, but I did love that he got to at least shoot Tzim-Sha in the foot. I really appreciated that Ryan was the voice of reason and the one who spoke for Grace when Graham was out for vengeance. Grace wanted to raise him to be the better man, and it seems she succeeded.

Roz: Tzim-Sha has been someone who has been so much a ghost lurking in this season, so I’m glad that Ryan and Graham had one more chance to get back at him for killing Grace. Graham had to work harder than I imagine he wanted to in order to see some smaller measure of justice for Grace. Perhaps that lifetime of solitude for Tzim-Sha will be worth it.

What do you think of the Ux?

Cara: The Ux are interesting, but I was so frustrated by the continued faith when it seemed clear their “Creator” was abusing their power. I think I’d enjoy seeing them again in better circumstance, like if they really do get to go out and explore the universe.

Roz: I wanted to yell at Mrs. Hughesthe older Ux for her behavior, but I found their principles interesting and different from lots of other people we see on the show.

Favorite scene/line?

Cara: I sound like a broken record here, but I love watching Ryan admit he cares for Graham.

Roz:

What are your thoughts on season 11 as a whole and Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor?

Cara: I am in love with her Doctor. I love the way she’s confident and curious and fearless. She doesn’t seem to have the doubt that haunted some of the past regenerations, and I think her relationship with her companions is the most egalitarian yet. I can’t wait for 2020.

Roz: I think she’s got the right amount of determination and kindness that I want to see in the Doctor. It’s clear that being a woman is taking some adjustments (that entire episode with King James) but overall, the Doctor is strong, still, but also compassionate and looking for a set of moral guidelines to follow each and every day.

How about the companions? What are your thoughts on them now?

Cara: I love these companions. Yaz and the Doctor always seem to be on the same page, working in tandem. Graham and Ryan occasionally rebel, but ultimately this is such a cohesive unit that cares for and supports each other. Everything seems based on a mutual respect and trust, which I like so much better than some of the other configurations of the Doctor/companion dynamic.

Roz: They’re all so quietly strong, if that makes sense. They stand up to trouble when needed, but they’re also more likely to use their brains than brawn to get an answer. Each has challenges that they’re overcoming each week.

Doctor Who will return with a New Years special: Resolution, but then the Doctor is on hiatus until 2020. See all of our Doctor Who content here.