A Critical Review of 'The Timeless Children' in Doctor Who Season 12 Episode 10

Despite the delay in my response, I have now had ample time to reflect on the "The Timeless Children" episode from Doctor Who Season 12. This review aims to dissect the narrative and its implications, while providing a critical perspective on the storyline's effectiveness.

Overview of the Plot

The plot of this episode is relatively straightforward. The Doctor and the Master travel to the Matrix to learn about Gallifrey's foundation, with the Doctor emerging as the Timeless Child. TheMaster creates a new army of powerful Cybermen, and the Doctor, with the help of a random old man from the previous episode, destroys Gallifrey and the Master's army.

Analysis of the Creative Decisions

The narrative revolves around the Timeless Child revelation, a significant plot point that was in part teased throughout the season. However, the execution felt underwhelming and detached from the established lore.

Timeless Child Reveal

The concept of the Doctor being a Time Lord with a unique past is intriguing. This decision by Chris Chibnall adds a layer of complexity to the Time Lords' history. However, the reveal feels forced and disconnected. The narrative did not adequately support the significance of the Timeless Child, making it harder for viewers to engage with the story.

I do support Chibnall's creative freedom to reframe the Doctor's origins, as long as it results in an engaging storyline. Yet, the execution of The Timeless Children did not meet that standard.

Comparison with Previous Revelations

The reveal of the Timeless Child echoes previous instances where viewers were led to believe in a revelation, only to be disappointed. For example:

Fugitive of the Judoon

In the episode, the Doctor's identity is revealed in a way that was satisfying and relevant to the story. However, the Timeless Child reveal in The Timeless Children felt like a letdown in comparison. The buildup and anticipation were not matched by the actual reveal.

Impact and Engagement

The episode itself did have some redeeming qualities, particularly in the performances:

Acting

Both Jodie Whittaker and Sacha Dhawan delivered standout performances, bringing life to an otherwise flat script. Their chemistry and the depth of their characters were noteworthy, even if the plot didn't fully capitalize on it.

Visual Effects

The visual effects, as they have been in season 12, were remarkable. The attention to detail and the overall aesthetics of the episode were impressive, especially considering the series' budget and scale.

However, the episode's shortcomings overshadowed these strengths. The story felt unresolved, and the events lacked impact and relevance.

Conclusion

The Timeless Children

Failed to deliver a meaningful narrative or compelling ideas. Lost opportunities to engage with the characters and the world of Gallifrey. Left viewers feeling indifferent to the consequences of the episode's events.

Rating: 0/12. The episode did not provide enough substance to warrant any positive review beyond the technical aspects of its production.

Final Thoughts

In summary, while the acting and visual effects were commendable, the lack of a coherent and engaging storyline in The Timeless Children renders the episode a disappointment. The reveal of the Timeless Child, though a creative decision, was not executed in a way that enhances the overall viewing experience.