Review of Doctor Who Episode 'Praxus' - A Case of Overplotting?

I recently watched Doctor Who season 12 episode 6, titled 'Praxus', and while I was mildly entertained, I found myself questioning the balance between plot and character development. Much like the character Suki Cheng, the episode seemed to have the potential for solid, engaging storytelling but fell a bit flat due to its overwhelming focus on plot.

Why Was It Underwhelming?

There had been an attempt to plant some subtle hints about Suki's true identity but unfortunately, the episode was so packed with plot that there was barely enough time to properly weave these threads together. The result was a reveal that, while interesting in theory, felt somewhat anticlimactic. The episode appeared to rush through its narrative, leaving little room for developing the characters and their relationships in-depth.

The Characters and Their Plots

While we have a charming and relatable couple in Jake and Adam, their emotional arcs felt underdeveloped. The opportunity to explore Jake’s potential change in reaction to the reveal about Suki seemed to be left hanging. Similarly, the episode could have delved more into Gabriela's character, exploring her motivations and how she contributed to the story without feeling like just a moving plot device.

One character who stood out as more interesting was Tasha Lem from Time of the Doctor. Despite a similar plot-filled runtime, Time of the Doctor managed to develop Tasha's character in a more engaging way, allowing for a deeper connection with the audience. In Praxus, this level of character development was noticeably absent, rendering the episode somewhat underwhelming despite its many twists and turns.

Other Points of Interest

The episode did manage to tackle important themes such as climate change and the dire state of humanity's future. This was implemented with more tact than in earlier episodes such as Orphan 55. However, I did wonder whether some of the elaborate explanations from the Chibnall era were cut due to time constraints.

Rating and Conclusion

Overall, the episode received a rating of 5/12. While there were a few interesting moments, the overemphasis on plot and the lack of fleshed-out character development left me with a slightly unsatisfactory experience. I hope that future episodes can strike a better balance between storytelling and character engagement.

Note: The balance between plot and character development is crucial for maintaining audience interest. In Praxus, the former was abundant, but the latter was notably absent, leading to a somewhat underwhelming viewing experience.