It was clear that Bill had met Heather more than twice and over a longer period of time ( they showed the Xmas period and then the snow was gone in the next scenes so clearly time has passed). And if I had been subjected to running for my life and saw someone I liked killed I would have the bloody right to shed a few tears!!!
"You wouldn't do that in real life." The point of Bill is that she is in real life. She does and says things characters in stories don't do or say. She needs to go to the toilet. That's a real world thing, not a tv program thing. She rationalises the TARDIS as a knock-through, because that's a real world explanation for going into a bigger room than you were expecting. And in the real world, if your girlfriend is standing there, dripping wet, it's probably because she fell in a pond or something, not because she's been transformed into an aqueous space zombie. And in the real world you would probably walk towards someone you know if they are soaked through and looking like they're in shock.
I think Megan is being a bit harsh on Bill, we may have only seen her meet Heather a few times but months pass between them so I'm sure they've seen each other between then. And Megan was too busy complaining about Bill crying at the end to hear the line about why she was crying, hopefully by the end of the series she understands it better.
When The Doctor is about to wipe Bill's mind and then stops, and for half a second we wonder why - until we hear a faint version of Clara's theme - and we realise that The Doctor realises just how hurtful he's being right now.. because he knows first-hand what it feels like - it's tiny things like that that show how good a writer Moffat is and how good an actor Capaldi is. Appreciate this series, Megan, you know what's about to come afterwards 😬
the pilot doesn’t try to be a big ambitious opener like so many of moffat’s are; it’s a pilot episode, a fresh start to a new chapter. it’s primary purpose is to introduce bill and her dynamic with the doctor, what’s happened since the last time we saw him and the university atmosphere. it lies the groundwork for series 10, and i think it does that beautifully. it’s a fun episode designed to make you smile, so it’s honestly one of my favourites from this series. the callback to clara and the magical ending seals the deal for me. oh, and never underestimate a crush! maybe she didn’t love heather, but she really fancied her. it felt very natural to me, and i thought this was a great introduction to bill. i warmed to her after just one episode, and of course she would be upset that her crush just died. i was more convinced by their short relationship than i was by a whole season of clara and danny. also, the tears bill cried weren’t her own. they were heathers. they weren’t meant to be completely in love; they were crushes, with one dying before anything could truly happen between them. it’s sweet and sad and it’s one of my favourite openers. it just exudes happiness for me.
People falling that quickly isn't unbelievable. It happened to my parents, met, moved in and married all within a year. 35 years later still married. I do hope I don't detect any annoyance about the Heather, Bill storyline. Just see how it goes I guess.
Hey guys! Sorry if this reaction didn't live up to your expectations! I really didn't like the way it was written, had no tension at all, I still stand by the things I said in this episode as at the time that was how I felt. However, as you will see in next week's reaction my opinion on Bill does grow and I enjoy seeing her come out of her shell and bee seen as a compassionate character. This was my first impression! Please remember that and try to be kind and don't accuse of things that really aren't true, just based off of a story line I didn't really find engaging and a first ever impression.
No need to apologies at all. Tbh I was the same when I first watched it, I loved Bill but just got bored with the episode; no tension to it at all. I think it's my least favourite series opener
As a lesbian, I can confirm that meeting twice and then falling in love and almost following them into space is absolutely the kind of dramatic shit that lesbians do. It’s not even sci-fi, it’s just dramatic u-haul lesbians. No suspension of disbelief necessary. 😂
It's a functional opener, the main focus was clearly the establishment of the new relationship of the Doctor and Bill, and this is definitely the strongest aspect of the episode. The pair's teacher-student relationship is very strongly set up here, and I definitely connected with Bill almost immediately, though this maybe because I didn't think Clara was a particularly great character. Also, unlike Megan I didn't really think Bill's sexuality was that overt, and was set up in a rather natural fashion. Her relationship with Heather did feel rather rushed and suffered from the typical two-date romance that shows up in a lot of fiction (see basically every single Disney film for an example), but this is a fairly minor quibble for me, and feels very much in line with the fairy tale feel of Moffat's tenure as showrunner. While it mostly exists to set up the rest of the series, it does have several great moments - the first conversation between Bill and the Doctor was a nice little exchange of dialogue, and her first introduction to the TARDIS was a gloriously beautiful moment. A decent episode on the whole, but I think it's fair to say that this is just a stepping stone for the many far better episodes to come from this series
Aw Megan, I think Bill's crush was so believable. She's such a good actress I loved this episode. But I do agree the writers were throwing everything in one episode as regards Bill's character.
There was a cut scene - Bill actually met Heather for the first time on the dance floor while the Doctor played guitar. Sorry that never made the final cut, so it was Love At Third Sight
You only saw them both a few times, but the time covered was months so you never saw the other times they met.Because you were talking over the Tears, you never heard her saying they weren't her tears.
Kudos Megan. An honest reaction is better than studio hype. Say what you feel about what you saw. I do think the season is very good and holds some great episodes as it progresses to the inevitable. Either way, I'll be watching.
I have to say that I FEEL SO SORRY FOR MEGAN!! To never have met someone like that, that just blows your socks off and makes your heart flutter that you can't think straight and that would make you cry the 2nd or third time seeing that person! Basically, Megan HAS NEVER HAD LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT and that makes me cry!
Gay viewers have had to put up with straight characters & relationships rammed down their throats, so why should the reverse not happen? As it is there was nothing gratuitous or excessive about how they portrayed Bill's character. I don't remember Megan complaining about Amy and her sexuality in The Eleventh Hour, or complaining about all of the straight flirting in The Bells Of St John.
She's not angry because she's gay, she's angry because of how poorly it was handled. It's important to normalise LGBTQ+ characters and not define them by their sexuality. Bill keeps straight-up telling people she's a lesbian making it 'abnormal' (see Saussurean theory of binary opposition - the abnormal is defined by what it is not). Amy didn't go round saying "I'm into boys" … "I not into girls". Show, don't tell.
@@ihateunicorns867 I disagree with your view that this was handled badly. This was handled no differently to how it had been handled with Amy and Clara - and Megan didn't complain then. My partner actually went off Who during the 11th Doctors time because they didn't like the incessant straight family normic relationships that were concentrated on then.
@@cutthr0atjake You're welcome to disagree, but I think the BBC should be held to higher standards when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. It's just classic Moffat really. He's over-sexualises women and 'others' gay characters. I'm not ok with this.
@@ihateunicorns867 Well, whilst not agreeing with you, I can understand & respect your view because its consistent. The point I'm making is, if Megan is of a similar mind, where were her complaints during Bells of St John & the Eleventh Hour (Moffat's previous character introductions).
One thing about this episode, it was marketed at the time as a bit of a refreshed for the show hence the name The Pilot made it seem as if it'd be like a pilot for a brand new series.
(William) Bill (Hartnell) & Heather (Hartnell) Nice little Easter egg. There’s a certain critique that gets fixed by the end of the series, but I can’t spoil it yet
And you can meet somebody in fall in love 1st sight and get married within a week or 2. They stayed married for years and years and years, until one of them died; so being in love with someone after meeting them twice can happen.
It surprises me that your partner knows the reference to the classic Dr Who episode, i have watch all of the classic episodes even the missing ones (loose canon or reconstruction)
I wonder if this series was rushed, behind the scenes. The chronology of Chris taking over, was delayed by Broadchurch... I thought. So it feels odd to have a jumping on point for Doctor Who, with only one series with that show runner. (I may be getting confused).
I'm sort of with Megan on this one. I'd come to expect a certain level of ambition from Moffat stories at this point. Even his worst stories usually have this spirit of experimentation that I'm all in for. Series 9 felt like some of the most ambitious TV I'd ever seen, and after a year gap, this episode felt like a bit of a let down. Although, I can look at it now without those over-the-top expectations and recognize the good in it. I think Bill does bring a fresh energy to the show, but the way she is brought into the Doctor's life feels pretty formulaic. They meet, they take an interest in each other, she has her "It's bigger on the inside" moment, he has his little "wanna come on a trip" moment, and they're off. The magic puddle plot is pretty weak, too. I saw a lot of people say that this episode was a welcomed refresh for the show. Some compared it to RTD series premieres. I even remember some ardent Moffat-haters saying that it made them take interest in Doctor Who again, but as a Moffat-lover, I thought it wasn't his best work. It's far from bad, though.
This Episode was mostly for new viewers, like 1x1 and 5x1, because in that time the series were still growing. We didn't need epic two-parter for this.
You are wrong! I'm sorry completely unnecessary comment. This was my first impression of Bill. Now enjoying getting to know her more from other episodes. And I look forward to seeing her hopefully find someone, which is explored in more detail.
Maybe how Clara was introduced felt “smooth” to you Megan because she looks and acts in a way that doesn’t challenge your expectations too much? I could be wrong. However it’s ironic that the way they handled Bill’s sexuality was praised as not being “in your face” at the time. It’s part of her character yeah, but in my opinion it is only ever portrayed as that. Bill is written and feels like someone that comes from the real world. I think she’s written really well. This reaction made me feel a bit uncomfortable, sorry.
I agree. Also, I remember the introduction of the "modern" Clara as being rushed, with all the "get into the TARDIS", "suddently we are in an airplain", "my mom is dead and I'm a nanny", etc. I don't understant her reaction about Bill being lesbian either, in series 1 RTD introduces captain Jack in a straightforward way
I just didn't like the writing, but I am enjoying watching Bills charerecter now we have reacted to more episodes! Sorry this was just my first impression
No. Clara's introduction felt smooth because she looks and acts in a way that doesn't challenge *_Moffat's_* expectations. Bill was not granted the same level of writing because Moffat see's LGBTQ+ characters as being 'other', 'abnormal'. As a result, sexuality becomes too much of a defining characteristic for them. Bill's sexuality was handled badly. Megan was picking up on this and should be praised, not chastised.
Steven Behr should write the spin off series. It took three series of DS9 for the Dominion war to start. Steven Behr carefully sew the seeds of how the war started and who was responsible. Love to see the same story telling applied to the origins of the Time War
After the return of doctor mysterio this was the first episode I watched live. Honestly I completely know what Megan is saying it isn't THE BEST first episode of a series but I love it because I remember when it came out and how excited I was to see Capaldi's fabulous acting. Series 10 is one of my favourite series and I really hope you enjoy it.
I really didn’t like this reaction, too many questions about nothing, and than acting like you know everything about love or crushes and than talking over great and important dialogue
Love to see a spin off with the 8th Doctor sewing the seeds of the Time War and yes I am well aware Big Finish has already done the story of how the Time War began
When something follows something that you really loved - it has to work really hard to impress you - it's understandable that Megan wasn't overwhelmed by it. I found it a very empty experience at the time. Initially I liked that Moffat was going for a simple plot - as I was quite tired of his hyperactive, ultra complicated plot mechanics by this stage - but then seeing the results, it felt clear why he doesn't normally do it as it's not his happy writing place. Of course this was the series he didn't expect to be making so maybe not as much thought went into it. After really disliking the flippant nature of Bill in the reveal teaser - I warmed to her in this episode - I feel the teaser was a terrible way to reveal her, they need an episode or two to get her into the viewer hearts.
I usually enjoy these reactions, but I'm with the rest of the commenters in thinking this one was particularly unduly harsh -- especially in regards to the 'crying' scene at the end, where she talks over a rather important line that makes that particular complaint null and void later on...
Tbf megan went from endearing to annoying, she doesn’t seem to understand how writing works and misses way too much sorry just a nit pick still love you guys
I'm with Megan on this. Bill "I'm a lesbian" Potts feels very much like a middle-aged, cis, straight, white man's idea of a lesbian. It's not normalised, it's made too much of an issue. I want better LGBTQ+ representation than this. It reminds me slightly of the cringey way the Dad in Get Out talks to Daniel Kaluuya's character. He can't get over the fact that he's Black. I felt like the writing of Bill can't get over the fact that she's gay.
I don't see it like that - on the contrary, I see Bill's sexuality treated in a largely understated manner, and I wouldn't say that she's a middle-aged, straight white man's idea of a lesbian either. She, and Heather for that matter, just come across as an ordinary, everyday woman, like most of the gay people I know.
@@ftumschk Megan had two separate problems here: 1. The fact that Bill's character straight-up states she's a lesbian rather than it just being a normalised aspect of her character. It's as though this makes her different from 'normal' people in some way. 2. The lack of depth to Bill and Heather's relationship considering Bill is willing to risk her life for her. They'd barely talked to each. The way Bill and Heather were flirting and attracted to each other was the good part. It was the fact that the scriptwriters felt Bill needed to tell the audience she was gay as if having a same-sex relationship on screen needs some kind of explanation to be allowed to exist.
Honestly it would be more realistic for them to fall in love before talking to eachother, this is a lesbian love story after all. Also, you can tell they're gay because one of them died at the end. #LetLesbiansLive
There are so many nods to “Rose” as the reboot pilot: The opening scene zooming in from space, the alarm clock (with the same tone), references continuing until the final scene running to the TARDIS. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I feel it’s lazy. For a series opener I felt it lacking. When we’re introduced to a new companion, the story usually involves the new companion learning who the Doctor is and what they stand for. A hero story making the new companion want to travel. This felt like space kiss chase. I admit I fell in love with Bill at once. The humour, wit, speak her mind type just clicked with me. I did feel it was a bit on the nose with her sexuality, however, why not? People often complain about filling quotas etc - to me this is just representative of today’s world. I think the mistake was drawing so much attention to it because it doesn’t matter. Introduce me to a character please and not an ethnicity or sexuality. Not the greatest start to a series but when you climb a ladder you start at the bottom.
i must admit i agree with Meghan, although I like the characters in this series and I love Capaldi I didnt enjoy the writing for this story. It is a bit clunky. As to the focus on diversity, I think tis the writing thats the problem not the fact itself. They didnt need to both state she's gay and then later have her crushing on a girl. Thats duplication, we dont need to be told she likes girls when its obvious from what we see on screen. Moffat is a great writer so yeah I think his heart wasn't in it by this series. He'd told the stories he'd wanted already.
@@kennyb3885 Sorry, it just doesn't happen. She is black, she fancies Heather, but nobody is "constantly" pointing either of those things out. It's just part of the fabric of what we're seeing on screen. It's part of Bill's life.
Oh god. This is the other end to the vigilante mob that has invaded these comments. No. Diversity is good. Diversity can be the focus and it can be well written. Diversity does not determine whether writing is bad or good. Defining gay characters by their sexuality is bad. The same as if a Black character would constantly talk about how they were different because they were Black. Diversity needs to be normalised.
I just realised that Bill gets more character building and development in one episode than Yaz has had in 2 entire seasons...
poor Yaz barely gt anything then they threw her together with the doctor like they were in love ,it really felt like it came out of the blue
It was clear that Bill had met Heather more than twice and over a longer period of time ( they showed the Xmas period and then the snow was gone in the next scenes so clearly time has passed). And if I had been subjected to running for my life and saw someone I liked killed I would have the bloody right to shed a few tears!!!
"You wouldn't do that in real life."
The point of Bill is that she is in real life. She does and says things characters in stories don't do or say. She needs to go to the toilet. That's a real world thing, not a tv program thing. She rationalises the TARDIS as a knock-through, because that's a real world explanation for going into a bigger room than you were expecting. And in the real world, if your girlfriend is standing there, dripping wet, it's probably because she fell in a pond or something, not because she's been transformed into an aqueous space zombie. And in the real world you would probably walk towards someone you know if they are soaked through and looking like they're in shock.
I like this comment! Thankyou for the explanation! X
"You can't fall in love with someone after only meeting them twice"
*Clara's parents and Danny Pink have entered the chat*
It's can happen with only one meeting, and I've experienced that twice. It's not always the case, but it does happen.
My wife and I fell in love on our second meeting. We've just celebrated our 30th anniversary. Sometimes love is ridiculous.😊
I think Megan is being a bit harsh on Bill, we may have only seen her meet Heather a few times but months pass between them so I'm sure they've seen each other between then. And Megan was too busy complaining about Bill crying at the end to hear the line about why she was crying, hopefully by the end of the series she understands it better.
I know the crush seemed a bit quick from our perspective but for them it's been many months. It's not that ridiculous.
When The Doctor is about to wipe Bill's mind and then stops, and for half a second we wonder why - until we hear a faint version of Clara's theme - and we realise that The Doctor realises just how hurtful he's being right now.. because he knows first-hand what it feels like - it's tiny things like that that show how good a writer Moffat is and how good an actor Capaldi is.
Appreciate this series, Megan, you know what's about to come afterwards 😬
the pilot doesn’t try to be a big ambitious opener like so many of moffat’s are; it’s a pilot episode, a fresh start to a new chapter. it’s primary purpose is to introduce bill and her dynamic with the doctor, what’s happened since the last time we saw him and the university atmosphere. it lies the groundwork for series 10, and i think it does that beautifully. it’s a fun episode designed to make you smile, so it’s honestly one of my favourites from this series. the callback to clara and the magical ending seals the deal for me.
oh, and never underestimate a crush! maybe she didn’t love heather, but she really fancied her. it felt very natural to me, and i thought this was a great introduction to bill. i warmed to her after just one episode, and of course she would be upset that her crush just died. i was more convinced by their short relationship than i was by a whole season of clara and danny. also, the tears bill cried weren’t her own. they were heathers. they weren’t meant to be completely in love; they were crushes, with one dying before anything could truly happen between them. it’s sweet and sad and it’s one of my favourite openers. it just exudes happiness for me.
i think you summed it up better than anyone else could
Bill will always be one of my favourite characters. She was believable and relatable right from the start.
People falling that quickly isn't unbelievable. It happened to my parents, met, moved in and married all within a year. 35 years later still married. I do hope I don't detect any annoyance about the Heather, Bill storyline. Just see how it goes I guess.
Hey guys! Sorry if this reaction didn't live up to your expectations! I really didn't like the way it was written, had no tension at all, I still stand by the things I said in this episode as at the time that was how I felt. However, as you will see in next week's reaction my opinion on Bill does grow and I enjoy seeing her come out of her shell and bee seen as a compassionate character. This was my first impression! Please remember that and try to be kind and don't accuse of things that really aren't true, just based off of a story line I didn't really find engaging and a first ever impression.
No need to apologies at all. Tbh I was the same when I first watched it, I loved Bill but just got bored with the episode; no tension to it at all. I think it's my least favourite series opener
No need to apologise. Even if I disagree I can respect your opinion and you should always be honest with your own opinions and feelings
can't believe you left out the penguin with his arse on fire line
As a lesbian, I can confirm that meeting twice and then falling in love and almost following them into space is absolutely the kind of dramatic shit that lesbians do. It’s not even sci-fi, it’s just dramatic u-haul lesbians. No suspension of disbelief necessary. 😂
sAME!!!
It's a functional opener, the main focus was clearly the establishment of the new relationship of the Doctor and Bill, and this is definitely the strongest aspect of the episode. The pair's teacher-student relationship is very strongly set up here, and I definitely connected with Bill almost immediately, though this maybe because I didn't think Clara was a particularly great character. Also, unlike Megan I didn't really think Bill's sexuality was that overt, and was set up in a rather natural fashion. Her relationship with Heather did feel rather rushed and suffered from the typical two-date romance that shows up in a lot of fiction (see basically every single Disney film for an example), but this is a fairly minor quibble for me, and feels very much in line with the fairy tale feel of Moffat's tenure as showrunner. While it mostly exists to set up the rest of the series, it does have several great moments - the first conversation between Bill and the Doctor was a nice little exchange of dialogue, and her first introduction to the TARDIS was a gloriously beautiful moment. A decent episode on the whole, but I think it's fair to say that this is just a stepping stone for the many far better episodes to come from this series
I loved how Bill asked all the right questions in just the wrong way
I'll be honest this is one of my favorite Series openers up there with Rose and the Eleventh Hour
Best TARDIS reveal EVER.
The feels when that music played 😢
Episodes like this and The Bells of Saint John are one of my favourite episodes that no one else loves as much as me.
Aw Megan, I think Bill's crush was so believable. She's such a good actress I loved this episode.
But I do agree the writers were throwing everything in one episode as regards Bill's character.
There was a cut scene - Bill actually met Heather for the first time on the dance floor while the Doctor played guitar. Sorry that never made the final cut, so it was Love At Third Sight
You only saw them both a few times, but the time covered was months so you never saw the other times they met.Because you were talking over the Tears, you never heard her saying they weren't her tears.
Kudos Megan. An honest reaction is better than studio hype. Say what you feel about what you saw.
I do think the season is very good and holds some great episodes as it progresses to the inevitable. Either way, I'll be watching.
Thankyou 🤍
You missed a very important line when you were yelling close at the end, Megan.
This is true. A line that may have even made Megan question whether what she was so angry at was actually happening…
I have to say that I FEEL SO SORRY FOR MEGAN!! To never have met someone like that, that just blows your socks off and makes your heart flutter that you can't think straight and that would make you cry the 2nd or third time seeing that person! Basically, Megan HAS NEVER HAD LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT and that makes me cry!
The tears weren't Bill's, they were Heather's.
Yes, but technically we don’t know that for sure yet
But she says the tears aren't her's. Megan was talking when she says so.
Finally seeing capaldi’s doctor introducing the tardis to a companion was great! Epic scene
People get engaged a day after meeting so her crying isn't that unheard of
Gay viewers have had to put up with straight characters & relationships rammed down their throats, so why should the reverse not happen? As it is there was nothing gratuitous or excessive about how they portrayed Bill's character. I don't remember Megan complaining about Amy and her sexuality in The Eleventh Hour, or complaining about all of the straight flirting in The Bells Of St John.
She's not angry because she's gay, she's angry because of how poorly it was handled. It's important to normalise LGBTQ+ characters and not define them by their sexuality. Bill keeps straight-up telling people she's a lesbian making it 'abnormal' (see Saussurean theory of binary opposition - the abnormal is defined by what it is not). Amy didn't go round saying "I'm into boys" … "I not into girls". Show, don't tell.
@@ihateunicorns867 I disagree with your view that this was handled badly. This was handled no differently to how it had been handled with Amy and Clara - and Megan didn't complain then. My partner actually went off Who during the 11th Doctors time because they didn't like the incessant straight family normic relationships that were concentrated on then.
@@cutthr0atjake You're welcome to disagree, but I think the BBC should be held to higher standards when it comes to LGBTQ+ representation. It's just classic Moffat really. He's over-sexualises women and 'others' gay characters. I'm not ok with this.
@@ihateunicorns867 Well, whilst not agreeing with you, I can understand & respect your view because its consistent. The point I'm making is, if Megan is of a similar mind, where were her complaints during Bells of St John & the Eleventh Hour (Moffat's previous character introductions).
@@cutthr0atjake What were the problems with The Eleventh Hour and The Bells of St. John?
One thing about this episode, it was marketed at the time as a bit of a refreshed for the show hence the name The Pilot made it seem as if it'd be like a pilot for a brand new series.
(William) Bill (Hartnell)
& Heather (Hartnell)
Nice little Easter egg.
There’s a certain critique that gets fixed by the end of the series, but I can’t spoil it yet
And you can meet somebody in fall in love 1st sight and get married within a week or 2. They stayed married for years and years and years, until one of them died; so being in love with someone after meeting them twice can happen.
It surprises me that your partner knows the reference to the classic Dr Who episode, i have watch all of the classic episodes even the missing ones (loose canon or reconstruction)
"You can't fall in love with someone after only meeting them twice"
Have you met lesbians? We fall in love within the first ten seconds XD
Ahahahhah love it 😂
Some of us male lesbians aren't so different 😅
Are you saying it took you more than two times of meeting Elliot before you wanted to spend the rest of your life with him??!?!?
Hahaha yes definitely sorry to be a disappointment
I wonder if this series was rushed, behind the scenes. The chronology of Chris taking over, was delayed by Broadchurch... I thought. So it feels odd to have a jumping on point for Doctor Who, with only one series with that show runner. (I may be getting confused).
I'm sort of with Megan on this one. I'd come to expect a certain level of ambition from Moffat stories at this point. Even his worst stories usually have this spirit of experimentation that I'm all in for. Series 9 felt like some of the most ambitious TV I'd ever seen, and after a year gap, this episode felt like a bit of a let down. Although, I can look at it now without those over-the-top expectations and recognize the good in it. I think Bill does bring a fresh energy to the show, but the way she is brought into the Doctor's life feels pretty formulaic. They meet, they take an interest in each other, she has her "It's bigger on the inside" moment, he has his little "wanna come on a trip" moment, and they're off. The magic puddle plot is pretty weak, too. I saw a lot of people say that this episode was a welcomed refresh for the show. Some compared it to RTD series premieres. I even remember some ardent Moffat-haters saying that it made them take interest in Doctor Who again, but as a Moffat-lover, I thought it wasn't his best work. It's far from bad, though.
This Episode was mostly for new viewers, like 1x1 and 5x1, because in that time the series were still growing. We didn't need epic two-parter for this.
I think you are being harsh Megan, I detect a little impatience with the whole LGBT thing I do hope I am wrong
You are wrong! I'm sorry completely unnecessary comment. This was my first impression of Bill. Now enjoying getting to know her more from other episodes. And I look forward to seeing her hopefully find someone, which is explored in more detail.
Megan's clearly annoyed at poorly-handled LGBTQ+ representation, not the fact they've introduced a gay character.
@@meganchalmers7134 Apologies Megan, glad you are enjoying the series
Maybe how Clara was introduced felt “smooth” to you Megan because she looks and acts in a way that doesn’t challenge your expectations too much? I could be wrong. However it’s ironic that the way they handled Bill’s sexuality was praised as not being “in your face” at the time. It’s part of her character yeah, but in my opinion it is only ever portrayed as that. Bill is written and feels like someone that comes from the real world. I think she’s written really well. This reaction made me feel a bit uncomfortable, sorry.
I agree. Also, I remember the introduction of the "modern" Clara as being rushed, with all the "get into the TARDIS", "suddently we are in an airplain", "my mom is dead and I'm a nanny", etc. I don't understant her reaction about Bill being lesbian either, in series 1 RTD introduces captain Jack in a straightforward way
I just didn't like the writing, but I am enjoying watching Bills charerecter now we have reacted to more episodes! Sorry this was just my first impression
No. Clara's introduction felt smooth because she looks and acts in a way that doesn't challenge *_Moffat's_* expectations. Bill was not granted the same level of writing because Moffat see's LGBTQ+ characters as being 'other', 'abnormal'. As a result, sexuality becomes too much of a defining characteristic for them. Bill's sexuality was handled badly. Megan was picking up on this and should be praised, not chastised.
Loved Megan's reaction on this one!
Steven Behr should write the spin off series. It took three series of DS9 for the Dominion war to start. Steven Behr carefully sew the seeds of how the war started and who was responsible. Love to see the same story telling applied to the origins of the Time War
Soundtrack any day now right?
I am counting on it!!!
After the return of doctor mysterio this was the first episode I watched live. Honestly I completely know what Megan is saying it isn't THE BEST first episode of a series but I love it because I remember when it came out and how excited I was to see Capaldi's fabulous acting. Series 10 is one of my favourite series and I really hope you enjoy it.
I really didn’t like this reaction, too many questions about nothing, and than acting like you know everything about love or crushes and than talking over great and important dialogue
when the Doctor says will you ALL please shut up....how many companions can he see?
I think he was talking to the TARDIS (besides River and Susan) so "all" was in reference to all three of them.
@@janelrodriguez5861 Yes that makes sense
Love to see a spin off with the 8th Doctor sewing the seeds of the Time War and yes I am well aware Big Finish has already done the story of how the Time War began
When something follows something that you really loved - it has to work really hard to impress you - it's understandable that Megan wasn't overwhelmed by it.
I found it a very empty experience at the time. Initially I liked that Moffat was going for a simple plot - as I was quite tired of his hyperactive, ultra complicated plot mechanics by this stage - but then seeing the results, it felt clear why he doesn't normally do it as it's not his happy writing place. Of course this was the series he didn't expect to be making so maybe not as much thought went into it.
After really disliking the flippant nature of Bill in the reveal teaser - I warmed to her in this episode - I feel the teaser was a terrible way to reveal her, they need an episode or two to get her into the viewer hearts.
I usually enjoy these reactions, but I'm with the rest of the commenters in thinking this one was particularly unduly harsh -- especially in regards to the 'crying' scene at the end, where she talks over a rather important line that makes that particular complaint null and void later on...
12:14 my ring tone since 3 years🤣
Tbf megan went from endearing to annoying, she doesn’t seem to understand how writing works and misses way too much sorry just a nit pick still love you guys
So, Megan prefers a darker series. She's going to have fun this year. :-D
The abattoir will be interesting...
16:59 my friends to me when I develop a crush on a someone I’ll probably never see again 😂
I'm with Megan on this. Bill "I'm a lesbian" Potts feels very much like a middle-aged, cis, straight, white man's idea of a lesbian. It's not normalised, it's made too much of an issue. I want better LGBTQ+ representation than this.
It reminds me slightly of the cringey way the Dad in Get Out talks to Daniel Kaluuya's character. He can't get over the fact that he's Black. I felt like the writing of Bill can't get over the fact that she's gay.
I don't see it like that - on the contrary, I see Bill's sexuality treated in a largely understated manner, and I wouldn't say that she's a middle-aged, straight white man's idea of a lesbian either. She, and Heather for that matter, just come across as an ordinary, everyday woman, like most of the gay people I know.
@@ftumschk Megan had two separate problems here: 1. The fact that Bill's character straight-up states she's a lesbian rather than it just being a normalised aspect of her character. It's as though this makes her different from 'normal' people in some way. 2. The lack of depth to Bill and Heather's relationship considering Bill is willing to risk her life for her. They'd barely talked to each.
The way Bill and Heather were flirting and attracted to each other was the good part. It was the fact that the scriptwriters felt Bill needed to tell the audience she was gay as if having a same-sex relationship on screen needs some kind of explanation to be allowed to exist.
15:34 I don’t know why but that’s always oddly satisfying to hear 😂
Honestly it would be more realistic for them to fall in love before talking to eachother, this is a lesbian love story after all.
Also, you can tell they're gay because one of them died at the end. #LetLesbiansLive
17:50 You clearly don’t know what to say, and I’m with you.
She had better smile...😀
I have to agree with Megan.
The introduction of Bill's sexuality to the storyline wasn't done as smoothly as it could have been.
There are so many nods to “Rose” as the reboot pilot: The opening scene zooming in from space, the alarm clock (with the same tone), references continuing until the final scene running to the TARDIS. Sometimes I like it. Sometimes I feel it’s lazy.
For a series opener I felt it lacking. When we’re introduced to a new companion, the story usually involves the new companion learning who the Doctor is and what they stand for. A hero story making the new companion want to travel. This felt like space kiss chase.
I admit I fell in love with Bill at once. The humour, wit, speak her mind type just clicked with me. I did feel it was a bit on the nose with her sexuality, however, why not? People often complain about filling quotas etc - to me this is just representative of today’s world. I think the mistake was drawing so much attention to it because it doesn’t matter. Introduce me to a character please and not an ethnicity or sexuality.
Not the greatest start to a series but when you climb a ladder you start at the bottom.
i must admit i agree with Meghan, although I like the characters in this series and I love Capaldi I didnt enjoy the writing for this story. It is a bit clunky.
As to the focus on diversity, I think tis the writing thats the problem not the fact itself. They didnt need to both state she's gay and then later have her crushing on a girl. Thats duplication, we dont need to be told she likes girls when its obvious from what we see on screen. Moffat is a great writer so yeah I think his heart wasn't in it by this series. He'd told the stories he'd wanted already.
Exactly Megan they start to make diversity the focus which it should never be.
"Diversity" was never an issue in this story. I really don't know where Megan got that from, I'm afraid.
@@ftumschk Its the constant pointing out of things like she's gay, black etc
@@kennyb3885 Sorry, it just doesn't happen. She is black, she fancies Heather, but nobody is "constantly" pointing either of those things out. It's just part of the fabric of what we're seeing on screen. It's part of Bill's life.
Oh god. This is the other end to the vigilante mob that has invaded these comments. No. Diversity is good. Diversity can be the focus and it can be well written. Diversity does not determine whether writing is bad or good. Defining gay characters by their sexuality is bad. The same as if a Black character would constantly talk about how they were different because they were Black. Diversity needs to be normalised.