Doctor Who Series 12 Overall review

Series 12 Overall review

Over all this was an interesting series, with many different plot lines and themes. Espionage, hidden truths and struggles with identity feature prominently. Each episode shows each of these aspects in varying degrees (even the poorly contrived Orphan 55). In some cases, there are plans within plans, and counter plans. Aside from these elements, there is character development, even if some of it is subdued. The Doctor's struggles with the destruction of Gallifrey by the Master, and what he reveals about the Timeless Child were done very well.

Graham, Ryan and Yas also get more time as they deal with the situations that come up, albeit not consistently. They all appear with Captain Jack, for instance, and their fears are examined in Can You Hear Me? But more time could have been spent with each of them. (But maybe more episodes would have a good idea too.) More about each of them below. The Espionage/secret agent theme was used to great effect. What was thought to be a one off in Spyfall was in fact a set up for the rest of the series.

Spycraft and keeping secrets, more with the hidden truths theme. The Doctor working in the background to defeat the Master's scheme, leads to her discovering her own hidden truth when she tries to counter the Judoon's intervention in Gloucester. (I still think Ruth is Season 6B, rather than pre-Hartnell, given the TARDIS is a Police Box. Occam's Razor) This leads to the finale where it's revealed that the Division had used the Timeless Child/Doctor as an agent. It is certainly most prominent there.

It also links with the memory wiping. The Doctor's memories, and also Lovelace and Noor (although it's still distasteful, especially with the latter). Moving on, secrets also appear in Praxeus, convoluted it may be, where Suki turns out to be an alien. Struggles with identity also appears through the series, being most prominent in Can You Hear Me? (as would befit an episode released during Mental Health Week), where most of the characters deal with their struggles in one way or another.

And of course, this thread leads to the climax in The Timeless Children, where the Doctor learns that she's the Timeless Child. It was a very good example of foreshadowing. I certainly like to know where this leads. Graham continues to like travelling with the Doctor, but as the series goes on he questions whether he wants to continue to travel with the Doctor. (Especially after that awkward talk with the Doctor about whether his cancer would come back. The same for Ryan, although he managed to take out that group of Cybermen.

He too was questioning whether he wanted to continue travelling with the Doctor. However, Yas is more certain she wants to continue travelling with the Doctor, as her travels have awoken the sense of adventure in her. Overall a better series than the previous one. 8.47/10.

Series 12 Overall review TLDR summary

An interesting series with different plot lines and themes. Every episode shows all those aspects. Plans within plans. Character development occurs. The Doctor's struggles were presented well. The 'fam' gets more time, but probably not enough. (Maybe 10 episodes aren't enough.) Espionage theme is prominent from Spyfall through the rest of the series. Spycraft and hidden truths. The Doctor works in the background to defeat the Master's scheme and later finds her own hidden truth with Ruth.

There is also Suki. There are also struggles with identity, especially in Can You Hear Me? and with the Timeless Child. Graham and Ryan probably won't continue travelling with the Doctor, but Yas would. A better series than the previous. 8.47/10.