This is a political episode. This doesn’t mean it’s bad, just know the socio-political commentary is obvious.
This review may have some spoilers, and I feel it’s a bit unavoidable in order to cover everything. I think this is going to be a polarizing episode for fans. There is very much an Alex Jones type character (Conrad Clark, played by Jonah Hauer-King), who will cut off his nose to spite his face as long as it gets him publicity. We have him talking about the “lies” that unit tells to keep society scared and prevent true progress and is believable at least in presenting it as a truth he believes, but then towards the end of the episode says something to the degree of “What about Belinda Chandra?” Which shifts it from a thought of he must truly believe this to he surely knows the truth and is making the choice to lie about it for one reason or another.
Conrad’s ability to fake an alien threat and make it believable not just to the general public but to UNIT as well was absolutely wild. I feel as though there would be certain tell-tale signs that would have indicated the threat may not actually be real. Kate’s decision to release the real shreeker upon Conrad because he was pushing the narrative that it isn’t real is also wild. As much as I can understand the frustration she would be feeling there, and the want to prove a point… as someone in charge of the safety of the public at large you DO NOT get to sick a creature with murderous intent on someone just to prove it exists. People in those positions of power have a responsibility to keep everyone safe, and while actively killing him would lend itself to helping keep others safe maybe (Odds are someone else would just fill his position and keep spreading lies), it feels wrong to rule out any other option and decide he just deserves to die. Even if he is saved at the last moment. As not ok as it was, Kate’s response, her want to say fuck it you don’t believe me good luck you can face it on you’re own is absolutely believable. Those kind of actions are also exactly why the Doctor had an issue with PM Harriet Jones and her aggressive shoot first ask questions later, and, shoot when the Doctor isn’t looking policies.
That all being said, it is a good episode. It maybe hits a little hard because its very real and a clear commentary on current events of our time. Doctor Who has ALWAYS been a social commentary though so that’s not exactly a new thing for the show. 7 stars.
Sorry this didn’t make it out on Sunday. I blame Maurice / Mo*Con. Definitely his fault and not the consequences of my own actions.