“Doctor Who” episode “The Devil’s Chord” not only introduces intriguing new characters but also entwines musical lore and significant historic events, such as the Beatles recording their first album. The episode cleverly uses the “loss of music” narrative as a workaround for licensing Beatles songs, which are known to be costly to use. The historical inaccuracies, such as Cilla Black’s anachronistic appearance, and the integration of real-life musical elements, like the Mrs. Mills piano, enrich the storytelling.
32 Replies to ““Doctor Who” episode “The Devil’s Chord” not only introduces intriguing new characters but also entwines musical lore and significant historic events, such as the Beatles recording their first album. The episode cleverly uses the “loss of music” narrative as a workaround for licensing Beatles songs, which are known to be costly to use. The historical inaccuracies, such as Cilla Black’s anachronistic appearance, and the integration of real-life musical elements, like the Mrs. Mills piano, enrich the storytelling.”
C’mon, it was rubbish. And I am not blaming the actors who had to sell this drivel, I’m talking about RTD and his writing team who are beyond awful at this time.
Right now, I am more interested in the Big Finish new releases than anything RTD is doing. I love Gatwa and his non-Who work and it is a TRAVERSTY that this is what he has to work with.
I’m a straight white senior male in the good old USA and I thought the first three episodes were thoroughly entertaining. I laughed I cried. This doctor is a new shot in the arm.
I watch it through the eyes of a 10 year old and we really enjoy it. As an adult it’s silly and doesn’t make sense. But remember most of us watched it when we were children in the 1960-80s and it was good fun then. Highly recommend watching it with your grandchildren or children, and have fun.
I’ve been a fan since it first started. I’ve gone from hiding behind the settees, to reaching for the remote, To change channels! Its not the acting it’s the scripts. Diabolical.
So happy about so many things, especially Ncuti, but the direction must be terrible – ‘jumping conflict’ and emotions all over the place every time the camera changes angle (so editing is also an issue, but maybe they are just trying to sew together a bunch of disparate takes?) – literally actors speaking in one tone, and then there’s a new camera set-up, and somebody has tears on their face.
But as somebody/ies else mentioned, if you watch it with a 10-12 year old’s eyes or in the company of kids, it’s all fun…
I thought Ncuti and Millie were OK, but Space Babies was almost Orphan 55 levels of preaching. As for The Devils Chord, I was dreading Jinx Monsoon but was very pleasantly surprised, thought they were a fun, campy, scenery-chewing villain, like the Master in The Sound of Drums and Last of the Timelords. I didn’t care for the ‘shouty’ parts though, but I understand that was also part of the musical ‘range’ of Maestro. The rubbish in-universe songs were hilarious 😄 But the musical ending was god-awful, and the fourth wall breaks undermined the show (although I liked how Maestro played the Doctor Who theme at the beginning). There’s a LOT of room for improvement with the writing, which is the worst aspect of the show. 5/10 for Space Babies, 7/10 for Devils Chord.
Just watched both episodes, sorry thought they were awful, the talking babies and then followed by the music stealing episode. How I miss Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee and the brilliant David Tennant.
I liked it when the Doctor mentioned Susan and Totters Lane. I chuckled when the first baby talked. The episodes were not horribad but not especially good either. At least they moved the story along.
“Oh, it’s the 60s, this is how they dressed.”
No, not in 1963. There are people still alive who were there, you could ask them. Or just look at a few minutes of media from the time.
RTD and his exec prod cohort are getting on a bit now. Their “Hey kids, let’s not listen to the Olds, we’ll do it our way, am I right?” approach is creaking. The bits are all there, ready to be a fun romp, they’re just assembled wrong.
https://mashable.com/article/doctor-who-devils-chord-questions
Really enjoyed this episode, the actor who played the villain absolutely knocked it out of the park, would love to see more of them in the future.
They have one thing correct!
RUN!
C’mon, it was rubbish. And I am not blaming the actors who had to sell this drivel, I’m talking about RTD and his writing team who are beyond awful at this time.
Right now, I am more interested in the Big Finish new releases than anything RTD is doing. I love Gatwa and his non-Who work and it is a TRAVERSTY that this is what he has to work with.
But also had the worst and lowest viewings and reviews.
Can’t believe how bad the show has got😟!
Are they canceling it yet?
So many middle-aged men complaining that they don’t like a kids tv show lol 😆 😂
Think they missed a good piece of marketing “Space Babies…..makes Timelash look like a classic”
Can I see a locum instead?
I’m a straight white senior male in the good old USA and I thought the first three episodes were thoroughly entertaining. I laughed I cried. This doctor is a new shot in the arm.
It’s appallingly bad now almost a pastiche of itself
Not seen it yet please no spoilers
I enjoyed it
I watch it through the eyes of a 10 year old and we really enjoy it. As an adult it’s silly and doesn’t make sense. But remember most of us watched it when we were children in the 1960-80s and it was good fun then. Highly recommend watching it with your grandchildren or children, and have fun.
Absolutely loved them!
My only question is ‘Why?’
I’ve been a fan since it first started. I’ve gone from hiding behind the settees, to reaching for the remote, To change channels! Its not the acting it’s the scripts. Diabolical.
Dr. Should still be a man
Stopped watching it
So happy about so many things, especially Ncuti, but the direction must be terrible – ‘jumping conflict’ and emotions all over the place every time the camera changes angle (so editing is also an issue, but maybe they are just trying to sew together a bunch of disparate takes?) – literally actors speaking in one tone, and then there’s a new camera set-up, and somebody has tears on their face.
But as somebody/ies else mentioned, if you watch it with a 10-12 year old’s eyes or in the company of kids, it’s all fun…
People have to watch the show you ask a question
Loved Them!!!!! Jinkx was Fabulloousssss!!!!!!!!!
I thought Ncuti and Millie were OK, but Space Babies was almost Orphan 55 levels of preaching. As for The Devils Chord, I was dreading Jinx Monsoon but was very pleasantly surprised, thought they were a fun, campy, scenery-chewing villain, like the Master in The Sound of Drums and Last of the Timelords. I didn’t care for the ‘shouty’ parts though, but I understand that was also part of the musical ‘range’ of Maestro. The rubbish in-universe songs were hilarious 😄 But the musical ending was god-awful, and the fourth wall breaks undermined the show (although I liked how Maestro played the Doctor Who theme at the beginning). There’s a LOT of room for improvement with the writing, which is the worst aspect of the show. 5/10 for Space Babies, 7/10 for Devils Chord.
Just watched both episodes, sorry thought they were awful, the talking babies and then followed by the music stealing episode. How I miss Tom Baker, Jon Pertwee and the brilliant David Tennant.
What happened to dr who. Gets worse every time they change it.
Is that Doctor Who or Austin Powers?
I liked it when the Doctor mentioned Susan and Totters Lane. I chuckled when the first baby talked. The episodes were not horribad but not especially good either. At least they moved the story along.
“Oh, it’s the 60s, this is how they dressed.”
No, not in 1963. There are people still alive who were there, you could ask them. Or just look at a few minutes of media from the time.
RTD and his exec prod cohort are getting on a bit now. Their “Hey kids, let’s not listen to the Olds, we’ll do it our way, am I right?” approach is creaking. The bits are all there, ready to be a fun romp, they’re just assembled wrong.
Loved the episode. Maestro is so classic dr who it hurts. The camp is on fire and I am here for it.
Dr Woke’s been dead to me for years !
I didn’t like it. And won’t be watching again after all the years since the 4th doctor.
Absolutely awful .