The Eleven - 4.5/5 : so having Seven at the beginning of this episode was a nice little treat. I really, really like the Eleven as a villain and as a character, Mark Bonnar is doing an amazing work. Also Liv totally unimpressed with the Time Lords, I stan. Excellent start for this range.
The Red Lady - 5/5 : Helen Sinclair is done with patriarchy baby! I was litteraly creeped out when I first listened to this episode (I think it was at night in my bed, in the dark. Not the best setting) but it's so good. The atmosphere is perfect, Helen Sinclair couldn't have dreamt of a better introduction, the Red Lady is SCARY. I love it.
The Galileo Trap - 3.5/5 : Galileo is an astronomer and he's a cute little old man, how can I not love him. I love his relationship with the Doctor (the man might be blind but he's not a fool) and with Virginia and the fact that he KNOWS that she's not his daughter but still needs the company (MY HEART!). I found Fortuna yelling "CLEEEEAVER" every two minutes really annoying though and yeah, I couldn't really be bothered with this plot
The Satanic Mill - 2.5/5 : So the Eleven wants to destroy the Earth (and the solar system) to get back at the Doctor. What else is new? The lack of originality really doesn't work for me so yeah... easily forgotten (although Helen and Liv kick asses so that's something I suppose)
Beachhead - 3/5: We're taking a break from the main plot for five minutes and that's quite welcome (for me and the Doctor). I liked the atmosphere, which reminded me of the third Doctor's era (Three who already came to Stegmoore, shame that I don't remember this episode). Eight has no problem causing the death of someone, not sure how I feel about that
Scenes from her Life - 4.5/5 : It's weird because every time I listen to this episode I keep getting interrupted. Anyhoo, I really like it and that twist! And of course Helen will relate to Caleera, of course she'll want to help. The parallel, the connexion, between them is interesting and I love Helen's characterisation.
The Gift - 4/5 : Eight is obsessed with getting a haircut qiqfhbfhw I love this idiot so much. I liked the idea of the gift and how it's linked to "real events" (the San Fransisco earthquake). I'm not really convinced with the Sonomancer's power though. And that ending!
The Sonomancer - 3.5/5 : Helen is a lesbian and she has a huge crush on River. So I liked River's interactions with Liv and Helen (especially kicking the Eleven's butt) but yeah, still I'm no sure about how I feel about the Sonomancer
Absent Friends - 6/5 : I could write an essay about how much I love this episode. It's very simple : weird calls from the dead, and it's not even a big threat keen on destroying the universe or something (well kinda but whatever) but the FEELS! There is a moment that will always make me cry, even more now - it's the call Liv gets from her dad and how she does what the Doctor tells her, how she is a good girl and doesn't disrupt the web of time and how she snaps at Eight after that because God does he deserve it! He had no right to to ask her to do that, to pick up that phone, knowing there might have been even a slight chance that it could be her dead dad and he does it anyway because he doesn't want to expose himself. And he also had no right to tell Helen off for going to see her brother because of course she does! Who wouldn't? And of course she makes a mess of it because he didn't take the time to explain to her what would happen. And it just gets me every time. How Liv and Helen take on in this episode, how travelling with the Doctor can be painful and hard, and how the Doctor is so different because he's been on his own for so long. It just breaks my heart for the three of them. And that call at the end???? I am very frustrated but also happy that the identity of the caller is left for the viewer to decide (LISTEN TO ME IT'S LUCIE BLEEDIN' MILLER)
The Eighth Piece - 4.5/5 : I love this treasure hunt thing, with Doctor and companions scattered across time. I'm having huge feelings for Brother Octavian
The Doomsday Chronometer - 4.5/5 : Yeah that was cool : Eight finally meets River (well Sister Cantica), the Doomsday Chronometre is done, THE EIGHT, Helen is more in love with River than ever. Also the Solvers are quite cool. And that ending : Eight ditches Helen and Liv to go fight the Coalition with River aka Melody Malone aka Sister Cantica; the Eight regenerates and Liv and Helen are stuck with the Nine, thinking he's the Doctor
The Crucible of Souls - 3/5 : To prevent Gallifrey from being destroyed, let's destroy the rest of the universe. I know Time Lords are huge drama queens but that's really over the top, Padrac.
Ship in a Bottle - 5/5 : I love the introspection into the team TARDIS's relationship and especially how Eight can be a bastard with his companions, which had already been addressed in Absent Friends. I love that Liv stands to him and takes him down a peg or two, how she stands up for Helen, because Liv has seen enough crap from the Time Lords, the Daleks and the humans to not be impressed. I love that Helen remains optimistic while Eight quickly loses his marbles and gives in to desperation like the big drama queen he is. Eight/Liv/Helen is one of my favourite team TARDIS, I love their relationship, the respect and the love they have for one another while they still remain honest to each other, and the found family vibe that breathes through all their interactions.
Songs of Love - 2/5 : This might be an unpopular opinion but I don't like this episode. I find it difficult to follow, too many Time Lords and I really don't like the Sonomancer and Padrac's "relationship"
The Side of the Angels - 3/5 : The Weeping Angels don't have the same impact on audio format, that's a bit of a shame. The Time Lords are being bastards again, nothing is new and the Monk is back.
Stop the Clock - 4/5 : This episode ties things up and concludes this range rather nicely. The Eleven regains a bit of his threatening aura, the parallel between Helen and Caleera ends : Helen deserves redemption after what happened to her family, Caleera doesn't. Padrac got what he deserved (and I liked the explanation for the Red Lady).
Overall opinion : A much better range than Dark Eyes with more consistency. I'm a bit tired with the Time Lord "let's destroy the universe" gig (they might as well be Daleks at this point), but they did give us interesting villains with the Eleven and the Sonomancer. I absolutely ADORE the new team TARDIS, as much as I loved Molly, Eight, her and Liv never really felt right, never really clicked. Family is very important for Liv and Helen which gives very interesting interactions between the three of them. Liv and Helen are also fascinating, clever, well-written women who both have very unique interactions with the Doctor. I also loved River, especially her relationship with Helen, and yeah, it was nice to link Eight a bit more to the new series
