Dr Who — Series 11: Episode 6 — Demons of the Punjab

11th November, 2018.

Yes … I’m having trouble at work, at the moment.

It’s a long story.

Basically boiling down to an argument with a supervisor.

Frankly?

I’m not sure if I’ll have a job, tomorrow.

I … 

Am getting too old for this.

~≈§≈~

Either way … ?

Either way, I’ve had today off, which makes a change.

On what is, obviously, Remembrance Sunday, as well as the anniversary of the Armistice that ended World War 1.

I managed to get up to Brentwood High Street for it, and caught the inevitable parade.

Which was nice to see.

It has to be said, after seeing those medals on the chests of the few veterans who paraded in Brentwood, I have to wonder who gets to wear what, when … 

And what side of the chest.   After all, is it right hand side if it’s your medal?   Or right hand side if you wearing an absent family member’s medal?

Whatever … !

Tonight was a Sunday night off … 

That, for me … ?

Means more Doctor Who, series 11.

Yes, you’re right …

Episode 6, Demons of the Punjab … 

~≈§≈~

Demons of the Punjab opens by showing us Yas (Mandip Gill) at a family birthday party for her Nan: and receiving a mysterious broken watch as a memento of her Nan’s wedding : the first in the newly formed nation of Pakistan.

And convincing the Doctor that a visit to see her nan, Umbreen, when she was a young  woman.   Is a good idea.

Despite all the Doctor’s doubts: she has, after all, seen this sort of thing go bad, before.

Despite all those doubts, the Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) agrees to take Yas and the gang of visit … just for an hour … … 

It’s only when they use the older Umbreen’s (Leena Dhingra) watch to take them back … ?

That the team find out where the younger Umbreen (Amita Suman) is.

North East India, the Punjab*: where a war-torn Britain is quickly dumping an Empire getting too expensive to maintain … 

And partitioning British India into independent India and Pakistan.

In amongst the turmoil of Partition … ?

Umbreen is getting married: she, from an old Muslim family, getting married to Prem (Shane Zaza) … from an equally old Hindu family …

It’s only when the Sadhu, the priest, hired to do the ceremony is found dead in the forest … ?

That trouble starts … 

Trouble from either the obvious demons … or the slightly more hidden ones …

~≈§≈~

Now … 

Good … ?

Oh, yes … !

I don’t know what the series have quote done, here: but they’ve written and produced another strong episode: and finally managed to put Yas front and centre of the story: we’ve only been waiting a few weeks.

And, again, much like with Rosa, the producers have made sure they’ve hired a writer — Vinay Patel — who’d’ve grown up hiring stories of the Partition — more than I would, growing up — AND who can write damn well.

Frankly, I’d like to see more of his work: as I would Malorie Blackman, the writer behind Rosa.

I’m very impressed with this episode: and being reminded of exactly how Partition — we weren’t taught much about it at school — could literally divide families.

Just as a thought?

There’s a key scene, between the newly wedded Umbreen and her brother in law, Manish (Hamza Jeetooa), where Umbreen offers Manish a ‘welcome to the family,’ gift … only for Manish to turn it down that shows us exactly how divisive it was …

That scene’s as powerful as Graham’s on THAT bus.

I have to admit, I’m a Dr Who fan.

In Demons of The Punjab?

I’ve seen another fantastic episode.

With a cracker of a story: and great closing theme!

Frankly?

I’m looking forward to next week …

*        The Punjab area’s about where Pakistan and the Northwest of the Republic of India is.   Pointless trivia for you?   Pakistan, as originally made?   Was West Pakistan, the modern Islamic Republic of Pakistan, and East Pakistan … which is now modern Bangladesh.   Benefits of running quizzes about history, that …