8th June, 2024: an introduction.
Yes: it’s officially Saturday!
Which — bar the overcast weather? — is nice.
At any rate, it’s a Saturday: and once where — once I’ve eaten? — will see me watching “Rogue”, the most recent episode of Dr Who.
Hopefully?
It’ll continue the positive trend of this new season, and add something new to the show.
I’ll be able to tell you what I thought about it, by tomorrow at the latest.
See you then!
8th June, 2024: “Rogue”.
Part One: The Summary.
Episode 6 — “Rogue” — opens with the usual Whoniverse ident.
Then shifts: to show us Regency period Bath, in 1813.
Where Lord Galpin (Maxim Ays) is arguing with Lord Barton (Paul Forman): as the scandalous Lord Barton has dishonoured Galpin’s sister.
Three whole times!
Which leads … to Lord Galpin demanding Barton marry his, Galpin’s, sister.
Demands which lead to Galpin’s very sticky end!
Post titles?
We see the Doctor and Ruby are also in Bath: at a soirée hosted by the Duchess of Pemberton (Indira Varma).
The same soirée we’d seen the lords Galpin and Barton attend.
But, where Galpin and Barton were arguing in the garden?
The Doctor and Ruby are in the main hall: mixing and dancing with the rest of the guests, and with the Duchess, herself!
It’s only after the Doctor has explained to Ruby how she’s learnt 19th century dancing … ?
That the pair get to meet the Duchess, herself: whilst the Duchess match-makes for Ruby, the Doctor needs to check something that Ruby’s Psychic earrings have highlighted.
It seems something — or someone — is seriously out of place …
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Two: Thoughts.
Now …
What did I make of episode six?
Of “Rogue”?
I have to confess, I grew up on the early years of Tom Baker’s era of Doctor Who: which I would say is from his first appearance in “Robot”, in 1974, up to about 1978 to ’79.
So … ?
I tend to think of that gothic era of the show as my era of the show: I feel the same about Peter Capaldi’s time in the role.
That’s the equally gothic era of the modern show.
This season … ?
But that “Space Babies” and “The Devil’s Chord”, as wonderful as they are?
Are comparatively light in tone.
As is “Dot and Bubble”: although “Dot and Bubble” does have its nasty side.
My point, here?
Is simply I prefer the grimmer episodes of this season.
And that I don’t think “Rogue” is one of them.
That said?
“Rogue” is definitely a well made episode.
Jonathan Groff as the titular Rogue makes for a suitably moody, romantic hero: and Indira Varma in the dual role of the Duchess of Pemberton — and the other version of the Duchess of Pemberton — was wonderful to watch.
The external locations?
And Rogue’s ship, both inside and out?
Were gorgeous: the exterior of Rogue’s ship looked as bird like as the Chuldur.
I’m assuming that’s a deliberate decision: it’s a well done one, if so.
The Regency Ball itself?
Looked very good: although I couldn’t tell if it’s period accurate.
I’ve not seen enough balls to be able to judge*.
There’s possibly more to say.
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Three: More Thoughts.
More to say … ?
Yes, I think there’s more to say about “Rogue”.
Or, at least, opinions and observations — minor or otherwise — to offer.
In the run up to this season being shown, I saw speculation that Groff’s character was a revamped Captain Jack Harkness.
“Rogue”?
Tells us otherwise.
Rogue is a bounty hunter, but an honest one: a good man doing a dirty job, a dirty job that’s cost him.
He’s honest: and capable of changing course when presented with new evidence.
Jack? Started out as a conman, a bad boy: and goes through a redeeming period over the course of Dr Who, and Torchwood.
Redeemed, yes: but even so, capable of great evil.
Killing his own grandson, in series three of Torchwood?
Is the action of a desperate man, not necessarily a hero.
Jack Harkness is as human, as capable of great good and incredible evil, as the rest of us.
Rogue?
Right now, Rogue simply seems be a hero.
We’ll have to see how he develops, if he returns.
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Four: Observations.
There’s other things buried in there.
For starters?
There’s a lot of mentions of Bridgerton in “Rogue”.
Are they justified?
I couldn’t tell you: I’ve never actually seen the thing.
From what I can see, there’s no homicidal alien bird people in the series.
I’ll probably watch at some point: if a Bridgerton trailer shows me tentacles!
Other things?
The basic idea — of shape-shifting aliens pretending to be human —reminded me of the Family of Blood: in the Tenth Doctor era “Human Nature”/“Family of Blood” two parter.
And also — vaguely — of the Family Slitheen, back in Christopher Ecclestone’s only series.
On the shape changing front?
The Doctor lets Rogue see his previous faces: including one that looks like Richard E. Grant: who only ever appeared in an online version of the show called Scream of the Shalka.
That’s possibly something I need to check out: as I’ve never seen it.
Either Way, it’s nice to see the thing acknowledged in the main series.
What else?
Rogue — the character — mentions that he has to fill in paperwork for his new boss.
Is that the same one that’s already been hinted at in “The Star Beast”, and “The Devil’s Chord”?
I don’t know: but I’m assuming so.
Oh, and the dice the Doctor spots in Rogue’s ship?
Are — from left to right — a twenty-sided, ten-sided, twelve-sided, eight-sided, another ten sided — for use as part of a one hundred sided pair — a bog standard six-sided dice, and a four sided one.
Just so you know!
Oh, and whilst Indira Varma’s been in a few things?
I know her from her appearances as Suzie Costello in two episodes of Torchwood: where she gets killed off twice.
And as Niobe, in Rome.
Where her character dies, tragically.
Oh, and in Game of Thrones: where her character ends up in a dungeon.
The fact one version of her character in “Rogue”, survives?
Is possibly a good thing!
I’d hate to see someone get typecast.
As a last, and final point?
I couldn’t help but notice Ncuti’s version of the Doctor introduces himself by saying “I’m the Doctor”: rather than the phrase, “My name is the Doctor” used in “Boom” and “Dot and Bubble”.
It’s a small thing, and very picky: but I prefer the former, rather than the latter.
Variations of it have been used for years: and, sometimes?
I like mild bits of tradition!
~≈👨🏿⚕️≈~
Part Five: And Finally …
With that all said and done … ?
What did I make of this episode?
Of “Rogue”?
Yes, it’s a light, fluffy, romantic, episode: one that — because of that kiss — will have both detractors and supporters.
Yes: it’s still not necessarily one of my favourite episode.
But, yes: “Rogue” is a well-made, watchable, fun episode.
And that adds interesting new creatures, and a potential recurring character: in the shape of Groff’s title character.
How that works out, long term?
I don’t know.
I’m more concerned with the next episode, “The Legend of Ruby Sunday”.
I’ll be watching that on Saturday, 15th June: and posting my written and video reviews of it, the same day.
I hope you’d care to join me!
“Rogue”.★★★☆
* Leave it!
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