A darker, more exciting episode after the cutesy space babies episode. This one re-introduces the Pantheon where the Doctor first meets with the Toymaker and now has to contend with his daughter, the Maestro. Both seem to be bent on destroying our universe for their own fun......and both seem to have some peculiar trick towards entering this world.
What makes this episode so fun is that it is the first time in the show's history that they go and visit the Beatles. As the Doctor and Ruby go back to 1963 when the Beatles were recording in EMR studios, they encounter a world devoid of inspired music. Rather, they see everyone if they play music at all, it is very dull and boring, out of fear lest they summon the Maestro who will deal with anyone that has "music in their hearts." The Doctor and Ruby try to banish the Maestro by playing the "notes of banishment" but fail and it takes a music genius, Paul Mccartney and John Lennon to play it and save the world.
The shows ends playing a song with a repetitive chorus of "it always ends with a twist" and shows the Harbinger (Henry Arbinger) kid from the 1800s, who seemingly was created by the Maestro (refers to Maestro as father). So this may prove for something interesting down the road.
Trivia
- Maestro is from the Pantheon, similar to the Toymaker and is his daughter. She feeds off of music, especially unplayed songs.
- Aeolian tones are the sounds that are not made for humans, the absence of music.
- The notes of banishment - a chord summoned maestro to our universe, the notes of banishment are a chord that can banish her.
- Maestro mentions the oldest one who may have been present during Rubys birth. She seems to fear this person and it may be someone from beyond our universe as well.
- The one who waits is almost here, unclear but suppose it is another person from the Pantheon.
- The bi-generation splits the soul of the Doctor.
Characters of interest
- Doctor Who - Ncuti Gatwa does a great job. We learn that he can not survive another bi-generation, though the portion of his soul he retained seems to be the more light hearted portion.
- Ruby - birth date of Christmas Eve.
- Maestro - Daughter of the Toymaker, from the Pantheon
Lingering Mysteries and unanswered questions
- They are still using the term Mavity, will this be a gag that runs all season but then becomes important in the final episodes?
- Will the wonder of Ruby Sunday's parents be a theme in the show and perhaps spawn episodes dedicated to it?
- Who is the lady who jokes about never seeing a Tardis before in the preseason show?
- Who is the boss that the Meep mentioned in the first episode of the 60th anniversary show?
- Who is the one player that the toymaker dares not challenege?
- What legions are coming that the toymaker refers to?
- Will we see the Master again this season?
- The Doctor and Ruby were able to think their thoughts into existence. Was this the result of the parthenogenesis machine or something inherent to them?