The episode was pretty good but had one large plot hole that you could drive a truck through.
The first issue is the problem itself. It is a problem he has faced before and it is very strange that he doesn’t remember what he was once told.
One could argue that the hole is due to the Doctor’s hubris as he gets beyond himself. He has been in this position before but recognized it for what it was, but of course that was in the days of Tom Baker, truly his finest era and he hadn’t suffered the traumas that affected both his 9th incarnation and his current self. Thus he skips the obvious solution (as per the Marian Conspiracy) and it leads to issues as he passes on his fatalism to another.
As you can see I’m doing my best to avoid spoilers, the episode is first rate television and likely leads to what happens in those last two episodes.
Although the plotting is great and you will appreciate this episode I think I will be very happy if the 11th doctor becomes once again a happier traveler.
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