Hello everyone and welcome to another Doctor Who discussion post, this time looking at season 12 episode 5, Fugitive of the Judoon. Last time was a fun historical outing featuring the inventors Nicola Tesla and Thomas Edison. The episode wasn’t outstanding but was a solid and enjoyable outing and that is what a strong season needs. Did this episode continue the positive upswing episode 4 kick-started after the dregs (pun intended) of episode 3?

I can’t actually fathom all that I’ve just seen. Going in I was excited for the Judoon to come back but that really was just the tip of the iceberg! Starting with the Rhino boys though it was cool to see them actually on there ship as it was something we had never seen before. They played up the “for hire” part too being almost thuggish in nature. They pulled out their greatest hits to with the familiar ships, the compensation and the categorising X on the hand. They still only have one unmasked at a time too…can they only build one head!?

I liked how the companions (not fam, never fam) are becoming frustrated with the Doctor’s secrecy and also how she gets frustrated with them asking her. There should be an air of secrecy around the Doctor and I like how she puts up this goofy, harmless front for the companions and she expects them to just accept her as that and ask no more questions. Clearly the Master is coming back for the finale but it was nice to have him mentioned again showing that he is constantly on the Doctor’s mind. She has been going off on her own looking for him too so it is making it clear that he is a priority, even if we the viewers are not seeing it all happening off screen.

I heard the voice…I thought that sounds familiar…then he appeared…John Barrowman himself, Captain Jack Harkness. I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear. As flirty and cheesy as ever, Barrowman was playing vintage Jack here. It really just acted as a teaser for a future appearance but it was a glorious tease. Jack himself teased that Cybermen were coming…this was really just acting as one big advert for the rest of the season. I just can’t believe they’ve bought Jack back though along with the nano-genes from his first appearance all the way back in season 1! And Barrowman looked good too.

And to top it off, if all of that wasn’t enough, we got the reveal of a no-nonsense second Doctor. Is she from the future? Is she from an alternate reality? Have we got another David Morrissey on our hands? The actress gave a strong and enjoyable performance. She says she’s the Doctor and you believe her! I look forward to seeing who she really is. I don’t actually know what option I would prefer if I’m honest. It would be weird if she was just the next Doctor who had lost some memories and when Jodie finishes she just turns into her…

So many teases and we don’t know who hired the Judoon either. My only criticism is that this just felt like one big advert for the future rather than an episode in itself. What an advert though!

DD Rating: 9/10