Rate & Discuss: The Zygon Invasion
The Zygons, a race of shapeshifting aliens, have been living in secret among us on Earth, unknown and unseen – until now! When Osgood is kidnapped by a rogue gang of Zygons, the Doctor, Clara and UNIT must scatter across the world in a bid to set her free. But will they reach her in time, and can they stop an uprising before it’s too late?
We’re halfway through Series 9 but, if tonight’s episode is anything to go by, the drama is only just getting started. The Zygons were back with a vengeance… and Osgood was, too!
First introduced in the 1975 Fourth Doctor serial Terror of the Zygons (see what they did there?), the malevolent monsters made their 21st century debut in the 50th anniversary special, The Day of the Doctor, which left all of us wondering how long it would take for them to show their faces again. Not very, as it turns out, as they returned to wreak more havoc for our heroes with UNIT caught right in the middle. To be honest, UNIT usually are.
The return of everybody’s favourite military organisation also marked the unexpected but anticipated comeback of Osgood, played by Ingrid Oliver, who was back to fight another day despite the fact she was mercilessly killed at the end of the last series. Classic Doctor Who. With twists, turns and a spectacular cliffhanger to boot, we just about survived The Zygon Invasion, so what did you think of the episode in question? Was it an enthralling escapade from start to end, or are you having trouble getting your head around its shape-shifting shenanigans? It’s Hallowe’en, but did Doctor Who deliver us a trick or a treat…?
Loading ...
NOTE: This discussion will NOT be spoiler monitored so please do not read the comments if you haven’t seen The Zygon Invasion. You have been warned!
I need some time to think about this episode before I give my full review. To adult audiences, it was very political and these thinly veiled issues make it difficult to comment on the episode without commenting on real world events.
Yep, watched this after getting from a kid’s party so didn’t give it my fullest attention either.
On the surface, this was a classic doctor who mirrors real world events. E.g. The Green Death, Happiness Patrol, etc.
Also, thought this was as close to an episode of Torchwood as doctor who has been for years. Gritty, Aliens are all amongst us.
Will watch again, but initially, this was a good solid episode and a great one to kick off the 2nd half of the series.
@The 13th Doctor
Getting *In from
After giving it some thought, I have decided NOT to discuss this episode as I always have done with Doctor Who. The subject matters of I.S, the refugee crisis and immigration mean that I don’t feel at all comfortable speaking about this episode.
I hope others were able to enjoy it and I’ll hopefully be able to discuss next week’s episode. If not, the episode after.
I agree with JC about the discomfort that most of us felt watching the current episode. While I agree that Doctor Who’s dialog may encroach upon popular issues of the day, there is absolutely no way to disconnect the plot from the tragic issue of the racism against refugees currently underway in Europe. IN addition, the decision to cast characters whom most Anglos would identify as the same ethnicity as the refugees as evil, child killers was an extremely poor decision by the production crew. They could just as easily played the same terror with less controversial characters. Finally, the stinger missle Clara / “Bonnie” shoots at the Doctor’s plane was ESPECIALLY tragic as the episode premiered ON THE SAME DAY as a jet was blow up by an alleged terrorist group over the Sanai Peninsula. All in all, not a good day for BBC.
However, as this episode is only Part 1 of the story. “The Zygon Inversion” may indeed, and if I had to guess most probably will, exonerate some characters as well as identify the REAL evil characters which should fit within the realm of acceptable political correct casting. And something tells me the Doctor doesn’t get blown up by Bonnie’s missile.