New world, New theme song and New Tardis!!!!
This week the Doctor and her new friends find themselves on an alien planet in a middle of a race between two finalists. The Doctor and her friends must find a way of this planet asap!!
Finally, in this episode we get to see the new intro to Doctor Who. This is the opening sequence we see at the start of every episode of Doctor Who. We heard a bit of the new theme song at the end of the last episode but this time we got to hear and see the sequence fully. The song has always been the same except there have been different variations made for each Doctor, yet the melody has always remained the same. The new remake has several elements from previous versions and has been remixed with new elements too. Along with a new version of the theme song, we got to see the new opening titles sequence. The new sequence is similar to the sequences in the 1960s and 70s; as it is quite abstract and you're not completely sure what you are looking at. This new theme song and sequence shows a return to the series roots from the 1960s and 70s.
It can be argued in this episode, it isn't the most complicated plot but that doesn’t mean it isn't a good episode to watch. In this episode, the new team must cross this desert to reach the Ghost Monument where for the Doctor the Tardis should be there. The Doctor and her new friends aren't alone, as they are joined by the final two contestants of a competition who just want to win. There isn't lots of threat in this episode, but we get to watch the new friend’s bond while trying to cross this desert. We get more of an insight into Ryan and Graham's relationship; Graham believes Ryan doesn’t talk enough about how he is feeling, and Ryan believes Graham talks too much about his emotions. This shows some awkwardness between these two characters still especially after everything that happened in the previous episode. Hopefully, as time and the series goes on maybe these characters might become close or Ryan may finally feel comfortable enough to talk and open up about his feelings to Graham. Even though we got to explore this relationship more, some viewers still aren't fully keen on Graham as at the moment he is confused and annoyed by a lot of what he sees which is granting on some viewers but maybe that will change soon and be more helpful. Yasmin was in this episode, yet she didn’t have any real effect because at the moment she is at the back not making any real impact. We did find out a bit about her family but that wasn’t enough for proper character development for us, the audience, to really get to know what Yasmin is like. Hopefully, we get to see more of Yasmin and understand this character more in the next episode. Along with getting to know some of the new companions more, we get to understand what our new Doctor is like even more. The Doctor still believes in no guns and is a pacifist. Along with that, we can see that this Doctor can be strong and get angry/annoyed as shown when she tells Ryan not to use the gun and he goes against her yet comes back and realises he was wrong. This new Doctor is still a leader and remains calm under pressure. Jodie Whittaker is a very physical actor, so this Doctor is very physical with lots of energy.
The only real monsters in this episode is robot guards and flying material. The robots aren't really much of a threat as they may seem. The material is what will most likely be the main monster of this series like the Silence were at one point during the Matt Smith era. These moving rugs/materials were created by the orders of the Stenza. The Stenza was the alien from last week's episode which hunts and pulls out a tooth of its victim as a trophy. However, the rugs said to the Doctor something which will most likely be something important for the rest of the series; something was said about a "timeless child". Nothing might be mentioned about this for a while but as this is Doctor Who it will be useful information later on in the series.
Finally, in this episode we get reunited with the Tardis. At one point we get the impression that it's a lost cause, but we get reunited and get to see the newly decorated/remodelled Tardis. The outside of the Tardis looks a bit different, just a lighter colour and fresh sign on the door. Inside is a completely new look; the new console does remind me a bit of the Christopher Eccleston Tardis. As stated above, this Doctor is very physical, similar to the 11th Doctor so this Tardis has lots of dials, things to touch and pull. A special feature put in this Tardis is a custard cream dispenser. Biscuits and food have become a popular feature of Doctor Who, there has been in the past jelly babies with the 4th Doctor, fish fingers and custard and jammy dodgers with the 11th Doctor and now there might be custard creams with the 13th Doctor. With this new custard cream dispenser, the new Tardis interior is more minimalist and less high tech looking but has giant crystals surrounding and in the centre of the control console. A lot of viewers cried when they saw the new Tardis interior and it is beautiful and breathe taking when you see it. When you first see the Tardis, you are excited as the Doctor is now complete as she has everything she has needed and that’s her ship.
The Ghost Monument was a great second episode of the series; we got to know our new Doctor and her new friends more. Along with that we are given insights to recurring things that will be important to us throughout the series. We get to see the new theme song and opening title sequence which will be for Jodie Whittaker's Doctor and we are finally reunited with the Tardis and get to see how the Tardis has changed and you're not disappointed with all these changes.
