Doctor Who Series 10, Episode 10 Review - The Eaters of Light
- SimplyWho
- Oct 6
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 8
What did you think of this episode?
Sonic!
Good!
Bumpy-wumpy!
Exterminate!
The Eaters of Light is an alright Doctor Who episode. I mentioned in my review of Empress of Mars that perhaps this felt a bit flat being placed so near the end of the series, especially next to Empress of Mars. It felt more like a jolly mid series episode.
This is the first time I have watched this again after watching it when it aired, which suggests that it is very forgettable. Certainly to me!
"That was the sound of my patience shattering into a billion little pieces."
It isn't bad, but it isn't great either. As is always the case with any Doctor Who though, it still has its charm. It has atmosphere, an interesting historical backdrop, and some good moments.
I had to Google it, but I do enjoy it when Doctor Who plays around with a mystery from the real world. The Ninth Roman Legion actually went missing from records, so it is kind of cool to think they are still knocking about defending the planet in their own little way. Not that I agree in empires, as I babbled about in my last review.
That said, I still struggle a bit with the whole human sacrifice thing in Doctor Who. Characters who’ve known the Doctor for ten minutes deciding to give up their lives to save the world always feels a bit unearned. It’s noble, yes, but also slightly boring. It happens a lot in Doctor Who, and I can’t help but wish the show sometimes found more inventive ways to resolve those climaxes. Here, it works I guess, but it still leaves me feeling slightly detached as I don't overly care for the characters.
The setting in ancient Scotland, with its misty landscapes and stone circles, gives the episode a moodiness that works really well. It feels rooted in folklore, almost like stepping into a Celtic myth, which is a nice contrast to some Doctor Who.
Bill is the star of the show here, helping the Romans, and then helping the pair of rival groups join forces. Good old Bill.
"I'm just ordinary. You know, I like men and women."
Oh, and bisexual Romans? How woke!! Grumble, grumble, moan, moan, blah, blah, blah!!
The creature itself, the Eater of Light, is creepy enough, though it doesn’t leave a huge impression compared to some of the show’s more memorable monsters. What’s more interesting is the concept of a whole dimension of them waiting to break through, and how fragile the barrier between worlds really is. That lingering threat feels bigger than what we actually see on screen.
And of course, I enjoyed more of Missy at the end. Having her about always makes an episode better, and the Doctor being so uncertain about whether or not she is changing is really interesting. The stage is set for what is to come in the next couple of episodes now! Eeek!
All in all I don't think I will revisit The Eaters of Light again in a hurry, but I appreciate it a lot more now.
What did you think of The Eaters of Light? Let me know in the comments below.
RATING: Bumpy-wumpy!
BEST LINE: Death by Scotland.
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