Empress of Mars

"This is the tomb of an Ice Queen."

Writer: Mark Gatiss
Format: TV
Broadcast: 10th June 2017
Series: 10.09

Featuring: Twelfth Doctor, Bill, Nardole

Synopsis

When NASA discover a message reading 'GOD SAVE THE QUEEN' under the ice on the surface of Mars, the Doctor, Bill and Nardole travel to the Red Planet to investigate. On arrival, they find Victorian soldiers doing the bidding of an Ice Warrior as he serves them... What are the true intentions of the indigenous species?

Verdict

Empress of Mars was a magnificent episode! I really am struggling to determine whether it's my favourite story of Series 10 thus far with Oxygen being its closest contender. I think this one might just edge it though purely because of the presence of the Ice Warriors. They've been a favourite monster of mine ever since I first watched The Ice Warriors and The Seeds of Death ranks as one of my very favourite serials so they have a special place in my heart. Now, we got to finally see them on Mars and that's a very special treat. Sadly, it was not during a time where they dominated the planet and were thriving but instead it was post-5,000 years but one Ice Warrior had crashed on Earth and had brought some Victorian cavalry back to Mars with him. Seeing Victorians on Mars was quite intriguing but I really like the idea of setting a story in the past whilst also being on another planet. That's a rarity and I think it worked really well. The prospect of Mars being part of the British Empire is barmy but that's what made things terrific. It was preposterous to think that Victorians could actually be on Mars but here they were. I loved the pre-titles scene with the Doctor, Bill and Nardole just walking into NASA to see the 'God Save the Queen' reveal beneath the ice and off they ventured to the planet in 1881. Their arrival was immediately intriguing as there was oxygen and then the Doctor was greeted by an Ice Warrior known as Friday. That was only after Bill had plummeted down a drop to be met by Catchlove who turned out to be a very good villain. He had a power struggle with Godsacre that was an underrated part of the story and I loved how it resulted in the story's resolution. Iraxxa was a great (initial) enemy and her role as Empress of Mars was fantastic. It brought a new element to the hierarchy of Ice Warrior society and I thought the look was superb. The costume designers did a stellar job I have to say. I liked how she was initially dismissive of the human race but Friday stood up to after all the help they had given him in saving his life and helping him return to Mars and resurrect his Queen. The greed of humanity was fully on show in this episode but that was quite reminiscent of the British at this period of time so that was fantastic. I thought Bill had another strong episode with her female opinion being valued by the Ice Queen and I liked the comical element of the Doctor revealing to her that the TARDIS was gone. I would have liked to know how the TARDIS just disappeared but seeing Missy being the one to save the Doctor was quite something. What is she up to? The moment where Godsacre was ridiculed as a deserter was quite sad but he got to kill Catchlove in a great return. Iraxxa would give him the honour of dying in battle and these Victorians would help the Ice Warriors survive on another planet. That would be given with the help of the Galactic Federation and the brief cameo of Alpha Centauri was just beautiful. Overall, a terrific episode!

Rating: 9/10