The idea of the Doctor and the companions nightmares coming to life could've made for a stellar episode that could've enhanced the companions characters and gave hints to the overall story arc involving the Doctor. Instead, we get one god who's fingering people ears while they sleep to steal their nightmares so he can free his friend from an egg stuck between two planets so they can carry on stealing nightmares for....... reasons. Exactly - this was an episode that was unnecessarily over complicated when it should've been something more basic. Even the big exposition dump in the middle couldn't make this easier to follow. The scene with Graham and Grace in the hospital and Yaz with the police officer were highlights of this episode so why didn't we get more of this? Jodie's performance was good again as it has been for this series, and Yaz is a criminally underdeveloped companion (this episode has shown her potential in my opinion) and the visuals are amazing, but this couldn't save a story that should've been a tense episode centred around Team Tardis' nightmares.
87 Reviews
Come Again? (Don't Bother)...
Xstal7 January 2022
Constrained by runtime...
W011y4m59 February 2020
For an episode which began with SUCH promise, it's a tremendous shame that "Can You Hear Me?" suffers from one of the most rushed, pitiful, underdeveloped resolutions seen on the show since Series 7's "The Power of Three" in 2012 (in case anyone's forgotten THAT magic wand / sonic screwdriver ending - also coincidentally written by co-writer Chris Chibnall).
However, the story's not without its moments & we're treated to a number of genuinely great sequences which aid in providing some much needed character development for our main companions, finally fleshing out their backstories - making them seem less painfully two-dimensional.
Hence, though certainly not perfect, this week's installment does have some appeal - though its inconsistencies somewhat mire the overall viewing experience as it struggles to strike a healthy balance between the two: character / plot.
However, the story's not without its moments & we're treated to a number of genuinely great sequences which aid in providing some much needed character development for our main companions, finally fleshing out their backstories - making them seem less painfully two-dimensional.
Hence, though certainly not perfect, this week's installment does have some appeal - though its inconsistencies somewhat mire the overall viewing experience as it struggles to strike a healthy balance between the two: character / plot.
One of the Best of Jodie's run
maxglen9 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was a lot of fun at the same time as having a lot of heart and being as creepy as you want Who to be. Ian Gelder was as always marvellous and the companions felt important this week, their stories were personal and everyone had their moment. This episode was a metaphor for mental health but unlike Praxeus and Orphan 55 the message is handled with a lot more care and less gam fisted, it doesn't detract from the overall experience. Also possibly the biggest star of this week... the soundtrack. Really brilliant stuff, haven't felt an atmosphere like this since Murray Gold's tenure ended. Overall I'm going to give this episode a 8.4 to an 8.5.
Wibbly Wobbly Lost the plottity
jackkemp-306129 February 2020
A recurring theme with this series is the episode's tendency to start with a certain degree of interest before it completely derails because it spirals into a pool of not knowing what is going on.
This episode continued this disastrous trend for the show. It appears to me that the writers combine several episodes into one, because the standalone episodes are somehow even worse than what gets produced, and when they do produce what gets recklessly thrown into the pot, it's a complete shambles.
Can you hear me? had good concepts with poor execution. The flow of the episode was nonsensical, from going to a ship of prisoners in one scene, then finding out one second later that they've randomly decided to take over the planet. It's painful to watch (and even more painful to write about) because it's immensely confusing and aimless at the same time. The fact Jodie is being used to describe the plot, rather than having it being told through what's shown on screen, is definitive of this episode being the worst assembled of the season.
This episode continued this disastrous trend for the show. It appears to me that the writers combine several episodes into one, because the standalone episodes are somehow even worse than what gets produced, and when they do produce what gets recklessly thrown into the pot, it's a complete shambles.
Can you hear me? had good concepts with poor execution. The flow of the episode was nonsensical, from going to a ship of prisoners in one scene, then finding out one second later that they've randomly decided to take over the planet. It's painful to watch (and even more painful to write about) because it's immensely confusing and aimless at the same time. The fact Jodie is being used to describe the plot, rather than having it being told through what's shown on screen, is definitive of this episode being the worst assembled of the season.
A bit confusing but some good ideas
Tweekums10 February 2020
This episode opens in fourteenth century Aleppo where a woman named Tahira is convinced that something is about to take everybody from the mental hospital where she is a patient; sure enough something does, leaving only her. Meanwhile back in the present The Doctor drops the companions off in Sheffield; here they and their friends have peculiar nightmares all involving the same strange man. Following an alert, The Doctor heads to Aleppo and meets Tahira. Suddenly all three companions contact her and The Doctor, along with Tahira, joins them and they head for a mysterious location Graham has visions of. Here they confront the strange man. They discover who he is but their actions might just make things worse.
As others have said this episode does contain plenty of good ideas; unfortunately it is a bit too confusing at times with flashbacks and dreams mixed up with the main action. We also have the problem of The Doctor talking to herself to provide unnecessary exposition while separated from the three companions. On the plus side there are some good scary moments such as the nightmare scenes where the figure's fingers detach and insert themselves into characters' ears. When we learn the nature of the threat I thought it was rather good. Overall not the strongest of episodes but it had enough good bits for me to enjoy it.
As others have said this episode does contain plenty of good ideas; unfortunately it is a bit too confusing at times with flashbacks and dreams mixed up with the main action. We also have the problem of The Doctor talking to herself to provide unnecessary exposition while separated from the three companions. On the plus side there are some good scary moments such as the nightmare scenes where the figure's fingers detach and insert themselves into characters' ears. When we learn the nature of the threat I thought it was rather good. Overall not the strongest of episodes but it had enough good bits for me to enjoy it.
Almost getting off this wagon
daniel-811-1683109 February 2020
I couldn't finish this. For a while now I've just been kind of dragging along with what used to be my favourite TV show in the world, just sort of watching them out of duty to my 13-year-old self, but for the first time tonight I just had to turn it off. This isn't even the worst episode they've done but it was just one meaningless lecture too far.
I love a good mental health discussion in film or TV, I really do, but this was the equivalent of sharing a facebook meme about opening up to your pals. It's quite possibly the most box-checky, surface level attempt at a message that I've ever heard, and these were the kinds of messages that would honestly make me feel more miserable back in the days when I struggled with depression. I don't see this helping anything or anyone, it's just a mess of cliches.
As for the episode itself, there were some good bits and bobs, some good acting, some nice visuals, but the entire thing was ruined by the abysmally rushed pacing. The entire sequence with everyone on the space ship thingy just felt like it was in fast forward, and you could even visibly see Bradley Walsh struggle with his lines whilst trying to make something of the zooming in on the planets bit. Poor guy, I don't think anyone could have made that good.
Not the worst episode ever but was just a bit much for me. I never thought Chibnall had the credentials to take over and I'm being proven right every week.
I love a good mental health discussion in film or TV, I really do, but this was the equivalent of sharing a facebook meme about opening up to your pals. It's quite possibly the most box-checky, surface level attempt at a message that I've ever heard, and these were the kinds of messages that would honestly make me feel more miserable back in the days when I struggled with depression. I don't see this helping anything or anyone, it's just a mess of cliches.
As for the episode itself, there were some good bits and bobs, some good acting, some nice visuals, but the entire thing was ruined by the abysmally rushed pacing. The entire sequence with everyone on the space ship thingy just felt like it was in fast forward, and you could even visibly see Bradley Walsh struggle with his lines whilst trying to make something of the zooming in on the planets bit. Poor guy, I don't think anyone could have made that good.
Not the worst episode ever but was just a bit much for me. I never thought Chibnall had the credentials to take over and I'm being proven right every week.
Dark and intense, with a sense of foreboding.
Sleepin_Dragon9 February 2020
Based on the trailers, this was the episode I was probably least enthusiastic about, but it turned out to be much better than I expected, unlike Praxeus, which looked great in trailers.
I think this would have benefited from a longer running time, there were some awesome concepts, and some truly great visuals, with more time to develop this would have worked much better.
Stunning visuals, this episode looked fabulous, how much of the budget was used here, this truly was impressive to look at. I liked that we had an introduction to the story before the opening credits. An excellent villain, and secondary villain. I found myself reminded somewhat of Amy's Choice, with the Dream Lord, and Enlightenment, but that's no bad thing.
I loathe the TARDIS interior, I would expect travelling through time and space with those lights they'd all have headaches, the interior they introduced for the new Doctor in the Judoon episode was amazing, this one really is a mess.
The Doctor's reaction to Graham's cancer was poorly judged, The Doctor has ways been awkward, but always cared about humanity, and companions, this scene was badly written.
A visual feast, with a very good menace. Thought this was rather good. 8/10
I think this would have benefited from a longer running time, there were some awesome concepts, and some truly great visuals, with more time to develop this would have worked much better.
Stunning visuals, this episode looked fabulous, how much of the budget was used here, this truly was impressive to look at. I liked that we had an introduction to the story before the opening credits. An excellent villain, and secondary villain. I found myself reminded somewhat of Amy's Choice, with the Dream Lord, and Enlightenment, but that's no bad thing.
I loathe the TARDIS interior, I would expect travelling through time and space with those lights they'd all have headaches, the interior they introduced for the new Doctor in the Judoon episode was amazing, this one really is a mess.
The Doctor's reaction to Graham's cancer was poorly judged, The Doctor has ways been awkward, but always cared about humanity, and companions, this scene was badly written.
A visual feast, with a very good menace. Thought this was rather good. 8/10
What do you get when you blend 'Vincent and the Doctor' and 'Torchwood: Children of Earth'? This episode.
aptcatex9 February 2020
This episode felt like two smashed into each other in a blazing, if wholesome car crash. Unlike the underwhelming Praxeus and insulting Orphan 55, the message here is integrated organically into the plot - even if the subplots feel like sloppy seconds from Vincent and the Doctor. The characterisation here is the star of the show.
The Sci-fi elements here are so tonally inappropriate its jarring. Without spoilers, imagine Vincent and the Doctor but Vincent's dreams were being used in the Children of Earth 456 sense. Sorry writers, but I thought the point of this episode was to rationalise fear, not add a confusing, supernatural dimension to it that feels like what would happen if the Rassilon showed up to an AA meeting.
Good message and specific scenes, but in context is very messy and confusing.
The Sci-fi elements here are so tonally inappropriate its jarring. Without spoilers, imagine Vincent and the Doctor but Vincent's dreams were being used in the Children of Earth 456 sense. Sorry writers, but I thought the point of this episode was to rationalise fear, not add a confusing, supernatural dimension to it that feels like what would happen if the Rassilon showed up to an AA meeting.
Good message and specific scenes, but in context is very messy and confusing.
Can we give a separate rating for Jodie to the writing?
Eve_Whyman9 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Jodie Whittaker and the rest of the cast are doing superperb in attempting the carry this poorly written series! Huge love for the Doctor's social awkwardness and there was some great character development here, it was refreshing to see the downsides of being a companion but what was up with the rest of the episode?
Eternal gods feeding on peoples' worst fears - A* for concept, D for originality - didn't we have all this in season 6 with 'The God Complex'. Plus, here, the execution was terrible - using fingers as nightmare transmitters - what is that about?
I'm really worried that we are starting to see the beginning of the end for this much-loved series, they need new writers ASAP.
Companions finally feels like companions!
kovacmarek9 February 2020
Character development is great but the sci-fi part sucks
jwuwuwu10 February 2020
To be honest, I really like the character development in this episode. For the first time, I can understand the companions as unique individuals with feelings and desires - instead of just some Earth hitchhikers who willingly follows Doctor all the time. I'm deeply moved by the story of Yaz.
Doctor's character is also cute - the "socially awkward" part is a bit contradictory to her outgoing personality, but it works well for me because it reminds me of Peter Capaldi. Jodie's performance is great as always.
However, the sci-fi story SUCKS! The entire story is explained in a five-minute cartoon (the cartoon is cute and creative though) and the crisis is solved also in five minutes - can you find a more perfunctory DW story in the new era?????? (I haven't watched all Classic Who episodes, but I doubt if there are worse stories) I hope Chibnall let someone write sci-fi parts olease!
If I can rate things separately, I'll rate the character development as 8/10 and the sci-fi part as 1/10.
Doctor's character is also cute - the "socially awkward" part is a bit contradictory to her outgoing personality, but it works well for me because it reminds me of Peter Capaldi. Jodie's performance is great as always.
However, the sci-fi story SUCKS! The entire story is explained in a five-minute cartoon (the cartoon is cute and creative though) and the crisis is solved also in five minutes - can you find a more perfunctory DW story in the new era?????? (I haven't watched all Classic Who episodes, but I doubt if there are worse stories) I hope Chibnall let someone write sci-fi parts olease!
If I can rate things separately, I'll rate the character development as 8/10 and the sci-fi part as 1/10.
Bad... Just bad.
jgrout-8691511 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Interesting premise. Terribly written. Too preachy yet again. I understand mental health is important but 10 minutes of people talking about their health compared to a 1 minute nightmare resolve to the plot. Utter rubbish.
This episode has me torn
DVD_Connoisseur9 February 2020
I'm unsure of my feelings towards this episode. Whilst there are traces of classic "New Who" about this tale, the overall episode feels somewhat disjointed in its tone and pace.
Seeing Whittaker's Doctor travel on her own demonstrates how unsubstantial her performance is. However, there's a genuine sense of unease over most of the episode and I feel that the positives outweigh the negatives.
A cautious 7 out of 10.
Seeing Whittaker's Doctor travel on her own demonstrates how unsubstantial her performance is. However, there's a genuine sense of unease over most of the episode and I feel that the positives outweigh the negatives.
A cautious 7 out of 10.
Great baddy, poor execution
Dondergod9 February 2020
While the bad guys were great, unfortunately they were the second act of the episode.
We once again saw a preachy episode this time about mental health.
It had very good moments, when the doctor talked about what mankind was, that almost gave me chills.
But most of the episode was a bore. Half the episode was spend on the personal lives of the companions.
A shame, the setup of this episode was really promising. If they had put more focus on making a good story, rather than preaching, this could have been an 8 or even a 9.
But with this execution, I cannot give it any higher than a 4.
We once again saw a preachy episode this time about mental health.
It had very good moments, when the doctor talked about what mankind was, that almost gave me chills.
But most of the episode was a bore. Half the episode was spend on the personal lives of the companions.
A shame, the setup of this episode was really promising. If they had put more focus on making a good story, rather than preaching, this could have been an 8 or even a 9.
But with this execution, I cannot give it any higher than a 4.
Started reasonably well, went knowhere
laurence-020379 February 2020
The enemy was good and had promise; the concept for the episode was good. After the first 20 minutes, the story stopped, and nothing really happened. The doctor is preachy and acts about 12 with no growth from previous seasons or previous episodes.
The ending is lacklustre with no real battle or difficulty going on; the doctor simply steals an orb and sonics it, nothing exciting at all.
The "Character Development" was meaningless, shows no meaningful backstory for the characters and seems like bolted on drivel to push for mental health awareness. If you edited out the majority of the dialogue or "backstory" for the companions, there is no effect on the story or characters. The content of the episode could be clipped down to 30 minutes.
Overall nothing much happens, and everybody leaves the situation almost exactly as they started, no growth of any kind. Trying to give meaningful backstory or growth for three separate companions doesn't work and is just dull to watch.
The ending is lacklustre with no real battle or difficulty going on; the doctor simply steals an orb and sonics it, nothing exciting at all.
The "Character Development" was meaningless, shows no meaningful backstory for the characters and seems like bolted on drivel to push for mental health awareness. If you edited out the majority of the dialogue or "backstory" for the companions, there is no effect on the story or characters. The content of the episode could be clipped down to 30 minutes.
Overall nothing much happens, and everybody leaves the situation almost exactly as they started, no growth of any kind. Trying to give meaningful backstory or growth for three separate companions doesn't work and is just dull to watch.
Really loved this one !!
jacklivi-128709 February 2020
Better but...
adshiel27 February 2020
Good idea, nice monsters....but....
Not arguing the point It's the delivery that just seems irrelevant (like so much of the series dialogue)
Can The Doctor do anything without her sonic thingy? She doesn't seem to figure anything out. The item has gone from opening doors and locks to being the only way the Doctor can understand things.
And where is the Story Arc? Nothing...doesn't seem to be direction.
Not arguing the point It's the delivery that just seems irrelevant (like so much of the series dialogue)
Can The Doctor do anything without her sonic thingy? She doesn't seem to figure anything out. The item has gone from opening doors and locks to being the only way the Doctor can understand things.
And where is the Story Arc? Nothing...doesn't seem to be direction.
Good villain concept. That is all
lukefulcher10 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
A quick chronology of the episode:
The episode pointlessly starts in Syria. The doctor then collects a pointless character.
The companions that no one cares about are in the present day on earth developing back story that no one cares about.
The villain is introduced who is sufficiently creepy.
They all go off to a space station and the companions have bad dreams that are boring, cliche and poorly written.
The villain turns out to be too white and middle class to be the primary villain so it is revealed that he is actually subservient to another villain.
We then learn of a boring and cliche backstory to the villains.
The doctor inexplicably becomes a jedi and escapes the villains.
Nonsense ensues resulting in the villains being defeated.
Writers hamfistedly raise awaremess around mental health issues on a 7pm Sunday night sci fi show.
The episode pointlessly starts in Syria. The doctor then collects a pointless character.
The companions that no one cares about are in the present day on earth developing back story that no one cares about.
The villain is introduced who is sufficiently creepy.
They all go off to a space station and the companions have bad dreams that are boring, cliche and poorly written.
The villain turns out to be too white and middle class to be the primary villain so it is revealed that he is actually subservient to another villain.
We then learn of a boring and cliche backstory to the villains.
The doctor inexplicably becomes a jedi and escapes the villains.
Nonsense ensues resulting in the villains being defeated.
Writers hamfistedly raise awaremess around mental health issues on a 7pm Sunday night sci fi show.
Quality episode.
super-mooney10 February 2020
Decent episode, but feels like a clip show rather than a full episode
wiredspore9 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode had a very good premise. The plot was well executed until the final ten minutes. I liked the message about mental health but I just think that it came out of nowhere. Maybe if they just took another minute before the ending this problem would be resolved. I also hated the cgi creatures in the start of the story. I haven't seen such bad cgi in doctor who since 2007's the Lazarus experiment. So far this may seem like I hated this episode but there were still plenty of bits that I enjoyed. I liked the two villains' backstory and the finger effect was very creepy. I also loved the character development within the characters but I think it would be even better executed if there were only about 2 companions. I think we needed just a little bit more time in Graham's nightmare. I'm also happy that there was a quick mention of the timeless child again. Overall, this was a pretty good episode, but a few times during the story it feels like I missed about a minute. 8/10
Incredibly boring
2004Daniel9 February 2020
I don't want to say I wasted 49 minutes of my life but that's the sad truth. And the worst thing is, this is the 4th time this has happened this series!
It was so lacklusture and tiresome. The script just went on and on, too much waffle!
And the story? Well it didn't exactly amaze me. In fact it didn't really make much sense - I could go in to it but I'll leave this spoiler free.
A lot of people might like the insight in to the companions personal life's in the last 10 minutes there, but for me? I almost fell asleep.
I'd also like to say that people need to stop defending this show so much! It was brilliant for 10 years or so but now it's nowhere near that quality - in fact it's actually quite terrible.
The quote "When People need help, I never refuse... Unless it's my friend wanting to talk about cancer, then I just do my quirky awkward alien stuff and don't help him"
That's absolutely ridiculous and there's no way that should've made the final script. Seen a number of people who found that downright offensive.
Having said all that I'm sort of looking forward to the two part finale to see if any previous characters return - such as The Master or Captain Jack Harkness. Could be an interesting story, depends where they go with it.
This episode though gets a 3/10 from me!
It was so lacklusture and tiresome. The script just went on and on, too much waffle!
And the story? Well it didn't exactly amaze me. In fact it didn't really make much sense - I could go in to it but I'll leave this spoiler free.
A lot of people might like the insight in to the companions personal life's in the last 10 minutes there, but for me? I almost fell asleep.
I'd also like to say that people need to stop defending this show so much! It was brilliant for 10 years or so but now it's nowhere near that quality - in fact it's actually quite terrible.
The quote "When People need help, I never refuse... Unless it's my friend wanting to talk about cancer, then I just do my quirky awkward alien stuff and don't help him"
That's absolutely ridiculous and there's no way that should've made the final script. Seen a number of people who found that downright offensive.
Having said all that I'm sort of looking forward to the two part finale to see if any previous characters return - such as The Master or Captain Jack Harkness. Could be an interesting story, depends where they go with it.
This episode though gets a 3/10 from me!
felt like 2 separate scripts mushed into 1
jareddavies-500359 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was sort of like...heres the episode about ancient fear gods...and then heres this mental health awareness message at the end.
I think its a great message that people shouldnt be scared or ashamed to get help for mental health issues, but it needs to be weaved into the story coherently.
The plot really suffered because the last 10 minsters were just straight message rather than story. Zellin and The Other One (i dont think we ever hear her name) get built up massively but then do absolutely nothing except scare a girl and then get trapped for eternity almost in a throwaway scene so the mental health awareness message can be slotted into the end.
There were some good moments but seemed like a totally different show by the final third
I think its a great message that people shouldnt be scared or ashamed to get help for mental health issues, but it needs to be weaved into the story coherently.
The plot really suffered because the last 10 minsters were just straight message rather than story. Zellin and The Other One (i dont think we ever hear her name) get built up massively but then do absolutely nothing except scare a girl and then get trapped for eternity almost in a throwaway scene so the mental health awareness message can be slotted into the end.
There were some good moments but seemed like a totally different show by the final third
Floating fingers and terribly written dialogue and plot
reubenyarnall9 February 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So on this week's episode of Doctor who we get a boring lacklustre attempt at an episode of Doctor who, well the whole season has been like this to be honest. So let's go through the pros and the cons.
Pros: there are none
Cons: for some reason Chibnall thinks that sticking fingers in peoples ears is scary, the baddie is rubbish has no development or anything, the only scene he gets really is a huge dump of exposition which was boring and I couldn't careless about (number one rule of script writing, show don't tell)
the dialogue was awfully written and the only way I think anyone could have fun with this sort of writing is with a bottle a whiskey. Again another preachy moral message that is rubbish and really takes away from the so called story.
The nightmare scenes were rubbish and a lot of them (besides Graham's story) came out of nowhere and feels like slapped on attempt and trying to write characters, the camera still looks like a baby threw up all over it.
the god awful aspect ratio is still there and the lighting was awful aswell, the acting was terrible as per usual for this season and the last,
there was nothing of substance here and I couldn't care less about anything that was happening.
This is a terrible attempt at an episode of Doctor who and just reminds me of much better times when the show was fun to watch and entertaining.
I could do a much better job a writing an episode of Doctor who, and even if anyone had a go at writing an episode it would probably be better then this.
So In conclusion this is another worthless episode that could have been done much better it's not fun or entertaining and the moral message is not done in a way that means anything to the characters and I doubt it will ever mean anything in the future, to be honest I would rather watch paint dry.
A past episode did this sort of concept a lot better. (Listen S9 ep4) where charcters were a lot better written and it was creepy and sent chills down the back of your neck.
The bbc really need to hire new writers and make the show good again.
That's my review for this junk.
Go away now.
Pros: there are none
Cons: for some reason Chibnall thinks that sticking fingers in peoples ears is scary, the baddie is rubbish has no development or anything, the only scene he gets really is a huge dump of exposition which was boring and I couldn't careless about (number one rule of script writing, show don't tell)
the dialogue was awfully written and the only way I think anyone could have fun with this sort of writing is with a bottle a whiskey. Again another preachy moral message that is rubbish and really takes away from the so called story.
The nightmare scenes were rubbish and a lot of them (besides Graham's story) came out of nowhere and feels like slapped on attempt and trying to write characters, the camera still looks like a baby threw up all over it.
the god awful aspect ratio is still there and the lighting was awful aswell, the acting was terrible as per usual for this season and the last,
there was nothing of substance here and I couldn't care less about anything that was happening.
This is a terrible attempt at an episode of Doctor who and just reminds me of much better times when the show was fun to watch and entertaining.
I could do a much better job a writing an episode of Doctor who, and even if anyone had a go at writing an episode it would probably be better then this.
So In conclusion this is another worthless episode that could have been done much better it's not fun or entertaining and the moral message is not done in a way that means anything to the characters and I doubt it will ever mean anything in the future, to be honest I would rather watch paint dry.
A past episode did this sort of concept a lot better. (Listen S9 ep4) where charcters were a lot better written and it was creepy and sent chills down the back of your neck.
The bbc really need to hire new writers and make the show good again.
That's my review for this junk.
Go away now.
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