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{{About|the Doctor Who episode|the Kage Baker science fiction novella|The Empress of Mars}}
{{About|the Doctor Who episode|the Kage Baker novella|The Empress of Mars}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
{{Infobox Doctor Who episode
| number = 273
| number = 273
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| show = DW
| show = DW
| type = episode
| type = episode
| image =
| image =
| image_size =
| image_size =
| caption =
| caption =Promotional image
| doctor = [[Peter Capaldi]] ([[Twelfth Doctor]])
| doctor = [[Peter Capaldi]] – [[Twelfth Doctor]]
| companions =
| companions =
* [[Pearl Mackie]] ([[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill Potts]])
* [[Pearl Mackie]] – [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill Potts]]
* [[Matt Lucas]] ([[Nardole]])
* [[Matt Lucas]] – [[Nardole]]
| guests =
| guests =
* [[Michelle Gomez]] – [[The Master (Doctor Who)|Missy]]
* [[Michelle Gomez]] – [[The Master (Doctor Who)|Missy]]
Line 27: Line 28:
| writer = [[Mark Gatiss]]
| writer = [[Mark Gatiss]]
| producer = [[Nikki Wilson]]
| producer = [[Nikki Wilson]]
| executive_producer = [[Steven Moffat]]<br>Brian Minchin
| executive_producer = [[Steven Moffat]]<br />Brian Minchin
| composer = [[Murray Gold]]
| composer = [[Murray Gold]]
| series = [[Doctor Who (series 10)|Series 10]]
| series = [[Doctor Who (series 10)|Series 10]]
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}}
}}


"'''Empress of Mars'''" is the ninth episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 10)|tenth series]] of the British [[Science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It is written by [[Mark Gatiss]] and was broadcast on 10 June 2017 on [[BBC One]]. "Empress of Mars" received generally positive reviews from television critics.
"'''Empress of Mars'''" is the ninth episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 10)|tenth series]] of the British [[Science fiction on television|science fiction television]] series ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was written by [[Mark Gatiss]] and broadcast on 10 June 2017 on [[BBC One]]. "Empress of Mars" received generally positive reviews from television critics.


[[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] ([[Peter Capaldi]]), [[Nardole]] ([[Matt Lucas]]), and [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill]] ([[Pearl Mackie]]) travel to [[Mars]], but upon arrival, they find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the [[Ice Warrior]]s and [[Victorian era|Victorian]] soldiers. The episode marks the return of the Ice Warriors, last seen in "[[Cold War (Doctor Who)|Cold War]]", an episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 7)|seventh series]] that was also written by Gatiss.
[[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] ([[Peter Capaldi]]), [[Nardole]] ([[Matt Lucas]]), and [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill]] ([[Pearl Mackie]]) travel to [[Mars]], but upon arrival, they find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the [[Ice Warrior]]s and [[Victorian era|Victorian]] soldiers. The episode marks the return of the Ice Warriors, last seen in "[[Cold War (Doctor Who)|Cold War]]", an episode of the [[Doctor Who (series 7)|seventh series]] that was also written by Gatiss.


==Synopsis==
==Synopsis==
In the present, [[NASA]] finds the words "God save the Queen" made of rocks buried under the Mars [[Martian polar ice caps|ice cap]]. Witnessing this, the [[Twelfth Doctor]], [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill]] and [[Nardole]] venture to [[Mars]] in 1881 to investigate and discover that the planet is occupied by human soldiers from [[Victorian Britain]]. Nardole goes back into the [[TARDIS]], but it departs for unexplained reasons, returning to the university in present day. Nardole asks [[The Master (Doctor Who)|Missy]] for help getting back.
In the present, [[NASA]] finds the words "God save the Queen" made of rocks buried under the Mars [[Martian polar ice caps|ice cap]]. Witnessing this, the [[Twelfth Doctor]], [[Bill Potts (Doctor Who)|Bill]], and [[Nardole]] venture to [[Mars]] in 1881 to investigate and discover that the planet is occupied by human soldiers from [[Victorian Britain]]. Nardole goes back into the [[TARDIS]], but it departs for unexplained reasons, returning to the university in the present day. Nardole asks [[The Master (Doctor Who)|Missy]] for help getting back.


The humans have befriended an [[Ice Warrior]] they have named Friday. Captain Catchlove says they rescued Friday from his crashed spaceship while on patrol in Africa. In exchange, Friday allowed the soldiers to use his species' technology to travel to Mars, establish a small breathable atmosphere within a cavern, and mine the planet. The Doctor surmises that Friday is using them to access his hive. They soon unearth the tomb of the Ice Empress. Despite Colonel Godsacre's order to not approach it, one guard inadvertently revives the Ice Empress, Iraxxa.
The humans have befriended an [[Ice Warrior]] they have named Friday. Captain Catchlove says they rescued Friday from his crashed spaceship while on patrol in Africa. In exchange, Friday allowed the soldiers to use his species' technology to travel to Mars, establish a small breathable atmosphere within a cavern, and mine the planet. The Doctor surmises that Friday is using them to access his hive. They soon unearth the tomb of the Ice Empress. Despite Colonel Godsacre's order to not approach it, one guard inadvertently revives the Ice Empress, Iraxxa.
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Iraxxa's awakening leads to a confrontation with the humans. Friday tells Iraxxa it has been 5,000 years, and Mars' surface is uninhabitable; the Doctor asks Iraxxa to show mercy and gain help from the humans. Dismissing the Doctor and the soldiers, she asks Bill for her opinion, as a fellow woman. She decides to relent based on Bill's word, but then a soldier suddenly fires his rifle, the shot harmlessly glancing off Iraxxa's helmet. Provoked, she returns fire. Catchlove takes command, traps Iraxxa and Friday within the tomb, and locks up the Doctor, Bill, and Godsacre. Inside the tomb, Iraxxa starts reviving more Ice Warriors.
Iraxxa's awakening leads to a confrontation with the humans. Friday tells Iraxxa it has been 5,000 years, and Mars' surface is uninhabitable; the Doctor asks Iraxxa to show mercy and gain help from the humans. Dismissing the Doctor and the soldiers, she asks Bill for her opinion, as a fellow woman. She decides to relent based on Bill's word, but then a soldier suddenly fires his rifle, the shot harmlessly glancing off Iraxxa's helmet. Provoked, she returns fire. Catchlove takes command, traps Iraxxa and Friday within the tomb, and locks up the Doctor, Bill, and Godsacre. Inside the tomb, Iraxxa starts reviving more Ice Warriors.


As the Ice Warriors launch their attack, Friday allies himself with the Doctor and Bill after freeing them and helps the Doctor gain control of the mining device. The Doctor threatens to use it to bury them all under the ice cap. Catchlove holds Iraxxa at knifepoint and attempts to force her to help him pilot a spaceship back to Earth. Godsacre manages to surprise Catchlove and kill him, then begs Iraxxa to kill him. Iraxxa calls off the attack in exchange for Godsacre pledging himself to the Ice Warriors. The Doctor covertly contacts [[Alpha Centauri (Doctor Who)|Alpha Centauri]] to assist the Ice Warriors.
As the Ice Warriors launch their attack, Friday allies himself with the Doctor and Bill after freeing them and helps the Doctor gain control of the mining device. The Doctor threatens to use it to bury them all under the ice cap. Catchlove holds Iraxxa at knifepoint and attempts to force her to help him pilot a spaceship back to Earth. Godsacre manages to surprise Catchlove and kill him, then begs Iraxxa to kill him. Iraxxa calls off the attack in exchange for Godsacre pledging himself to the Ice Warriors. To assist the Ice Warriors, the Doctor covertly contacts [[Alpha Centauri (Doctor Who)|Alpha Centauri]], a representative of the Galactic Federation he first met in his third incarnation.


The Doctor and Bill help Godsacre leave the message that NASA will discover. Nardole then re-appears with the TARDIS, with Missy piloting the ship. She expresses concern about the Doctor's well-being.
The Doctor and Bill help Godsacre leave the message that NASA will discover. Nardole then re-appears with the TARDIS, with Missy piloting the ship. She expresses concern about the Doctor's well-being.


===Continuity===
===Continuity===
The Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]] still has "no setting for wood", a defect first mentioned in "[[Silence in the Library]]". The displayed portrait of [[Queen Victoria]] resembles [[Pauline Collins]], who played the role in "[[Tooth and Claw (Doctor Who)|Tooth and Claw]]".<ref name="denofgeek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/doctor-who/49982/doctor-who-series-10-empress-of-mars-nerdy-spots-and-easter-eggs|title=Doctor Who series 10: Empress Of Mars nerdy spots and Easter eggs|publisher=[[Den of Geek]]|date=10 June 2017|author=Pete Dillon-Trenchard|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref> Chronologically, the episode partly sets up events of the [[Third Doctor]] story ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'' (1972), showing the Doctor introducing the Ice Warriors to Alpha Centauri, a representative of the Galactic Federation, which the Ice Warriors have joined by the time of that serial.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://io9.gizmodo.com/stay-frosty-in-the-spoiler-packed-doctor-who-discussion-1795988613 | title = Stay Frosty in the Spoiler-Packed Doctor Who Discussion Thread | first = James | last = Whitbrook | date = June 10, 2017 | accessdate = June 12, 2017 | work = [[io9]] }}</ref>
The Doctor's [[sonic screwdriver]] still has "no setting for wood", a defect first mentioned in "[[Silence in the Library]]". The displayed portrait of [[Queen Victoria]] resembles [[Pauline Collins]], who played the role in "[[Tooth and Claw (Doctor Who)|Tooth and Claw]]".<ref name="denofgeek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/tv/doctor-who/49982/doctor-who-series-10-empress-of-mars-nerdy-spots-and-easter-eggs|title=Doctor Who series 10: Empress Of Mars nerdy spots and Easter eggs|publisher=[[Den of Geek]]|date=10 June 2017|author=Pete Dillon-Trenchard|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref> Chronologically, the episode partly sets up events of the [[Third Doctor]] story ''[[The Curse of Peladon]]'' (1972), showing the Doctor introducing the Ice Warriors to Alpha Centauri, a representative of the Galactic Federation, which the Ice Warriors have joined by the time of that serial.<ref>{{Cite web | url = http://io9.gizmodo.com/stay-frosty-in-the-spoiler-packed-doctor-who-discussion-1795988613 | title = Stay Frosty in the Spoiler-Packed Doctor Who Discussion Thread | first = James | last = Whitbrook | date = June 10, 2017 | access-date = June 12, 2017 | work = [[io9]] }}</ref>


===Outside references===
===Outside references===
The Ice Warrior is named by the soldiers after the character "[[Friday (Robinson Crusoe)|Friday]]" from [[Daniel Defoe]]'s ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]''.<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> One of the soldiers sings "She Was Poor But She Was Honest", an English [[music hall]] song recorded in 1930 by Billy Bennett.<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> Bill mentions the movies ''[[The Vikings (1958 film)|The Vikings]]'', ''[[The Terminator]]'', and ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'', while the Doctor refers to the film ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/06/10/doctor-empress-mars-series-10-episode-9/|title=Doctor Who: Empress of Mars, series 10 episode 9: Ice Warriors return with added Girl Power|work=Doctor Who News|date=10 June 2017|accessdate=17 June 2017}}</ref> Upon the discovery of the Ice Empress' tomb, the Doctor says "I've got a bad feeling about this," a recurring phrase in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise.<ref>name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/VnTn3FvvY5BqwFc0N2m15G/empress-of-mars-the-fact-file|title=Empress of Mars, Series 10, Doctor Who – Empress of Mars: The Fact File – BBC One|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
The Ice Warrior is named by the soldiers after the character "[[Friday (Robinson Crusoe)|Friday]]" from [[Daniel Defoe]]'s ''[[Robinson Crusoe]]''.<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> One of the soldiers sings "She Was Poor But She Was Honest", an English [[music hall]] song recorded in 1930 by Billy Bennett.<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> Bill mentions the movies ''[[The Vikings (1958 film)|The Vikings]]'', ''[[The Terminator]]'', and ''[[The Thing (1982 film)|The Thing]]'', while the Doctor refers to the film ''[[Frozen (2013 film)|Frozen]]''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/tv/2017/06/10/doctor-empress-mars-series-10-episode-9/|title=Doctor Who: Empress of Mars, series 10 episode 9: Ice Warriors return with added Girl Power|work=Doctor Who News|date=10 June 2017|access-date=17 June 2017}}</ref> Upon the discovery of the Ice Empress' tomb, the Doctor says "I've got a bad feeling about this," a recurring phrase in the ''[[Star Wars]]'' franchise.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/VnTn3FvvY5BqwFc0N2m15G/empress-of-mars-the-fact-file|title=Empress of Mars, Series 10, Doctor Who – Empress of Mars: The Fact File – BBC One|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>


== Production ==
== Production ==
[[File:Empress of Mars Victorian spacesuit - Doctor Who Experience - Cardiff-60 (35807944733).jpg|thumb|left|The Victorian spacesuit, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition]]
[[File:Empress of Mars Victorian spacesuit - Doctor Who Experience - Cardiff-60 (35807944733).jpg|thumb|right|The Victorian spacesuit, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition]]
The read-through for "Empress of Mars" was on 11 January 2017. Filming with the previous episode "The Lie of the Land" started on 27 January, with principal shooting ending on 22 February.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/VnTn3FvvY5BqwFc0N2m15G/empress-of-mars-the-fact-file|title=Empress of Mars, Series 10, Doctor Who – Empress of Mars: The Fact File – BBC One|publisher=BBC|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
The read-through for "Empress of Mars" was on 11 January 2017. Filming with the previous episode "The Lie of the Land" started on 27 January, with principal shooting ending on 22 February.<ref name="bbc.co.uk">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/VnTn3FvvY5BqwFc0N2m15G/empress-of-mars-the-fact-file|title=Empress of Mars, Series 10, Doctor Who – Empress of Mars: The Fact File – BBC One|publisher=BBC|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>


===Writing===
===Writing===
The story was originally to have been set on Peladon rather than Mars, hence the return of Alpha Centauri after 43 years.<ref name="denofgeek.com"/> It was also reported to have originally been planned as a sequel to the ninth series episode "[[Sleep No More (Doctor Who)|Sleep No More]]", also by [[Mark Gatiss]], referenced in the line delivered by the Ice Empress exhorting her warriors to "sleep no more".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fullerton|first1=Huw|title=Mark Gatiss reveals the plot of the Doctor Who episode that never was|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-06/mark-gatiss-reveals-the-plot-of-the-doctor-who-episode-that-never-was|accessdate=11 June 2017|work='Radio Times|date=6 June 2017}}</ref>
Gatiss originally planned a sequel to his ninth series episode "[[Sleep No More (Doctor Who)|Sleep No More]]", but on learning that both Moffat and Capaldi were leaving the series decided instead to write "the story I've always wanted to do".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Fullerton|first1=Huw|title=Mark Gatiss reveals the plot of the Doctor Who episode that never was|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-06/mark-gatiss-reveals-the-plot-of-the-doctor-who-episode-that-never-was|access-date=11 June 2017|work='Radio Times|date=6 June 2017}}</ref> Gatiss considered setting the episode on Peladon, but chose Mars instead due to the similar "corridors with flaming torches" style of [[The Eaters of Light|the following episode]].<ref>{{cite magazine |author= |title= |url= |magazine=[[Doctor Who Magazine]] |location= |publisher=[[Panini Comics]] |issue=513 |page=18}}</ref>


===Cast notes ===
===Cast notes ===
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==Broadcast and reception==
==Broadcast and reception==
The episode was watched by 3.58 million overnight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars-overnight-viewing.html|title=Empress of Mars – Overnight Viewing Figures|work=Doctor Who News|date=11 June 2017|accessdate=11 June 2017}}</ref> The episode received 5.02 million views overall, and it received an [[Appreciation Index]] of 83.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Marcus|title=Empress of Mars – Official Ratings|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/doctor-who-empress-of-mars-had-official.html |website=Doctor Who News|accessdate=20 June 2017|date=20 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Marcus |title=Empress of Mars – Audience Appreciation:83 |url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars.html |website=Doctor Who News |accessdate=12 June 2017 |date=12 June 2017}}</ref>
The episode was watched by 3.58 million overnight.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars-overnight-viewing.html|title=Empress of Mars – Overnight Viewing Figures|work=Doctor Who News|date=11 June 2017|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref> The episode received 5.02 million views overall, and it received an [[Appreciation Index]] of 83.<ref>{{cite web|author1=Marcus|title=Empress of Mars – Official Ratings|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/doctor-who-empress-of-mars-had-official.html |website=Doctor Who News|access-date=20 June 2017|date=20 June 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author1=Marcus |title=Empress of Mars – Audience Appreciation:83 |url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars.html |website=Doctor Who News |access-date=12 June 2017 |date=12 June 2017}}</ref>


=== Critical reception ===
=== Critical reception ===
{{TV ratings
{{TV ratings
<!-- Aggregate scores -->
<!-- Aggregate scores -->
| aggregatenosort = y
| aggregate1 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Tomatometer)
| aggregate1 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Tomatometer)
| aggregate1score = 92%<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who/s10/e09|title=Doctor Who, Series 10, Episode 9, Empress of Mars|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|accessdate=28 February 2019}}</ref>
| aggregate1score = 92%<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes">{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who/s10/e09|title=Doctor Who, Series 10, Episode 9, Empress of Mars|work=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|access-date=14 May 2024}}</ref>
| aggregate2 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Average Score)
| aggregate2 = [[Rotten Tomatoes]] (Average Rating)
| aggregate2score = 7.94<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes" />
| aggregate2score = 7.9/10<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes" />
<!-- Reviewers -->
<!-- Reviewers -->
| rev3 = [[The A.V. Club]]
| rev3 = [[The A.V. Club]]
| rev3Score = B-<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilkins|first1=Alasdair|title=Doctor Who puts Victorians on Mars, which isn't quite as fun as it sounds|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/doctor-who-puts-victorians-mars-which-isnt-quite-f-256625|website=AV Club|publisher=Alasdair Wilkins|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev3Score = B−<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilkins|first1=Alasdair|title=Doctor Who puts Victorians on Mars, which isn't quite as fun as it sounds|url=http://www.avclub.com/tvclub/doctor-who-puts-victorians-mars-which-isnt-quite-f-256625|website=AV Club|date=11 June 2017 |publisher=Alasdair Wilkins|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4 = ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]''
| rev4Score = B+<ref name="EW">{{cite web|last1=Serrao|first1=Nivea|title=Doctor Who recap: 'Empress of Mars'|url=http://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-10-episode-9/|website=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Nivea Serrao|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev4Score = B+<ref name="EW">{{cite magazine|last1=Serrao|first1=Nivea|title=Doctor Who recap: 'Empress of Mars'|url=http://ew.com/recap/doctor-who-season-10-episode-9/|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|publisher=Nivea Serrao|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev5 = ''SFX Magazine''
| rev5 = ''SFX Magazine''
| rev5Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="SFX">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-season-10-episode-9-recap/|title=DOCTOR WHO SEASON 10 EPISODE 9: "A STOIC AND DEPENDABLE EPISODE"|author=Zoe Delahunty-Light|date=10 June 2017|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev5Score = {{rating|3.5|5}}<ref name="SFX">{{cite web|url=http://www.gamesradar.com/doctor-who-season-10-episode-9-recap/|title=DOCTOR WHO SEASON 10 EPISODE 9: "A STOIC AND DEPENDABLE EPISODE"|author=Zoe Delahunty-Light|date=10 June 2017|publisher=[[GamesRadar]]|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev6 = ''TV Fanatic''
| rev6 = ''TV Fanatic''
| rev6Score = {{rating|3|5|score=3.2/5 stars}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiedel|first1=Kathleen|title=Doctor Who Season 10 Episode 10 Review: The Empress of Mars|url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2017/06/doctor-who-season-10-episode-10-review-the-empress-of-mars/|website=TV Fanatic|date=11 June 2017|publisher=Kathleen Wiedel|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev6Score = {{rating|3|5|score=3.2/5 stars}}<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wiedel|first1=Kathleen|title=Doctor Who Season 10 Episode 10 Review: The Empress of Mars|url=https://www.tvfanatic.com/2017/06/doctor-who-season-10-episode-10-review-the-empress-of-mars/|website=TV Fanatic|date=11 June 2017|publisher=Kathleen Wiedel|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev7 = [[IGN]]
| rev7 = [[IGN]]
| rev7Score = 8.2<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last=Collura|first=Scott|title=DOCTOR WHO: "EMPRESS OF MARS" REVIEW|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/10/doctor-who-empress-of-mars-review|website=IGN|date=10 June 2017|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev7Score = 8.2<ref name="IGN">{{cite web|last=Collura|first=Scott|title=DOCTOR WHO: "EMPRESS OF MARS" REVIEW|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2017/06/10/doctor-who-empress-of-mars-review|website=IGN|date=10 June 2017|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev8 = ''New York Magazine''
| rev8 = ''New York Magazine''
| rev8Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="NYM">{{cite web|last1=Ruediger|first1=Ross|title=Doctor Who Recap: God Save the Queen|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/06/doctor-who-recap-season-10-episode-9-empress-of-mars.html|website=New York Magazine|publisher=Ross Ruediger|accessdate=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev8Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="NYM">{{cite web|last1=Ruediger|first1=Ross|title=Doctor Who Recap: God Save the Queen|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/06/doctor-who-recap-season-10-episode-9-empress-of-mars.html|website=New York Magazine|date=10 June 2017 |publisher=Ross Ruediger|access-date=13 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev9 = [[Radio Times]]
| rev9 = [[Radio Times]]
| rev9Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="RT">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-10/doctor-who-review-empress-of-mars-looks-to-the-future-while-nodding-at-the-past|title=Doctor Who review: Empress of Mars "looks to the future while nodding at the past"|author=Patrick Mulkern|date=10 June 2017|magazine=[[Radio Times]]|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev9Score = {{rating|5|5}}<ref name="RT">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2017-06-10/doctor-who-review-empress-of-mars-looks-to-the-future-while-nodding-at-the-past|title=Doctor Who review: Empress of Mars "looks to the future while nodding at the past"|author=Patrick Mulkern|date=10 June 2017|magazine=[[Radio Times]]|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev10 = ''[[Daily Mirror]]''
| rev10 = ''[[Daily Mirror]]''
| rev10Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="DM">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/doctor-who-empress-mars-review-10600301|title=Doctor Who Series 10 Episode 9 The Empress Of Mars review: Gatiss turns in a decent story in his second outing with The Ice Warriors|first=Daniel|last=Jackson|date=10 June 2017|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]|accessdate=10 June 2017}}</ref>
| rev10Score = {{rating|3|5}}<ref name="DM">{{cite news|url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-reviews/doctor-who-empress-mars-review-10600301|title=Doctor Who Series 10 Episode 9 The Empress Of Mars review: Gatiss turns in a decent story in his second outing with The Ice Warriors|first=Daniel|last=Jackson|date=10 June 2017|newspaper=[[Daily Mirror]]|access-date=10 June 2017}}</ref>
}}
}}


"Empress of Mars" was met with generally positive reviews from television critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars-reaction.html|title=Empress of Mars – Reaction|work=Doctor Who News|date=11 June 2017|accessdate=11 June 2017}}</ref> The episode received an approval score of 92% on [[Rotten Tomatoes]], the site consensus reading, "'The Empress of Mars' gives fans an entertaining standalone breather between major arcs that makes the most of its leads' considerable chemistry."<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes" />
"Empress of Mars" was met with generally positive reviews from television critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2017/06/empress-of-mars-reaction.html|title=Empress of Mars – Reaction|work=Doctor Who News|date=11 June 2017|access-date=11 June 2017}}</ref> The episode received positive reviews from 92% of 13 critics on [[Rotten Tomatoes]], and the site consensus reads, "'The Empress of Mars' gives fans an entertaining standalone breather between major arcs that makes the most of its leads' considerable chemistry."<ref name="Rotten Tomatoes" />


Nivea Serrao of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' awarded the episode a grade of B+, approving the story and comparing it to ''[[Hidden Figures]]''. He commented how the episode addresses the issue where "no one side is truly right in the end", and giving the Ice Warriors a definition other than a "clear-cut villain" like the Daleks or Cybermen. He stated that Ferdinand Kingsley's character of Catchlove was an "effective villain" with his "fun-to-hate portrayal". Gatiss' combination of different themes within the episode was also commented upon in a positive light, and the connection between Iraxxa and Bill with their shared gender.<ref name="EW" />
Nivea Serrao of ''[[Entertainment Weekly]]'' awarded the episode a grade of B+, approving the story and comparing it to ''[[Hidden Figures]]''. He commented how the episode addresses the issue where "no one side is truly right in the end", and gives the Ice Warriors a definition other than a "clear-cut villain" like the Daleks or Cybermen. He stated that Ferdinand Kingsley's character of Catchlove was an "effective villain" with his "fun-to-hate portrayal". Gatiss' combination of different themes within the episode was also commented upon in a positive light and the connection between Iraxxa and Bill with their shared gender.<ref name="EW" />


Zoe Delahunty-Light of ''SFX Magazine'' gave the episode three-and-a-half stars out of five. She described the episode as "stoic" and "dependable" overall, with an "awkward" beginning and one that "missed the chance to add an extra dimension to its characters". Delahunty-Light commented on how the Ice Warriors appeared to be a villain that appeared to want to destroy the soldiers with no solid reason given. She praised the return of Alpha Centauri in the episode, finding it a fun reference for long-standing fans of the programme.<ref name="SFX" />
Zoe Delahunty-Light of ''SFX Magazine'' gave the episode three-and-a-half stars out of five. She described the episode as "stoic" and "dependable" overall, with an "awkward" beginning and one that "missed the chance to add an extra dimension to its characters". Delahunty-Light commented on how the Ice Warriors appeared to be a villain that appeared to want to destroy the soldiers with no solid reason given. She praised the return of Alpha Centauri in the episode, finding it a fun reference for long-standing fans of the programme.<ref name="SFX" />


Ross Ruediger of ''New York Magazine'' gave the episode a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars, approving the return of the Ice Warriors after their previous appearance in the seventh series. He stated that the episode was an episode dedicated to "honor, loyalty, and redemption", and approved Gatiss' script. He commented on how there appeared to be a lack of reasoning on why the TARDIS disappeared from Mars, but also complimented how complicated Missy's arc appeared to be, on whether she had redeemed herself or if it was an elaborate plan. He stated that the best features of the episode were Adele Lynch's portrayal of Iraxxa, and also the classic movie references through the episode.<ref name="NYM" />
Ross Ruediger of ''New York Magazine'' gave the episode a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars, approving the return of the Ice Warriors after their previous appearance in the seventh series. He stated that the episode was an episode dedicated to "honor, loyalty, and redemption", and enjoyed Gatiss' script. He commented on how there appeared to be no reason why the TARDIS disappeared from Mars but also complimented how complicated Missy's arc appeared to be, on whether she had redeemed herself or if it was an elaborate plan. He stated that the best features of the episode were Adele Lynch's portrayal of Iraxxa, and also the classic movie references throughout the episode.<ref name="NYM" />


Patrick Mulkern from the [[Radio Times]] also gave the episode a score of 5 stars out of 5, appreciating the story and stating that it was "well-crafted". He complimented how Gatiss was able to give more depth to the characters of this episode than the characters that had appeared in previous episodes of the series, and also the complex nature of the Ice Warriors, and how they displayed their typical honour, strength and loyalty, but were also able to be negotiated with.<ref name="RT" />
Patrick Mulkern from the ''[[Radio Times]]'' also gave the episode a score of 5 stars out of 5, appreciating the story and stating that it was "well-crafted". He liked how Gatiss was able to give more depth to the characters of this episode than the characters that had appeared in previous episodes of the series, and also the complex nature of the Ice Warriors, and how they displayed their typical honour, strength, and loyalty, but were also able to be negotiated with.<ref name="RT" />


== References ==
== References ==
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* {{BBCDWnew|year=2017|id=b08vgvcj|title=Empress of Mars}}
* {{TardisIndexFile|Empress of Mars (TV story)|"Empress of Mars"}}
* {{TardisIndexFile|Empress of Mars (TV story)|"Empress of Mars"}}
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* {{IMDb episode|id=6340134}}

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* {{IMDb episode|id=6340134|title=Empress of Mars}}


{{Doctor Who episodes|N10}}
{{Doctor Who episodes|N10}}
{{navboxes|list1=
{{Doctor Who episodes by Mark Gatiss}}
{{Doctor Who episodes by Mark Gatiss}}
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{{Ice Warrior stories}}
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[[Category:Twelfth Doctor episodes]]
[[Category:Twelfth Doctor episodes]]
[[Category:Doctor Who stories set on Mars]]
[[Category:2017 British television episodes]]
[[Category:2017 British television episodes]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Mark Gatiss]]
[[Category:Television episodes directed by Wayne Yip]]
[[Category:Television episodes written by Mark Gatiss]]
[[Category:Mars in television]]
[[Category:Mars in television]]
[[Category:The Master (Doctor Who) television stories]]
[[Category:The Master (Doctor Who) television stories]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 1881]]
[[Category:Fiction set in 1881]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in the 1880s]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in Bristol]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in the 2010s]]
[[Category:Television episodes set in Florida]]

Latest revision as of 23:59, 30 September 2024

This article is about the Doctor Who episode. For the Kage Baker novella, see The Empress of Mars.

273 – "Empress of Mars"
Doctor Who episode
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byWayne Yip
Written byMark Gatiss
Produced byNikki Wilson
Executive producer(s)Steven Moffat
Brian Minchin
Music byMurray Gold
SeriesSeries 10
Running time44 minutes
First broadcast10 June 2017 (2017-06-10)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"The Lie of the Land" 		Followed by →
"The Eaters of Light"
List of episodes (2005–present)

"Empress of Mars" is the ninth episode of the tenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by Mark Gatiss and broadcast on 10 June 2017 on BBC One. "Empress of Mars" received generally positive reviews from television critics.

The Doctor (Peter Capaldi), Nardole (Matt Lucas), and Bill (Pearl Mackie) travel to Mars, but upon arrival, they find themselves in the middle of a conflict between the Ice Warriors and Victorian soldiers. The episode marks the return of the Ice Warriors, last seen in "Cold War", an episode of the seventh series that was also written by Gatiss.

Synopsis

[edit]

In the present, NASA finds the words "God save the Queen" made of rocks buried under the Mars ice cap. Witnessing this, the Twelfth Doctor, Bill, and Nardole venture to Mars in 1881 to investigate and discover that the planet is occupied by human soldiers from Victorian Britain. Nardole goes back into the TARDIS, but it departs for unexplained reasons, returning to the university in the present day. Nardole asks Missy for help getting back.

The humans have befriended an Ice Warrior they have named Friday. Captain Catchlove says they rescued Friday from his crashed spaceship while on patrol in Africa. In exchange, Friday allowed the soldiers to use his species' technology to travel to Mars, establish a small breathable atmosphere within a cavern, and mine the planet. The Doctor surmises that Friday is using them to access his hive. They soon unearth the tomb of the Ice Empress. Despite Colonel Godsacre's order to not approach it, one guard inadvertently revives the Ice Empress, Iraxxa.

Iraxxa, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition.

Iraxxa's awakening leads to a confrontation with the humans. Friday tells Iraxxa it has been 5,000 years, and Mars' surface is uninhabitable; the Doctor asks Iraxxa to show mercy and gain help from the humans. Dismissing the Doctor and the soldiers, she asks Bill for her opinion, as a fellow woman. She decides to relent based on Bill's word, but then a soldier suddenly fires his rifle, the shot harmlessly glancing off Iraxxa's helmet. Provoked, she returns fire. Catchlove takes command, traps Iraxxa and Friday within the tomb, and locks up the Doctor, Bill, and Godsacre. Inside the tomb, Iraxxa starts reviving more Ice Warriors.

As the Ice Warriors launch their attack, Friday allies himself with the Doctor and Bill after freeing them and helps the Doctor gain control of the mining device. The Doctor threatens to use it to bury them all under the ice cap. Catchlove holds Iraxxa at knifepoint and attempts to force her to help him pilot a spaceship back to Earth. Godsacre manages to surprise Catchlove and kill him, then begs Iraxxa to kill him. Iraxxa calls off the attack in exchange for Godsacre pledging himself to the Ice Warriors. To assist the Ice Warriors, the Doctor covertly contacts Alpha Centauri, a representative of the Galactic Federation he first met in his third incarnation.

The Doctor and Bill help Godsacre leave the message that NASA will discover. Nardole then re-appears with the TARDIS, with Missy piloting the ship. She expresses concern about the Doctor's well-being.

Continuity

[edit]

The Doctor's sonic screwdriver still has "no setting for wood", a defect first mentioned in "Silence in the Library". The displayed portrait of Queen Victoria resembles Pauline Collins, who played the role in "Tooth and Claw".[1] Chronologically, the episode partly sets up events of the Third Doctor story The Curse of Peladon (1972), showing the Doctor introducing the Ice Warriors to Alpha Centauri, a representative of the Galactic Federation, which the Ice Warriors have joined by the time of that serial.[2]

Outside references

[edit]

The Ice Warrior is named by the soldiers after the character "Friday" from Daniel Defoe's Robinson Crusoe.[1] One of the soldiers sings "She Was Poor But She Was Honest", an English music hall song recorded in 1930 by Billy Bennett.[1] Bill mentions the movies The Vikings, The Terminator, and The Thing, while the Doctor refers to the film Frozen.[3] Upon the discovery of the Ice Empress' tomb, the Doctor says "I've got a bad feeling about this," a recurring phrase in the Star Wars franchise.[4]

Production

[edit]
The Victorian spacesuit, on display at a Doctor Who exhibition

The read-through for "Empress of Mars" was on 11 January 2017. Filming with the previous episode "The Lie of the Land" started on 27 January, with principal shooting ending on 22 February.[4]

Writing

[edit]

Gatiss originally planned a sequel to his ninth series episode "Sleep No More", but on learning that both Moffat and Capaldi were leaving the series decided instead to write "the story I've always wanted to do".[5] Gatiss considered setting the episode on Peladon, but chose Mars instead due to the similar "corridors with flaming torches" style of the following episode.[6]

Cast notes

[edit]

Alpha Centauri is voiced by Ysanne Churchman, who originally voiced the character in The Curse of Peladon and The Monster of Peladon.[4]

Broadcast and reception

[edit]

The episode was watched by 3.58 million overnight.[7] The episode received 5.02 million views overall, and it received an Appreciation Index of 83.[8][9]

Critical reception

[edit]
Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)92%[10]
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Rating)7.9/10[10]
Review scores
SourceRating
The A.V. ClubB−[11]
Entertainment WeeklyB+[12]
SFX Magazine[13]
TV Fanatic[14]
IGN8.2[15]
New York Magazine[16]
Radio Times[17]
Daily Mirror[18]

"Empress of Mars" was met with generally positive reviews from television critics.[19] The episode received positive reviews from 92% of 13 critics on Rotten Tomatoes, and the site consensus reads, "'The Empress of Mars' gives fans an entertaining standalone breather between major arcs that makes the most of its leads' considerable chemistry."[10]

Nivea Serrao of Entertainment Weekly awarded the episode a grade of B+, approving the story and comparing it to Hidden Figures. He commented how the episode addresses the issue where "no one side is truly right in the end", and gives the Ice Warriors a definition other than a "clear-cut villain" like the Daleks or Cybermen. He stated that Ferdinand Kingsley's character of Catchlove was an "effective villain" with his "fun-to-hate portrayal". Gatiss' combination of different themes within the episode was also commented upon in a positive light and the connection between Iraxxa and Bill with their shared gender.[12]

Zoe Delahunty-Light of SFX Magazine gave the episode three-and-a-half stars out of five. She described the episode as "stoic" and "dependable" overall, with an "awkward" beginning and one that "missed the chance to add an extra dimension to its characters". Delahunty-Light commented on how the Ice Warriors appeared to be a villain that appeared to want to destroy the soldiers with no solid reason given. She praised the return of Alpha Centauri in the episode, finding it a fun reference for long-standing fans of the programme.[13]

Ross Ruediger of New York Magazine gave the episode a perfect score of 5 out of 5 stars, approving the return of the Ice Warriors after their previous appearance in the seventh series. He stated that the episode was an episode dedicated to "honor, loyalty, and redemption", and enjoyed Gatiss' script. He commented on how there appeared to be no reason why the TARDIS disappeared from Mars but also complimented how complicated Missy's arc appeared to be, on whether she had redeemed herself or if it was an elaborate plan. He stated that the best features of the episode were Adele Lynch's portrayal of Iraxxa, and also the classic movie references throughout the episode.[16]

Patrick Mulkern from the Radio Times also gave the episode a score of 5 stars out of 5, appreciating the story and stating that it was "well-crafted". He liked how Gatiss was able to give more depth to the characters of this episode than the characters that had appeared in previous episodes of the series, and also the complex nature of the Ice Warriors, and how they displayed their typical honour, strength, and loyalty, but were also able to be negotiated with.[17]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c Pete Dillon-Trenchard (10 June 2017). "Doctor Who series 10: Empress Of Mars nerdy spots and Easter eggs". Den of Geek. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  2. ^ Whitbrook, James (10 June 2017). "Stay Frosty in the Spoiler-Packed Doctor Who Discussion Thread". io9. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  3. ^ "Doctor Who: Empress of Mars, series 10 episode 9: Ice Warriors return with added Girl Power". Doctor Who News. 10 June 2017. Retrieved 17 June 2017.
  4. ^ a b c "Empress of Mars, Series 10, Doctor Who – Empress of Mars: The Fact File – BBC One". BBC. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  5. ^ Fullerton, Huw (6 June 2017). "Mark Gatiss reveals the plot of the Doctor Who episode that never was". 'Radio Times. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  6. ^ Doctor Who Magazine. No. 513. Panini Comics. p. 18. {{cite magazine}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  7. ^ "Empress of Mars – Overnight Viewing Figures". Doctor Who News. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
  8. ^ Marcus (20 June 2017). "Empress of Mars – Official Ratings". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  9. ^ Marcus (12 June 2017). "Empress of Mars – Audience Appreciation:83". Doctor Who News. Retrieved 12 June 2017.
  10. ^ a b c "Doctor Who, Series 10, Episode 9, Empress of Mars". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved 14 May 2024.
  11. ^ Wilkins, Alasdair (11 June 2017). "Doctor Who puts Victorians on Mars, which isn't quite as fun as it sounds". AV Club. Alasdair Wilkins. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  12. ^ a b Serrao, Nivea. "Doctor Who recap: 'Empress of Mars'". Entertainment Weekly. Nivea Serrao. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  13. ^ a b Zoe Delahunty-Light (10 June 2017). "DOCTOR WHO SEASON 10 EPISODE 9: "A STOIC AND DEPENDABLE EPISODE"". GamesRadar. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  14. ^ Wiedel, Kathleen (11 June 2017). "Doctor Who Season 10 Episode 10 Review: The Empress of Mars". TV Fanatic. Kathleen Wiedel. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  15. ^ Collura, Scott (10 June 2017). "DOCTOR WHO: "EMPRESS OF MARS" REVIEW". IGN. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  16. ^ a b Ruediger, Ross (10 June 2017). "Doctor Who Recap: God Save the Queen". New York Magazine. Ross Ruediger. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  17. ^ a b Patrick Mulkern (10 June 2017). "Doctor Who review: Empress of Mars "looks to the future while nodding at the past"". Radio Times. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  18. ^ Jackson, Daniel (10 June 2017). "Doctor Who Series 10 Episode 9 The Empress Of Mars review: Gatiss turns in a decent story in his second outing with The Ice Warriors". Daily Mirror. Retrieved 10 June 2017.
  19. ^ "Empress of Mars – Reaction". Doctor Who News. 11 June 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2017.
[edit]
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