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* BigLippedAlligatorMoment: A few minutes midway through the episode are given over to a lesson about Roman attitudes to sexual orientation. This has no impact on the plot and is never mentioned again.
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** Ancient humans with a warrior culture fighting an alien menace beyond their comprehension, recalling the Vikings in "The Girl who Died".
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** Ancient humans with a [[ProudWarriorRaceGuy warrior culture culture]] fighting an alien menace beyond their comprehension, recalling the Vikings in "The Girl who Died".
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* ContinuityNod: The Doctor's CreepyCrows encounter is this to the tragic events of "Face the Raven", which like this episode was the tenth of its season. The titular raven was the chosen form of the quantum shade that executed Clara Oswald.
to:
* ContinuityNod: ContinuityNod:
** The Doctor's CreepyCrows encounter is this to the tragic events of "Face the Raven", which like this episode was the tenth of its season. The titular raven was the chosen form of the quantum shade that executed ClaraOswald.Oswald.
** A carving of the TARDIS on a Pict stone monument is shown at the beginning of the episode, recalling the Roman carving depicting the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble as "The Household Gods" at the end of "The Fires of Pompeii".
** Ancient humans with a warrior culture fighting an alien menace beyond their comprehension, recalling the Vikings in "The Girl who Died".
** The Doctor's CreepyCrows encounter is this to the tragic events of "Face the Raven", which like this episode was the tenth of its season. The titular raven was the chosen form of the quantum shade that executed Clara
** A carving of the TARDIS on a Pict stone monument is shown at the beginning of the episode, recalling the Roman carving depicting the Tenth Doctor and Donna Noble as "The Household Gods" at the end of "The Fires of Pompeii".
** Ancient humans with a warrior culture fighting an alien menace beyond their comprehension, recalling the Vikings in "The Girl who Died".
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Changed line(s) 33 (click to see context) from:
* RealEventFictionalCause: Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat. Those who've seen "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E8TheChase The Chase]]" will know that he's wrong -- the actual cause was the Daleks.
to:
* RealEventFictionalCause: RealEventFictionalCause:
** The Doctor and Bill set out to discover the fate of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legio_IX_Hispana Ninth Legion]]... and find they were eaten by a monster from another dimension.
** Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat. Those who've seen "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E8TheChase The Chase]]" will know that he's wrong -- the actual cause was the Daleks.
** The Doctor and Bill set out to discover the fate of the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legio_IX_Hispana Ninth Legion]]... and find they were eaten by a monster from another dimension.
** Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat. Those who've seen "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E8TheChase The Chase]]" will know that he's wrong -- the actual cause was the Daleks.
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* ChildSoldier: The eldest of the Ninth Legion survivors is 18, and the Doctor comments on Kar's youth when questioning her about her responsibilities as gatekeeper.
to:
* ChildSoldier: The eldest of the Ninth Legion survivors is 18, 18 (and is nicknamed 'Grandad' by his squadmates), and the Doctor comments on Kar's youth when questioning her about her responsibilities as gatekeeper.
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* GrimUpNorth: When the Doctor finds a Roman corpse and notes that the signs of death are consistent with total deprivation of sunlight, Nardole quips "Death by Scotland!"
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* HeroicSacrifice: Once the beast has been driven back to its home dimension, Kar and the Legionaries follow it through the gate to make sure it stays there.
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* TheSoCalledCoward: the last surviors of the Ninth Legion are those who were too afraid to face the beast head on. At the end, they stand shoulder to shoulder with Kar to keep the beast at bay.
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* TheSoCalledCoward: the last surviors survivors of the Ninth Legion are those who were too afraid to face the beast head on. At the end, they stand shoulder to shoulder with Kar to keep the beast at bay.
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* WeAreAsMayflies: The Doctor used the fragility of humans as an argument in favour of himself taking over the responsibilities of gatekeeper from them.
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* ChildSoldier: The eldest of the Ninth Legion survivors is 18, and the Doctor comments on Kar's youth when questioning her about her responsibilities as gatekeeper.
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* SorryImGay: Said by Bill to one of the Roman soldiers who tries to make advances on her. He takes it far better than she expects, being bisexual himself (which he sees as the norm for Roman society) and serving alongside a gay man.
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* TranslatorMicrobes: Bill [[GenreSavvy figures out]] this is in effect when she asks Simon how he speaks English, and he responds by accusing her of speaking Latin. It also allows the Picts and Romans to understand one another when they meet in the Doctor's presence.
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* BiTheWay: The Romans see this as the default, and think it's slightly old-fashioned to be attracted to only one gender.
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* RealEventFictionalCause: Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat.
to:
* RealEventFictionalCause: Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat. Those who've seen "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E8TheChase The Chase]]" will know that he's wrong -- the actual cause was the Daleks.
* ShoutOut: Kar's speech about the Romans is excerpted from a famous speech Tacitus attributes to the chieftain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgacus Calgacus]].
* ShoutOut: Kar's speech about the Romans is excerpted from a famous speech Tacitus attributes to the chieftain [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calgacus Calgacus]].
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* YearOutsideHourInside: a few seconds in the presence of the gate for the Doctor passes as two years for Nardole and the Picts.
to:
* YearOutsideHourInside: a few seconds in the presence of the gate for the Doctor passes as two years days for Nardole and the Picts.
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Changed line(s) 21 (click to see context) from:
* LeeroyJenkins: Corenelius, a Roman soldier who charges ahead of the rest of his comrades while they're cautiously trying to avoid the beast, and is very quickly devoured.
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* LeeroyJenkins: Corenelius, Cornelius, a Roman soldier who charges ahead of the rest of his comrades while they're cautiously trying to avoid the beast, and is very quickly devoured.
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Changed line(s) 30 (click to see context) from:
* TheSoCalledCoward: the last surviors of the Ninth Legion are those who were too afraid to face the beast head on. At the end, they stand shoudler to shoulder with Kar to keep the beast at bay.
to:
* TheSoCalledCoward: the last surviors of the Ninth Legion are those who were too afraid to face the beast head on. At the end, they stand shoudler shoulder to shoulder with Kar to keep the beast at bay.
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* LeeroyJenkins: Corenelius, a Roman soldier who charges ahead of the rest of his comrades while they're cautiously trying to avoid the beast, and is very quickly devoured.
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* TheSoCalledCoward: the last surviors of the Ninth Legion are those who were too afraid to face the beast head on. At the end, they stand shoudler to shoulder with Kar to keep the beast at bay.
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* ArsonMurderAndJaywalking: The Doctor comments that the Ninth Legion would have left some trace of themselves, like burning huts, slaughtered locals or sweetie wrappers.
* EnemyMine: At the end of the episode, the remnants of the Ninth Legion and the Picts work together to drive the beast back to its home dimension.
* NoodleIncident: The Doctor claims to have been a Roman governor, a farmer, and a vestal virgin 2nd class. It's a long story.
* RealEventFictionalCause: Nardole claims that the Marie Celeste was caused by an alien race which considered digestion a form of diplomacy; their ambassador devoured the entire crew before choking on a lifeboat.
* SummonBiggerFish: Kar allowed the eater of light out of its dimension in the hope it would drive off the Romans.
-->'''Doctor''': There were strangers at the door, and a guard dog in the attic.
* SummonBiggerFish: Kar allowed the eater of light out of its dimension in the hope it would drive off the Romans.
-->'''Doctor''': There were strangers at the door, and a guard dog in the attic.
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to:
* YearOutsideHourInside: a few seconds in the presence of the gate for the Doctor passes as two years for Nardole and the Picts.
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" is a dragon-like creature with a mouthful of glowing blue tentacles; it is called such because it grows -- and grows hungry -- by the tentacles absorbing sunlight.
to:
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" is a are dragon-like creature creatures with a mouthful of glowing blue tentacles; it is tentacles extending from their mouths; they are called such because it grows they grow -- and grows grow hungry -- by the tentacles absorbing sunlight.
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Changed line(s) 19 (click to see context) from:
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" is a creature with many glowing blue tentacles; it is called such because it grows -- and grows hungry -- by absorbing sunlight.
to:
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" is a dragon-like creature with many a mouthful of glowing blue tentacles; it is called such because it grows -- and grows hungry -- by the tentacles absorbing sunlight.
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Changed line(s) 23,24 (click to see context) from:
* OutsideContextVillain: The Pictish warriors of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom when he's brought into this adventure!
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom when he's brought into this adventure!
to:
* OutsideContextVillain: The Pictish warriors of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
arrives.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom when he's brought into thisadventure!adventure.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom when he's brought into this
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* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters talking ravens in the forest...one of which ''speaks his name''.
to:
* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters talking ravens in the forest...one of which ''speaks his name''.
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Changed line(s) 16 (click to see context) from:
* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters a raven in the forest...that seems to ''speak his name''.
to:
* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters a raven talking ravens in the forest...that seems to ''speak one of which ''speaks his name''.
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* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" are creatures with glowing blue tentacles; they are called such because they grow -- and grow hungry -- by absorbing sunlight.
to:
* TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt: If this MonsterOfTheWeek can't be stopped, it will wipe out humanity.
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light"are creatures is a creature with many glowing blue tentacles; they are it is called such because they grow it grows -- and grow grows hungry -- by absorbing sunlight.
* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light"
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** Imprisonment/Release: The MonsterOfTheWeek dwells beyond a stone doorway, which the Doctor must access and open to confront the threat. (This is also the clearest PlotParallel yet to his StoryArc situation with Missy and the Vault.)
* OutsideContextVillain: The natives of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom.
* OutsideContextVillain: The natives of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom.
to:
** Imprisonment/Release: The MonsterOfTheWeek dwells beyond a stone doorway, which the Doctor must access and open to confront the threat. (This is also one of the clearest PlotParallel yet {{Plot Parallel}}s to his StoryArc situation with Missy and the Vault.)
* OutsideContextVillain: Thenatives Pictish warriors of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of thebathroom. bathroom when he's brought into this adventure!
* OutsideContextVillain: The
* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the
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* OutsideContextVillain: The natives of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a MonsterOfTheWeek gets involved.
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* OutsideContextVillain: The natives of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a ''very'' hungry MonsterOfTheWeek capable of destroying both sides and more besides gets involved.
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* OutsideContextVillain: The natives of Scotland are battling invading Roman forces...and then a MonsterOfTheWeek gets involved.
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* ContinuityNod: The Doctor's CreepyCrows encounter is this to the tragic events of "Face the Raven", which like this episode was the tenth of its season. The titular raven was the chosen form of the quantum shade that executed Clara Oswald.
* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters a raven in the forest...that seems to ''speak his name''.
* CreepyCrows: The Doctor encounters a raven in the forest...that seems to ''speak his name''.
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** Hidden threats: The MonsterOfTheWeek that was responsible for the disappearance and demise of the Roman legion.
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* MonsterOfTheWeek: The titular "eaters of light" are creatures with glowing blue tentacles; they are called such because they grow -- and grow hungry -- by absorbing sunlight.
* {{Motifs}}: For Series 10:
** Imprisonment/Release: The MonsterOfTheWeek dwells beyond a stone doorway, which the Doctor must access and open to confront the threat. (This is also the clearest PlotParallel yet to his StoryArc situation with Missy and the Vault.)
* {{Motifs}}: For Series 10:
** Imprisonment/Release: The MonsterOfTheWeek dwells beyond a stone doorway, which the Doctor must access and open to confront the threat. (This is also the clearest PlotParallel yet to his StoryArc situation with Missy and the Vault.)
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[[caption-width-right:350:How will they get out of this situation?]]
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* PajamaCladHero: Nardole appears to be coming out of the bathroom.
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[[quoteright:350:http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/dwtheeatersoflight.jpg]]
[[caption-width-right:350:How will they get out of this situation?]]
->''"Now you have a choice. You can all keep on slaughtering each other till there’s no one left standing, or you can grow the hell up!"''
-->-- '''The Doctor'''
[[caption-width-right:350:How will they get out of this situation?]]
->''"Now you have a choice. You can all keep on slaughtering each other till there’s no one left standing, or you can grow the hell up!"''
-->-- '''The Doctor'''
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Changed line(s) 5,7 (click to see context) from:
''"A long time ago, the Roman legion of the ninth vanished into the mists of Scotland. Bill has a theory about what happened, and the Doctor has a time machine. But when they arrive in ancient Aberdeenshire, what they find is a far greater threat than any army. In a cairn, on a hillside, is a doorway leading to the end of the world."''
!!This episode contains examples of:
!!This episode contains examples of:
to:
!!This episode contains examples of:
----
!!Tropes:
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* TheXOfY: "'''The''' Eaters '''of''' Light".
to:
* TheXOfY: "'''The''' Eaters '''of''' Light".Light".
----
----
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Changed line(s) 8 (click to see context) from:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.
to:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.ago.
* TheXOfY: "'''The''' Eaters '''of''' Light".
* TheXOfY: "'''The''' Eaters '''of''' Light".
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Changed line(s) 8,9 (click to see context) from:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...
to:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...ago.
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...
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Written by Rona Munro, who previously wrote [[Recap/DoctorWhoS26E4Survival "Survival"]], the final serial of the original run of ''Doctor Who''.
From Steven Moffat's ''Radio Times'' episode guide:
''"A long time ago, the Roman legion of the ninth vanished into the mists of Scotland. Bill has a theory about what happened, and the Doctor has a time machine. But when they arrive in ancient Aberdeenshire, what they find is a far greater threat than any army. In a cairn, on a hillside, is a doorway leading to the end of the world."''
!!This episode contains examples of:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...
From Steven Moffat's ''Radio Times'' episode guide:
''"A long time ago, the Roman legion of the ninth vanished into the mists of Scotland. Bill has a theory about what happened, and the Doctor has a time machine. But when they arrive in ancient Aberdeenshire, what they find is a far greater threat than any army. In a cairn, on a hillside, is a doorway leading to the end of the world."''
!!This episode contains examples of:
* DrivingQuestion: The story takes off from Bill wanting to find out how a Roman legion disappeared without a trace centuries ago.
* NeverFoundTheBody: A whole Roman legion seemingly vanished into thin air...
