Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 12 Rewatch: "Army of Ghosts"

[Ryushikaze]

I give this a 5 of 5, one of best eps of the new four seasons, though I will admit that the presence of Micky would have bumped this up even if the ep wasn't good under its own merits.

With regards to the Doctor's bizarre and inconsistent harshness, they can still make sense of it IF they explain why he's been doing this- why he's been so 'no second chances' for people he doesn't know, but 'all is forgiven' to people from his past.
I think a major theme, even in the first two seasons, was that the Doctor isn't exactly complete or well adjusted after burning his own planet- his original home- to cinders, and is currently seeking something of 'the old times', which explains why he wants to keep Master or Davros around- as a psychological anchor that he doesn't have to put into threatening situations like his companions, and why he got rid of his other self so readily- he can't really stand himself, and can't bear to be reminded of what he himself did, with his own face.

If Master and Sec realized these things, a lot of their actions, especially Sec's destroy the Dalek button. The point wasn't for the Daleks to win, it was to tell the Doctor that Sec was in control, Sec could push him beyond the edge to win, etc.

Hopefully, some time will be given in the next series as to the Doctor's instability, and some of his mindless cruelty/ utterly stupid mercy will be properly explained.