That's true as well. I was only really bugged by the Disney death fall; I thought Driver and especially Ford played it excellently.

I think it was more meaning there's a general mode of glib pandering and winking callbacks in this film, similar to in STID where this pandering included up to pure steals of classic moments.

Agree about CG characters. Was Maz Kanata a Yoda-like wee person just for the sake of having a Yoda-like wee person in a Star Wars movie? I'd have much preferred just seeing Lupita Nyong'o.

Going in slightly cynical with tempered expectations to this movie, I found it hugely enjoyable with several big(ish) flaws in the execution of some of its ideas. The characters, old and new, all really hit the spot - entertaining, clear motivations, all making decisions in the plotline that made sense.

Kirk dying to save everyone and a big dramatic KHAAAN from Spock.

"Title of OUR sex tape!" is the greatest progression of a running joke since Arrested Development (true, it was an obvious turn but Jake's delivery just sold it completely). Start of this season's been absolutely superb.

Olly's hand in the upcoming mutiny has been obvious, and I do agree that if it turns out just to be him doing the stabby on Jon (rather than a lot of mutineers) it will seem a bit cheap. But since he was also the one that killed Ygritte perhaps they're going for some kind of balance with that.

I love Laura Marling but I feel like where you say "loose" I hear "deciding not to sing that line". I'm really not into her speak-singing shtick which seems to be an ever-increasing part of her sound.

I too thought the "dream state" of Clara's betrayal was a copout. Much better would've been Capaldi's sudden calm, followed by a click of his fingers and the doors swing open. Since, you know, that was a thing that Moffat established.

"And speaking of "Mandala," did I miss something? To what does the title refer?"

His name is ASAC Schrader. And you can… y'know.