The episode received generally positive reviews by television critics. Andrew Billen, writing in "The Times", awarded the episode five stars, praising Matt Smith's "mercurial" Doctor, Sophie Okonedo's acting, and the concept of the episode. However, he worried that Moffat "may not be as interested in the Time Lord as the rest of his fans", referring to a scene in which the Doctor dismisses the death of his people as a "bad day". Keith Watson in "Metro" praised the developing relationship between the Doctor and Amy. Sam Wollaston in "The Guardian" noted the parallels between the future UK and modern Britain, and also confessed to "being in love with Amy Pond".