Okay episode.
The hook of the race across the planet with a deadly obstacle course was fun. But because it was a single episode and so much was devoted to character moments, introductions, getting used to alien planets, and the history of the world (with more set-up for the lame badguy species) there was only a couple real death traps. That could have been a lot more interesting as an overland dungeon crawl with lots of little traps and puzzles to overcome.
And the "tie" ending was so-so, since I didn't really want
selfish dude to "win". We never got a sense of what he'd do with the money.
The TARDIS. It's... okay. I like the columns around the console (very 8th Doctor) and the heavy metal walls are interesting. But the crystal console is so-so. Very clearly designed to "match" the sonic screwdriver, which wasn't created by the TARDIS and has no connection to the TARDIS.
I was a big fan of the technological late-Smith and Capaldi TARDIS. Where it looked like a spaceship and not like a set designer went to a thrift shop. Didn't get enough of a look at the console to see if it still had the "junkyard" look, but the crystal stuff seemed excessive.
I agree with Morrus that the new opening theme is neat, and a very mysterious and less operatic version. I dig.
Where did the spectacles come from?
Yeah, I wondered as well. Especially since "empty pockets" was just such a running joke of the previous episode.
