Right. The very first thing I have to say is, hooray! Ellie's back with mum! This is definitely a good thing, and I'm glad to see at least this part of Ave's trouble being resolved. The post-mission actually made me smile. Good for her. And good for you, Ixi.
Some of my favourite moments:
1) "“Sorry for the inconvenience, gents, but I have a baby to look after, so if you don’t mind lea—wait, what were you doing here, anyway?” [BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!]"
(You just haaad to go and say it, Ave. You just had to...)
2) "“No, but he sure got her on her back, if you know what I mean,”"
(Hiyoooooo!)
3) Actually, every time those two bloody muppets, Jack and Zeb, were playing matchmaker/teasing any of the Time Lords.
4) "The Aviator snickered. “So tell me, how does it feel to be on the receiving end for a change?”
“Is that what the Detective asked you the other night?” Zeb immediately shot back."
(Booyah, lil' buddy!)
That being said, the beginning felt a little... jumbled for me. One concrete example: Zeb asking how long the Time Lords have known each other follows by the Detective's answer to Jack's previously stated question. And Zeb's question is still hanging to AFTER the console going off and Ellie getting scared. It may not be a big deal, or anything, but it feels chaotic for me. Then again, that may just be me.
Another thing - not a negative one, but I am curious:
"“As far as I know, Eleven and River spent the most time together out of any of the incarnations” Jack said."
Now I wonder, wouldn't that be with Twelve and their 24 years on Darillium?
Long story short, it was a solid piece of mission. Zeb's the MVP, as always, and has everyone else in his shadow. Jack and the Detective have good chemistry both with each other and the other team, and Ave... well, she's just her old, grumpy self. All in all, I am looking forward to next interactions between this lil' semi-happy family.