Actor Jodie Whittaker's Tactical Pause Prior to the Onset of 'Doctor Who's Final Chapter
In the realm of "Doctor Who," the penultimate episodes of past seasons – such as this year's "Wish World" and last year’s "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" – exhibit unmistakable similarities. They're both steeped in the return of classic villains, perpetuating mysteries that unravel across their respective seasons. Unfortunately, they both suffer from the same flat, anticipatory vibe as they inch towards a climactic reveal.
"Wish World" hits a rougher patch than its predecessor, largely due to audience familiarity with the returning antagonist, the Rani. With the Rani's return and her connection to the storyline already commonly known, watching the Doctor's realization of this becomes more of a expectant affair rather than a thrilling revelation.
The titular world of "Wish World" is a contemporary Earth – a backward mirror image of it, actually. Thanks to the assistance of a magical baby snatched by the Rani in medieval Bavaria, Earth's residents now live in a controlled, heteronormative society directed by an autocratic figure, Utter Bastard Conrad, from his grand bone palace in London.
In this largely repressed world, the Doctor and his wife Belinda are normative nuclear family duo. With Belinda embracing her role as a stay-at-home mom and the Doctor working for UNIT, now an insurance team, the dramatic tension is palpable. Conrad’s discrimination against marginalized groups – women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and the disabled – serves as the background for the dark undertones of this world.
Ruby Sunday, an unimpeded resident, joins forces with a group of disabled individuals who, unseen by Conrad, remain practically invisible to society. Together, they begin to decipher the mystery behind Conrad’s control and the role of the Rani.
As the episode moves forward, it seems to skirt elusive storytelling in favor of building tension between the Doctor and the Rani. This connection forms the backbone of the episode as they both grapple with their past and their place within the story’s reality. However, since the audience already knows about the Rani's return, the crucial moments lack the tension and anticipation they should carry.
In a bizarre twist, the Rani’s ticking countdown to May 24 is revealed to be powered by doubt. The focal point of this quest is the Vindicator, a device the Doctor and Belinda carry throughout the season that the Rani manipulates to rip apart Earth and reality itself, opening a portal to none other than Omega, an ancient, godlike co-creator of Time Lord society.
The episode culminates in the Doctor's realization of the Rani's plan and the danger presented by Omega, but this climactic moment seems less impactful due to the lack of tension and buildup throughout the episode. As a result, fans are left questioning whether the Rani's return and the ominous implications of Omega were truly necessary to progress the season's narrative.
Nostalgic fans might recognize dialogue from Stephen Thorne's last role as Omega in the audio drama "Gallifrey: Intervention Earth." This Easter egg adds a historical touch to the character's return, paying homage to the actor and the legendary villain. As the season concludes, viewers await the details of Omega's influence on the Time Lords and Gallifrey, hoping the forthcoming episodes provide the depth and intrigue that "Wish World" fell short of achieving.
- In the realm of news and entertainment, Gizmodo and Io9, known for their coverage of technology, future developments, and movies-and-TV, might discuss the anticipation around the return of classic villains in the popular series Doctor Who.
- As Doctor Who fans eagerly await the next installment, they could be watching video content on sites such as Gizmodo or Io9 for updates on the season's plot and the introduction of new characters, such as the ancient, godlike character Omega.
- Post-episode discussions about Doctor Who, including its plot twists and returning villains, often find a home on forums and comment sections on entertainment and technology websites like Gizmodo and Io9, where fans can share their thoughts and theories about the series' future.
