Actor playing the role of Doctor Who engages in an unusual countdown tactic leading up to the series' conclusion.
In the latest Doctor Who episode, "Wish World," there's a striking resemblance to the previous season's "Legend of Ruby Sunday." Both are penultimate episodes and revolve around returning classic villains, with an underlying mystery that's been building up throughout the seasons. Unfortunately, they both suffer from a lack of substance, mostly serving as countdowns to a dramatic cliffhanger reveal.
"Wish World," however, struggles more due to the audience already knowing the main reveal - the return of the Rani. The titular world is a contemporary Earth in a parallel dimension, under the control of a benevolent dictator known as Noted Utter Bastard Conrad. The Doctor and Belinda live a retro-modern family life under Conrad's rule, with a creepy heteronormative vibe and discriminatory undertones towards certain groups.
Conrad's bigotry reaches new heights, not only with his views on women and queer people but also towards the disabled, leading to an underground society called Daily Grind. Ruby Sunday teams up with Shirley and her friends from this society to uncover the truth about Conrad's realm.
The episode, however, loses steam after the investigations start. Instead of pushing the narrative forward, the pacing slows down, and the main characters just look up at Conrad's bone palace. The Rani and her minions spend most of their time waiting for the Doctor to realize the falsehood of this world, robbing the climax of tension.
In an attempt to salvage the episode, a last-minute mystery is revealed - the Rani's ticking clock is powered by the doubts of anyone who's questioned Conrad's reality, including the Doctor. This reveals Omega, an ancient, godlike co-founder of Time Lord society, waiting in another dimension.
The Omega reveal comes as a surprise but feels underdeveloped, given the build-up to the encounter between the Doctor and the Rani. The character's re-emergence could have profound implications for Time Lord society, potentially disrupting the balance of political power. However, the connection to the Timeless Child is not explicitly addressed in this episode, leaving room for future exploration.
In summary, "Wish World" struggled to build tension due to the knowledge of the Rani's return and an unexpected last-minute reveal. The tension between the Doctor and the Rani could have been more impactful if they hadn't been waiting for the big moment throughout the episode. The return of Omega sets the stage for future storylines, particularly in the context of the "Reality War" series finale, although the implications are yet to be fully realized.
- Although technology plays a minor role in "Wish World," the episode is reminiscent of several science fiction series covered on Io9 and Gizmodo, with a parallel dimension, futuristic themes, and advanced technologies like Conrad's bone palace.
- Fans of movies-and-tv and entertainment will notice similarities between the investigative team in "Wish World" and shows like Stranger Things, as both feature a group of misfits unraveling secrets and combating discrimination in a not-so-idyllic community.
- The underwhelming conclusion of "Wish World" may disappoint some viewers, but the unexpected appearance of Omega offers promising directions for future Doctor Who storylines, especially in relation to the ongoing "Reality War" and the timeless mystery of the Timeless Child.
