Actor portraying 'Doctor Who' engages in peculiar prelude strategies amidst show's upcoming conclusion
In the realm of "Doctor Who," the penultimate episodes of both seasons, "Wish World" and "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," share an unfortunate resemblance. Both are lackluster waiting games, untouched by real substance, teetering on the edge of a climactic cliffhanger.
While "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" had the advantage of mystery surrounding Susan Triad, "Wish World" struggles to sustain engagement due to its widespread knowledge about the return of the Rani. This familiarity strips the narrative of any tension or surprise, leaving viewers as knowing witnesses to the Doctor's awakening realization.
The titular "Wish World" is a modernized version of Earth, shown just before its impending doom, governed by the seemingly benevolent dictator Noted Utter Bastard Conrad. The Doctor and Belinda, who have become John Smith and his wife, respectively, live a conventional nuclear family life, with Belinda embracing her stay-at-home mom role. The focused attention on traditional gender roles and heteronormativity is a chilling reflection of Conrad's bigoted beliefs.
Conrad's distaste for women, queer individuals, and people with disabilities is on full display in this alternate reality. An underground society of disabled individuals exists, unseen and unacknowledged by Conrad. The Rani, who remains unaffected by her surroundings, teams up with Shirley and her friends from the disabled camp to uncover the truth.
The episode falters as it abandons the intriguing atmosphere it establishes early on. The Doctor's role transitions into a passive observer, waiting for his doubts about the nature of the Wish World to materialize. Ruby's investigation comes to a standstill, allowing her and Shirley to simply observe the bone palace.
The Rani, patiently waiting in the bone palace, seeks the Doctor's recognition, dimming the climactic potential of their encounter. The audience is left merely anticipating the inevitable, knowing the Rani's true identity all along. In a desperate attempt to hold attention, the episode introduces a sudden, last-minute mystery reveal.
The Doctor discovers that the Rani's time-counting device has been powered by his doubts, boosting the Vindicator. This revelation leads to the opening of a dimension where Omega awaits. The appearance of Omega, a significant Time Lord figure, doesn't quite live up to the anticipation, feeling out of place following the episode's manipulated buildup.
Upon the destruction of Earth, the Doctor and Conrad, along with the Ranis, are seemingly the only survivors. The revelation of Omega is confusing, arriving suddenly and lacking the dramatic impact it might have had in a more carefully planned narrative.
Fans are left wondering if the Rani's return and subsequent invocation of Omega will lead to meaningful developments in the Time Lords' and Gallifrey's larger histories. One can't help but imagine a more elaborate, two-part finale that would have more effectively delivered on the potential of these developments.
- Gizmodo might critique the final episodes of "Doctor Who" season, suggesting a more elaborate and impactful storyline for the return of the Rani and the appearance of Omega.
- Io9 could discuss the portrayal of technology in "Wish World," where a modernized version of Earth is governed by Noted Utter Bastard Conrad, reflecting a dystopian future with questionable beliefs about gender roles and normativity.
- In the realm of television and entertainment, it remains to be seen how the teaser of a potential future development between the Rani, Omega, and the Time Lords will unfold across future seasons of "Doctor Who," setting the stage for exciting technological advancements and thrilling adventures.
