"Doctor Who" Engages in a Bizarre Countdown Towards Its Farewell
New Take:
Stepping into the realms of "Wish World" feels eerily similar to last season's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," both episodes sharing the same vexing fate. They belong to the penultimate episodes of their respective Doctor Who seasons, reintroducing a classic Doctor Who villain, and building on a season-long mystery. Sadly, they also fail to hold the audience's attention, as they both meander aimlessly, leading up to a rushed climax.
"Wish World" reigns as the dubious champion of aimlessness, however. Unlike "Ruby Sunday," we know that Sutekh's return is imminent, and Conrad is the dictator of a deceitful Earth. Instead of tension or suspense, we're left with the unsettling atmosphere of an oppressive, heteronormative society ruled by Conrad's vile, bigoted beliefs. Women, the LGBTQ+ community, and the disabled are all targeted by his hatred.
"Wish World" introduces us to a sideways version of modern Earth, orchestrated by a magic baby Conrad encounters in medieval Bavaria. The baby's miraculous powers allow Conrad to dictate all aspects of life in London with the help of a magic wunderkind. Our beloved Doctor and Belinda, now living a cookie cutter family life, are yet another casualty of this twisted parallel world.
The story stalls as we witness an exploration of gender roles and heteronormative ideals, with uncomfortable nods to a society that penalizes those who defy traditional norms. As Mr. John Smith grapples with his consciousness, reality seems to bend around him, as if a simple thought of anything but binary gender and cisgender heterosexuality warps the world.
"Wish World" struggles to regain momentum as "Mr. Smith" and Ruby Sunday set out to investigate the peculiarities of this world. After a brief spark of intrigue provided by Groff's Rogue Poppy, the storytelling takes a nosedive. Both characters spend more time marveling at the sights rather than diving deeper into the mysteries unraveling before them.
The episode's main thrust seems to be the tedious countdown until the Doctor realizes he's not John Smith and the Rani's malevolent influence is manipulating the world. However, we as the audience have long known the truth about John Smith's true identity, which strips any element of surprise from the scene. Instead, we're left waiting for the Doctor and the Rani to collide, a meeting inevitably played out since the episode's inception.
The final moments of the episode feel like a desperate attempt to salvage the story. The Doctor discovers that the Rani's countdown has been fueled by his own doubts, powering the Vindicator even further to tear open a portal to the Underverse. Revealing the presence of Omega, a legendary Time Lord and the inventor of time travel, serves as a disappointing, unexpected twist that falls flat due to its abrupt delivery.
"Wish World" has potential but lacks the skillful direction and pacing required to deliver a satisfying experience. The episode stumbles, unable to build suspense or establish tension, leaving viewers eagerly awaiting the next installment to see if the threads left dangling will be woven into a cohesive, exciting tapestry.
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Enrichment Data:
Overall:
The return of Omega in "Wish World" represents a significant turning point in the Doctor Who series, as Omega is a key figure in the origins of Time Lord culture and technology. Omega's role, however, is complex, as he became trapped in the Underverse following a supernova centuries ago[3].
Significance of Omega's Return:
- Historical Context: Omega's last on-screen appearance was more than 40 years ago, making his return a significant event for fans.
- Plot Relevance: The Rani's scheme involves using Wish World to liberate Omega from the Underverse and leverage his immense power to manipulate reality.
- Thematic Significance: Omega's return reintroduces a fundamental figure from Doctor Who lore and could open up new avenues for storytelling.
Relationship with the Rani:
The Rani is central to Omega's return in "Wish World." Her goal is to exploit Omega's power to bend reality to her will, making her a formidable and dangerous opponent. The Rani forms an alliance with Conrad, employing his power and technology to facilitate Omega's liberation from the Underverse.
- Gizmodo's coverage of Doctor Who unveils the return of a crucial figure from Time Lord culture and technology, Omega, in the episode "Wish World."
- The significance of Omega's comeback lies in the historical context, as it's been over 40 years since his last on-screen appearance, making it a noteworthy event for fans.
- The complex relationship between Omega and the Rani unfolds in "Wish World" as the Rani seeks to exploit Omega's power to manipulate reality, positioning her as a dangerous adversary in the series' future storylines.
