"Doctor Who" Engages in a Bizarre Countdown Towards Its Farewell Begins
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A Fresh Take on "Wish World" and its Parallel "The Legend of Ruby Sunday"
Step right up, folks! Buckle up for a riveting comparison of "Wish World" and last season's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," two intriguing episodes of Doctor Who that share more than you might think. Both episodes feature an iconic Doctor Who villain's return and a season-long mystery on the cusp of unraveling. Unfortunately, they also share some striking similarities—aimless storytelling leading to a misguided cliffhanger reveal.
Now, let's dive into "Wish World" and its peculiar pitfalls. This episode may leave you scratching your head—it's like watching a contemporary Earth (in a weird, twisted version) led by a dictator more interested in perpetuating heteronormative values than saving the world. The titular "Wish World" is directed by a benevolent dictator, who goes by the name of Noted Utter Bastard Conrad (yes, you read that right), broadcasting from a bone palace in London.
Who's living in this ultra-normalized universe? The Doctor and Belinda, now Mr. John Smith and his happy homemaker wife, indulging in the retro-modern nuclear family dream as Belinda revels in her role as a stay-at-home mom and Mr. Smith works for the transformed UNIT—now an insurance team rather than aliens defense force.
The creepy vibe of this strictly heterosexual existence raises some red flags; it's almost as if Doctor Who is commenting on the recent cultural shift in acceptance of LGBTQ+ rights. Guess who else's antagonistic stance is pulled into question? Yep, our friend Jonah Hauer-King's character from "Lucky Day!"
Aside from the social commentary, "Wish World" also sheds light on Conrad's bigotry towards the disabled. While distant, this underground society flourishes unseen by Conrad, challenging the norms of this false reality. Add this to Conrad's dishonorable bumper list: hating the disabled.
So, what's the big twist? Another guessing game for the audience, who already knows the Doctor will meet the Rani and remember who she is. The problem is that there's no tension or mystery to keep us on the edge of our seats as we wait for this inevitable encounter. The Rani spends a lot of screen time explaining her plan, but the Doctor doesn't seem too confused or intrigued—it's just a matter of time before they meet.
What's the MVP of this episode? The return of Omega—an iconic figure in Time Lord history! But, oh my Timeless Child, this revelation feels confining rather than shocking. It seems to come out of nowhere, and we're left questioning whether it was necessary to bring Omega back to set up the Rani's plan or tie in some plot points from another medium.
Overall, "Wish World" could have been so much more. But let's look on the bright side: at least we got the spectacular destruction of Earth before the cliffhanger this time! That's always a plus.
Want more juicy Doctor Who news? Check out our latest tidbits on upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, the direction of the DC Universe, and the future of Doctor Who. Don't forget to catch the thrilling season finale to see if "Wish World's" setup was worth the wait!
- In the future, Gizmodo and io9 might discuss upcoming Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, delving into the direction of the DC Universe and the endless possibilities for Doctor Who.
- Fans across entertainment platforms, including television, movies-and-tv, and technology news outlets like Gizmodo and io9, anxiously await the season finale of Doctor Who to see if 'Wish World's' intricate setup is worth the wait.
- Technology enthusiasts, keeping tabs on the latest entertainment news at Gizmodo and io9, might find themselves intrigued by discussions about the controversial parallel universe depicted in the Doctor Who episode, 'Wish World,' and its striking resemblance to contemporary Earth in some unusual aspects.
