"Doctor Who" Engages in a Strange Countdown for the Inception of Its Final Chapter
Title: "Wish World": A Subpar Doctor Who Adventure with a Familiar Villain
Take a trip down the doctor's memory lane with "Wish World," the season 15, episode 7 of Doctor Who. Despite sharing some striking similarities with last year's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," this penultimate episode falls short, delivering an aimless waiting game instead of an engaging narrative.
The episode centers around the return of a classic Doctor Who baddie — the Rani. Just like "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," it revolves around the unraveling of a season-long mystery, only to result in a cliffhanger ending that feels like a letdown. "Wish World" leaves viewers stuck in a weird limbo, as the Doctor catches up to events the audience already knows about.
The titular world of "Wish World" is a chilling, contemporary Earth version, rolled out before its supposed doom. With the help of a magical baby conveniently picked up by the Rani in medieval Bavaria, this eerie world is ruled by the apparent benefactor, Noted Utter Bastard Conrad, broadcasting his sway from his bone palace in London.
Our protagonists, the Doctor and Belinda, find themselves entangled in this odious reality, playing out the retro-modern nuclear family charade. Belinda embraces her role as a stay-at-home mom, and the Doctor lands a job at UNIT, now rebranded as an insurance company rather than a force defending against extraterrestrial threats.
The creepy homogeneity of this excessively heteronormative existence is no accident; it's a deliberate attack on queer individuals and the disabled, as reflected in Conrad's prejudices. The underground society of disabled people, rendered invisible by Conrad's disregard, provides a stark contrast to the perfect, cookie-cutter citizens that populate Wish World.
Ruby Sunday, a character introduced in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," resurfaces in this episode, joining forces with Shirley and her fellow disabled camp members to scrutinize the guts of this world.
Things start to unravel midway through the episode, with the Doctor and John Smith (our modern Doctor!) crossing paths with returning cameos from Jon Groff's Rogue. With a quick reminder that the Doctor shares more than just sci-fi interests with Jon Groff's character — they both happen to be gay — the stage is set for the Doctor to question his reality.
Unfortunately, the narrative doesn't pick up from there. The climax of the episode revolves around the Rani expositing her plans to the Doctor, hoping to break the illusion she's woven and regain his recognition. However, the audience already knows who the Rani is, deflating any tension or suspense that might have otherwise been present.
In a last-ditch effort to reignite viewer engagement, the Rani reveals that her master plan is to release the ancient Time Lord, Omega, from his prison in the Underverse. The inclusion of Omega, a significant character from the Doctor Who lore, raises exciting questions but falls flat with a lackluster execution.
Overall, "Wish World" fails to deliver on the significant promises it teases, leaving viewers wondering if the effort was worth the wait for aRLyPayV38cbP
Io9 and Gizmodo might review "Wish World" as a disappointing Doctor Who adventure, given its underwhelming narrative and unengaging climax. The episode shares similarities with last year's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," yet fails to match its impact, resulting in a cliffhanger ending that lacks the intended punch.
Technology enthusiasts may find interest in the episode's portrayal of UNIT rebranded as an insurance company, a striking contrast to its original role defending against extraterrestrial threats. Movies-and-TV fans might appreciate the return of Jon Groff's Rogue and the brief exploration of the complex relationship between the Doctor and his character, both being gay.
Entertainment websites might also highlight the episode's exploration of prejudices against queer individuals and the disabled, as reflected in the character of Noted Utter Bastard Conrad and the eerie, homogeneous existence in "Wish World." Viewers looking for engaging narratives or resolution of the season-long mystery may be left disappointed.
