"Doctor Who" Engages in an Odd Countdown Strategy Leading to Its Final Chapter
In the latest episode of "Doctor Who," titled "Wish World," the series delves into an alternate reality led by a villain with a clearly defined agenda. Similarities can be drawn between this installment and last year's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," as both episodes mark the penultimate episodes of their respective seasons and revolve around the reappearance of classic "Doctor Who" villains. Regrettably, much like its predecessor, "Wish World" succumbs to the monotony of a protracted buildup, culminating in an anticlimactic moment, leaving viewers wanting more.
"Wish World" introduces us to a contemporary Earth on the brink of extinction but in an altered version of existence, known as the titular "Wish World." The mastermind behind this fabricated world is a seemingly benevolent figure, named Conrad, who governs from a grand palace hovering above London. His influence stems from the aid of a magic baby, a seventh son of a seventh son, acquired by the Rani in medieval Bavaria. It is worth noting that Conrad's beliefs are notoriously prejudiced, as we learn he holds negative attitudes toward women, queer people, and disabled individuals.
In this skewed universe, the Doctor and Belinda find themselves embodying a conventional married couple, with Belinda acting as a stay-at-home mother to their daughter, Poppy. Meanwhile, the Doctor takes on the role of a UNIT insurance agent. The overall atmosphere of conformity and heteronormativity adds to the dark and eerie tone pervading the narrative.
Ruby Sunday finds herself at the forefront of the resistance against Conrad's bigotry, banding together with other marginalized individuals, including the disabled, to uncover the truth behind the deception. This leads her on a path to eventually unite with Shirley and her friends. Moreover, the Rani, who seeks to redeem herself in the eyes of the Doctor, plays a crucial role in the plot, secretly manipulating events from a great height above London.
After several episodes of slowly building tension, "Wish World" derives its main reveal—the return of the Rani—not necessarily as a surprise but as a revelation for the Doctor rather than the audience. This causes much of the impact of the Rani's appearance to wane, as there is little suspense left in the confrontation. The episode then attempts to pull an additional twist with the appearance of Omega, an ancient Time Lord and creator of time technology, albeit with limited success.
Sadly, the pacing and narrative structure of "Wish World" seem to have fallen short of expectations, leaving viewers unfulfilled despite the intriguing premise and potential for an engaging story. With the looming finale, it remains to be seen if the season's remaining episodes will build upon this foundation, delivering the satisfying conclusion that "Wish World" promised but ultimately failed to deliver.
In related news, the return of the Rani and the subsequent revelation of Omega have significant implications for the Time Lords and their society. The upcoming episodes may elucidate the Rani's motivations behind freeing Omega and the latter's role in shaping Time Lord history. These developments could potentially deepen the series' mythology, promising an intriguing exploration of power, origin, and identity for a new generation of "Doctor Who" fans.
Gizmodo and io9 discussed the issue of pacing in the latest "Doctor Who" episode called "Wish World," pointing out that despite an intriguing premise, the slow narrative buildup and anticlimactic moment left viewers yearning for more. They suggest that the remaining episodes of the season may need to deliver a more engaging story to meet the promises set by "Wish World."
The Entertainment website Movies-and-TV also touched upon the episode's controversial aspect, stating that "Wish World" delves into themes of prejudice and bigotry, as a villain named Conrad discriminates against women, queer people, and disabled individuals.
As the season progresses, technology enthusiasts will be looking forward to the unfolding plotlines surrounding the return of the Rani, her motivations for freeing Omega, and Omega's role in shaping Time Lord history. These developments could significantly impact the Time Lords and their society, potentially deepening the series' mythology and offering an insightful exploration of power, origin, and identity for a new generation of "Doctor Who" fans.
