"Doctor Who" Engages in an Odd Countdown to Its Final Start
The latest episode of "Doctor Who," titled "Wish World," bears striking similarities to last season's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday." Both episodes are penultimate episodes of their respective seasons, revolve around the return of a classic "Doctor Who" villain, and fail to deliver a satisfying narrative, drawing comparisons to aimless waiting games.
While "Legend of Ruby Sunday" could at least create tension with the unknown return of Sutekh, "Wish World" is a confusing experience as the audience already knows that the Rani will return. This leaves viewers in a peculiar position of being a knowing audience, waiting for the protagonist's realization, which lacks any suspense.
The eponymous setting of "Wish World" is a contemporary Earth positioned as a sideways version of itself, thanks to manipulation by a magic baby obtained by the Rani. The World is governed by a dictator, Conrad, who broadcasts from a bone palace in London. This overtly heteronormative society focuses on the roles of women being good daughters, wives, and mothers, reinforcing limited beliefs about gender. Conrad's bigotry extends beyond sexuality, as he maintains an underground society of disabled people who are practically invisible in this world.
"Wish World" soon abandons its compelling narrative as the Doctor and Ruby team up with an underground group of disabled people to investigate the strange occurrences. The episode's main focus shifts to the Doctor's realization of the Rani's manipulation, which appears to be the only purpose of the narrative. The tone is disjointed, as Conrad's dictatorship and the Rani's manipulations glean little development in the second half of the episode.
In the closing moments, the Rani's plans are revealed to be powered by the doubts of those who question her reality, specifically the Doctor. This revelation leads to the release of Omega, a pivotal figure in "Doctor Who" history, known as one of the most powerful Time Lords and credited with inventing time travel. Omega's return holds significant importance for the show's narrative and its connection to Time Lord lore.
The episode ends with Earth collapsing into a dimension where Omega awaits. However, the character's introduction feels underwhelming, as fans don't witness Omega but merely hear his name. This leaves viewers seeking answers about the Rani's motivation and the implications of Omega's return for the Time Lords and Gallifrey.
The return of Omega provides an opportunity to delve deeper into the foundational Time Lord lore, potentially setting the stage for future episodes exploring the mythology of Gallifrey and the universe at large. Let's hope that the upcoming season finale will provide satisfying answers that make the plotlines of "Wish World" more coherent and engaging.
Stay tuned for upcoming events in the "Marvel," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek" universes, as well as future developments in the "DC Universe" and "Doctor Who."
Gizmodo and io9, technology and entertainment blogs, might discuss the disjointed narrative and underwhelming introduction of the powerful Time Lord, Omega, in the latest "Doctor Who" episode, "Wish World." The bloggers could speculate on the potential for future episodes to delve deeper into Time Lord lore and the universe at large, providing a more coherent and engaging narrative. Afterward, they might anticipate upcoming events in the "Marvel," "Star Wars," and "Star Trek" universes, as well as the "DC Universe" and future developments in "Doctor Who."
