"Doctor Who" Engages in an Odd Countdown Towards Its Final Beginning
Let's Talk About "Wish World" and Last Year's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" on Doctor Who
These two episodes share a common ground, both being penultimate episodes from their respective seasons. They also both feature a beloved Doctor Who villain making a comeback and a season-long mystery being resolved. However, they also share an unpleasant parallel: they are both tedious waiting games that lack substantial content leading up to the grand finale.
"Wish World" stumbles more than "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" because the latter could at least generate tension and eerie vibes with the suspense of Sutekh's long-anticipated return, unknown to the audience unless they had read the rumors. "Wish World," on the other hand, is building up to a moment that the viewer, but not the Doctor, already knows - the encounter with the returned Rani. This creates a highly unusual viewing experience, even before considering the mechanics of how Doctor Who constructs its cliffhangers.
The titular Wish World, a contemporary Earth teetering on destruction, is in fact a distorted version of it. Conveniently, a magic baby picked up by the Rani in medieval Bavaria (which doesn't fit her Evil Science Villainess persona too well, especially since the baby powers her to bend reality at will) is at the helm of this world. The apparent benevolent dictator is Joel, or noted Utter Bastard Conrad from "Lucky Day." As you might have guessed, a tiresome assortment of prejudices festers in this world.
Not only does Conrad disparage women's roles as homemakers and dismiss homosexuality, but he also harbors disdain for the disabled. An underground society of the disabled exists, practically unseen by Conrad and therefore invisible to the population as a whole. Ruby Sunday, unaffected by the oppressive environment, allies herself with Shirley and friends from the disabled camp to try to make sense of the anomaly.
Regrettably, "Wish World" abandons its intriguing premise halfway through, concentrating on the meeting between the Doctor and the Rani instead. The Doctor gradually learns about this fabricated world dominated by the Rani through the latter's explanations, but the suspense of the artifice crumbling is lost due to the foreknowledge that the Doctor is, in fact, not an insurance salesman named John Smith.
By the time the Rani and the Doctor cross paths, "Wish World" has more or less stopped trying to tell a story, instead focusing on building up to this dramatic confrontation. But because we, the audience, are privy to this knowledge, there's little tension or mystery in what's being built toward, only the anticipation of the shoe dropping for the show's protagonist, a shoe we already knew would drop.
To add another layer to the confusion, the episode abruptly tosses in a new mystery at the last moment when it turns out the Rani's countdown to May 24 is powered by the doubts of anyone who questions Conrad's reality, the Doctor included. Her motivation for this remains unclear, as does her ultimate goal in freeing Omega, the ancient godlike co-founder of Time Lord society.
"Wish World" exchanges the destruction-fueled-by-suspense cliffhanger for one that feels like it comes out of nowhere, leaving viewers wondering if the Rani's return was necessary to usher in Omega and its implications for the Time Lords and Gallifrey moving forward. This leaves us hungering for a two-part finale that might provide the narrative depth we missed in "Wish World."
In closing, the Rani's return in "Wish World" introduces Archie Panjabi as the bi-generated Rani and weaves her plan to control reality and ultimately free Omega into the series. If next week's grand finale manages to make this week's buildup seem worthwhile, it could set the stage for future storylines centered on powerful villains manipulating reality itself. Stay tuned!
Additional Insights:
- The Rani's plan in "Wish World" involves manipulating peoples' doubts to disrupt reality and free Omega. However, the exact reasons for her actions remain unclear. It is speculated that her devotion to Omega may spring from a strategic alliance or deep respect for the legendary Time Lord villain.
- Omega's return could have significant implications for the Doctor Who universe, as his freedom could lead to chaos and catastrophe. The Rani seems to view Omega with reverence, adding an intriguing twist to their interaction.
- The Rani initially appeared in the 1985 Doctor Who episode "Time and the Rani," led by actress Kate O'Mara. Archie Panjabi took over the role in Season 14, marking a fresh take on the character.
- The upcoming two-part finale could potentially set the stage for future storylines centered on powerful villains manipulating reality itself, as seen in the latest episode 'Wish World' featuring the returned Rani, played by Archie Panjabi.
- The return of the Rani in 'Wish World' not only ties into the series' ongoing narrative but also raises intriguing questions about her relationship with the ancient godlike Time Lord, Omega. Her actions in manipulating reality and freeing Omega could lead to profound implications for the Doctor Who universe.
- As technology and entertainment continue to evolve, streaming platforms such as Gizmodo and io9 offer a wealth of content for enthusiasts seeking insights into upcoming television shows, movies, and technology, like the forthcoming episodes of Doctor Who that may further the story of the Rani and Omega's profound connection.
