"Doctor Who" Engages in an Unusual Countdown Towards Its Final Chapter's Commencement
Let's dive right into the latest episode of Doctor Who - "Wish World." It's got some intriguing parallels to "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," particularly when it comes to a lackluster countdown to a cliffhanger reveal.
"Wish World" is quite the manifestation of a messed-up reality,reflecting contemporary Earth before its impending doom. But wait, there's a twist! It's not our Earth; it's a sideways version, dreamed up by none other than Utter Bastard Conrad, our controller du jour broadcasting from a grandiose bone palace in London, making decisions about the world, its weather, and every pathetic soul living in it.
Conrad's vision is decidedly conservative, with an overtly heteronormative society that caters to cisgender, heterosexual norms. Any deviations from this ideal result in uncomfortable consequences, like when the casually mentioned handsome male co-worker nearly gets swallowed by the very fabric of reality.
Those society's castoffs who don't fit the mold - women, queer folks, and the disabled - are shunted to the margins, essentially unseen and unrecognized in Conrad's version of Heaven. Step up to the plate, Ruby Sunday, a disabled heroine who's as unaffected by the rest of the world as Conrad himself. Along with some disabled companions, she sets out to take down Conrad and figure out what the hell is going on.
Now the bad news: "Wish World" really lose its momentum right around this point, throwing away its creepy vibes and intriguing concept in favor of... well, more creepy vibes and an aimless ticking clock. Instead of a proper investigation, Ruby spends her time staring up at the giant bone palace while the Doctor dithers around, doubting the nature of his existence. This is in sharp contrast to "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," which at least had the mystery of Susan Triad to keep things afloat, even if it wasn't much more than a single plot point.
In a desperate attempt to add intrigue, the writers throw in another mystery reveal at the last minute: the Rani has been collecting doubts from anyone who's questioned Conrad's reality, including the Doctor himself. This newfound power has juiced up the Vindicator throughout the season, priming it to rip a hole through Earth and reality itself, opening up a dimension where none other than Omega, the ancient, godlike co-founder of Time Lord society, awaits.
Despite throwing in a last-minute twist, "Wish World" never manages to build up the tension or mystery needed to make the reveal satisfying. We already knew the Rani would return, and the Doctor recognizing her doesn't feel like much of a revelation to us, the audience. It's just a knowing crowd waiting for the other shoe to drop while watching the Doctor yawn his way through the episode.
So we're left wondering if next week's grand finale will make "Wish World" feel worth the wait. Will the Rani's return herald Omega's epic return and the consequences for the Time Lords and Gallifrey at large? Only time, or rather the show's runtime, will tell.
In need of more Doctor Who goodness? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek drops, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Rani's plan revolves around creating the Wish World to allow the Doctor to shatter its reality with his doubts, which are stronger than a human's doubts? And her eventual goal is to see "The One Who is Lost," revealed to be Omega at the end of the episode. This sets the stage for a dramatic conclusion to the season, potentially linking to the Timeless Child storyline and exploring the consequences for the universe at large.
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- Technology enthusiasts keep a keen eye on the future of entertainment, with the upcoming season of Doctor Who generating much excitement due to the Rani's return and the potential revelation of "The One Who is Lost," which is speculated to be Omega.
- The parallels between episodes of Doctor Who, such as "Wish World" and "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," often highlight intriguing themes in the domain of technology, entertainment, and society, providing thought-provoking discussions among fans on platforms like Gizmodo, io9, and Movies-and-TV.
