Healthcare Professional's Animated Expedition Fails to Captivate Audience Completely
The latest episode of Doctor Who, titled "Lux", showcases an extravagant makeup thanks to the BBC's collaboration with Disney, bringing to life grand ideas with a dazzle that could only be dreamt of previously. However, this burst of creativity and resources is tarnished by a chaotic mess of a storyline.
"Lux" primarily unfolds in 1952 Miami, where the Doctor and a reluctant companion named Belinda find themselves after the TARDIS refuses to return to contemporary Earth. Their arrival on the steps of a haunted cinema sets the stage for a thrilling mystery, but the story quickly spirals out of control.
Before they even start their investigation, we learn about the cause of the disappearances in the cinema – a character named Mr. Ring-a-Ding, the star of an old cartoon, brought to life by the power of the moon. The episode makes full use of this budget to display Mr. Ring-a-Ding in all his glory, and Alan Cumming delivers a chilling performance as the character.
Unfortunately, once Ring-a-Ding begins wreaking havoc, "Lux" plunges into a wild whirlwind of ideas, tossing them at the viewer without giving them room to breathe. Belinda and the Doctor are flattened into animated beings, forced to confront their fears and insecurities to regain their normal forms. Soon after, they're physically yanking themselves through strips of film reels in an attempt to break free from Ring-a-Ding's grasp.
As if that's not enough, they suddenly find themselves in a faux-reality and confronted by the specter of Temporal Racism, only to pop out of the TV screen moments later to be captured once more by Ring-a-Ding. In an immediate turn of events, they outwit Ring-a-Ding with a clever trick involving light and celluloid, ultimately causing his transcendence into nothingness. The episode ends on a happy note, with the Doctor and Belinda's rescue.
The relentless rush of ideas from beginning to end makes it impossible to grasp any of them effectively, and the tonal shifts create a sense of incoherence. Even moments that could have been potentially powerful, such as the examination of racial discrimination and the Doctor's relationship with Belinda, are swept under the rug.
The irony lies in the potential that "Lux" had to delve deep into these themes, considering its introduction of Doctor Who's first entirely non-white TARDIS team. But the rapid-fire succession of ideas results in a shallow exploration of these themes, causing them to fall flat. The handling of Belinda's reluctance to be the Doctor's companion also feels awkward, with little room for her character arc to develop naturally.
Doctor Who has previously dealt with racial discrimination and has explored its characters' personal growth. This episode, however, fails to do either justice, feeling more like a hurried attempt to tick off a list of common tropes rather than a committed effort to delve into rich, thought-provoking material. It's a genuine disappointment, especially given the talent both on and off-screen.
In hindsight, "Lux" feels more like a squandered opportunity than a memorable episode. Despite its glittering aesthetics, the narrative noise and lack of focus undermine the potential brilliance that lies within. Fans eagerly await the next adventure, hoping for a journey that is more coherent, emotionally engaging, and true to the spirit of Doctor Who.
- The latest episode of Doctor Who, titled "Lux," was a collaboration between BBC and Disney, showcasing grand ideas on television that were previously unimaginable.
- Gizmodo and io9 reviewed the episode, noting that it took place primarily in 1952 Miami, set against the backdrop of a haunted cinema.
- The technology used to bring the character Mr. Ring-a-Ding to life in all his glory was credited, but the chaotic storyline left viewers feeling poignantly disappointed.
- Sitting through the episodes of Movies-and-TV, one can't help but feel that "Lux" had the potential to delve deeper into the future of technology and explore important themes like Temporal Racism.
- Lux's extravagant makeup and luxurious aesthetics made it a captivating experience, but the lack of focus and coherent storyline left viewers wanting more.
- In the end, despite the promising collaboration between BBC and Disney, "Lux" feels like a missed opportunity in the realm of technology and entertainment.
