Physician dubbed "Doctor Who" engages in an odd countdown for the initiation of its concluding chapter
The intricate similarities between "Wish World" and last year's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" are undeniable. Both episodes are penultimate installments of their respective seasons of Doctor Who, revolve around classic Doctor Who villains, and climax with a long-standing seasonal mystery resolution. Regrettably, they also share an unfortunate trait - a lingering sense of aimlessness and lack of meaty content, building toward a last-minute cliffhanger revelation.
"Wish World," surprisingly, struggles more than "The Legend of Ruby Sunday." The latter could generate tension from the mystery surrounding the return of Sutekh, while "Wish World" primarily focuses on the Doctor encountering the reappearance of the Rani, a familiar adversary. This unusual predicament unsettles the viewing experience, even before delving into the mechanics of how Doctor Who is counting down to the big reveal.
In the titular world of "Wish World," we find a modern-day Earth on the verge of its impending doom, existing as a parallel universe. The story unfolds as a convenient magic baby is gathered by the Rani in medieval Bavaria to engage in reality-bending feats. The apparent ruler of this world is a man named Conrad, who rules from a bone palace in London, adopting the role of a benevolent dictator.
The inhabitants of Wish World include the Doctor and Belinda, who have assumed the identities of a retro-modern nuclear family with their baby daughter, Poppy. The unsettling nature of this overtly heteronormative existence is intentional, as it points to the societal norms of women being ideal daughters, wives, and mothers. The episode also explores Conrad's bigoted views on disabled people, which result in an underground society of overlooked individuals led by Ruby Sunday and her friends.
Although "Wish World" abandons the plot fairly early on, the creepy atmosphere and Jonah Hauer-King's exceptional portrayal of Conrad's repulsive energy make it somewhat engaging. The episode's narrative slows as the Doctor and Ruby Sunday investigate and eventually uncover the truth about Wish World, only to be met with the anticipated return of the Rani. However, the buildup to this moment is marred by the viewer's prior knowledge of the Rani's appearance, stripping the tension and mystery from the proceedings.
As the episode progresses, the Rani works to encourage the Doctor to recall the artifice of Wish World, ultimately freeing Omega from his imprisonment in another dimension. While the Omega reveal is somewhat underwhelming, it sets the stage for potential future developments regarding the Time Lords and Gallifrey. Thus, one cannot help but wonder if a two-part finale might have better exploited the available time to delve deeper into the story instead of relying on a ticking clock for suspense.
Overall, "Wish World" offers an intriguing premise and a tantalizing Rani reprisal, but the episode ultimately squanders these opportunities by focusing more on the buildup to the Rani's eventual confrontation with the Doctor rather than revealing the motivations behind her elaborate scheme. Nevertheless, the return of the Rani and the potential implications for Gallifrey make for an eagerly anticipated finale.
Additional Insights:
- The Rani's plan involves manipulating the Doctor's doubt to open the way for Omega's return, potentially with catastrophic consequences.
- Her actions mirror those of Tecteun, one of Gallifrey's founders, in exploiting the Timeless Child's power.
- Omega's return might set the stage for the revival of Gallifreyan elements in the series, hinting at the possibility of Gallifrey's return.
- Despite the enticing premise of "Wish World," its narrative falters by focusing more on building anticipation for the Rani's confrontation with the Doctor, rather than delving into the motivations behind her scheme.
- Io9 and Gizmodo echo similar sentiments, lamenting the lack of meaty content and aimlessness in "Wish World," which, unlike "The Legend of Ruby Sunday," fails to generate tension despite its intricate similarities with the Doctor Who episode.
- Movies-and-TV and entertainment outlets have awaited potential future developments regarding the Time Lords and Gallifrey following the Rani's scheme and Omega's return, offering a glimpse into the future of Doctor Who.
