Time-Before-End Antics: 'Doctor Who' Engages in an Strange Countdown to Its Final Chapter
In the world of "Doctor Who," the episode "Wish World" bears a striking resemblance to last season's "The Legend of Ruby Sunday." Both episodes serve as penultimate installments, revolve around the return of classic villains, and build on season-long mysteries. Unfortunately, they also share a common flaw: a lack of substance that leads to a disappointing, cliffhanger-heavy conclusion.
"Wish World" strays even further from the mark. The underlying mystery of Sutekh's return in "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" added some tension and tension, but "Wish World" is built around a reveal its audience already knows – the reemergence of the Rani. Knowing this fact, the episode's primary character, the Doctor, remains oblivious, resulting in an eerie, disjointed experience, even before considering the mechanics of the series' countdown to the big reveal.
The titular Wish World presents a contemporary Earth on the brink of destruction but twisted to fit the whims of the malevolent dictator, Conrad, who appears to be benevolent, replete with a luxurious bone palace in London and the help of a magical baby. Conrad's world is meant to reinforce heteronormative, cisgender, and heterosexual ideologies, alienating the LGBTQ+ community and marginalizing the disabled, personified by the hidden underground society of the latter.
Ruby Sunday and her companions from the disabled community join forces to investigate the false reality, while the Rani, trapped in Conrad's domain, pleads with the Doctor to recognize the falsity of the world and remember who he truly is. Unfortunately, once again, the middle of the episode focuses less on storytelling and more on waiting for the Rani's encounter with the Doctor.
In the end, the Doctor uncovers the Rani's machinations, but not before she reveals that her countdown to May 24 has been powered by their collective doubts. This revelation propels the Doctor and Conrad into a dimension inhabited by Omega, an ancient Time Lord and co-founder of Time Lord society.
The Omega reveal comes as a shock but feels out of place, as it seems to come from nowhere after the episode builds tension for the reveal of the Rani's intentions. The Rani and the Doctor's confrontation is the crux of the episode, and the rapid resolution of this climax leaves little room for tension to develop.
In this context, Omega's return signals a high-stakes future for the Doctor and the Time Lords. Will the grand finale resolve the questions left unanswered in "Wish World" and make the buildup worth the wait? Only time will tell.
Curious about Omega's origins and significance in the "Doctor Who" universe? Read on to learn more:
Who is Omega?
Omega is a powerful and influential villain in the "Doctor Who" universe. Originally portrayed by Stephen Thorne, he first appeared in the 1973 serial "The Three Doctors." Omega contributed significantly to the creation of time travel technology for the Time Lords by detonating a star in a supernova with the Hand of Omega, a device that enables Time Lords to travel through time and space[3].
However, Omega's act of genius led to his downfall, as he became trapped in an antimatter universe due to the supernova. The Time Lords believed he perished, yet he survived by becoming corrupted by the antimatter environment and his own ego[2][3].
Omega's Role in "Wish World"
In the episode "Wish World," Omega's comeback marks a critical turning point. The Rani reveals her intention to access the Underverse, a realm where Omega resides. This sets the stage for Omega's eventual reemergence in the episode "The Reality War," voiced by Nicholas Briggs[1]. Omega's return in "Wish World" foreshadows his return to prominence in "Doctor Who," and his significance in "The Reality War" underscores the stakes of the Doctor's battle against the Time Ladies' plans to restore Gallifrey[1].
The revelation of Omega's return in "Wish World" could indicate a significant future for the Doctor and Time Lords, as the powerful villain previously contributed to the creation of time travel technology with the Hand of Omega [3]. In the episode, Omega's comeback sets the stage for his return in "The Reality War" [1], signaling high stakes for the Doctor's upcoming battle against the Time Ladies' plans to restore Gallifrey [1]. Ian Condit at io9 suggests that Omega's return in "Wish World" could set the stage for an intriguing future in the world of Doctor Who [1]. Similarly, Alasdair Wilkins from Gizmodo expresses his enthusiasm for Omega's return, stating that the reveal adds an exciting layer to the series' technology and future entertainment [4].
