This season of Doctor Who has been a whirlwind of new monsters, villains, and a fresh Doctor, all leading up to the introduction of its major antagonist in the penultimate episode.
The recent episodes have unveiled a pantheon of gods in the Doctor Who universe. It began with the enigmatic Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris, and continued with the introduction of Maestro, portrayed by Jinkx Monsoon. Throughout the season, the Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, has faced off against these formidable foes, all building up to the ultimate confrontation with the god of death himself, Sutekh.
In a pivotal moment, the Doctor brings Ruby, portrayed by Millie Gibson, to meet with Kate, played by Jemma Redgrave, at UNIT headquarters to unravel the mystery surrounding a mysterious woman they keep encountering across time and space. They discover that Susan Triad, played by Susan Twist, is about to deliver a national address, a name that resonates deeply with the Doctor due to its resemblance to “TARDIS” and the personal connection he feels, mistaking her for his long-lost granddaughter, Susan. However, it turns out to be a clever ruse orchestrated by Sutekh to engineer his own escape.
With the Doctor and Mel, played by Bonnie Langford, caught up in Sutekh’s deception alongside “Susan” and Ruby, the rest of their allies, including Rose and Kate, find themselves trapped at UNIT. The episode concludes with the ominous arrival of Sutekh, poised atop the TARDIS, heralding a dire threat for the Doctor and their team.
Russell T. Davies’ Return and Season Dynamics
As a fan of Russell T. Davies’ writing and showrunning, I’ve found this season to be his strongest yet. While I have a preference for Steven Moffat’s era, I’ve never disliked Davies’ work. This season, however, feels like a culmination of Davies’ experience, enhanced by the break he took from the series. This hiatus seems to have allowed him to refine his approach to structuring seasons, ensuring a more cohesive narrative while still delivering those trademark thrilling adventures.
Davies addresses past critiques by ensuring that each episode contributes to a larger, interconnected story arc. Unlike his previous tenure, where big bads sometimes felt randomly inserted at the end, this season benefits from a more cohesive thread that ties everything together without sacrificing the fun and standalone adventures. Gatwa’s Doctor has been given room to shine with episodes that blend excitement with a narrative through-line. For instance, while dealing with social media bubbles and whimsical escapades, the looming presence of “Susan” subtly underscores the season’s overarching mystery.
In essence, while I’m eager to see how Sutekh’s storyline unfolds for the Doctor and Ruby, what truly excites me is how this season of Doctor Who has seamlessly blended a compelling main narrative with delightful side quests, creating a thoroughly enjoyable and cohesive viewing experience. It’s a testament to Davies’ renewed vision and his ability to evolve with the series, delivering a season that feels both familiar and refreshingly new.
