DOCTOR WHO Recap: (S02E05) The Story & the Engine

Geek Girl Authority

10-05-2025

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine,' is a beautifully written outing penned by Inua Ellams, performed equally beautifully by a talented cast. It's an impactful meditation on the power of storytelling and creativity. It's a love letter to African culture. There's also an innate theatricality to it, a Shakespearean flair that, as a writer and actor, scratches that itch in my brain.
We're all stories in the end, right?
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We open with Omo (Sule Rimi) regaling Rashid (Stefan Adegbola), Tunde (Jordan Adene) and Obioma (Michael Balogun) with the tale of how he met the Doctor. The Barber (Ariyon Bakare) cuts his hair. Omo reveals that when he was a child, the forest outside his village was on fire. The Doctor stopped his TARDIS midair, flung open the doors and hosed the blaze. Then, he planted seeds to regrow the flora and vegetation in the area. Omo asked if he was a farmer. 'I'm the Doctor,' our titular Time Lord told him. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf
After this, we see two light fixtures adorning the wall: One with a red light, the other green. The red light flickers off, giving way to the green. They're safe … for now. Suddenly, the red light flicks back on and the barbershop quakes. Omo and the others realize they need the Doctor. It needs to feed — and it's ravenous now. Lagos, Nigeria
Meanwhile, Belinda (Varada Sethu) urges the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) to take her home. He decides to land the TARDIS in Lagos, Nigeria, revealing that it has the largest communications technology market in Africa. Plus, it's near Omo's Palace. Fifteen rushes outside with the Vindicator to get a new reading. We learn they're in 2019.
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Next, our Gallifreyan explains that this is the first time he's had a Black body. He's treated differently in some parts of the world. However, in Omo's Palace, he feels at home. Omo and the others accept him. Belinda shares that her grandmother would take her to India, and she experienced the same thing: belonging. Belinda urges the Doctor to pay Omo a visit. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf
After wending his way through the bustling market, the Doctor encounters a sign that says, 'Turn Back.' He sees missing persons posters for Omo, Tunde, Rashid and Obioma. He notes how the alley in which Omo's Palace is located is inexplicably empty. The Doctor examines the doorframe with his Sonic Screwdriver. Meanwhile, Obioma tells a story as the Barber cuts his hair. The Missing Are Found
The Doctor flings open the door, reuniting with Omo. He's surprised to find Obioma, Rashid and Tunde here — all missing people. The Barber introduces himself, claiming he's been waiting for the Doctor's arrival. We learn the Barber took over the barbershop, ousting Omo. Naturally, the Doctor has questions. Why are these men all reported missing? Why isn't Obioma leaving after his haircut?
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The Barber replies that they can't leave. Then, the alarm blares, the green light switching to red. Obioma's hair grows back. The others are tired; they're running out of stories to tell. Rashid volunteers to sit in the Barber's chair next. He offers a tale about Yo-Yo Ma. The others watch a large screen that animates Rashid's story. Our Time Lord is in awe. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf
Omo explains that it's all connected — the screen, the doorway, the chair, even the Barber's clippers. The Doctor must get a cut and tell a story for the screen to activate. As for the door, only the Barber and Abby control it. That's why they can't leave. The Barber's Assistant
Abby (Michelle Asante) arrives with food for the boys. She keeps them going. The Doctor recognizes Abby, the Barber's assistant, but can't put a name to her face.
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The Doctor doesn't understand why the Barber and Abby must keep Omo and the others trapped in the barbershop. Tunde reveals that it's just until the group reaches the Barber and Abby's destination. That's right: They're moving. Omo explains that one day, the Barber waltzed into his barbershop and simply took over, but not before offering to give Omo a cut. Omo tried to push his clients out; the shop accepted a select few. His key no longer worked. It was strange.
Obioma was there getting a cut for his child's naming ceremony. Tunde is an athlete and wanted to get a cut for the championship. Rashid's mother is sick in the hospital. Omo lent Rashid money for her medicine. He wanted to look nice for her. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Belinda's Story
Next, the alarm blares again, the light turning red. The Doctor volunteers to tell a story. However, once the Barber places the cape over him, a current rocks through the Doctor's body. He feels uncomfortable, but the Barber must get his story. So, the Doctor forgoes mentioning fantastical beings like the Weeping Angels or the Cybermen. Instead, he tells them about Belinda.
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After a 13-hour shift, Belinda tries to leave the hospital for her nan's birthday party. However, the doctor on duty (not THE Doctor, though) wants her to assist with a patient whose life hangs precariously in the balance. Belinda suggests a steroid treatment that goes against the doctor's original plan. But it works. Later, Belinda leaves the hospital to visit her grandmother. Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson) greets her, revealing she's there to pick up medication. The woman Belinda treated gives her flowers and thanks her for saving her life. It's a sweet moment.
Omo and the others are shocked — the Doctor's story isn't animated on the screen, but full of real-life imagery. It's like a live-action film. Once the Barber finishes his cut, the Doctor stumbles out of his chair, weakened from the experience. Omo reassures him that it gets easier with each new cut. The Story Engine
The Barber and Abby observe that it is fed — substantially so. The Doctor refueled the Story Engine to the point that they can all take a break for a while. Next, the Barber remarks that the Doctor's stories alone can superpower the engine. The Doctor's hair regrows quite quickly. Omo urges the Barber and Abby to let him and the others go and keep the Doctor. Our Time Lord can handle it.
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The Barber orders Abby to check the stasis field for structural damage before meeting him in the engine room. She whips out a device and points it at the door to do just that. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: Lara Cornell/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf
Meanwhile, Belinda panics aboard the TARDIS. Every time someone opens — and closes — the door of the barbershop, the TARDIS alarm blares and the light flashes red, almost as if it's connected to the barbershop. Belinda asks the TARDIS to locate the source of the strange energy. Upon discovering it's the barbershop, Belinda makes a beeline for it. Turn Away
After her sojourn through the market, Belinda runs into the 'Turn Away' signage. She also spies a little girl wandering alone through the empty streets. However, she promptly vanishes, like a figment from one's imagination. Belinda clocks the missing posters, too. In the shop, the Doctor calls out Omo for believing he's expendable. Omo counters that Rashid, Tunde and Obioma have homes. The Doctor might not have a physical home anymore, but he felt safe with Omo. Omo insists that the Doctor can handle all the stories. The Doctor orders Omo to steer clear of him. He feels betrayed by the former barbershop owner.
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Next, the Doctor uses his Sonic Screwdriver to counteract the Barber and Abby's control over the door. The others advise him not to open it, but the Doctor doesn't heed their warnings. When he opens it, the Doctor discovers that the barbershop is situated atop a giant spider that travels over a network of webs … in space.
The Barber provides some context: the shop is in space and Lagos simultaneously. As for the structure our titular Time Lord saw along with the Spider? The Nexus. The Barber used to call it the World Wide Web (creative) until the internet took off. He also built a time-space compressor and installed it into the doorframe. It only releases him and Abby. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf By Many Names
Then, the Doctor demands to know where they're going. 'You'll see soon enough,' The Barber replies ominously. Belinda charges into the barbershop. She embraces the Doctor. Abby recognizes Belinda from the Doctor's story. The Doctor demands to know the Barber's true identity. He tells the Doctor that he's gone by many names: Anansi, Saga and Loki. As he reveals his identity, the Barber cuts his dreadlocks.
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Belinda and the Doctor are incredulous. How can one man be all those storytelling gods? Then, they burst into a fit of laughter. The Doctor clocks the Barber's lies. After this, the Doctor proceeds to name-drop the gods he's met, from Dionysus to Bastet. If you recall, earlier in the episode, Abby reassures the Barber that once they get to their destination, he can rule over them all. That's a clue.
Backed in a corner, the Barber discloses the truth: He's the one behind them all. The gods only exist because of him. He started recording the stories of the storytelling gods to ensure they would be worshipped and revered in perpetuity. Well, that and to strengthen their bond with humanity. The Barber chronicled their exploits. However, none of them recognized his tireless work. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf The Nexus
The Barber constructed the Nexus. He wanted something like a brain that could make connections between ideas. He incorporated a strand of the gods' blood into his model — a web-like structure cross-connecting concepts and cultures. The Barber eventually had the idea to power the Nexus with stories.
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The gods told the Barber that he should know his place. We see him cut his hair again as he relays his story to the group. So, the gods threw him out of his life's work. However, he was able to salvage his Story Engine. Now, he has vengeance on the brain.
Suddenly, the Spider stops moving. Abby informs the crew that they burned through too much energy when the Doctor forced open the door. It finally dawns on Abby who she is: Abena, daughter of Anansi. Abena reveals she was entrapped by her father, terrified someone would win her in a bet. However, she heard stories about our Time Lord's adventures and had faith he would help. She wanted him to take her with him. Abena and the Doctor
Then, we see which version of the Doctor Abena met: the Fugitive Doctor (Jo Martin). Fugitive Doctor apologizes for leaving Abena behind. She was on the run. Anansi was wrong to offer the bet. Plus, she was telling her own story that might still be finished one day. This is a cool cameo.
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Then, Fifteen admits he tried losing the bet to get out of bringing Abena with him. Pivoting, Abena and the Barber reveal their plan to install the shop at the heart of the Nexus, making the Barber storyteller supreme. The Doctor is bewildered by this. Why would the Barber become the very thing he loathes — a god?
That's when the truth rears its ugly head. The Barber wants to kill all the gods, including Anansi. Without the gods, humanity is toast. How can one thrive in a world without stories and cultures? The Barber insists that this is his gift to Abena. After all, she despises her father. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Maps
Abena changes the subject, revealing that the Story Engine needs power. The others try to shove the Doctor back in the chair to tell a story. However, Abena decides to offer one of her own while braiding the Doctor's hair. She reveals the power of braids during slavery, and how slaves would braid maps into each other's hair to help each other escape to freedom.
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After this, the Doctor sends a current through the shop with his Sonic Screwdriver to distract the Barber while he and Belinda run to the heart of the Story Engine. The Doctor feels the map Abena braided onto his head, using that to navigate the labyrinth leading to the Nexus.
They finally arrive at the Story Engine, which looks like a brain … until it opens up, resembling more of a tree. There's a heart at its center. The Doctor urges Belinda to rip all the wires out of the control desk as he points his Sonic Screwdriver at the heart. The Barber enters, ordering him to step away. A Short Story Spanning Time and Space
After this, the Doctor reveals he met Ernest Hemingway. He urged the late author to write the shortest story he could. Hemingway conjured up one in six words. So, here's the Doctor's shortest story: 'I'm born. I die.' Suddenly, the Story Engine fills up with more energy than it has ever encountered. We learn said engine is connected to our Gallifreyan — his stories, his voice. He's made of stories, after all.
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Next, we see the many faces of the Doctor appear on a TV, complete with soundbites from their respective eras. The Doctor insists he's protecting humanity, the gods and the importance of storytelling. Ultimately, though, this proves to be too much power for the Story Engine — and the Nexus — to handle. The Barber's creation self-destructs. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 5, 'The Story & the Engine.' Photo credit: Bad Wolf Studios
After some persuading from the Doctor, the Barber unlocks the door to the barbershop. Abena, Omo, Tunde, Rashid and Obioma exit. The Doctor urges Belinda to join them; he'll be right behind her. Do the Work
The Doctor encourages the Barber to stick around to continue his life's work. Don't let this be how his story ends. Thankfully, he and the Barber escape as the Spider, along with everything the Barber created, explodes. Gatwa and Bakare are so damn good in this episode. Titans of their craft.
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Everyone's back in Lagos. Rashid, Tunde and Obioma bow before Abena, thanking her for keeping them alive. Omo offers the keys to his barbershop to the Barber and claims he's retiring. The Doctor tells the Barber he'll return someday to hear the latter's six-word story.
Omo and the Doctor mend fences and hug it out. Omo also gives the Barber his father's name — Adétòkundbo. Adétòkundbo thanks Omo, asserting he doesn't deserve this kindness. Abena tells Belinda she won't hold hate in her heart for Adétòkundbo. They all part ways on good terms, the new barber of the barbershop taking his place inside.
Belinda and the Doctor make their way back to the TARDIS. Belinda wants to hear the story of how our Time Lord met Omo.
'Once upon a time…'
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Doctor Who Season 2 airs on Saturdays at 3 am EST/12 am PST on Disney+ and 8 am BST on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
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