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Geek Girl Authority
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
Our Favorite Timey-Wimey Quotes From the DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Finale
It's hard to believe that the Fifteenth Doctor's time has come and gone. It feels like yesterday when we watched Ncuti Gatwa being pulled out of David Tennant's body in an act of bi-generation. Gatwa has been a breath of fresh air — a much-needed shot in the arm for Doctor Who . His vibrant energy and boundless joy as our titular Time Lord are infectious. Season 2 Episode 8, 'The Reality War,' sees the Fifteenth Doctor and his friends fight tooth and nail to thwart the Rani's (Archie Panjabi) grand plan. It's also Fifteen's swan song. Let's dive into our favorite timey-wimey (because that'll never go out of style) quotes from the Season 2 finale. RELATED: Doctor Who : 5 Jaw-Dropping Moments From the Season 2 Finale Doctor Who, 'The Reality War' DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 8, 'The Reality War.' Photo credit: BBC Studios/Bad Wolf THE DOCTOR: 'How dare you? I have been in the halls of the Goblin King — I have stood in the Palaces of the Daleks. I have entered the caves of Satan himself. But what has happened here in this tiny little bedroom in the middle of suburbia is bigger than anything.' Firstly, I would've killed to see Ncuti Gatwa go toe-to-toe with Daleks. Or Cybermen. Or the Weeping Angels. I get it; having the Doctor square off against the same foes can become repetitive. However, the classics are classics for a reason. I digress. Anyway, I love how much the mundane matters to the Doctor. He cares so deeply about humanity and will do everything in his power to protect their home. THE RANI: 'I could tilt you on your side and serve olives in those dimples.' Conrad Clark (Jonah Hauer-King) is a simple man. A compliment on his appearance is enough to make him move mountains for the Rani (Panjabi). Granted, I, too, would fold if the Time Lady herself complimented me. Jonah Hauer-King does have incredibly adorable dimples, though. RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Premiere Hopes and Dreams and Wishes DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 8, 'The Reality War.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf THE RANI: 'She's not real. She's made of hopes and dreams and wishes.' THE DOCTOR: 'That is every child.' He's not wrong. All children are comprised of hopes, dreams and wishes. May every kid out there cling tightly to their childlike wonderment for as long as possible. We could use a hefty dose of idealism right about now. THE RANI: 'I know you haven't arrived with a weapon. Only a speech, some dazzling words, maybe a pun, and then some lachrymose little tug-the-heartstrings, mimosa-scented platitudes about the power of love.' Look at the Rani and her lexicon! As a writer, this line scratches that specific itch in my brain for well-constructed, poetic dialogue so well. The Rani can read the Doctor like a book. Sure, this is his modus operandi, but damn, if it doesn't work (almost) every time. The power of love, baby. RELATED: Doctor Who : 11 Easter Eggs in 'Boom' You've Redecorated DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 8, 'The Reality War.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf THIRTEENTH DOCTOR: 'Don't go in fear. Go with that lovely smile.' I now demand an audio adventure or a miniseries featuring the Fifteenth and Thirteenth (Jodie Whittaker) Doctors. Their chemistry in that brief scene aboard the TARDIS is *chef's kiss*. I'm also reminded of how much I love Whittaker as Thirteen, despite the inconsistent, occasionally bloated, sometimes subpar writing during her tenure. Thirteen offers Fifteen sage words before the latter regenerates. She encourages him not to leave in fear, but with that 'lovely smile.' Her words brim with affection and understanding. Change is hard. The unknown is terrifying. But the Doctor is bigger than all that. THE DOCTOR: 'That's our lives, Belinda. We travel in and out of the slipstreams of time. Beautiful things can be forgotten and gone. But they still happened somewhere.' This line to Belinda (Varada Sethu) profoundly resonates with me. Perhaps it's because the older I get, the more spotty my memory is, but the Doctor's quote is unequivocally true. Beautiful things happen. They come and go. We'll inevitably forget them. However, that doesn't negate their existence somewhere in the universe, whether in this timeline or another. RELATED: Read our Doctor Who recaps Joyous DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 8, 'The Reality War.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Bad Wolf THE DOCTOR: 'Joy to the world! And that is exactly the word. This has been an absolute joy.' I love that Fifteen's regeneration is bursting with joy. I wouldn't expect anything different from this iteration of our favorite Time Lord. He's embracing his fate with positivity and verve (and as the objectively hottest Doctor — well, male Doctor, that is) before transforming into Billie Piper (whoever she might be here). Seasons 1 and 2 of Doctor Who are now streaming on Disney+. DOCTOR WHO: Our Favorite Easter Eggs From 'Lux' Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
The Guardian
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Doctor Who: The Reality War – season two finale and Ncuti Gatwa era recap
And just like that, he was gone, and the Ncuti Gatwa era is over. It was the shortest tenure in the role since Christopher Eccleston did just one series in 2005, and even within his brief run there was more than one episode where Gatwa barely featured. But without doubt the first Black actor to lead the show left his mark on the role – an incarnation with a winning smile, the catchphrase 'babes', relentless enthusiasm, and without the emotional baggage that was increasingly weighing down his predecessors. He departed with joy. With episodes like this, it is very much about enjoying the ride as it rushes from scene to scene, without worrying too much about whether the actual plot makes sense. That may not be the kind of Doctor Who everybody wants. The scene between Gatwa and the returning Jodie Whittaker was beautifully played. The lines about the 13th Doctor never telling Yaz she loved her were perfectly pitched by Russell T Davies to give closure to the awkward non-committal scenes we saw between Whittaker and Mandip Gill in The Power of the Doctor from the pen of Chris Chibnall. Millie Gibson's Ruby Sunday again shone in scenes where she was the protagonist rather than the sidekick. Her decision, after everything he had done, to choose the kindness of wishing Conrad (Jonah Hauer-King) happiness, rather than vengeance, was one of the most Doctor Who things ever. Archie Panjabi's take on the Rani, unhinged by the destruction of Gallifrey and the sterility of the Time Lords and unrequited in her feelings for the Doctor was exquisite, and Anita Dobson as Mrs Flood was always a tremendous presence on screen. But if we are talking about unrequited feelings, the surprise return of Steph de Whalley as Anita quickly turned from happiness to see her to experiencing her sadness as we saw her watch the Doctor and Rogue (Jonathan Groff) dancing in the past, and realise that Gatwa was never going to be her man. And so, at the end, a season that gave us both Dugga Doo and Mr Ring-a-Ding finished with Billie Piper saying 'Oh, hello!'. What a wild nonsensical ride it has been. What if Doctor Who did the weirdest thing it could possibly do and appear to cast a former companion as the lead? Belinda (Varada Sethu) was thankfully back to the spikier version of her that we first met in The Robot Revolution and Lux, rather than the bland version that appeared in the mid-season episodes, but it appears she has departed the show along with Gatwa. It would have been nice to have more of her. The battle scene which pitted the Avengers tower from Marvel against bone dinosaurs pretending to be At-Ats from Star Wars was hilarious, but in this episode it was really only the brief CGI appearance of Omega that was an alien big bad. If the fear last week was the fear of otherness in a dystopian world, the fear here was that of losing a child – or wanting one but never getting the chance. A very human fear that might hit very differently depending on your own personal circumstances. Probably the biggest mystery is that having introduced a cameo of Carole Ann Ford as the Doctor's granddaughter Susan two episodes ago, and this episode revolving around whether Poppy was the Doctor's daughter, that the two were not tied together. It was also surely deliberate that the end credits very clearly said 'Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor. Jodie Whittaker as the Doctor. And introducing Billie Piper' but did not specify who it was introducing her as. And Anita mentioned 'the boss', a reference back to a set-up by the Meep way back in 2023's 60th anniversary special The Star Beast, a story that now appears to be two Doctors ago. Gatwa's decision to pronounce Omega differently to everybody around him will surely go down in Doctor Who lore along with Matt Smith's mispronounced Metebelis III during Hide. Anita opening time doors left, right and centre looking for the Doctor in his past suggests that perhaps in every episode since 1974 some combination of her, Clara's impossible girl, and Sutekh clinging to the Tardis have all been present. It is getting a bit crowded in the past. I forgot to mention last week that the inclusion of a clip of Kate O'Mara playing the Rani in a flashback sequence lifted from 1993 Comic Relief EastEnders crossover episode Dimensions in Time finally makes it officially canon. The War Between the Land and the Sea – featuring Russell Tovey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Jemma Redgrave and Ruth Madeley among others – sees Unit face off against the sea devils, and is expected to be broadcast later this year. With no confirmed news on the future of Doctor Who, there was a chance this may be the last episode-by-episode recap for some time, or possibly ever? But Billie Piper's appearance didn't feel like the end of the series, did it? Either way, I'd like to sign off by thanking all the production staff and comment moderation team that help the recaps happen, the people at the BBC who arrange early access to the episodes and invitations to screenings, you below the line for all your incisive and entertaining comments over the years, and of course, thanks to the much-loved and much-missed Dan Martin, who got the ball rolling 15 years ago with his recap blog of Matt Smith debut The Eleventh Hour. As Gatwa said as he departed the show, this has been an absolute joy. See you … soon? Season 2 Episode 1: The Robot Revolution Episode 2: Lux Episode 3: The Well Episode 4: Lucky Day Episode 5: The Story and the Engine Episode 6: The Interstellar Song Contest Episode 7: Wish World Episode 8: The Reality War Season 1 Episodes 1 & 2: Space Babies / The Devil's Chord Episode 3: Boom Episode 4: 73 Yards Episode 5: Dot and Bubble Episode 6: Rogue Episode 7: The Legend of Ruby Sunday Episode 8: Empire of Death Christmas special: Joy to the World 60th anniversary specials Special 1: The Star BeastSpecial 2: Wild Blue YonderSpecial 3: The GiggleChristmas special: The Church on Ruby Road Flux / Series 13 Chapter one: The Halloween ApocalypseChapter two: War of the SontaransChapter three: Once, Upon TimeChapter four: Village of the AngelsChapter five: Survivors of the FluxChapter six: The VanquishersNew Year's Special: Eve of the DaleksSpring special: Legend of the Sea DevilsBBC centenary special: The Power of the Doctor Series 12 Episode 1: Spyfall part oneEpisode 2: Spyfall part twoEpisode 3: Orphan 55Episode 4: Nikola Tesla's Night of TerrorEpisode 5: Fugitive of the JudoonEpisode 6: PraxeusEpisode 7: Can You Hear Me?Episode 8: The Haunting of Villa DiodatiEpisode 9: Ascension of the CybermenEpisode 10: The Timeless ChildrenNew Year's special: Revolution of the Daleks Series 11 Episode 1: The Woman Who Fell to EarthEpisode 2: The Ghost MonumentEpisode 3: RosaEpisode 4: Arachnids in the UKEpisode 5: The Tsuangra CondundrumEpisode 6: Demons of the PunjabEpisode 7: Kerblam!Episode 8: The WitchfindersEpisode 9: It Takes You AwayEpisode 10: The Battle of Ranskoor Av KolosNew Year's special: Resolution Series 10 Episode 1: The PilotEpisode 2: SmileEpisode 3: Thin IceEpisode 4: Knock KnockEpisode 5: OxygenEpisode 6: ExtremisEpisode 7: The Pyramid at the End of the WorldEpisode 8: The Lie of the LandEpisode 9: Empress of MarsEpisode 10: The Eaters of LightEpisode 11: World Enough and TimeEpisode 12: The Doctor Falls2017 Christmas special: Twice Upon A Time Series 9 Episode 1: The Magician's ApprenticeEpisode 2: The Witch's FamiliarEpisode 3: Under The LakeEpisode 4: Before The FloodEpisode 5: The Girl Who DiedEpisode 6: The Woman Who LivedEpisode 7: The Zygon InvasionEpisode 8: The Zygon InversionEpisode 9: Sleep No MoreEpisode 10: Face The RavenEpisode 11: Heaven SentEpisode 12: Hell Bent2015 Christmas special: The Husbands of River Song2016 Christmas special: The Return of Doctor Mysterio Series 8 Episode 1: Deep BreathEpisode 2: Into The DalekEpisode 3: Robot of SherwoodEpisode 4: ListenEpisode 5: Time HeistEpisode 6: The CaretakerEpisode 7: Kill The MoonEpisode 8: Mummy on the Orient ExpressEpisode 9: FlatlineEpisode 10: In the Forest of the NightEpisode 11: Dark WaterEpisode 12: Death In Heaven2014 Christmas special: Last Christmas Series 7 Episode 1: Asylum of the DaleksEpisode 2: Dinosaurs on a SpaceshipEpisode 3: A Town Called MercyEpisode 4: The Power of ThreeEpisode 5: The Angels Take Manhatten2012 Christmas special: The SnowmenEpisode 6: The Bells of Saint JohnEpisode 7: The Rings of AkhatenEpisode 8: Cold WarEpisode 9: HideEpisode 10: Journey to the Centre of the TardisEpisode 11: The Crimson HorrorEpisode 12: Nightmare in SilverEpisode 13: The Name of the Doctor50th Anniversary special: The Day of the Doctor2013 Christmas special: The Time of the Doctor Series 6 Episode 1: The Impossible AstronautEpisode 2: Day of the MoonEpisode 3: The Curse of the Black SpotEpisode 4: The Doctor's WifeEpisode 5: The Rebel FleshEpisode 6: The Almost PeopleEpisode 7: A Good Man Goes To WarEpisode 8: Let's Kill HitlerEpisode 9: Night TerrorsEpisode 10: The Girl Who WaitedEpisode 11: The God ComplexEpisode 12: Closing TimeEpisode 13: The Wedding of River Song2011 Christmas special: The Doctor, The Widow and the Wardrobe Series 5 Episode 1: The Eleventh HourEpisode 2: The Beast BelowEpisode 3: Victory of the DaleksEpisode 4: The Time of AngelsEpisode 5: Flesh and StoneEpisode 6: The Vampires of VeniceEpisode 7: Amy's ChoiceEpisode 8: The Hungry EarthEpisode 9: Cold BloodEpisode 10: Vincent and the DoctorEpisode 11: The LodgerEpisode 12: The Pandorica OpensEpisode 13: The Big Bang2010 Christmas special: A Christmas Carol
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Doctor Who's Archie Panjabi teases high-stakes final showdown and reveals all about the Rani - "I have always wanted to play a baddie"
Doctor Who season 2 finale The Reality Wat sees battle rage across the skies as the Unholy Trinity unleash their deadly ambition. The Doctor, Belinda and Ruby have to risk everything in the quest to save one innocent life. Ahead of their final showdown, we caught up with the Rani herself, Archie Panjabi, to find out what to expect... Watch Doctor Who on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist NH/EP/JA2 Archie Panjabi (The Rani) Welcome to the Whoniverse! How did this all come about? I received a text from Phil Collinson (Executive Producer) who asked me if I would like to be on Doctor Who. I nearly dropped my phone. Phil was there when I did my very first television job, so it already felt special. When he told me him and Russell wanted me to play the Rani… what else could I say other than 'when?'. I was so excited. Was it hard to keep the secret from your friends and family? It was pure agony. The Rani is such an iconic character, and fans had been speculating and hoping for her return for a long time. Since Christmas 2023, I've been watching the show and seeing the excitement grow around Mrs Flood. I knew the truth behind the theories, and it was pure agony to keep quiet- but it was worth it. Were you a fan of Doctor Who before? I grew up with Doctor Who. I didn't get to watch every episode, but it was definitely my wild escape... with the time travel, the monsters and this quirky character of the Doctor. I thought the sonic screwdriver was the best thing on the planet. Now, as the Rani, I finally get one. I did try to sneak it off set [laughs], but they were guarding it like the Crown Jewels. There were two: a dummy and a chic steel one. I thought if I brought it home, I'd be the coolest parent in town, in the universe. What do you think makes Doctor Who so special? It's something that everyone has grown up with, particularly in the UK. There's something so magical about this Time Lord who jumps into this blue box that can take you anywhere. It makes the weird feel wonderful and the impossible feel just within reach. It's genius. I think people love it for being so whimsical and adventurous. Mrs Flood and the Rani have such a great dynamic on screen, what can you tell us about this? And how was it working with Anita Dobson? Anita has a wicked sense of humour and we got on like a house on fire. That relationship was effortless, and I hope the audience get to feel that chemistry on screen. When I met her, she gave me a big hug. I knew this was somebody I would not only connect with for the purposes of Doctor Who, but I would be in touch with for the rest of my life. In terms of their relationship on screen, they're a riot. They're united in purpose on their mission, but their dynamic isn't exactly subtle. The Rani is the leader, and Mrs Flood's Rani hovers behind. But the real fun kicks in when we see these two characters alone and they turn into bickering sisters. It was a lot of fun to play. What was it like filming the bi-generation scene? Anita and I had to stand side-by-side and twist the upper halves of our body to an angle where we could look at each other. We needed to give the illusion we were joined at the hip. It was very awkward but hilarious. We spent the whole day filming this scene, and let's just say by the end of that scene, we got to know each other extremely well [laughs]. It was really hard to keep a straight face. The Rani is such an iconic character in the history of Doctor Who. What can you tell us about her and your approach to the character? The Rani is iconic. There's a reason fans yearned for her return. She's brilliant, she's unapologetic, and she's totally out of sync with any moral compass. I have always wanted to play a baddie. So the Rani for me is an absolute treat. She's a wild force. She'll burn anyone or anything to get what she wants, dancing with chaos like it's her birthright. I took that fire and made it my own, and I had a blast doing it. What was it like working with Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu? It doesn't matter how many jobs you've done, or how much you prepare walking into something new is always nerve-wracking. But Ncuti and Varada were rockstars, they made me feel like part of the gang from day one. It all comes down to the energy on set. Everyone on that set, the crew, the producers, the whole cast, just made it so easy to relax, have fun and step into the character. Playing that character is a blast, but being with such a warm and welcoming group made it something very special. What was your reaction to seeing the sets in Wish World and The Reality War? Stunning! I don't think I've ever had a set so vast and mesmerising. I was intimidated by it when I first saw it. It's just huge. It's the endoskeleton of this beast. Everything in it is carved from material that looks like bone, the tables, the chairs, even the computer monitors. It was breathtaking. You have such an incredible catalogue of work. How does Doctor Who compare to your other roles? I've always wanted to play a baddie. I don't think I could have played a character like the Rani had I not done the work I've done before. I think each of those roles brought something to give me the experience to play something like this. It was great fun. Did you watch the previous episodes with the Rani? Absolutely. I had seen it before, but I watched it again. She's unforgettable. I was keen to capture her essence, her strength, her presence, but also avoid mimicking her. We're both different Ranis, but I did want to give that nod to her. But at the same time, I wanted to embrace Russell's script and dialogue and make her my own. Wish World ends on a massive cliffhanger. What can you tease about the finale, The Reality War? In the finale, we see the Time Lord and the Time Lady go head-to-head in a high-stakes showdown. Who is going to win? Who will claim the victory? And you don't know what happens next. If you could travel in the TARDIS to any time and place in the universe, where would you go? I think I would jump into that beautiful blue box and head to Ancient Egypt when they were building the pyramids, which I think are stunningly breathtaking, and have a drink with a Pharaoh and work out how on earth they managed to move those massive stones. They're incredible structures. On a final note, how would you sum up the finale? The finale is like two chess players – who will make the final move and play checkmate.
Geek Girl Authority
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Girl Authority
DOCTOR WHO Recap: (S02E07) Wish World
Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World,' is a thrilling, pulse-pounding penultimate outing for the season. Archie Panjabi smashes it as the Rani, making for an exciting, deliciously fun iteration on the classic character. Rogue returns, and we learn the Rani's true objective: to bring back Gallifrey and the Time Lords with the aid of Omega, whom she intends to break free from the Underverse. Of course, another god, Desidirium, created this wish world to make it all happen. Bring on the season finale, y'all. RELATED: Read our recap of the previous Doctor Who episode, 'The Interstellar Song Contest' Doctor Who, 'Wish World' We open in Bavaria, 1865. The Rani (Panjabi) rides to a lone cabin in the wilderness. A man emerges, believing she's the midwife, until he sees her face. The Rani asks if she's too late. Inside, we see his wife has just given birth. She lets the Rani hold her baby, which the latter names Sturm-und-Drang. It's giving 'Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All' vibes. The Rani claims she's taking the couple's baby. He'll come in handy in about 160 years. She turns the woman, whose name is Violett, into violets. How poetic. Then, she transforms the man's other children into ducks. Lastly, the Rani morphs the man into a wise, old owl. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Everything Is Nice Fast forward 160 years — the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda (Varada Sethu) wake up in bed. Only in this alternate version of 2025, his name is John Smith. The Doctor sure does love that alias. Poppy (Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps) barrels into their bedroom. Yes, she's now appeared in 'Space Babies' and 'The Story & the Engine.' The family watches Conrad Clark (Jonah Hauer-King) on a small TV screen as he gives a weather report. Guess what? It's going to be 'nice' all over the world. RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 4, 'Lucky Day' After this, Conrad reads the day's story: Doctor Who and the Deadly Wish . The book even has an illustrated version of Fifteen on the cover. John, Belinda and Poppy sit down for breakfast. Belinda and John inform Poppy that the following day is May 24, aka May Day. The big day! They'll celebrate with balloons and biryani. 'No!' Poppy exclaims. A yellow mug falls on the floor and breaks. John urges Poppy not to 'doubt things' so much while grabbing a new yellow mug from a cabinet full of … yellow mugs. Next, Ruby (Millie Gibson) winds up on John's doorstep, asking if he's a doctor. Also, does she know him? Ruby finally meets Belinda, John's wife, and reunites with Poppy. She insists that John doesn't have a daughter (but he does have a granddaughter, hint-hint). Offended, Belinda calls the authorities, claiming there's someone on her doorstep, 'expressing doubt.' Ruby flees. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf An Innocent Slip Outside, John runs into Mel (Bonnie Langford) as the latter disposes of a 'slip' (a broken yellow mug) into a bright orange trash bin with 'Slip' emblazoned on it. John urges her not to speak to Ruby. The two gaze at two giant skeletons of dinosaurs as they roam London. An even taller, bone-like, spider-like lair looms above the dinosaurs, its legs stretched across the city. No one is alarmed by this. It's all … nice. RELATED: TV Review: Doctor Who Season 2 Premiere As John walks to work, Conrad continues to regale London with the Doctor's story. He talks about the Doctor's companions leaving him to 'fall in love' and 'have babies.' Mr. Traditional Patriarchal Society, over here. John goes to work at UNIT headquarters, except it's not actually UNIT. It's the Unified National Insurance Team. Kate (Jemma Redgrave) scolds John for straddling the line between late and on time. Posters of Conrad and his propaganda are plastered all over the place. He sits beside Colonel Ibrahim (Alexander Devrient). Susan Triad (Susan Twist) is back as her '50s tea lady character from 'The Devil's Chord,' delivering John a nice cuppa. John notices Ibrahim has a crush on Kate. True to life. He tells Ibrahim that Kate loves Chinese food. Do You Remember? Ibrahim worries that Kate is out of his league. John compliments Ibrahim, calling him a beautiful man. This takes Ibrahim aback. He asks how John can find another man beautiful. Oh, so this is a homophobic, 1950s America wish world. John tries to cover his tracks. RELATED: Doctor Who : 11 Easter Eggs in 'Boom' Meanwhile, Belinda chats with her mother, Lakshmi (Nila Aalia), and her aunt, Devika (Josephine Lloyd-Weclome). Belinda jokes about Poppy being cheeky. Devika insists there's time to drum that out of her. Poppy's path in life is clear, as laid out by Conrad: good little girl, good little wife, good little mother (shudder). Devika asks about Belinda's labor. How long was she in labor with Poppy? Neither Belinda nor her mother seems to remember. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Suddenly, a few yellow mugs and a yellow plate shatter on the floor underneath the table. Quite a significant slip. Frustrated, Belinda runs into the woods to scream it out. At the same time, John and his coworkers spot the Rani flying through the sky. It must be for the 'May the 24th' celebrations. 'I wonder who she is,' John muses. Everyone stares at him. There's no questioning, wondering or doubting. Very Strong Doubts Next, the Rani lands inside the bony, spider-like lair. Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson) greets her. The Rani gives Mrs. Flood mortadella from Italy, presumably for the baby or Conrad. Mrs. Flood updates the Rani, revealing they're getting 'very strong doubts' across the world. Mrs. Flood uses the mortadella in a sandwich for Conrad. She mutters to herself, clearly frustrated by the Rani mistreating her. Could she rise up in revenge? RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Doctor Who 's Ruby Sunday Conrad pauses his storytime to accept the sandwich. He asks Mrs. Flood if what they're doing is working. Mrs. Flood reassures him that it is. He finds all the thinking he has to do to be grueling, tiresome work. Aw, somebody doesn't like using his brain. Sometimes, he forgets about the weather, and South Africa gets flooded. Mrs. Flood strokes his ego, insisting that 'the mistress' chose him to make the world better. Then, Mrs. Flood asks about the baby. Conrad picks him up. He remarks that this child 'sustains this entire world.' The baby does the giggle — that same arpeggio laugh as heard from the gods of the Pantheon. Elsewhere, the Rani puts what looks like part of the Vindicator onto the massive clockface in the lobby of the lair. It's a temporal fix, counting down to midnight. The Vindicator is now powered up to 99 percent and rising. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf 30 Percent The Rani asks Mrs. Flood if the trap is ready, to which the latter confirms that it is. The pair ventures to the balcony. Mrs. Flood warns the Rani that it 'gets a bit slippy with ice.' The Rani uses her sonic screwdriver to bring out what looks like an eyeball in the skeletal facade of the lair. It glows red. The Rani insists she's not a child. Mrs. Flood observes that, technically, the Rani sprang from her loins. Another eyeball emerges, glowing red. RELATED: 6 Doctor Who Episodes That Show the Eleventh Doctor's Personality Next, Mrs. Flood reveals that the Doctor's doubts are now at 30 percent. However, when sunset strikes, his thinking intensifies. The Rani remarks that it's a shame everyone has to die; however, tonight, they'll find The One Who Is Lost. Then, the 'great work' will begin. Outside, Ruby runs into Shirley (Ruth Madeley). They remember each other's names. Shirley takes Ruby to her encampment, where others like her — those marginalized by society — believe this world is all wrong. Ruby, Shirley and the others sit in a circle, talking about their doubts. Why do they doubt this world so much, though? Ruby believes a man called the Doctor is inexplicably connected to all this. We see a flashback of Ruby with Carla (Michelle Greenidge) and Cherry (Angela Wynter) calling the authorities on Ruby for doubting. As she retells her story in the encampment, a mug breaks. Shirley and the others pay it no mind. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Take Down Conrad The group speculates on their current situation. Those massive dinosaur skeletons might be fossils or relics, bleeding through from a different life. Another person mentions Conrad. Ruby has thoughts about him, too, and we see flashbacks from 'Lucky Day.' Ruby doesn't trust him. He's the crux of all that is wrong. It's perception bias. Conrad, as someone who isn't disabled, can't see Shirley and the others. If he doesn't see them, society doesn't see them. RELATED: Doctor Who : 8 References From the Russell T Davies Specials in 'Space Babies' and 'The Devil's Chord' Shirley reveals they have plans to take down Conrad and asks if Ruby is in. She enthusiastically joins them. Later that evening, John watches Conrad recite the story of Gallifrey's destruction. He shares that the Time Lady knew it wasn't over. She had a secret, one even the Doctor wasn't privy to. At one point, the small TV screen flashes away from Conrad to reveal Susan Foreman (Carole Ann Ford) on the TARDIS. John doesn't see her, though. Suddenly, Rogue (Jonathan Groff) appears on the screen. He addresses John as the Doctor. He admits he doesn't have much time and that 'they're coming.' Oh, and the hell dimension he's in is sliding into 'the pit.' Rogue doesn't have much time. He warns John that 'tables don't do that.' Before the screen flickers back to Conrad, Rogue tells John he misses and loves him. Awww. I hope Fifteen can save Rogue at some point. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: Dan Fearon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Tables Don't Do That So, John tests Rogue's warning. We see yellow mugs falling through the table to smash on the floor below. John purposely has doubts to make this happen. Belinda wakes up and follows the commotion. John tells Belinda that Rogue was right — tables aren't supposed to do that. RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Doctor Who 's Belinda Chandra Terrified, Belinda calls the authorities to report John's doubts. Mrs. Flood and her squad arrive to take John into custody … and Belinda as well. Outside, Ruby, Shirley and Winnie (Sam Lawton) stare up at the Rani's skeletal lair. Ruby reminds them what'll happen if they're caught outside after curfew. Shirley procures a UNIT pad, a relic from the other world. Ruby recognizes it but doesn't know why. They turn it on, realizing Conrad is broadcasting from the lair. They can see him on the pad. What if they can block the signal? So, if they can cut off the signal to the rest of the world, Conrad will have to leave the 'Bone Palace,' as it were, and find them. Ruby asserts that if she meets Conrad, she'll remember her life from this lost world. Up in the Bone Palace, John and Belinda encounter the same drone guards from 'The Interstellar Song Contest.' They order John to step over the threshold first, followed by Belinda. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: James Pardon/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf Minutes From Midnight We're now minutes from midnight. John and Belinda meet the Rani — well, John has had quite a few run-ins with the Time Lady. The Rani addresses John as the Doctor. She shows John the Seal of Rassilon. Rassilon was the President Eternal of the Time Lords. This doesn't jog John's — ahem, the Doctor's — memory. What about the clone-type classiforms at the desks? Has the Doctor ever questioned where his TARDIS is? RELATED: Doctor Who : Our Favorite Easter Eggs From 'Lux' Belinda begs to go home to her daughter. She vows not to disclose what she's seen to anyone. The Rani corrects Belinda, stating that the latter doesn't have a child. The Doctor recalls what Ruby told him in the beginning of the episode. Nine minutes until May 24 now. Ruby and the others notice the countdown on the UNIT pad but are bewildered by it. Meanwhile, the Rani pulls the Doctor in for a dance. As they dance, the Rani reminisces about them doing just this at the siege of Persephone. People thought they were lovers. We see flashes of the Rani, as played by the late Kate O'Mara. The Rani notes that, yes, she had a different face. She insists they were never enemies. She only wants life, not death. And her greatest experiment yet is on the horizon. The Exposition The Rani finally says her name, causing the Doctor to pull away. 'No,' he says, shakily. Not to be outdone and forgotten, Mrs. Flood also introduces herself as the Rani. The Rani turns to Belinda, revealing that the Doctor is an alien. They're Time Lord and Time Lady, the last of their kind. Oh, and this whole world is fake. It's a wish! Conrad's misogynistic, homophobic wish. RELATED: Doctor Who : 'The Interstellar Song Contest' Ending, Explained The Rani adds that the Doctor contributed to this. He stirred the gods of the Pantheon and awoke the most ancient of powers. The Rani shows the Doctor Conrad with the baby. The child is actually Desidirium, the God of Wishes. Since Desidirium isn't all-powerful, the Rani used the Vindicator to boost his powers. Well, the Doctor invented the Vindicator and, unbeknownst to him, he was strengthening Desidirium with each Vindicator reading throughout the season. Eventually, the Vindicator criss-crossed the universe, bringing our titular Time Lord to this point. This burst of power allowed for Conrad's wish world to come to fruition. Sure, the world is fallible and cannot sustain itself. But those doubts everyone has? They're the whole point. 'If you question hard enough, then doubt can crack open the world,' the Rani explains. And there it is — the backbone of this episode. Questions and doubts are necessary to bring about real, lasting, positive change in the world. Subvert the status quo. DOCTOR WHO Season 2 Episode 7, 'Wish World.' Photo credit: Samuel Dore/BBC Studios/Disney/Bad Wolf The One Who Is Lost Outside, Ruby and the others notice the Bone Palace shaking. The Rani reveals she needed the Doctor trapped in this wish world because a Time Lord's doubt can crack the structure of reality itself — hence the expositional dump. Clever way to justify the exposition. The Rani takes the Doctor onto the balcony as London is destroyed. The world is crumbling. However, the Bone Palace is a fixed point, so it's safe. RELATED: Read our Doctor Who recaps Breaking reality like this allows the Rani to see what's underneath — or, rather, who. He is hidden in the Underverse. The One Who Is Lost. Meanwhile, Ruby, Shirley, Mel and all of London watch in terror as everything falls away. We learn that the Rani wants to break Omega free, the first Time Lord and the creator of the Time Lord race. It all comes flooding back to the Doctor. He finally remembers. However, the Rani has locked him out of the Bone Palace. Inside, the Rani orders the drone guards to take Belinda across the threshold. The Rani uses her sonic screwdriver to sever the balcony from the Bone Palace. The Doctor, still on said balcony, falls with it. After crossing the threshold, Belinda vanishes. Poppy Is Real Belinda's mother cradles Poppy inside the house. A lightbulb flicks on in the Doctor's head. While he's falling, he reminds the Rani that Poppy is real. He has a daughter. (Does this make Poppy Susan's mother?) He screams and braces himself for impact, clinging to the balcony railing. To be continued… 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. Everything Coming to Netflix in June 2025 Contact: [email protected] What I do: I'm GGA's Managing Editor, a Senior Contributor, and Press Coordinator. I manage, contribute, and coordinate. Sometimes all at once. Joking aside, I oversee day-to-day operations for GGA, write, edit, and assess interview opportunities/press events. Who I am: Before moving to Los Angeles after studying theater in college, I was born and raised in Amish country, Ohio. No, I am not Amish, even if I sometimes sport a modest bonnet. Bylines in: Tell-Tale TV, Culturess, Sideshow Collectibles, and inkMend on Medium. Critic: Rotten Tomatoes, CherryPicks, and the Hollywood Creative Alliance.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Ncuti Gatwa breaks his silence following claims he's been 'axed' as Doctor Who amid falling ratings and 'woke' storylines
Ncuti Gatwa has broken his social media silence following claim he's been axed as Doctor Who amid falling ratings and ' woke ' storylines. The BBC series is also said to have been paused for an extended break amid criticism about recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial. Taking to his Instagram Stories Gatwa, 32, shared snaps of late actress Kate O'Mara as villain the Rani from the original series, as well as Archie Panjabi, 52, who was revealed as the reincarnated character in a shock twist during last week's episode. The actor gushed: 'I can't believe I haven't posted about this yet!! who else was gagged?' before adding: 'I certainly gagged, I had always wanted to battle the Rani WHAT a villan'. Before captioning a snap of his new co-star: 'And now we have THEE incredible @archiepanjabi welcome aboard'. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. It comes after the BBC firmly denied that the Scottish actor has been 'axed' - but are still refusing to comment on whether he will be back for a third series. The broadcaster posted a statement on Friday following rumours that the renowned Scottish actor, 32, would not return as the Doctor, branding the speculation 'pure fiction'. 'Whilst we never comment on the future of the Doctor, any suggestion that Ncuti Gatwa has been "axed" is pure fiction,' a spokesperson for the BBC said. Furthermore, they confirmed that a decision regarding Gatwa's third series with the beloved science fiction show will not be made until the season two finale has aired next Saturday. 'The decision on season 3 will be made after season 2 airs and any other claims are just pure speculation,' the spokesperson added. 'The deal with Disney+ was for 26 episodes – and we still have an entire spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea, to air.' The Sun claimed on Thursday that Gatwa, described as 'Doctor Who's wokest ever lead star', was 'exterminated' from the series after ratings took a nosedive. Indeed, Doctor Who was watched by around 2.5milion last Saturday - around 2million fewer people than the numbers watching when Jodie Whittaker, the previous Time Lord, was on the show until 2022. But this is still a tiny fraction of the sort of interest it used to attract. At its peak it was watched by around 13million on a Saturday night in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. Insiders believe Disney+ will not renew its deal, according to the publication. Gatwa unexpectedly pulled out of delivering the UK jury votes at Eurovision for the grand final last week, leaving Murder on the Dancefloor singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor to take his place. The BBC offered no explanation for this last minute change and merely blamed 'unforeseen circumstances'. A statement issued by the BBC last Thursday said: 'Due to unforeseen circumstances, unfortunately Ncuti Gatwa is no longer able to participate as spokesperson during the Grand Final this weekend.' But speculation online suggested that Sex Education may have pulled out as the UK's Eurovision spokesperson in protest of Israel, represented by October 7 survivor Yuval Raphael, qualifying for the final. Gatwa has previously been vocal in his support for Palestine, sharing photographs of Free Palestine graffiti in Italy on his Instagram and posting links to fundraisers for Palestinian causes. Sources told the Mail on Sunday that executives were left 'cross' and 'exasperated' by the 32-year-old actor's last minute decision. Ahead of the final, a source admitted that BBC producers had 'suspected that he would change his mind about the role' and that his stand-in, Sophie Ellis-Bextor had been 'in place for some time'. At the time, a TV insider reportedly told The Sun: 'If the final nail wasn't already in the coffin, it was well and truly hammered in after that. 'Bosses were incredibly disappointed. Ncuti, as the Doctor, is one of the corporation's most high-profile faces.' Despite their anger, however, executives have attempted to play down the link between his decision to stand down and his pro-Palestinian views. They claimed an announcement about his withdrawal was actually made on Radio 2 three minutes before Raphael's place in the final with her song New Day Will Rise was confirmed, closely followed by a social media post five minutes later. The BBC source said: 'The announcement was first made on BBC Radio 2 by Richie Anderson and Sara Cox three minutes before Israel qualified for the final. 'The statement was then issued on social media five minutes later, which was coincidentally two minutes after Israel qualified.' Gatwa joined the cast of Doctor Who in 2023 for the 14th season after Jodie Whittaker - the first female Doctor - bowed out. Since last month, the two lead parts have been portrayed by ethnic minority actors Sethu (left) and Gatwa (right) for the first time Doctor Who's 'woke' characters at a glance Rose Noble: The transgender daughter of Doctor companion, Donna Noble. She is imbued with Time Lord energy which supports her non-binary personality. She famously grilled David Tennant's Doctor for 'assuming' an alien's gender. Maestro: A non-binary villain played by American drag queen, Jinkx Monsoon. She uses music and singing as a power. Yoss: A pregnant man from the alien species known as the Gifftans. He reveals that unlike humans, both male and female Gifftans can give birth. The Doctor: David Tennant's Doctor, in the 60th anniversary episode, hints at being homosexual after encountering an Isaac Newton of Indian heritage who he goes on to call 'hot'. He is the first openly queer or black actor to play the role of the Doctor in the show's 62-year history and since last month, the two lead parts have been portrayed by ethnic minority actors for the first time. To honour his groundbreaking role, Mattel released a new Doctor Who doll on Friday. Gatwa said he was 'emotional' seeing the Mattel creation, adding: 'Barbie is iconic, so to see a Barbie iteration of the Doctor was emotional, surreal, incredible, and I can't wipe the smile off my face. 'I hope kids out there are able to enjoy the doll and see themselves in it and think "I can do anything".' The Fifteenth Doctor Barbie Doll features a face sculpted in the likeness of Gatwa and is dressed in a striped shirt, sleek trousers, a long brown jacket and white trainers. Mattel has also created a model of Doctor Who's companion Ruby Sunday, who is played by Millie Gibson in the current series. But some fuming 'Whovians' have been left disappointed by the series which includes recent plots involving non-binary aliens, incels and even a pregnant male extra-terrestrial. Campaigners have accused bosses behind the BBC series of 'promoting the cult of gender ideology' in the latest episodes of the time-hopping romp, which is streamed globally thanks to a lucrative deal with Disney thought to be worth £100million. Russell T Davies, the head writer for Doctor Who, criticised 'toxic' people for branding the show as woke. The Welsh screenwriter and television producer, 62, said he had no time for complaints about the show's 'diversity'. Adding his own two-cents, Gatwa told critics last year: 'Don't watch. Turn off the TV. 'I feel like anyone that has a problem with someone who's not a straight white man playing this character, you're not really, truly a fan of the show.' Gatwa is also said to have grown increasingly frustrated by how the show is run - and is keen to move to Hollywood to pursue other opportunities. The current Doctor Who star is yet to comment on claims he may be leaving Doctor Who.
