Doctor Who 2024 starts off brilliantly with two extremely fun episodes showcasing the new Doctor and his companion, Ruby. It should be noted this review is based solely on the first two episodes (plus the holiday special) 0f Doctor Who.
The Fifteenth Doctor was debuted in the December 2023 Doctor Who holiday special but now his season is officially here. Debuting simultaneously on May 11 at midnight on BBC iPlayer in the U.K and on Friday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Disney+, Ncuti Gatwa delivers a performance of the Doctor like one fans have never seen before. And that is not only a good thing, it is a great thing.
There is always a sort of rivelry when comparing favorite Doctors within the fan base, so to have one that is so wildly different than we have seen before allows him to stand out in a new and exciting way. It certainly helps that his companion Ruby, played by Millie Gibson, is an absolute blast as well. These two are so much fun together, and we would be shocked if we learned they haven’t formed a true friendship in real life, because it certainly looks that way.
Right from the start it is clear that this season of Doctor Who is going to have some underlying emotional moments, those who have watched the holdiay special already know that Ruby is a foundling (an orphan) and that she wants to know who her biological mother is. She knows the Doctor can time travel with the TARDIS and knows that he can go back to the exact place and time when she was abandoned – because he already has.
Of course, when he brings her on as his companion he tells her that there is no way she can confront her mother or learn the truth because it could alter the course of things, however this causes viewers to suspect eventually this time will come, and they will have to find a way to set things right. That being said, there is no indication of this happening yet in the first two episodes, which are:
Space Babies: Ruby learns the Doctor’s amazing secrets when he takes her to a Baby Farm in the future that’s being run by babies, but threatened by a bogeyman.
The Devil’s Chord: When the Doctor and Ruby meet The Beatles, they discover that the all-powerful Maestro is changing history.
Both of these Doctor Who episodes are a lot of fun. It is a joy watching Gatwa on screen just having the time of his life. He not only brings a silly side to the Doctor, but he also brings a lot of compassion. This is showcased specifically in Space Babies as he and Ruby are able to give these young children exactly what they are missing from having no adults around. This is a great kick off episode, although it does heavily lean into the silly aspect of Doctor Who. Still, there are great lessons and a handful of emotional moments.
When it comes to The Devil’s Chord, any fan of The Beatles is sure to have fun with it. It almost feels like you are getting a look back at what it was like when they first got together, however, as teased in the synopsis, things are a little bit mixed up. This is a great episode with some truly stunning visuals and a wondefully captivtaing villain in Maestro.
This season of Doctor Who embraces people of all walks, something the franchise has always prided itself on. Sure, some people might have a problem with it, but who cares. This show wasn’t made for them anyways. It is hard to judge off of just two episodes, however if the season continues down with path, we are sure to be falling even more in love with the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby.
Rating: 4 out of 5
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About Doctor Who
SEASON SYNOPSIS: The Doctor and his companion Ruby Sunday travel across time and space, with adventures all the way from the Regency era in England, to war-torn future worlds. Throughout their adventures in the TARDIS – a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box – they encounter incredible friends and dangerous foes, including a terrifying bogeyman, and the Doctor’s most powerful enemy yet.
“Doctor Who” streams Friday, May 10 at 7:00 p.m. ET on Disney+ where available, and simultaneously on May 11 at midnight on BBC iPlayer in the U.K. New episodes debut weekly.
Doctor Who 2024 starts off brilliantly with two extremely fun episodes showcasing the new Doctor and his companion, Ruby.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.