The Legend of Ruby Sunday

A truly intense episode with a taste of classic 'why do I have to wait another week' doctor who. Full of tension, mystery, intrigue, the episode perfected what many other episodes in the series tried for, and was agonising close to. I physically could not stop watching and was disappointed when it ended, or rather because it ended. More fantastic acting from both Ncuti and Millie, arguably their best performances to date in Doctor who. Best episode of the new era and will be looked back upon as fondly (if not more so) as other classic old and new doctor who finales, and hopefully the second part will continue where this left off.

Now THIS is doctor who. This was what I was missing in my life. Such a fantastically paced episode, great character moments from the doctor, great soundtrack, and great visuals. The tension kept up throughout this episode was fantastic, reminding me a lot of The Impossible Planet, one of my favorite episodes of Who. Ncuti has shown to be one of the greatest actors to ever portray the doctor, and delivers yet another great performance here. The ending of this episode was just amazing. The big reveal might be one of the best in the shows history, everything about it was perfect. Hopefully part 2 lives up to this one.

It takes a lot for an episode of TV to make me feel what this episode made me feel. I watch so much TV these days that very rarely do I sit hooked to every line.

From the first 5 minutes I was drawn in to the mystery. Which I honestly didn't think was going to happen since this season has had so many ups and downs.

The ensemble cast truly excelled in ways that reminded me of old Dr Who.

I've been watching this show since I was 7 and every part of this episode reminded me of why I love it so much and why I keep coming back after the dud episodes.

RTD has done something unique and special with this season and it shows in this episode. He knows how to create a very slow build mystery that gives little to no detail throughout but pays off massively.

I am so glad he didn't bring back the same old monsters we are used to (The Master, Cybermen, Daleks etc). We needed something fresh that we haven't seen in a long time and this episode provided that. I am genuinely excited for the next episode something I haven't felt since RTDs first era.

It's a big penultimate episode, The Doctor has two big questions to answer.

Russell T Davies delivered several epic finales, and this one, for my money, was another. Considering it's been a short series, he's managed to pile in so much, Susan, Mrs Flood, Ruby's rather complex story.

We knew something big was coming, this wasn't something I had expected, bravo Russell once again, I'm glad he decided to return to the show's glorious past.

The VHS Ruby Road scenes were great, so imaginative and different, that whole sequence looked amazing.

Did I detect a bit of a dig at Mrs May, and her infamous dance at conference, that was funny.

First class performance from Ncuti once again, loved that outfit, so cool, he certainly looked the part, his acting, he's phenomenal, and that glint in the eye. Anita Dobson, knockout!

I rather enjoyed Bonnie's performance, and it was so great to see the wonderful Lenny Rush. Rose was somewhat wasted I thought.

Can't wait for next week.

10/10.

The characters hardly left UNIT, there were minimal special effects and other gimmicks. The entire episode was just a concentrated blast of enthusiastic actors with an incredible script.

Gatwa has found his feet. He has just the right balance of incredulous, wide-eyed wonderment with an occasional bout of anxiety, fear even. To me, this is the Doctor, a person with immense power too aware of the peril that follows in his wake. Gibson was great, delivering a warm, fun character that does not feel over the top.

My only annoyance is repetition. In a few previous episodes the same line is delivered over and over, "space babies" for example. The same happens here with "the trap." It is annoying enough to bump you out of the story's flow.

It's a two-part story, following the season arc of Ruby's origins. Although I think they might have trouble wrapping this up in one episode and expect aspects will follow into the next season. The reveal is coming too late. Either way, The Legend of Ruby Sunday sets up the next episode perfectly.