The Legend of Ruby Sunday

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.

You have the fun! You have the scares! You have the heart! Wow just wow! What an episode! The pacing was absolutely perfect this episode! The plot unravelled in such a compelling way! The performances were all great! The effects were all fantastic! The music was thrilling and intense! This is probably the best part 1 to a finale the shows ever had!

This is what Doctor Who is all about! I sat watching the episode literally laughing because of how great it was and how much fun I was having watching it! This truly felt like RTDs first era more than any episode he's made since he's been back! It felt like the classic finale's he used to make! There's still part 2 to come and I'm so glad now I bought my ticket to see this in the cinema! This... This was made for the fans and it delivered tenfold! This is what Doctor Who is to me! I absolutely loved it!

After a few mediocre (not totally awful) seasons with Jodie Whittaker hopes were high for the new Doctor, Ncuti Gatwa. This season (Season 1 ?) has continued along the same path. Again nothing disastrous but a few average episodes, apart from 73 Yards which was excellent. Nearing the end of the season we have "The Legend of Ruby Sunday" and we have another classic Who episode. Doctor Who is always best when it goes big and it certainly does that.

Gatwa is excellent in this story as at last is allowed to be more serious in this story about what happened to his companion Ruby at Christmas 2004.

A welcome return also for UNIT and Kate Stewart (Jemma Redgrave) and Melanie Bush (Bonnie Langford) in this story that more importantly is about the mysterious Susan Triad. Her story arc has been very well done and when we finally find out about her ulterior motive is also handled expertly.

With one episode left here's hoping it's another winner.

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.

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.