Dot and Bubble

Here's another RTD penned episode that manages to deliver, and coincidentally, it's also a doctor-lite story. A strange trend in an 8 episode season that's meant to be our introduction to a new Doctor, but both Dot and Bubble and 73 Yards are good enough to make up for Ncuti's lack of presence.

Dot and Bubble is a bit of a swerve. You're led to believe that it's a cheap, overdone metaphor for constant phone usage and social media, when in reality its been dropping subtle hints about its true subject matter the whole time. It's decent enough on the first go, but on rewatch you can go back and see the obvious for yourself. It's all very intentionally about something else, and it's extremely well done. Smart script, strong themes, and a disgusting ending. Easily one of RTD's best pieces of writing.

It just keeps getting better doesn't it? Well, that's also because it started off horribly. But the last 3 episodes have been a blast.

Let me start off with the originality of this episode, the idea of the bubble, and people not being able to live without it is genius. The design of the world they live in is great and the characters are amazing. The idea of having to save someone that doesn't want to be saved, and rather be stuck in her bubble is great. The idea of the Doctor and Ruby operating online is sp creative. And don't get me started on the ending...

And of course it's all just a massive metaphor. People rather looking away then solving the problem. Climate change, war, genocide, everything. We're all too caught up in popculture and celebrity drama. Just genius.

As this episode opens Lindy Pepper-Bean, an inhabitant of Finetime, wakes up. She immediately activates her dot and bubble... a miniature computer system and VR projector system which lets her chat to friends all day long. It even directs her where to walk as it obscures the view of the outside world. One of her friends asks about a mutual acquaintance who seems to have disappeared but she isn't interested. While at work she is contacted by The Doctor, who she blocks, then Ruby. She is warned that creatures are literally eating the people of Finetime; she takes some persuading but even when she learns the truth she has difficulty coping in the real world. Can The Doctor and Ruby save her and the rest of Finetime?

I think this may have been the best episode so far of the latest series. The satire on those addicted to the internet to the neglect of real life might not be subtle but it is effective and provides a tense story. Tension is increased by having things centred on Lindy Pepper-Bean, a character we've not seen before and won't expect to see again; this makes it possible to believe that she might not make it even though we know that The Doctor rarely fails. Callie Cooke did an impressive job as Lindy; she is rarely off screen and really carried the episode. Overall a really good episode that managed to go in unexpected directions without it feeling out of place. I certainly hope for more episodes of this quality.

The world of Finetime seems happy and harmonious. But an awful terror is preying on the citizens. Can the Doctor and Ruby make them see the truth before it's too late?

Things are very bad at Finetime, the young, elite residents are vanishing, The Doctor and Ruby arrive, but something is stopping them from getting through.

First time round good, second time round very good, this was one very clever piece of writing, and an amusing dig at Gen Z.

Vibes of Macra Terror and Twin Dilemma, only not missing, and very nicely made. There are definitely Black Mirror vibes to it, it really is a bizarre world, where technology has gone up a few notices, Lady P can't even walk without her tech, what a concept.

It's bold, battling racism in a totally unexpected twist, and Ncuti delivers a knockout performance, his speech at the end, a big 'Doctor' moment, something we haven't seen for some time.

Some amusing moments, Russell has some fun at the expense of the bubble headed, privileged princess, Lady Pepper Bean, but there's no denying that Callie Cooke played the part really well. Not too often I'm on the side of the monsters, but in this instance......she deserved to be slug food.

Depth and imagination, one of the best from this series.

7/10.

Going into 'Dot and Bubble', I was a bit weary as it seemed to be a lame Doctor Who knockoff of Black Mirror's 'Nosedive'. However, this episode was not only intriguing, but continuously surprising.

The protagonist of this episode, Lindy I think her name was, was actually fun to watch. Her bratty, tech savvy personality was a good parallel to Millie's much kinder soul. I thought, surely this was a character who would be redeemed...

This episode tricked me. She was certainly not what I thought. I loved the ending of the episode because it completely threw me off. While it wasn't the most amazing thing all round, it was worth the watch and I was definitely invested.