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.

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?

Ahh back to a monster of the week (but who or what is the REAL monster, she spoilers) which I largely thoroughly enjoyed.

This time we get a Doctor AND Ruby light episode, with both of the characters appearing in 'video clips' until the final scenes where they grace us with our presence. I must say that at this point in the series, with the doctor being so absent for so much of it (busy filming sex education by all counts) it's starting very much to feel more like Doctor Who-is that I'm watching here.

Anyway, the stage is clear for our main protagonist to hold the episode (which she does very well) as a social media obsessed spoilt brat with a genuine evil streak leading to a superb final scene from Ncuti.

Let's just hope he's a bit more present as we come to the last few episodes...

I mean, there are just so many things poorly explained sci-fi wise... Feels like Russel wasn't really trying to write a convincing sci-fi story. The sci-fi story overall is boring. Seems the only purpose is to quickly go over the sci-fi part then we can watch the sarcasm part, which is the real main course.

But the sarcasm is great. It's really Black Mirror-ish. You get to feel for the main character Lindy, and hate her in the same time. And some of the clues are kinda subtle, you probably need to read some comments and rewatch this episode to get it.

Also Ncuti's performance is exceptional - I love it when he was given some depth and tension, rather than being the always happy and confident doctor.

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.