fenlonalex

Following Moffat's great Episode 3 "Boom", Russell T Davies once again takes the helm in Episode 4 "73 Yards". This is a Doctor-lite episode due to Ncuti's Sex Education filming at the time so the lead goes to The Doctor's companion: Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson and finally, she's able to showcase her incredible ability as an actor.

This episode is one of the more unique storylines in the Doctor Who universe, akin to stories like 'Midnight', 'Listen', 'Turn Left' and 'Wild Blue Yonder'. The episode incorporates elements of creepy horror, political thriller, paradoxical time-travel and witchy fantasy all in one without failure. Much like some of RTD's best work like 'The End of Time', you can go from smiling and chuckling to being stone cold still and glued to your screen.

Criticisms? Perhaps a longer run time to flesh out the ending and make it clearer for the audience, as that seems to be the main and only issue most people can really string out about this episode. But much like RTD's previously experimental episodes, it leaves you with questions - as intended.

After a lackluster double premiere of the new era of Doctor Who, "Boom" starts off with a...well, BOOM and captivates the audience right from the start into a bleak and mysterious war raging on this foggy, desolate planet. Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor finally shows a range of emotion and ability, with the Time Lord's more 'darker' side being briefly explored amid tense themes of war, loss and corporate exploitation. Millie Gibson as Ruby does an excellent job of creating a witty and daring Manchester girl thrown into a universe of wonders and horror, unlike the previous two episodes, Ruby feels more fleshed out and her mystery past further explored.

I won't discuss the supporting cast to avoid spoilers but just know that they're phenomenal in their roles. The story unravels at its own pace, leaving you to think at various moments throughout and as typical with a Moffat episode, there are many 'real-world' themes that are commented on through the story itself - especially amid a current geopolitical climate filled with war and corporate profiteering. And let's just say that Moffat does NOT hold back in his commentary. Nonetheless, it doesn't feel too forced and sits with the plot quite well given the circumstances.

My only downside from this episode are some segments feel as if a lot of dialogue was thrown in to fill the runtime. Fortunately, the dialogue isn't poor at all and therefore doesn't feel like a waste on the viewer. Some more fast paced audiences though might frown a little as they anxiously anticipate what drastic event will occur next, as I did. This can be attributed to Moffat's intention to keep you on the edge of your seat, itching for more and to see the final resolution - and props to him, he did his job.

Overall, this was a top tier Doctor Who episode, and one that'll be remembered as a potentially A tier Moffat storyline, just falling short of S tier tales like Blink and The Girl in the Fireplace from Tennant's Doctor. Ncuti has also solidified himself as The Doctor in this episode after an unimpressive start to the season,. And I won't hear otherwise. Ruby at times feels as if she's too comfortable and knowledgeable for a new companion, much like Clara Oswald, but this is a minor gripe. If this doesn't sell you on the 15th Doctor, I don't know what will.