Rosa

I find it really sad that because this episode tackles an issue that is still relevant today it immediately gets tagged as political correctness gone mad even before the episode has finished airing. The thing in the 40 plus years I loved about doctor Who was the history episodes. This fits the bill. Not political correctness but something that informs and educates not only about history but cause and effect amongst other things.

Politically driven to the limits, thought provoking and powerful. The most ambitious episode yet, especially for a family drama.

The Doctor, armed with three companions travels back in time, to meet a famous historical figure, sound familiar? It's been a long time since the show returned to its original roots, but that it did.

Despite the powerful storyline, this story battles one monster in particular, racism, racism from the past and present. Dialogue appears in this episode that I've not heard on the show before, this was a very very grown up episode.

The writing was fantastic, great production values, it looked wonderfully authentic, those costumes were superb. Vinette Robinson was superb as Rosa, a quality performance.

Very different on so many levels, but hopefully it will encourage kids to Google Rosa Parks, and learn more about her.

A blast from the past 8/10

I've been watching Doctor Who since the reboot and I've always enjoyed it for its ease of watching and frequently changing storylines. Yes, it can be quite frivolous at times and it's not perfect - but what it does is something clever. This episode takes a part of history that unfortunately still resonates today, and let's us relive it with the usual mishaps that come with the Doctor. A predictable outcome of 'saving the day' doesn't matter when we all sign up for a feel good show. On top of that, we are educating a younger audience on parts of history they might not know about. Quite powerful!

People are mad that it shows the realities of a black man being in Alabama. They couldn't pretend that wouldn't be an issue in the time period.

Honestly, the concept of the episode to protect a pivotal moment in history, which they've done before and fits the show. This time it's just a moment that is real, rather than a moment in humanity's future.

My only real issue is that this episode ignores the actual history that this was not spontaneous and was intentional. Parks was also not the first or only person to refuse to give up her seat. Teenager Claudette Colman did the same weeks before. Parks was seen as someone who could be the face of the movement, though, because of her age and respectability. They didn't want it to seem as intentional at the time but ignoring that historical fact now just removes the agency, intelligence, and perseverance of the black community.