Doctor Who: "The Reality War"

[aelfgyfu_mead]

So we just finished watching and 

WHAT THE HEZMANA?

I'd heard rumors of a regeneration scene being filmed, but I feel like I've been hearing them every year since some people decided the show turned "too woke," so i hadn't credited them.

I'm not ready to lose the Fifteenth Doctor!

I had even started drafting a post in my head at various points when I thought that the episode was ending, only to have it lumber forward like a bone beast, and maybe at some point I'll remember wha they are.

I don't know how to feel!?

What do YOU think?!

 

Comments

[nialla]

I had zero spoilers, and really thought we were about to get a fakeout almost regeneration but not, like they did with Tennant to get the "human" version of him.

I've been reading several theories since it aired. One that makes some sense to me is that the storylines for Ruby and Belinda got somehow switched. Belinda had never expressed interest in kids, but due to the Doctor's wish (unwish?), ended up with that being her new raison d'être. I could easily see Ruby wanting kids, and I thought she'd end up with Poppy, as she was the only one who remembered her.

There was a lot of rumbling when Ruby left suddenly, but then was back. I wonder if there was a reason that the actress had to be out for a bit, and the plot arc was already written, so they redid parts of it to add in Belinda? If the actress had health issues or whatever, that's her business, but it really did seem like the character of Belinda was pasted in with some tweaks, then booted out for a kid. I wonder if I rewatch it with that in mind, if it will seem even more obvious.

I was really not ready to say goodbye to Ncuti. I did get a bit tired of the crying in almost every episode thing, but each doctor seems to develop a quirk I get tired of these days. He also didn't get a Dalek or Cybermen episode, and as much as they're overdone, he still should have had the chance.

As far as the replacement goes... bleh.

I don't think she will be permanent. If Disney ponies up the dough again, and the Beeb renews the show, which is always a big question mark, I expect we'll get some sort of special or specials to transistion to a permanent Doctor. Don't forget that this could be Rose, Bad Wolf, or The Moment popping in. The credits specifically say "Introducing Billie Piper" when in previous regenerations it would include "as The Doctor". I don't think it's an accident they left that bit out. I think this was to grab attention from viewers who drifted away, in hopes of getting more of that sweet, sweet, D+ money.

I'm super peeved we got glimpses of Susan asking her grandfather to come find her, and it meant nothing, at least not yet. Rogue cameo. Nothing. The return of the Rani, twice over, only for the more interesting one to end up as lunch. I should have clued in there was going to be a regeneration just based on so much of the final episodes being a "best of" tour.

One plus of the RTD2 era is he didn't ditch the Timeless Child arc that a lot of people hated. I just like it because I really enjoyed the Fugitive Doctor. Could be fun to see her and other regenerations from that pre-First Doctor era showing up.

Also, surprise Thirteen appearance! I squeed. IMO, she got done wrong by TPTB as well as some fans, so it was nice to see her get to shine a little. I liked seeing the two of them together, but I wish we could have had a two Doctors episode. Could have had her helping Ruby and Shirley "fight god" or something.

I'm overall underwhelmed. Ncuti had an extremely short run. The seasons were shorter, so Nine had 13 episodes in one season, while Fifteen had 18 episodes over two seasons. Doesn't seem quite right, but I really wish they'd allow other Doctors to have appearances similar to Thirteen in this one. Preferably, I'd like an old school multi-Doctor story. Do it while they can, with as many Companions as they can get in at least cameos, and have it be a miniseries where it can breathe.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

One that makes some sense to me is that the storylines for Ruby and Belinda got somehow switched.
Interesting. Ruby has some interest in children, but I'm not sure I'd have been satisfied that way either.

I really liked Belinda for most episodes, but she kind of disappeared in this one! She wasn't really herself; she seemed only to have motivations that had been wished on her (even after the wish ended).

I still feel really sad about Ncuti Gatwa. I'd have loved to have seen more between him and Thirteen!

I was also very annoyed about the cameos that turned out to be nothing. So are we supposed to forget Rogue while his hell dimension closes in on him or something? Was Susan just a memory in an overactive brain? I really hope not.

I'm somewhat cheered at the prospect that Billie Piper won't be doing the Doctor for long.

[nialla]

I don't really like the whole "of course any woman would be fine with giving up everything for her child, even if it's not technically her child" aspect. I really thought Ruby (with help from her mum) was going to end up with both kids, because she was the only one who remembered Poppy through the disappearance. Why was that? She also was relatively quick to see through the wish world.

Someone on Tumblr pointed out an echo of Donna's storyline when she was in The Library's computer and had kids. When she was told they weren't hers, and weren't even real, she reacted much like Belinda did.

Belinda literally got shoved into a box during the climatic battle. And since she wasn't herself, it really did seem like she wasn't in the episode much. She wasn't killed off, but it really felt close to fridging her with that box.

I could sort of understand the Rogue cameo, because the actor had other commitments. Yet why even bother at that point? Did they feel like there needed to be some sort of "farewell" to Gatwa's Doctor? Will we ever hear about him again or is he just lost to Super Hell?

There were also lots of comments referencing Susan prior to the glimpse we had of her. Still not sure if it means anything, but in the episode with The Beatles, The Doctor was pointing out that an earlier version of him was across town with his granddaughter. Could be a throwaway line, could be laying groundwork for her return. I'd like to see the original actress onscreen again, but with things in limbo, who knows how long that will be? I guess they could always go with her regenerating, though there's still some question about whether or not Susan is a Time Lady with regeneration abilities.

I'm getting so tired of recycled actors. I know they can come up with ways to explain it, or just simply ignore it, but it sometimes feels like there's only 50 actors in the UK.

[aelfgyfu_mead]

I could sort of understand the Rogue cameo, because the actor had other commitments. Yet why even bother at that point? Did they feel like there needed to be some sort of "farewell" to Gatwa's Doctor? Will we ever hear about him again or is he just lost to Super Hell?
I know! I'd rather not have seen him!

I had forgotten The Library! And River Song ended her life there, with two children she knew weren't real! That never made sense to me and was an awful way of getting rid of the character.

I had really hoped to see Susan again while the actress is still with us, but you're right—we have no idea how long it might be.

There are so many good actors, and they don't even have to limit themselves to the UK, really! Like the US, the UK attracts actors from elsewhere who want to make a career onscreen or on stage, so they shouldn't be hurting for choice!

Just so disappointed in the episode!

[nialla]

I've seen a lot of fan commentary about possibly RTD doesn't know any other "good endings" for female characters other than making them into mothers one way or another.

I feel the same about Susan. I so wanted to see her interact with her grandfather again, while we still have the original actress. If things go into hibernation again, who knows when or if it will restart. Such a missed opportunity when they were so close.

I have such a bad feeling this disappointing episode may be the last for at least a bit. There's no announcement of a Christmas special, which is worrisome. The show is always on the edge of cancellation, and had regenerated in it's own way -- the 8th Doctor movie, the nuWho era, Disney era, not to mention the books and audio dramas.

I'm not super thrilled with Piper's involvement again, but if it meant getting more series after that, I'll watch it.