‘Doctor Who’ – A New Era of Vibrancy and Space Babies

The 14th series of Doctor Who picks up right where its holiday special left off. We first meet our 15th Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa; Barbie) dancing the night away in a London disco. In the episode “The Church on Ruby Road,” the Doctor investigates a series of unfortunate accidents. This leads him to Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson), whose family is targeted by a horde of tiny goblins. After the two uncover and solve the mystery, the Doctor invites Ruby to join him aboard the TARDIS, a time-traveling ship shaped like a police box. From there, the Doctor and Ruby travel through space and time, discovering different worlds, making new friends, and defeating dangerous foes.

This Doctor feels fresh and full of zest. Gatwa is the first Black Doctor, the first queer Doctor, and the first Doctor to lead a series backed by Disney, which helps make this world feel new and exciting. Gatwa’s charismatic presence makes the audience want to join him on every adventure. The vibrancy of the show is largely due to Gatwa’s magnetic energy. From the moment it begins, it feels as if a gust of wind rushes past, imbuing you with a refreshing feeling—that’s what Gatwa has brought to his version of the Doctor.

Gibson’s portrayal of Ruby pairs well with the Doctor. Although Gatwa’s character is larger than life, it doesn’t overshadow what Gibson brings to the table. The two play off each other well, making their budding friendship authentic and worthy of investment.

Within the first few episodes, we explore new worlds filled with space babies and missing music, setting the stage for multiple undercurrents amidst space adventures. Ruby, who was left at a church on Ruby Road as a baby, has always been curious about her parents. Unfortunately, the rules of time travel prevent her from returning to that day to discover the truth. Now, with a time machine at her disposal, she finds herself unable to retrieve the one memory she has longed for.

Meanwhile, the Doctor contends with being the last Time Lord, a status that brings a unique duality of isolation and exceptionalism. This also fuels his passion for discovery and his dedication to preserving the odd and unique, as seen in “Space Babies.”

Another aspect I love is the excitement the characters feel while exploring. Time travel stories often become mundane after visiting a few places, but here, the Doctor and Ruby are equally thrilled to choose times and places to explore. They understand that the world is vast in one time, let alone across infinite times—offering both beauty and danger.

Fans of Doctor Who may have specific attachments to some of the previous Doctors, but this Doctor feels perfectly suited for the here and now. It serves as a great introduction for newcomers to the fandom and will draw in a new generation without upending the groundwork laid by the many Doctors who have come before. With big action, big adventure, and big heart, Doctor Who boasts innovative special effects, impeccable world-building, and heroic journeys.

Doctor Who streams on Disney+ weekly on Fridays at 4 PM PST.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars