The Reality War

Ncuti Gatwa's second season draws to a conclusion. Curiously every review I did took several days to be posted. So this time I decided to wait a few days to write one.

There was much speculation for weeks before the finale. Much to do with Disney's continued involvement with the show hanging up in the air. There was talk of extensive reshoots and a different contrived ending.

With the Doctor plummeting, he is rescued by a magical doorway. The Time Hotel.

Meanwhile the Rani continues her plans to free Omega under her watch.

That still leaves the mystery of Poppy which the Doctor and Belinda have to deal with.

It was all straightforward until the last twenty minutes or so.

The highlight was Mrs Flood's Two Rani's gag which riffed the beloved comedy duo, The Two Ronnies.

It then went on about Poppy but it did not stay there. Leading to a surprise return and then a shock reveal at the end.

The Reality War became messy at the end. How much was due to RTD dealing with circumstances will be revealed in later years.

You can guarantee one think with Doctor Who. It is always guaranteed to be bonkers at some point.

Throwing so much into one episode, parts of this one felt like exposition dump in order to make sense of how we got here. I wasn't satisfied with how some aspects were handled, but there was not a lack of effort to elicit a reaction.

I'm curious if this was as it was planned or if real life circumstances changed to force some loose ends to be tied up. This reminded me of "Rise of Skywalker", bringing together the components of a recent era into a single story while not shying away from older mythology or nostalgic triggers.

While filled with ups and downs, far from how I hoped this season had wrapped, it was memorable nonetheless.

Dr Who is one of those shows that is weighted down by its legacy and the nostalgia of previous adventures and favourite Dr's and companions. It's similar to the Star Wars original trilogy effect; that nothing that comes later is going to give the same connection or feeling. Sometimes you have to sit back and enjoy the ride you are on and look forward. If you keep looking in the rear view mirror the ride you are on is going to crash.

In a world of daily horrors, atrocities, unethical leaders and greedy billionaires, we need escapism. Dr Who is that escapism, sit back and enjoy. Save your righteous indignation for what's happening in the real world. That's where are energies should be directed.

This episode is very confusing. Down to the ending but it still manages to be pretty enjoyable. Sure Omega and the Rani weren't in it for too long but It still managed to make an impact on me. Not sure I really get some of it and in the end it left me wondering where exactly is the doctor who timeline anymore? And I know they are planning a spin off or something to release here soon but OMG I need to know what happens with the doctor next. That regeneration... This series disappoints me time and time again since disney took it over especially the season 1 finale. But I still keep watching it for gem episodes. And there are some pretty good ones I just wish they would stop doing GODS. Every other episode is a god and its getting kind of annoying. Can't you be more creative RTD?

It didn't help that the surprise ending was spoiled for me by someone who saw this in England. Time zones, the bane of a Time Lord's existence. Not to mention only half of a script. The last half slowed to the speed of molasses*, but at least with a great ending for those who didn't have it spoiled for them.

Issues were slowly, ultimately, ultimately resolved. I'm still looking forward to seeing next season. I love Doctor Who, but I was a bit disappointed in this season finale.

*i.e., Chewing up scenery, vamping, wasting time, no substantive information added, soliloquies of no substance, etc.