Doctor Who 1x4 "73 Yards" - Reaction & Review

[@Raven_Luna_Tick]

What really made me emotional was Ruby's line "Don't worry, everyone has abandoned me, my whole life. But I haven't been alone for 65 years". I'd like to think that not only was she talking about the 73 yard woman, but also of her memory of her friend, the Doctor.

[@SeeJay81]

When Mrs Flood said "nothing to do with me" at first I thought she just meant she didn't want to get involved in other people's business. But we all know from the Church on Ruby Road that Mrs Flood loves nothing more than sticking her nose into the goings on of the neighbourhood. What if she was actually meaning "oh that villain isn't one of mine." 🤷‍♂

[@cid7016]

I actually thought the same, like "yeah this plot ain't about me"

[@PartarioAbdullah-Levi]

Oh just said petulantly in the way Brits often do when snubbed or ignored. A bit like "please yourself" or "none of my business I suppose".

[@alancarroll7648]

It wouldn't surprise me if RTD threw that in because this is the first story that has Ruby staying at home. I've seen fan theories get massively out of control in the Tennant and Smith years.

[@itskashkashi]

Can't belive doctor who just bent neck ladied us in a turn left style episode lol.

[@AuroraButterflyx]

People saying the ending was confusing but my takeaway was that it was old Ruby the whole time, the timeline we saw was Doctor breaking the circle and the consequences of it so the result was basically torture herself but in order to prevent it she has to wait until she basically dies to tell them not to step or to complete the weird time loop paradox. Overall I absolutely loved the episode and gave it a solid 9.5. I suppose anyone seeing the old woman standing and saying mumble would freak anyone out.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

Yes, it was Old Ruby the whole time. It's like an inverse bootstrap paradox.

[@dwfan91-]

What. An. Episode. Incredible reaction, great video!

[@ClanMcDuck]

I also said “This is like a black mirror episode.” Really enjoyed this one. Nice and creepy.

[@ennayanne]

I found it closer to inside no. 9

[@PartarioAbdullah-Levi]

Why are we in Wales? It looks fantastic. Answered your own question, didn't you, boyo?

[@DEGriffSoc]

Like Turn Left written by a 19th century gothic ghost story writer. All hauntings as punishment and ghosts that are also externalisations of emotional turmoil. I am not sure it was the Doctor accidentally breaking the circle that was at issue though, rather than Ruby choosing to read the messages. It seems like she was the one being punished with a nightmare timeline.

[@reklem2]

My theory is that the being needed Ruby's spirit in order to make the message reach her. Therefore it observed ruby for years, waiting for her death(perhaps trying to make her life worse in the process to get her to die earlier). In the end she could finally get Ruby's spirit and take her back to that moment and stop the doctor from disturbing the circle.

[@qyntifex]

this episode was thrilling, stressful, mysterious, and fantastic. loved the episode and your reaction!

[@ADifferentLens2345]

First half amazing, last half shit.

[@SNMG7664]

@@ADifferentLens2345 it's RTD, that's how it is. overall still enjoyable though.

[@taliamar8115]

@@SNMG7664 it hasnt even been shown on tv yet how can he watch it

[@chrisleneil]

Thank you for mentioning The Haunting of Hill House! Reminds me of both Nell & Luke’s stories! I think her freeing Roger ap Gwilliam from Mad Jack, plus her embrace of her shadow-self allowed a second chance with the deja vu. Absolutely adored this episode, but I like haunting fairy stories. Perfect reaction to a perfect episode! 💜💜➕🌈🟦

[@scorpiansarecreeps5688]

My current theory is that she's been stuck in a time loop trying to figure out a way to warn herself. The one at the beginning might've been saying something like run or go away which shaped our Ruby and she said something different which was don't step.

[@Greevheattak]

So my takeaway from this episode, when the doctor broke the cycle it took him out somehow and Ruby started to manifest her fear of abandonment trough her old self the old lady, that's why everyone who talks to the old lady abandons ruby completly, she basically forces them to using her weird strange powers, and since people kept abandoning her the lady never left always lurking in the distance, but afther she broke the loop by stopping the doctor from stepping on the spell her fear of abandonment never manifested Another thing that supports this theory is what old ruby say "I could make it snow once, a long time ago" Implying that for a very long time her powers where not really manifesting because she already manifested them on the old lady

[@Giggirl]

It’s kind of explained in Dr Who Unleashed

[@jameshughes7946]

It was like a bootstrap paradox began and ended all at once. Maybe the breaking of the circle represented damage in the web of time that once avoided fixed itself and reset the aberrant timeline? Doctor Whos time travel mechanics have always fascinated me, and this just scratched my brain in just the right way

[@Thomity]

Yeah so interesting! The things Kate Lethbridge Stewart says also seem to potentially imply that the TARDIS being in close vicinity could have affected things. Adding perception filter rules to the new reality etc. Its time machine powers could have fueled everything that happened.

[@thelukeofficial9626]

Here’s my theory for the episode and what I think is happening!!! I think when they went up to the old ruby the old ruby’s face turned young and that scared everyone away I think this worked especially with rubys mum with tuff love I think older ruby told her mum she needs to run away and never see her again to keep her safe this would explain why her mum pushes ruby away by saying something so opposite to who her mum is by saying she’s not her real mum this is enough for ruby to feel abandoned and stay away from her mum allowing the timeline to remain. the reason mad jack and all the others ran away is because they also saw old ruby’s face turn young old ruby would also show mad jack his worst fears never being loved and firing a missile would only make him hated by his supporters the only people who blindly have any sort of love for him lousing that would be the worst thing ever to happen to him. The reason he would want to destroy the world is because he’s jealous of everyone who is loved. I think old ruby can also send information through peoples minds because she interacted with them when she was younger so older ruby told unit that she needed everyone to leave her younger self so she can stop mad jack who will cause world war 3 and fix the timeline. in the end ruby dies and her spirit goes back in her younger self, preventing the doctor to step changing the timeline back to normal!!! She can’t remember the future because it would cause a paradox .The circle definitely is the reason for ruby to be followed by her self and it’s implied by the doctor not stepping on it in the new timeline I like to think the circle was made by someone in Egypt who had a vision of the end of the world by a man named mad jack so they put a spell on the circle whoever steps on it will have the responsibility to save the world they would forgive mad jack for his intentions and write a note saying they love him rip knowing everyone dies and he will die unloved. the old ruby is giving sign language, to ruby by trying to give her clues of what she needs to do however because she’s 73 hards away she can’t understand them ! The old ruby wouldn’t remember that young ruby isn’t getting her singles because she can’t remember that long ago . In the new timeline mad jack dose go into power but has a change of heart last minute having a dream of being someone else being blown up this would reflect on his conscience and make him go out of power permanently!!! That’s my head cannon for this episode

[@QuaziInc]

10:45 omg, her not taking a plane or a boat... that instinct!

[@Thomity]

right! in hindsight so many cheeky clues throughout the episode!

[@christianschoff2490]

Wait. Why? What do you mean?

[@QuaziInc]

@@christianschoff2490 Ruby says to Kate she never fly's or takes a boat because she was worried she might die, or might kill her? It was an instinct she had, but she said it in a questioning way. And Kate indicated she was wise to make up that rule. We see at the end if the camera perspective means anything that Ruby was seeing out of the 73 yard lady, which is makes me think it was her all along. So if thats the case that meant if she was ever in a plane, the old lady her would fall to her death, or if she were to take a boat, she might drown. We never see Ruby attack the lady, so we don't know from the episode if she could have been killed.

[@christianschoff2490]

@@QuaziInc I see. That's a good point.

[@movieatrssmaker]

ruby is operating on a nonlinear level. its fascinating. ruby is dealing with some self manifestation of internal issues. ruby her self has power. also the set up before this episode making it seem like Susan twist but she calls out its nothing to do with her. a few things are clear, ruby has power, ruby has unresolved issues. probably looking at a series wide interpersonal pantheon conflict and a you are who you choose to be kinda story line. also just throwing it out there ruby is either related to the toy maker family OR big jump shes related to the bad wolf / the moment. number of interesting possibility's. its been very compelling and interesting, this episode is dense and has alot to unpack

[@stephaniepage4334]

Could ruby be jenny daughter or ruby might be Susan biological granddaughter?

[@TheLibrarianOG1]

The moment is nothing more than a sentient machine developed by the Timelords, there is nothing to indicate that it can reproduce. And since the focus is on God-like, magical beings, I think that's wherein lies Ruby's identity.

[@movieatrssmaker]

@@TheLibrarianOG1 definitly, i just threw it out there as its on the list of weird entities that can mess around with stuff. the most likely connection is to the toy maker family of course.

[@movieatrssmaker]

@@stephaniepage4334 its possible, alot would indicate shes related to the toymakers family in some way but double dipping and having a family tie to the doctor as well would be interesting

[@Thomity]

The thing I've found myself wondering the most since watching the episode is... what did the 73 yard/older Ruby say to people to make them so terrified of her? Could be nothing, could be just a magical thing, or it could be something huge... The sort of thing that terrified Maestro about Ruby?

[@ADifferentLens2345]

Russel said on the making-of documentary we'll never know what she said, we're not meant to, the real horror lies in thinking it over

[@AuroraButterflyx]

Maybe Ruby is controlling the women to say weird things that probably would terrify any regular person. Even if she didn't mean.

[@SNMG7664]

it's possible she was saying nothing and just somehow projecting abandonment issues to those that interacted with her?

[@rozzgrey801]

She was telling them about the awful woke agenda that Dr Who has fallen victim to, a horrifying world of make-believe where anyone can identify as whatever gets them what they want.

[@cid7016]

Well... I dare to say that she was not "talking" directly to them, I believe she was, somehow, projecting the aberrant timeline with the nuclear winter into every person that got in contact with her. Maybe telling them that was going to happen because of Ruby, or that she would cause it somehow? Because every time someone heard what Old Ruby had to say, they look TERRIFIED, like they just witnessed the end of the world first hand. With that said... It's interesting that there's yet another coindence. A nuclear winter. Exactly what The Maestro was aiming for...

[@goenmo]

I suspect this whole Ruby timeline will be a bootstrap paradox. She is her own mother.

[@XanderHarris1023]

She is at least the woman who dropped off baby Ruby at the church. They have been calling her her mother this whole time so probably.

[@QuaziInc]

@@XanderHarris1023 That will be very Red Dwarf.

[@MrStephenLodge]

I dont think the woman was Ruby until Ruby passed.

[@ParsureArts]

Spooky! Love your reaction on this.

[@kaihinataplays1992]

Someone in another reaction said something about, the old Ruby didn't say anything, it was just they saw Ruby and noticed something. But I'm not sure. My question is, WHY, why are they just noticing this now. Especially Karla who has had the better part of 18 years with Ruby. and that Echo, "Don't Step" did make it seem like she was actually saying something but what, and if it was old Ruby, WHY does she want to isolate her younger self. Especially when Karla and Cherry are so intagural parts of her life. AND MY FINAL QUESTION. HOW? How did old Ruby time travel? Was it supernatural, does Ruby have an innate ability she doesn't know of yet? Overall, to me, the concept was interesting but I think. it would have made much more sense if they had played it kind of how they did it in the "god Complex" where it was a creature or entity, playing Ruby's fear. Which is where I THOUGHT the episode was going. Now, it could be a "Turn Left" scenario where the Bug actually came from the future and and so does whatever they notice on Ruby..... but even that, in this context, I just don't feel like it works. Also, IF the Doctor was effected, why was the TARDIS not, it just sat there for 80 years.... This was a bottle episode and thats all I will remember it as. A bottle,. throw away episode. I don't want to be harsh, but to me, this was another good example of message vs story "Nuclear War bad." Okay good enough, lets move on.

[@hopebgood]

This episode made no sense at all if you think about it but RTD has said he's gonna go more into fantasy and magic (not so keen on that idea tbh) but I still loved this episode. It was creepy and scary and it made me cry at the end and personally I always consider that a good thing when I watch a prog/movie or read a book. 😀

[@jamesmatthews6477]

Great reaction and thoughts 👍

[@airs1234]

They have talked about the cost of drinks in a couple of episodes now. Not sure if I’m over thinking that. I’m devils chord they were shocked at the price of tea. Now she was shocked at the price of coke. Is that just cost of living commentary or something more?

[@Thomity]

hah! good catch!

[@CrankyGrandma]

Kate seemed really off. Before she heard the woman. It all has a weird nightmare feel.

[@BritGirlJay]

Please do reacts to all the newwho lead themes (9, 10, 11, 13 etc.). Loved your theme reacts to 12 and 15.

[@taliamar8115]

the episode hasnt even been showed yet how is he watching this

[@XanderHarris1023]

Streaming services drop the new episodes at 12 am UK time.

[@taliamar8115]

@@XanderHarris1023 i wonder how many people are going to watch doctor who during euro 2024

[@XanderHarris1023]

@@taliamar8115 Streaming services do this thing where they keep the episodes up for an extended period of time so you can watch them at your leisure. You can tune in after you watch your football match.

[@lailaagrado]

Please do reaction to very queer and amazing series "Dead boy detectives". Pleaaase! ♥♥♥

[@AzguardMike]

sadly im not allowed to watch it. Gatwa and RTD said it wasnt for people like me. Instead I did some gardening and "touched grass" as they told the old classic fans to do. Just use reactors like you to get the cliff notes until actual fans are allowed to watch it again.

[@XanderHarris1023]

You are letting other peop0le control your actions? Be a good little sheep and do what you're told.

[@nathanthomas5133]

Grow up & stop acting like a 5 year old

[@christianschoff2490]

Bye.

[@sofajockeyUK]

What a truly dumb position to hold. I've been enjoying DW since the early 1970's and this season is super.

[@christianschoff2490]

@@sofajockeyUK THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! YOU'RE BRILLIANT!