EVERY QUESTION ANSWERED!! 73 Yards SOLVED (Doctor Who)

Doctor Who: 73 Yards ENDING EXPLAINED
Doctor Who Season 1 just released it's most mysterious episode. And I just solved it.

[@senorgooba7360]

When MatPat retired, dwfan91 came to fill the theory void. King shit.

[@VaguelyRowlet]

TRUE

[@VaguelyRowlet]

@@dark_ops1651 yup!

[@RottenMilk313]

Get this man a true

[@AngieDeAguirre]

Who is MatPat?

[@Jim_The_Fish]

I’M SAYIN

[@senorgooba7360]

Your explanation of the pub scene is actually quite interesting. Like most people, I took it as a red herring because the pub locals were playing with ruby. I also just finished watching Harbo's review and his point that the episode is leading you to not take their words seriously is one I agree with. But from the perspective that fairytales and folklore are coming true due to the events of the 60th, the fact that the pub locals play with Ruby and laugh off the stalking woman JUST because it's a fairytale, if anything, gives their words more weight because if they think its just folklore, then the events of the 60th make it even more likely to happen. What a way to flip my perspective on one scene.

[@MKR5210]

Meaningless word salad. Did you help write this garbage ?

[@cam1e754]

Rubys mum saying she looks like what she looks like probably means she looks how she does from a distance even when close

[@MetaCinemaYT]

That would actually be extremely terrifying in person

[@sasuke22dante]

Nah, I think nobody is supposed to give her any description of her face, the woman is supposed to remain unidentifiable by her, and so people would be unable to describe her, take pictures up close etc.

[@redwiltshire1816]

@@sasuke22danteactually it’s mentioned in the episode that she always looks like she is 73 meters away so even up close she would still look as if she was meters away

[@emily_boo_19]

I think death was a major theme as well. The way death is always there, distant, but we can't fully see or understand it. Then, at the end, its finally close and it takes you with it.

[@absolutelysearchingmyreality]

Death can also take away the ones you love with often no explanation. Just like how everyone and Ruby who confronted "death" disconnected herself from Rubys life.

[@dsdots]

9:10 "You always with yourself but you don't always know yourself" Absolute banger of a line, perfect synopsis of this episode. Gives "Every Christmas is Last Christmas" or "Everywhere is a Beach Eventually"

[@hatw_]

my interpretation of 73 yards is this: the whole story is a metaphor for how ruby sees herself and what she does to people; how whenever she gets too close and too comfortable with someone they want to leave, and how she fears that even the doctor will do this at some point. TLDR: its a physical manifestation of her severe insecurity and feeling of helplessness. Maybe the episode is completely metaphorical, or maybe because of how special ruby is (i.e. the snow appearing to save her etc etc) she accidentally created an aborted timeline centred around her worst fears.

[@SeanORaigh]

A cliffhanger almost as good as Jon Pertwee wrestling with a phone cord.

[@TheArchieTheory]

Face it. He's probably drowned by now.

[@zoibydalobster22]

I absolutely loved 73 Yards! Leaving a little ambiguity leaves a sense of mystery. As a sci-fi show, the most eerie thing the Doctor and his companions can encounter is something they don't have an explanation for...

[@evie._.lake20]

A little?

[@notapplicable6985]

​@@paulcooper6048Dr who has always been science fantasy, I'd argue this is more directly supernatural though

[@kadegetslaid634]

​@paulcooper6048 the difference between scifi and fantasy is very loose, doctor who has been scifi and fantasy for ages

[@MKR5210]

You are not a fan of this show if you actually believe it regularly doesn't explain things 🤡

[@Shigguu]

One of the best parts of Doctor Who used to be that everything made sense in the context of the show and either the doctor knew all along or learns about it during the episode. This time there was no explanation at all and it was implied that theres actual magic now which is pretty bad considering that the doctor is usually all about science and understanding how his enemies work to defeat them. But maybe we'll get a full on wizard battle in the finale or smthn. And i'm gonna be so mad if it turns out the woman was just ruby herself from the future (which has also not been exppained in the slightest, like srsly hwo did she travel back in time and change her own past without causing the biggest paradox ever?

[@AuroraButterflyx]

It feels SO refreshing to see someone who instead of saying the ending was bad (which is ok if you think that) because the ending was "too confusing". You actually take the time to give your theory on it, which I believe was meant to be done by story design. I understand people want answers on what happened, myself to some extent. But to disregard the whole episode entirely because of the ending just seems weird imo. This episode is an easy 10 for me. It felt like it was only me and Dad who absolutely loved it and loved the whole mystery behind it. I genuinely believe getting certain answers would hurt the show long term as it would give less of a reason to rewatch. Excited for your next upload, however.

[@dominickeijzer5844]

One of the quotes from the episode (paraphrasing here) is literally about how "Humans find something inexplicable and invent rules to make it work. That's wise." The episode was designed to let you make your own explanation, to invent the rules to make this inexplicable thing work.

[@AuroraButterflyx]

@dominickeijzer5844 it is basically how I saw it. Love seeing how people view it.

[@Yduno29]

You know Doctor Who did right when the entire fandom's on fire making theories left and right, but can agree on one thing: it slapped. Great explanation btw, keep up the good work!

[@PlatinumAltaria]

Boom really didn't do it for me but this episode was really good, so I have hope.

[@thewyit4222]

Not everyone thinks it slapped lol

[@thewyit4222]

@@paulcooper6048 did u watch wild blue yonder? That was the explanation of supernatural elements coming to the show

[@PlatinumAltaria]

​@@paulcooper6048 All you need to know is one simple phrase to understand the fairies: they reversed the polarity of the neutron flow. Also I am cringing help I'm being pulled into a cringe black hole aaa my bones are being crushed by the gravity of your cri-

[@redwiltshire1816]

@@thewyit4222and not everyone thinks it didn’t

[@sanmerci]

I came up with several theories regarding 73 Yards, but I love how you've tied the mystical in with the Toymaker. That makes sense in the pseudo-logic driven sensibility of Doctor Who, overall. What a, as Ace would say, BRILLIANT take. Also, side note: I kind of half-theorize that the old lady in the red cap in the pub is actually a fairy-everything she says is true, which is faerie lore, and her red cap just SCREAMS that she might be a malevolent fae.

[@banjomanmania9795]

you certainly are the 91 doctor who fan. I really liked the ambiguity of this episode! love to theorize…this reminded me a little of the watcher

[@dwfan91-]

I love that theory so much

[@banjomanmania9795]

@@dwfan91- i’ve been a nu-who fan for as long as i can remember. you’ve inspired me to start watching from the beginning now, and i’m happy to say i just finished season 1 of classic who. thanks for all the positivity and love towards the show in your vids, it’s the type of content needed around this show

[@dwfan91-]

@@banjomanmania9795 MASSIVE W that is so awesome man, thank you so much and I'm glad you're enjoying the show!

[@christianrothfus]

Bro I'm so happy to see this video because I noticed some of these things but I mostly passed them off or just couldn't piece it together. I was totally onto the woman in the bar that seemed to be getting everything right, but I passed it off with the whole playing a joke on Ruby thing. The thing I'm wondering about now is if there's a connection between the "I miss you" being what seems to curse Ruby and the themes of isolation. Certified banger episode, certified banger video, and I'm sure part 2 will be a banger as well.

[@MKR5210]

Part 2 of what ? 🙄

[@christianrothfus]

@@MKR5210 This video is part 1 of 2 explaining 73 yards and at the time part 2 hadn't come out yet

[@Just_Tim91]

The editing in this video is subtle but so fucking good!!! Please keep this format going (if it isnt too tough) 🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@AngieDeAguirre]

Right? The 😊

[@VaguelyRowlet]

Amazing vid, as always. Genuinely never been closer to trying out the show than now. I think it's so sick that Ruby has gotten so used to the old woman 73 yards away (that is, in a way, the direct manifestation of her punishment) in all those years, that it becomes her TOOL to actually ATONE for her accident and the weapon she uses to "defeat" Mad Jack (it's also so cool how Mad Jack's name comes into play in his defeat with him talking to the old woman and going mad). And the way that her start-of-the-episode dialogue changes at the end, showing us that the events of the episode aren't just undone and inconsequential was really awesome. I think, a lot of the time, when people write time-altering paradox plot lines where stories get "unwritten", they fall into the trap of making the audience feel like they wasted their time. Like the story didn't matter and what happened didn't matter and what the character experienced didn't matter because none of it truly happened by the end, but 73 Yards masterfully avoided that pitfall

[@dwfan91-]

TRUE, also this is an awesome comment, I didn't even catch how 'mad jack' goes mad at the end LOL

[@platonymous]

I really hope that the people who dislike this episode stating its confusing give it a second chance

[@AuroraButterflyx]

I can easily see people loving this episode in a few years and becomes a cult classic. Right now people want answers which I personally don't want, only one i would like is if ruby remembered the events or not.

[@kenlyon8285]

RTD will no doubt be dropping a few story arc Easter eggs in the coming episodes to warrant plenty of rewatching and bindging.

[@Katanya67]

It is very close to the novels

[@BSell-b1q]

It's crap

[@t.d.i8954]

With the pub scene, I think it’s worth noting that the woman with the red cap is the only one in the room that knows anything true about it. All of the folie comes from the bar woman or the other two, the script is very clever and subtle with this.

[@FluffyTailedPrince]

Like redcaps are fae too? I mean, bnot saying the woman was, but it could've been a link to redcaps

[@MrGreaves]

You already KNOW I've been hyped for this video. And man, you did NOT disappoint. Some really interesting points and theories raised in this one. Glad you agree about the pub scene being the real explanation for certain stuff - and the Doctor allowing Mad Jack to possess Gwilliam. Though I must say, I had some help coming to these conclusions... so you must be one BIG BRAIN individual. Of course you are... you're the 91st ever Doctor Who fan! Yeah man. Good episode. Not completely my cuppa tea, but still good! Excited af for Dot & Bubble, hope you are too! Looks very "Macra Terror". And of course, I'm hyped for your Part 2!

[@Comicbroe405]

The way you seem to get what makes this ep tick is really great to see.

[@crowcoregames1785]

the woman who says "the spiteful one walks trough the gaps" is interesting because during sja episode with seras parents rana (from sja) s mom says "the trickster walked trough the gap and broke the world"

[@dwfan91-]

:00

[@youfoundwaldo77]

This was the only episode in a long time that genuinely creeped me out. It was incredible.

[@Ciofey]

Ruby is the monster. Those talking to the woman can see that Ruby is a monstrous, horrific terror beyond what their minds can handle. "She looks like what she is" is about Ruby, who, when you can see her, both looks like and is a monster. Either Ruby has a perception filter that stops at 72 yards, or the woman's words allow people to see past Ruby's perception filter. Kate was closer, so I would go with the latter explanation. Many things indicate that there is something wonky going on with Ruby. She is either the big bad for this season, or the manchurian candidate for the big bad. And Susan Twist is granddaughter Susan. Yeah, it's Disney, and their audience is (american) children, so the twist won't be that complicated.

[@My.Honest.Opinion]

ANOTHER BANGER 🔥🔥🔥 Love your theories every time, absolutely HYPE for part 2

[@LeonBlade]

I'm glad that you are actually paying attention and understand what this episode is really about. I feel like so many people aren't understanding it because it's not normal for Doctor Who. I hope that people will realize over time what this episode is for.

[@CrusherX1000]

"This episode was too confusing" Meanwhile Ghostlight (1989): *hold my beer*

[@dwfan91-]

hot take: i never found Ghost Light confusing🙏

[@sisconhimejoshi]

@@dwfan91- you are our only hope

[@dwfan91-]

@@paulcooper6048 ok paul if you leave one more rude comment we're all going to be very cross with you! now go to your room and don't come out until you've calmed down

[@CrusherX1000]

@@dwfan91- My knight in shining armor! 🥹

[@CrusherX1000]

​@@dwfan91- My knight in shining armor 🥹

[@NekoMouser]

The one thing I didn't understand, though, is why Mad Jack's reaction to the old woman seemed so different from everyone else's. Everyone else just avoided Ruby. The guy from the pub didn't quit his job and flee town, he just called and said he wasn't coming back to the pub while Ruby was there. Her mom ran away for several days, but still looped back, reclaimed her home, had the presence of mind to change the locks, and eventually leveled direct insults at Ruby. And of all the people affected, Mad Jack seems like the one who a) had the most build and external drive to achieve and hold on to the position he had finally attained, and b) may have been possessed by a powerful Fae being. It seemed, if anything, he may prove most resistant. Would he run? Probably. But to ALSO resign his office and seemingly crumble in every other aspect (even after being well away from Ruby and in aspects of his life really having little to nothing to do with Ruby), seemed like a sudden, random alteration in the powers of the old woman.

[@amandacrisp14]

After I heard in this video saying that Mad Jack is an entity that had possessed Roger ap Gwilliam, I was beginning to think that the 73 yards lady had kind of repelled the entity from his body. So that might explain why he completely changed in character, and quit becoming PM. Hope that makes sense.

[@AngelaH2222]

Josh who ran away from the pub didn't seem to come back... We see a note by the Tardis when old Ruby visits with her carer "Love you Josh" as if his family went to the cliff top to remember him, , I think the curse was created to last the victim's whole life.

[@pepegalego]

Because..it fitted the story. Seeing that it made no sense, why would this be any different.

[@z3nith4l]

@@AngelaH2222 I see what you're saying, but also considering josh was about middle age, he would've been dead for a while 60 years later I imagine.

[@Katanya67]

Maybe it was because the woman is the Trickster and he reminds him he could always reverse things and die

[@JupiterRising3607]

At first, I thought Wild Blue Yonder was the best ep so far in this new era, then I changed it to Boom but now by far, it's 73 Yards. I frikin LOVED IT! Thank you dwfan91 this explanation was also the best by far on yt! Yeah, I'm callin it right now! This channel is fire! 🔥🔥🔥

[@elliec2943]

For everyone that was hating on Series 14 being 'too woke' and other rubbish, I am actually really enjoying it.

[@ManiacalflameYT]

idk if you saw my other comment, but I think I have a clue on what's going on. we all saw "Susan Twist" and we all thought "ahh, a twist of Susan, RTD is being literal with the name", but I think he's going even more literal than we thought. I know we all made a connection about Maestro and The Master from the name, but I think we have more proof now on a connection, The Master's first appearance in Modern Doctor Who was about the never-ending drum beat and wanting to do anything just to get it to stop, I think Maestro is an even more twisted representation of The Master who learned to embrace the drum beat, getting more and more influenced by music. and now it seems we're getting the exact same thing with Mad Jack, we have yet another name comparison between Mad Jack and Captain Jack, Mad Jack's plot was to do with launching an nuclear explosion, and yet again with the first appearance of Captain Jack in Modern Who, it was to do with a bomb (the one hitting the crash site with the ambulance), not to mention Mad Jack being Welsh which fits very well due to Torchwood being Welsh central. and also another comparison of these characters is Mad Jack being in the torture chamber, and Captain Jack if I remember correctly, being imprisoned and having his memories taken away, which I'd say fits within a theme of "torture" I think RTD knew we'd catch on with "Susan Twist" being a twist of Susan, but I think he's gone a step further to make it a LITERAL 'twisted Susan', Susan being Ruby's Mother makes more sense now to me, her pointing at The Doctor during the flashback says to me "you did this to me too, you abandoned me", I think this is going to be a Susan who turned bad from the abandonment as an opposite to our Susan who embraced it. I'm now expecting to see more characters who represent other character's we've had before, and if this does happen, then this is definitely going to remain as my theory

[@maiahochheiser7628]

This is really interesting! Not sure if I agree but it's a COOL theory. Your bit about Maestro might be supported by the fact that she plays a bit of the Saxon theme in that weird dark scene (a fact I wouldn't have noticed if not for subtitles). I interpreted that as being part of the Tardis's music since Saxon bastardized the Tardis, but it would fit in line with your theory as well.

[@MKR5210]

I think you don't have a clue..... But sweetie whatever your smoking please stop, it's way too strong for you 🥺

[@ManiacalflameYT]

@@MKR5210 none of us have a clue lmao, it's just having a bit of fun

[@MrTheHawk]

We getting the popcorn for this one 🔥

[@dwfan91-]

this the real deal

[@DalekCaanOfSkaro]

As a massive FNAF fan and a huger Doctor Who fan, the music choice is perfect! Leon Riskins tracks fit so well for this mysterious Doctor Who episode. Also, I was slowly coming to the same theory that you had before this video released, but I was struggling to connect the dots, so a massive well done for figuring it out. RTD succefully managed to make an episode of Doctor Who live in my head rent free for far longer than any other episode has done in the past. Awesome video as always!!!!

[@OkMakuTree]

Commenting to boost this video in the algorithm! This is a great analysis, I hope it can help more people appreciate this episode.

[@riveracrobat8393]

I love your work on this. It makes me think that they are coming back to this storyline because of the 73 yards discussion in empire of death and also a short that came out on the Doctor who KZbin channel a few weeks ago regarding this is well.

[@robinsparkies]

I’m so glad at watching you are well above 15k!🎉

[@dwfan91-]

Thank you!

[@jesus_christ5856]

Thank you for this, dude. Already loved this episode but now can fully enjoy it.

[@stoneman3800]

I love your enthusiasm, dwfan, always brings a smile to my face when I see your videos!

[@doctorwhomst6459]

73 Yards finally solved? You're a GODDAMN GENIUS

[@Kanto141]

What if Mad jack was once dead, but then the trickster offered him a chance to live in place of the doctor?

[@Katanya67]

love this idea!!!

[@Katanya67]

I believe the trickster is who took Ruby to Ruby Road or Hecuba

[@Kanto141]

@@Katanya67 Similar to my theory. I think Ruby was made or stolen by the trickster. As no one matched her DNA and the robot couldn't even locate her next or kin. Either way I really hope we see the trickster again soon!!!

[@melissah8415]

Love your videos, just discovered you! I'm not over the moon about this series, but the episodes are getting better each week. Loved 73! Very old school Dr Who. Not sure what you meant that Dr Who hasn't had mysteries in 50 years, there have been plenty. I sure hope the Doctor stops crying all the time or it's explained why he can no longer control his emotions. Did he lose something when two Doctors were created? His inner sadness, tearing up but not crying, etc were very essential to who he is.

[@chrisroberts1440]

Thank you, your mention of the Toymaker disrupting reality helps make sense of the sudden addition of fairy tale stories. Hopefully then 73 yards is a clue to what will happen at the end of this series, i.e. the universe we are experiencing is really a pocket reality which the doctor will escape.

[@foxmouth]

I absolutely loved this episode. Especially how open ended it is and how few question it answers. I don't believe the woman was old Ruby all along, especially since her hair is short when she's old. Old ruby just took the woman's place at that moment. Really enjoying your reviews and videos ✌️

[@dwfan91-]

Love that theory!

[@AuroraButterflyx]

Who do you think was the 73 yards women if you think it wasn't older ruby? Love to hear others take on it.

[@dwfan91-]

@@AuroraButterflyx I think what he's saying (feel free to correct me Foxmouth if I'm misinterpreting) is that the Lady is a representation of the Curse put on Ruby, symbolising her fear of abandonment

[@foxmouth]

@@AuroraButterflyx just some fae or spirit or something. I just can't imagine old ruby saying things to make people run away from young ruby/go crazy. I feel like the original old woman spoke some curse to whoever got close enough. Very fun to think about though. There's so many possibilities

[@AuroraButterflyx]

@@dwfan91- ah i see, love that theory.

[@SebTheNoob314]

I was confused until the end of the episode. I found the conclusion unsatisfying but it made enough sense to eliminate my confusion so I don’t understand why people are so confused. I was mostly just confused because I expected Ruby to actually resolve the problem or for the Doctor to “save the day” somehow and it was getting closer to the end and I was confused as to how they would cram a resolution into 2 minutes

[@phinnyouchoobs]

This video coincides with a really deft point The Vacuum of Comments made in his review of the episode, that being that this is Ruby's own private "Time Lord Victorious" arc. She places the weight of ousting Ap Gwilliam entirely on her own shoulders as her destiny, but waits until a quote-unquote "opportunity" to do so, telling herself she's been playing a long game when she easily could have stopped him far sooner. Subsequently, she could have helped Marti, and possibly many others, way sooner; Marti is relegated to being simply an aspect of Ruby's plan, not indifferent from the notion of "little people" the Tenth Doctor uses in The Waters of Mars. Kate Stewart placing the entire timeline as resting upon Ruby and the Doctor's intrusion in the fairy circle places a significant amount of importance on Ruby as an individual, something which not only could affect her ego but also her sense of isolation. We've seen how intense, individualistic isolation has affected characters like the Tenth Doctor in Davies' narratives before, except now we see it here as part of an abandonment complex. Whilst Ruby ultimately does something insurmountably good, the personal harm she inadvertently causes to Marti, and again potentially others, throws her own morality into question, and shows how dire and impactful isolation like what she endures, here to the most extreme end, can cause.

[@boomer150]

Excellent. I agree with your interpretation of the episode. I would like to share my own. Right after Ruby uses the old lady against the PM to make him resign. I paused the episode and pondered. I like to try and predict the 3rd act. So, I figured that Mad Jak was a evil entity that was bound by a magic user in the fiery circle. Ruby's old lady being the magic user. Once The Doctor broke the circle, Mad Jak asserted himself. However, being a Time Lord, The Doctor was ejected from the circle. Everything that happened to Ruby was happening inside the sealing spell. The magic user conscripted Ruby to defeat Mad Jak. Mad Jack was preventing the magic user from communicating with Ruby and anyone who attempted communication was cursed by Mad Jak and compelled to avoid Ruby. Then, once Mad Jak started to break free of the spell, in Ruby's world, that means becoming PM and having nuclear power. She knew her purpose. I figured after bringing the magic user and Mad Jak together. That would be the end of it. Ruby would be ejected, some Doctor exposition. Maybe her memories of the time within the spell would fade. Turns out I was wrong. Never the less. A fantastic episode. My favorite since Wild Blue Yonder. This season has been hit or miss for me. This episode kept me engaged.

[@m5msm]

That's been the best explanation I've heard for this episode so I had to subscribe!

[@TreyHusted]

First time seeing the episode… “Wtf just happened” Second time… “ohhhhhh.. WHY THO?!?!” I like the idea and everything, Doctor who is at its best when it’s leaning into more serious tones and darker themes and they played that well in the episode but we would always get explanations on what happened or “what that was”, and RTD saying we won’t ever know what old ruby said to everyone. To get passed U.N.I.T. Would take some hefty magic. That too, I like the magic twists we have now, but magic is just another form of a science, and the Doctor would pick up on that… His fit, clean and stylish. Not the Doctor. I get he’s knew and firguring things out about himself still, but he should have something other than a sonic remote that’s iconic to him.

[@meganbradley9951]

Totally agree with everything said! This episode is honestly a 10/10 and this is exactly the same thoughts and thought processes I had about the episode. I never noticed the TARDIS lights going out tho, a great spot! So glad I’m not the only one who appreciates this episode and gave it the time it deserves. Those saying it’s a confusing mess and is bad writing are truly just missing the bigger picture and just want to hate on it. The excuse of ‘you shouldn’t need to headcanon the episode for it to be a masterpiece’ is also wild, it’s just not drip fed and ham fisted with it’s themes and answers to the questions. The episode give you all the information you need. Truly an instant classic in my opinion.

[@duncanharding6564]

Great video, thank you! It all makes a lot of sense. Bring on part 2!!

[@OhNoACamera]

The lady in the pub reminds of the Kovarian lady. There's also been a lot of hints towards the return of River Song.

[@PlatinumAltaria]

1) There is no evidence that defeating Gwilliam was vital, Ruby just assumed that, and it has no immediate effect on her. 2) The old woman is probably a reference to mythical hags found in British and Irish mythology. These spirits are considered ominous and can foresee death. Given that, it's possible that she just exudes an aura of fear, rather than "saying" anything in the conventional sense. 3) Much like the S9 episode "Before The Flood", this episode effectively results in a bootstrap paradox. This isn't remarked upon directly.

[@judithstrachan9399]

I disagree. A bootstrap paradox changes things so that they can’t change. IMO, this episode (like the 50th) gave a coherent explanation for why changing the present fixed the wrong future.

[@t.d.i8954]

the folk tale with the woman was explained to be inspired by welsh mythology. I’m not quite sure what but it could be from the Mabinogion. edit: I know you said British here but in this case it’s best to say Welsh as it’s a part of our heritage as a country and not Britain.

[@dwfan91-]

There is no Paradox, there is no Time Travel. The Timeline was Frozen, it resumed at the end

[@judithstrachan9399]

@@dwfan91- exactly. The Doctor’s disappearance, Ruby’s whole life including her Mum’s desertion & deposing ap Gwilliam, it all happened in a timeline / universe that wasn’t supposed to exist. When she was able to bring back the real world, everything was gone. Including (presumably but not necessarily) the Twist hiker & maybe even the pub. Hey, maybe that’s why the patrons were so nasty - maybe even they were part of Ruby’s alienation punishment! Maybe welsh people are usually rather more civil. Then again, I can see a bunch of us Aussies doing much the same, although we’d make up for it later.

[@rikidementia1819]

Wasn't it just a few years ago that we complained Chibs explained too much? And now we're mad that RTD left us breadcrumbs instead? I loved this episode.

[@IeuanEvans-x9m]

THANK YOU SO MUCH I REALLY NEEDED THIS

[@MrTheHawk]

Is he simply not the GOAT

[@IeuanEvans-x9m]

@@MrTheHawk HE IS

[@colerains]

People really dislike ambiguity. And I don't know why.

[@dwfan91-]

I guess we'll never know (get it)

[@charg1nmalaz0r51]

probably because people watch tv shows to hear a story, not to make their own one up lol. Its not rocket science

[@colerains]

You must have really hated Inception then. 😅

[@MKR5210]

​@@colerains Actually found one of the most boring films I've ever seen. It has a lot in common with this new iteration of Dr Who in that character development is garbage leaving the discerning viewer with zero interest or concern as to what happens to them. Seriously the episode could have stopped with Ruby on her death bed and the Dr God only knows where and happily switched off for good.....

[@MKR5210]

​@@dwfan91- Oh come on, you love the fact you can mentally ponce around feeling superior because those of "low IQ" just don't get it...... Read the comments on your vid, do some self reflection....

[@ClaireLouise-et3jr]

I loved the episode but couldn’t sleep afterwards for trying to work it out. Love your explanation, it definitely makes more sense in my head now, going to rewatch it and await your part two 👍

[@ComputerFaceOne]

One of the best explanation videos of this I've seen!

[@ishaandw]

"Just because they were pretending does not mean it's untrue." is the exact sentence I'd use for the conversation between 12 and Davros in the Witch's Familiar.

[@benjaminmead9036]

before the theory, my current theory is not really about the episode but more just why it is significant in the story of ruby and the doctor more largely. the 73 yards event is very much about preying on rubies' fears of abandoment. and i think ruby is now.. innoculated from that in a way. 73 yards was - in a way - a pretty harmless form of something eating on her fear of abandomnent. and i think it might stop a much more purposeful and deadly version. maybe 73rd yard ruby can now step in the next time a creature attacks. bc otherwise it might be a tiny tiny bit of character growth to ruby and abosulutely nothingelse

[@diamond1468]

DWFAN91 back with another bangerrrr. I'm just commenting for the algorithm and engagement keep on truckin brother ❤

[@dwfan91-]

legendary

[@JohnMarston-rt5kr]

I can’t wait to see your take on 73 Yards. I have my theory’s but I’d like to see it from The Doctor Who fan

[@islaarnxld]

THIS IS WHAT I'VE BEEN WAITING FOR OH YEAHHHH

[@dwfan91-]

10 SECONDS???

[@hermancharlesserrano1489]

Best ep yet… my only concern was with the fact a faery ring had been made in memory of Mad Jack, who hadn’t even become Prime Minister, let alone died; but if, as you argue, Mad Jack and Gwilliam aren’t the same person and are more like a possession, then ol’ Mad Jack could have been around forever and the faery ring is a cultural superstition, something people might do to ward off evil when things go wrong

[@polgarauk5606]

OMG I love this video you have just earned a subscribe from me. You came up in my recommended btw 😊 So far your theory matches mine which I have voiced in comments but not with full details as that wouldake the comment much too long and it was way too long as it was. You however have so far noticed a detail or two I missed and makes the flaws in my theory go away so thank you for that.....well so far anyway can't wait to see if video number 2 carries on with my theory or varies in other ways that make more sense. Thank you

[@duckgamer9449]

Somthing I belive cold have significance is when the doctor stepped on the circle ruby said "no tell me more" referring to Mr gwilliam

[@bubbleshock14]

I really loved this episode, and this video did a good job covering it! Can't wait for part 2 😁

[@SteveODonnell]

I've been posting on Who pages since I watched it, to people who don't understand it and must know what was said to make people run. It's all about Ruby's fear of abandonment and being alone. Hit nailed it perfectly too. What they saw or heard was not important at all.

[@bjmatlock8877]

I don’t care what anyone says. 73 Yards is my favorite Gatwa-era DW episode. Has every element that made me fall in love with the story in the first place.

[@calebjones7868]

It's interesting how in the Finale the doctor says the Tardis has a field around it that is exactly 73 yards

[@bztube888]

It must be a "pocket universe" somehow. The Doctor was not there, because he doesn't exist there, and the TARDIS is just an empty shell.

[@chiki7633]

idk when was the last time, if ever, that i got hit w/ a cliffhanger for a dwfan91 video this is a great analysis though. out of any 73 yards explanation video, i feel like this one understands and summarizes everything the best. fr looking forward to what’s being cooked up for pt 2. the episode grows on me after every rewatch, and the hype its sent around the community is electric. season 1 haters can not say SHIT about this ep.

[@dwfan91-]

FOR REAL, part 2 is almost ready my friend🫡

[@Ollie_1022.]

My question is is the timeline is undone, who then stops Gwilliam in 46?

[@CasualLog]

Banger vid, absolutely adored this episode, highlight of the series for me

[@stephenlee4820]

I'll wait for part 2 to see if it all makes sense. But when teasing about what the old lady said to make people run away, remember that's not all that happened. The evil PM resigned, Ruby's mother locked her out, so she must have said various things for different effect. Sure they all ran away, but it had different consequences.

[@diehardzombiefan]

This episode was amazing. Because I could feel the anxiety and felt insecure, because the doctor was gone. Ruby was just on her own and what felt like truly no one could help her

[@alainacworigamimusickeytun1817]

I think that the reason why the doctor vanished and didn't return was because Ruby lived a normal life. My theory is that the doctor can't exist if Ruby lives a normal life as a normal person. In the episode the church on ruby road you can clearly see the doctor right when ruby was born. which means the doctor probably watched her since her birth. and only came into ruby's life at the correct timing. and in the 73 yards episode when the old ruby goes back in time while laying on her death bed to the start of the episode, she goes into her younger self and stops the doctor from stepping on that circle and he doesn't vanish like last time and ruby does not live a normal life this time either. Also I think that the circle thing also has something to do with the doctor going away to. if the that circle is broken the doctor can't exist. and if ruby lives a normal life he also can't exist. So in that time there is away to get rid of the doctor and ruby is the key to destroy the doctors entire existent or part of it.

[@FrazerSalt]

A part 2?!?!? BUT I WANT IT NOW! fr tho yall the goat.

[@keyblademasterclark]

THANK YOU! I kinda had all the pieces put together but I kept thinking Old ruby appeared BEFORE the circle was broken

[@afroninja8363]

I liked that you used some fnaf ambients. Great vid btw

[@garfar912]

Have you gone back to this ep since watching The Legend of..? (spoilers if not) I first thought The Woman is Ruby, going back through her own life. But now I don't think she is. She has long hair when old Ruby has short, and is credited separately. Then wondered if she was Ruby's mother. Or 'death'. But now wonder if she's actually a memory. In The Legend of, the Doc talks about a memory changing making the even change. When we shift from Ruby to The Woman's hands at the end, it's almost like she's finally taking control of those hands, as if the sign language is significant, the only way she can communicate with original Ruby to stop her breaking the circle. The sign language seems, unhelpful. Maybe it has another meaning if run backwards? The voice over "I'm sorry I took so long. And I tried so hard. What else could I do? It took all these years, all these long years." That feels pivotal and I still don't understand it. Things I did pick out: I agree one read is the pub scene (The Dead Wood? The Marble Wood?) can be taken as setting the rules for the time bubble. The stuff with nukes isn't what 'fixes' things for Ruby, almost a red herring? I think the snow stops manifesting when Ruby is in her 20s (but is that just a global warming thing?!) Ruby starts wearing a ring (right hand, ring finger, but not a wedding ring) in her 30s - both old woman and Old Ruby are wearing a ring, same finger. Is that significant, and the rather obvious specs when she turns 40 are a decoy? And "semper distans" - Enid (Welsh name spirit; life; purity) using Latin - and nearly an anagram of "SMS opens Tardis". 73 yards might not quite be 66.6m but it's a devil of a little puzzle.

[@andybyrd4107]

I think this episode was making the argument that in Doctor Who, when a time traveller encounters a branching point or decision where their lives could go in one of two different directions, they always play out both options. Think back to Jouney to the Centre of the TARDIS, where the TARDIS both crashes and doesn’t crash. Still no explanation for the Doctors disappearance, but I guess he could have simply been kidnapped by the far, or for Rubys time travelling (without the use of the TARDIS) at the end of the episode.

[@bart1591]

Heck even back in David's 10 era run with the turn left episode that It shows what would've happened if Donna turned left

[@Ericiswaiting]

Bro this entire video just expands on why I love 73 yards. The mystery in general I think works so well in its favour

[@Ericiswaiting]

Also goated video as always

[@dwfan91-]

@@Ericiswaiting EEERIiC

[@MR_RUUU]

Ik this is completely unrelated to this episode but I don’t know where else to talk about it, but I strongly believe the regency episode (idk if it’s called ‘rouge’ or something 😬) but not only does it resemble the period of girl in the fire place, but we also see the doctor in a space ship, which then recognises him from tennants doctor, idk if you’ve spoke about this yet, but I just can’t stop thinking about how similar they seem.

[@MR_RUUU]

Then again, it is completely plausible that the space station is the time agent’s, we’ll just have to wait and see…

[@RevNickBrown]

Finally. I am with you. Great video!

[@bwer432]

fabulous take. thanks for composing and sharing your assessment of 73 yards

[@Drazil232]

honestly, i found this episode really confusing and I LOVE IT! Seriously, just the terror of not understandig it what's going on first, seeing how someone slowly comes to accept their fate as being lonely/abbandoned and just not quite knowing what terrible thing the women was saying to others is great

[@farmlife4533]

One of my thoughts of why she was able too do the things she did like how when people approach her they get scared and run and how she could stay always 73 yards away is because you know how in the maestro episode maestro says something I can’t remember exactly what it was but I think rubys a daughter of the toy maker or someone related to him basically i think rubys some kinda god like being

[@EthanDJC]

bro came out of nowhere and instantly became one of the best doctor who youtubers out there and bro doesn’t even have a profile picture insane

[@Swilliams365]

This episode troubles me as a Doctor Who fan-Doctor Who up until now has always kept its distance from the realm of magic, and I have always liked it that way, but I’ve grown and seen many things since I first fell in love with the series fourteen years ago. I know now that the powers depicted in this episode, in their ways, do exist, and that no matter how much we rational minds want to deny it, if it is indeed a reality we must accept, it is surely one The Doctor must accept too. It troubled me most of all to see whatever this force was disappear The Doctor himself-a being so powerful and so ancient, powerless against a force that gives no explanation, no clue-and turns off the TARDIS itself. Its failsafes rendered useless. It’s lights gone out. It’s lock unturned even with its own key. What can do this against two if the most formidable forces in existence? It feels almost like sacrilege. As if a god was made to bleed, and we lose our faith in him. Who knows what happened to him when he vanished. Forty years. Where was he? What was being done to him? Could he have possibly escape on his own? If Ruby had never resolved the problem, would he ever have returned? We’ll never know. One of the few episodes that remind us that the Doctor is not a god, and even he must answer with humility to the unknown.

[@joshposh0]

as someone who didn't understand 73 yards at all when I first watched it this video definitely helped me appreciate it a lot more THANK YOU DWFAN91 THE 91ST DOCTOR WHO FAN

[@michaelfraser1073]

My headcanon is that the woman told everyone that Ruby wrote Doctor in Distress.

[@qyntifex]

another banger of an episode, and another banger video from dwfan91

[@RobbieMartin745]

73 yards is 66.7 meters, babies were 6 years old, the war in "Boom" started 6 months ago. Alot of 6's, not to mention mel being in this season the companion of the sixth Doctor!

[@night.6833]

This episode is up there with Blink and the other weeping angel episodes besides the season 13 episodes. I found the ones with Jodie to be a bit strange and far less threatening. Absolutely loved 73 yards

[@esthera122]

Thank you for this video I was so confused when I watched this episode last night lol

[@domsanimationstudios]

2:39 Coke can be a bit pricey here in UK 🇬🇧 as in Poundland £1 - Big Coke £1.50 also cherry flavour- Diet Coke big £1.25 - Small can 0.75p - pub 3.99 but £5 !!!!! 😂.

[@chrishawken3302]

I’ve never read so many messages about a doctor who ep.keep it up folks.the more we talk about 73 yards the more famous it will get.how come most of the doctor light episodes are the greatest episodes as well.hmm.

[@joannelively9934]

Actually really liked it loved the creepy vibe & thought it was really well written & great acting by Millie. I need to watch it again though because lots was shot in my hometown & it takes me out of the episodes. I'm Welsh & we used to make protection circles as kids

[@rosebomb]

just a note about 10:50, it was The Doctor invoking superstition at the edges of the universe in Wild Blue Yonder that opened the gateway to mystical creatures and mysticism, not the toymaker, the toymaker's "Legion" are gods of various things - such as music - with Maestro

[@dwfan91-]

it did both :)

[@TheDistractingGamer]

5 pounds for a coke at a bar is regular living here in Norway

[@Pooter-it4yg]

Ruby is 40 when she averts the evil, then 80 when she last visits the TARDIS. Then she's noticeably older on her death bed in the hospice (something younger viewers might not appreciate). I think she dies aged 91-92 - 73 years on from when her younger self triggered the timeline. For yards, read years. And the apparition scares people simply because it's a ghost. And if you like this kind of stuff, try to track down the '70s serial Children of the Stones. Excellent occult horror science fantasy that was actually a bit heavy for children - but we weren't wrapped in cotton wool back then. I've seen some naysaying about this one, describing it as nonsense, lazy writing, etc. Most of them also argue that as Dr Who fans they're intelligent and demand the show puts everything on a plate, which is a bit ironic really. I understood it - or at least saw a way to understand it - while watching. It's just a time loop ghost story really and, like most of those, is actually quite logical as long as you accept the initial premise. Such stories reward suspension of disbelief with internal logic.

[@ephilbin]

Is Roger ap Gwilliam still stopped in that new timeline where the Doctor didn't step on the circle? Stopped in the same way? How would that be possible?

[@Pooter-it4yg]

@@ephilbin One interpretation is that he always had a latent psychopathic warmongering tendency but breaking the circle strongly activated it. Some kind of pseudo possession by the released evil perhaps. In that conjecture, in the "real" timeline he gravely worries people about launching a war but is dissuaded or prevented - just not by a parallel reality agent using a supernatural spectre.

[@ephilbin]

@Pooter-it4yg but the Doctor knew about Gwilliam bringing the world to the brink. He mentions it before he steps on the circle the first time around. And the only thing that prevents it is Ruby's 73-yard ghost who drives Gwilliam mad and makes him resign. There is no implication that breaking the circle somehow reached out, tapped Gwilliam, and made him go psycho. That is baseless conjecture.

[@Pooter-it4yg]

@@ephilbin The Doctor knew about ap Gwilliam anyway because he is going to exist and nearly cause war in the "real" timeline. We deliberately aren't given an explanation - I didn't say any of it was more than conjecture, just a way in which it can make sense.

[@kikidevine694]

I got a 'speak of the devil, and he'll appear ' vibe from the mention of the evil one. Another bit of folklore