DOCTOR WHO | 73 Yards Reaction! | 14x4 Review | Season One | Who IS SHE?? | Disney+

[@bobjohnston1239]

Fun fact: This was the FIRST episode shot for the new season. Her performance clearly shows why she was chosen to play Ruby.

[@Penfold-zn7ot]

Props to Millie Gibson, this was the first story she filmed. So young, so talented.

[@barriehull7076]

Moral of this story is look where your walking. The Dr needs another button for fairy circle, as in the butterfly compensator on the Tardis console. The reveal at the end reminds me of a classic Dr story.

[@karridian]

One thing I did notice is that the first time around when they arrive Ruby says she has been to Wales twice, and when the scene repeats at the end she says she's been to Wales three times, but when the Doctor asks what the third time was she gets confused and just answers "Now, I guess." So she remembers it at least on some subliminal level.

[@FrayRS]

I found it more interesting that the first time The Doctor just called it "a circle", then the second he calls it "a fairy cicle". Something Ruby heard whilst in that alternative timeline - that's the only time we heard it desscribed as such. Ruby is DEFINITELY some kinda subconscious reality-warper.

[@flora5090]

Love how Kat went from looking like they REALLY need a hug to just full-on "YIPPEE" the second Kate Stewart showed up lmao, big mood

[@ftumschk]

That was a gorgeous moment!

[@daved2352]

I watched the episode for the second time at a friends house today and noticed the lingering shot on Kate's hands with that bright red nail polish

[@bookaddict9591]

I loved their reaction to that scene

[@theshadowdirector]

The Doctor definately mentions Gwilliam BEFORE he's prevented from breaking the circle.

[@thequietguy1648]

@20:00 Paula: "Ew! You are slimeballs... And I hate you... HOW does he get elected?!" Kat: (With side-eye sass)... "I dunno, Paula; how does that stuff happen?!" :o :D ;P

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

Paula doesn't remember 2016?

[@mjm3091]

Also 2023 Argentina.

[@ChadBlevins]

Ambiguity can be absolutely OK, and sometimes it is the point! FANTASTIC EPISODE

[@MauseDays]

this was basicly a lovecraft moment. its why gen Z is so angry at it. Gen Z can not enjoy anything that is not spelled out to them as they are about the same mental age as toddlers forever.

[@stevebills5716]

Haunting of Hill House was exactly where my brain went too. But not saying it too loudly for HoHH spoilers.

[@TheMess9898]

In the behind the scenes video, RTD says: “Something profane has happened with the disturbance of this fairy circle. There’s been a lack of respect. The Doctor is normally very respectful of alien lifeforms and cultures, but now he’s just walked through something very powerful, and something’s gone wrong. But this something is corrected when Ruby has to spend a life of penitence in which she does something good, which brings the whole thing full circle. It forgives them in the end.” Personally, I also think it’s important to acknowledge the underlying theme of Ruby’s worst fear: abandonment. To appease this spirit and save the world, she had to confront her fear of everyone she loves abandoning her, just as her own birth mother did. The "Old woman" didn't really say anything to anyone...it was part of the penitence and her fear. She had to keep people at distance, like her boyfriend as she got older. When she needed someone to be there for her, to help her...by talking to the "old woman", they then had to abandon her. It was her curse and her power, which she used to stop Mad Jack. The final piece to break this curse was at the end, she reaches out to embrace this part of herself, fully accepting who she is in spite of her fear and is able to stop the "curse" and reset.

[@wolfwarrior9451]

Omg that's such a perfect explanation, which there was some line in the episode about that and not just in the behind the scenes

[@aannddrryyaa]

Thanks for that.

[@JohnSmith-wr4nq]

Mad Jack still exists and is still set to be prime minister though. She changed nothing. Also if what she says isn't important why have her say anything why make a big thing of what she's saying and have Ruby herself raise it repeatedly?

[@rayscotchcoulton]

This. I think this is the best and most satisfying explanation (both what RTD said, and your added commentary) for the meaning of the episode.

[@TheMess9898]

@@rayscotchcoulton Thanks :)

[@Geekchorus42]

The elderly woman in the pub quoting Latin is played by Sian Phillips, she famously played Livia in "I, Claudius"...that's a deep cut

[@ftumschk]

She was also married to the brilliant actor, Peter O'Toole, whose last full movie was "Venus", co-starring Jodie Whittaker in her first big break.

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

Remembering how she aged through I Claudius - just like Ruby .A great performance .

[@robalexander8065]

Sian is 90 this year. Superb actress, what a coup for the series.

[@glenmcculla6843]

She'll always be Reverend Mother Mohiam from 'Dune' in our house. But 'I, Clavdivs' is great too.

[@ftumschk]

@@glenmcculla6843 Ah, "I Clavdivs"... presumably a nod to Natural Born Quizzers from "Coogan's Run"?

[@thebpphantom]

Absolutely busted up laughing every time the townsfolk pranked Ruby. 🤣

[@elvwood]

So, this was an experience, watching it with my wife. She was given away as a baby, and the people who were lined up to adopt her rejected her because she had suspected flat feet (I seriously hope they never got another chance to adopt). She then spent some time in foster care, not always with good people, before she was eventually adopted by people who actually loved her. Unsurprisingly, abandonment is an issue for her. So, a particularly hard-hitting one!

[@alexfletcher5192]

The nuclear stuff got me. This was recorded two years ago and it came out within hours of a central agitator in the governing party talking about how we were secretly at war with Russia, while the Chairman of the party talked about stock-piling against shortages and - within a day - a plan for a type of conscription. All while the UK is in the early stages of an election.

[@matthewb9621]

You always have yourself. That means something. I needed to hear that today. Thanks x

[@JoeThornhill]

Imagine carrying your very first episode of a series on your own.

[@davidcarter5038]

41:13 Amal Ragan is indeed one of the top BBC journalists and news presenters. I'd like to applaud Sophie Ablett's performance as Marti who, with only a few words, manages to tell us all we need to know.

[@bryter00]

Indeed. RTD’s ability to write layers into his work with just a few lines given to a character often says far more than most writers can do with paragraphs.

[@FoggyD]

*Rajan - he's of south Asian extraction, not Irish.

[@glenmcculla6843]

@@FoggyD I can't accept Drum 'n' Bass, we need jungle I'm afraid.

[@FoggyD]

@@glenmcculla6843 Ah yes, and he hosts a certain quiz show too!

[@davidcarter5038]

@@FoggyD Oops - you're quite right. I wasn't aware of an Irish connection to "Ragan" either. There's quite a lot I don't know!

[@MST3K56]

Second time around the Doctor doesn't break the fairy ring, Mad Jack stays trapped.

[@bookaddict9591]

This episode was so creepy 😨 but so good 😁 my personal favourite so far this season. Would love to share my theory (probably not original) about old Ruby's hand gestures which i came to on a rewatch. The gestures old Ruby makes is her trying to communicate essentially what she says at the end.. She reaches out her hands - (“I’m sorry I took so long, and I tried so hard”), she shrugs - (“what else could I do?”), she rubs her palm - (“It took all these years, all these long years”), She puts her hand on her heart (“look at me”), She clasps her hands together and shakes her head (“I was so young”) Of course it is just a theory 🤷‍♀️😅 definitely an episode that requires more than one rewatch 😊 Love the channel btw and appreciate all your hard work ❤

[@palinode]

Damn. That's a great theory.

[@CoolEnginesChristytrekkie]

You made me cry again :{

[@bookaddict9591]

@palinode Thankyou

[@bookaddict9591]

@CoolEnginesChristytrekkie Aww sorry 😞 this season so far has definitely hit me hard emotionally.

[@BrianDavidson-q1j]

Millie was still 18 when this episode was recorded. It was the first to be recorded because Ncuti was filming Sex Education.

[@CulturePhilter]

Amol is indeed a real life journalist/ presenter - I used to work with him when he presented a radio programme called “the Media show” so it was a fun surprise to see him

[@oliverturner7365]

It's really interesting watching Americans react to the pub scene. As a guilty Englishman who lived and studied in Wales for a significant amount of time and am here writing this comment, that scene hit different. In certain local pubs, you are not welcome, simply because you are English. You are the oppressor and there is blood on your hands. I thought this was a little unfair, until I spoke to my Welsh and Scottish friends, and you realise just how horrifically we've behaved historically and continue to in different ways today. Look up the Welsh Knot, Owain Glyndwr, Capel Celyn, even the English/Welsh response to COVID. It might seem rude in the moment, but can you blame them? The pub is by far my favourite bit of this episode. I wish we'd seen more of it. Some really interesting social commentary and great characters.

[@VonPatzy]

I love that this episode contains THREE separate mysterious old women. Twist / Flood / Ruby - all silver haired head scratchers. We find out who 73 yard women IS but Ruby in total is still a mystery.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

My wife pointed out to me (because I hadn't noticed) that the mythological trinity of maiden, mother and crone keeps repeating in this series (including the Christmas special), over and over. RTD is digging deep into mythology archetypes this year.

[@BARALover96]

@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg so is ruby all 3

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

@@BARALover96 we've seen her be two of them. Which might suggest she's going to be the other one at some point...

[@paulhammond6978]

I think it's funny that Mrs Flood only appears in the episode to remind us that she's Carla's neighbour, and then to say "nothing to do with me, it's not really my episode".

[@paulhammond6978]

@@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg Oh, what a great observation

[@dvdmike007]

Heartbreaking perfect episode

[@csk7769]

Kate and the pub gave us all the "hows" we need, it had nothing to do with the supernatural. Russel T Davies even said so in the behind the scenes. If you must have a practical explanation, landing the TARDIS's perception filter on a fairy circle causing Ruby's perception of herself to come to life and haunt her is plenty. It's the same as the salt between universes from Wild Blue Yonder that caused everything this season, bc like Doc and the old lady in the pub both said, the clifftop is a liminal space between the land and the sea, where the rules don't apply. (Space Babies also mentioned how most of the universe is still full of holes after Flux) The episode was somehow still entirely sci-fi, just like past "meta-story" bits like The Bogeyman, and I find that impressive. More importantly, that means we can toss that to the side, bc the only thing that actually matters is what it teaches us about the characters, like with Ruby's fear of abandonment (semperdistans. The Woman keeps everyone away from Ruby because of her own perception of herself, including the Doctor) and what one might do when you never receive the closure you expected. We got plenty of closure with the ending of the episode, people who say otherwise are trolling, the point is that during her journey, Ruby did not. That's why we don't ever find out what The Woman said, and we shouldn't, because any concrete answer would diminish the point. That's also why Roger ap Gwilliam is such a simple character who had nothing to do with anything supernatural, and why defeating him didn't stop Ruby's situation. The important thing is that Ruby was convinced it would. That she had a purpose here. (they straight up tell us to our face TWICE that the moment is purely symbolic) This is also why The Woman very explicitly is NOT Old Ruby, they aren't even the same actress. (check the credits or behind the scenes, Old Ruby is Amanda Walker, The Woman is Hilary Hobson) The snap back to the present is the first time Ruby actually reaches out to The Woman instead of chasing her or staying away (i also wonder if the time added up, 66.7 meters = 66.7 years? would be fun) When it comes to potential future threads related to this, i really don't think it makes sense to expect the finale to fully spell out the message and meaning of this episode, that's not necessary at all. But I do think this helps tease a greater context for later, since it seems like they're hinting at The Oldest One being a Pantheon member that's a living story, and has powers based on that, just like Toymaker and Maestro. Given that the memory of that Christmas straight up changed itself during Space Babies, and that the unique musical cue played in that moment was also played here when The Woman finished the circle and allowed Ruby to warn her younger self through her body instead, I wouldn't be surprised if the living story is Doctor himself. It would fit with The Timeless Child and what Toymaker said as well, but that is definitely still a bit more out there. Whatever story they are in could reasonably have given Ruby her powers too. I'm reminded of how tv-static or interference is often referred to as snow, and Ruby makes it snow whenever she starts to think too much about her mysterious origins

[@badsaj1]

The black mirror episode you are referring to is Season 4, episode 1 "U.S.S. Callister" with Jesse Plemons and Cristin Milioti. It is definitely in the "Americanized" group of episodes.

[@chrisgannon4691]

The actor playing Roger Ap Gwilliam a was one of the actors rumoured to be playing the 11th Doctor back in 2009 before Smith was cast. The leading choice before Smith was Patterson Joseph.

[@robalexander8065]

Another great episode and a brilliant reaction, Gals! Very reminiscent of MR James's A Warning to the Curious (check out the 1972 BBC adaptation, which was part of the series A Ghost Story for Christmas) Lots of questions, few answers. I think possibly it's not the Doctor who disappears but Ruby. She is taken out of time, the moment she read the tribute. She then (somehow) put herself back into the story, seconds before the Doctor was about the step on the ring. She appears to have a very hazy recollection of her alt life. (The alt life reminded me of Inside No.9 - The 12 Days of Christine, whoch starred Sheridan Smith, who plays Lucie "Bleedin'" Miller in 8th Doctor Big Finish audios) The idea of the Doctor and/or companion disappearing is a nod to when Pertwee's 3rd Doctor and Liz Shaw try to repair the TARDIS console. Amol Rajan is a journalist. He previously edited The Independent newspaper. Currently the host of BBC2's University Challenge and The Media Show and Today on Radio 4.

[@jduc005]

I've been reading it as there IS a semperdistant woman in Ruby's life - her mother, who she's looking for but can never seem to reach. The circle curse ends up being a manifestation of her own abandonment, pushing everyone away in a way that she worries must be the reason she was left at the church. But in the end, the spectre hanging over her is just herself, and learning to live with herself and her anxieties is the only way to move on with her life. Love a good Russell.

[@brianadkins3880]

Kat had it at the beginning and Ii felt it a bit too predictable that the old woman was just future Ruby as we've seen this done before over the years. What she was saying to others though was definitely a mystery. And yes, Paula I'm glad we got serious, dark and creepy lol Btw, the episode with Amy you're thinking of was "The Girl Who Waited."

[@KathrynwithaY]

I love how Paula will NOT let the betrayal of the Christmas episode go!

[@kevenpinder7025]

When you realize that nothing that we do matters, the only thing that matters is what we do.

[@CoolEnginesChristytrekkie]

Wow. THis.

[@SweenyTodd98]

I love Angel!

[@balrog92000]

It is kind of Spooky the way you both can be 'oh, what if it's this or it is that person's all within a few minutes of the episode's start and be right. You two are incredibly intuitive.

[@KatAlysha]

🫢🫣🫡

[@New-tu3mn]

A comment in another thread offered the best take I’ve yet read on the meaning of the mysterious ghost woman. Yes, the ghost woman is an older (deceased) Ruby, but she also is something much more terrifying. She is death, personified. Which is why she frightens away everyone who speaks to her. Her purpose for the audience is as a reminder that death stalks us all our entire lives, just as it does all of Ruby’s life, in the form of the woman. While death is rarely in the forefront of our awareness, neither is it ever far away. You might say, that it, metaphorically, remains 73 yards away from us. Which it literally does Ruby throughout the episode. All that we can do is learn to live with knowledge of our eventual death. It, constantly lurking near-by. Ruby simply accepts the ever-present mysterious old woman as part of her own daily reality. Recognizing that there’s nothing she can do to escape her presence. That is, until Ruby is near the end of her life, and then mysterious woman comes closer, and closer to her. In the last moment of life, no longer afraid, Ruby embraces the woman in her nursing home room. Sadly, Ruby spends much of her life feeling alone, finally, dying alone. As do, and as will, too many of us. Contrary to the suggestion of some haters that this episode is pointless, it rather, contains so many worthwhile ideas that its main fault is that it’s too ambitious for a one-hour TV program. Leaving too many plot holes, primarily being time paradoxes, unexplained. Davies sprinkles plot clues throughout the episode, but those are easy to miss on first viewing, and are difficult to coherently piece together even once observed. I just chalk them up as, wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff, and don’t allow them get in the way of my enjoyment of the story.

[@MauseDays]

Or emptyness,hatred and suffering. which is arguably even scarier. Considering she doesn't k ll anyone she fills them with hatred for the target of the curse. Endless all consuming hatred and disgust. Also the thing about her not getting on a plane is a good point..becouse the 73 yards entity may just manifist in the plane..in the air. where nobody can run. so they may throw her out, like the creture from midnight attmpted to get the people to toss tennents doctor out. If that failed there is no guarantee the pilot would not just crash the plane or sink the ship to escape. also nightmare fuel the end theres no guarantee this wont happen to someone else who does not have the advantage of being Ruby.

[@New-tu3mn]

@@MauseDays You make some good observations, there.

[@SunniestAutumn]

When I was watching for the first time, the moment the metaphor of the episode clicked for me I pretty much could not stop crying until it was over. Fear of abandonment is brutal, it's terrifying and it's so incredibly sad.

[@MichaelJohnson-kq7qg]

It's a good example of the Celtic mythology concept of the 'geas' - a kind of double-edged curse. Ruby would always be abandoned - but she'd never be alone.

[@thanosmat]

Kate says: "Although, I think this timeline might be suspended along your event" I think she has a hint that timeline it is not right. I think Ruby caused the loop

[@MauseDays]

it makes the entite they are dealing with here arguably the most powerful on they have delt with in nu who by the way.

[@MauseDays]

17:22 i kind of love how since shes just stuck with this eldritch horrorr forever now, shes had some fun with it however sad her life is now . Shes tryed to understand it, done funny experiments to see how it works, and just kind of accepted that this horrifying thing is just her every day now :p

[@brocktree4]

Alright, everyone has their theories, here's mine: Doctor and Ruby breaking the circle and reading the scrolls freed Mad Jack, allowing him to manifest as Roger, and magically 'cursing' the two of them. Doctor broke the circle, so he gets Blipped out of existence. Ruby read the scroll but is somewhat protected by whatever this snow thing is, so she gets stuck with her future 'echo'. The TARDIS can sense and doesn't like paradoxes (Jack Harkness), so it doesn't allow Ruby in. It also plays into Ruby's fear of not leaving the country. Her 'echo' is anchoring her to where she is. The paradox of future Ruby being there is also what is scaring people away, kind of a less lethal version of what Extremis did. Either that or it just plays into the idea of Ruby being punished for freeing Mad Jack by isolating her. Ruby can use her curse to scare away Roger and keep him from causing trouble, but she still has to live out her curse until she dies. That brings her back in time (?) to warn her past self, preventing Mad Jack from getting released in the first place. As far as the Doctor knowing about Roger, the Doctor has been aware of events that have been altered or wiped from history. Perhaps he remembers Roger's future because that was what was going to happen after he broke the circle. A tad timey wimey but that's how it plays in my head. There is one other thing I've thought about regarding Roger. His organizer mentioning how he is always shaking everyone's hand. Sure, a politician shaking hands isn't unusual, but then I think about how Ruby's 'echo' works. It only scares people off if they directly confront her or if they have training to see through the perception filter. If Roger didn't have an ability to see past the filter, why did he notice the woman without Ruby pointing her out? What if whatever magic that bound Mad Jack to the circle makes Roger have to acknowledge people near him, including Ruby's echo, putting Mad Jack back in check? I just feel that if Roger isn’t Mad Jack or being manipulated by him somehow, it makes Roger’s presence in the episode just a pointless threat to fill time. Does that make sense? Good. Now could someone explain it to me? XD Again, this episode is probably going to be picked apart for years. But hey, better an episode where people are trying to figure out the mystery than an episode where people are complaining about cosmic fart jokes.

[@solitarymaninblack]

People have spoken of Turn Left, Midnight, Blink, Utopia, Last Of The Time lords. Kate had that line about timelines.

[@kevenpinder7025]

I think the influence of the unbound fairy circle latched onto Ruby and manifest as the follower. Anyone who actually acknowledged the follower's existence was afflicted with a primal aversion to both Ruby's. Mind your step in Wales.

[@Faction.Paradox]

Man, I thought Devils Chord was gonna be the divisive episode for the season. I love that they took such a big swing, knowing it wouldn't work for lots of viewers. A show this long running has to experiment some times.

[@paulhammond6978]

Indeed - you thought Maestro and the "Twist at the end" was gonna be the big swing in this series? Hold my beer!

[@serenshadow89]

This episode reminds me of mix of Midnight (4x10) and It Takes You Away (11x9).... these creepy mysteries primarily taking place in the middle of nowhere that you have to work out... if you can. There are still answers we didn't get - like in Midnight. What happened to The Doctor? Why was Ruby stuck in this loop? Why did everyone who talked to her future self run away in terror? It's kinda cool that we DIDN'T get those answers. Because we usually do, we usually get all the answers. I think it's interesting to have episodes like this that keep some answers to itself.

[@Theguyoverthere603]

This was my favorite episode of television in years.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

"What if that's an older version of her" - YOU ARE PRESCIENT! :)

[@captmurdock]

I've been saying "Well, I didn't expect that" so many times this season, I've decided to put it on a t-shirt. The story is so engrossing and wild that you don't worry for a while about the unanswered questions: where did the Doctor go? Why did everyone freak out when they talked to the woman? Was it really "magic" from stepping on and breaking a fairy circle? Like you said, Paula, you had Big Whimsy at the start of this season, and now the gears have truly shifted. Another great reaction. ❤U 2.

[@CyberNatasha]

My theory for why everyone ran away, it's less what she said and more what she is. She's basically Ruby after death, making her anomaly, a being not of our world, and so impossible she cannot be, and there she is, and the Human mind cannot comprehend what she was and thus had to run away from it, with no explanation as to why. At least I think that's a reasonable explanation. I really enjoyed this episode, the more I think about it, the creepier it gets. The middle definitely was a bit weak as it had to set up the Roger stuff but I like how Ruby used her curse to do good.

[@robertgould1345]

Loved this episode.

[@christianwise637]

For the first half of the episode - up to around the 25-30 minute mark - I was really loving this episode. The eerie folk horror vibes that run through these early sections were excellent, it's really well-directed and provides a really unnerving and creepy atmosphere. Even with the reveal that the jackass pub patrons were just punking Ruby, the sinister vibes looming over the first half of "73 Yards" were really effective and made for a very unique and interesting setup. And seeing Ruby's life falling apart once she gets back home really hits hard, it provides a nice exploration of her underlying fear of abandonment and uncertainty of her own family history, and Millie's portrayal of Ruby's distress and confusion was just heartbreaking. In general, her performance is absolutely phenomenal throughout, and the fact she was just 18 at the time it was filmed (not to mention it was the first one she filmed) is just unbelievable. Unfortunately, once we get past the excellent Kate Stewart scene and we get all the time skips, I feel like the episode kind of started falling apart for me. Aside from the general lack of effort that went into aging up Ruby - they literally went with the Clark Kent approach of slapping some glasses on her - I found the political content of the Roger Ap Gwillim (sp?) subplot really unsatisfying. It was very prescient for this episode to drop the week our country announced a general election and we're probably/definitely getting our fifth changeover in PM in a decade, but I feel like the overall subject matter didn't really work for me. Roger as a whole didn't feel that interesting as a character, it overall felt rushed and superficial, and I'm not sure how I feel about RTD just throwing in that subplot about him committing SA against the other assistant. And then the ending comes along which...I think that's the make-or-break for this episode for most people. For me personally, I don't really get what the ending was supposed to be implying, and it left a few too many unanswered questions before just sort of...ending. I get that it's trying to be ambiguous in the same sense as "Midnight", but I don't think it worked as well as it could've done. I'm starting to feel like the new fantastical approach the series is taking is starting to feel like an albatross around the series' neck, like RTD is using it to just have weird shit happen and not explain it. Maybe it's a result of me overhyping the episode - I mean RTD was talking about how he thought this was the best thing he'd ever written. And hey, maybe I'll get a better appreciation for the episode when I watch it a second time. Right now though, I can't help but feel somewhat let down by "73 Yards" - I thought it was pretty good, but it just falls apart at the end before it can really reach greatness. Also: Kat, you should definitely watch The Haunting of Bly Manor; I personally liked it, and while I get that it's not to everyone's tastes, it's definitely an interesting show that earns its place as a key part of Mike Flanagan's body of work. Also also: POSSIBLE BLACK MIRROR REACTIONS IN THE FUTURE? HELL TO THE YES!

[@kschneyer]

Great reaction, as usual! Did you recognize the legendary Sian Phillips as the snarky professorial lady in the pub?

[@KathrynwithaY]

The thing about the phone. They are in rural Wales (where I've just moved to). People in general think that rural Wales is set in the old days.

[@UKJesterVids]

After a long history of the English not treating the Welsh very well (a bit of an understatement), the rural Welsh can be a bit cool with the English (or very hot with English holiday homes), so the reaction of the folks in the pub felt believable. For me, this is the best Episode RTD has ever written, and it (and Boom) also shows that Disney putting money in isn't going to make the whole thing light fluffy fun (although Space Babies had enough political commentary to shut that view down)

[@Pelham_Road]

I think that Boom was originally meant to air before “The Devil’s Chord” and that they switched it so that the musical episode would air the same night as Eurovision. That would explain Ruby being on her first planet in Boom and saying it is six months later in the Devil’s Chord.

[@teclo1057]

WOW JUST WOW. What an episode. Gripping from beginning to end. Already watched about 6 reactions to it while I was waiting for yours. You never disappoint. USS CALLISTER is the amazing trekkie black mirror episode

[@bmyattuk]

If you get a chance, look up the BBC films of the Ghost Stories of M.R. James, especially 'Whistle and I'll come to you' and 'a warning to the curious.' Nothing will convince me this episode isn't a tribute. It's a classic Ghost Story.

[@ProgressiveRoxx]

I think the pranks the pub-goers play on Ruby was written in to throw off the audience about what type of episode this was, since by making a joke of spooky ideas they brought home how grounded in realism the world was. That made it even more jarring when the incongruence of the old lady was added to that "real" world. I also agree that the impact of seeing old Ruby and young Ruby at the same time broke the brain of everyone who saw it, even those who were familiar with time travel (perhaps because it was caused by Fae magic and not science). Old Ruby was stuck in a loop at the end of her life, trying to reach out to warn her younger self, and *travelling backward in time*. It was not until she reached the moment before the Doctor broke the fairy circle that she could be heard.

[@nicksavage567]

the other red herring with the phone of course is a time travel/alternate reality one. The TV is a bit of a giveaway but it could have been a plasma not an LCD so could have been early 00s which is before Apple Pay (2014). Or a different timeline where the iPhone wasn't created

[@1001nevermore]

This and Rogue… two of my favorite episodes of Doctor Who ever. Welcome back, RTD. I can’t wait to see how this season ends.

[@melodydiagames]

I don't think Mad Jack was actually summoned by the fairy circle. I think that was just a prank by the townsfolk. 😅

[@Mejoree113]

This episode is fantastic, the first half in particular, I just wished there were a couple more answers in the episode. I love a mystery where you are left questioning everything (I love David Lynch) but it was really treading that fine line of maybe not answering enough. There is a quote from RTD another user shared in the comment section explaining the mystery a bit which has really tied everything together for me. So far this season is one of the most adventurous and I'm super curious where they're going to go with all the supernatural stuff!

[@edwardhowarth6991]

Despite not being perfect, I loved this episode. And just think of all those new viewers finding Doctor Who for the first time on Disney+ - this season is really showing the full spectrum of what the show can do!

[@TheyStillCallMeRicky]

lol "He got Got in the Fairy Ring", Yo I loved this episode It had all the things Thank You for the reaction video 8-)

[@StillABigKid]

Good to see Kate make good on her dad's omission of silver. One time 7 asked if U.N.I.T. were equipped with silver bullets. I see what you did, Russell

[@hivolt_inc]

Second episode in a row where the Doctor steps on something he shouldn't

[@Nebulametal]

Didn't get the Episode but it connected to the story so I'm going to watch it

[@freyduin]

The old woman in the pub said some pretty significant things, even though they ended up trying to scare her. She said, "The cliff tops are a boundary between the land and the sea a liminal space neither here, nor there where rules are suspended." Then later on she says, "This land is a powerful place. It is said that he walks through the gaps, the Spiteful One." I also noticed that the PMs name is "Roger Ap Gwilliam"... If you just move the letter G, it becomes "Roger GAP William". Hinting the Spiteful One (could this be the old one or the one who waits that the toymaker never dared play) travelled between the gaps. Also adding the fact that it has been mentioned so many times by know how creatures like the toymaker and the maestro slipping into our world through gaps (created by the salt the doctor spread). Another (this one is much more speculative) idea I've had is that perhaps Ruby is really powerful, like on the level of the Toymaker who could alter reality anyway he wanted (and turned bullets into rose petals for example.). He had both reality warping and mind affecting abilities. What if Ruby also has those kind of powers but don't just know about it and unintentionally reform reality around herself (think like Wanda in WandaVision). All episodes (except for the maestro one) have been strongly focused on just the things Ruby struggles with, her feelings about being abandoned as a baby (think of the abandoned babies in space babies, and the girl who lost her father during "Boom" (mother was already dead), so she was left an orphan. This latest episode 73 yards would be Ruby unintentionally hurting herself, feeding off her fears of being abandoned and left, even altering reality into one where the Doctor didn't even exist for her any longer. If Ruby actually later in the season proves to have reality warping and mind-altering powers it would retroactively explain a lot of what is happening in this episode. Her future self isn't actually talking but is unintentionally sending out the emotions to anyone who comes close to her that Ruby should be abandoned and people should stay away from her (since that was what he's been fearing all her life). All episodes expect the one the the maestro (which was about the toymakers child and apparently the maestros doing) seem to have be changed to always thematically have parallels to Ruby's life. She keeps wondering who her mom is and she i struggling with thoughts about being abandoned as a child. It could even explain why the twist lady is returning, since it is just Ruby changing reality over and over again and unintentionally reusing the same face to play different roles (without even knowing why).

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

Yes, Maestro even was shocked by her, "this creature is wrong" and all that.

[@darrenrichardson6146]

"It could even explain why the twist lady is returning, since it is just Ruby changing reality over and over again and unintentionally reusing the same face to play different roles (without even knowing why)." The only problem with this theory' part is the first time Susan Twist plays a character was in one of Tennent's specials, Ruby's not in that one!

[@HenrikAskestad]

I love the ambiguity of this episode.

[@TreyMcDonaldAnimator]

Mystery remains... WHAT... WAS... SAID?

[@Quixotic1018]

This is basically summing up my post covid anxieties. And the third wrinkle in time book.

[@garethpevans1111]

Looks a bit like the welsh myth of the red sparrow craw the idea of different realms.

[@keithleonard6354]

There's a running bit about the Welsh throughout literature. Henry V was Welsh and there's a scene with his men where he acknowledges his Welshness in Shakespeare's play. Doctor Who has even acknowledged it in Torchwood and in Who as well.

[@glennwhittaker197]

OMG Gallifrey Gals! 10 mins into watching this last Saturday I had to stop & start it again on BBC iPlayer as I was thinking “where was the intro music”?!!!!!! 😮 I STILL have no idea what this episode was about & I’ve seen the behind the scenes confidential too!🤣🙃🤯 💙👱🏻‍♀️👩🏻‍🦳👵🏻🔷🟦🔵🔹🌀🧿 See you Kat next week when we see more Who….”Who”?………THE DOCTOR! 💙 🇬🇧🫶🏻🇺🇸

[@willadeefriesland5107]

The companions' 'this isn't just fun stuff' moment happened for Ruby during Boom. Getting shot and worrying about next of kin, will do that...

[@gregweatherup9596]

Side point: In Wild Blue Yonder, when Fourteen was talking to not-Donna (thinking it was Donna) he muses about where the TARDIS goes. He talked about envisioning it sitting on some outcrop by the sea and the locals turn it into a monument. Exactly what happens with it here in this episode.

[@jamesdodds9407]

Best part for me Kat almost exploding with excitement when Kate appears on screen and Paula wanting to throw up with the thought that it might be a 2 part episode and miss the conclusion for weeks. Once again loving how emotional you get by the storylines and characters. It interesting that the episode stood up without the amazing pairing of Doctor and Companion, just trying to think of episodes where this was the case but can't. Help I know there are episodes where this happened.

[@SupaKen74]

I paused your video at the start to say this was my favorite episode this season and easily one of my favorite of all time and my favorite thing about it is they didn't tell us anyyh8ng or explain anything or show how or why this happened and I hope they never do. I wouldn't minded they revisit the politician in the future but I NEVER EVER want an explanation on how any of this worked. Okay. Now im watching you guys.

[@mjm3091]

Ruby's mum driving away in Taxi looking like she gonna drop the sickest rap. I was so happy that Doctor Who Poop (their shorts channel) made that into a meme.

[@auntywhispers7747]

I think “Turn Left” also has very interesting connections to this episode. Big old alternate timeline both created and snuffed out by the very epicenter of their creation, in this case, Ruby Sunday. The former of which was perpetrated by a member of The Trickster’s brigade. Hmmmm

[@ihateunicorns867]

Immediately after this episode finished I commented that it felt like an episode of Black Mirror.

[@MrAlbieWan]

You made a reference at the end of your video to presenters who played themselves... The one you mentioned from Ruby's first episode was Davina McCall, who nearly gets flattened by the Christmas tree. Were you aware that she'd appeared as herself before in a Christopher Ecclestone episode? Davina used to host the reality TV series Big Brother in the UK, and it's her you hear over the tannoy system in the futuristic Big Brother house 😁

[@ianstopher9111]

I highly recommend Pip Madeley's video of 73 Yards to Just by Radiohead. I'm sure RTD watched the Radiohead video (and Dead Zone and 2001) before writing this episode.

[@robertelessar]

This reminds me just a little bit of Donnie Darko, with a pinched-off, tangent universe that plays itself out and comes back around again to close itself off, like a closed, time-like loop in General Relativity. It lasted a lot longer for Ruby than it did for Donnie, but at least Ruby didn't have to get hit by an airplane engine, and she stayed alive in the "real" universe (or the primary universe, or whatever).

[@JasonDWitte]

This was the first episode they filmed: part of why it is Doctor light is that Ncuti was finishing filming Sex Education

[@chrism7395]

Every time UNIT say "they've got this" it goes horribly wrong.

[@MauseDays]

the moment even KATE and basicly this universes equivlent to the SCP containment unit. are driven insane in seceonds is truely one of the scaryest moments. Becouse that means NOBODY can help you. they WHERE those guys.

[@Stephen-Fox]

Definitely loving this season so far. There was a downward trajectory for me in episode quality so far, which this episode not only put the breaks on but did a hard reversal of, and it's easily up there with my favourite episodes of Who of all time - Alongside Caves of Androzani, The City of Death, Midnight, Turn Left, and Heaven Sent, though I don't know if I'd call it my favourite ever episode yet. Unfortunatley that does mean the only way is down from here for me, but...

[@Rik77]

Maybe it wasnt what she said, but she had a power over people. Maybe theres sometying odd about ruby, a hidden power.

[@stuartmcivor2276]

Wonderful episode!

[@brycelloyd3592]

Worth noting that the Doctor also still knows mavity used to be called gravity, but he changed it up once he knew. He could very well not know who the new 2046 PM is yet.

[@ianpark1805]

Really enjoyed this episode. Might be just me - and because I’m old! - but I got serious M R James ghost stories vibes off this one. The BBC occasionally makes one for Christmas, Mark Gatiss has adapted a couple. The older ones at least are also on You Tube. Creepy as…. Also maybe the RIP scroll was left by Mad Jack to try and overcome/lay to rest his haunting/anxiety/fear caused by Ghost Ruby. Just a thought….

[@ianpark1805]

Oh yes, Mrs Flood - “nothing to do with me”. Is it though, is it really….? And Paula - if you’ve never been to Mexico City before do try to get a side trip to Teotihuacan - it’s jaw dropping. Frida Kahlo’s ‘Blue House’ is worth seeing too, although I know getting time out is difficult as these convention thingy’s.

[@AlmightyCRJ]

I'd have preferred a snowfall from the 73 yards Ruby had stopped The Doctor & led his eyes downwards.

[@endymionsrage]

20:55: He says Hello to "everyone" :)

[@crawdadnc479]

I had the same reaction to Kate's appearance. Seems like the distant lady must be more than just future Ruby, because when did Ruby learn to say a thing so scary it makes everyone run away? Maybe it is a spirit of some kind, and it carried her back to the point at which they were linked? I wonder if it's playing off some kind of fairy lore. The people in the inn were rude. I'm from Arkansas, so I get being defensive about folks assuming you're an ignorant rube, but that was a lot. Fantastic episode.

[@darynvoss7883]

"Narrative reason for Canto to die" Pathos and also realism: people do randomly die in war.

[@leeci33]

My crazy theory is Susan is “the one who waits” and I believe she has been setting all these crazy situations up and watching what happens. “Always distant” -Starting with the goblins forward.

[@whobp8]

Hmmm. Good question. What exactly does the old lady say that makes people run away screaming? 🤔 "I just got the new Nickelback album, want to listen?" "Want to see a naked picture of Donald Trump?" "Chris Chibnall is coming back as show runner."? It's probably, "That girl over there doesn't watch Gallifrey Gals reactions." 😂

[@dreameroutthere]

This is my personal theory. I could be extremely off on it. I think Ruby is Susan's granddaughter, and thusly, the Doctor's Great, Great Granddaughter. As for Ruby being the Lady who's always 73 Yards away. I think the answer to that can be found in the 4th Doctor's (Tom Baker's) final outing and regeneration episode, Logopolis.

[@dreameroutthere]

As for the explanation behind the Fairies, all you need to do is see Torchwood.

[@EasternStandardTim]

Just want to let you know, I now sing ur theme song, but I say gals the way ncuti says girls, like “faith geeyall” from last week, so, ya, galifrey geeyalls 😂

[@alanwire494]

Haunting of hill house were my same exact same words

[@DavidSmith-cx8dg]

I really liked this it felt Doctor Who even though he hardly featured , plenty of questions and a terrible secret . Millie carried the episode more or less alone so well . I'm really caring about Ruby now after seeing her being rejected by everyone and working it out for herself . Plenty for Kat & Paula to talk about and still some loose ends to puzzle over . On the subject of cast Sian Phillips - the old lady in the pub - was a terrifying Empress Livia in the classic I Claudius in 1976 .

[@iankirk3537]

She was also in Dune, as the Reverend Mother.

[@fleason771]

I absolutely loved 73 Yards. I've not been feeling Millie's performance & character until "Boom" & now "73 Yards" but here she was incredible 👏 There was honestly 4-5 episodes worth of story here though that really could have been developed & expanded on. I seriously would have ended the episode when Ruby said she was going to save the world & told the old woman to come with her. That kind of ending would have created tons of suspense & a week of debate (maybe in the old 13 episode format maybe) You don't get many answers in the episode but it made me "feel" more than any Doctor Who episode has in a long time & left me shell-shocked after. It's an episode which stays with you & you really felt for Ruby. It's incredible to think what Old Ruby could possibly have said to make everyone run. Another appearance by Susan Twist but this time Ruby noticed her but it would seem that's now lost because of the aborted timeline? Can "Mad Jack" Roger Ap Gwilliam really be done? It would be a waste of a villain if so. Sooo many questions. The implied "Trumpian" abuse of "Marti Bridges" gave me shades of "Lucy Saxon" & do I need to remind people that Harold Saxon's party was "The Albion Party" Hmmm.. (but that could just be another kick to our British Conservative party AKA The Tory's) Kate said something interesting about Ruby's timeline " I think this timeline might be suspended along your event" too, it's always nice to see her but that wasn't a throw-away line! I have my theatre tickets for the finale in Britain & I hope some of the events here will make more sense in that 2 part finale. A captivating episode!! 🥰

[@RedClaw87]

This episode reminded me so much of "Turn Left" with Donna.

[@TorIverWilhelmsen]

Or the episode where a version of Amy grew old fighting friendly exterminating robots.

[@cargo71]

@@TorIverWilhelmsen The Girl Who Waited, the name of that episode...

[@gestaltdude]

I'm in a lot of pain and badly needed the laugh I got from. "...if Elijah Wood and Kylo Rem had a baby!" :D So thank you from the bottom of my heart. I spent much of this episode wondering if the woman we now know to be Old Ruby was trying to communicate using sign language. The gestures being made repeatedly seemed so significant I assumed it must be a form of non-verbal communication. If anyone proficient in the language can confirm or deny, please reply.