Powerful but Muddled? | Doctor Who S1 E5 'Dot and Bubble' REVIEW!

[@tracydale154]

I get what you’re saying about making Lindy more likable from the start, but I actually kind of disagree that it would make the twist hit harder. I think with a character like she seemingly started out as, a bit of a generic mean girl, the normal arc would have been that she starts to evolve. She realizes she can be better. That these people she looks down on are actually more than she thought. And it seemed like maybe she’s heading that way, esp after meeting Ricky. Instead, we get the twist where she sacrifices him and it’s like “Oh no. She’s just straight up awful” and that ending where it’s like “Oh, really, really awful” I think this does subvert expectations. Maybe more so than if she’s basically likable to start. It felt like she was being set up for a redemption arc that was never actually in play.

[@CulturePhilter]

That’s an interesting point I hadn’t considered.

[@DBProds96]

I'm surprised the Susan Twist cameo wasn't picked up on again. They recognize her from some ambulance on some random planet but then just dismiss when its mentioned its Lindy's mum? I would have thought they would be a lot more interested in that. From their POV, how on earth was some ambulance hologram the same person as her mum? I'm also surprised that the Dot had it out for Ricky considering it would know, as a sentient AI, that he isn't an idiot like the rest of them

[@CulturePhilter]

I think two people looking almost the same is weird but not unheard of. Plus theoretically the ambulance AI must be modeled off someone so perhaps they think it might be Lindy’s mum. So although it piques their interest it isn’t straight away a “something weird with time is going on here” I suspect when they see the same face again in Rouge (apparently as a painting) that’ll be the moment, like with “Bad Wolf” in boom town, where the Doctor goes “this face is following us through time!”

[@MrEtherlord]

You do have noticed that the Homeworld is destroyed by literally the same thing? So, no, it's not the youth thing.

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes, we can assume the Dot and Bubble system is also on homeworld but we don’t see how they use it there. Are they also so incompetent they can’t walk anywhere without it? Because we’re only show the young being THAT reliant on it.

[@Moviespelunker]

Ricky being "the doctor" is the point, she trusted him to give her hand and run, but if the real Doctor did the same she would t take his hand

[@carpelibrarium8522]

Additionally, by throwing him under the bus Lindy unwittingly doomed everyone else from FineTime. The long-haired, beanie-wearing guy put himself forward as a leader, but if Ricky had made it to the docks he would automatically have been the one everyone else listened to due to his celebrity status. The Doctor would have had a better shot at convincing Ricky to put aside prejudices and enter the Tardis - which could have meant at least a few people would have gone too.

[@Moviespelunker]

@@carpelibrarium8522 100%

[@CulturePhilter]

Absolutely. He’s a really important character in this in many ways.

[@AllThePiecesMatter_]

I didn't feel this episode took a sideswipe at an entire generation at all, as Ricky was heroic and Gothic Paul clearly cared and was on the case.

[@CulturePhilter]

Ricky is the exception to being in his bubble the whole time though. He’s the only one who doesn’t spend all day in it. I think the implied (possibly unintentionally) generational thing is about being in the bubble all the time. Aka Glued to their screens. Gothic Paul caring about his friends doesn’t counter that.

[@TardisTalks]

I do think having Lindy's character the way she was, was so important to the story because without that we would not have have the hints and nudges through the episode before we realise that she was being horrible to the doctor specifically the full time, I did have moments through the episode where I did start to like Lindy when she met Ricky and she slowly sees the real world (granted this didn't last long haha) but to go from a "nice Lindy scene" to "Lindy I Hate You" to her then going and being so so mean to the doctor I just feel this all worked in tandem. P.S. - I had asked my partner at the end of the episode to and he wasn't sure until I explained it. Great review as always Phil.

[@CulturePhilter]

I definitely think keep all the micro aggressions to the Doctor intact. But lessen the nastiness to others z

[@KristineRead]

Regarding the attack on generation, the homeworld was also destroyed by the dots/bugs

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes but that doesn’t tell us much beyond the Dot system also hated them. Nothing about if they used it and relied on it to the extent those in FineTime did.

[@anthonyfisher-7090]

I liked this week's episode, the ending really hit me like a train. I do agree with your points about the doctor and Ricky and the crying thing. But I did feel like the tears in this episode were definitely deserved and I'm glad that moment played the way it did. I had a bit of a comparison in my head with a scene in Jodie's era where she had a line in The Witchfinders where she says "things were so much easier when I was a man" or something like that, and I'm so so glad they never put any clunky dialogue in like that. One thing that has really integrated me since this episode aired was Russell saying he had the idea for this episode back in 2010-11 and told Moffat and Karen Gillan over lunch in LA, so I do wonder how much of the original idea was in here and I'd loved to have known how it would have played out with The 11th Doctor. I'm guessing maybe more focused on class and not trusting outsiders. Oh and Rowan (sorry if I didn't spell the right) you didn't break it, you put it in stand by just like the TV

[@CulturePhilter]

Oh yeah the crying I think really works here. But Perhaps it shouldn’t have been in some of the previous eps to give it even more impact here

[@ftumschk]

9:22 Small point: "from the _outset",_ not the "offset". An "offset" is what you get if, for example, you do two things out of synch.

[@CulturePhilter]

😄 noted

[@LittleLexi24]

In my opinion her being rude from the beginning was the way to go cause it makes you think her character could be redeemed by the end, and then when she backstabs the person helping her you realise there’s no helping her.

[@CulturePhilter]

That’s a good point I hadn’t considered. I guess in a way it subverts our expectations because we’re used to someone like that that we’ve followed learning and growing throughout the time we follow them..

[@micron000]

I don't think the episode was trying to say only/all Gen Z kids have an issue with social media, it was trying to show the dangers of over-relaying on technology and social media, and also criticise racism and the 1%. These aren't just "any kids", as you've said. They are well established to be the rich, white kids, and that does matter imo. I also personally liked the fact that Lindy wasn't a likeable character from the start. If she was shown to be a kind or compassionate person, it could have made her later decisions feel out of place, or made certain viewers give her the benefit of the doubt and therefore probably made more people miss the overall message. I thought the take on racism was brilliantly handled. I loved that it was relatively subtle, as in, not the Orphan-55 type of "in your face" commentary, but one that takes a while to realise and recognise for what it truly is. I did notice many of the micro-aggressions on my 1st viewing (the different treatment to the Doctor vs Ruby, the language used, the fact that literally everyone else was white etc), but was still surprised when they fully went there so relatively explicitly at the end. I can understand how some people might miss it, or maybe just see these moments/lines as being more about classism or treatment towards outsiders rather than racially motivated, but I personally believed it was at least partially about race, and that was confirmed once I watched the episode of Unleashed. I do think that even most of the people who missed these hints along the episode itself, probably caught up by that ending scene. I mean, unlike last week's episode, the ending wasn't ambiguous and confusing at all imo. I thought the implication was pretty clear that they were going to their deaths. There's no way these young, rich kids who never even learnt to walk or think for themselves, are going to survive out there alone in the "wild woods".. Hence why the Doctor tried so hard to get them to go with him instead, even though they were insufferable and racists (he's the Doctor, he always tries to save everyone regardless). However, they literally chose death, over being saved by a black person. It was so awful and so brilliant at the same time, and the Doctor's reaction was heartbreaking. I also really liked the fact that it seemed like Ruby caught on to what it was a bit before the Doctor himself, probably due to the fact that she was raised by a black family and witnessed these micro-aggressions growing up, while the Doctor has spent thousands of years as a white person. It made his moment of realisation and the very real frustration that followed, even more visceral imo. Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. I'd even go as far as to say it was one of my favourite this season. I adored the setting and world-building, the use of technology/visuals, and the social commentary of course. The acting as you've said was also fantastic. The moment when Lindy makes the choice to turn on Ricky was amazingly done imo. And as much as I did miss the Doctor, the scene we got with him at the end of the episode was literally EVERYTHING. It was perfect in a way that made his absence for most of the episode, worth it imo. About the "hot" point, actually, the Doctor has objectified people before, especially under Moffat lol.. I mean, just think of 11's "a mystery wrapped in an enigma, squeezed into a skirt that's just a little bit too tight" line about Clara, etc. But, I have to say that I disagree this was the case here. He only said that Ricky was hot, then had a quick exchange with Ruby in the "hands-off", BFFs arguing over a boy kind of way; and later commented on him being smart as well, that's about it. I didn't see an issue with it tbh. Also, your kid is adorable as always! Glad he liked the episode :) And you can let him know that I didn't think he broke it, as it was inflatable haha.. But, I have no doubt he could take on an actual Dalek if he had to, maybe one day when he grows up to play the Doctor ;)

[@CulturePhilter]

I think there is a place she could have been between the mean to others we saw and being nice and kind. Because yes nice and kind might have also not worked but there is a more neutral option of being neither particularly. Not objectionable and not overly nice.

[@craigmcgrathactor]

It reminded me of the E.M.Forster short story The Machine Stops. Written in 1909 it has all the same themes. It was adapted in the 1960s for an episode of the BBC series Out of the Unknown. ( unfortunately now wiped)

[@CulturePhilter]

I’m not familiar with it. What is the plot?

[@craigmcgrathactor]

People living in a city in the future. They rely on machines for everything. They have become totally dependent. Physically they have become weak. Difficulty walking etc. the machines begin to break down.( The Machine Stops). When they try to leave the city they find giant worms roaming in the outside world.

[@craigmcgrathactor]

People living in a city underground. They rely completely on machines. They become too weak to walk far without the technology. Eventually the machines begin to break down.( The Machine Stops). Without the machines they are helpless. When somebody manages to leave the city they find giant worms are living in the outside.

[@craigmcgrathactor]

People living in an underground city. Completely dependent on machines. Physically weak unable to walk far. The Machines break down. They're helpless. Somebody tries to leave the city and finds there are giant worms everywhere in the outside world.​@@CulturePhilter

[@dinogoldie9716]

The unctuous circlejerk of narcissistic sycophancy portrayed in D&B was pretty spot on. The commodification and devaluation of friendship and love is very real. The overfamiliarity and "OMG! All my days! i can't even! I'm dead" hyperbole are very much real.

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes, they exist, particularly online.

[@boomerdoug4242]

Upon first viewing I thought this was a poor copy of Black Mirror. Then the ending hit me hard. I was impressed by Ncuti's performance, especially considering this was one of his first filming days The episode itself made some interesting points. I must confess I was one of the people that didn't see the Racism at first. I simply thought it was a comment on privilege and elitism. The reaction to this episode did hit home to me how divisive this Season has been. If this is the intent of RTD surely this is a self destructive act that does not bode well for the future of Doctor Who, by dividing fans rather than uniting us. Just a thought.

[@CulturePhilter]

See I don’t think that the type of people that would be annoyed at strong social commentary in Doctor Who would ever be happy regardless of how strong and at the forefront that commentary is. They are going to rant and complain what ever the show does, especially the ones that make their living from click-bate hate videos. So why bother even trying to appease them?

[@boomerdoug4242]

​@@CulturePhilterFair point

[@guygrist4436]

Sorry I haven't been able to keep with everyone's reviews recently. I really liked this episode with a really sense of bit to it. It reminded me a bit of Paradise Towers in terms of a fractured society that won't work together. I hadn't thought about the story critiquing only a younger generations use of social media rather than everyone's use of it, thank you I'll have to look at it again. I think this season has been a bit strange for me so far because it feels like it swinging for the fences every week making each story feel very disconnected from each other.

[@jayanderson9375]

I had the paradise towers feel too.

[@CulturePhilter]

Possibly the generational stuff was unintentional but because of the choice to have the palace populated by 17 -27 years olds it’s kind implicit anyway. I just think having the place populated by a mixture of ages would have been better. But still a fantastic epiosde.

[@robo3007]

100% agree. I was struggling to explain why the twists at the end of episodes like Black Mirror's Shut Up and Dance worked for me and this didn't, but I think it was because Kenny in that episode came across as an all around more likable person than Lindy ever did. Especially after she got Ricky killed I finished the episode like "Yeah, so she's an awful person. What's new?"

[@CulturePhilter]

See the end still worked over all for me. It was still a strong ending. I think there was a chance for it to be stronger but I DO still think it works well as is.

[@BellaDelilahWho]

I thought of Gridlock - the police lines are also busy. And also that the Susan Twist mother character might be some AI here since everyone is gone on there homeworld. I thought that they were the rich people’s kids that were sent there to survive. There was also a bit Barbie movie over it. When she wakes up and brushes her teeth. You don’t see them eat or drink - but there is a dr pee that tells them when to pee. What we don’t know where are the people over 27 or under 17. And no babies no one even touch each other.

[@CulturePhilter]

I think the Susan Twist thing was meant to be a recording she was bringing up rather than her actually calling her mum in that moment.

[@BellaDelilahWho]

I also thought it was a recording but wasn’t sure she was a real person or that she was just an AI version of her mother she could see if the was scared.

[@CulturePhilter]

@@BellaDelilahWho i mean I guess it could be but that seems overly complicated for no reason.

[@ryantablet7153]

Love your Night of the doctor poster!

[@CulturePhilter]

Thanks. I bought all those posters behind me at a convention. They are by a guy called Stuart Manning.

[@andykey78]

Some episodes, like Rosa, I think would be a lot better without the sci-fi villain of the week. If the Dots can execute a perfect headshot, then why not just have them seal off Finetime and start picking people off at random? Do we need the alphabetical order thing? Or what if the Dots did just start letting the predators from the outside in to feast!? I agree that the Finetime exterior shots did just look like Cardiff! They didn't even make the lamposts futuristic!! If it was a plot point, they could have gone further with the dystopia that people just don't see in their bubbles. OR (full circle moment!) the Dots realise that Finetime is unsustainable and falling apart, so they decide to terminate it, or thin out the population. Or Homeworld pull the plug ("what are you doing Mummy!?") Plot holes that could have been plugged without spoiling a really important episode. I'm really enjoying your reviews of this season and the discussions in the comments!!

[@CulturePhilter]

I can see the argument that a fairly newly sentient AI would still follow processes and order to some degree and going alphabetically would perhaps seem the most logical to it. As for why they created the man-traps instead of just executing them themselves? Good question… maybe they viewed it as more humane and that for some reason was something their logic dictated they try first. 🤷‍♂️

[@Desincarne]

@@CulturePhilterThe implication is that the Dots killed everyone on Homeworld the same way as they killed most of the population of Finetime - sub rosa, without anyone twigging who the real enemy is. That leaves the infrastructure of the civilisation intact and the AI completely untouched by their genocide. It’s never made sense to me that a tyrant AI would start a nuclear war or a land war against humanity: the former would wipe out the servers and structures they need to exist, the latter is a human way of thinking. However, the point of the episode isn’t the Dots or the slugs, it’s the white supremacist apartheid culture they’re exterminating.

[@CulturePhilter]

@@Desincarne yes I’m aware of the point of the episode. I like it. I like the episode. It’s a very strong episode. That doesn’t mean it’s the ONLY thing in the episode though and it’s weird to say nothing else in the episode should be commented upon. Which is what I was also doing.

[@dalilam3994]

I’ve been watching your videos since the start of this season and just now noticed the letter board in the background. I like it a lot but feel a tiny bit dumb for noticing it so late :D

[@CulturePhilter]

Don’t pay too much attention to it or you’ll notice when I forget to update it or I misspell something 🤣

[@fionaredfern7519]

To be honest, I think there's another bit of commentary in this epsiode: And that is the point of basic Critical thinking, altruism and respect. Like... Don't be a jerk no matter the class.

[@CulturePhilter]

Always a good lesson.

[@BellaDelilahWho]

At first watch I only thought she was mean because the Doctor and Ruby were not one of her friends and didn’t understand their society. It was only when Ruby said she liked her top that she would listen.

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes she was definitely stand off-ish with Ruby. She never tried to block her though like she did the Doctor immediately

[@Schnoodles46]

Did you think Titanic was about deck chairs?

[@CulturePhilter]

You’re going to have to unpack that one a bit. What exactly are you saying I think the episode is about? That you presumably think is wrong.

[@Moviespelunker]

Nah he didn't break it. I mean unless I meant to think so! What a cutie!

[@Elwaves2925]

It's funny (sort of) because after the Doctor's warning and seeing how the people were, I was hoping they'd all get eaten. 😁 I thought it was a great episode and while I picked up on Lindy saying 'you all look alike' to the Doctor (and the racial aspect to it), it wasn't until she went outside that I realised everyone was white and it all clicked. Up until then I thought they were just rich, privileged brats. I can understand folks not picking up on the subtext, even at the end where it was more obvious. Sometimes your brain can pick on certain aspects, get stuck on that so it's all your brain thinks of, ignoring anything else. I've seen comments (under other videos) saying it makes them people who need to adjust their perspectives but it's just how we all are. It doesn't make people bad for missing it. The start was heavily social media focused, as you say Lindy was mean to her 'friends' so it makes sense if people get stuck on that. I've wondered if Ricky was still a racist, assuming they all are/were, or if his views had changed on that by the time we meet him. Also, if Finetime was in the future, how did Ruby know who Ricky was? I didn't see it showing it as only a youth problem. They were using the youth to show us but let's not ignore it was their parents who paid for and allowed them to live there. I definitely saw it as being about rich, privileged, prejudiced people, irrespective of their age. Each to their own though.

[@CulturePhilter]

Ruby was logged into the Dot system. She had seen Rickey’s video. In fact didn’t they interrupt it when they first appeared to Lindy?

[@Elwaves2925]

@@CulturePhilter You could be right and I also considered after posting that she could be lying to win favour with Lindy. I mean, Ruby didn't realise Ricky was hot until later with the Doctor. If she was already a fan, surely she'd have known that.

[@WiccanRai]

I feel dumb and actually really terrible that I didn't catch on until the very end and even then it didn't hit me properly until the 2nd watch. I could see Lindy was being more dismissive and rude to the Doctor compared to Ruby, but I thought it was because the Doctor was being more blunt and to the point whereas Ruby tried to fit in. My only poor excuse was i was very tired and missed some of the dialogue. I did, surprisingly sympathise with Lindy during her scenes with Ricky when you realise just how isolated she is from real, human interactions. Even if you consider her childhood before moving to Finetime. She had never been hugged before. Just how distant had her parents been? I felt it was a very good episode. Callie did an awesone job as a protagonist who really wasn't a character you could empathise with. On a lighter note. It may mean nothing, but how convenient is it that Ruby Sunday has a name that fits so well with the others? Hmn. Interesting point someone else made, there was no snow in this episode. But maybe that's because Ruby herself wasnt under any stress or in danger.

[@CulturePhilter]

The no hugging thing does make me wonder how this society plans to continue. Makes procreation difficult … unless they grown their children in tubes like in Space Babies.

[@paddingtonfan1192]

I think that the young people were portrayed like this is because they have grown up with the online world, that’s what they are used to ie when Lindy can’t even walk without the bubble, some people can’t manage without sat nav or whatever! PS tell your son I really thought he’d broke the dalek 🤣

[@CulturePhilter]

I had in my notes to mention that I used to get really flustered driving in London without a Sat Nav for an old job. My collegues would ask me why I was following Sat Nav when there was a better way but because I didn’t know London as well as them I’d get stressed if I deviated from the sat nav route. Doing a journey once every few months is not enough for me to be confident of remembering the route (I have ADHD) so I didn’t want to even attempt it. Would be different if I was doing the exact route every day, after a few months I probably would learn it. So I got what he was going for here but it’s very much an older millennial thing too.

[@paddingtonfan1192]

@@CulturePhilter yes, I get what you’re saying! 😊

[@quindecim7507]

The message wasnt "muddled", it just wasn't obvious. Its not the works responsibility to hold your hand to the ultimate conclusion that the writer may or may not have intended, youre supposed to figure that out for yourself using clever deduction and emotional intuition.

[@CulturePhilter]

I want to make sure I’m actually addressing what your pointing at here that you think I’m misunderstanding. So what is it you think that I’m saying is muddled in the story, which message?

[@booradley8895]

RTD and the production team, writers, composer and directors are all white so it was a bit ironic that he asked if when did anybody notice the cast apart from the doctor were all white.

[@CulturePhilter]

Yep I think that’s a very valid criticism. Hopefully they address in the writers for 2nd

[@josephryan362]

Dot and bubble is a great episode of series 14 of doctor who

[@CulturePhilter]

Glad you enjoyed it. I did too.

[@booradley8895]

I thought September was the doctor

[@CulturePhilter]

He was certainly given Doctor-like behaviors and mannerisms. Deliberately I think because it highlights how someone acting like the doctor who was white she would listen to but would only listen to 15 reluctently.

[@BritishBeachcomber]

Powerful, but maybe it's just you that's muddled.

[@CulturePhilter]

Ha, Maybe. The powerful is the main take away either way. The racial commentary is really strong and powerful and I loved the episode, especially that ending. It’s just the secondary stuff about the over reliance of dot and bubble system and getting stuck in that bubble and the fact that it is all young people seems to clash slightly. Doesn’t spoil the episode but would have maybe been even stronger if it had been a multi-generational society we saw on screen.

[@julieanngoodwin30]

First , the important point, not to disappoint a smashing 4 year old, no I didn't think he broke his marvelous 'flatable Dalek with his sonic screwdriver, just subdued it temporarily. I can only say what I see through my Gen X eyes, and RTD is even older than I am. Whenever I'm out and about it's pretty much all Gen Z's on their phones , even as they are walking along the street. My niece and her husband , both Millennials, even when visting her grandmother for an hour can not tear themselves away from their phones. However, the older generations are also eradicated on the homeworld so maybe it's not just about young peoples excess but also about the previous generations enabling this debased society. l Spotted the micro aggressions , they confirmed my first impression of the protaganist as a vacuous narcissist, and added racist undertones, later to become overtones. This wasn't a bad episode , but some of the proclaimations of adulation on social media seem way over the top. There are, again , plot holes aplenty , if the AI decided to kill all the rich kids because they were so abhorrent why not shoot the dot through all their heads like a bullet ? Why didn't the AI just feed more expansive less insular knowledge into the Bubble? Why not shut the Bubbles down to make them interact with the real world? Completely agree with the objectification comment, The Doctor should'nt be seen to endorse those kinds of shallow attitudes, and the crying is becoming a thing and not in a good way.

[@CulturePhilter]

I will pass your answer onto Rowan. 😄 I’m an older millennial (born mid 80s) and if I have my phone on me I find myself reaching for it almost out of mussel memory in any moment where I’m waiting for even 30 seconds. I’ve tried ti get better at it but it certainly is a thing. And I’ve seen people in their 70s do similar. Maybe less but certainly some.

[@purplecelery7380]

Great commentary. I also thought for most of the episode that the focus seemed to be on skewering Generation Z. Which is rather unfair when you think about it - what about the people who raised them to be that way? (That would be the late Boomers, and early Gen X's!).

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes. And I get that wasn’t the end focus or point of the story which is why it seems odd to have even included that angle.

[@MsJayteeListens]

The people who raised them had already been eaten by the slugs.

[@SupaKen74]

This episode was harsh and brilliant and twisted. I didn't really find the faults you did. By the way. All the adults were killed too. You don't see them but the whole planet is wiped out. We are focused on these younger people because that's the setting. This was a condemation of a specific activity, and absolutely NOT OF a specific age group.

[@CulturePhilter]

Oh I know the main point and message was one of anti-racism. And that that likely applies to the homework’s adults too. But separate from that we have the excessive use of the Dot and Bubble system and the annoying fakery type behavior and we’re only shown the young being like that. So, whether intentional or not, it implies a generational criticism. That doesn’t make the main point of the episode not work, or not powerful but I do think it would have been a stronger message if they had a mixture of generations in the society we could see.

[@SupaKen74]

@@CulturePhilter it was brilliant and worked almost too well. I missed a lot of the micro-aggressions the first watch and that IS something I have to come to terms with- my privilege. The rest is not important. This was about White Supremacy.

[@CulturePhilter]

@@SupaKen74 I’m not sure I agree that because the main message works and is very powerful that means people shouldn’t talk about any downsides they have in other areas of the episode. If it doesn’t matter the it shouldn’t be in the episode. 🤷‍♂️

[@Ruddigore]

I hated Lindy (that's the character, not the actress) from the very start. She is everything I hate in somebody and so whenever she made any kind of remark I thought, well of course she was going to say this or that, or of course she was going to be racist. So when she showed those traits I wasn't surprised or moved by them. I think the only shock for me in this episode was how she threw Ricky September under the bus. I expected her encounter with the Doctor to be exactly as laid down so it didn't hit me as hard as it should have done.

[@CulturePhilter]

Yes, if we’d started off thinking she was a good person the slow reveal might have had more impact. Although it still hit me pretty hard on 2nd watch as I said in the video.

[@realpeterdavison]

Change ur name, point 2 someone else? Hide behind the sofa!

[@CulturePhilter]

To avoid the man-eaters? (What the production were calling the slug like creatures)

[@realpeterdavison]

@@CulturePhilter yes / no

[@59rlmccormack]

I had no concern about certain bits in the episode, and I don’t think highly of the whole objectifying someone bit. Also, I don’t think the kid broke the Screwdriver.

[@CulturePhilter]

I’ll pass on your answer to Rowan’s question.

[@ohmydinosare]

This was an odd episode for me, for a lot of it I thought I wasn't entirely enjoying it because we are following this character right from the start who I just didn't like, And it felt like the script wanted us to root for her but they'd made her too valid and annoying to the point she wasn't likeble at all. Im not sure all the small racially motivated things were as noticeable as they were meant to be when she was pretty horrible to everyone, I picked up on when she said she didn't know if the doctor was the same person or if he just looked the same, but Russel has in the last year written lines that sound as bad as that with apparent sincerity, so I thought that was likely just him letting another poorly judged bit of dialogue slip through, I do think he wants to look a lot more at the cutting edge of social awareness than he actually is, his grandstanding there can seem a bit hollow at times. But anyway, I definitely didn't like Lindy at any point in the episode, and felt a bit annoyed that the whole point of the episode seemed to be to save the least deserving person. I think the ending, though, justified that feeling, she wasn't just insufferable, her bigotry was strong enough to override her sense of self preservation, I know people like that, they're a particularly unpleasant type, it's very hard to feel bad for their misfortune when they are choosing that over tolerance. I think the doctor perhaps was more eager to stoop to try and save them once they'd passed that point, I'd have happily seen them head off to their certain doom and slept well that night, but it was a powerful ending, and that change of perspective kind of justified my negative feelings throughout the rest of the episode enough that retroactively I actually really enjoyed the experience of the whole.

[@CulturePhilter]

It is very much a Doctor thing to offer the bad guys another chance and to be saved though. I’d be worried if the Doctor openly exhibited a “fuck it, they deserve to die” attitude. Deserve to be locked up? Sure. But not die.

[@ohmydinosare]

@@CulturePhilter Perhaps, I feel like there are shades to that though, maybe the doctor is just a better person than me, I don't think I would think of anyone as deserving to die, that is far too strong, but if someone was so awful, and that awfulness led to their own downfall, I don't think I would have much interest in going out of my way to do anything to help them and I don't think I'd feel bad for them. But maybe I'm just a bit cold and jaded.

[@Moviespelunker]

The older generation gave the kids the tech, so it's saying that dangerous stuff can be handed down to the next generation

[@CulturePhilter]

Maybe, I just think it would have benefited from have older generations there as well exhibiting the same behaviors.

[@Moviespelunker]

@@CulturePhilter truly!! I think the context is there but not enough I think

[@truthholder1079]

One thing I haven't seen many people comment on was how the Doctor was spewing toxic masculinity in this episode. That definitely muddled things a bit.

[@CulturePhilter]

I can kind of see that maybe with the objectifying Rickey September but what other examples are you thinking about?

[@truthholder1079]

From the moment he barged into the young girl's private space, he was acting aggressive and entitled. Even the computer system flagged him as unsolicited because of his behavior. Throughout the episode he comes across as having a savior complex. There's a sharp contrast between him and Ruby, as well between him and Ricky, in the way he behaves toward other characters.

[@CulturePhilter]

@@truthholder1079 well yes, he was urgently trying to save her life and didn’t know how she would react. Once they realised this they took a different tack and Ruby tried a more ‘undercover’ approach. But we don’t know that if Ruby had tried first she wouldn’t have been as urgent in her approach.

[@Stepokedur]

As Lindy et al were disrespectful of anyone that wasn’t in their own social ‘bubble’, even the lass that wanted to join them as her friends had disappeared, I saw it more as that. The Doctor and Ruby were not in her clique, were strangers, were not of that planet/society, and so were dissed at the end too, not trusted. I see that rather than a race thing, which is lazy bloody writing if it IS a race thing. The societal bubble thing, class system, makes more sense narrative wise. However knowing RTD’s work in the past (a decent writer that needs people to polish history scripts) one really knows he is playing the D.I.E. card rather than anything smart. (Gatiss, Pemberton, Shearsmith would have been WAY better showrunners).

[@Stepokedur]

To further this, Lindy was equally dismissive to Ruby too. It just wasn’t well polished, with a decent story pushing the race card rather than a closed in society idea. RTD being the showrunner means his lower par, unfinished work gets through,

[@CulturePhilter]

This is partly why I think it would have been better if she wasn’t obviously a horrible person generally at the very start. However there IS a difference in the way she is horrible generally and to the Doctor. I only really noticed it so much on the second watch but it is there.

[@MsJayteeListens]

@@StepokedurNo she wasn’t, she literally says she doesn’t realise the doctor is the person she blocked because ‘you all look the same’, she says the doctor is in trouble and will be disciplined and she calls him stupid. None of that happens to Ruby.

[@JoshPinder92]

Ive missed you !!! Aww gutted to say RTD2 just isnt hitting my sweet spot ....i feel theres so much iff screen stuff wuth the dr anf ruby that we havent seen ....like we srent getting to know them fully yet as a dynamic outside of theyre fruends having a giggle across the universe to skew younger and grab younger audiences, sex ed audience and try to appease long term fans ... Its not ticking it all ... I am sure theres those that love it abd happy for them 73 yards hit it with me ....but the rest sadly hasnt ....i just wish RTD planned it a bit better like if he wanted anthology approsch it shouldve veen obvious from yhe off set i feel ... We need new talents in charge i feel to taje dr who forwards ....RTD had his time hes a fantastic writer ....vut this era sadly feels misjudged so far ....but much like 80s Who im sure it has its fans but evetything feels off for ne anyway

[@ftumschk]

Interestingly, I'm enjoying RTD2 more than RTD1... although it's possibly too early for me to make a defnitive judgment.

[@CulturePhilter]

Missed me? I haven’t gone anywhere. I’m only a day later than usual with the review 😄

[@JoshPinder92]

@@CulturePhilter sone reason you weren't in my bubble I thought a slug ate you ...joking aside I'm so behind on your content it's ridiculous forgive me

[@JoshPinder92]

@@ftumschk I'm glad it has it's fan but to me I really can't get behind it but that's ok I am glad to see it has it's fans and this era will need you to sustain it ....for me I dunno I can't quite click fully with it ...I like the Friday midnight cosy in bed watching an episode vibe but each adventure just feels off for me 73 yards was good however but still I feel I need more substance

[@maxon1712]

I don’t liek the doctor sexualising people but it’s not unique especially if u look at Mat smiths doctor

[@CulturePhilter]

Oh god, I’d completely forgotten about the “enigma in a dress that’s just a bit too short” line from 11th Doc. Yeah I didn’t like that either

[@maxon1712]

@@CulturePhilter yeah I never like it but I didn’t rl find it too out of character for a doctor

[@CulturePhilter]

@@maxon1712 are there examples of other Doctors doing it?

[@maxon1712]

@@CulturePhilter idk some of 10s flirting with historical figures and Matt with companions

[@Moviespelunker]

You know the doctor is queer right? He's flustered by how good looking Ricky was, that's perfectly normal! I wouldn't say it's okay if Ruby does it because then you mean to say objectifying is okay as long as your female? Also, I'm pretty sure the romance plot in Rouge will probably be between Jonathan and the Doctor

[@CulturePhilter]

It’s not the Gender or sexuality that make the difference here I think. Ruby says he’s hot and the Doctor says he’s hot and that feels fine but the Doctor then goes on for quite a bit longer about it. Ruby just says that once. I also think the context of it being right in front of Rickey as if he’s not there despite the fact that he can hear the Doctor make it a bit more uncomfortable that it would be if the Doctor and Ruby had the same conversation in the privacy of the TARDIS. Then there are their ages. A teenager, Male or female, you kind of expect that, a thousands of years old time-lord? Less so.

[@Moviespelunker]

@@CulturePhilter true, but also he has a nack for picking up young people but that's another type of discussion. I would say there's nothing wrong with how he acted, if the rest of the episode was doctor fawning over Ricky then yeah I'd say it would be excessive!

[@CulturePhilter]

@@Moviespelunker fair enough.

[@lozD83]

I use my phone a lot, daily. But I wouldn't say I'm glued to it, like the youth of today - and certainly not lost in it, like they are

[@CulturePhilter]

See I find myself reaching for it just out of habit. Even if I’ve only put it down 2 seconds before. If there is any kind of break where I have to wait, even for 10 seconds for something to happen my instinct is to reach for my phone to fill that time (and then often get stuck scrolling social media for 5 or 10 mins way past when the thing I was waiting for has restarted) I’m trying to break those habits but the compulsion is there.

[@lozD83]

@@CulturePhilter Depends on whether you're using it productively as to whether that's particularly bad, in my view. Social media and games just for the sake of it, not so good

[@CulturePhilter]

@@lozD83 oh no, it’s absolutely mindless scrolling. I just did it for an hour and a half in fact.

[@dinogoldie9716]

You like it...until you fear you/your demographic may be the primary target of criticism.

[@CulturePhilter]

Bless you for thinking I look young enough to be Gen Z 😄 I’m a middle aged millennial.

[@dinogoldie9716]

​@@CulturePhilter You're welcome. I guessed you were mid-to-late 30s (the "Millennial" demographic ranging from 26-42).

[@CulturePhilter]

@@dinogoldie9716 then you guessed right age. I’m 39 next month. So I’m now confused about your first comment because the generation seemingly under the spotlight in the episode ISN’T mine. 🤔

[@magnetmountain33]

I’m sorry did you say it’s pants are full of mud?😂

[@CulturePhilter]

Did I? When?

[@dinogoldie9716]

RTD is Generation X; not a "(baby)Boomer."

[@CulturePhilter]

Nope. He was born 1963. Boomers are anyone born from 1946 up to and including 1964. So he’s a young boomer but still a boomer.

[@elberno4243]

I thought it was simple elitism, rather than racism. Thoroughly unlikable protagonist

[@CulturePhilter]

I think the ending makes it pretty clear it’s racism. “Because You, SIR, are not one of us” is directed solely at the Doctor and she doesn’t include Ruby in the statement.

[@elberno4243]

@@CulturePhilter you realize he is a Timelord, so ot one of "us". Right? Ncuti is openly gay in this episode. It makes more sense to scream HOMOPHOBIA, than racism. She is equally offended by Ruby, at first, but Ruby spoke to her like a human. Ncuti was so bossy and rude. I wouldn't travel with him, based on his personapity

[@CulturePhilter]

@@elberno4243 she is stand-offish and a bit rude to Ruby too (and to some of her friends frankly which is why I made point in the video that she should have been nicer generally at the very start). but her reaction and rudeness to The Doctor is on a different level. There is a difference there that you notice when you’re looking for it. And she was doing that before she heard the Doctor call Rickey September ‘Hot’ so unlikely to be homophobia.