What Just Happened? DOCTOR WHO Disney+ Season 14 Episode 4 Reaction | 73 Yards

[@Syntell]

Have you seen nupefromdaville's deep dive on this episode - kzbin.info/www/bejne/e5iQlXSJrsR6iLcsi=gdnvVUI0xh29toP7

[@nupefromdaville]

Thanks bro! It stay hating on my comments!

[@IsiahBradley]

You late, @Syntell!!! LOL!! Watched it last night!!!

[@seahbeahr5213]

Patience gentlemen. Everything will be revealed or explained eventually. Dr Who always has haters. They can be as toxic as Star Wars fans. True Whovians know that this show has always had social commentary. Sometimes it’s subtle, sometimes it’s in your face. Hate is lucrative.

[@sallyatticum]

I will head over there next.

[@MrTrevcarter]

73 yards is the distance where 20/20 vision turns clarity into blurred

[@Syntell]

Now that's a great bit of infomation.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@Syntell So the distance she could see the figure but not her features.

[@chazo1367]

@@HuntingViolets RTD stood on a pier just watching people and measured the distance according to behind the scenes, so he did some work to figure it out.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@chazo1367 Interesting.

[@wendypow1963]

With my eyesight and naming this episode, blurry happens at about 5 yards. 👓 😎

[@beejamjam]

the whole key to interpreting this episode is where Kate says we invent rules to be able to interpret things we could never understand. the conclusion of this episode is emotional, not literal, and it's really strong that way imo

[@Syntell]

I like the idea of that.

[@przemekkozlowski7835]

We are also trying to interpret this through the standard time travel conventions we are used to. However, this season has supernatural elements that mess with all those rules. These might be forces who do not care about paradoxes or fixed points in time.

[@GhostPurple69]

kate is the daughter of one of the doctor's closest friends from the old days, brigadier alastair gordon lethbridge-stewart. they met in the doctor's second incarnation, then the third doctor spent most of his time on earth, working with the brig and his group. afterward, the brigadier remained a recurring character all the way to the show’s final original season. you've seen unit here and there in the early revival series-they were in aliens of london/wwiii. there hasn't really been a recurring central figure, though. kate here, once she shows up, essentially takes up the role of her father as the doctor's trusted "connected" contact on earth who in the face of alien encounters can get things done if need be.

[@bryter00]

What a performance from Millie Gibson.

[@JackBarrugon]

And it was the first thing she shot - Ncuti was still tied up doing Sex Education, so they shot this Doctor-Lite episode first. Quite the debut!

[@Syntell]

She did a great job carrying this episode.

[@oathgroved]

I did my BA on folklore, and I absolutely love Welsh myths and lore! This alone made this my favorite Doctor Who episode yet! It also made me interpret the story through what I know of these local beliefs. Warning: an essay incoming... For one, omens of death are a huge part of Welsh folklore. Rainbows, howling, white horses, broken clocks etc. have all been omens of upcoming death. This made me think if the woman is death. It's always with us, waiting. People who try to face it, question it or reason with it, might end up running away in terror. Death can make us so afraid that we might even abandon what's most precious to us. It can be impossible to understand or see from a far. However when it's finally our time, when we're old and tired, we will get to greet it and we will embrace it with open arms. The woman being the old Ruby made me even more certain of this theory. And I think the Doctor disappearing can be understood as a reminder that at the end we must face death alone. Another less conceptual way of looking at the story and perhaps this entire season which in my opinion doesn't contradict the death interpretation, is that it's a story about the Tylwyth Teg (fairies). In Welsh mythology the Tylwyth Teg are often connected to fate, death and liminal states, all important themes of this episode. As we know, when the Doctor sprinkled the salt at the edge of the universe, they allowed the supernatural to enter this universe. This makes room for mythology to become reality. This happened because it was a liminal space, similar to the cliff by the shore. In addition to liminal states and spaces, some folktales about Tylwyth Teg include the notion of liminal time. This refers to time which can be transformed. This transformation is tied to circular understanding of time. For example a battle can happen in this liminal and ambivalent time where two outcomes of it are coexistent. When a cycle of time has passed, the outcome can be decided through interaction with the otherworldly. This is exactly what happened in the episode. It wasn't a regular bootstrap paradox or a time loop, the Tylwyth Teg caused time to become liminal and only through completing the circle, Ruby could change the outcome and also free the Doctor from the Tylwyth Teg or whatever liminal space they ended up in. In Welsh mythology liminal places are where one can step from this world to another and where transformation can take place, and liminal times create the possibility for reversing these transformations. What I loved about this episode that it can be interpreted in sooooo many ways. This is just how I want to read into it as a folkore enthusiast 😂

[@HuntingViolets]

They started with "Ruby Road," so they didn't seen "Wild Blue Yonder," but this is what I think is happening too.

[@agoodday9247]

Love this comment. Thank you for sharing.

[@bakshisayan]

To add to your brilliant explanation, the final episode of this season is called 'Empire of Death'. I think you're definitely on the right track!!

[@R_SENAL]

Thank you for this, it adds another layer on top of some other readings that can also be true too, which makes it even more amazing.

[@IsiahBradley]

Okay, this is deep as hell!!! THANKS!!!!

[@channyh.221B]

7:28 That's Dame Siân Phillips still acting at the age of 91, bless this amazing talented (Welsh) lady.

[@captainsplifford]

She was in Classic Who, as well.

[@ftumschk]

@@captainsplifford Siân Phillips didn't appear in Classic Who, but she has been in some Big Finish audio adventures.

[@captainsplifford]

@@ftumschk Oops! My bad! She's so recognizable from so many classic BBC productions, that I guess my mind conflated.

[@fayesouthall6604]

The moment the fairy circle was broken and Ruby read the note about mad Jack , she went onto another timeline, one which deliberately made her focused and alone to deal with Mad Jack on the slow path…. Kate talked about Ruby’s timeline. The 73m woman was Ruby as an old woman just not ready yet.

[@marshsundeen]

She released Mad Jack when she read the note.

[@dogblessamerica]

Mad Jack (Roger ap Gwilliam) must have been released though in order to become the worst prime minister ever, because the doctor refers to it. Unless in saving the world from him, she has caused a paradox which will come back to bite them in future episodes...

[@marshsundeen]

​@@dogblessamericaThe Doctor mentioned him again, but stops when he is stopped from stepping on the Fairy Circle. Once old Ruby disappears, the prime minister is not mentioned again.

[@JayJamsSpams]

Mad Jack (Britain's worst Prime Minister) eventually goes back in time and becomes Liz Truss.

[@Syntell]

I can't wait to find out more about Kate

[@MJE-riffs]

UNIT used to stand for the United Nations Intelligence Task force. Nowadays, it stands for Unified Intelligence Agency. In the new show, it's first mentioned by Chris Eccleston in Aliens of London.

[@MJE-riffs]

You might recognise Siann Phillips, the old lady in the bar, as the Reverend Mother of the Bene Gesserit in the original Dune.

[@TheLibrarianOG1]

Syntell, my sentiment exactly, on the episode. People have been saying that we'll get the answers in the finale, but Russell also has this tendency to introduce things he might not give answers to. It's 50/50 at this point. Don’t be surprised if we never get anything. Great reaction and review. Looking forward to the S4 reactions.

[@pjlightning1995]

The sign language was "Bless you. Thank you so much, that's so kind of you. When you gave me that little thing, it was just so precious. How am I ever going to repay you? But we will think of something"

[@OldManFerdiad]

There's a behind the scenes on this episode available on KZbin, those motions were given by the movement coach, Paul Kasey (who has been a 'monster' since the 2005 series) to the actor playing the 73 yard woman. It's a beautiful bit of visual storytelling, but it isn't from a sign language e.g. maketon/BSL/ASL.

[@Reprodestruxion]

Mr tardis read the shooting script, it was the woman panting . I thought she was vogue dancing

[@IsiahBradley]

"That's what you get for stepping on Indian burial grounds!!" LMAO!!! YES!!!! This season is BONKERS!!! RTD is swinging for the fences!!! Is "73 Yards" a classic? After a weekend of watching KZbin videos about this episode, I'm learning/leaning toward yes!!!! (Oh, and you now know you have so much to look forward to--Kate and UNIT!!! I'll let the Patreon folks tell you about Kate and her father and their relationship with the Doctor and his/her companions!!!!) @nupefromdaville said you would come with this video on Tuesday but I'm so glad you did came through today, @Syntell! Enjoyed @nupefromdaville 's commentary last night!!! (P.S. I never fail to laugh when y'all go, "Knees to chest!" LOL!)

[@nupefromdaville]

Bwahahahahahaha

[@tillyt4054]

I thought it was awful , I can't stand the new doctor or the stories

[@caitfurnox]

@@tillyt4054that’s fair. Some don’t. I thought it was a masterpiece and I’m loving the new doctor.

[@JackBarrugon]

I kind of felt this was "Part 1" in a way. There won't be a Part 2 as such, but we will get some sort of explanation in subsequent episodes. The One Who Waits should explain *something*.

[@IsiahBradley]

@@JackBarrugon I think this whole season is leading toward a *lot* of season-finale explanations!

[@MJE-riffs]

Kate is the daughter of Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, head of UNIT during the shows classic era in the 60s and 70s. Kate's first appearance isn't in the show. It's in a straight-to-video production called Downtime. It's a sequel to two classic Who stories from the 60s, The Web of Fear and The Abominable Snowmen . It features Sarah Jane, the Brigadier and the Brig's daughter Kate (who's played by a different actress).

[@jankyteeth6213]

Ah… The Web of Fear. Really enjoyed The Brigadier introduction and role to the Doctor.

[@Syntell]

Thank you for that bit of backstory. I needed that.

[@raymondgreen1021]

There is also the belief that they bring good luck and that they are a sign of a fairy village underground. Another folklore story is that you should never step into a fairy ring, as you may become invisible or become trapped there forever.

[@marshsundeen]

Nctui Gatwa was filming the third season of Sex Education during this.

[@MJE-riffs]

The line delivered by the Doctor early on: "The war between the land and the sea" is rumoured to be the title of an upcoming spinoff series, concerning the Doctor's 1970s foes, The Sea Devils.

[@ignacioblasco7971]

Moffat episodes tend to have full closure, usually cleverly made. But over time you get used to them. RTD is more playfull, he can leave unanswered thing if they provoke what he is looking for. My favorite RTD is the 3rd season of Torchwood.

[@HuntingViolets]

You also saw "The Girl in the Fireplace" from Moffat. This episode is like "Blink" in that both are "Doctor-lite" episodes ("Blink" is also "companion-lite").

[@Syntell]

Blink is still GOATED in my personal opinion.

[@SpiderRiderKya]

"Have I met you before?" I don't know if this is intended to be a bit meta but, we HAVE met this actress before. She has been in every episode of the new season so far. She was a lady at the pud in Church on Ruby Road, one of the former crew members of the baby station in Space Babies, the old lady serving tea in Devil's Chord, the ambulance AI lady in Boom and now the hiker here. She was also in Wild Blue Yonder, a special right before Church on Ruby Road (and may or may not be connected? the character she played there appeared way way in the past, but word of god says she and the unnamed lady from Church on Ruby Road are supposed to be, the same person so, uh, no idea what's up with that). Also, her name (the actress) is Susan Twist.

[@deemo7868]

Now, I'm intrigued.

[@Syntell]

🤯

[@HuntingViolets]

It absolutely was there to point out that she had met her, or several who looked like her, before. The special before "Ruby Road" was "The Giggle," not "Wild Blue Yonder," although she was in WBY. Was she in "The Giggle"?

[@vrindam1247]

There's always a twist at the end 🎵🎶🎵

[@JackBarrugon]

The woman who shouts out a request in The Church on Ruby Road asks for 'Gaudete'. There's a version of that hymn by Erasure that has a video, and the video features a robed, hooded figure singing outside a church in the snow. Something significant is happening, but I've no idea what yet.

[@sallyatticum]

1) "The clifftops are a boundary between the land and the sea. A liminal space, neither here nor there, where rules are suspended.“ 2) "We see something inexplicable and invent the rules to make it work."

[@R_SENAL]

First off, I love this episode. I love that we'll all be talking about it for ages to come. It is like no other Doctor WHO story I can think of, and I've consumed a TON of DW media. I've read a lot of people's theories now and here's my synthesis of it all : The woman both is and isn't Ruby. The woman is Death/The Curse. And whenever anyone confronts death they are terrified and do all they can to avoid her and who sent them to her. The story might seem timey-whimey, but isn't really, not in the way we're used to seeing time portrayed. She loops back and unwrites her own genesis, but with small differences to the timeline now fixed in place. When she originally arrived she said she'd been to Wales twice. The overwrite she says 3 times, but can't recall the 3rd. The Doctor relates the Jack PM to nukes on the first go, on the overwritten reality he's cut off before he can say that part, meaning it may not have happened that way anymore. He's still a future bad PM, but no nukes or supernatural evil. Thematically this is a masterpiece. The moods, the settings, the people around Ruby, it's all fantastic. The small things like the birthday cards showing she's 30, and then 40, and then of course the LGBTQIA+ undercurrent: Ruby lives with something that makes her different than everyone else. When they find out about it, even her closest family, they turn their back on her for this being a part of who she is that they will not accept. They're ostracized and alone. Isolated. And later on Ruby embraces who she is, what makes her different, turns it into her super power, and uses it to save the world. That is Beautiful! That was punch the sky for me, taking this thing that drove everyone away and using it like that was brilliant! The ring thing could be some LGBTQIA+ people wore them on the opposite hand while it was still illegal to be married. Some switched to left when the law changed, some didn't. That said though, only a handful of countries do left hand rings, we think of it as normal because it's standard in the US, in the UK, in AU, in South Africa, etc., but a good chunk of the world wears left hand rings. Oh and as for Flashpoint, Crisis on Infinite Earths, all of that, yeah, it's really cool that you know that stuff Syntell, I bet we could talk for hours on comic book and TV lore, but I don't think that's what this episode was going for. I think it fits more in line with Welsh Folklore for it to be seen as a second chance to do the right thing type thing. A rewind to unwind the breaking of the circle. Ruby saved the world and got to live with the resultant peace, but now she gets her actual life back as a do-over without undoing any of the good she did. Part of this divergent timeline is with her, as she did say she'd been to Wales 3 times, but it also never happens the same way again. The only thing I can think of like this off the top of my head is an episode of The Magicians that I will not spoil for anyone as it was next level awesome, as was that series, and should be seen for itself. I hope the rest of this season is This good!

[@Thunderyhail]

Gotta be my favorite episode of the season so far it’s crazy how episode by episode the quality has increased

[@Syntell]

I agree with that. And can't wait to see more.

[@HuntingViolets]

Especially since this was the first episode to be filmed.

[@zinnia2980]

Absolutely loved this episode. It was scary, complicated, tense, mysterious and emotional. Amazing performance from Millie 👋 This episode was actually the first filmed in the new series so even more impressive. Great guest stars from the legendary Sian Phillips to EastEnders Anita Dobson. (Hope you will be reacting to the 2007 Christmas Special soon) Thanks 🧡

[@Syntell]

Christmas special has been recorded and edited. We're still in the middle of finished the season. The Patreon will get the newer episodes first.

[@zinnia2980]

@@Syntell Looking forward to it watching it. Thank you 💚

[@lalida6432]

This episode gave me ‘Twilight Zone’ vibes.

[@Syntell]

That part ☝🏾

[@MrsPuggyWggyHaASquareCutPunt]

Just thought of that. It does have that feel.

[@Professor_Murder]

I am so desperate for you guys to start posting the reactions for season 4.

[@Syntell]

They're coming. We've already started recording and we're loving the ride so far. The editing takes some time though. Hopefully very very soon. If you want the early access, the Patreon will have it before KZbin gets it.

[@Professor_Murder]

@@Syntell oh, I’m not rushing at all! I will definitely sign up for the Patreon!

[@darkphoenix6807]

After a rewatch, because I really did not understand the ending the first time, I noticed something. Cate tells Ruby that “ we see something inexplicable and invent the rules to make it work”. Cate also mentions “ I think this timeline might be suspended along your event .” Ruby is obviously magical. So what if the doctor stepped on that fairy circle, and was somehow “taken”. And then Ruby, being magical, starts this whole timeline of her saving the world and then coming back and stopping the doctor from stepping on the circle. Along the way she deals with her fear of abandonment. I think Ruby actually caused this story to happen in order to get the Doctor back. She might’ve even have been the one to make the doctor disappear, although she didn’t know that she did it, because she saw the circle and immediately thought it was magical. But I don’t think she was conscious of any of this. But somehow, it’s now part of her story, because the first time she got off the tardis, she said she had been whales twice, but the second time she got off she said she had been there three times. The toy maker had control over play, the Maestro had control over music, I wonder if Ruby has control over time. She seems to be able to bring the snow in from one time to her current time. Perhaps she created her own timeline for this, because she was so calm the entire episode, like none of it mattered. Like it was all about her. Almost like a maladaptive daydream. I wonder if she can control time? Hopefully, when they finally explain how Ruby is different, this episode will make more sense! If they never touch on this episode again, then this episode would be one of my least favorites because the ending really does not make sense on its own.

[@floridababe05248]

I was getting frustrated with Ruby & kept saying talk to her instead of asking people to do it. I sort of got an understanding at the end of the episode

[@bryter00]

I’m not sure that the old lady is older Ruby until Ruby actually dies, she/it is more of a vessel that needs a human life to move on. The faceless lady’s hair is completely different to that of old Ruby’s at the time of her (Ruby’s) death. That’s what I love about this episode- it opens up so many ideas and theories.

[@davidclayton579]

Ruby gave me Elle vibes from Legally Blond when she said "Come on, we've got work to do" to the being that was 73 yds away from her.

[@SpiderRiderKya]

It's not a wedding ring. It's just a ring. As was pointed out, it's on her right hand, not the left. People can wear rings on the left finger on their right hand you know. She never got married b/c, as she said, everyone abandoned her all her life. I think you;re looking a liiiiitle to deeply into that ring haha.

[@leijen208]

In the UK, the wedding ring can be on the opposite hand.

[@vagonkhan7278]

I don’t think anything that happened in 73 Yards was real. The whole episode was about Ruby and her fear of abandonment. Her life played out with everyone leaving her. It was never about “the thing” the old woman said to everyone. We often never hear the things that other people say to our loved ones that make them abandon us. It was also about her fear about never finding the answer to the question of her life. The confusion at the end where we the audience don’t get any answers and we have to create our own is a very important lesson about life. Abandonment is confusing, especially to the person who’s being abandoned. The episode conveyed that very well. Many times we wait our whole lives for answers that never come, and whether we like it or not, we have to find a way to be okay with that.

[@spezzini]

I really enjoy your guys reactions and reviews. Even when you are confused or disagree you guys still keep civil, smart and entertaining. I wish more “fans” were like that instead of just hating cause it’s different. Part of the joy of Dr Who is the unknown and the journey. Not everything has to have an answer, sometimes bread crumbs are left out that end up leading to the answers we want and other times we wish we didn’t have the answers cause it might take away from the mystery. We all want to know how a magic trick is done but is it still as exciting once you’ve peaked behind the curtain. People find things to complain about as in Ruby’s aging at 40, cause people aren’t happy unless they have something to complain about. I’m turning 40 this year so maybe that’s why her still looking young at 40 didn’t bother me cause it allows me to pretend I still look as you as I did when I was 20.

[@R_SENAL]

I was still confused for 20 something into my early 40s. When I grew the beard that had grey in it is when that stopped happening. I bet if I shaved I'd get confused with a 30 something. Some people just age better than others. That said, blonde white women in my experience look the hardest the fastest, but a lot of that can be overuse of cosmetics so if Ruby didn't wear much since everyone ran away anyways...

[@agoodday9247]

"Who Force" is exclusively how I'm referring to UNIT from now on 😂

[@barriehull7076]

Back when Dr Who started episodes were filmed mostly live and many times an actor was given time off for a break/holiday/vacation/vacances (French for holiday), and were not in an episode or just in one scene if it had been recorded earlier, which might explain the Dr not being in the episode except in the cliff scenes. RTD is Welsh btw.

[@LauraGS564]

Syntell, this episode was conclusive. It wrapped the story well, but this is a season arc. Not everything is gonna be concluded here since her story is not done, we will learn more about it. And also, yes, there might be questions that won't be answered and that is good too since the mystery is great. But there was a wrap to it too.

[@catlover0160]

Ruby changed HER timeline not the Doctors. So for him it was instantaneous but for Ruby it was over 80 years 🇬🇧

[@samc8534]

I really like the idea of the Doctor replacing Mad Jack in the fairy circle. I think that could tie in nicely with the way the TARDIS was left on the cliff and became a sort of monument all its own for people to leave flowers at.

[@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.

[@jafrulislam7529]

I was going to say it reminded me of that too. Especially the scenes in the pub reminded me of Midnight and the insanity and paranoia that was building in Ruby. I don’t think we’ll get these answers until the finale as RTD tends to do (80% of the time, the rest he forgets). Great episode and I think as time goes on this episode will become legendary of this series

[@janeenpuckett5946]

I LOVED this episode. Yes, it leaves a lot of unanswered questions. But if you think about how we all have this part of ourselves that we’re afraid if people knew they would leave us for sure, that’s who the woman represents. Ruby has to face her and eventually embrace her in order to save herself and the Doctor. What an amazing picture!

[@bennettnez4711]

Sorry Syntell its not easy. It was confusing and kinda didnt work without more info. Something might come up in the season finale that adds context to this episode though!

[@Syntell]

It wasn't a deal breaker. I'm still all in on the season.

[@JulieAiken]

Darn it! I was hoping you'd answer some of my questions... I'm about to start Watch 3 -- so many questions! I loved it, though. And Millie was superb!

[@sineaterdred1]

This was his Blink episode, to me (it was a Doctor Who episode without the Doctor, for the most part). Now yall have to finish season 4, I'm sure people hyped "Midnight." They showed that Ruby had relationships episode, the ring is probably because she was married, but it was insignificant to the story. All that said, I wish Ruby would have gone and stood 73 yards away from Trump. 🖖😎👍

[@JustinMullally]

My theory on how the old lady made people run from Ruby is that she said something to remove the “perception filter” around Ruby. Remember how The doctor said that Jack looked wrong to him because he was a fixed point. Maybe when people are made to see Ruby as an anomaly she looks very very wrong to them in a way they can’t process. Like if you looked at a person and suddenly had 1,000,000 conflicting memories about them from every possible timeline.

[@bertinamiller9626]

Yeah the English didn't treat their neighbors very well

[@finncullen]

To be fair they treated neighbouring countries how neighboring countries have always treated neighbouring countries that weren't able to defend themselves adequately. There's nothing more inherently expansionist about the Brits than about any nation, they just turned out to be very good at it.

[@sgrapness4678]

After Lost I let go of being disaappointed when every question isn't answered. I do think that when we find out who Ruby is, some parts of this episode will make more sense.

[@nekobat1962]

It's a fairy circle. They broke it and released Mad Jack. I love how Ruby was able to warn herself not to break the circle so that whole scenario doesn't happen.

[@XTheUnknownZombieX]

I think she remembers it abit at the end because at the start of the episode she said shes been to wales twice and at the end she says shes been there 3 times and the doctors like when was the third time you said youve been to wales 3 times and shes like "dont know, when was it? i cant think, i suppose it must have been, now". I took that as she had abit of memories like Déjà vu and she could hear the old lady speaking in her head like a memory and thats why the doctor couldnt hear or see her because it was ruby remembering seeing her there before. like when shes listing the 3 times shes been there she says the first 2 like before then looks and sees the old lady like it triggered the memory and made her remember saying not to step, then the doctor is like what about the 3rd time after they walk round the circle cause she randomly stopped after listing 2 and talked about a lady . also the fairy episode of torchwood the little girl that the fairys want to take is in a loop too i think, like with that bit with the photo of the fairys, ill keep that vague in case you watch torchwood.

[@jordanreed899]

The old woman hiker that she first ran into was the same old woman in the robot ambulance from the last episode.

[@Syntell]

Wow, I missed that all together.

[@charg1nmalaz0r51]

@@Syntell shes been in every episode from the start in one form or another. I cant remember them all but she was isaac newtons maid, a woman in the crows in church on ruby road, one of the crew who abandoned the babies in space babies, the canteen woman in the devils chord, the ambulance lady in boom and now this hiker. She was in the other tennant specials too i just remember where

[@fleason771]

​@@charg1nmalaz0r51 I got re-reminded that the guys haven't seen the 60th specials because I accidentally gave spoilers of whose in them. Can I ask you to politely to edit your comment about the 60th like I did. Thanks 👍

[@Reprodestruxion]

Gave you guys a shoutout on Mr Tardis to welcome you to the community

[@Syntell]

Thank you so much. So happy to be a part of the community.

[@Reprodestruxion]

@@Syntell contact him so you can do a collaboration, he works in British television over there

[@OptifiedPixels]

I think that this whole story was a pocket story in which the doctor released mad jack with the fairy circle. and her going through that turmoil let her know what she was there for

[@MrTrevcarter]

It ain't just one thing as you're gathering. It's about getting your brain into gear and play with possibility.

[@Syntell]

I can accept that.

[@adisakditantimedh331]

Hi guys, a friend had a great explanation that made this episode make sense. It's all about Old Magick. Wales has been known to be Faerie Country for hundreds of years. When the Doctor stepped on the fairy circle and broke it, the evil spirit of Mad Jack was freed to be reborn in the world and become Roger ap Gwilliam to become the crazy Prime Minister in 2039. In exchange, The Doctor was taken. Magick is all about exchange, so the Doctor is dead. That's why the TARDIS shut down - it was always going to die when he dies. Since she was with the Doctor when he broke the circle, she gets cursed. Davies has said when you break the rules and gets cursed, you have to atone, and she thinks stopping Roger ap Gwilliam is her atonement, but it's not enough to lift the curse. It's just before she dies that she finally has something to exchange - her own life - so she can go backwards in to time to undo it. She can't tell Young Ruby directly because that could change the whole timeline, so she has to go back to the beginning to warn her and get her to stop the Doctor from breaking the fairy cirlce so that she can erase her tragic timeline.

[@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!! 🥰

[@MasochisticMaiden]

Almost everyone has questions about this episode, but honestly the queries and theories are a reason I really LOVE this episode. I don’t let the Internet dictate what I like, I’m usually going to watch what I want and for an opinion. I was worried about this episode though because I saw a critical article title right after it went live, didn’t read it - watched the episode myself and I enjoyed every moment.

[@deemo7868]

After reading the comments( Thanks @SpiderRiderKya), I saw the Susan Twist reference, I then read the online theories. Whovians, I need to know more.

[@sallyatticum]

Here are my thoughts on the episode. 1) "The clifftops are a boundary between the land and the sea. A liminal space, neither here nor there, where rules are suspended.“ 2) "We see something inexplicable and invent the rules to make it work." (I cut this from notepad, so the alignment is off.) I think there is no definite answer. The pub lady said, "The clifftops are a boundary between the land and the sea. A liminal space, neither here nor there, where rules are suspended.“ Also, as Kate said: "We see something inexplicable and invent the rules to make it work." They gave us enough to work with so we can make our own theories. It is all to demonstrate how through history, people come up with their own explanations for unexplained phenomena (myths, folklore, legends, religion). But, since Kate said we try to make sense of it, my theory is: The myth is the Spiteful One walks through the gaps and rules with fear. The circle was broken and created a gap and creating the event Kate mentions. The Spiteful One actually became real, stepped through the gap and he is preying on Ruby's fears. When her foster mother ran, Ruby said, "Don't do this to me." Not "don't hurt my mom." Her foster mother said "even your real mother didn't want you." Ruby is afraid everyone she becomes close to or asks for help will abandon her like her mother did. As a result, she was alone her entire life. She can't see her spirit, because of the limit of her vision (73 yards), which deteriorates as she ages. That's why the spirit is closer in the hospital when she sees her without her glasses. When she died, her spirit went back and prevented the Doctor from breaking the circle, ending the "event." The fairy circle was created to trap Mad Jack. Not sure when in the time line or by whom. It would have to be after the Doctor saw him become PM. So, presumably by someone with foresight or a time traveler. (In a bootstrap paradox it would have been Ruby, but we don't see her do that.) The Doctor inadvertently released him and he became Prime Minister, as the Doctor had expected.Ruby used the spoiler and the spirit to stop him. That is the only real inconsistency, as his running away was not a fear of hers. So she managed to weaponize her spirit self. Her fear of the spirit had subsided and she no longer made it snow. And in the end Mad Jack's soul is back in the fairy circle.

[@geetee4459]

You don't need to know everything that is happening as it happens on screen. We may find out more about it in future shows. Or we might not. Mystery - like Suspense, Comedy, Sci-Fi, Tension,, History, Parallel Worlds etc etc etc is all part of Doctor Who since 1963. The show can do ANYthing it wants - sometimes great, sometimes not so great. But for me - this episode was a 9/10 great.

[@davewaring73]

I love watching your reactions. Proof that RTD knows what he's doing when he is making something for new audiences.

[@istoppedthecar]

You've also seen "The Girl in the Fireplace", which was another story written by Steven Moffat.

[@pjlightning1995]

I have been waiting for you to do this one. Interested to see your reaction.

[@p.r.4748]

Season 1 was not filmed in order. 73 yards was the first episode filmed due to Ncuti’s schedule as he was still filming Sex Education.

[@beatricemcgarvey1198]

Wow! This episode really felt like “old who” that I haven’t felt since series 10. Of you guys liked this, you should watch the sarah jane adventures. Especially “the curse of clyde langer” who is still one of my favourite whoniverse characters. There are some amazing performances in that ep

[@marshsundeen]

This is dealing with Fairy Magic, which is another supernatural element.

[@Syntell]

Who knew fairy magic could be that scary.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@Syntell People who watched [redacted]. By the way, let's not forget that Russell T Davies is Welsh (possibly why so many of his characters are named Jones).

[@pjlightning1995]

I agree about being left with unanswered questions and that leaves an unsatisfied feeling. They have occasionally just left things like that unanswered and never gone back to explain. I hope this one gets explained eventually.

[@cernik9]

Amazing start 😂😂 it's 14x04 no it's 14x05 and in the title of the video is 14x03 😎 🤣🤣 i even i don't know what is right 😵😂 Edit: 1:46 now it hit me I miss you - so the Doctor is not present Rest in peace mad Jack - is for the quest😅 If she would read something else that would also happen, doctor is missing because of i miss you 🤯

[@nupefromdaville]

We'll get it changed. Disney confuses us. Lol

[@Syntell]

We changed it. The Disney numbering and IMDB numbering are still all over the place.

[@HuntingViolets]

M. Night Shyamalan also wrote and directed _The Sixth Sense,_ which absolutely stuck the landing. _Knock at the Cabin_ was also good.

[@Syntell]

M Night's later works can be a little difficult to understand at times. But he's still and very engaging director overall.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@Syntell I was super disappointed in the twist in _The Village,_ although I had liked it up to that point.

[@purpleduke3193]

Since you guys don't have access to the bts show "Doctor Who: Unleashed", I'll put a link to the small, more broad, bts video that was put on the official Doctor Who KZbin channel after this aired on BBC1 in the UK. It's really quite interesting, and I think I get most of the plot. I'll also put my theory after the link and try and answer some of your questions. This be the vid: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aXbJpXSbf8h2eNEsi=dgWxxyNc7vIisZGI So in the above vid, Russell says that after breaking the circle (which is seen as a massive sign of disrespect in magic terms, even if unintentional) that both the Dr and Ruby have to repent for it. The episode focuses on Ruby's repent, so follows her alternate timeline, so it's fair to say the Dr probably went through something simular within a separate new timeline, hence their disappearance. (That, or the circle removed him as a harsher punishment since it was him who actually broke it) Russell went out of his way to find out precisely how far it was, and production followed through with making sure that Ruby's Watcher was precisely at that measurement away in each shot. This is because the average distance of a football pitch from center point, is between 72 - 74 yards, so if the pitch "Mad Jack" was going to have his speach at was 72 Yards, from where he was standing he would of been at 73 yards away from the center. I think this may of been the circle's way of hinting to Ruby to what she needed to do. The supernatural always has rules. Speaking of Ruby's Watcher, despite the form it took, I don't belive it was actually Ruby the whole time. My theorem is that it was a manifestation that was there to enforce her side of the punishment and to witness Ruby atone. In essence, it was Death (not actual grim reaper death, because he already exists in the whoniverse, but you know what I mean. The expanded media is wild.) After old Ruby died, living out her sentence, it allowed her conscience to go back to send a msg to herself to prevent the disrespectful action from taking place. Like a prison, with the manifestation acting as a guard, this bubble timeline followed the rules of the curse, explaining the extreme reactions of those who spoke to the Watcher. It probably said nothing specifically, but was simply in control nevertheless with the timeline and everything in it having to abide by it's rules. I'm 100% convinced, after consuming as much info on this production as possible, that Old Ruby's fate in this episode would of become fixed if Ruby had failed in her atonement and and hadn't of stopped "Mad Jack", where at the end she wouldn't of been allowed to go back to warn herself and alter events. Also, Moffat had literally just finished writing "Boom" and was about to email it to Russell, when Russell decided to randomly send him this script 😂

[@jay2586j]

Great reaction, still feels weird staying up till midnight to watch a show on BBC.

[@HuntingViolets]

This episode has sparked a lot of theorizing. Some people love it, and some are dissatisfied.

[@Syntell]

I can see why. Ther's a lot to discuss.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@Syntell Weirdly, after replying to a comment replying to my reply (heh), I scrolled down and, not noticing I was the commenter, misread my own comment as saying "agonizing" instead of "theorizing." Is my timeline splitting or am I just tired? Probably the latter.

[@OldManFerdiad]

I feel like the whole point of this episode is that it's like an old bit of folklore or a ghost story. It doesn't make 'real' sense but makes you keep asking questions. Did the lady in the pub (played to perfection by Dame Siân Phillips) really know what was going on or was she making it all up to tease Ruby or a bit of both? Was Mad Jack really a spirit and was he connected to ap Gwilliam or was that just a coincidence? Did the mystery woman actually say anything or was it just being confronted by some eldritch horror that made people run away? And most importantly, do we need answers or is it better to be left with the unnerving mystery?

[@steve8510]

Welcome to WHO

[@MrTrevcarter]

Just don't overthink, just enjoy guvna 😮

[@barriehull7076]

Google: While the left hand is typically reserved for engagement and wedding rings, wearing a ring on the right hand can sometimes signify a relationship status. It may be where you choose to wear a 'promise ring', a ring to indicate that you are in a committed relationship but not married or engaged.20 Nov 2023

[@ajtandon3679]

Think of this episode like one from 'tales of the unexpected'

[@HuntingViolets]

_A wise man believes only in lies . . ._

[@bennettnez4711]

Guys we gotta get your take on Dot and Bubble. Really looking forward to some wisdom from Rekkai in his breakdown too

[@obione9650]

So if she was saying don't step the whole time i think ruby has a perception filter when they were with old ruby they could see young ruby for what she really is

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

Kate is part of UNIT, which goes back to 1968.

[@kaihinataplays6374]

I have a different theory , hearing Rykai's explanation, sorry if I butchered his name. But, if it is a loop, maybe Ruby herself added the note that said "Rest In Peace Mad Jack" maybe this was a loop in which she knew by then that anything inside the circle basically existed outside of time so it would be in her present and her past. It struck me she said "I tried so hard" so she was trying to get her younger self to pay attention. Overall, I'm not crazy about this episode, I still sort of feel like the ending feels like an after thought, but now. I'm just trying to make it work. Also, I came up with this yesterday, when old Ruby's whispers say "Don't Step" it takes a minute for it to clear up, it sounds almost ethereal and distant, IF old Ruby was whispering through time what if "Don't Step" anyone who got near her heard "Don't Stare." We as humans would immediatly stare. And old Ruby appeared to be gesturing to young Ruby so naturally that's where they looked. they saw two different versions of the same person and thought that one of them was a ghost and they ran to get away from both of them. Still that doesn't explain that aweful thing Carla said to Ruby so, I don't really know.

[@jafrulislam7529]

Oh my gosh I also heard don’t stare!! I thought Old Ruby/The Cursed Woman way saying to Present Ruby don’t stare or to everyone to scare them away as they’ll be cursed too. That’s why the doctor couldn’t see Old Ruby and Present Ruby couldn’t see her too until the loop was closed

[@clementinemenny6736]

I saw a realy good video that paralleles why the people are running in this story and how you think people are going to run when they learn you are queer. Of course in this episode the reason is not that Ruby is queer but she is an orphan and it must be one of her biggest fears to be abandonned by everyone. Russell T Davis is gay and he wrote this episode. He must have known this fear verry well. Like when you're not out you are terrified that people are going to react like that when they discover your secret. And once you're out, some people actually do react like that.

[@MrTrevcarter]

Doctor Who???????? Y lovin it yet? This is Who we are. Whovians, off the scale. Hope you boys are enjoying the journey? Teehee 😎👍

[@Syntell]

Having such a great time with the show. Thank you for watching.

[@fleason771]

This episode was shot during the first weeks of Millie Gibson's time on Doctor Who in December 2022. Her first shot was looking out of the window with glass in hand as she aged up on 5th December 2022 Ncuti was busy finishing Sex Education so production carried on until he was avaliable The BBC originally had asked RTD only to come back for the 60th but then asked him if he had any interest on taking on Doctor Who again as well. I seriously worry that there were not many candidates who wanted the job & hope RTD is looking at a successor within his writing staff to succeed him eventually. The wrap party for Season 15 was on Saturday so it's in the can for 2025! PLEASE NOTE: This an edited comment due to revealing a spoiler from the 60th anniversary episodes. I'm usually v mindful of that but failed here & apologise for my actions.

[@roborob4296]

not sure if you guys have see The Dead Zone which was a Stephen King book they turned into a movie which later got turned into a tv show as well. Basically kinda the same concept as this Mad Jack character. Though I feel theres a little iffy part here as 1. I dont think the doctor has ever forgotten when a companion was from? and before he vanished the doctor mentioned Mad Jack so its not like stepping on the circle exactly created an alternate timeline cause the dude is still the worst prime minister.... Also Rubys mom going from being afraid of Ruby to then bitterly mad at her like you raised this girl from a baby to be what is she 20ish here? and you can just turn your back on that person so easily? kinda reminds me of great friendships of people in the public eye and then due to being in the public eye if one of the friends gets canceled they have to cut off that friend for PR reasons when in reality if eyes werent on both parties they would probably still be friends. Kate wasnt even scared of Ruby just pissed? which her walking away is a HUGE deal..... Though you dont really get that yet but yea thats not her character at all so something about Ruby has to be way off...Theres some other stuff based off news stuff and unfortunate info its hard for some people to avoid because how much the BBC loves to talk about casting but I imagine you guys might not know much about that so I dont want to say too much on that but yea... Enjoying this season though.Even space babies was better than a lot of other who episodes so

[@ricohutchinson9684]

Yall pay attention to that woman in the blue coat she's been in every ep since the anniversary specials she was the face of the ambulance last time

[@HuntingViolets]

And they never had the opening with the Doctor Who logo for the opening credits. The credits were just over the action instead.

[@Syntell]

Wow. I can't believe we missed that.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@Syntell Possibly because the Doctor was erased so there couldn't be "Doctor Who" credits after that. Just one theory.

[@sallyatticum]

This and AliceReacts are the reactions I was most interested in for this one. I have a theory... but I am curious to see what you all think.

[@p.r.4748]

Can’t wait for your Dot and Bubble reaction!!!

[@paulshorney3465]

Do what I'm doing. Having an original Dr who binge watch! Planet of fire next,ah the nostalgia!! 👍👍

[@JackBarrugon]

The door has been opened to magic this season, so we get episodes like this. It's a nice change of gear for a science-fiction show, but I'll be happy for them to end it at the end of the season. Note Susan Twist is back as the hiking lady, 5 appearances now I think. No idea where it's going, or Mrs Flood for that matter.

[@teclo1057]

"there's always a twist at the end" that song from the devils chord has to be a clue to something big involving susan twist. i hope so anyway

[@JackBarrugon]

@@teclo1057 Yes, it seems important. And the Doctor mentioning his granddaughter, Susan, in the same episode, seems like it can't be coincidence.

[@HuntingViolets]

Do you think they will exorcise magic from the universe at the end of this season? I'm not sure it won't take longer than that -- perhaps Davies whole tenure.

[@JackBarrugon]

@@HuntingViolets I tend to think that they will. If the big bad is The One Who Waits, and that person/force/thing is defeated, then that would end it. (I'm leaning towards it being The Master of The Land of Fiction, but more through personal preference than any deduction). But you're right, with RTD, you just don't know.

[@HuntingViolets]

@@JackBarrugon You never know.

[@davidcarter6491]

Reminds me of Midnight!

[@HuntingViolets]

Yes.

[@davidcarter6491]

There will be no explanation just like in midnight!

[@HuntingViolets]

@@davidcarter6491 Probably not. But more things regarding Ruby will probably be revealed.

[@p.r.4748]

Have you spotted the recurring appearance of the actress Susan Twist yet?

[@ccharles000]

Love the show and yaw watching it

[@deemo7868]

There were so many unanswered questions in this episode. I have a feeling that this story is not over.

[@Syntell]

I'm starting to agree with you.

[@charg1nmalaz0r51]

RTD said hes not going to clarify anything so good luck with that lol

[@SteveODonnell]

Nothing was left unanswered that needed answered. It's like the old Twilight Zone and Outer Limits where weird stuff happens but are never explained. It's why things seem scary. Fear of the unknown.

[@joshuajoshua2732]

@deemo7868 Not happening mate RTD already confirmed he's not going back to this storyline.

[@marshsundeen]

They have been cagey about Ruby's sexuality. She mostly dated men here, but some LGBTQ+ wear their wedding ring on the right hand.

[@DakNJaxter]

Some even suggested that being abandoned by everyone she loved was mean to be analogous to parents throwing out their kids when they come out as gay.

[@marshsundeen]

@@DakNJaxter very well could be. Her darkest season came out and she was punished for it.

[@Syntell]

ahhh, thank you for that bit of clarity.

[@littlemissmello]

But some people also just wear rings to be fair haha! I am not married but I wear a ring because I like the ring

[@joeygauvin2765]

I hope you guys get back to continuing old new who👍

[@jamesa.fitzpatrick1566]

Cherry is cherry.

[@BayouBlownGlass]

I'm really upset about how bad it is, I'm a lifelong watcher of Doctor Who. I started watching it as a kid, we are talking the old episodes before the first new Doctor came out. I watched all the new series with Matt being my favorite Doctor. I can't tell if it's the writers or the new actor that plays the Doctor, but it's bad. The show is completely different. This is a historic show that has millions and millions of followers/fans and they go and do this with the 14th season. I'm flabbergasted/pissed/confused/ and sad. I've seen every episode at least 2 to 3 times and now I dread turning the 14th on. I have to force myself through it. I don't want it to end like this, there's too much history in this show and it means to much to too many people. This is a travesty, and so depressing. How can they possible take a show that has continued to be made for decades and destroy it. Something needs to be done, I'm not a writer and I can write better stuff than what they are coming up with, and for good sakes, get a new Doctor. The current Doctor is not a bad actor, he just doesn't fit the Doctor roll. I was really hoping they did something smart when they brought back the 10th doctor but it lasted only for the 4 part special. Someone please don't let Doctor Who go down like this!

[@Concreteowl]

It's season 40 episode 4

[@wendypow1963]

Sometimes, with RTD and more often with Moffat, they write an arc story that can cover 2 episodes, a season or longer. That's why you have to notice people, things and words. We met Martha in an episode of S1 or S2. We've been introduced to the next companion already. You are going to be introduced to someone in S4 who who reappears in Torchwood. You've started S4 and know about Donna. You are going to meet/reunite with important people from the Doctor's past and future in S4. Maybe this story is an arc that reveals itself over time!

[@pjlightning1995]

The Dr wasn't in it much because the actor had other commitments that week and so they filmed a story without him.

[@HuntingViolets]

The story was written to be a Doctor-lite episode originally, but it was moved to first in the shooting schedule to accommodate the timing of his absence.

[@dylanh7600]

Please finish watching the golden age doctor who