Doctor Who Recap: Face the Music

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This week’s episode is jam-packed with themes such as racism, genocide, terrorism, resistance to oppression, revenge, justice, capitalism, colonialism, and propaganda, along with the much-anticipated return of two significant characters. However, despite tackling so many issues, the impactful moments feel somewhat subdued, similar to a relaxing massage that doesn’t quite deliver the expected intensity.

In the current week, we find ourselves at a station orbiting space, participating in the Interstellar Song Contest – the equivalent of Eurovision in 2925. Remarkably, television host Rylan Clark has survived through cryogenic preservation, and alongside the Doctor, Belinda takes a seat to watch the performance. From the audience, Mrs. Flood signals a device and notes that the vindicator is now “prepared and poised” as “the last step.” However, before we understand her meaning, our focus shifts towards another operation in progress.

A young Hellion named Kid, along with his fellow Hellion companion Wynn, is seizing control of a broadcasting center using drones armed for battle. The species they belong to, the Hellions, are often discriminated against due to their distinctive horns and are stereotyped as cruel cannibals who practice witchcraft. In reality, it was an enigmatic Corporation that destroyed their home planet, Hellia, in order to harvest Hell Poppy flowers for flavoring. This Corporation also sponsors a musical competition. Kid, whose mother was tragically killed before she could share his name, has come to this station with the intent of exacting revenge on all attendees by causing the roof to collapse. When he does, 100,000 people are sent flying into space and left to freeze. Unbeknownst to the 3 trillion viewers of the Interstellar Song Contest, Kid plans to end their lives next by transmitting a deadly delta wave through their screens.

Despite some individuals remaining in the space station, there are survivors such as Wynn, who covertly activated a switch to protect Cora Saint Bavier and her associate Len. In the meantime, the Doctor and TARDIS rose into the air, while Belinda found herself safely landing elsewhere. Cora alerts a worried Belinda that communication signals are restricted during the event to prevent cheating in gambling, thus ruling out any immediate rescue. However, help is on its way… or so it seems, as the Doctor manages to stay conscious amidst space travel and experiences a vision of his granddaughter Susan Foreman urging him to return and find her. This sudden reappearance of Carole Ann Ford, last seen in the initial series of ‘Doctor Who‘, may not be as satisfying as fans might hope for, given the brief, fragmented glimpses instead of a more extensive scene. Nevertheless, this vision spurs the Doctor into action. Employing a confetti cannon, he makes his way back to the space station in a manner reminiscent of Wall-E, where he encounters the pair who had earlier occupied seats previously held by the Doctor and Belinda.

It’s fortunate that Nurse Mike and hologram specialist Gary both possess the required abilities to aid the Doctor, who then reassures everyone by revealing that those floating individuals are not deceased. Earlier, he had duplicated the mavity field to preserve them in a state where they can be revived. In a surprising appearance, hologram-Graham Norton graced the scene. The Doctor proceeded to infiltrate the station’s network. Upon seeing Kid on the screen, he asserted that the Hellion had chilled his heart. “I will expel your body into nothingness,” he threatened, “and I shall observe as you freeze to death.” This statement worried Belinda, who was watching with Cora, thanks to Len’s technological know-how.

In a surprising turn of events, Cora identifies Kid and Wynn, admitting she’s a Hellion who had her horns forcibly removed. She then decides to approach the control room in an attempt to reason with Kid. However, the Doctor arrives first and destroys the delta wave device. Instead of showing empathy towards Kid as he has done with other villains, the Doctor coldly accuses him, saying his heart “craves nothing but death.” He proceeds to torment Kid with a hologram and a glove, even ignoring Susan’s mental plea for him to stop. This behavior would leave Kate Lethbridge-Stewart, who once believed the Doctor wouldn’t condone such actions, utterly shocked. Belinda, on arriving with Cora, is taken aback but still offers the Doctor a comforting hug.

Prior to Wynn and Kid being dispatched towards “the monolith of justice,” the Doctor expresses his belief that the ice placed within Kid’s heart by him will remain forever. Later, he clarifies this to Belinda, stating that Kid’s genocidal tendencies, stemming from the fate of the Time Lords, were the catalyst for his emotional response. However, it seems unusual that he fails to pursue accountability against the Corporation for its role in radicalizing Kid and Wynn. Additionally, there is a noticeable absence of concern towards the Hellions and their home planet’s predicament, and the Doctor’s actions regarding Kid are not further elaborated upon (until later when they both acknowledge that his behavior was alarming). Notably, this intense behavior is quickly brushed aside as they discuss a humorous dating match on Hinge.

At the end of the episode, there’s an overall positive vibe. Mike and Gary, who appear to have both expressed interest in having the Doctor as part of a trio, once more showcase their unique abilities. They successfully revive hundreds of thousands of people within Rylan’s chamber.

Rylan announces that although this year’s Interstellar Singing Contest won’t be taking place, one performer will still shine. It turns out to be Cora, ready to unveil her true self. Instead of a humorous song about her large feet, she sings in her native tongue, honoring the civilization that perished. She explains that this is a song that the Corporation attempted to suppress.

Despite some audience members displaying bigotry by heckling Cora just before she sang, her moving performance brought everyone to tears and earned applause. The song seemed potent enough to challenge decades of marginalization faced by Hellions as the supposed outcasts of the galaxy. It seems Cora serves as a beacon for the right method of advocating for her people’s cause; however, this optimistic ending is clouded by the fact that Cora mentioned earlier that Hellions aren’t even permitted to sing. Given what we know about the Corporation thus far, it’s unlikely they will respond favorably as billions watch. The idea of unity through musical performance appears appealing, but what if people refuse to listen or even deny you a platform? How can one resist in such situations? Kid’s radical approach might not be the only solution, but the episode fails to delve into other subtle alternatives.

Suddenly, Doctor Who recalls its desire to excite us about watching the two-part season finale. Holo-Graham discloses that Earth mysteriously vanished on May 24, 2025, which prompts the Doctor to vow to Belinda: He’ll rescue her homeland. Upon landing, lights flash red, the cloister bell tolls, and an explosion obliterates the TARDIS door. To add suspense, a mid-credits scene follows featuring Mrs. Flood, who emerges from cryo-chamber on the brink of death.

She declares it’s time to fight, transforming into both Queen (Rani) and a rebellious Time Lady known as The Rani, who was infamous for her ruthless actions without regard for morality. This character has been eagerly anticipated by ‘Doctor Who’ fans for quite some time now. Bringing her back during the mid-credits with only two episodes remaining in the season is an intriguing decision. Archie Panjabi hints that trouble lies ahead for The Doctor, as she is about to venture somewhere and perform a mysterious action. We can only anticipate the climax in the final episode. Join us next week on the day when Earth meets its end.

Cut for Time (Lord)

• I need the extended version of Dugga Doo’s song on streaming services immediately.

Before Cora begins her song, the images of poppies are strikingly beautiful. Although poppies are often linked to remembering fallen military personnel, I can’t help but see them as a symbol of the resilience of the Palestinian people. This imagery is particularly poignant when considering the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, and it seems even more relevant given that this episode was released during the week of this year’s actual Eurovision Song Contest, which initially intended to feature Ncuti Gatwa as the U.K.’s representative but has faced protests due to Israel’s involvement.

In 2025, it was believed that Earth completely disintegrated. Yet, Rylan seems to be the only other human left besides Belinda, which raises the question: How did Rylan manage to survive when everyone else disappeared? Strangely enough, The Doctor didn’t show any curiosity about this unusual situation.

It seems that whenever Belinda talks about her parents, I can’t help but feel a sense of unease in my gut. While it could be my overactive imagination, the frequent mentions make me concerned that we might be heading towards an emotional or unexpected turn – given past narratives involving family separation or feelings of abandonment.

Mike and Gary are adorable as a couple! Their journey was heartwarming, starting from the brink of a split, to expressing their love upon hearing the delta wave, and then growing even closer by witnessing each other in their respective zones. It’s amusing, I must say, that they seem to have inadvertently left Mrs. Flood suspended while they were engrossed in watching Cora’s performance. Seems like we couldn’t resist starting the show with them still present!

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2025-05-18 00:54