Doctor Who Recap: When In Doubt

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Although the Rani claims otherwise, this episode serves primarily as a setup for the second part of the finale, where the main action unfolds. Our characters and we are both struggling to understand the peculiarities of this world that has been conjured up. This particular “Doctor Who” episode is unique because the Doctor remains oblivious to his true identity throughout, much like in “Human Nature” and “The Family of Blood”. However, what makes this instance intriguing is that the Doctor’s current companion has also forgotten who he really is. The supporting characters on Earth are not as capable as Martha Jones was in “Last of the Time Lords”; Ruby, Shirley, and others seem to have forgotten the concept of an iPad. The Rani(s) and Conrad provide numerous explanatory speeches, but if it weren’t for those, I would be the one left bewildered, not Omega. Despite the confusion, I eagerly await the answers that will hopefully be revealed next week.

However, let’s rewind to the initial scene, where it’s revealed that 2025 is peculiar due to reasons we later uncover. In 1865, the Rani arrives in Bavaria to seize a newborn. Unbeknownst to us at the time, this infant is none other than Desiderium, the most potent deity in the Pantheon, the god of wishes. The offspring of the seventh son of the seventh son’s seventh son is said to be “the source of a power from another dimension,” as the Rani explains. She plants kisses on the god’s forehead, transforming his mother into violets, his siblings into ducks, and his father into an owl.

On May 23rd, 2025, the Doctor and Belinda returned to London, a day before the grand May Day festivities. Previously, an explosion had forced the TARDIS door towards them, quite alarming! Yet, the Doctor’s portrayal of being straight might leave one feeling uneasy. It seems they’re now a married heterosexual couple and parents to Poppy from “Space Babies.” Their cheerfulness is so infectious, it feels like they could greet someone with, “Hello, Ken!” at any moment.

In this perplexing new realm, certain guidelines become apparent swiftly. Initially, Conrad Clark is seen on everyone’s television screen, providing weather updates and reading from a book containing extensive details about Time Lords and Gallifrey. Secondly, a “slip” occurs when individuals harbor doubts; even if an item is placed in the center of a table, cups will miraculously slide off and break. While it happens frequently enough to fill everyone’s trash bins with broken pieces, it appears that it’s a negative occurrence; the Doctor, who believes he is John Smith, advises Poppy to minimize her doubts as much as possible. He fails to recognize Ruby when she visits his home, and she struggles to identify him. Ruby inadvertently angers Belinda by stating that the Doctor does not have a daughter, and we uncover a third rule of this world — when uncertain, contact the authorities. Ruby flees, and it remains unclear what consequences await those detained for expressing doubt, but it seems unpleasant.

When Dr. [Name] arrives at their workplace, now known as the Unified National Insurance Team, it becomes increasingly evident that this is a society reminiscent of Conrad’s regressive imagination. The expectations placed upon women are narrowly defined, with an emphasis on being mothers and wives. It’s hardly surprising that instead of appearing in her role as Susan Triad, the tech CEO, we find Susan Twist serving refreshments here.

The Doctor consistently makes mistakes – he inadvertently stirs up Colonel Ibrahim’s prejudice while attempting matchmaking, leaving his colleagues astounded when he queries openly about the Rani during her flight to the Bone Palace suspended over London. Meanwhile, Belinda is grappling with similar issues at home. During a visit where her mother and auntie reinforces old-fashioned gender norms, Belinda finds herself unable to recall giving birth to Poppy. After a cup breaks and falls, Belinda flees to a forest and lets out a loud scream.

In the mystical Bone Palace, I find myself intentionally questioning the situation. Mrs. Flood, in a sense, embodies a powerful essence, often lamenting her counterpart who reigns supreme as the main Rani, a role that, technically speaking, originated from her own lineage. At her behest, she prepares a repast for Conrad, who seems weary from the mental and verbal exertion he endures. Indeed, it’s fitting! Mrs. Flood explains to him that his selection was based on his yearning for a better world. She and Conrad then gaze upon Desiderium, who responds with laughter reminiscent of The Giggle, and they remark upon his extraordinary yet daunting ability to maintain this enchanting illusion.

In simpler terms, The Rani attaches the vindicator device onto a large clock and initiates a countdown for an unspecified event. There’s a trap set to provoke doubts in the Doctor, potentially lethal. Surprisingly, she expresses remorse that humans might perish, which is unusual for her. She aims to locate “The Missing One” tonight, and then, according to her, “the grand project will commence.

Currently, the Doctor is tuned into tonight’s broadcast where Conrad discusses an antiquated and dreadful secret within Time Lord history. Mention of this secret causes Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, to briefly appear on the screen. Soon after, Rogue – an old flame of the Doctor’s – makes an appearance, warning ominously “Things don’t behave like that.” He expresses his longing and affection for the Doctor before disappearing. This leaves the Doctor perplexed about how objects can seemingly defy gravity. Belinda stirs from her sleep due to the commotion, and upon learning about Rogue from the Doctor, she contacts the police… only to discover that it was actually her own parents who had contacted them first. As a result, Mr. and Mrs. Smith are taken into custody.

At this stage, Ruby has encountered Shirley on the street. They had a vague recollection of each other, which led Shirley to guide Ruby to a makeshift city where individuals such as “the handicapped, the homeless, those who don’t quite fit in” reside. These inhabitants occasionally catch glimpses of another world and sense that something is amiss—for instance, it seems illogical that Shirley appears well without her medication and possesses a high-tech wheelchair given her apparent street lifestyle. Ruby starts to question the integrity of Conrad, an individual her mother may have reported to the police for suspicious activities. However, in this community, Ruby’s skepticism is met with approval, even earning applause from Shirley and her companions. Ruby believes that confronting Conrad face-to-face will help refresh her memory, contrary to seeing his image on every billboard and screen. This growing resistance group aims to disrupt the signal and lure Conrad out of the Bone Palace, but they seem unsure about how to implement their plan while Belinda and the Doctor are kept inside.

In the Palace Made of Bones, the Rani converses with the Doctor about past events he can’t recall, dancing with him as she inquires if he recalls whether the tale that they were lovers was accurate. “The sorrow is we were never adversaries,” she remarks, then reveals her true identity. The Doctor is repeating “no” when Mrs. Flood emerges. They seem like a pair of identical twins from Australia as they both declare, “We are both known as the Rani.

The Rani argues that this whole world is just a wish she created, and accuses the Doctor of causing trouble by awakening the Pantheon and ancient powers. Conrad’s dramatic reunion with the Doctor is less impactful because the Doctor doesn’t recall him. Additionally, the Doctor is preoccupied with understanding the idea of a baby god. To be fair, it’s a bit complicated. Although she is the most powerful being in the Pantheon, the goddess of wishes doesn’t have limitless power, so she needed the vindicator to provide additional strength.

The aim was to imprison the Doctor within Conrad’s unattainable vision of societal structure. Although common doubts may fracture a world, an infinite doubt from a Time Lord can tear apart reality and reveal the Underverse. As the city starts to crumble, the Rani discloses her search for Omega (and Conrad reminds us that this is the inventor of Time Lords, “the most powerful and fearsome of all Time Lords”). Belinda disappears upon crossing back over the Bone Palace boundary. The Doctor regains his memories of his past selves, but the Rani knocks him off a balcony to prevent interference. In celebration of their plan, the Rani and Mrs. Flood toast. The Doctor shouts, “But don’t you see? I have a daughter! Poppy is genuine! Haven’t you any idea what that implies?” To be honest, no, I don’t. Is Poppy Susan’s mother or something else? I’m completely lost now. The Doctor plummets with the city as the hour strikes midnight, and it seems like the finale is about to unfold.

Cut for Time (Lord)

The attire the Rani wears, which seems to be associated with stealing babies, brings to mind the outfit Ruby’s mother wore when she abandoned her child. This leads me to wonder if there might be deeper secrets within Ruby’s family than the previous season finale implied. It’s also intriguing that Ruby was the one who almost remembered the Doctor, despite Belinda having traveled with him more recently.

I apologize for any HR issues involving Kate, Ibrahim, but my focus in this episode is on the couple that matters most – the Doctor and Rogue. It would be quite impolite if this interaction is all Rogue gets, given the brief dialogue he has while the Doctor seems to have forgotten him completely. Could we possibly ensure he’s rescued from his “hell dimension,” preventing it from plunging into an undefined abyss? And by any chance, could the enigmatic boss they mentioned be the Rani?

The design of the Rani’s sonic screwdriver resembling a syringe seems fitting for her. It’s unclear what her intentions with Omega might be, but judging by her past roles, she appears to be motivated more by scientific exploration than ambitions for universal domination. However, considering that the laws of science seem to be regularly violated every 45 minutes due to Pantheon’s antics, it wouldn’t be surprising if a character like hers adapts and changes.

The design on the cover of “Doctor Who and the Deadly Wish” bears some resemblance to the initial version of the first Harry Potter novel. It’s quite possible that Conrad appreciates the works of J.K. Rowling.

• In “The Well,” one of the collapsed structures bears the name “Gestetta,” which was the company managing the mining colony. Could this be a subtle hint or something significant in future events? Similarly, Poppy’s return sparked questions earlier, but with all the baby-related developments now, it seems like there will be a dramatic resolution to these plot points.

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2025-05-24 16:54