Doctor Who’s Dystopian Episode Will Leave You Breathless for the Finale!

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Warning! This review contains spoilers for Doctor Who season 15, episode 7, “Wish World.”

In “Wish World,” the series takes a dark, dystopian turn as we approach season 15’s final episode. Showrunner Russell T Davies skillfully ties together the narrative threads from Ncuti Gatwa’s last two seasons in his leading role. With numerous interwoven elements, this 40-minute episode could have become overwhelmed by the vast amount of story it needs to tell. However, it effectively delivers all necessary exposition and sets up the upcoming finale, which is set to air next week.

Following Rani’s performance at “The Intergalactic Melody Competition,” she embarked on a journey to gather the crucial element of her scheme: a freshly born deity who could materialize desires. On her way back, Rani collaborated with Conrad to transform the world, and as a result, 2025 has morphed into an alien landscape resembling a dystopia. In this strange new setting, Doctor and Belinda spend their lives oblivious to their past selves and former adventures.

“Wish World” Sets The Stage For A Great Doctor Who Finale

Typically, seasons of ‘Doctor Who’ conclude with a multi-episode finale, often broken down into a two or three-act sequence. “Wish World” follows suit, as it is rich in explanations and sets the stage for next week’s “The Reality War.” Although this story may not be packed with action, there are still plenty of intriguing elements to look forward to.

In this episode, we see the return of another beloved “Doctor Who” character, the Rani, who takes up a significant portion of the storyline as she unveils her strategy. The narrative is skillfully managed, propelling the plot forward and crafting a richly detailed world tailored to suit her objectives. Yet, there are still many enigmas remaining for the conclusion to clarify. Despite key characters reuniting and attempting to escape this newly dystopian setting, events take a turn for the worse, becoming increasingly dire.

In essence, this episode is primarily about building tension and setting up future events, which gives it a trailer-like quality, featuring only major advancements. Nevertheless, it’s delightful to have characters such as Jonathan Groff’s Rogue back, assisting the Doctor in escaping his apparent brainwashed state. The introduction of Poppy, the Doctor’s daughter by Belinda, is intriguing, and the revelation that Omega, the Time Lords’ founder, will enter the story promises an exciting narrative unfolding.

The World-Building Is Intriguing In Doctor Who’s “Wish World”

In the series, instead of venturing to alien planets and different eras, we occasionally witness contemporary Earth turned into a strange parallel universe. This phenomenon has occurred on several occasions throughout the show, and kudos to Davies and his crew for creating a vibrant and inventive depiction of this altered world. From the continuously breaking cups that discourage disbelief, to the reinterpretation of UNIT, it’s both exhilarating and unsettling. Yet, there are certain aspects that seem nonsensical, such as the skeletal observers towering over the city.

In this current episode of Doctor Who, we haven’t delved deeply into why the Rani wants to rebuild the world, Conrad’s role in the story, or the backstory of the magical baby from 160 years ago who is a god of wishes. Nor have we explained Omega’s existence beneath London in this alternate reality. These intriguing mysteries may be left unexplored for now, much like how Doctor Who occasionally skips over certain details. Despite the lack of full disclosure, the episode is engaging, peculiar, and entertaining. The portrayal of the Doctor as John and the exploration of doubts in this reality provide an intriguing beginning to the finale.

In its current state, “Wish World,” an episode from Doctor Who, leaves us wanting more clarity about what’s to follow. On its own, it seems to have some gaps in resolution. But don’t let that fool you; the penultimate episode is engaging and entertaining. It sets up many intriguing elements, and the vibrant, vivid new universe serves as an exciting backdrop for the upcoming finale. The final scene, in particular, is intriguing, as it hints at a disintegration of reality.

Each Saturday, new installments of “Doctor Who” can be watched on BBC. At precisely 12 PM Pacific Time or 3 AM Eastern Time, these fresh episodes become accessible for streaming on Disney+.

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2025-05-24 10:07