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Beware: Spoilers for Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 4 – “Lucky Day”!

In this episode of Doctor Who Season 15, we get a peek into how Ruby Sunday (played by Millie Gibson) is coping after her separation from the Doctor. She’s managing remarkably well until she encounters sorrow and heartache from an unforeseen quarter. This episode, penned by Pete McTighe and directed by Peter Hoar, marks the first in the season with minimal screen presence of Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor, as well as the first without direct input from showrunner Russell T. Davies on the script. Despite these changes, it still feels comfortably familiar while exploring new territory for both Ruby and viewers.

This week’s episode of “Doctor Who” introduces Conrad Clark, played by Jonah Hauer-King (known for “The Little Mermaid”), who hosts the Lucky Day podcast. Ruby is a guest on this podcast to share her experiences as a Whovian. As it turns out, Conrad himself has had encounters with the Doctor in his past and even witnessed one of Ruby’s previous adventures. Given his history with the Doctor, he appears to be a fellow enthusiast who could connect well with Ruby and offer both thrill and assistance now that she’s dealing with everyday issues like family reunions and jobs, rather than her usual interstellar problems.

It turns out that he’s a follower of conspiracy theories, heading an anti-alien organization known as Think Tank. He manipulated Ruby into believing that UNIT, the Doctor, and their monster/alien adversaries are merely government pawns intended to suppress ordinary people. Interestingly, the Doctor doesn’t intervene in this situation; instead, Ruby and Kate Lethbridge-Stewart team up to thwart him and have him imprisoned.

However, triumphing over a Sheek or bringing justice against an ex-lover does not heal a broken heart, as ScreenRant recently interviewed Gibson to delve into how she found herself in her latest Doctor Who predicament. Furthermore, Gibson provided her thoughts on Ruby’s life apart from the Doctor and hinted at where her upcoming return to the series (in only a few short weeks!) would lead her.

Ruby Sunday Isn’t Quite Herself Without The Doctor In “Lucky Day”

Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 4 Presents Quite A Challenge for Her

The story ‘Lucky Day’ portrays a period in Ruby’s life often associated with feelings of melancholy, called post-Doctorhood. However, she finds solace in her loving family and the recent reunion with her birth mother. As Gibson put it, “She’s found a piece of herself. She’s whole now. With her two moms and her amazing grandmother, they never fail to bring laughter.” But, he added, “She might not be completely content. Now she has her two mothers, but she still yearns for the Doctor’s return.

Beyond merely feeling nostalgic or bored, it’s also important to note that she’s been greatly affected by her previous year and the turmoil that ensued. As one might expect for a young woman who has just confronted Sutekh, the God of Death, she’s experiencing symptoms similar to Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. In other words, she’s still grappling with the aftermath of past occurrences.

In this instance, we’re not dealing with Ruby’s initial solo outing in “Doctor Who” quite like “73 Yards,” but it does carry a distinct flavor. However, there are connections that can be drawn between the character and the actress in both. As she filmed last season’s episode, she had recently relocated to Cardiff from Manchester, where she had spent her entire life. Being so young, this setting worked perfectly for all scenes, particularly the pub scenes. It was as if she were saying, “I don’t know where I am. I don’t have any friends.” This provided an effortless way for Ruby to get acquainted, and it presented a fantastic acting chance.

After coming back as Ruby, what was it like for her this time around? “It’s Millie re-entering the Who-niverse, and just like Ruby, I’ve grown from my season 1 experiences. I wanted to delve deeper into a more mature side of her character. Although she may appear monotone, it’s not that she’s always gloomy. She’s more reserved now. I think she doesn’t trust people as much. In season 1, she was all bubbly and friendly, asking things like ‘Hi, how are you? What’s your favorite color?’ But this time, she greets with caution, wondering if the person might harm her.

Gibson emphasized, gesturing towards the character, “She may be unique, yet she retains flashes of wit and affection for those around her, which I believe is what makes her character truly remarkable.

Conrad Was A Little Too Perfect For Ruby – Making The Betrayal Hit Harder

“It’s Been A Distraction Because She’s Been Waiting For The Doctor Still”

Ruby appears incredibly self-assured with a robust family and circle of friends, making it challenging to envision her succumbing to someone like Conrad. However, he is shown in a distinctly different light, which aligns perfectly with what Ruby required at that moment. As Gibson put it, their early interactions may remind viewers of Amy and Rory, and she explains what makes Conrad’s deceptions convincing.

As Conrad listens and connects with Ruby, her defenses gradually crumble, allowing her to share her deepest feelings with him. This is a novel experience for her as she feels truly understood by him for the first time.”

“Ruby has been feeling understood by Conrad in a way she never has before. It’s comforting and different, like having a friend she’s missed return to her side.

When I first read the script, it felt like someone was tearing my heart out. Just like when I learned of the betrayal myself, it hurt even more. During our read-through, I recall Ncuti saying he hadn’t read this episode yet. We continued flipping through pages until I heard Ncuti’s reaction. It’s a moment I’ll never forget. The gasp he made was overwhelming. I couldn’t help but feel obsessed with the idea that others will have a similar reaction to what Ncuti had.

Regardless of how much Ruby was grieving, Gibson couldn’t help but heap praise on Hauer-King’s portrayal of Conrad. “That sudden change was impressive! Jonah’s interpretation of Conrad is so comical that it catches you off guard. ‘He’s Prince Eric! He will never betray us.’ That’s what you assume. But Jonah delivers it flawlessly. The scene where he says, ‘I’ve had to listen to your tiresome piano solos!’ is spot-on perfect.

Millie Gibson Teases What’s Next For Ruby, Mrs. Flood, And Maybe Even Belinda

Gibson Is Back For The Last 2 Episodes Of Doctor Who Season 15

The last part of the episode suggests Conrad isn’t done yet, but it’s uncertain if Ruby will reconnect with him in the future. Gibson acknowledged her return, yet kept quiet about any specific plot details. “She appears in episodes 7 and 8, so that was quite thrilling. I can’t reveal much more than that, but I was truly privileged to be part of the finale.

In the closing scenes of “Lucky Day,” Mrs. Flood, who seems to free Conrad from prison and claims to be the Governor, raises even more questions about her identity and involvement in the plot. It turns out that the actor, when asked, confirmed she did know but hadn’t figured it out beforehand. She added that her initial theories were way off base, but fans of Doctor Who might be able to guess correctly. She admitted being surprised, saying “Oh!” upon learning the truth.

Gibson commented, “Anita Dobson is extraordinary; whoever she turns out to be would undeniably become iconic.” He continued, “I’ve always adored Mrs. Flood. She’s such a peculiar neighbor that if she lived next door to me in reality, I’d feel my fate was sealed, saying ‘I’m finished.’ Her presence just gives off that vibe. And I appreciate how she is Belinda’s neighbor too. That aspect has left everyone puzzled, but it’s a smart move.” He also praised the way her character as a neighbor to Belinda adds an element of mystery and intrigue to the storyline.

Regarding Belinda Chandra, this week’s episode of “Doctor Who” didn’t bring Ruby and the new companion together, but Gibson was enthusiastic about their relationship nonetheless. He said, “You know, it’s like having the doctor and the nurse – they’re a power couple.” When asked about what Ruby would contribute to their dynamic, Gibson replied, “I believe Ruby fits right in and is utterly captivated by her intelligence and wisdom. Ruby brings her usual Northern humor into the mix. I think Belinda would have something of a big sister role for her; that’s the feeling I get.

Gibson hinted that she plans to collaborate with Verada Sethu soon, expressing her enjoyment throughout the process. She further mentioned, “If we embark on an adventure together… I’d be thrilled to go antique shopping in the 1800s or something and pick out corsets. We both seem to share a common interest – ‘What will we wear to the ball?’ Verada could potentially star in a sequel to “Rogue.” It simply has to happen.

UNIT May Provide A Career Path For Ruby Post-Doctor Who

“If Her Band Gives Her Some Time Off…”

One of the most captivating elements of “Lucky Day” lies in Ruby working alongside Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and UNIT once more. Her competence yet again leaves me pondering if a future role within UNIT might be on the horizon for her. “Provided they’ll take me!” Gibson replied with fervor. “If her band grants her some downtime, she could effortlessly join UNIT. However, I adore the group there so much. Kate Lethbridge-Stewart is undoubtedly my favorite character. I admire her deeply. I cherish Jemma Redgrave. She instills in me a sense of security and care, just as Ruby does with Kate.

Gibson also revealed her personal interpretation, or headcanon, that whenever Ruby encounters an issue, she turns to Kate. Moreover, just like me with Jemma, I find their relationship quite appealing and enjoyable. It was heartening to see them delve deeper into this dynamic in episode 4, without a doubt.

Every Sunday, fresh installments of Doctor Who can be viewed on BBC. At precisely 12 pm Pacific Time/3 am Eastern Time, these episodes become accessible for streaming on Disney+.

2025-05-03 16:28