By Owen Quinn author of the Time Warriors and Zombie Blues
So a lot is riding on this stpry. We met the new fifteenth Doctor at the climax of The Giggle with the biregeneration. But free from the confines of a regeneration story how does this new Doctor stand up? Did he do a good enough job to make the audience want to come back for more or is this the beginning of the end as many fear?
After due consideration, I enjoyed this a lot. Ncuti is so full of energy that his Doctor literally bounces off the screen. And his dancing at a club in a kilt distracts us from the fact that he is actually tracking a certain Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson). Like the Doctor would do, he is operating on multiple levels trying to unravel the mystery. A lot of bad luck and coincidence surround Ruby which rubs off onto Davina McCall, making her second Doctor Who appearance after the Eccleston episode Bad Wolf.
What follows is a madcap fairytale set firmly at Christmas complete with a sing song. In among all the quick fire dialogue and goblin chasing to save a baby, we actually witness the set up for a new mystery which delivers a sting at th very end.
Ruby gets a solid and believable background as we discover she was left on the steps of the church on Christmas Eve when he wa born and her mother walked away from her. She became the long term foster child of Carla and Cherry who is desperate for a cup of tea. The Doctor taking time out to get to know her is very much him as he never forgets anyone. Carla’s new foster child Lulu is taken by goblins to be eaten by the Goblin King, a non CGI creation. The goblins are knd of fun, in a perpetual state of singing and daning while their king feats. Indeed the Doctor is deciphering their language of luck and coincidence while trying to save the baby. It takes a repeat viewing to catch everything and see what a tapestry the story really is. Although the Doctor manages to kill the king by impaling him on the church spire, the goblins fly off along the timelines ready for another day.
Chance and coincidence play a major role here in Ruby joining the Doctor. They are both adopted and the reason Davina is involved and subsequently murdered by the goblins is because Ruby has asked her show, Long Lost Family to try to find her relatives. It is a longing in Ruby that also exists in the Doctor given the revelation of his origins. Neither know who they really are or where they come from. Whn Ruby’s DNA is run by Davina, nothing comes up at all, devastating her. It is as if she just appeared. The obvious parallells to Clara spring to mind but I think it is much more complicated than that. I’m hoping it is nothing so mundane as a princess from another planet in hiding until the day she can claim her throne.
Why did the Doctor just watch her mother walk away into the night and do nothing? How did the Doctor become aware of Ruby’s run of bad luck? How does friendly neighbour Mrs Flood know that the police box is a Tardis and does sHe enccourage Ruby to enter it? There will be more on her in upcoming episodes but not in the way you think. Why did the goblins target first Lulu and then change history by killing Ruby from the same household? Why does Ruby never existing make Carla and Cherry’s lives so miserable? The whole story is an invite to Ruby to step aboard the Tardis which she does. It is a nicE touch that the Doctor hesitates about inviting her given his companions’ histories as detailed by the Toymaker in the last episode. He wonders if he is the bad luck. He waits patiently to see what chance and oincidence bring which is Ruby following him ready for adventure.
Ncuti Gatwa nails the charater of the Doctor from the start although his dancing in a night club may throw long time viewers as not being very Doctorish behaviour. But remember this is a Doctor free of guilt and regret of Time Wars and Fluxs enjoying life in a way he hasn’t in a long time. Besides, he is actually tracking Ruby so blends in so as to not rouse any suspicion. His exchange with the policeman about to propose to his girlfriend brings to mind memories of the TV movie Paul McGann with his suddenly knowing everyone’s [personal future. But again the Doctor is working on multiple levels deducing from his surroundings about both goblins and the impending engagement at the same time.
No Doctor or companion have had to do a song and dance during their first adventure but it comes off nicely fitting in with the goblin behaviours.
Overall the Church on Ruby Road is a great start to the new era although I can see some fans may not agree. Ncuti’s final line as he stands aboard the Tardis “I’m the Doctor” has shades of “And I would suggest you wait a little before criticising my new persona. You may well find it isn’t quite as disagreeable as you might think.. I am the Doctor whther you like it or not.” speech from Colin Baker’s debut stpry the Twin Dilemma. You want to board the Tardis with this Doctor gripped by his energy and enthusiasm. Plus he saved Davina from being killed by the star on top of a Christmas tree. Whether you are a national treasure or a tiny newborn, the Doctor cares for everyone.
From the trailer, if nothing else this is going to be an interesting journey. I;m aboard. Are you?
The Time Warriors and Beyond 
It’s somewhat questionable for me at this point how long I’ll keep tuning into Dr. Who after all the creative issues it’s been having for many fans. I still occasionally revisit favorable moments from the classic era on Britbox and will always have very special memories from the earlier eras of the modern series. But this story, as well as Ncuti and Millie, were impressive as to how Dr. Who may still have no end in sight. Thank you for your review.
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