New Who Views- 2025 Adventures Were Too Short, in Many Ways

 Well, that was a party. 

Ncuti brings so much joy to the role. Its like the happiness we all get from watching the show all these years has been personified.  I'm a couple weeks late so- Spoilers!

The new companion is a reluctant one, which we haven't had in a while. Of course she is intelligent, brave, resourceful and compassionate. This one is also independent. Or she was.

The seasons are so short now, it's almost impossible to retrospectively look at them without breaking it down by episode. They are also too short to hold all of Russel T Davies's ideas I fear. 

All were 45 minutes long unless noted
Christmas Special 2024
"Joy to the World" (60 minutes)
 Christmas specials are back! So is Steven Moffat! This one introduced a cool new locale that really fits the show aesthetic in "The Time Hotel." We also met Anita, another in a long line of "should have been an ongoing companion" category. Like the Christmas Specials before it, a greater amount of Whimsy and (dare i say) Joy was brought to the story than a typical episode. There were also hints of the future, some of which were resolved, and some not.

Season 2 (Disney+)  or Series 15 (NuWho) or Season 41 (Actual)

Frankly I give up.

2 April - 31 May 2025

"The Robot Revolution"

A bombastic science fiction beginning to introduce the new companion. Belinda is one of the most empathetic of those travelling with the Doctor, falling into the category of Rory, Martha and Nyssa. She is also fiercely independent. It's been a while since we had the "Just get me home," story going on in the TARDIS. Belinda's back story that lead to her abduction seems like it could tie into a later episode, except that one isn't about her.

Aside- Yes, I've seen all the suggestions, rumors and leaks indicating that changes to the stories were made due to both Millie not being available when they expected her to and Ncuti leaving before originally planned. Those concepts would all make the season make a heck of a lot more sense.

"Lux"

The inclusion of more fantasy in the series has opened the door to wild and fun episodes like this. Alan Cumming killed it as a sentient cartoon. The self aware fourth wall breaking added to the whole experience of this show which has been a key part of so many viewers lives for so long.

"The Well"

CREEPY!  A straight up, and effective, horror story, with ties back to what may be the scariest episode of NuWho. Excellent cast as well. It's a shame they were only a one off. It was a highlight of Belinda's kindness and strength as well.

"Lucky Day" (Doctor-lite)

What turns out to be a really key episode was all about Ruby. More self awareness, and a powerful commentary on real world ills. We got to see UNIT shine, even when under attack in a way they weren't prepared for. Kate had some impressive (and some dark) moments.  It was fantastic to see how strongly Kate and all of UNIT had Ruby's back, after seeing "73 Yards" last season.

"The Story & The Engine"

Best episode of the season~ An instant classic. The importance of stories to people, and cultures is highlighted. Another high caliber cast. There was a really key moment that was on the subtle side. Once the Doctor is trapped, and more importantly betrayed, he seemed completely defeated. Belinda showed up and he immediately returned to his usual levels of Doctory bluster because he had someone to rescue... or possibly perform for. 

"The Interstellar Song Contest"
A fun one, and a great example of the Doctor "making people better" by building them up and playing to their strengths. The evil corporation rears its head again. We know the Ninth Doctor references eventually turning it into a banana farm. I hope we get to see that. Mrs. Flood revealed! Considering every person (and thing) that appeared in NuWho had people guessing, "The Rani." Its about time.

"Wish World"

Another artificial universe and who is the key to seeing through it? Ruby. Yeah, they definitely made a bunch of changes but tried to keep the core ideas. Weird. Also Susan! WOO HOO! Been hoping for her to come back for years. And The Rogue! Woo! Been hoping for him to come back for year. Having Ruby be key to remembering the world as it should be felt odd. Not because it isn't applicable for who she's been. (It very much is.) But because the Doctor and Belinda are the two people whose innate characters should have rebelled the strongest against "Artificial 1950's Domestic Tranquility." Also Omega! Will we get some details about "The Timeless Child" from the first Time Lord? (Spoilers- No.) Will we get references to his previous anniversary appearances. (Spoilers- Also no.) Will Peter Davison play him again? (Spoilers- Definitely not. A lost opportunity I say.)

"The Reality War" (65 minutes)

The Doctor saves the universe and stops the Rani in crazy and bombastic ways! Woo! 

Anita comes back. Woo!

UNIT brings the whole team triumphantly together! Woo! 

Ruby fixes the world, faces past demons and remains kind. Woo! 

Jodie and Ncuti have an awesome Two Doctors moment! Woo!

(She was so good, and deserved more time and stronger character moments.)

Belinda, who repeatedly demonstrated having the skills and temperament to be extremely useful, helpful, and healing in a crisis... hides in a box.

Wait, what?

I understand rewrites can be needed, but they left a HUGE amount unresolved with the future of the Disney/ BBC bond to make the show up the air.

Carole Ann Ford looks fantastic, but perhaps delaying a resolution depending on an 85 year old is a bad call.

Speaking of bad calls. It would he hard to find a worse character to redefine based on the "positive aspects" of having a child against their will than Belinda Chandra.

Here's hoping the deal to keep the Disney money flowing works out (because the show sure was pretty) and they address all the issues they left hanging.

And also here's hoping Billie Piper is the Moment, or Bad Wolf, or Idris freed from the TARDIS console, because we've had too many "old faces" in a short time. Lets keep the new stuff coming and hopefully maintain the levels of joy Ncuti brought. I'll miss him a bunch.