On this channel we examine various aspects and impacts of geek fandom/culture through some genderfluid person ranting at the camera, the occasional group discussion, and if you go WAY back there's even some scripted shorts.
If it's geeky, they'll probably talk about it.
Remember, YOU are the council, she only run the meetings.
I think the old woman is a type of time reaper, attempting to fix the broken timeline caused by The Doctor interacting with the circle. The reaper didn't manifest until after the incident, and could only repair the timeline error when merging with Ruby at the point of death (and Ruby does die, listen to the heart monitor when she's on the bed, also note the old lady comes close to her for the first time at this point). This allows the Reaper to create a time loop on Ruby's personal timeline, allowing the reaper to this time appear BEFORE the incident. Basically, the Reaper is there to repair the damaged timeline and when it's done, no-one will ever remember it even happened. Why does stepping on the circle cause an alteration to the timeline? Although we never see her create it, I think the predictions of Ruby's personal future (RIP Mad Jack, I Miss You, referring to the lost Doctor) implies she had made the circle, but somehow, it appeared in time BEFORE it should have (possibly a strange and rare side effect of her travelling in time - think of a computer programme with bad coding causing unforeseen effects). The Doctor interacting with the circle has an effect similar to the butterfly effect already explained earlier in the series, but this time, he's taken out of this timeline altogether (remember, the Doctor "disappeared" in Father's Day too). I think the whole thing with the PM is Ruby trying to fix things going off what the Doctor says - it doesn't resolve the issue with the timeline, hence the sharp smash cut to 40 years later after Ruby asks is if that's what the old lady was there for and asks why she hasn't gone. It doesn't fix anything, although she probably saves a lot of lives. As for what the old lady is saying to people, it doesn't matter, the reaper is just warning people away. It's probably just filling their heads with negativity, suspicion and fear.
I really enjoyed it, and I was a bit surprised to hear that some people didn't get along with it. Love the putting-into-words of the overall arc of Ruby coming to deal with something that's happened to her etc, a journey that probably resonates with many. Loved the whole set up with UNIT - I almost felt like it would genuinely be the whole "they come in and investigate it" thing even if they couldn't fix it but the image of Kate going so cold on Ruby with no explanation, that abrupt fading of this new little spark of hope mmm so good!
I just realised. It only just dawned on me. RTD is a Star Trek fan, right? That's why he goes by Russell T. Davies because it's like James T. Kirk. He's copying Captain Kirk. Because I severely doubt there's any other writer / director called "Russell Davies" or "Russ Davies" that he could be confused with, that - union rules - he's forced to adopt a different "stage name". No, he adopt it because Captain Kirk used his middle "T" initial too. Yeah, sorry, it's hearing you call him "RTD" as we all do, that just made me think about that - like, why does he use three names anyway? - and then I realised. James T. Kirk. William T. Riker. And so forth. The middle "T" initial is a Trek thing. So he decided to be Russell T. Davies. (And, oh, it's a Welsh thing. Though it's spelt "Davies", the Welsh always say it like "Davis". Short "I". Indeed, the name derives from "David's" = "Davis", just as "Jones" comes from "John's". Welsh surnames are "son of" constructions. That was the Celtic way - the Germanic English invaders brought occupation names with them: "Baker", "Smith", "Potter", etc. So when surnames became a thing everyone was supposed to have, Welsh surnames ended up possessives. Like "David's Russell" = "Russell (David's)" = "Russell Davis". Or "John's Tom" = "Tom (John's)" = "Tom Jones". Evans. Williams. Roberts. Et cetera. The way it happened for the Scots was the "Mc" construction. "Paul McCartney" = "Paul (son of) Cartney". And the Irish use an "of" construction. "Miles (son) of Brian" = "Miles of Brian" = "Miles O'Brien". "Bill (son) of Reilly" = "Bill of Reilly" = "Bill O'Reilly". Yeah, I bring that up because though it might be spelt "Davies", it's really "David's" and the "I" is the same short one found in "David". Indeed, say "David" but change the last letter to a hissy "s". You cannot be blamed for not getting it right. it's not like these historical spelling quirks make any logical sense. But, for the record, Welsh "Davies" is "Davis", despite how it's spelt.)
I basically agree with everything; as long as trans people aren’t always the villains and their villainy isn't related to them being trans or transgender stereotypes, then it's ok. Especially if they're a lovable villain. I would add that if Voldemort was supposed to be trans then that would be a problem just because the author's position towards trans people.
I love this episode, it reminds me of "Turn Left" in the best ways. I keep trying to come up with theories about it, but I can't find one that makes complete sense sddkfhjdfhk one thing that struck me though is that it came across to me - I'm sure unintentionally - as a metaphor for trauma and difference. Something happens which changes your life irrevocably and it won't leave you alone and it keeps following you, and causes other people to push themselves away from you, and you feel like you're always going to be alone, and you have to keep living anyway and find your own meaning and try to make peace somehow. In this way I found Ruby's life in the "no Doctor" timeline to be painfully relatable. It feels like one of the first pieces of media I've watched in a long time which genuinely understands. I think I'll keep coming back to this episode for a long time.
The only issue i had with this episode is, what would RUBY be able to say to all of those people to scare them away so permanently... makes me wonder if it was REALLY Ruby
I just found your channel, this is my 5th video watching and I’m sitting here through all of them like I'm in a church service, just “yup”ping and “preach!” I freaking love it and you're amazing! You're helping me say my frustrations and thouhts into words! THANK YOU!!! ❤❤❤❤
When the best episode of the season is without the Dr, it says it all really, dead show, I just miss the decent science fiction this show was once was. When you have the whole of time and space as your possible story arc this modern day political leaning is very boring.
Wow thought you would rip this apart. I didn't vibe much of it all, though Ruby was great carrying it. I called the old lady as Ruby, it made me think of the far away waving of Amy and Rory and countless companion getting old stories. The mom in the cab and other scenes was too soon from when Ruby didn't exist cause of the goblins. I'm like I just saw this. Another call back that just happened was Tennant unlocking Toymaker with superstition, similar to the how they were describingthe placementof the fairie circle. The initial troll at the pub was great, second one I was in but there was a beat before the door opening that I went wait its a troll and I'm like ok this is too much. A girl who is lost and missing a friend and you gonna do her dirty twice made me think question humanity and if people would care and that was a worse thought probably not intended. Aging bothered me but it was whatever. The mechanics of the old her was established enough to not be around Ruby. Unsure Kate gave up unit and implied in episode they prevent disasters when Doctor can't. Her going mia and would dont end in Ruby life time. So then hits with the prime minister he up and gives up life to. The mom waited for Ruby to be out of the house long enough to come back and change locks. So that gives me enough to say basic and higher level needs continued to be met to survive. I didn't really think of the consequences to Ruby putting Marty in harms way and some of the responsibilities on her, that just yuck to me now. So overall my take away was blah on it. Maybe I will grow to like it. Not having answers to the why and how or what the old Ruby did wasn't a issue at all for me, usually let that unknown wash over me so I can stay invested. If a show doesn't explain its better as a mystery.
I don't have any issues for not knowing, I have issues for HER not knowing. I don't like that they chose to have Ruby forget. This choice reminds me of the trope "it was all a dream"
I quite liked this episode - not as much as Boom, but more than the preceding three, though I am a bit mixed on the ending. I'm not sure that it's the "unexplained" aspect so much as it rushing through that part. The direction at times, the unwavering feeling of discomfort, and where it goes with the premise, though...oh, I am impressed. I also guessed the twist (in the same way stated) pretty early on, but more just by knowing the storytelling tropes, though I similarly have no issue with "figuring it out" early, as it didn't diminish the rest of the episode (and I did spend most of it going "I am right, right?"). Honestly, I thought the Welsh pub stuff was initially supposed to make you fear she'd been transported in time by the fairy circle (with the "oh, we're so rural" jokes initially playing into that), then the rest just doing a good job of making you question what is really going on. The decision not to just set it in that village but to send her home was the biggest surprise for me, I had no idea where they'd go from there. In fact, for the middle portion of the show, I had no idea where they'd be going until we got a hint of the climax, and even then I'll admit I didn't have all the details worked out, or how the denouement would play out. I have to commend the supporting actors for excellent performances (particularly in the pub, Ruby's mom, and the intern whose name I've forgotten), but this was an acting showcase for Millie Gibson, just fantastic, really makes me sad to know she isn't long for the show. While I am mixed on that ending, I think 36:00 does describe my feelings - I'm not sure I want things better explained because I'm not sure it would make it better, though I understand if others feel otherwise.
I liked the episode for the same reasons you did. I also note the Ruby passed at the end without any children or family - she was incredibly alone, and that probably helped her to reach back through time to pass the message on to younger Ruby. It had quite an impact on her life and we now know so much more about Ruby than we did before this episode.
I agree with your assessment. As a kid i wanted to be a tomboy because I wasn't good at or interested in the girl stuff, but sadly despaired of it because i wasn't tough enough or good at/interested in sports. So not good at getting it right either way. Besides, it seemed to me that to be a tomboy you had to be cute. And i wasn't .
I enjoyed the ride of the mystery of the story. I read it as ruby reading the small parchment, that released some curse and ruby some how had to work her way back to the same place, and warning the doctor.
Yes. We shouldn't give Mr. Glass functioning bones, we shouldn't make The Penguin less ugly. People are still just people, despite their intersectionality.. We shouldn't rationalize babying certain groups and specifically villainizing others.
I like the episode a lot, but with reservations. I also didn't want the questions to be answered, but there's a difference between unexplained and nonsensical and some elements just didn't hold together for me. I feel if it had been 5% tighter I'd have loved it.
The faerie circle must have been placed there just before they arrived, because otherwise wind, or someone else, or a bird looking for things to put in its nest, would have disturbed it already. So someone knew when and where they were going to appear, and the faerie circle was a trap. My guess is Ruby is the end of season villain (or its manchurian candidate), and the doctor or Susan Twist put the circle right there, just a few moments earlier, as a trap for Ruby. She lived 60 years in an alternate timeline before correcting, and the doctor was missing all that time, so what did he do meanwhile? I'm guessing he was preparing for the end of season confrontation he saw coming.
You are the first person I've seen who's had an empathetic take on people who don't like this episode or at least its ending, I loved 90% of it but by and large I hate open or unresolved endings, but every time I express that people get real condescending about my intelligence and its fucking infuriating. That being said I am coming around on it slowly
I'm fine with not everything being explained, but I want a payoff in my scifi... and they "payoff" here is that there is no payoff... sometimes things happen and we make what we can of it... if that is what RTD was going for... and that's not my cup of beer... I get it... whoever likes is that way... great... but it's not for me :)
If The Woman was Ruby at the end, why didn’t they use the same actress who played Old Ruby? WHO is Hilary Hudson? She doesn’t exist online except for this one appearance. If you saw her interviewed on Doctor Who Unleashed, what is that black line on her left cheek??? No one mentions it. What is going on?
Definitely agreed. First episode of this run where I looked up what other people thought since I liked it so much. I want more explanation than you but I’m ok if we don’t for the reasons you stated. (I don’t want everything answered mind you, but would like a bit more.). This episode definitely gave me hope for this series of doctor who. Other episodes were mediocre to fine. Boom was pretty standard doctor who. Space babies was standard RTD as you mentioned (which I accept even though also not a huge fan). But this is on the level of those top doctor who episodes that get talked about a lot. Not as good as like midnight or blink or heaven sent but at least in that category to me.
Guys... *73* yards Is that an easter egg calling back to The Big Bang Theory. Because that's Sheldon's favourite number, and the idea it's a totally unique number makes me wonder. This is a totally unique style of episode so far. Or am I reaching? Because 73 is very specific
What I loved about Ruby here. She just got on with it. I thought "oh hear we go again another companion obsessing for years finding the doctor. Going to extremes like we've seen a million times before. But she goes home and trys to get on with her life. I love that. As for the age thing. Who knows what type of botox we would have in 30 odd years times. Look at 40 year olds today compared to 40 year old from say the 80"s
Loved this, for me, an instant classic. It is intelligent, clever, spooky, dramatic, haunting, and adult. Apart from the Welsh pub scene (would you really turn on a young, cold, disressed woman who was being followed, just to make a point about stereotypes). It's should never be explained, revisited, or given a sequal (like Midnight, Blink, etc.). It was an original and so far a standard out in this series. More like this, please.
this episode legit gave me nightmares. I haven't had a Doctor Who related nightmare since I was a kid and now I'm pushing 30 and this one really got me. horrifying stuff. didn't understand it at all. 10/10
more on the abandonment themes, its quite dark that she thought she was never truly alone as the woman always followed, but the woman being ruby means that in a way she was alone the whole time
I also loved this episode but I did have one of those questions, like the airplane one, that I don't think was addressed - Why didn't anyone try to decipher the repeated hand motions? They were the same every time. If that's the only safe communication with her, why didn't Ruby at least try to interpret them? There's such a big emphasis on communication in this show, it came off as very odd to me.
Thank you for the video, Vera! I did like this episode for having a slower pacing when compared to the previous ones. It is curious that, despite being "abandoned" by the Doctor close to her time period, you could still feel Ruby's uneasiness when returning home. And she being rejected by Carla (her mother) did really break my heart! I did also appreciate how, later on and already used to the "73 yards old lady", Ruby still decides to do something to stop a bad person with power, especially by using "her curse" to that. Arguably, an enpowerement move!
This episode was worth the wait imo. Hope for the 60th and on kept me going after PotD during some not so great times. I've never cried on the first watch of any TV show episode. When Carla ran away. The scene with Ruby saying she has hope 😍🥹 Also, I accidentally created a fairy circle as a baby witch a few years ago because of misinformation on TikTok. My stepdad at the time accidentally ran it over and I had my first accident in that car almost a few hours later, so it reminded me of that.
Regarding age - I agree with your thoughts, but here's mine: Why assume she ages at anything like a human rate? It is already very clear she is well outside a human norm in other ways. We have already had a 'god' of time name dropped, and noone knows who her or the Doctor's parents are. Just saying.
Good thing we have now been told Ruby is not actually leaving next season, but I do hope the additional companion next season will not diminish her character.
I really enjoyed this episode. At first I found the ending a little unsatisfying because it felt like instead of answering the questions posed through the episode, it was choosing to end on more questions it didn't intend to answer. It felt incomplete like it was teasing that it'll all make sense with later context provided by the end of the season. However, after some thought I think the ending was very appropriate even if the how wasn't explained. Ruby spent 65 years learning to accept everyone would eventually drift away or abandon her except for this mysterious entity, only for it to also leave her in the end (after Ruby stops the Doctor breaking the ring). While Ruby doesn't seem to consciously remember that other life, her "I've been to Wales 3 times" combined with her expression seems to imply that she feels something is different or missing even if she can't place why.
