Did This Doctor Who Episode Predict 2020? 

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It's interesting. Thinking about it now, "The End of the World", "New Earth" and "Gridlock" kind of form a very loose trilogy.

2:44 Great bit of continuity with the arrow still stuck in the TARDIS from the end of Shakespeare Code. Crazy to think that an arrow from 1599 is now just sitting in an alleyway in the year 5 billion.

The part that I often think is overlooked is that the monster does not matter at all, it just serves to create a sense of danger for cars in the fast lane. It could easily have just been some faulty cleaning robot destroying everything, or a completely new monster, it would have made no difference. But RTD chose to use monster from the classic era, not a Zygon or a Dalek, a really obscure one that even many classic who fans may not remember, but a classic monster nonetheless which pays homage to the classic era, reminding us of the shows history. It’s such a simple action but it should not be overlooked for the extra depth it gives to the story. Nothing makes a classic fan more excited than when a classic monster reveals itself.

This was actually Davies’ favourite script that he wrote. I was surprised at this but tbf there isn’t an underdeveloped idea in this episode, everything is fully fleshed out and satisfying within a 45 minute episode which has got to be something anyone should be proud of.

this story has a special place in my heart as it was the first doctor who episode I ever watched. I watched like half of it at a friends house, I had no idea what was going on but was so intrigued. That week I went home and watched the whole first season on Netflix. And then didn't stop watching.

Are we not gonna talk about all those passengers have more character than fam

I literally just rewatched Gridlock, and they kept talking about how the air was poisionous and how a deadly plague kill all of New New York, I was like: this sounds familiar. Lol. Glad I wasn’t the only one.

So no one's going to mention how the couple that died in the cold open was literally the couple from American Gothic for no reason?

Always had a soft spot for this episode with no actual reason. Definitely the best of the new earth trilogy with the correct way to do "humans were at fault" story line (cough cough series 11 cough cough). The singing in the middle and at the end is this close to making my mum cry. The little stand off and explanation the doctor and Martha have at the end is really good and its so nice to see Ten be sad over something that isn't Rose. Also not sure if this is true but the doctor keeps sleep patches and they turn up again in dark water when Clara tries to use them against him. Not sure if it's true but they seem similar

When the Face of Boe said to the Doctor "You are not alone" I thought he was talking about his companions but a couple of episodes later it was revealed that Boe was spelling out an acronym YANA which implied that professor Yana is a Time Lord and the master and my mind was instantly blown.

I attended a talk by RTD a few years back and he named this his favourite ep of his tenure :)

I love gridlock, one of my favourites.

2:53 very interesting phrasing there! Russell's talked about "turning" characters before; how you can't keep writing them 'in-character', you have to make then do something they wouldn't usually do, developing them. He cites this episode as an example, as the Doctor _lies_ about Gallifrey. Completely new angle on the Doctor!

9:36 The Doctor is a great role model, people! He's wearing a mask. :)

Gridlock is such an RTD episode: there's religion, a gay couple and sci-fi elements. Ironic how a lost and forgotten monster appeared but on the sea devils or the axons, the Rani, the Mara, the Rutans and the abominable snowmen.

The 2020 parallels never even crossed my mind until you pointed them out. That's a very clever take on it.

Literally binged the entirety of Series 3 on Netflix these past two days. I honestly appreciate the whole series and Martha far more now than I did when I was younger. Martha was incredibly underrated. A very satisfying series indeed.

Brannigan is only 2nd to Wilf as a supporting character, plus hes played by Fr. Dougel Maguire

Honestly, I think the plot does hit a lull in the second act. The Under City with a ceiling so high it has it's own atmosphere is awesome, and so visually striking to begin and end the story, particularly paired with tales and descriptions of Gallifrey. But for the most part, the action's just in the cars. I know Russell has talked about playing with visual dynamics; instead of running back and forth in corridors as usual, the Doctor moves up and downwards. Complete shift in axis, making it more interesting. Having said that...it is essentially a ten minute corridor chase all the same.

I never noticed the drug patches had the same symbol as the hospital in new earth

Gridlock was the first time since rose that we genuinely saw the doctor open up and expose his feelings I Thought it was great! The only problem is that in the Lazarus experiment in the first few mins the doctor was totally gonna leave Martha to her normal life until he came back only for the whole Lazarus thing and not for her “sorry but did he just say he was gonna change what it means to be human?” but then at the end he said “you were never just a passenger”. I feel it would have been cool that if In the beginning of that ep as he was leaving in the tardis that we got a ten second scene of the Doctor battling himself in the tardis as he was leaving cos he realised how much he needed Martha and realised that he can’t just leave her like that, instead of coming back for Lazarus only.

The sad thing about Martha is when the Doctor starts to finally appreciate her for who she is and not a rebound, its toward the season's end and too late. She's already decided to move on.

Don't try to think how a human can give birth to kittens. Please don't.

I’ve grown up with doctor who and I love your reviews on it

The concept sounds pretty scary especially when the 10th Doctor says "Round and round, never ending motor way" or something along those lines

I like how one regular episode of pre-Chibnal doctor who is better than the entirety of series 11 and 12 combined

I like to think that the characters reactions to seeing the sunlight is how we will all feel when we eventually reach the end of this pandemic in however many months/years

I named my cat after Brannigan.

The weirdest part of the episode for me is when Branigan says the kittens are their children. Not half cat and half human like their parents but just...full on kittens 😆 other than that this is a great episode

Back when i was in Reception this was actually my first Doctor Who episode, which got me hooked into it from the action of The Doctor jumping from car to car, then the next time trailer officially sealed my interest, 13 years later i still love it!

I've got to say, I love the direct contrast between the Doctor and the people of the motorway in the Daily Contemplation scene. The interesting thing is that both parties are wrong in their own way. The Doctor, who is used to being alone, is convinced that these people are helpless. However, Bran and the others are all convinced that their faith is all they need. As a man of faith, I completely understand that. However, I also abide by James's words, "Faith without works is dead, being alone." Believing in God or a higher power can bring us strength, and there are times when we just need to trust that all will work out. However, I find that we often need to take a step or leap of faith before the relief is manifest. That's why I love the whole bit where the Doctor takes matters into his own hands. The intensity in his eyes is stunning, something that Tennant blows me away with every time. This episode also continues the series 3 trend of shining a light on the Doctor's flaws, flaws which eventually lead to the brilliantly terrifying Time Lord Victorious scene in Waters of Mars. The Doctor has always had a God complex, especially with Pertwee, McCoy, C. Baker, and Eccleston through Capaldi. Of them all, though, I feel Tennant and Smith captured this flaw of the Doctor best. With Pertwee , McCoy, and Baker, it felt more like arrogance, and annoying arrogance at that. However, with Ten and Eleven, the consequences of being a nigh immortal being are made very prevalent. The Doctor was better with Rose because she was the first person to care since the Time War. Letting her go closed him off, much in the way Pertwee was closed of towards Jo Grant at first. Jo thought the world of the Doctor (in a very grandfatherly way) much like Martha did. Both times he was so wrapped up in other things (Rose and the War for Ten, and fixing the TARDIS for Three) that these women who cared about him were pushed aside. Yet figures from their past (Jack and the Brigadier) were treated with much more respect. However, I feel this arc is important for both Doctors. Yes, Jo and Martha deserve much more respect, but the fact is that the Doctor is flawed and he made a mistake both times. However, Martha and Jo helped him in many ways, and both went on to live great lives. They both needed to "get out," because he couldn't give them what they needed. Thus, the way was paved for Sarah Jane and Donna, times when the Doctor was much more respectful and accommodating. The fact is that the plotline of series 3 is not poorly written. It was written to show the Doctor's flaws. However, we can't ignore Martha's part in this. Here's the simple truth: he could never love her in the way she wanted, and he shouldn't be expected to. Respect, yes. He needed to show her much more of that. But love? Why blame him for her falling in love. He didn't flirt, he didn't lead her on, he just needed a friend. Was he the greatest friend, no. But he was hurt. So, I say, cut the guy some slack. Yeah, he messed up. But he realized it and ultimately was the best thing for Martha. She became a UNIT agent, married Mickey, helped save the world, and in many ways saved her family from self destruction. It was a long road, much like with Jo, but letting a character be flawed is storytelling 101. The Doctor isn't perfect, he never has been. But he's always been allowed to grow, to change, to become better. Something the most recent denizen of the TARDIS could stand to learn. 13 is flawed, but her flaws are never called out. Ten always had his flaws called out. Nine, 11, 12, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, War, all the same. But they were heroes nonetheless.

Gridlock is one I watch often when I don't know what to watch. The Doctor, Martha, Cat People, The Face of Boe... what's not to love?

"Halfway through the horror movie, a wizard kicks the monster in the teeth."

Another great vid thanks for saving me from utter boredom during my online classes

_I'm glad you brought up the importance of Doctor Who's frivolous continuity!_ I think all these bloody reboots in the last few years have alienated casual fans slightly. It's nice that from 2005 to 2010, there's a coherent timeline of events. I have a guide to Doctor Who's history which came out in 2008, citing every century and era of the universe explored in Modern Who. Couldn't do that these days, I think it is a loss, albeit a trivial one.

The end of this episode is forever one of my favourite NuWho scenes. With the Doctor having to finally admit Gallifrey is gone and the scene pans away as he reminisces about his planet with the music playing its just 👌🏻 It makes me sad considering how Gallifrey is treated in future series'. Its unfortunate.

That Tardis changes its interior when the Doctor changes his exterior so even though it’s stuck as a Blue Box due to the broken Chameleon Circuit it’d make some sense it could modify its exterior somewhat. Especially over time as it’s a living thing and not a machine so while it’s stuck in its shape and colour it could still have the potential to modify itself, as the Chameleon Circuit is that but turned up to 11.

Never thought i would see Father Douglas McGuire as a cat man on doctor who.

What a great idea for a setting: A traffic jam that lasts for so long that your fellow drivers basically become your neighbors

the couple killed in the cold open are based off the classic painting American Gothic

I was living in Italy during the lockdown and myself and my neibours sang songs on our roofs. It was beautiful but also sad as it seemed it would never end but we knew we were not alone.

Gridlock was my first full episode that I watched. The more I watch and think about this episode the more I realise how amazing and underrated it is. This episode has definitely shot much further up within my favourite episodes lately.

Doctor Who is the only show that can make you feel sad for a giant head

I wasn’t so sure about Gridlock when I was younger. When rewatching it in lockdown I was so surprised how good it was!

I've been binging the Classic Series and it's cool to actually get references like "there's no such thing as Macra"!! Another thing!! In a recent Doctor Who magazine issue, Russell said this was his favourite episode he wrote.

This has nothing to do with the video, but I just had a thought that what if wilfred was replaced by the brigadier to be donna's father. Then the whole "waiting for me this whole time" thing would be so fitting. Idk that's just a random thought.

I'm soo glad you took time to look carefully at the episode and the small details, many reviews I've seen over look certain aspects like the Macra and the Community aspects of the people driving in the Motorway, this is my fav episode of all Doctor Who that I've seen, I have mentioned my thoughts about this episode on The Doctor Who Forume Website but generally the thrill of the car dodging the Marca, the enclosed feeling that is expressed very well of traveling on the Motorway for years and years, the Doctor's determination to safe Martha, the upsetting sacrifice of The Face of Boe and the music ect ect makes this such a brilliant episode, I've re watched it a few times recently and as I've got older the feelings of loss and comfort from being with those you love has grown and really made this episode an emotion journey for me with joy and sadness all mixed up all of which boosts my love and appreciation for this often forgotten episode, thanks everyone for listening, and this was an amazing review, take care everyone hugs 😘☺️💜

"But what really makes Gridlock one of the best Doctor Who episode of the modern era?" *Giant crab monsters* There's your answer

* Looks at thumbnail * Me: *David, YOUR LEGS!!!*

Personally I question the arrow staying stuck in the Tardis. It flew through the time vortex wouldn’t it have disintegrated? Yes the tree people did in The Doctor, The Widow, and the Wardrobe but that was in their special capsule tower tree thing. And jack survived because of what Rose did to him when she fulfilled her earlier part in the Bad Wolf fiasco.

I always laugh at the bees are dispersing reference from series 4 then a few years later a story came out that the bees were disappearing. I’m still waiting for 27 planets to appear in the sky.

Despite the thumbnail I still clicked on this video expecting it to be about Turn Left lmaooo

Along with Series 7, Series 3 introduced me to Doctor Who and Gridlock is one of my earliest moments of watching the show. Although I found it a bit ridiculous that, after millions of years, we not only still have cars, but they're also still polluting the air!

I'm very much looking forward to watching this

For those who may not know, the character Branagan is Father Doogle in Father Ted

Now go forth, and find the behind-the-scenes kitten wrangling short for more of the David Tennant and the kittens! {g}

It would be interesting to see the main part of New New York.

I actually don’t see the high praise for this episode I always feel like I’m missing something when people call it a masterpiece.

This episode will always hold a special place in my heart because it was the first episode of Doctor Who I ever watched. In 2014, my two best friends got me to join a Doctor Who club at my school. I vaguely knew about the show but I had never watched an episode before. They showed this episode at the first meeting and I was hooked. Without this episode, I would never have sat down and watched this show.

Great video and synopsis. You’ve got a new subscriber 👍😎❤️

holy shit i forgot there were real cats in this episode i actually gasped when the clips of 10 with the little kittens came on

Gridlock was such a pleasant surprise! I remember it being good, but didn't think it would end up being one of my favourite episodes of NuWho

This is my third favourite episode after Midnight and Heaven Sent. I might have a thing for closed spaces.

Illness: *exists in fiction* Clickbait channels: DID THIS SHOW P R E D I C T 2020?????

This was my favourite episode when I was small

YAY! a new video for my birthday... I turned 19 today (I crave attention)

There are so many parallels with Gridlock and the 2020 pandemic, but I wander our equivalent of the Macra is in our lifetime...

You know what (especially after Years and Years), I would not be surprised if Russell T Davies is a time traveller :O Awesome review! :D

gridlock is a special episode for me because it's the first episode of doctor who i ever watched! I was five when it came out and I watched it with my parents. I then revisited doctor who in middle school and fell in love with it.

Damn this is one of the first reviews I have very strongly disagreed with. Always liked the ending of this episode but overall it just felt somewhat... meh? Like not bad by any stretch but S tier?? (Assumingly putting it on the same level as Blink and Human Nature/Family of Blood) Definitely a solid B tier IMO. Solid video as always anyway

This is another episode that has grown hugely on me over time. Something that I initially found pretty good and revealed greater depth and quality with every repeat viewing, and I now see how tremendous it is as an episode of television.

Gridlock was the first Series 3 episode I saw.

Gridlock has always been one of my favourites. Only outdone by Midnight and Turn Left

I knew it! I absolutely knew it! I took one look at the title of this episode and thought, OMG! This is about gridlock.

I absolutely adore Gridlock

We have a cat named Brannigan after this episode

This episode predicted smart motorways, a real life deathtrap where no emergency services can help you because they can't reach you. At least the crabs had the decency not to taunt people with that annoying 'Go Left' song.

Deadlock is my comfort food Doctor Who episode, this episode and The Sound of Drums. I've rewatched them a million times I swear, pure gold, loooove Brannigan

The hymn in this episode always gets me.

Love the videos!

Are we just gonna glance over the fact Pezzhead just popped up in one of the clips

Your description...... you forgot the giant mudcrabs!

One of my fav episodes I feel like it's very underrated

Its Implied That 10 And Rose Went On Adventures Before New Earth

Gridlock is amazing, one of my favorites, but I heard people don't regard it that highly?

Another tidbit: The Doctor didn't know Bo was Captain Jack Harkness at this point from his (the Doctor's) own perspective.

I thought the Sontaran two parter from Series 4 was a better parrell of 2020, but this works too.

I dunno. I like this episode (and most of Ten's run). However, for me, "The Girl in the Fireplace" will always be one of my favorite episodes. Interestingly enough, for many of the same reasons you praise this episode. In any case, excellent video. Really interesting points.👍

When I was little, my dad had a box set of series 3, and aside from the weekly episodes that was my Dr Who source from age 5 to like 14. Gridlock and Human Nature we're almost all I watched cause my da djist love them so much.

I always wondered about the Black Cat driver, in the studs & leather, & the Twins in their nightgowns.

Where did u get the high-res images from

im on a binge of these now i need help it won't stop !!!

Disappointed you didn't mention the cat-human hybrid babies. 🤭

Damn I need to start thinking about Doctor Who more

Gosh your videos are brilliant

When I think of Doctor Who, this is one of the first episode that comes to my mind. Is's such a good story, and the first piece of media I can remember that made me cry. I can't wait for the new RTD era!

I love your content, and this episode

Chris chinnail, this is how you make a good episode. Now take notes.

It’s a bit of a call back to “Paradise Towers” too with the two old ladies in their car.