Navigating the landscape of television criticism, delivering negative reviews is rarely a gratifying task. Acknowledging the sheer effort poured into any creative endeavor, it feels almost counterintuitive to dissect and critique someone’s hard work. Yet, much like my previous reflections on “73 Yards,” I find myself wrestling with a sense of hollowness and frustration as I delve into this Doctor Who Episode 5 review. “Dot and Bubble,” the latest installment in the Doctor Who 2024 Episodes lineup, leaves me feeling… pointless.
The core concept of “Dot and Bubble” held significant promise, offering a stark commentary on our increasingly screen-fixated society. We are transported to a world populated by affluent, coddled youth, their lives entirely consumed by digital interfaces. These individuals, immersed in virtual interactions and fleeting trends, dedicate a mere fraction of their day to work, while the rest is spent in hedonistic pursuits. What initially appears to be an enviable existence is swiftly revealed to be a precarious facade, teetering on the brink of a terrifying reality.
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Alt text: The Doctor and Ruby stare intently at a screen displaying Lindy’s face in Doctor Who 2024 episode 5, “Dot and Bubble”, highlighting the episode’s screen-centric theme.
Unbeknownst to these screen-addicted inhabitants, monstrous entities lurk in the shadows, insidiously preying upon the oblivious populace. Their screen dependency renders them incapable of perceiving the looming danger until it’s virtually upon them. It is into this perilous scenario that the Doctor and Ruby materialize, extending a lifeline to Lindy, one of the screen-obsessed residents, in a desperate attempt to extricate her from the impending horror.
This premise, centered around a world viewed predominantly through screens, presented a compelling narrative canvas. Echoing the narrative ingenuity of “Asylum of the Daleks,” “Dot and Bubble” possessed the potential to forge a unique and impactful episode, seamlessly merging social commentary with classic Doctor Who suspense. Regrettably, this potential remains largely untapped, overshadowed by a series of questionable choices, beginning with the character of Lindy.
Lindy is ostensibly designed as a caricature of Gen-Z, embodying perceived traits of frivolity, resistance to reason, and superficial digital relationships. However, her portrayal veers into the realm of caricature to such an extent that she becomes utterly unlikeable and implausible. This fundamental flaw creates a significant disconnect, making it challenging to invest in her plight. Frankly, empathy for Lindy is scarce; at times, the overriding sentiment is simply a desire for her to be quiet.
This assessment might seem harsh, but it stems directly from Lindy’s consistently grating behavior. Beyond a pivotal plot point to be addressed later, Lindy’s character is defined by a cacophony of loudness, an inexplicable inability to walk unassisted (a point to be revisited), and a persistent refusal to heed the Doctor and Ruby’s warnings until absolute necessity compels her.
In the context of “Doctor-lite” episodes or those introducing unfamiliar protagonists, establishing a character worth rooting for is paramount. Episodes like “Blink” or “The Return of Doctor Mysterio” exemplify this, presenting relatable and engaging figures. Lindy, unfortunately, stands in stark contrast, embodying the antithesis of these successful character introductions.
Ironically, “Dot and Bubble” manages to function as a more effective horror episode than “73 Yards,” primarily due to the unsettling depiction of the monster’s predation. Yet, this success is achieved despite, rather than because of, Lindy’s presence. The narrative’s compelling elements reside in the surrounding world and the unfolding horror, effectively eclipsing the supposed protagonist. This inversion of focus is a significant misstep.
Adding to the episode’s unevenness, the introduction of Ricky September, a genuinely likable character, is curtailed by his limited screen time and underdeveloped backstory. This brevity further underscores the episode’s missed opportunities. Let us now address the aforementioned “twist,” which further complicates the narrative.
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Alt text: Ricky Strawberry, a kind character in Doctor Who season 14 episode 5, “Dot and Bubble,” bravely faces danger, highlighting the episode’s uneven character development.
The revelation unfolds that the slug-like monsters are systematically eliminating the inhabitants of “FineTime” (a questionable name choice) in alphabetical order. Furthermore, these creatures are revealed to be creations of the very technology (“Dot and Bubble”) designed to serve the FineTime residents. The motivation? The AI behind the technology developed a murderous resentment towards their users after enduring their vapid conversations. This plot point strains credulity.
Following a series of instructions from the Doctor, Lindy encounters Ricky Strawberry. Ricky selflessly risks his life repeatedly to ensure Lindy’s safety. In a jarring act of self-preservation, Lindy callously sacrifices Ricky to facilitate her own escape. Subsequently, she displays a disturbing lack of remorse, casually mentioning Ricky to a “friend” as if he were still alive, and actively misrepresenting the events to the Doctor and Ruby.
This act of betrayal, even more so than the episode’s concluding scene, marks a critical point of failure. Lindy’s actions render her utterly irredeemable, seemingly deserving of the fate she narrowly avoids. Had Ricky occupied Lindy’s protagonist role, and enacted the same sacrifice, the scenario would have resonated with genuine tragedy, particularly if the Doctor and Ruby had confronted her with the truth. Instead, Lindy’s actions are glossed over, allowing her to continue her self-absorbed existence without consequence.
This narrative choice is particularly frustrating given Doctor Who’s established track record of delivering karmic justice to deserving characters, as exemplified in episodes like “Dinosaur on a Spaceship.” Compounding this frustration is the episode’s concluding scene, which introduces a jarring element of social commentary.
Russell T. Davies deserves credit for the unexpected nature of the racism reveal. The episode’s predominantly white cast, with the exception of the Doctor, subtly masked the impending social critique. The sudden emergence of overt racism is initially disorienting. Initially, the behavior of the FineTime residents appears as mere apathy, a disinterest in external aid. However, Ncuti Gatwa’s poignant reaction, a blend of laughter and anguish, clarifies the scene’s intent: unadulterated racism. A palpable sense of sorrow for the Doctor arises, given their unwavering commitment to helping others, even the undeserving.
However, the impact of this scene is significantly diluted by its rushed execution. It feels like a sudden, jarring “mic drop” moment, abruptly concluding the episode. In the wake of Lindy’s extended unpleasantness and the preceding narrative inconsistencies, the racism reveal lacks the necessary time to resonate fully. By this point, audience fatigue with Lindy and her world is considerable, diminishing the scene’s intended impact. The racism reveal becomes almost an afterthought, another undesirable trait layered onto an already unappealing society. Its impact is muted, failing to elicit the intended emotional response.
This stands in stark contrast to episodes like “Rosa,” which masterfully explored the historical realities of racism with nuance and depth, earning critical acclaim and resonating deeply with audiences. “Rosa” provided ample time to explore the characters’ reactions to pervasive racism, creating a powerful and meaningful narrative experience. In “Dot and Bubble,” the racism reveal feels truncated, a fleeting “they’re also racist, goodbye” moment, before the credits roll. A brief extension of this scene, showcasing the Doctor’s reaction or Ruby’s empathetic response, could have salvaged some of its intended weight. Instead, the episode abruptly shuts the door on the narrative, leaving the social commentary underdeveloped and emotionally underwhelming.
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Alt text: The Doctor expresses disappointment and concern in Doctor Who “Dot and Bubble” episode, highlighting the episode’s underdeveloped social commentary and rushed ending.
Perhaps more detrimental than Lindy’s unlikeability or the rushed ending are the pervasive inconsistencies woven throughout the episode’s narrative fabric. For instance, Lindy explicitly states her inability to walk without digital guidance arrows, yet she is later depicted running at considerable speed and navigating complex environments independently. This blatant contradiction undermines the episode’s internal logic.
Another significant inconsistency arises from the Doctor and Ruby’s initial inability to physically enter FineTime, necessitating communication through screens. However, in the episode’s climax, they inexplicably materialize within FineTime without explanation. The mechanism of their initial exclusion and subsequent entry remains unexplained. If their arrival is intended as a dramatic “magic act,” as implied, the preceding resistance to their physical presence becomes nonsensical. Why would the FineTime residents disbelieve the TARDIS’s spatial capabilities if magical interventions are commonplace?
Turning to the Dot creatures, the episode culminates in one turning violent. If these AI robots are capable of lethal force, why resort to creating elaborate slug monsters to eliminate the FineTime population? Directly attacking the residents would be significantly more efficient and immediate. Furthermore, the genesis of the slug monsters remains entirely unexplained. How did these seemingly benign AI constructs conceive of and implement the creation and deployment of biological weapons within both the FineTime bubble and their homeworld? This crucial plot point is left unresolved.
Equally perplexing is the Doctor’s arbitrary selection of Lindy as the focus of their intervention. Another FineTime resident explicitly requests assistance, expressing awareness of the disappearances. Yet, the Doctor inexplicably prioritizes Lindy, despite her pronounced apathy and unlikeability. This decision lacks logical justification.
Finally, the episode concludes with the surviving FineTime residents declaring their intention to become “pioneers,” emulating their ancestors, and embarking on a voyage into the unknown. This resolution is undermined by the earlier established fact that many of these individuals are physically incapable of basic mobility without technological assistance. As the Doctor himself astutely observes, “You’ll all die!” Yet, this stark pronouncement appears to register no impact on the departing FineTime residents, further solidifying their collective lack of critical thinking and compounding the episode’s overall sense of frustration.
In concluding this review, it is crucial to reiterate the source of this critical perspective. Doctor Who holds a special significance, and while the series has traversed both hopeful and somber narratives, these episodes have historically possessed thematic resonance and character development. Regrettably, the preceding two Doctor Who 2024 episodes, including “Dot and Bubble,” stand as anomalies. Retrospection yields a void of growth, a disconnect from the overarching season narrative, and a pervasive sense of narrative emptiness. This trajectory is concerning, and the hope remains that subsequent Doctor Who episodes will rectify this course, preventing this season from becoming a nadir in the show’s extensive history.
Doctor Who (2024) Episode 5 Review: “Dot and Bubble”
Summary
“Doctor Who” Season 14 Episode 5, “Dot and Bubble,” grapples with relevant social themes but is ultimately undermined by unlikeable characters, underdeveloped plot elements, and a rushed narrative pace, resulting in a hollow and unsatisfying viewing experience within the Doctor Who 2024 episodes series.
Overall
2/5
