It’s truly remarkable to witness a Steven Moffat-penned episode of Doctor Who under Russell T. Davies’ showrunning once again in 2024. For fans debating which era reigned supreme, the Moffat/Davies collaboration arguably delivered some of NuWho’s most iconic episodes. Think back to classics like “The Empty Child”/“The Doctor Dances,” “The Girl in the Fireplace,” “Blink,” and “Silence in the Library”/“Forest of the Dead.” After watching “Boom,” it’s clear this episode deserves a place among those greats as one of the most excitingly original Doctor Who stories in recent memory.
The Fifteenth Doctor in a tense scene from Doctor Who Boom
“Boom” immediately captivates with its bold, self-contained, and real-time premise. The Doctor finds himself on a landmine, facing a 33-minute countdown to disaster. He must use his intellect to navigate a situation with potentially devastating consequences for countless lives. Echoing the brilliance of episodes like “Midnight” and “Heaven Sent,” “Boom” masterfully builds tension within a confined, pressure-cooker environment. Coming after a run of lighter, more whimsical episodes at the start of this Doctor Who season, the stark seriousness of “Boom” lands with significant impact.
The episode’s initial focus effectively establishes the dynamic between the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby in crisis. The Doctor is portrayed as characteristically calm and pragmatic, even managing to inject humor, yet his underlying fear and vulnerability are palpable. Ruby is inquisitive, bravely bordering on impetuous, and deeply empathetic, even when overwhelmed by the situation. Their chemistry is undeniable, a natural partnership unfolding before our eyes. While the season’s ordering might create a slight disjoint in Ruby’s narrative – the Beatles episode hinted at extensive travels, whereas “Boom” suggests a relatively early stage in their adventures – the captivating performances of Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa smooth over any minor inconsistencies. Their on-screen rapport is so compelling that these details become easily forgivable, at least for now, as we are drawn into the immediate tension of “Doctor Who Boom”.
