This Saturday British institution Doctor Who returned for its, depending on your preference, second season, 15th series or, if you’re classically inclined 41st season — yes, even the behind the scenes of this show can get a bit wibbly wobbly — with so many seasons, Doctor Who is certainly no stranger to a season opener.
The Robot Revolution is a season opener that works as a starting off point for new viewers, easing new companion Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra and new viewers into The Doctor’s equally dangerous and silly world, while also not fully committing to being a crash course to the world of Doctor Who. As far as season openers go then, it does a pretty good job, leaps and bounds ahead in quality over last season’s opener Space Babies.
We are introduced to Belinda in 2008, receiving a birthday gift from her boyfriend Alan – a certificate of ownership for her very own star. Jumping ahead 17 years, Belinda is working a busy life as a Nurse, we see her go about her shift with The Doctor in search of her, always a step behind. When Belinda is woken up in the middle of the night by robots from the planet Missbelindachandra One and kidnapped as their Queen, The Doctor is again one step behind but vows to rescue her and return her home.
Finding the planet in the midst of a revolution to overthrow the robots that mysteriously took control 10 years ago, The Doctor and Belinda face off against a rogue AI generator behind it all.
The episode is classic Doctor Who, proving that even at 60 years old, the show is still fully capable of doing what it does best, wrapping up discussions and reflections of modern society in B-movie charm, elevated by the Disney budget.
The Robot Revolution comes out swinging in that regard with the episode touching on subjects such as the rise of AI, abusive relationships, toxic masculinity and the rise of incels. It makes for an interesting premise for the episode, including some timey-wimey elements for good measure, but perhaps doesn’t get into its message hard enough, leaving the discussion to mostly just feel like surface level comments of ‘hey, isn’t this bad thing bad?’ at the episode’s climax.
That’s something Doctor Who always struggles to find the balance with, having to maintain its status as a family show enjoyed by kids and adults alike while also recognising that it is at its best when treating its audience, even the kids, as intelligent enough to not water down its messaging or imagery. So while The Robot Revolution and its message won’t go down as one of the all time greats like Genesis of the Dalek’s take on genocide and moral rights or Hell Bent and its exploration of grief, it serves well for an opening episode and a taste of whats to come.
Those who aren’t already on board with this era of ‘woke’ Doctor Who, probably aren’t going to have their minds swayed by this outing, perhaps conveniently forgetting the show’s proclivity for being progressive since its inception, but for those who stick it out the episode is an enjoyable time that does just enough to get you thinking.
Where the episode works best is in the dynamic between The Doctor and Belinda. There’s a tension between them, with Belinda being naturally untrusting of The Doctor and somewhat overwhelmed by the experience, but by the end of the episode she shows her resolve and why she is truly deserving of companion status.
Belinda has shades of previous companions throughout the episode, she’s a nurse like Series 3’s Martha Jones and Series 5 and 6’s Rory Williams, has some doubts about her self-worth like Series 4’s Donna Noble and her well advertised season arc of being the begrudging companion The Doctor struggles to get home is reminiscent of 4th and 5th Doctor’s companion Tegan.
Her willingness to call The Doctor out for his dangerous behavior and be a combative companion that challenges him along the way is something not seen often enough in the revival era of the show, so it’s a welcome change from many of the most recent companions. The interactions between the two in the episode already flow so well after just a brief time together, and if this continues as the series goes on Belinda has a chance of being considered among the top tier of companions, alongside fan favorites Donna Noble and Bill Potts.
The Doctor’s inability to get Belinda home is set-up for the Season arc, setting up a mystery with Belinda’s resemblance to Mundy Flynn, also played by Varada Sethu, from one of last season’s best episodes Boom, and a mystery surrounding the TARDIS’s inability to land back on earth the day they left – an unusual occurrence.
Much like Belinda having shades of previous companions, the set up for the arc feels quite reminiscent of another companions arc, in Clara Oswald’s ‘impossible girl’ mystery. It remains to be seen if this will rehash other ideas from that plotline, but there’s a long history of actors having shown up in Doctor Who before being cast in a major role, so here’s hoping showrunner Russell T Davies can deliver a new take on the premise.
The Robot Revolution is a good episode of Doctor Who and a good season opener. The Disney budget is put to good use to create an episode that looks modern and well made, yet retains the B-movie qualities that Doctor Who is both known, and beloved, for.
New companion Belinda Chandra starts strong and quickly forges an interesting dynamic with The Doctor that’s not been seen on the show for quite some time. Performances from both leads are strong and there is clearly great chemistry between the two actors.
The premise of the season arc is familiar but has scope to do something new and different and is set up well with a few different mysteries pulling it all together.
All in all, a good start to Doctor Who’s latest season. If you aren’t already invested in the Whoniverse, The Robot Revolution is a great place to start. No previous experience needed.
The Review
Good
