Wild Blue Yonder is the second episode of the specials and seizes the proper alternative to check the present’s funds and put it to the max; transporting The Physician and Donna after Donna’s mishap to the sting of the universe, the place they’ve by no means ever been, however The Physician appears to go the place he’s by no means ever been each single week so that is nothing new for them. Their first encounter appears proof that Russell T. Davies is delighting in taking any alternative to make precisely the incorrect form of individuals mad; sending us again in time to fulfill Isaac Newton the place the phrase “gravity” is modified after the TARDIS crashes right into a tree that prompts all of its apples to fall on the ground reasonably than only one (coupled with the parable in regards to the salt being created by The Physician, nearly sure to be Davies setting down future hints at a higher arc), and Newton learns of his Knighthood years earlier than he will get it. It’s a basic Physician Who historic determine encounter; and we’re instantly following up with a speedrun of the same old one historic episode after which one other far future episode that Davies beloved to do throughout his run: by taking us to a desolate spaceship.
Nearly instantly after touchdown the TARDIS vanishes leaving The Physician and Donna stranded on board a ship and with out their dwelling; they will’t translate the language regardless of The Physician talking a number of languages: even he depends on the TARDIS generally! However he’s capable of get it right into a binary quantity kind, which supplies him the flexibility to work out that the airlock seal was opened 3 years in the past and there are not any life varieties at the moment on board the ship. But when there are not any life varieties: what’s stalking The Physician and Donna? And once they separate from one another – why are they each out of the blue in two locations without delay, speaking to one another about their previous? We quickly study that they’re not alone: and there are species that mimic their kind on board the ship: prompting Tennant and Tate to have the enjoyment of performing as twisted doppelgängers who’re on a mission to excellent the clones of The Physician and Donna, understanding that after they do – the TARDIS will return and so they’ll be capable to escape to the universe in a bid to wreak havoc on it.
It is such a character-heavy episode that makes use of the doppelgangers to name again to Flux and the arc of the thirteenth Physician the place The Physician remains to be grappling with all the pieces that’s occurred to him since he met Donna; the fiftieth, Galifrey, The Grasp destroying it once more, Clara, the Timeless Youngster, all these items have occurred since and Donna is unaware. He’s not going to be okay, however we get a nod about his sexuality when he admits he discovered Isaac Newton enticing! This present is making all of the optimistic features in illustration on tv and who anticipated something much less from Russell T. Davies. Keep in mind Torchwood anybody? Keep in mind Captain Jack? Physician Who has all the time been queer. I beloved 14 addressing the robotic asking “are you he she or they?” not understanding it was slowly advancing in direction of the destruct button to destroy the ship; stopping the aliens from ever escaping.
This felt like prime 2008 once more, a midseason episode that I’m so glad the present opted for versus a multi-cameo fest. Not saying that multi-cameo fests can’t be good tales in their very own proper, however after the large occasions of The Energy of the Physician, we as a substitute bought The Physician and Donna working round spaceship corridors in a easy; straightforward to know episode that was a lot enjoyable. The Devil Pit/The Inconceivable Astronaut, Midnight, and naturally The Nearly Individuals are straightforward comparisons to make right here; and The Physician studying extra about Donna within the course of and the bait and change with the pretend Donna ending up on the TARDIS for a couple of seconds was a really, very good twist that was inevitable, probably with chilling ramifications – however by no means failed to depart a mark.
After which – oh, the ending! We’re again on Earth, however a couple of days later – in fact, after they met – in Camden Market, which coincidentally, was the place I used to be solely per week in the past watching Napoleon and Saltburn. And who else is ready for them aside from the legendary Bernard Cribbins, WILF!! Reuniting with *his* Physician and his Donna, who remembers all the pieces as he all the time hoped she would, and all is correct on this planet. As a final scene with Cribbins earlier than his loss – and what a life lived, too – it couldn’t be extra excellent. Besides now the human race is at battle with itself; and a airplane crashes from the skies above them.
TO BE CONTINUED…
