Doctor Who Showrunner Describes the Startling Turn in Season 14, Episode 5: "Do you think racism is only in the past?"
Russell T Davies, the showrunner for Doctor Who, talks candid about the amazing turn-around at the conclusion of Season 14, episode 5. Following an entire episode centred on Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor guiding a bunch of affluent internet-obsessed people to safety, he soon discovers they would sooner die than spend time with a Black guy. The Doctor is left to grieve their approaching death while also musing over human shortcomings. Though social criticism permeates Doctor Who season 14, this episode specifically tackled racism and gradually introduced the idea throughout.
Davies revealed in the most recent Doctor Who: Unleashed episode about the creative process of making the episode. Since he intended to speak straight forwardly about the reality of Racism, he was interested in when viewers would realize the all-white cast and how they would react. Although many might assume Gatwa's Doctor, the first Black Doctor, would have historical issues, Davies wanted to stress that racism is not just in the past. See his whole quotation below:
Showrunner addressed the ending of Doctor Who Season 14 Episode 5.
Episode 5, "Dot and Bubble," has a twist finale that is deftly hinted at all along. Lead character of the episode Lindy Pepper-Bean regularly disparaging the Doctor. She says he should be "disciplined," indicates he looks "stupid," and blocks him without the Doctor committing any crime at all. She treats Ruby Sunday—who she believes cannot even be in the same physical area as the Doctor—much more friendily. Given Doctor Who's Season 14 ensemble is often far more varied, the fact the episode features an all-white supporting cast is also a noteworthy clue.
These hints taken together reveal at that Lindy's city is quite racist. Even after the Doctor saves all of their life, they avoid hanging around with him. His attempts to get them somewhere safer backfire entirely since the characters would much sooner risk death than hang around with a Black man. For the Doctor, who only wants to save them, it is quite sad; Ruby is left to try to console him following this.
The Reversal of Ncuti Gatwa's Casting
Some of the concepts behind the episode most likely sprang from the strong reaction some parts of the Doctor Who community had to Ncuti Gatwa's casting. Still, Davies chose to create this episode in its current form because he felt the Fifteenth Doctor would only see prejudice in the past. Though Racism still rules the life of its protagonists, "Dot and Bubble" is set in a futuristic environment. Doctor Who also tackled natural audience bias in order to challenge racism, therefore sparking a fresh conversation of current racism.
Source: Unleashing Doctor Who
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Originally first shown in 1963, Doctor Who is a sci-fi show featuring the Doctor—a strong being known as a Time Lord. Traveling time and space with different companions, the Doctor uses an interdimensional time-traveling ship called the TARDIS to solve several issues and assist prevent catastrophe as much as he nearly causes. Though the Doctor is always the same character, they undergo regenerations which enables them to be recast every few seasons as a different immortal entity with fresh personality features.
Examining "Dot & Bubble Closerly
Lindy's narrative in Doctor Who season 14, episode 5, "Dot & Bubble" concludes on an emotional and politically fraught note that begs thorough examination.
The episode deftly examines how prejudice shapes people—even in a futuristic society. The episode explores the complexity of racism, the Doctor's path in facing such complexity, and the need of his compassion in an era sometimes rejecting kindness.
Doctor Wh's New Age
Viewing the reaction to this show will be fascinating. The primary reaction to this episode should be on that finish. Since television nowadays is quite varied and white people have watched white person after white person, we are not sure how many people will have found that out before the ending. 'Will you be 10 minutes into it, will you be 15, will you be 20 before you start to assume everyone in this neighborhood is white?' I ask. And why didn't you, if you not believe that? That would be fascinating then. I want it to be among the shows you will always remember from television.
Everyone said to me, "Oh my God, what's it going to be like when he goes into the past?" as soon as we cast Ncuti since a Black doctor will encounter such prejudice. You sat there going; what about right now? Given the state of the world, why do you suppose racism is simply historical?
