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Everyone: What if 15 goes to the past and faces racism? RTD: What if 15 goes to the future and faces racism?

I let out a very nervous laugh when Melanie said “It’s like Wakanda” when they showed the opening shot of Finetime…

“Oh my god. Lindy was racist. That came out of nowhere!” “Did it?”

Some people still don't realize it's about racism. Lindy is grossed out when she sees the Doctor and immediately blocks him, but listens to Ruby, says "they" all look the same, is disgusted when Ruby is in the same room as him, says she will get him punished, says "he might have a point even if he looks like that", and they call his tardis "vodoo". And "contaminated"

The walking issues stem from the Bubble's rotation. They've learned to walk with that rotating anti-clockwise around them. That's why when she tried without it, she immediately speared to the right because her reference point was static. Eventually she recalibrated, but for those first few moments, it was problematic.

Saw an edit of lindy running into that pole face first for like 30 minutes straight lol

At first I thought it was silly writing that she couldn’t walk without the arrows in the Bubble… until I realised that the screens are always constantly rotating around her head. If anyone’s ever played something like Guitar Hero for a while and then suddenly looked away from the screen, you might notice how it messes with your vision and orientation. I guess the arrows in the Bubble circumvent that, that and it’s also a long-established movement habit.

I knew this episode would be one that had a lot of both positive and negative opinions. But for me, Ncuti blew me out of the water when he "lost his sh**" To be his first scenes filmed, he stood in that Doctor role, and BECAME the Doctor. The rage, along side the compassion....Waring in his eyes was EXTRAORDINARY 💯💯💯

I've noticed on some forums that the same folks who were complaining about Chibnall always being "on the nose" not only didn't get that this was about racism, but they also completely missed the part where Lindy is literally living in a bubble, and that when she's confronted by anything new, she retreats back into her bubble for comfort, where she can hear people who look like her telling her things she wants to hear. That's about as subtle as a cannon.

I think the most interesting thing is rewatching this episode is watching her reactions to everything or just certain things she says, like her concerned about them being in the same room, or her blocking him instantly but not Ruby etc.

Lindy primarily treated the doctor badly for seemingly no reason for the whole episode. She was more cooperative with ruby despite saying similar things. There were signs throughout the episode

I believe the Doctor and Ruby attempted to contact many of them (Ruby mentioned being turned down), and were able to help a handful of them (who we meet underground later), and Lindy was just the last one before they finally figured out what was going on. Ricky was able to work it out on his own because he habitually disconnected from the Bubble.

Ncuti Gatwa was finishing off Sex Education when production started so he wasn't totally available. That's why there are two Doctor-light episodes

There’s so many layers to this episode, but I think it all circles back the idea that any society built on something like “racial purity” is doomed to failure. The Finetime kids delusionally think they can succeed against a world actively out to kill them, despite the fact they could barely walk unassisted an hour prior. They come from a culture that’s taught them they are superior, but not taught them any meaningful livable skills, or the kind of love and loyalty you need to collectively survive in a harsh world. Bigotry comes from a mindset that teaches you how to keep a *myth* alive, but not how to keep a person or a community alive.

Conscious observation: "1970's aesthetic." Subconscious reason: "Everyone in the Brady Bunch squares are white, mostly blond, conventionally attractive, and unnaturally happy."

When you realize that the aliens that you were rooting for the doctor to defeat... Were 100% correct

Ive said this on other reaction vids but even without thinking how absolutely dumb the FInetime survivors are you just know they are doomed already with that one dude just being all "Yeah i guess im leader" with no discussion from the other survivors and just his own arrogance as seemingly his only qualification? Ive seen enough horror movies to know that dudes gonna get a bunch of them killed, some purposely so he can escape then he's gonna get a messy karmic fueled end so the audience can cheer.

I admit I didn’t quite see that ending coming, but I wasn't really surprised either. It felt like a puzzle had finally come into focus. Even then I didn't really wish them ill, I just felt kind of sad for them that they are so caught up in their reductive ideology that they would rather brave the wilderness that they had been sheltered from their entire lives, then take a safer option that was being freely offered to them. It reminded me of the few times I had been called a slur. I mostly felt bewilderment than insulted.

Am I the only one suprised the crew didn't notice any of the racism in this episode? Everyone here is talking like the Crew picked up on it, but they don't mention it at all.

I happily accept the new slug overlords.

Definitely don't blame the BW for not thinking of this, but I truly don't think Ricky was much better. All he did was read while he knew people were getting killed, he read the histories Finetime gave them, he spoke casually about the Great Aborgation (? Spelling), which was most likely a mass segregation event or even a genocide. He rolled his eyes at the Doctor not just because he knew about code, but because he was also racist. He is the most dangerous Finetown citizen: the white liberal, with awareness of what's happening but only sending "thoughts and prayers", an already established anger from this series.

She cannot walk straight because she always has a spinning hologram on her head, that turns left. She veers to the right for a few minutes when it's off. After that it wears off in a few minutes but almost none of them have the experience of waiting until the effect disappears so they all think they cannot walk without the bubble.

I'm really, really shocked that you guys barely mentioned racism, when that's what the ENTIRE episode was about.

It blows my mind when people assume Ricky is definitely not racist because he was kind and helpful and reads.

Astonished you barely mention racism. That's what the episode was all about. Interview with Russell T Davis confirms this and he said it would be interesting what people would not get it and if they did how long would it take. I am white and I didn't notice everyone was white until the end. Got the racism theme as soon the "you sir" bit at the end. Brilliant how a family entertainment show can reveal our blindspots like this. Loved it

Callie Cooke did a really good job this episode

I was saying to a friend the other night, there are probably a billion people now carrying cellphones with NO idea why you "hang up" at the end of a call.....

What I think is going under the radar with THAT ending that I love...is despite the bigotry...The Doctor still wants to save them and wants them to be educated and redeemed in some way. Ncuti does such a good job with the scene. Incredible performance!

God, the way the spit flies off his mouth as he stands back up screaming is JUST SO GOOD. Ncuti was Acting with a capital A

The previous episode and this one were shot first and are light on the Doctor because Ncuti was wrapping up filming on his other show. In fact, his powerful scene at the end was his very first Doctor shoot. An amazing performance from the start!

I doubt this is it, but its like Susan Twist has pulled a Clara and entered the Doctor's time stream.

"It's like Wakanda" out of all the comparisons 😭😭😭

I believe the Doctor suspected this colony or at least Lindy was racist but still wanted to save them. He'll help people no matter what but will get angry at their stupidity. I hope there are slugs just outside the exit. No one mocks the TARDIS like that.

This episode has not left my mind.

By the end of the episode, EVERYONE watching winds up rooting for Dot and/or the bugs.

Fun fact, the ending of this episode was Ncuti's first ever filming on the show, even before the regeneration

"Threw him under the bus." One of the most appropriate uses of that phrase.

P.S. A fun Whovian game to play is "Which Doctor would have just walked away at the end of 'Dot and Bubble'?" My votes would be Nine, Eleven and Twelve.

At the end i wanted the master to just show up with a bucket of popcorn, not doing anything, just enjoying the show as the dr is forced to accept that some people are too stupid to be saved

Why doesn't she have reflexes. Melanie she lives in a bubble she's probably never been afraid before in her entire life.

Fun fact: that ending scene was Ncuti’s first scene he filmed on this new series, including the Xmas special. His FIRST day was that stellar performance

"It's like Wakanda! 😄" Yeah. About that...

The ending scene was Ncuti's first scene on Season 1/Series 14. His first "proper" scene was this

Except for the one Ginger friend, they are all literally Aryan. And it is still so subtly played until the final scene, it still comes out of left field. I even was developing a feeling that the issue with Ruby associating with The Doctor was because he was older. Because they make sure to establish everyone on this planet is under 27.

15 came across a group of people he couldn't save because they didn't want to change from their elitism and racism. This comes after he consoled his former self by telling him he can't save everyone.

They’re putting Ncuti to WORK 😂😂😂

I find a lot of viewers outside the UK don't realise it's explicitly about race. Think it's about class. The supporting Space Racists (all blond and white) have working class accents, so it's obvious to a UK audience it's not about the Drs class. but his skin.

Everybody is Bowlestrek in the furure!!!

Regardless of the story's overall handling of racism, I think setting it in the future and showing that racism still persists is important. Having it just be a feature of a historical would potentially have many viewers handwave it. Racism is alive today and will very likely exist in the future, so it's good to force viewers to think critically about that.

This ep has probably been my favorite so far. It’s dark twist at the end, and Ncuti’s performance of absolute befuddlement and anger is tremendous

This episode and the last were both made the way they were due to limitations caused by Ncuti’s schedule, as he was still finishing Sex Ed at the time

There were soooo many overt and subtle signs of racism and prejudice scattered throughout the episode: 1. Lindy was revolted and blocked the Doctor when he first appeared on her feed. 2. Lindy didnt block Ruby. She was more receptive to Ruby when she appeared on her feed. Lindy spoke to Ruby and believed her over the Doctor. 3. When the Doctor appeared for the second time on her feed, Lindy asked him if the monsters "have something to do with you" (she didnt ask Ruby this, just the Doctor) 4. Lindy told her groupcall to listen to the Doctor and that "i know this is wrong and after this is all over he will be so disciplined, i cant wait, and he doesn't look as stupid as he looks" (of course due to the color of his skin) 5. No person of color lived in Finetime 6. Lindy was shocked to learn that Ruby and the Doctor were in the same room together in such close proximity 7. Lindy told the Doctor "Didnt I block you? I knew it. I just thought you looked the same, but you're the same person I blocked. I was so right to hate you." (Implying all black people look the same) 8. When they met, Lindy told Ruby and the Doctor "Gosh, you two, this is strange." (meaning a white and black person working together) 9. And a few more microagressions towards the Doctor before they met in the final scene AND in the final scene where the racism got blatant.

Never thought we'd get Slurms Mckenzie as a Doctor Who villain

The Doctors reaction at the very end was powerful !

The first episode where The Doctor faces direct racism and prejudice. He/she kind of blew off Martha and Ryan's problems going back in time, but now The Doc is experiencing it directly.

I was rooting for the lamp post.

I had to watch this twice to see all of the micro aggressions I unfortunately missed the first time because of my privilege. This episode was hard and brilliant and uncomfortable and I loved it. I thought it was about the dangers of overuse of social media and that's some of it but no... no. It was White Supremacy. That's what this is. And now that I see it, it was everywhere and obvious and I'm embarrassed for missing it.

I love everything about this episode - best episode in years and years imo. I even think the slugs are just so awesome… why are they even needed if the dots can kill? XD i like to think its just cause the slugs deaths are hilariously grim…

Racism twist foreshadowing: *[1]* Everyone in this society is white. Doctor Who always prefers to have diverse casts, so this is an immediate red flag. *[2]* Lindy is immediately displeased when the Doctor appears a second time. Since we later find out she didn't recognise him, this isn't her thinking "Him again?!", it's her going "Another black person?!" *[3]* When Lindy does finally realise that the Doctor is the man she blocked earlier, she says that she'd just assumed he _"looked the same."_ *[4]* When Lindy realises that Ruby and the Doctor are in the same room, she is apalled. Since she had coworkers in the same room as her, it's not like this is a society where no-one is allowed near each other. What disgusts her is that Ruby is near a black guy; she's _"contaminated",_ as Lindy's friend warns. *[5]* When Lindy is made to introduce the Doctor to her friends, she says _"I know, just listen to him, he's smarter than he looks"_ (because they're all seeing a black person and don't want to interact with him) and _"He will be disciplined"_ (which feels very controlling, as if he's a slave or servant acting out of line). *[6]* Ruby is frustrated that there are still battery problems in the future, showing that this future still has issues that plague the present (like racism). *[7]* Lindy looks uncomfortable when Ruby and the Doctor start approaching her by the river. On first watch, this seems to be out of guilt, for getting Ricky September killed, but she never seems upset about it. Plus, we saw her learn how to hug and that she likes to do it now, so not hugging the people who saved her life means she doesn't want to be near them. *[8]* Right before the penny drops, Lindy is only antagonistic to the Doctor, not Ruby. If she were prejudiced because they're lower-class, she'd address them both, especially the girl who'd annoyed her with lots of questions.

Walking into the pole is funny. Backing up and walking into it again is hilarious.

This may very well be my favorite Doctor Who episode since Heaven Sent. While I picked up pretty early on that everyone inside the bubble seemed to be white, young and well-to-do, I admittedly still wasn't able to put together what was actually going on with their society until the reveal actually happened and completely recontextualized everything we'd seen to that point. Just a great bit of science-fiction writing, performance and production.

I hate to point this out but I feel this is necessary. We have no reason to believe Ricky doesn't hold these views either. If we assume this entire group holds these views, we have to logically assume he would as well. I feel like this episode really highlights how our perceptions of a person can change the level by which we hold someone accountable, or the assumptions we make about them. The trap we face in this episode: We let Lindy make all those very obvious hate statements without questioning it because we saw her as an idiot, feeble and less capable. That lowered our guard collectively so we didn't process what she meant when she said The Doc would be disciplined. However similarly, we can't assume that there capable people like Ricky who hold unfortunate beliefs. JK Rowling unfortunately has demonstrated that can be true. Someone of talent, and insight and intelligence who holds problematic views. Ultimately, I would love to assume Ricky was woke and realized the Doc was cool despite what his people believe in, but I feel that undermines the tragedy of the ideology. They have doomed these rich dumb young idiots to death because they didn't value the opportunity the doctor created for them. Ricky being a racist, is a probability and still a tragedy because he has so much potential that could be colored by something so ugly. It taints him, and frankly he is a victim of his culture that ruined him then.

The racism was very clear lindy’s comment the she thought the doctor with two separate people. The two times he popped in her feed, because to her Black people all looked the same. There was also the comment about voodoo along with the comment that she made about the doctor helping because that was basically his only reason to exist. I

“It’s like wakanda” I doubt they’d appreciate that observation 😂

The dark doctor theme is like a sith star wars theme… was a shock to hear after used to the excellent upbeat normal 15th doc theme

This was technically his first episode he filmed on production as he was still doing Sex Education at the time. What a first performance.

ricky and lindy being a quasi-doctor-companion duo but in the boring homogenous way that a certain type of dw fan would prefer is so clever

9th Doctor would enter the Tards without blink and with a devilish smile THE DOT WAS RIGHT!!!

That performance at the end by Ncuti Gatwa was just incredible!

This episode benefits so much from re-watches, there's so many nuances to Callie Cooke's performance when interacting with the Doctor and Ruby I didn't catch first time around, I thought I was on board with a Social Media bad, eat the rich storyline until RTD yanked the rug out from under me and I had the moment of "oh...OH..."

On Monday we lost William Russell, who played Ian Chesterton - one of the first three companions with William Hartnell’s First Doctor, from the very first episode in 1963 and for the two years following. You might remember him being portrayed in An Adventure in Space and Time. He also made his last appearance as the character in “The Power of the Doctor” during the Companions support group scene. That episode by the way, earned him a Guinness world record for the longest time between appearances of a character on any show anywhere. He was a few months short of his 100th birthday. Please you could pay tribute to him during the next episode?

And that was Ncuti's first scene shot as the Doctor, what a performance indeed.

Melanie @15:47 "they're all blond haired and blue eyed" and totally ignored by the guys. She actually seemed to get it and they all missed it or chose to ignore it...hopefully the former and not the latter. This was about racism, so many clues, ignoring the Doctor, things Lindy said to him, about him, no problem dealing with Ruby, the ending!

I thought the take on racism was brilliantly handled. I loved that it was relatively subtle, as in, not the Orphan-55 type of "in your face" commentary, but one that takes a while to realise and recognise for what it truly is. I did notice many of the micro-aggressions on my 1st viewing (the different treatment of the Doctor vs Ruby, the language used, the fact that literally everyone else was white etc), but was still surprised when they fully went there so relatively explicitly at the end. I can understand how some people might miss it, or maybe just see these moments/lines as being more about classism or treatment towards outsiders rather than racially motivated, but I personally believed it was at least partially about race, and that was confirmed once I watched the episode of Unleashed. I do think that even most of the people who missed these hints along the episode itself, probably caught up by that ending scene. I mean, unlike last week's episode, the ending wasn't ambiguous and confusing at all imo. I thought the implication was pretty clear that they were going to their deaths. There's no way these young, rich kids who never even learnt to walk or think for themselves, are going to survive out there alone in the "wild woods".. Hence why the Doctor tried so hard to get them to go with him instead, even though they were insufferable and racists (he's the Doctor, he always tries to save everyone regardless). However, they literally chose death, over being saved by a black person. It was so awful and so brilliant at the same time, and the Doctor's reaction was heartbreaking. I also really liked the fact that it seemed like Ruby caught on to what it was a bit before the Doctor himself, probably due to the fact that she was raised by a black family and witnessed these micro-aggressions growing up, while the Doctor has spent thousands of years as a white person. It made his moment of realisation and the very real frustration that followed, even more visceral imo. Overall, I really enjoyed this episode. I'd even go as far as to say it was one of my favourite this season. I adored the setting and world-building, the use of technology/visuals, and the social commentary of course. The acting was also fantastic. The moment when Lindy makes the choice to turn on Ricky was amazingly done imo (loved your reactions to it lol). And as much as I did miss the Doctor, the scene we got with him at the end of the episode was literally EVERYTHING. It was perfect in a way that made his absence for most of the episode, worth it imo. While Social media wasn't the main point of the episode, I still loved that aspect of it as well. I mean, beyond the racial aspect, the episode was trying to show the dangers of over-relaying on technology and social media, while also criticising the 1%. The fact that these aren't just "any kids", as you've said, was a great choice imo. They are well established to be the rich, white kids, who are very much stuck in their own bubble (literally and figuratively). It was an amazing criticism of echo chambers, about the dangers of surrounding yourself with people who only think and act like you do, and being afraid or even unable to look beyond it.

loved the episode, saw a few of her reactions and i think after the third or fourth backhanded comment i was like O.o is she that.... YES SHE IS

The end powerful scene was the 1st thing Ncuti filmed as the solo lead Doctor after "The Giggle" & before Church On Ruby Road Ncuti & David's bi-generation was shot on 21st & 22nd of June 2022 (Ncuti's first days) & the Dot & Bubble end scene here was shot on December 17th 2022. It was shot on location of The Cardiff Bay Barrage & due to this (+ fear of leaks) this was the costumes first revealed for Ncuti & Millie on socials. Both 73 Yards & Dot & Bubble were part of the same filming block with the same director Dylan Holmes Williams filmed between Dec 2022 & Jan 2023 while Ncuti's time was limited due to Sex Education to be on the set of Who full-time

I am a bit disappointed that there wasn't a discussion on the racism in the show. There were so many micro-agressions, that during the last 10mins or so I said "there it is" out loud. I believe Melanie started to mention it, but was overwhelmed and distracted with a overly lengthy discussion about the color palate and retro look of everyone. I'm almost sure had they watched with a few of the Normies, it would have been picked up quickly and a proper discussion taken place.

No lie, these 2 episodes ("73 Yards" and "Dot & Bubble") have felt like Black Mirror episodes. So much horror elements with biting commentary on top of it. I don't know how this episode/season will be overall examined after Ncuti's time is done as The Doctor, but, you can't say that RTD isn't giving this new Doctor and companion some damn great material, because Episodes 2-5 so far have been stellar work. Moral of the story/episode is no matter what, you can't save ignorance and/or bigotry. Sadly, there are those who'd rather choose hate than love.

fun fact, I believe this ep was originally going to be a 11th doctor story

I'm thinking Susan Twist is splintered through time the way Clara was.

I was watching this video while playing Xbox, my xbox almost turned off, cheers mate

11:40 Hahha, Phantasm. Good horror movie, yes. Good reference, yes.

I think the one who waits is the neighbor lady. In the previous episode what she said could be interpreted as "Oh what you do with your phone and your mom is not my business. I just go inside and wait my turn."

A very interesting episode, I enjoyed your thoughts.

GO SLUGS

Martha and Bill faced racism. The Doctor now gets to experience it.

All (yes ALL) the Doctor-lite stories are fire. Here the nasty Sally Sparrow betrays Elton. I need to see a sequel to this episode where they all die horrific deaths.

Loved this episode.

30 years of age? Seriously? I'm 63 and I'm always on my phone.

when the series started shooting Ncuti was still finishing his other show so they had less shooting time with him for some episodes.

Lindy would've made me become The Valeyard in this episode... Looks like the Villains are the Hero's in this episode.

The reason Ncuti hasn't been in much of this season is because he was starring in the final season of Sex Education.

I did immediately clock that everyone in the bubble was white, but I’m so frustrated with myself for brushing off the obvious micro-aggressions. I hadn’t noticed/didn’t hear all of them, but the ones I did notice I just thought “hm that’s fucking weird” and moved on. Reflecting on this episode has been a needed lesson for me.

Im going to be completely honest, I was only half paying attention to this episode until like the last 15 minutes. I hated the people in this episode, even before the twist of what I thought was initially classism. I just hate the self-absorbed social media thing. But the end really brought it up and made me hate them even more. And rewatching it looking back it's racism more than classism. And I’m ashamed that I didn’t catch on sooner.

Oh the dangers of echo chambers and being to algorithm ideas. I love the process of this episode all of the people were very dense and ignorant because they wanted to, they couldn’t even bother to be kind to each other

What a wonderful, superb video here on KZfaq. Watch this "lindy pepper-bean walks into a lamppost 1 HOUR LOOP" 😁

Yeah the ending was crushing but overall good story, i do like the giant slugs kinda reminds me something out of Men in Black

I think Ricky would have wanted to go with the Doctor, he would have stayed, I can hear him saying, I have to stay how can they fend for themselves, and the Doctor would have realised with Ricky they would have had a small chance to survive,

Go slugs! Go! True heroes of the episode!