The Robot Revolution: Our thoughts on the newest Doctor Who episode

The new series has officially blasted onto our screens, and we’re here to dissect every thrilling moment! From familiar callbacks to intriguing new mysteries, the first episode has certainly given us a lot to think about. Join Daniel, Jack, and Amber as they share their initial reactions and burning questions. But be warned, there are spoilers.

Daniel’s Thoughts

What a fantastic way to kick off a new era! The opening felt distinctly reminiscent of series three, with Belinda’s introduction at the hospital echoing Martha Jones’ arrival at the Royal Hope back in 2007. I was half-expecting to see a subtle nod, a piece of signage hinting at the shared location!

Speaking of familiar touches, did anyone else catch Belinda offering a patient “a nice cup of tea and a sandwich?” That’s a lovely little wink to the 2005 Christmas special, ‘The Christmas Invasion,’ where Jackie Tyler offered the newly regenerated Doctor the same comforting refreshments. A delightful detail!

Visually, the 1950s B-Movie aesthetic of the rocket and Missbelindachandra-one was spot on – brilliantly executed! And the adorable little polish droid? It instantly reminded me of the BDX Droids from the expanded Star Wars universe – a charming little design.

It was clever how the seemingly insignificant “throwaway” character of the neurotic ex-boyfriend, Alan, was revealed as the story’s true antagonist in a classic ‘Wizard of Oz’ style reveal. A neat twist!

However, I did wince at the vaporisation of the cat by those Nicholas Briggs-voiced robots. Did that really need to happen?!

Now, let’s talk about Mrs. Flood. Her appearance is intriguing, but the geography is throwing me off! Why are we being told to keep quiet about her being Belinda’s neighbour when she was established as living next door to Ruby? This feels like a significant question mark hanging over the narrative.

Keep your ears peeled for the TARDIS’s horn sound when it’s trying to get back to May 2025. Initially, I speculated that this sound might be linked to Sutekh, but it now feels like it’s foreshadowing something much, much BIGGER! There was a moment where Belinda was quite insistent, almost accusatory, towards the Doctor for “not” trying to get her home. While I understood her frustration, I just wanted to urge her to listen to what the Doctor was desperately trying to explain!

It seems Belinda’s past experiences have led to her being silenced or overlooked by men who consider themselves superior. This has clearly left her with a simmering frustration, a trait she shares with the brilliant Donna Noble.

The dynamic of a Doctor and Nurse duo travelling the universe, righting wrongs, has real potential for a strong and unified team. I’m excited to see how this partnership develops. Finally, that teaser at the end! A London cab, the Eiffel Tower, and a pyramid adrift in space on May 24th, 2025? What on Earth (or off it!) is going on?! This Robot Revolution opener was, for me, a far more engaging start to the series than ‘Space Babies.’

Jack’s Thoughts

The villain in this episode was handled really well, with a satisfying and unexpected reveal. I also thought the visuals of the alien planet were fantastic and really immersive. I’m genuinely interested to see how the overarching story of this season unfolds. Belinda has had a very strong introduction, reminiscent of Martha’s in series three, and I’m intrigued to see her journey.

Amber’s Thoughts

I’m really enjoying the dynamic of Belinda as a companion who isn’t immediately eager to travel with the Doctor. It’s a refreshing change from the typical companion archetype and adds an interesting layer to their interactions.

The episode felt very much like classic sci-fi, with the distant alien planet, robots, and rockets – exactly the kind of adventure I was hoping to see return to the series.

Mrs. Flood’s reappearance is welcome, but I share Daniel’s confusion about her location. The discrepancy regarding her neighbourly status with Ruby raises some interesting questions. Is this a deliberate plot point or an oversight? I appreciated the subtle nod to Varada Sethu’s previous appearance in Doctor Who as a different character. 

The ending with the mysterious setup involving Earth and time has really grabbed my attention. It’s a great way to introduce a new overarching mystery, and I’m already eager to see how it all connects. Overall, I thought this episode was a strong start to the new series. It definitely surpassed the previous series opener for me, and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes next!

One final thought: Did anyone else notice that when Belinda first sees the TARDIS, she asks something along the lines of, “Is this is your Tardis?” despite the Doctor not having explicitly called it a TARDIS yet? Could this be a hint at a deleted scene or perhaps just a small slip-up?

Overall, we liked the opener and were excited to see what season 2 has in store.

Images courtesy of BBC Pictures