DOCTOR WHO: WILD BLUE YONDER

This week brings us Wild Blue Yonder, the second of four Russell T. Davies' shepherded DOCTOR WHO Specials, which will be followed next week by the Neil Patrick Harris guest starring Giggle. Then, finally, on December 25th we'll go full-bore with 'new Doctor' Ncuti Gatwa for The Church on Ruby Road. 

It'll be interesting to see how Wild Blue Yonder pans out given that, of all the Specials, it's the installment we currently know least about. My personal theory is: Davies has indicated that a sizably noteworthy guest star will appear on the show at some point in the foreseeable future, in a critical scene. Given our lack of foreknowledge about this episode, which feels more constrictive than the standard highly secretive DOCTOR WHO information lockdown, I'm wondering if this is the episode in which said conjunction of 'big guest star' and 'critical moment' may occur. This is just  theory, though - although I think the reasoning behind my suspicion is logical. 

This said: is the "guest star" Davies was referring to the same individual straight-up spoiled by Gatwa HERE?  Or, might it also be (or be instead?) Ryan Gosling, whom all parties involved indicate is not only a tremendous fan of DOCTOR WHO in general - but is a substantial Gatwa proponent as well (the pair worked together on the BARBIE movie)?
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​Or, none of the above? 

Last weekend's The Star Beast was hugely entertaining fair, superior in every regard to about 95% of the Chibnall Era (here I'm giving Chibs 5% credit here for his precious few deft moves).  

It was, however, tarnished by a sense of trying too hard, working too feverishly to be too  'spot on,' which subtly detracted from the naturalism we enjoyed throughout much of Davies' previous tuner as DW showrunner, and Moffatt's as well.  That this happened is understandable, as Davies & The Powers That Be were undoubtedly zeroing in on getting DOCTOR WHO back on track after the Chibnall fiasco, which does require no small degree of deliberateness.  Still, my personal hope is that Team Davies will step back, breathe a little, and let this current iteration of the show exist in its own space, instead of hustling and hustling to convince us that "DOCTOR WHO is back!" My read on this matter may be way off base, by the way. Just a hunch. 

Apropos of all of this are concerns regarding the graceless presentation of Yasmin Finney's Rose character.  The spin, and the commentary, surrounding her character's transgender identity (for me, at least) evoked a cautionary tale from the original STAR TREK series...one I feel is exceedingly applicable here.  I'm heavily paraphrasing, but specifics can quickly be found online...

At one point, fairly early in the run of the original STAR TREK, Nichelle Nichols wanted to leave the series because she didn't feel her character (Uhura) was being given enough to do.  Nichols encountered Martin Luther King at a function, who complimented her on her appearance on TREK (it wasn't common at that time to have characters of color interacting with white folks, much less high ranking white folks). She expressed to King that she was thinking of leaving TREK. King implored her not to do this, asking why she'd consider doing so. She indicated that she didn't feel she was being given enough to do on the show. King responded (again, paraphrased): 

"You've already won. You are already the example. You're a black woman sitting amongst an inter-racial crew, and no one on that show is thinking anything of it. It looks and feels normal. THAT is equality..." 

Sometimes victory looks like nothing more than whatever topic we're championing appearing to be a 'norm.' And not every accomplishment needs to come wrapped in  commentary. Sometimes, mere exemplification is aspirational. Strength often comes through illustration, not arguing and highlighting.  My hope is that DOCTOR WHO - and other shows, for that matter - can find it within themselves to carry this wiser and more measured sensibility forward, as opposed to approaching issues from an overbearing trajectory. The relationship between Stamets (Anthony Rapp) and Culber (Wilson Cruz) on STAR TREK: DISCOVERY is a nearly perfect example of what narratives should aspire to: two men who are deeply in love - which is vividly illustrated throughout the series - and not a single eyebrow is raised on that show.  Not a single argument for legitimacy is made to the audience. They just ARE.  And it feels truthful, and beautiful.  And not arguing that it's normal makes it feel that much more natural. 

It'll be interesting to see how Davies proceeds in this regard, although I suspect we'll get more of a sledge hammer delivery, and a fierce double-down, than confident and elegant illustrations and demonstrations. 

Wild Blue Yonder is described thusly by BBC...

The TARDIS takes the Doctor and Donna to the furthest edge of adventure. To escape, they must face the most desperate fight of their lives, with the fate of the universe at stake.

Based on this snippet of image from the scant episode preview... 

...there's quite a bit of conjecture that the Doctor and Donna's TARDIS crash-lands inside of another TARDIS, which might give away for the guest appearance of a previous Doctor if true. Or...not.

Here's a longer iteration: 

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The Wild Blue Yonder discussion boards are now active. Pontificate, lament, conjecture, despise, etc.to your heart's content.  

We warmly invite and encourage an open discourse and free exchange of ideas, but will enforce a strict zero tolerance policy regarding trolling, disrespect, or hate speak of any kind.

                   COMING DECEMBER 7 (EPISODE PREMIERES DECEMBER 9)

                                       DOCTOR WHO: GIGGLE

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