REVIEW: ‘Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6’ — “The Interstellar Song Contest”

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6, “The Interstellar Song Contest,” is written by Juno Dawson and directed by Ben A. Williams. The show stars Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu, but also features Rylan Clark and Freddie Fox. In this episode, the Doctor and Belinda arrive at the latest edition of the Interstellar Song Contest, broadcast to trillions across the cosmos. But when a terrorist breaks in, the dark secrets of the ruling corporations will be revealed.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 explores the core features of what the episode is based on. The story is based on the Eurovision Song Contest, an immensely popular annual event where each European country submits a song, with a victor then voted for. It’s a party, regarded as campy and slightly weird. Much of Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 recognizes that. The party atmosphere is strong and energetic, infused with a cosmic twist.

The glamour and queerness of Eurovision are captured superbly, celebrating that aspect that makes it so captivating and bemusing to its audiences. It’s loud and happy. But there is a much darker story as the plot thickens in multiple ways. A sudden change makes Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 terrifying, potentially making the body count as high as it’s ever been on Doctor Who. It isolates the characters and cuts them off from any help, placing them in a situation akin to an intergalactic Die Hard.

There is even more to the story, though, as the script gets profoundly political and dark. It feels real and pertinent, exploring the demonization of minorities and the horrific actions that are committed against Indigenous communities for the resources that are on their land.

Much-needed darkness simmers in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6.

Huge events often purposefully ignore genocides and atrocities committed to placate their members and the governing bodies, especially the real Eurovision. The script is bold, sinister and surprising by how close it gets with its metaphors. It never says names or places, but it’s cleverly scathing towards particular attitudes and practices made by many companies..

This episode has many surprises, throwing so many reveals within the universe like a series of knockout punches. Each one is as powerful and intense as the last, tapping into the several plotlines that have been bubbling under the surface. Just when you think all the bombshells have exploded by the end, another one is there. Some may have been easy to discover, pondered by Doctor Who fans for a long time. But to actually get the reveal is rewarding and satisfying, after two seasons of trickery and mystery. In the context of multiple seasons, this is a critical episode.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 splits the duo up for the first time. This is the first time, even late in the season, which is a big bucking of the trend. Ruby Sunday spent much of the previous season alone, whilst Belinda has always had the Doctor by his side. Sethu portrays the distress brilliantly, and why she would get so inconsolable is understandable.

When the companion realizes that she’s alone in unfamiliar territory, with no one in her life knowing where she’s gone, it’s especially fitting for the character, a companion who really doesn’t want to be in the TARDIS. There is a terrific range in this episode by Sethu. She can be starstruck and excited, but she wants to step away when things get real.

Belinda is separated from the Doctor for the first time since her appearance.

Gatwa also shows a phenomenal range. This incarnation of the Doctor fits within the camp nature of the festival, fitting in with the supporting cast and the costumes. But as things get serious, so does he, incredibly so. The fury of the Time Lord starts to resurface with a vengeance. He is scary and ferocious, burning with the same energy his love manifests out of. Some may have forgotten what this looks like. But when someone threatens the lives of those he loves, he is more frightening than any villain.

There is a phenomenal and full supporting cast at Dawson’s disposal in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6. People are helping the Doctor and Belinda on both sides of the station. Each group has its secrets, and they are important to the plot. The villain (Fox) is angry and shows throughout the episode that he is willing to do heinous things in the quest for revenge. The reasons why Kid, the terrorist, is going to such great lengths to cause enormous harm on an unimaginable scale are made clear by others.

The dialogue in that scene is stunning, wringing out every ounce of tragedy, despair and anger, especially when connected to the contest. In turn, this plotline should make the audience angry, too. It shows how cruel our world can be, because that’s where the inspiration comes from. But no matter how intimidating the villain is, he pales in comparison to the Doctor. He tries to square up to the Time Lord, even calling his bluff several times. But Kid is just so unaware of who he’s coming up against.

The episode features real British star power, relying on guest stars to create the mood of the contest. Even though the story is set thousands of years in the future, familiar faces are present. What’s funny is that these celebrities are playing themselves, as they often do in Doctor Who. Rylan and Graham Norton, especially Norton, have hosted the Eurovision Song Contest on British coverage for years.

Seeing them have such a distinct presence was an important part of the build-up to Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 and its execution. It sells the idea that the episode is centered around not just any song contest but a very specific one. They are likely references and faces that others worldwide may not know. The episode is Eurocentric, but British celebrity cameos have been a part of Doctor Who’s identity for years.

Of course, there are some catchy bangers in this episode.

It wouldn’t be an Interstellar Song Contest without the songs! Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 sees many being created specifically for the show. They are orchestrated with Eurovision in mind, capturing the broad and odd approach that the contest had. Some lyrics don’t make sense, and there are puppets with annoyingly catchy tunes and some emotional power ballads. That last one is the most invocative of them all. These were created by Dawson, showrunner Russell T. Davies and legendary composer Murray Gold. They make the event feel like an actual show.

The outfits look glamorous and glitzy, twinned with alien designs. There are so many details within the production of this episode that required unfathomable coordination and hard work. Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 involves a lot of CGI, especially generating enormous clouds and the arena itself. These are sleek and effective. However, this show and production team never cut corners, and there are unexpected practical effects.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 is dazzling in its drama and depth. “The Interstellar Song Contest” is more than just a parody. Yes, it celebrates Eurovision and all of its great values: the coming together, the welcoming of queer culture, and how valued it is by many in various communities. The songs are silly and nonsensical, and it’s an absolute blast. But Dawson also translates the negative features into Doctor Who, too.

The dark underbelly and the serious storylines come from a reputation the contest and corporations have unfortunately built for themselves. The variety in tone is absolutely stunning, and the writing is breathtaking. It’s so unexpected and on the nose. The plot isn’t entirely a political satire; there are other Doctor Who-related twists, with some going all the way back to the show’s beginning. But the element of truth infuses the story with a grit that makes it linger in the mind long after you’ve finished watching.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 6 is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ everywhere else.

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