REVIEW: ‘Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 — “The Reality War”

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8, titled “The Reality War”, is written by Russell T. Davies and directed by Alex Sanjiv Pillai. The show stars Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu for the final time, alongside Millie Gibson, Jonah Hauer-King, Jemma Redgrave, Archie Panjabi, Anita Dobson and others. In this episode, The Doctor (Gatwa), Belinda (Sethu), Ruby (Gibson) and UNIT must try to break the Wish World created by the Rani and stop them from resurrecting the very first Time Lord.

This finale is an amazing reassembling of the cast. It brings everyone back together after being apart for so long in the previous episode. It’s rewarding and satisfying to see old friends come together once again. It’s joyous, energetic, and full of fun. It feels like it’s the start of the party to victory. But then comes the plan of the Unholy Trio (the two Ranis and Conrad). There is more to come from both Panjabi and Dobson, trying to resurrect Omega, the Mad Time Lord. There is a lot of exposition and dialogue early on, but it’s delightful and suspenseful.

Every decision in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 has a consequence on reality. Humans, gods, and Time Lords mess around with reality, leaving scars. By the end of the episode, the storytelling is very fractured, as it becomes difficult to know what’s real and what’s trickery. Things aren’t put back the way they were left. Much of the confusion centers around Poppy, the baby who is the child of both The Doctor and Belinda. Whether she’s real or not, and her true parentage becomes the crux of Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8. It may be one child’s life, but the importance of that has defined this whole era.

Poppy’s parentage provides the bulk of the confusion in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8.

Given the reality-warping elements, the plot resembles more a Steven Moffat episode than one written by Davies. It’s approached as gently and as understandably as it can be, considering the range of audience ages. But the damage to time and reality allows for reunions and possibilities.

The ending is sad and gratifying. It ends an era with both triumph and immense emotion, which have been prevalent in the new era of Doctor Who. As we start to say goodbye, it feels like there are still unanswered questions and farewells that haven’t been said. It’s devastating to see the change, but there is a heroic conclusion. It leads to the most stunning and jaw-dropping reveal in decades of Doctor Who, but it may feel like a slap in the face at this moment.

Everyone is back in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8. It’s the final episode of a particular era, and so all of Gatwa’s friends and chosen family make an appearance, from the seasons to the Christmas special. It’s lovely to see them again, and they are more than just there to say hello. Some help break the Wish World or save the Doctor’s life. Gatwa is delightful again as his time comes to an end. He does what he has always done to make his time in the TARDIS shine.

Ruby Sunday ends up taking a pivotal role once more.

Gatwa is very emotional, more so than any other Doctor before him. He’s more willing to tell people he loves them, roaring and yelling. But he’s also a tremendous physical performer; he draws all eyes towards him as he dances around the set. It’s always inevitable that the Doctor will change, but it’s heartbreaking to see them go every time.

The end of Belinda’s story is underwhelming and a little disappointing. Her time in Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 is spent with Poppy, her daughter, who has suddenly appeared and become an essential thread in the story. It’s a fascinating concept that had several twists, utterly devastating multiple times over.

However, it removes Belinda from greater plans. It prevents her from saving the world or facing the villains, as companions often do in their final episodes. Sethu has many instances where she displays fierce defiance against both allies and enemies. Her intensity is terrific; she just hasn’t been given as much time to show it.

Helping to save the world falls to Ruby, who plays a crucial role in both parts of this finale. Ruby is pivotal to everything Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 hangs on. She’s the only one with experience dealing with fractured timelines. She’s spent so much time on her own that she can fight and challenge those who have caused her so much pain. As the Doctor faces the Rani, it falls to Ruby to deal with Conrad (Hauer-King). She even stands up against her friends, who start being condescending towards her and her instincts. Ruby Sunday might be the most pivotal character of these two seasons.

Despite their inclusion, the Rani get lost amidst the rapidly growing ensemble.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 is busy and filled with characters. So much so that even the Rani’s feel drowned out by everything else happening. The performances of Panjabi and Dobson are terrific, but they quickly become harbingers for something louder and bigger. The fate of the Rani is fascinating considering the bi-generation, and is very much suited for a villain like them.

By the end, something much bigger arrives. It’s terrifying and harrowing, but sadly, it’s a bit similar to the previous season’s ultimate big bad. And while the nerve center that has been established is soulful, exciting, and always energetic, it’s the second season finale (third, if you count the three specials) that has taken place in the same spot.

The production wrings every last penny out of the enhanced budget. This season’s finale unleashes the sci-fi elements of the show in a way it has never been seen before. It truly turns into a Star Wars-style battle. Huge, four-legged creatures charge towards the UNIT headquarters, which turns into a fortress and gun platform. It’s mind-blowing and exhilarating, with some phenomenal CGI. Because it’s so new, some parts don’t feel like Doctor Who. However, the last moments are another example of how the budget creates gorgeous visuals and stunning moments that couldn’t have been achieved before the Disney/BBC alliance.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 assembles and disassembles what we know. It captures both the old and new aspects of the decade-old series. It wraps up Gatwa’s time in the TARDIS by really focusing on those who have made it special. The ensemble cast fills the story with so many voices, but there are so many landings to try and stick. Davies’ story is ambitious and grand, and he tries to focus on one child to ground a script that resets reality multiple times. It would have been impossible to bid farewell to everyone we’ve loved. But this is Gatwa’s conclusion, and in that regard, it excels. Instead of sadness, it ends with joy.

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 8 is available on BBC iPlayer in the UK and Disney+ everywhere else.

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