This review was made possible by advance screeners of Doctor Who. The Legend of Ruby Sunday is now streaming on Disney+ and BBC iPlayer.
NO WASTING TIME
One of the best ways this episode could have started was an effective and efficient opening, wasting no time and kicking things off with a bang. The Legend of Ruby Sunday does just that, with The Doctor quickly reintroducing himself and Ruby with UNIT before asking questions about Susan Twist’s mysterious woman who has been following the pair. I’m grateful we didn’t get some gimmicky cold open, I think the more serious toned finale warrants it.
The pacing for the finale is absolutely impeccable. Every scene has a clear beginning and end, and as a result, the excitement is allowed to build naturally and tensions are very high this week. From moments in the Time Window to the final few minutes leading up to the big reveal, I think Russell T Davies prides himself in writing fantastic finales, and this for sure could be the next to join the highly-acclaimed list.
NCUTI, GIBSON & CO.
Ncuti Gatwa’s performance as the Doctor is nothing short of stellar once again (as expected). His ability to convey both shock and enthusiasm from beginning to end is delightful to watch, seeing him at the highs when reintroduced to UNIT and right to his lows when sharing a conversation with Kate Stewart about the possibility that his granddaughter is out there. I think his scenes shot within the walls of Triad HQ perfectly demonstrate his talents too, hilariously accompanied by Bonnie Langford’s “Grow up and get over it” mentality as Mel.
After being introduced in The Star Beast, Rose Noble makes a return to the show and we get quite a lot of interaction between her and current companion Ruby, Another highlight of the episode comes from the pair sharing a number of scenes, bringing a certain degree of heart and humour to The Legend of Ruby Sunday. The dynamic is most enjoyable when the pair return to the Sunday’s flat on Minto Road, where Mrs Flood is recruited to care for Cherry. As the three interact, Mrs Flood is quick to attack Ruby for her height, especially in comparison to Rose. Given the tease about Mrs Flood’s true nature during the height of the scene, I found it highly entertaining.
Morris Gibson joins UNIT as its latest scientific advisor, played so brilliantly by young comic Lenny Rush. It is very impressive that for someone of his age to have the ability to act alongside some great talents is mesmerising, I really hope we get to see more of him in the future!
THE LEGEND OF RUBY SUNDAY… REVEALED
One of the biggest questions of the season sadly remains unanswered by the conclusion of the episode, though there is a chance that we could still receive some confirmation regarding the identity of Ruby’s mother during next week’s Empire of Death. I was really unsure in regards to what to expect would come from The Time Window, revealed by RTD ahead of the finale. I knew the technology used would be nowhere near as advanced as the TARDIS, with The Doctor’s humorous laugh confirming this too.
Though, I must say I have never been more on the edge of my seat watching an episode of Doctor Who like this one for quite some time.
THERE’S ALWAYS A TWIST AT THE END… SUTEKH
This week’s Doctor Who sees the long-awaited reveal of what Susan Twist has been up to, and the resolution felt right. We’ve known there’s something a bit more sinister about her background appearances and the closing moments are absolutely terrifying. After weeks of speculation, RTD landed the blow and revealed this season’s Big Bad… The One Who Waited AKA Sutekh. Last seen in a 1970s serial with Tom Baker‘s Fourth Doctor, Pyramids of Mars, his immediate arrival will have huge implications for the future of the Whoniverse.
I think the moment of his reveal has huge similarities to Professor Yana’s reveal of his hidden identity in the closing moments of Utopia and, whilst it can be claimed that RTD is recycling old material, I think this is the most effective the reveal could have been. The Doctor and UNIT spend the duration of the episode trying to figure out the S Triad anagram, questioning if Susan Triad is The Doctor’s granddaughter, so the reveal that they got the wrong anagram is absolutely crushing. The tension throughout the episode is wonderfully directed and so effective, from the moments within The Time Window to Chidozie’s disappearance concluding with a new Harbinger offering Sutekh’s gift of death from UNIT’s trap.
I love how much the episode dives into the horror elements seen in the show’s history. I think Susan and Harriet’s reveal of their skull-like identities is spine-chilling, both looking directly into the camera. Not only that, but Sutekh’s cloud appearance paired with Gabriel Woolf‘s menacing voice work really sells the episode for me. The shock on Ncuti’s face in the closing moments and the pure fear from Carla Sunday.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Legend of Ruby Sunday is an efficient, well-paced and terrifying first part of the season’s conclusion. Susan Twist has been a delight to watch, especially with her true form revealed. Gabriel Woolf’s voice-acting is spine-chilling and absolutely terrifying at times. There are still plenty of questions which remain unanswered, but I’m sure what we’ll find out in Empire of Death next week will be highly entertaining.
Doctor Who Season 1, Episode 8 “Empire of Death” releases on Disney+ (excluding the UK) on June 21 and BBC iPlayer on June 22. Check out the trailer below.
The Review
'Doctor Who' Season 1: "The Legend of Ruby Sunday"
"The Legend of Ruby Sunday" is an efficient, well-paced and terrifying first part of the season's conclusion. Susan Twist has been a delight to watch, especially with her true form revealed. Gabriel Woolf's voice-acting is spine-chilling and absolutely terrifying at times. There are still plenty of questions which remain unanswered, but I'm sure what we'll find out in "Empire of Death" next week will be highly entertaining.
