This review was made possible by Popped receiving an advanced screener of the second episode of Doctor Who Season 2, titled “Lux.”
Now that we have “The Robot Revolution” out of the way, and The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Belinda (Varada Sethu) attempting to find their way home, the second episode of Doctor Who Season 2 finds us in 1950s Miami with a cartoonish threat awaiting the TARDIS. As always, this will be a spoiler-free review, with the Mouse giving us some strict no-fly zones when it comes to various events which unfold in the upcoming episode!
Animation in ‘Doctor Who’? Enter Mr Ring-a-Ding!
Lux kicks off in style with one of the strongest cold opens Doctor Who has had in a while. We’re dropped straight into 1952 Miami, where the plush and slightly faded Palazzo Cinema is showing a 1935 cartoon short, Mr Ring-a-Ding Goes to Town. It’s got that bouncy, old-school Disney vibe, reminiscent of very early Mickey Mouse cartoons, but there’s something just off about it from the start. The short’s lead character (voiced by Alan Cumming) is all grins and exaggerated movements, complete with a cheeky little catchphrase, but it somehow feels more unsettling the longer it goes on. It’s silly, it’s charming, and then, suddenly, it’s not. As things start to spiral on screen, the audience in the cinema begins to scream, and everything unravels fast. Cumming embodies the cartoon character so well, bringing some of my favourite elements of his Spy Kids character with undertones of Emcee from Cabaret.
It’s intense, chaotic, and brilliantly done. The direction is sharp, and Murray Gold’s score absolutely sells the moment, from establishing the antique cinema as our setting to building the tension to a breaking point. Within a few minutes, we’ve met Sally Sunshine (voiced by Millie O’Connell), clocked a few key players, and been handed a very obvious Chekhov’s gun that’s just waiting to go off later in the episode. It’s a bold, confident opener that sets the tone for the rest of the episode and the series.
The Doctor and Belinda are definitely put to task this episode, especially when coming up against Mr Ring-a-Ding, who targets the pair, attempting to trick them as he casts them into a projection where they are nothing but 2D sprites in an animated world — one of the best animated/live-action sequences I’ve seen done in a long time. There’s a slight issue with some of Ncuti Gatwa’s ADR, but the actual extended sequence of events that unfold is unforgettable, and truly rewarding to watch as a fan. Seeing the art of animation highlighted in such a peculiar way was so fascinating and made Lux a highly entertaining episode, personally. On top of the animated sequences, there are plenty of references in this episode that the Who fans are going to adore, including an all-time classic piece of score from Murray Gold from Matt Smith‘s era…
Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu’s Dynamic Chemistry Continues To Shine In “Lux”
Following the chaos of “The Robot Revolution,” Belinda and The Doctor find themselves drifting through the aftermath, trying to get back to Earth, but more specifically, to May 24th, 2025. The problem? That date is completely off-limits still. The TARDIS doesn’t just refuse to land there, it physically bounces off, like it’s been locked out by something bigger than either of them. It’s not just a blocked landing; it’s a mystery waiting to unfold.
The opening stretch of the episode gives us a chance to properly breathe with our leads, and honestly? It’s a joy. Belinda jokes about taking the TARDIS “back to planet… Time Lordia,” and the Doctor’s reply – “I wish it was called that. It’s called Gallifrey” is the kind of small, throwaway line that nails the tone of their relationship. It’s silly, it’s sincere, it’s got that spark. We also get a lovely moment of character-building as they chat about family. Belinda’s dad works in tax but apparently loves grabbing the mic for a sing-song, while her mum’s a violinist. These quieter beats do a lot to deepen their bond, and you can feel The Doctor starting to care in that very specific, very dangerous way. Belinda’s longing to see her parents gives the whole scene just the right bit of weight.
To solve the problem of their blocked landing, we’re introduced to a new piece of equipment, the Vortex Indicator, or “Vindicator” for short. It’s a neat sci-fi concept: a device that throws out a signal like a fishing line, hooking onto the time and place they need and dragging the TARDIS there. Feels classic Who, but with a sleek new twist, and then we get a proper highlight: the clothes montage. Lights, music, a whole vibe — which ends up giving “The Devil’s Chord” wardrobe sequence. Belinda and The Doctor kit themselves out in swanky new outfits to blend into the setting ahead, and it’s another reminder that this duo is already iconic. Only two episodes in, and their chemistry is off the charts. I liked them before. After Lux? I’m all in.
‘Doctor Who’s “Lux” Doesn’t Shy Away From The Reality of 1950’s Miami
One of the most impactful aspects of Lux is how it doesn’t shy away from the reality of its setting. When The Doctor and Belinda arrive in 1950s Miami, they find themselves in the middle of segregation-era America. A visit to a local diner makes this immediately clear, a whites-only establishment, and the same goes for the cinema that’s central to the mystery. It’s uncomfortable, but the show handles it with maturity. It doesn’t gloss over the era’s injustices, and it doesn’t over-explain either. What stands out most is how The Doctor and Belinda respond differently to the world around them. The Doctor, as ever, moves through it with a kind of unshakeable confidence. He doesn’t ignore what’s happening, but he doesn’t let it throw him off either. Belinda, on the other hand, finds it harder to accept how calmly he navigates such a hostile environment. Her discomfort is written with care, and it leads to one of their most meaningful exchanges so far.
There’s a moment in a diner where the two are allowed to stay under certain conditions—technically against the law. It’s tense, not just because of the setting, but because of the choices they’re both forced to make. Belinda questions The Doctor’s attitude, and for the second time, we really feel a difference in their worldview. It’s not just surface-level disagreement, it’s deeper than that. She wants him to care differently, or maybe more openly, and he has his reasons for carrying on the way he does. What’s great is that this isn’t swept aside. It sits with them, giving Belinda space to challenge The Doctor without diminishing him. Their dynamic isn’t just fun and fast—it’s layered, and already more complex than many we’ve seen in recent years.
‘Doctor Who’ Season 2’s “Lux” Has The Makings of a Top-Tier Episode
There’s a moment of dialogue in this episode — one line, you’ll know it when you hear it — that absolutely floored me. It’s sharp, it’s savage, and it reads a certain part of the fandom (or maybe society?) to filth. Russell T Davies knew exactly what he was doing with that one, and it alone cements Lux as an instant favourite.
As I previously mentioned, visually, the episode is stunning. From brief but deliberate visual nods to regeneration energy, to Ring-a-Ding’s cartoonishly chaotic evolution across the runtime, the VFX department is doing some serious heavy lifting — and absolutely smashing it. Ring-a-Ding doesn’t just show up; he performs. Expect flourishes of animation, surreal colourwork, and even a certain sequence that blends tap-dancing with pure menace in the most unexpected, brilliant way. There’s also a streak of silliness that keeps everything bouncing along. The Scooby Doo references are bang on, there’s a spooky abandoned cinema, a creepy caretaker, Reginald Pye (played by Linus Roache) with secrets, and even some playful back-and-forth about who’s who in the gang between The Doctor and Belinda. It’s camp, clever, and adds to the episode’s sense of fun without undercutting the darker, more serious moments.
And then there’s Mrs Flood (played by Anita Dobson), who pops up again — dripping in mystery, hinting at more to come, and always just out of reach when you think you’ve got her figured out. Her scene is short but loaded, and fans of long-term arcs will have a field day with her latest appearance… I know I sure did! I’ll be diving into more specifics regarding Mrs Flood in a later article upon the episode’s release, and you do not want to miss it — limited run only!
‘Doctor Who’ Season 2: “Lux” Final Thoughts
I had an absolute blast with “Lux.” The balance between heart, humour, history, and animation is spot on. It deepens the bond between Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor and Belinda, builds on the incredibly exciting May 24th storyline, and delivers some iconic Who moments along the way. Alan Cumming’s Mr Ring-a-Ding is mesmering, beaming at you through his voice-work and characterisation. A huge improvement on the Season 2 premiere.
Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 2 “Lux” premieres on Disney+ worldwide and on BBC iPlayer in the UK on April 19 at 12am PT / 3am ET / 8am GMT.
The Review
'Doctor Who' Season 2: "Lux"
I had an absolute blast with “Lux.” The balance between heart, humour, history, and animation is spot on. It deepens the bond between Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor and Belinda, builds on the incredibly exciting May 24th storyline, and delivers some iconic Who moments along the way. Alan Cumming's Mr Ring-a-Ding is mesmering, beaming at you through his voice-work and characterisation. A huge improvement on the Season 2 premiere.