Space Babies

"I have freedom."

Writer: Russell T Davies

Format: TV

Broadcast: 11 May 2024

Series: 14.01

Featuring: Fifteenth Doctor, Ruby

Synopsis

Ruby learns the Doctor's amazing secrets when he takes her to the far future. There, they find a baby farm run by babies.

Verdict

Space Babies was a decent episode to kick off the brand new series of Doctor Who! This is such an exciting time to be a Doctor Who fan as we get the first ongoing series in what feels like forever. Of course, the last one we got was way back in 2021 with Flux but even that was truncated and didn't feel right with it being one linked adventure. But here we are firmly with a brand new Doctor and companion and we don't even have to wait until the evening! It does feel a bit of a shame to cater towards the American audience with this episode airing on Disney+ in prime time on a Friday night, but if that's the price we have to pay for an increased budget and an annual series then I'm absolutely fine with it. I was able to watch this rather pleasantly earlier this afternoon as my toddler napped and I must say I find watching anything with babies in a little difficult since having one. It really does provide a different perspective so my heart nearly broke when the babies claimed to have never been hugged. That was soul destroying honestly. There's not much of a better feeling than clutching your little one. I couldn't think of anything worse than an isolated child. Of course, that theme of isolation ties in very nicely with The Church on Ruby Road and Ruby being an orphan. We know when and where she was abandoned so it's no wonder that she would be keen to use the TARDIS to understand and get to know her mum. At the end when giving Ruby the TARDIS key, the Doctor says he can't ever take her to that moment. But of course we know that's where things are heading! It's all very exciting and the snow warning of a memory was great to establish that direction. I thought the figure who left Ruby at the church now pointing at the Doctor was fascinating and I'm excited for what's to come next. Being a series opener and opening the show up to a new audience on Disney, this one did feel very much like an introduction for beginners to the Whoniverse. Doing that through Ruby's eyes was pretty good although it was a little on the nose as we literally covered all bases in less than five minutes! I wasn't sure about the dinosaurs moment and Ruby stepping on a butterfly and that causing her to transform, but it was good humour. Seeing Ncuti Gatwa in action now for his third outing as the Doctor was terrific and he's really settled in now. I liked showcasing Ruby's qualities too as she realised everything was pointing towards a children's story with the involvement of a bogeyman and nanny. Jocelyn as that nanny was an intriguing character and it was lovely for Ruby to embrace her at the end as she tried to protect her children by sending the bogeyman out of the airlock. The Doctor wasn't having that though and realised this was a one of a kind creature. It was meant to be scary and I loved that it even made the Doctor run away instinctively. That was new for him and that was something he wanted answers to. The bogeyman literally being made of bogeys was a bit crazy and silly, but that's okay in Doctor Who. I'm sure the younger fans would have loved that gag, and I couldn't help but chuckle at the pressure being from a load of nappies. It was literally full of shit! Of course, the last word wasn't said on screen thanks to the nanny filter, but it didn't take much imagination! Overall, a strong start to the series that was just pretty entertaining! 

Rating: 7/10