‘Doctor Who’ Recap: ‘Boom’

5/19/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Mille Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa as Ruby Sunday and The Doctor in Episode 1403 of ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘Boom’. (Photo Courtesy of Disney/BBC/Bad Wolf.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 1403 of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the Season 14 Premiere, click here.

When we last settled in to discuss the wondrous new season of Doctor Who, on Disney+, we talked at length about how the show was in many ways… reinventing itself. Because not only did the Season 14 Premiere offer up a new Doctor and Companion, officially off on new adventures through time and space… but the show itself clearly set a new direction in motion. For the stories we were treated to were brighter and more hopeful in nature, and they featured new challenges for the Doctor and Ruby to combat. All while keeping the mythos of the last of the time lords to a minimum and well, that refreshing nature of the premiere is top of mind today, because the show is showing no indication that it will be heading back toward old haunts.

For ‘Boom’ was a story that was as unconventional as the premiere. In large part because it took a fair chunk of the episode before we even remotely saw Ruby and the Doctor. Instead, we were introduced to a group of faithful warriors, fighting hard on a faraway, war-torn world. Wherein one of them was put down due to horrific injuries and well… that was when our heroes arrived and found themselves in quite the conundrum. For while the Doctor was trying to help the very man that was put down via a strange, automated health care droid, he found himself trapped atop a mine. Which in turn, brought forth one wild and unique plotline. For this was where 90% of the episode took place, around that mine, something we don’t see often in this franchise, since it loves to explore the galaxy.

Which brought about, a chaotic and intelligent tale. One that saw everyone be put in harm’s way like never before and featured a unique fight for the Doctor to take part in. Because he had to save an injured Ruby, and himself from being blasted apart with that mine, all while saving lives in the midst of this war since the ambulance system was diabolical in nature. But eventually, he did. By turning the technology designed to bring war upon this planet against itself. Allowing for peace to fall and for his and Ruby’s adventures to continue. All of which, was supremely unique to enjoy, and also… powerfully philosophical. Because this was one of those rare moments where the Doctor actually faced death, and faced the potential for failure, something that he does not endure often. Giving rise to some powerful musings on how we face both of those very real concerns.

Still from Episode 1403 of ‘Doctor Who’ – ‘Boom’. (Photo Courtesy of Disney/BBC/Bad Wolf.)

But while all of that made for a different kind of episode, what truly made it stand out, was its biting commentary on the world as it stands. Because the war machine that permeated this planet, was clearly a stand-in for how modern warfare has transformed into something hideous. For it is no longer about having a defense ready but about obtaining resources over nobility and causalities be damned. All of which brought about scathing commentary on the American War Machine, and its questionable actions over the past few decades following 9/11, and well… what the show had to say was spot on. In that, we need to take a look at this evolution of war and rein it in before it becomes commonplace. Not to mention, it also clapped back hard on the numb approach some Americans approach violence with, primarily the Republican/MAGA crowd, via the show’s brilliant mocking of ‘thoughts and prayers’.

Yet while that commentary would have been enough to carry this episode, it still had more to say on such matters. Because it also dug deep, into the horrors of capitalism and how that too is way too tied into war. Since these days, there are corporations that focus their entire portfolio on war. To the point where they live and die on the contracts, they sign with the United States military, and why? Why is that allowed, why is that even a thing? Because it makes for bloody greed, the kind that has pushed more questionable actions to take place throughout the years through privatized war machines that don’t answer to anyone but the almighty dollar, and that’s frightening, and this episode made it clear… it has to stop. Because war should never be put in the hands of a hedge fund manager, since it is so costly and so devastating.

All of which made… for a sobering adventure to say the least. One that was tense, scary, and reminded us that war is hell… and that… all side lessons aside… we should focus on ending war over anything else. Then we don’t have to worry about nobility, suffering or whether or not the shareholders gained their dividends in exchange for the wholesale slaughter of lives. Ergo, one powerful episode for certain, one that was bolstered by another amazing performance from Ncuti Gatwa, who continues to impress as the Doctor, and Millie Gibson held her own here as well. And now that we’ve reached the end of this incredible journey, and now that the show has our complete attention from a commentary standpoint, one cannot help but wonder what lies ahead from a lesson and adventure standpoint. For we are in undiscovered country with this series, and that is downright wonderful and exciting. Until next time.

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