‘Doctor Who’ Recap: ‘The Church on Ruby Road’

12/26/2023

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road’. (Photo Courtesy of James Pardon/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the 2023 Holiday Special of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the Third and Final 60th Anniversary Special, click here.

The Doctor Who Christmas/Holiday Special has become quite the important episode in the show’s overall lexicon. Simply because, these specials are oft filled with important moments and supremely unique stories. After all, they are free from the usual story arcs that the Doctor takes part in, the kind that involve saving the universe from a great evil, and that allows for us to really get to the know the Doctor in a different light and explore more of the Doctor’s quirks and such. Not to mention, these specials also serve… as an introduction at times. To either a new companion that is ready to traverse time and space aboard the TARDIS… or a new Doctor at its very helm. For sadly, regeneration and bi-generation occur a little more often than we’d like these days, prompting us to get to know the new Doctor in these stories and learn what kind of hero they are going to be.

If anything, all of those elements are top of mind today, because yesterday saw a new holiday adventure with a new Doctor air on Disney+ and well, ‘The Church on Ruby Road’ featured all of those elements really. A feat that this story accomplished by properly introducing us to the Fifteenth Doctor and a woman named Ruby Sunday. Who was a miracle baby of sorts, and abandoned at a church on the night she was born but given a chance to thrive by the priests that saved her and her foster mother. A kind woman that made a point of doing as much foster work as possible when she saw how much her care helped Ruby. But what made Ruby’s introduction here so important, was the sheer fact that she was also experiencing a run of bad luck. The kind so off kilter that the Doctor decided to investigate and well, it was a good thing that he did.

Because it turned out… that dear Ruby was being used as a pawn of sorts, by the fabled Goblin. Who used bad luck and coincidence to find their way to their favorite meal… baby meat. And seeing as to how a new foster infant was in the Sunday household, the Goblins could not have been happier. Which of course meant that both Ruby and the Doctor were forced to become partners to save that little baby from being feasted upon the Goblin King and his constituents. Which led to one fantastical sequence aboard their ship, complete with a toe-tapping musical number, and an adventure for the ages once the little one was saved. Since the Goblins instead decided their bad luck target might be a better meal in a different timeline. Prompting the Doctor to save Ruby on the day of her birth in a powerful manner. One that brought her aboard the TARDIS for adventures untold.

Millie Gibson and Ncuti Gatwa as Ruby Sunday and The Doctor in ‘Doctor Who: The Church on Ruby Road’. (Photo Courtesy of Lara Cornell/Bad Wolf/BBC Studios.)

Which was quite the amazing plot to enjoy, one that offered up a vastly different type of adventure for a new Doctor and companion to embark upon, but one that truly explored the staples of these specials. Because having the Doctor and Ruby go on a quest to save a tiny baby from becoming a Goblin Buffet, allowed for us to really get to know who these characters are, what they will stand for, and what we learned is quite lovely. In that Fifteen and Ruby, are supremely pure individuals. That really do believe in giving back to a greater good as needed. That’s of course, not to say the Doctor and other companions haven’t done that or stood for that before, but there’s an impish purity to this duo that we haven’t seen. One grounded in more modern concepts of good, such as… what it means to treat our friends with respect… and that’s always nice to see and something that is a focus in the world right now, and something the Doctor does sometimes forget about… as evidenced by his surlier incarnations.

Giving rise to the reality that we are going to be in for some beautifully uplifting adventures down the line. The kind that really do feature two great individuals fighting for what’s right and that does build excitement, as does whatever that ending related to. Since that mystery neighbor seems to know an awful lot about the Doctor and Time Lords and the functional nature of a TARDIS. But while we wait to see where that goes, we can celebrate one great holiday special. One that hit all the right notes, since we got to know the new Doctor and embrace his quirks and his charm, and truly… this episode showcased why Ncuti Gatwa is perfect for the role and will thrive as the character. Since he perfectly showcased the wisdom and childlike wonder of the Doctor. Which makes the character so iconic, and we came to learn his companion really is that hopeful hero ready to do right in the world. Since Ruby has the attitude, we all had at her age.

But setup aside, this really was quite the fun and fantastical story the franchise is known for, and it even paid tribute to an iconic Christmas classic. For in many ways this was a grand homage to It’s a Wonderful Life. Since we were able to see what life without Ruby in the world would be, and how much her positive outlook impacted so many, a la George Bailey, and in many ways, the Doctor was her guardian angel here, just like Clarence. Except this Guardian Angel had no qualms busting out into song and dance to distract the Goblin King, nor did he have any qualms in putting him down in the most epic manner possible But, what matters most, is that we were treated to a story that let us know that we are indeed entering a fascinating new era for the show. One that will have a vastly different outlook for the Last of the Time Lords and his plucky new companion. Until next time.

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