‘Doctor Who’ Recap: ‘Wild Blue Yonder’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

David Tennant and Catherine Tate as The Doctor and Donna Noble in ‘Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder’. (Photo Courtesy of BBC/Disney.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Second 60th Anniversary Special of ‘Doctor Who’. To revisit the previous special, click here.
 
The true beauty of the wildly popular and beloved BBC/Disney+ series, Doctor Who, is that it truly is the most robust and versatile science fiction story around. For it can be a powerhouse drama, one that moves us to tears. Or it can be a true comedy that leaves us in stitches. Plus, it can be a dynamic action and adventure series and/or a deep examination of the human condition and what makes us so special, and this show is so dynamic and so flexible that sometimes, it can be all of those things at once. As evidenced by the next 60th Anniversary special that aired yesterday. For ‘Wild Blue Yonder’ figured out how to combine all of those elements into one amazing tale.
 
A feat it accomplished. By first having a little fun. Courtesy of an impromptu meeting between the Doctor, Donna, and a kind (and hot, per the Doc and Donna) man named Isaac Newton. Whose impromptu hello with this dynamic duo, led to his grand understanding of the power of Mavity. And once that meeting was done. It was off to the depths of space. Wherein the TARDIS materialized inside a massive starship, before quickly running away whilst undergoing repairs. Which was of grave concern to our heroes and rightfully so. After all. The TARDIS was their way home and it appeared to leave because something about this place, spooked it. Giving rise to the possibility that the Doctor and Donna were in real trouble and of course… they were.
 
For they came to learn, they were stranded at the edge of the universe, the very edge of creation, really, and at the end of everything was darkness and mystery, and something sinister. For while the Doctor and Donna were trying to figure out what happened on this ship and how it ended up vacant and, in the void, they encountered… themselves. Perfect copies that had their memories and were eager to learn everything possible about their counterparts. To the point where they pushed this duo to their emotional limits to properly comprehend the human mind and that brought forth, some genuinely powerful moments for certain. The kind that dug deep into the Doctor and Donna’s psyches. Wherein we came to learn some fascinating truths about them.
 
Such as how, despite being back aboard the TARDIS for more trips through space and time, Donna was deeply worried about how long she would be gone and what a prolonged voyage would do to her interpersonal relationships with her family. Giving rise to the reality that she has indeed laid down roots and a life that she cherished that meant more than the universe’s wonders. Speaking to her growth and the reality, this was her last ride. As for the Doctor, we came to learn… he is a being that rarely deals with his trauma and his feelings. He just soldiers on, regenerates and carries with him… great pain. Great loss, and there must come a point where he reconciles that for his own sake. Because eternal or not, he deserves that peace.
 
However, while that segment spoke to the power and importance of healing and cherishing what matters most to us, the doppelgänger threat was still present, and our heroes needed to know why these beings were so intent on being perfect copies. Well as it turned out, these creatures were deeply intrigued by the worst of us, and they wanted in on the carnage. And by being perfect copies, they could climb aboard the TARDIS upon its return and go anywhere they liked to sow chaos and pain, and suffering. But thankfully… our heroes did not let that happen. For they stood tall, and figured out how to beat them so they could perish with the ship before escaping in the TARDIS. Since the previous skipper set a slow self-destruct to stop these evil creatures once and for all.
 
Which should have brought forth a happy ending. Since the TARDIS brought Donna home and everyone, fans included, were able to see Wilf one final time (Rest in Peace Bernard Cribbins). But alas, chaos has come to Earth and the Doctor must spring into action. But not before we celebrate, one amazing tale. For this really was a greatest hits episode. One that reminded us of how this show can do it all, courtesy of its amazing characters and actors and writers that truly enjoy playing within this universe. But while it is lovely to once again be reminded of the majesty of this series, tough times await us. For this chaos is likely the doing of the Toymaker, and his return will likely spell the end of the Fourteenth Doctor’s time, since this fight, will take everything he’s got. Until next time.

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