2nd Opinion, Take 1 “The Church on Ruby Road” – Many highs, few lows

Gustaff Behr reviews the 2023 Christmas special.

The Christmas episodes of Doctor Who have always felt a bit peculiar to me as introductions to a new Doctor’s journey. I have a stronger inclination towards season openers like “Rose”, “The Eleventh Hour”, “Deep Breath”, and “The Woman Who Fell to Earth” rather than the holiday-themed ones like “The Christmas Invasion”. Even if some of the former episodes aren’t as strong, they seem more fitting without the added pressure of holiday cheer. When it comes to Christmas specials, striking the right balance is tricky; it can’t be overly intense due to the festive spirit, and at the same time it must feel like a jolly affair. Russell T Davies skillfully sidesteps these challenges in “The Church on Ruby Road”.

While the story is set during the festive holidays, the episode has very little to do with Christmas other than Ruby being abandoned on Christmas Eve and the curious presence of Goblins with a taste for humans—quite the festive touch, isn’t it? The parallels with “Rose” are unmistakable, particularly with Ruby’s reactions mirroring those of Rose when she first stepped inside the TARDIS. Davies masterfully delves into Ruby’s backstory, fostering a connection between the audience and this new companion. Her quest to find her birth parents resonates deeply, encapsulating the anguish of not knowing them while cherishing her adoptive family. As for who left her at the church doorstep, my first guess is Ruby Sunday herself. The grown-up version of course.

In typical RTD fashion, we get a glimpse into Ruby’s family dynamics. Carla, Ruby’s mother, comes across as genuinely affectionate and nurturing. However, Cherry, her grandmother, felt a bit one-dimensional to me, with her repetitive complaints about tea and the recurring ‘mavity’ joke. It’s already time we retire that worn-out gag. The transition of Carla’s character, from a compassionate mother to someone exploiting children for governmental benefits, was quite jarring.

The initial part of the episode delves deep into Ruby’s world before pivoting to focus on the Doctor. Yet the narrative skillfully employs the “showing, not telling” technique (thank the merciful heavens above), offering viewers insights into this new Doctor organically while he’s in the background.

And we already know a lot. We know that this Doctor is an inventor, has a great big smile that he likes to show off at every conceivable moment, and we know he is very charismatic and flirtatious. Most importantly, we know this is one of the rawest Doctors of the bunch. Crucially, this Doctor wears his emotions on his sleeve. He is viscerally distraught and even cries when he is speaking with Carla Sunday after Ruby is snuffed out of existence, partly by the girl’s disappearance and partly due to how bitter and selfish Carla has become without Ruby in her life. The scene solidified my belief in his Doctor credentials.

Now, some viewers might raise eyebrows at the Doctor’s club dance, which resembles a skirt but is, in fact, a kilt. Yet, I appreciate RTD’s nod to the Doctor’s musical proclivity, a quirky Doctor Who tradition. From playing instruments to singing and dancing, each Doctor has showcased a unique musical trait. The Goblin Song was undeniably catchy, and witnessing the Doctor and Ruby improvising their escape through song was a refreshing twist, a departure from the Doctor’s usual escape strategies.

Regarding the Goblins, beyond their catchy tune, they didn’t leave a lasting impression. Nonetheless, Russell T Davies crafted an intriguing mythology around them. While he has said that this era will lean more into the realm of science fantasy, “The Church on Ruby Road” consistently intertwines sci-fi elements into its narrative. The Goblins’ spacecraft technology appears primitive, reminiscent of rope and wood. However, the Doctor clarifies that it operates on different scientific principles, beyond his comprehension. It wouldn’t be surprising if they originated from another dimension altogether. Just as entities like the Toymaker warp reality for fun, or Nobody No-One who manipulates matter through language and communication or even the Carrionites who ‘curse’ people by rhyming, the Goblins thrive on chance and serendipity. I admit, the mechanics of their ship’s controls left me puzzled at times, wondering why neither the Doctor nor Ruby simply accessed the wooden door. Nevertheless, I’m willing to suspend disbelief, anticipating its narrative payoff.

A few critiques I have pertains to the initial segments of the episode where the Doctor’s frequent appearances around Ruby felt somewhat intrusive, bordering on stalker-ish, despite his intentions to protect her. Another involves the reporter lady. Seriously, it’s Christmas Eve and you decide now is the absolute best time to tell this young, desperate girl the worst possible news she is expecting? That Christmas star should have been allowed to finish her off. You can’t change my mind.

In conclusion, while “The Church on Ruby Road” offers a blend of familiar Doctor Who tropes and fresh narrative elements, it’s evident that Russell T Davies continues to push boundaries. The episode has many highs and few lows, but its commitment to character development and unique storytelling nuances remains commendable. The world of Doctor Who is vast and varied, and this installment adds another layer to its ever-evolving universe.

Bonus – the Doctor’s musical inclinations:

• The First Doctor showcased his ‘skills’ with the lyre in “The Romans.”
• The Second Doctor frequently entertained with the recorder.
• The Third Doctor delivered a musical moment in “Spearhead from Space.”
• In “Robot,” the Fourth Doctor combined singing with rope jumping.
• The Fifth Doctor demonstrated proficiency with the harp in “The Five Doctors.”
• The Sixth Doctor impressed with the pipe organ in “Attack of the Cybermen.”
• Jazz resonated with the Seventh Doctor in “Silver Nemesis.”
• The Eighth Doctor hummed Puccini’s Madame Butterfly and also listened to In a Dream on the gramophone during the TV Movie.
• The Ninth Doctor showcased dance moves in episodes like “The End of the World” and “The Doctor Dances.”
• The Tenth Doctor revealed his compositional talents in “The Music of the Spheres.”
• The Eleventh Doctor celebrated at Amy’s wedding in “The Big Bang” and had an off-screen duet with Frank Sinatra.
• The Twelfth Doctor frequently rocked out with the electric guitar.
• The Thirteenth Doctor gracefully danced in “The Haunting of Villa Diodati.”
• The Fourteenth Doctor engaged (barely) with music during the Toymaker’s “Spice Up Your Life” sequence.