“Fugitive of the Judoon” Review – Ho plo lo yo sho so ho kro to bla

Clint Hassell gives his SPOILER-filled commentary on the fifth episode of Series 12.

Note: this review contains full SPOILERS for episode 5 of Series 12.

On paper, “Fugitive of the Judoon” shouldn’t work.  Largely meant to introduce new plot threads to the narrative, mid-series, the episode opens with completely unknown characters; moves at a breakneck speed, returning decade-old monsters, characters, and concepts to the storyline with little more than a cursory explanation for casual viewers; and separates its supporting cast from the main action of the plot.  Further, the episode answers none of the questions it raises, merely teasing their relevance to future storylines.  And yet, due largely to sublime character work from Jodie Whittaker and that epic reveal, “Fugitive of the Judoon” not only reinvigorates the series’ energy, but also gives purpose to the current lineup of three companions.

Featuring a commanding performance from actress Jo Martin that runs the gamut from believably terrified to brazenly defiant, and bolstered by composer Segun Akinola’s increasingly ominous score, “Fugitive of the Judoon” not only foreshadows Ruth’s identity, but then subverts its own agenda in the second act.  A sweeping image of the Thirteenth Doctor atop a lighthouse; Ruth crackling with Time Lord essence, before donning a long, navy coat and arming herself with a laser rifle; a TARDIS buried in a shallow, unmarked grave – – this quick montage of confusing images baffles, countering the clues laid throughout the episode, so that the inevitable reveal still feels surprising.

But is the former Ruth Clayton actually the Doctor?  The show certainly wants the audience to think so, introducing Martin as such in the closing credits.  Still, Moffat Chibnall lies.  The Thirteenth Doctor seems convinced as well, claiming that “Ruth was me.”  Ruth herself demonstrates certain Doctor-like traits, running to the aide of serial knitter Marcia, and championing against the Judoon, even while under the influence of the Chameleon Arch.

Yet, something seems off about Ruth’s Doctor.  Where the Thirteenth Doctor outwits the Judoon troops by threatening to overload Commander Pol-Kol-Don’s firearm, Ruth physically engages the aliens, scarring the commander and threatening to kill him, while brandishing a weapon – – behavior she describes as “instinct.”  Seeing Lee, her “faithful companion,” murdered barely registers.  She’s curt and speaks to Thirteen dismissively, calling her “dumb” and casting her out of the TARDIS, as if they aren’t the same person, despite the two recognizing that they have the “same brain.”  Ruth ensures that Gat destroys herself by rigging her gun to backfire; her “warning” isn’t proffered to protect Gat, but so that Ruth could claim innocence after the fact.  She is aware that “the Doctor never uses weapons,” but still resorts to it as her first line of action.  Perhaps it is most telling that Ruth’s personality and behavior is so different from the Doctor’s that her companion, Lee, doesn’t recognize Thirteen – – a fellow Gallifreyan – – as the Doctor.

If Ruth is the Doctor, how does she fit into the Time Lord’s continuity?  Certainly, she is from the past, as her contemporary, Gat, seems unaware that Gallifrey had been “destroyed” in the Time War, or razed by the Master.  “In my time, Gallifrey doesn’t exist,” explains the Thirteenth Doctor, “and if you don’t know that, you’re in my past.”  Lee has never seen a sonic screwdriver, and Ruth doesn’t carry one, indicating an early incarnation of the Doctor; since the Second Doctor, only the Sixth Doctor hasn’t used a sonic screwdriver.  The new TARDIS’ interior recalls the early, classic era – – and The Brain of Morbius hints as incarnations of the Doctor that pre-date the one played by William Hartnell – – however, “The Name of the Doctor” clearly shows that it was the Hartnell version of the Doctor that steals the TARDIS, with Susan, on Gallifrey.  Perhaps the best clue comes from Gat, who states, “Two of the same Time Lord can’t occupy the same space at the same time – – it’s an abomination!  It’ll destroy the time streams before you get anywhere near Gallifrey!” indicating that Ruth’s Doctor pre-dates The Three Doctors serial.  Maybe Ruth is an incarnation of the Doctor occurring between the Second and Third Doctor (incidentally, the one regeneration sequence not fully portrayed on television).  Perhaps, as part of the punishment mentioned in The War Games, the Second Doctor was forced into service under Gat (“not [a job] you apply for; not one you can ever leave”), before being exiled to Earth, as the Third Doctor, in Spearhead from Space.

Of course, Ruth could just be the Rani (or, yet another version of the Master), deliberately deceiving the Doctor, and engaging in a bit of psychological warfare.

Though the mystery of Ruth’s identity seems to be the series’ most urgent question, it is how Ruth’s very existence affects the Doctor that is most intriguing.  Because Thirteen does not remember having been Ruth’s Doctor, she is convinced that Ruth must be from her future.  While this opens the possibility of finding survivors from the Master’s siege on Gallifrey, it opens the possibility that Thirteen is dangerously close to regenerating into a darker, weapon-toting version of herself.  A shell-shocked Jodie Whittaker masterfully portrays the turmoil inherent in this internalized dichotomy of thought.

Perhaps, Thirteen is right to be concerned.  Despite referring to them as her “fam,” the Doctor has been withholding information about the fate of Gallifrey, and its effect on her emotional state, from her companions in a way unseen within the narrative since the Tenth Doctor and Martha, in the first half of Series 3.  “Don’t lie to us!” Yaz chastises the Doctor, after the latter states that she has not been distracted by her search for the Master.  “Where do you go?”  “Home,” the Doctor replies, “on my own.”  “Why not with us?” asks Yaz.  “‘Cause you ask too many questions!” barks the Doctor.  Note that this scene – – with the Doctor standing, literally talking down her three seated companions – – is mirrored, now with a seated Doctor and companions standing, in the episode’s final scene.  This echoed staging emphasizes the balance necessary in the Doctor/companion dynamic: where she challenges her companions to be more ingenious as they help others, they center the Doctor’s sense of humanity during moments of trial.  With the return of the Judoon, the Master, and the Cyberman all teased for the future, it seems that these companions have more purpose than ever before.

Random Musings

(Time) Capsule Review

Though “Fugitive of the Judoon” largely exists to tease future storylines, the episode revitalizes the series with its surprise introduction of a new incarnation of the Doctor, eclipsing what would otherwise be the headline-making returns of the Judoon and Captain Jack Harkness.  While the central mystery of Ruth’s identity is expertly foreshadowed, its importance is tertiary to how Ruth’s existence affects Thirteen’s character – – how close is she to becoming a darker, merciless version of herself? – – and how the Doctor’s companions find purpose in supporting the shell-shocked Doctor.