The Mystery of Ruby Sunday: Who is her Mother/the Hooded Figure?
Feature article by guest contributor Ian Braithwaite.
The mystery of Ruby Sunday, portrayed by Millie Gibson, has quickly become a topic of intrigue and much Doctor Who speculation. Left on a church doorstep by a hooded figure (supposedly her biological mother), and with an upbringing shrouded in enigma, it’s the perfect setup for a whirlwind of fan theories. Here’s my take on five of them.
Ruby Sunday is the Hooded Figure
In a twist that would be quintessentially Doctor Who, what if the mysterious hooded figure seen carrying the baby in “The Church on Ruby Road” is Ruby herself? This could involve a complex time loop where Ruby’s future self plays a role in her own past. This would be akin to the mind-bending narratives we’ve seen with characters like Clara Oswald, who became intertwined with the Doctor’s timeline in unexpected ways. A theory that feels more Moffat-y with his fondness for paradoxes, where characters encounter different versions of themselves or influence their own pasts and futures. Maybe RTD wants to get in on some of the timey-wimey action now?
Mrs. Flood is Ruby’s Mother
Anita Dobson’s character, Mrs. Flood, had a small but noticeable presence in the Christmas special. One theory is that she might be Ruby’s biological mother, secretly watching over her daughter. Considering she is elderly in Ruby’s time though, this would require some time manipulation. Perhaps Mrs. Flood has been able to time travel (she does know what a TARDIS is, after all), allowing her, for some unknown reason, to want to observe Ruby from a distance. This wouldn’t be the first time Doctor Who has used time travel to create complex familial relationships, as seen with the Ponds.
The Hooded Figure is an Agent of Evil
What if the hooded figure in Ruby’s story isn’t her mother, but instead an agent of evil? This character could be someone strategically placing Ruby in the Doctor’s path for malevolent purposes. This theory suggests that Ruby’s placement in the Doctor’s life is not a coincidence but a calculated move by a villain. The hooded figure could be working for a known enemy of the Doctor, or even a new adversary (The One Who Waits?), using Ruby as a pawn in a larger scheme against the Doctor. The motives behind such a plot could range from disrupting the Doctor’s missions, using Ruby as bait to somehow trap the Doctor, or even a more complex scheme involving altering timelines. Though this would be somewhat similar to River Song.
The Hooded Figure: A Time Lord/Gallifreyan
Perhaps Ruby’s mother might be a Time Lord or someone connected to a Gallifreyan. That also raises the possibility that Ruby could be related to prominent figures from Time Lord history, like Romana, Susan, or yes, you’ve guessed it, the Rani. The latter has long been the Loch Ness Monster of Doctor Who lore – often speculated about, but never quite materialising in the modern series. Is now finally the time? If Ruby is connected to her, or any other significant Time Lord figure, it would add an interesting twist to her character. Maybe you could even tie it into Jenny, the Doctor’s daughter.
Ruby’s Mother is Just An Ordinary Human with a Hidden Past
Alternatively, RTD might attempt to subvert fan expectations by offering a simpler option. The theory that Ruby’s mother might just be an ordinary Earth woman with a hidden past is in itself the most unexpected. This angle could ground Ruby’s story in a more human context, perhaps dealing with themes of identity and discovery, while still giving her a Doctor Who mystery through a secret or unknown lineage. However, fans will probably be disappointed with this option, as it is the most “ordinary.”
Conclusion
Well, there you have it. It’s early days yet, but there are already quite a few theories about Ruby Sunday’s mysterious lineage. I can’t wait to see how it all unfolds in the 2024 series. It’s just a shame we have to wait so long!
