Warning: Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 14, episode 5, “Dot and Bubble.”
Summary
Ncuti Gatwa has cemented his place as a beloved Doctor withDoctor Whoseason 14, episode 5, “Dot & Bubble”. Starring Gatwa and Millie Gibson, the episode features the Doctor as he desperately works to save the lives of the residents of Finetime. While he spends most of the episode communicating with them through a screen, thenewestDoctor Whocast membersreject him as soon as they meet him in person, as they refuse to associate with a Black man. Gatwa’s Doctor responds with a horrified scream before the episode ends.
Gatwa’s performance has been widely regarded as the highlight of the episode. Many fans have taken to Twitter to celebrate his work and to honor the newest Doctor’s excellent take on the character. Check out their responses below:
@JohnathanCowdenbelieves that Gatwa has a unique take on the Doctor that is already setting him apart from the other versions of the character.
@SafeSpaceDrWhoreflected on the filming schedule and how impressive it is that Gatwa opened with such a brilliant ending.
@TomDix_called Gatwa a “powerhouse” and intends to watch every week of the season.
@jereereviewsfound the episode “heartbreaking” and believes that his final act in the episode was stunning.
@rachaelking70is enjoying Gatwa’s performance and believes that he is elevating the show.
@GlauserDan13expected a “campy” episode but instead found it especially profound amongDoctor Whoepisodes.
@JohnBensalhiadid not anticipate the ending but feels “impressed” by the twist.
@Staggiezzloved the ending and especially Gatwa’s performance in the episode.
Ncuti Gatwa Excelled In Doctor Who’s Dot & Bubble
The Episode Was A Serious Departure For Doctor Who
Doctor Who has always tackled major social challenges, but it has never done so quite as directly as it did in season 14, episode 5, “Dot & Bubble”.The episode directly addressed racismand the negative impact that it can have on the lives of even the prejudiced characters themselves. Rather than embracing the man who worked tirelessly to save their lives, the Finetime residents dismissed him immediately. A frustrated Doctor offers to save them, despite their racism, but they choose to remain in their dangerous world all the same.
What Happened To Lindy’s Homeworld In Doctor Who’s “Dot & Bubble”
The fate of the Homeworld in “Dot & Bubble” is never fully explained in the episode, but Doctor Who supplies certain clues regarding what happened.
It is a serious departure from typical monster-of-the-week stories.The Fifteenth Doctor’s strong response sets him apartfrom theother versions of the Doctor, who might have dismissed them from the start. His frustration speaks to both his reaction to their racism and to the stubbornness that will inevitably lead to their deaths. It is a painful and harrowing moment that is only buoyed by Gatwa’s performance. With such powerful reactions from the Doctor, it is no wonder that viewers are responding with so much praise.
The episode has drawn comparisons toBlack Mirrorfor its social commentary and premise, but the performances are what set it apart. For Gatwa,“Dot & Bubble”’s endingmarked a moment that helped him cement his place as the Doctor, as his portrayal added a new and previously unexplored aspect of the Doctor and reveals that the star and Russell T Davies are willing to explore the real-world reaction to Gatwa becoming the legendary Doctor. By tackling systemic racism,Doctor Whogave Gatwa the opportunity to shine as an actor.
New episodes ofDoctor Whoseason 14 air Saturdays on the BBC, BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
Source: Various (see above)
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Doctor Who: Released on August 20, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
