One of the hallmarks of a great episode of TV is that it can take you through a gamut of emotions throughout its journey to the end. And that’s precisely what “73 Yards” did, as we walked along with Ruby as she not only attempted to solve the question of just who the woman following her was, but also how to navigate this world she has found herself in wherein she loses anyone who ever was or ever will try to be close to her to the specter following her. Sure, the reveal that she was being followed by the specter of her future self was less than satisfying in the end, but the journey itself was great – heartbreaking, troubling, complicated, and a great showcase for Millie Gibson and the character of Ruby (who wasn’t reduced this time around to a mystery box that needed to be solved, but was allowed agency and complexity). It was a win in my book.
Most seasons of Doctor Who have an episode wherein the companion gets the spotlight and The Doctor is off screen for most of the action (and vice versa). It’s usually a quirk of the production schedule, wherein one actor needs more days on a certain episode so the other gets a standalone episode to allow for those filming demands. And, often, it’s those standalone episodes that turn out to be some of the strongest of the season, giving the audience a chance to delve deep into this mind of the companion without needing to see them through the lens of their relationship with The Doctor. Think of the excellent “Turn Left” back in series four with Donna. A true masterpiece. And this one was Ruby’s.
We learned that while Ruby might be a mystery box of a character, she’s also a woman who has a fear of being left alone. Yes, she thrives eventually when she loses everyone around her, but she still sees herself as that abandoned baby in those moments. So, of course everyone will, eventually, leave her as well. Coping with that loss over and over is so shattering to see play out. Ruby begging those around her not to talk to the woman, and everyone saying it‘ll be fine, only for Ruby to be proven right over and over? Oof. Hard to watch.
Part of what makes Doctor Who so engaging to folks of all ages is that the companions, our point of view characters into the world of The Doctor, aren’t perfect people. Rather, they’re all broken in some fundamental way and being with The Doctor helps them heal and find their way – at least for a time. And that’s something we can all relate to on some level. While we might not share the same past hurts as the companion, we can understand their pain and it brings us closer to understanding their character as a whole. And who hasn’t felt lost and left behind by someone we loved? This episode may have been about Ruby, but there was a key universal truth at its heart.
Kudos to Gibson for taking the reins here and charging forward to give us a hell of a story for Ruby that explored her strength, her intelligence, and her ingenuity. And kudos to showrunner Russel T. Davies, who wrote this one, for giving us another side of Ruby that wasn’t focused on the mystery he’s created around the character. And for giving us some more Kate Lethbridge-Stewart (Jenna Redgrave, always a delight). You can never go wrong with more Kate Lethbridge-Stewart.
I’ve seen the chatter online about the disappointments with this series of Who, and while I’ve certainly had some issues with parts of the storytelling, I have to say I’m enjoying this go-round far more than I expected to. Ncuti Gatwa has been a delight as The Doctor. Millie Gibson has held her own as Ruby. And the storytelling has been uniformly strong throughout. Could it all change as we learn the truth about Ruby’s background? Absolutely. But I’m enjoying the ride we’re on.
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