Wild Blue Yonder (Doctor Who)

Last updated

302 "Wild Blue Yonder"
Doctor Who episode
Doctor Who Wild Blue Yonder.jpg
Promotional poster
Cast
Others
Production
Directed by Tom Kingsley
Written by Russell T Davies
Script editor Scott Handcock
Produced byVicki Delow
Executive producer(s)
Music by Murray Gold
Series 2023 specials
Running time54 minutes
First broadcast2 December 2023 (2023-12-02)
Chronology
 Preceded by
"The Star Beast"
Followed by 
"The Giggle"
List of Doctor Who episodes (2005–present)

"Wild Blue Yonder" is the second of the 2023 60th anniversary specials of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who . It was first broadcast on BBC One on 2 December 2023, and was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Tom Kingsley. David Tennant stars as the Fourteenth Doctor, alongside Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, with Bernard Cribbins posthumously guest starring as Wilfred Mott. The episode is dedicated to Cribbins' memory, following his death in July 2022.

Contents

Set directly after the events of "The Star Beast", the episode focuses on the Doctor and Donna being stranded by the TARDIS on an abandoned spaceship at the edge of the universe, where they encounter a pair of bizarre, sadistic shapeshifting evil duplicates of themselves intent on causing trouble. The episode was watched by 7.14 million viewers and received positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances and visual effects.

Plot

The malfunctioning TARDIS takes the Doctor and Donna across time and space, briefly landing in 1666 where they encounter Isaac Newton, accidentally causing the word "gravity" to be replaced with "mavity". The TARDIS eventually lands on an abandoned spaceship, ejecting the Doctor and Donna and spewing out flames to the tune of "Wild Blue Yonder" before shutting down. To fix the TARDIS, the Doctor leaves his sonic screwdriver in the keyhole, only for both to suddenly disappear after the pair left to investigate the ship. Donna panics over them seemingly being stranded, but the Doctor reassures her, explaining that the TARDIS auto-repair had reactivated the Hostile Action Displacement System, which causes the ship to dematerialize in dangerous circumstances and return once the danger has passed.

The Doctor and Donna investigate the spaceship, discovering they are at the edge of the universe. There are no stars or signs of life, and the only mobile thing is a robot the Doctor nicknames "Jimbo" that is slowly walking down the ship's corridor. A voice occasionally declares various nonsensical words, causing the ship's layout to reconfigure. They split up and get to work on trying to get the ship up and running but encounter strange doppelgängers of each other that lack the concept of size and shape and constantly distort and morph into animalistic versions of themselves self-dubbed "Not-Things". The Doctor and Donna barely escape from giant versions of the Not-Things, deducing that their doppelgängers have also begun taking on their memories and ways of thinking.

After being separated from each other by the ship's constant reconfigurations, the Doctor and Donna both encounter one another in different parts of the ship, unable to tell if the other is a Not-Thing. Donna outwits the Not-Doctor and forces it to reveal itself, but the Not-Donna tricks the Doctor after claiming she knew about the Timeless Child and the Flux via the meta crisis. Eventually, all four meet up again, and the real Doctor and Donna are able to successfully identify each other. The Doctor uses superstition to trick the Not-Things, drawing a line of salt and telling them that they have to stay behind it. They reveal that they come from the darkness beyond the edge of the universe, wanting to escape it and cause chaos. They break past the salt and chase the pair again. The Doctor realizes that the doppelgängers are deliberately frightening them to better understand their way of thinking, and that the ship's captain also knew this and set in motion a series of events so slow that the Not-Things would be unable to understand it.

The Not-Doctor, now almost fully understanding the real Doctor's way of thinking, realizes that the announced phrases were a countdown (rendered as nonsensical words since the TARDIS is not nearby to translate them) and that Jimbo was slowly walking towards a self-destruct button in a final attempt to kill them. The Not-Things race to stop the countdown while the Doctor speeds it up. The TARDIS returns, once again to the tune of 'Wild Blue Yonder' just before the bomb goes off, and the Doctor enters it. He takes the Not-Donna but ejects her after noticing the wrist is too thick and rescues the real Donna just as the ship explodes, killing both Not-Things. The Doctor and Donna collapse, traumatized.

Later, the Doctor expresses regret over invoking a superstition at the edge of the universe, feeling that it triggered something. He asks Donna whether she truly remembers anything from the meta crisis, but she claims not to. The pair return to Camden Market and are greeted by Wilfred Mott, who is overjoyed to see them both, but alludes to a danger in the present day. A riot suddenly starts around them, with a plane crashing nearby.

Production

David Tennant and Catherine Tate both returned to the series as part of the 60th anniversary specials. [1] Tennant stars as the Fourteenth Doctor while Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble. [2] The episode marked the final appearance of Bernard Cribbins as Wilfred Mott, who died in July 2022, shortly after completing filming for the episode; it is dedicated to Cribbins' memory. [3] Additionally, Nathaniel Curtis stars as Isaac Newton. [4] Tom Kingsley directed the episode. [5] In interviews, both Tennant and Davies said that more had been written for Cribbins' Wilfred, but his appearance in the episode was all that he had been able to film, as he became too ill to continue and died shortly thereafter.

Plot and cast details surrounding the episode were deliberately kept secret in the build-up to the episode, with Davies stating that this choice was owed to the uncomplicated premise of the episode, claiming that out of the specials it was "the simplest of the lot." This secrecy led to some fan speculation that the episode would feature cameo appearances of previous incarnations of the Doctor, although that ended up not being the case. [6]

Broadcast and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)100% [7]
Review scores
SourceRating
Empire Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [8]
The Guardian Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [9]
The Daily Telegraph Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [10]
The i Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svg [11]

Broadcast

"Wild Blue Yonder" was broadcast on 2 December 2023 as the second of the three 2023 specials, filmed for the 60th anniversary of Doctor Who. [12]

Ratings

"Wild Blue Yonder" was watched by 4.83 million viewers overnight, and an Appreciation Index score of 83. [13] It was the third-most watched programme of the night. [14] The consolidated ratings gave a figure of 7.14 million viewers, ranking the episode as the ninth most watched programme of the week, beaten only by that week's episodes of I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing . [15]

Critical reception

The special received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator website, 100% of 13 critics gave "Wild Blue Yonder" a positive review. The site's consensus reads "'Wild Blue Yonder' gets real weird with the formula, and yet it hits home as classic Doctor Who with its heartfelt attention paid to the characters." [7]

The Guardian's Martin Belam rated the special a 4/5, describing the acting as "impeccable" and further praising the visual effects. [9]

Home media

"Wild Blue Yonder", along with the other two specials "The Star Beast" and "The Giggle", were released on home media on 18 December 2023. [16]

In print

Wild Blue Yonder
Author Mark Morris
Series Doctor Who book:
Target novelisations
Publisher BBC Books
Publication date
7 December 2023 (eBook)
11 January 2024 (paperback)
1 February 2024 (audiobook)
Pages176
ISBN 9781785948466

A novelisation of the episode, written by Mark Morris, was released as an eBook on 7 December 2023 [17] in paperback on 11 January 2024 as part of the Target Collection [18] [19] and as an audiobook read by Bonnie Langford on 1 February 2024. [20]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bernard Cribbins</span> British actor (1928–2022)

Bernard Joseph Cribbins was an English actor and singer whose career spanned more than seven decades.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tenth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Tenth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is played by David Tennant in three series as well as nine specials. The character has also appeared in other Doctor Who spin-offs.

"The Runaway Bride" is a special episode of the long-running British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, starring David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor. It was produced as the Doctor Who Christmas special for 2006, broadcast on 25 December, and aired between the second and third series of the relaunched show.

Voyage of the Damned (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2007 Doctor Who episode

"Voyage of the Damned" is an episode of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who. First broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2007, it is the third Doctor Who Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005. The episode was written by Russell T Davies and directed by James Strong.

Partners in Crime (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2008 Doctor Who episode

"Partners in Crime" is the first episode of the fourth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 5 April 2008. The episode reintroduced actor and comedian Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, who had previously appeared in the 2006 Christmas Special "The Runaway Bride". In the episode, Donna and the alien time traveller the Tenth Doctor meet while separately investigating Adipose Industries, a company that has created a revolutionary diet pill. Together, they attempt to stop the death of thousands of people in London after the head of the company, the alien Miss Foster, creates short white aliens made from human body fat. The episode's alien creatures, the Adipose, were created using the software MASSIVE, commonly used for crowd sequences in fantasy and science fiction films.

"The Sontaran Stratagem" is the fourth episode of the fourth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as The Doctor. The episode was broadcast on BBC One on 26 April 2008. The episode and its sequel, "The Poison Sky", were written by Helen Raynor, who previously wrote the linked episodes "Daleks in Manhattan" and "Evolution of the Daleks" in the third series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilfred Mott</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Wilfred "Wilf" Mott is a recurring fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Bernard Cribbins. He is the grandfather of the Tenth Doctor's companion Donna Noble, and father of her mother, Sylvia Noble. As companion to the Doctor, an alien Time Lord from the planet Gallifrey, Donna travelled through space and time in the show's 2008 series, having numerous adventures. A believer in extraterrestrial life himself, Wilfred was proud of his granddaughter's adventures and helped to keep them a secret from her overbearing mother. He later became the Tenth Doctor's final companion in "The End of Time".

"The Doctor's Daughter" is the sixth episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 10 May 2008.

Journeys End (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2008 Doctor Who episode

"Journey's End" is the thirteenth and final episode of the fourth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on BBC One on 5 July 2008. It is the second episode of a two-part crossover story featuring the characters of spin-off shows Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures, preceded by "The Stolen Earth", which aired on 28 June. At 65 minutes in length, it was approximately 20 minutes longer than a standard fourth-series episode. It marked the final regular appearances of every companion introduced in the Russell T Davies era, including Catherine Tate as Donna Noble.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turn Left</span> 2008 Doctor Who episode

"Turn Left" is the eleventh episode of the fourth series of British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was written by showrunner Russell T Davies and broadcast on BBC One on 21 June 2008.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Stolen Earth</span> 2008 Doctor Who episode

"The Stolen Earth" is the twelfth episode of the fourth series and the 750th overall episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on BBC One on 28 June 2008. The episode was written by show runner and head writer Russell T Davies and is the first of a two-part crossover story with spin-offs Torchwood and The Sarah Jane Adventures; the concluding episode is "Journey's End", the finale of the fourth series, broadcast on 5 July.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Donna Noble</span> Fictional character in the TV series Doctor Who

Donna Noble is a fictional character in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. Portrayed by British actress and comedian Catherine Tate, she is a companion of the Tenth and Fourteenth Doctors. Originally appearing in the closing scene of the show's 2006 series and as a special guest star in its following Christmas special, "The Runaway Bride", Tate was not expected to reprise her role as Donna; for series 3 (2007), the Doctor travelled alongside medical student Martha Jones. However, Tate expressed interest in returning to the role, and returned as a series regular in series 4 (2008), the subsequent 2009–2010 Christmas and New Year's special, and in the 60th anniversary specials in 2023.

The End of Time (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2009 Doctor Who episodes

"The End of Time" is a two-part story of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, originally broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 25 December 2009 and 1 January 2010. It is the fifth Doctor Who Christmas special and the last entry in a series of specials aired from 2008 to 2010. It marks the final regular appearance of David Tennant as the Tenth Doctor and introduces Matt Smith as the Eleventh Doctor. At the time, it was the last Doctor Who story written and produced by Russell T Davies, who shepherded the series' return to British television in 2005 and served as the series's executive producer and chief writer, until he returned to the position in 2022 for the 60th anniversary specials onwards.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fifteenth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Fifteenth Doctor is the current incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Rwandan-Scottish actor Ncuti Gatwa. His first series companion is Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson.

<i>Doctor Who</i> specials (2023) 2023 special episodes of Doctor Who

The 2023 specials of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who are three special episodes that aired between 25 November and 9 December 2023, to celebrate the programme's 60th anniversary. They were written by Russell T Davies and marked the start of his second tenure as showrunner, having served in the role from the start of Doctor Who's revival in 2005 until leaving in 2010. The specials were broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom and Ireland, and on Disney+ internationally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fourteenth Doctor</span> Fictional character from Doctor Who

The Fourteenth Doctor is an incarnation of the Doctor, the protagonist of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is portrayed by Scottish actor David Tennant, who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor and was last seen on the programme in that role in 2013.

The Star Beast (<i>Doctor Who</i>) 2023 Doctor Who episode

"The Star Beast" is the first of three hour-long special episodes of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, marking its 60th anniversary. Based on a comic written by Pat Mills and Dave Gibbons for Doctor Who Magazine in 1980, the episode was written by returning head writer and showrunner Russell T Davies, directed by Rachel Talalay, and was first broadcast on BBC One on 25 November 2023. It serves as the reintroductions of David Tennant and Catherine Tate to the series, with Tennant making his first regular appearance as the Fourteenth Doctor, having previously played the Tenth Doctor during Davies' original tenure as showrunner, last seen in the 50th anniversary special "The Day of the Doctor" (2013), while Tate reprises her role as Donna Noble. The episode also sees the return of Jacqueline King as Sylvia Noble and Karl Collins as Shaun Temple with newcomer Yasmin Finney as Rose Noble, and guest starring Miriam Margolyes as the voice of The Meep.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Giggle</span> 2023 Doctor Who episode

"The Giggle" is the third and final of the 2023 60th anniversary specials of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, written by Russell T Davies, directed by Chanya Button and broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC One on 9 December 2023. It features the final regular appearances of David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor and Catherine Tate as Donna Noble, introduces Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and guest stars Neil Patrick Harris as the Toymaker, a character last seen in The Celestial Toymaker (1966). The episode also features Jemma Redgrave and Bonnie Langford as UNIT commander Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and Mel Bush, respectively.

"The Church on Ruby Road" is an episode of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 25 December 2023 as the fourteenth Christmas special since the show's revival in 2005 and also the first since "Twice Upon a Time" (2017). It was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Mark Tonderai. It stars Ncuti Gatwa in his first regular appearance as the Fifteenth Doctor and introduces Millie Gibson as his new companion Ruby Sunday.

References

  1. "Doctor Who: Here they come". Doctor Who. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  2. "David Tennant and Catherine Tate return to Doctor Who". Doctor Who. Retrieved 15 May 2022.
  3. Jeffery, Morgan (2 December 2023). "Doctor Who's Wild Blue Yonder marked Bernard Cribbins' final appearance". Radio Times.
  4. "It's a Sin star Nathaniel Curtis makes surprise Doctor Who appearance". Radio Times. Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  5. Laford, Andrea (6 September 2022). "Doctor Who 60th anniversary specials: third director discovered". CultBox. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  6. Seddon, Dan (4 December 2023). "Doctor Who boss Russell T Davies responds to 'disappointment' following Wild Blue Yonder secrecy". Digital Spy. Retrieved 30 December 2023.
  7. 1 2 "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango Media . Retrieved 8 December 2023.
  8. King, Jordan (4 December 2023). "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder Review". Empire . Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  9. 1 2 Belam, Martin (2 December 2023). "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder – 60th anniversary special recap". The Guardian . Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  10. Hogan, Michael (2 December 2023). "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder, review: a jaw-dropping injection of sheer Saturday night magic". The Daily Telegraph . Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  11. Bacon, Jess (2 December 2023). "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder review: A true masterclass in television". The i . Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  12. "Doctor Who's 60th Anniversary TX Dates Revealed!". BBC. 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  13. "Ratings Update". Doctor Who News. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  14. "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder ratings revealed". Radio Times. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  15. "Most viewed programmes Barb" . Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  16. "Doctor Who 60th Anniversary specials available to pre-order on Steelbook, DVD and Blu-ray" . Retrieved 26 October 2023 via Doctor Who.
  17. Morris, Mark. "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (Target Collection)" via www.penguin.co.uk.
  18. Griffin, Louise (14 July 2023). "Doctor Who 60th anniversary special novelisations confirmed". Radio Times.
  19. Morris, Mark. "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder (Target Collection)". Penguin.co.uk . Retrieved 3 December 2023.
  20. "Doctor Who: Wild Blue Yonder" via www.penguin.co.uk.