Wow. Just...wow. In the days and weeks leading up to this episode, me and my flatmates all thought that this would be the worst episode of the season, and that feeling only grew as more and more promotional footage came out. We were so wrong. ‘Dot and Bubble’ begins very strangely, but after a few short minutes, it had us absolutely hooked. It explores so many deeply relevant themes and provides an incredibly nuanced commentary on so many aspects of society, but the best part is that these themes and messages are actually interwoven into an incredibly tightly written story instead of being tacked on top of an underwhelming script.
It is an absolutely shocking episode, full of dark twists and turns which would not feel out of place in an episode of Black Mirror. All of this culminates in an ending so powerful both in acting and in writing that it may just be the defining moment of this series, if not this era. Ncuti Gatwa has already proven himself as a fantastic actor, but the final scene of this episode solidifies him as one of the best actors to have ever graced the role of the Doctor.
This is a somewhat difficult episode to watch, full of deliberately unlikeable characters and horrific story beats juxtaposed with the bright and cheery aesthetic, but that is its biggest strength. My only criticism is that the episode could have been even better if it were a few minutes longer, just to flesh out the characters a little bit more, but the episode is as good as it could have been in the time it had. Dot and Bubble may just be my favourite episode of the season so far, and I could not have imagined myself saying that before it came out.
Mum’s comments:
This is my favourite episode of the season too. The scenes depicting how the internet controls people through Bubbles and Dots are absolutely fascinating. It was thrilling to watch the young people being forced to step out of these Bubbles—curious yet naïve about the world beyond. Up to that point, the story was just intriguing and sprinkled with light humour. However, it took a serious and powerful turn when the naïve girl betrayed the boy who had saved her, tried to help her, and whom she had admired just moments earlier. I wasn’t expecting an episode about the internet, sprinkled with humour, to delve so deeply into human nature in a way that felt neither preachy nor heavy-handed.
‘Joy to the World’ is a fast paced, action packed rollercoaster ride of an episode filled with incredibly emotional moments, but a somewhat threadbare plot tying them all together.
‘Joy to the World’ tries to tackle so many different things. It explores loneliness, both in the Doctor following the finale, and in the people around him. It also explores the COVID-19 pandemic, with one scene in particular being absolutely both beautiful and harrowing. There are so many, almost too many, scenes tackling highly emotional topics, and some might find that overwhelming or disingenuous, although I really enjoyed it.
The performances within the episode are fantastic. Ncuti Gatwa once again stuns as the Doctor, giving a huge amount of range within a single episode, from the comedic to the mundane to the downright heartbreaking. His character in this episode feels somewhat like a regression from previous arcs, but his performance elevates the character beyond the script. The guest stars are also phenomenal. Nicola Coughlan gives a standout performance as Joy, once again with incredible range, and Steph de Walley’s Anita is a wonderfully understated character and performance.
Unfortunately, there are some negatives with the episode, and some people will find these to be a much bigger problem than others. The plot itself is quite thin. It is clear that the writer thought of most of the scenes and ideas individually, and so the plot moves extremely quickly and can feel somewhat disconnected at times. The ending is also a letdown. It doesn’t really make any effort to explain itself, and it feels a step too far for what is otherwise an episode always grounded in emotion.
Overall, what is undeniable about this episode is the quality of the performances, and a lot of the individual scenes. Whether or not you enjoy it however, depends on your view on the things in between. The episode may not bring Joy to the entire world, but it certainly did bring Joy to me.
Mum’s comments:
To me, the scene addressing the pandemic was both unexpected and deeply emotional. In a raw and powerful moment, Joy cried out, “She dies on Christmas Day,” adding, “She dies on her own because of rules.” Her anguish intensified as she continued, “And all those awful people with their wine fridges, their dancing, and their parties—and I listened to them, and I let my mother die alone.”
Joy’s remarks were a pointed reference to the backlash faced by the Conservatives after it was revealed that they had been socializing with each other during a time when strict social distancing rules were in place.
Such an emotional scene in a sci-fi show might make some people uncomfortable, but to me, it is a brave choice to reflect on real-world issues and to express such intense emotions so candidly.
I’m definitely growing more and more fond of this new Doctor. He is honest with his emotions, full of energy, and, in a way, I’d even say elegant.
The actress who plays for Joy is Nicola Coughlan. I knew her for her role as Penelope in Netflix’s ‘Bridgerton’. She has a body shape that many might consider ordinary – standing at 5 feet tall and weighing approximately 56 kg, her BMI is 24. Well, in today’s show business, being ‘ordinary’ might be seen as a ‘crime’ in the eyes of many. It is precisely because of this ‘ordinary’ that I admire her confidence - and the producer’s confidence to allow her to shine in her own unique way.
