In Review: Doctor Who S2 Episode 1 – The Robot Revolution

Synopsis:  In The Robot Revolution, under a starlit sky, two teenage sweethearts share a moment: he presents her with a star – her star – named in her honour. Miss Belinda Chandra. It’s cute, it’s quirky, it’s… just a certificate. But then Robots rock up at Belinda’s. They’re from Missbelindachandra One – and they want their queen back. Can the Doctor rescue Her Majesty Queen Belinda, and quash the robot revolution?

Story

The Robot Revolution has a similar premise to the David Tennant adventure Smith and Jones; ie new companion Belinda Chandra (who is totally awesome) is introduced who works in a hospital. Only to be taken from planet Earth, in this case by robots. There is some nice use of the timey-wimey ball. In that a time fracture helps empower the episode’s villain to become who he is. As well as providing the overall story arc for this series. Here we have action aplenty as the rebels fight to free their world from the robots. Moreover, we see the Doctor’s empathy as he grieves for Sasha 55 (Evelyn Miller). Which becomes a plot point when Belinda (Varada Sethu) challenges the Doctor over whether the same fate will befall her; if she travels with him. Additionally, this outing’s villain Alan (Jonny Green) strikes the perfect balance between being pathetic and terrifying. Being revealed as the AI Generator who attempts to force Belinda to marry him. Belinda saves the day via a temporal paradox. Thus destroying Alan and freeing the planet. But a mysterious force is stopping the TARDIS from getting her home…

Acting

Ncuti Gatwa was effortlessly charming, as ever. We see a nice hint of duplicity in his Doctor when Belinda implores him to do the right thing and he just smiles. Over and above that, his reveal to Belinda of his two hearts was delightful. Varada Sethu absolutely knocked it out of the park. Her Belinda was brave and took no nonsense from anyone including the Doctor. Also displaying some great dry humour and one-liners. I loved when Belinda said “Don’t shush me!” to the Doctor when Manny (Max Parker) challenged her. Further, Mrs Flood (Anita Dobson) got a great line when she said “You ain’t seen me!” to the camera. Going back to Max Parker, he showed good controlled intensity during his scenes. Jonny Green’s Alan was sniveling and sinister in equal measure. Evelyn Miller’s Sasha 55 brought a poignant earnestness. Given that her character did not survive this adventure.

Incidental Music

The Robot Revolution had some fitting incidental music. Which really suited the episode. Brilliant was the theme when the Doctor arrived at Belinda’s hospital in search of her. As was the dramatic score that accompanied the AI Generator’s introduction. Besides this, the music when Belinda caused the temporal paradox; as well as when she took control of the situation by leading the robots to her, was stunning. Further to that, there was a nice understated score when the Doctor discussed Belinda’s descendent Mundy Flynn. And why he was so interested in her.

CGI

The Robot Revolution’s CGI was utterly sensational. I adored the old-school sci-fi rocketship the robots used to abduct Belinda. The FX of the TARDIS giving chase was great too. As was the effect of the time fracture. The alien planet was astoundingly beautiful. And the SFX of the two diplomas causing the temporal paradox was mind-bendingly brilliant. I also really liked the CGI of the broken Earth monuments floating in space as the TARDIS dematerialised.

Overall

The Robot Revolution was a fun romp with some real world commentary mixed in (Belinda’s line “Planet of the incels” stands out). RTD2 has so far been weirder and wackier than Davies‘ first run. And I’m here for it. This episode’s themes and tone put me in mind of the 8th Doctor Adventures books. Which are some of the best Doctor Who there is in my opinion. Fantastic, fun packed start to what promises to be a really excellent series.

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