Spoilers The Church on Ruby Road grade and discussion thread

[Australis]

It was marginally OK, but I can't tell you why. Not a fan of the 'fairy tale' aspect I guess. And to repeat: what happens to babbies when the Doctor isn't there? That part was a shade dark for me.

Gatwa is good. I feel there is a hollow space in his portrayal, but that might just be me, and may well be filled in when the full series come along.

But it's dropped down my must-watch list.

 

[David cgc]

I wonder if the goblins were around when the Doctor isn't there. With all the stuff about the Doctor accidentally turning his reality into a fantasy universe, the way the entire ship and all the goblins just vanished when the Goblin King was killed, and the way that when they got Ruby, it caused a full cracks-in-time reality-breaking disaster (though that could say more about Ruby than about the Goblins). It could be that the goblins are "new," and only have an illusion of history and context (but that gets into the magical way Doctor Who changing history plots always work).

 

[cultcross]

Bunch of fun - Ncuti Gatwa just excels in the role in a way that elevated a silly script. I like Ruby, God does RTD love a convoluted most-important-girl-in-the-universe mystery and a family at home to check back in with though. Just go and have adventures already.

I didn't mind the singing, or the darkness - of you put thought into what's happening in the average Doctor Who tale it's pretty awful so I don't mind them acknowledging that, the only bit that sat weirdly with me was how much the Doctor didn't seem to give a shit that this family's home had got cleaved in two until he realized Ruby was missing.

The visual style, characterization, performances are all there. I don't mind a more fairy tale vibe either, but that doesn't have to mean quite this silly a villain.

 

[Commander Troi]

I enjoyed it. I thought we dispatched the goblins a bit too quickly, but that was my only quibble. Ncuti sold me instantly on himself as The Doctor and Ruby was a better character than I expected. I also liked her family, and the actress who played Carla did a great job, especially in the timeline with no Ruby.

Plus, Ncuti and Millie sing! I really wasn't expecting that.

Who or what is Mrs. Flood? I agree her demeanor changed from start to end and I do think that will be important. I don't think she's a previous Companion - The Doctor recognizes them. She could have something to do with The Big Bad we've been teased.

Ooh, is it May(!) yet?

 

[Marc]

“Can you do Gaudete’

Not one that many people would have gotten unless old enough to remember Christmas 72 iirc.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

I wonder if Disney's simply labeling it "Special 4" is doing it any favors. Something like "Season One Early Premiere" or something to that effect might be more effective at pulling in new viewers.

I've been surprised that there's no extras or anything on the main interface (as far I can tell) to introduce or set up the new series. It's all fine and dandy for the old timers but there's nothing really to hook in a new viewer.

 

[cultcross]

I'm guessing most American Disney+ viewers will have a "who?!" moment over Davina McCall but perhaps they googled her after Bad Wolf.

 

[Asbo Zaprudder]

Surely, they know that Davina McCall is the great-granddaughter of Célestin Hennion.

 

[matthunter]

Overnights pretty consistent with the three Tennant specials - 4.73 million.

I suspect there might be a bit more of a bump than usual for the consolidated figures - the 5.55pm start clashed with usual dinnertime for us, so we planned ahead and ate the main meal as a late lunch... but others may have simply decided to watch on iPlayer later. Or delayed doing so until they've checked how scary the baby-eating stuff was for the nippers.

 

[David cgc]

I'm guessing most American Disney+ viewers will have a "who?!" moment over Davina McCall but perhaps they googled her after Bad Wolf.

I only recognized her once they said her name, thanks to one of Malcolm Tucker's rants in "The Thick of It," and then only as "a person in the UK people there would know.".

 

[The Nth Doctor]

I only realized she was a real-life person when I saw the credits. Not a big deal either way.

 

[Samurai8472]

So much to the dismay of some fans who thought Disney was doing a "hands off" approach they are putting in suggestions.

On the in-vision commentary for the special, RTD confirmed the scene with the snowman head and the police officer was a pick-up shoot on orders from Disney. They wanted more of Ncuti in the story after a test screening

 

[Paul Weaver]

I suspect there might be a bit more of a bump than usual for the consolidated figures - the 5.55pm start clashed with usual dinnertime for us, so we planned ahead and ate the main meal as a late lunch... but others may have simply decided to watch on iPlayer later. Or delayed doing so until they've checked how scary the baby-eating stuff was for the nippers.

Watching live? How quaint.

I believe the Overnights include catchup plays on the day, so watching on iplayer at 7pm would be counted, as would timeshifting on VHS.

 

[Timelord79 (he/him)]

So much to the dismay of some fans who thought Disney was doing a "hands off" approach they are putting in suggestions.

On the in-vision commentary for the special, RTD confirmed the scene with the snowman head and the police officer was a pick-up shoot on orders from Disney. They wanted more of Ncuti in the story after a test screening

Yes, they said as much from the beginning, that Disney was handing in suggestions. And if it's good suggestions then there is no reason not to agree. The scene was good and the most defining Doctor scene in teh episode, I'd say. He wasn't frantically doing magical tech things to save the day, he was just being the Doctor and completely owning the "room".

 

[diankra]

I only realized she was a real-life person when I saw the credits. Not a big deal either way.

She presents a show similar to the one Ruby was on (probably not named as on ITV). Had previously done voice-over for Bad Wolf, when she was presenting Big Brother.

 

[O'Dib]

I'm guessing most American Disney+ viewers will have a "who?!" moment over Davina McCall but perhaps they googled her after Bad Wolf.

Were we meant to realize she is not a fictional character?

 

[Mr. Adventure]

If you knew who she was in real life it might have added some humor especially when the Christmas tree took her out. I suppose her casting could be an argument against Disneyification changing too much.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

She presents a show similar to the one Ruby was on (probably not named as on ITV). Had previously done voice-over for Bad Wolf, when she was presenting Big Brother.

Yeah, I figured that out pretty quickly. I remember someone mentioning before the episode aired that someone who had been heard in "Bad Wolf" would appear in this episode, but I promptly forgot about that fact when I watched it.

 

[Mr Awe]

Late to the party! I gave this an 8/10!

Very enjoyable but not a classic. No real strong complaints either. Perhaps a bit too much domestic stuff, but then again, it is RTD. Fortunately, Ruby's family is likeable because I'm sure we'll be seeing them again.

I know Disney supposedly has no influence on the content, but with singing goblins, sure seems like it!

I preferred this special over the Toymaker special. So a step up in my book! So far Ncuti is good as the Doctor. No complaints. I like his energy!

 

[Mr Awe]

Well that was a very underwhelming trailer. The episode was okay. Something is up with that old lady though. She seems to know the Doctor but he doesn’t seem to recognise her

They're clearly setting up some future storyline. I'm sure we'll learn more!