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The Legend of Ruby Sunday

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311a – "The Legend of Ruby Sunday"
Doctor Who episode
Promotional poster
Cast
Others
Production
Directed byJamie Donoughue
Written byRussell T Davies
Script editorScott Handcock
Produced byVicki Delow
Executive producer(s)
Music byMurray Gold
SeriesSeries 14
Running time1st of 2-part story, 44 minutes
First broadcast15 June 2024 (2024-06-15)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"Rogue" 		Followed by →
"Empire of Death"
List of episodes (2005–present)

"The Legend of Ruby Sunday" is the seventh and penultimate episode of the fourteenth series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was broadcast on BBC One on 15 June 2024 and was written by Russell T Davies and directed by Jamie Donoughue. It is the first part of a two-part story, the concluding part being "Empire of Death", broadcast on 22 June. The episode is set to be given a limited theatrical release the following week alongside "Empire of Death".

It stars Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor and Millie Gibson as his companion Ruby Sunday as they seek UNIT's help in determining the identity of the mysterious woman who has appeared throughout the season (played by Susan Twist) as well as the identity of Ruby's mother.

"The Legend of Ruby Sunday" reintroduces Sutekh, who was last seen in the 1975 serial Pyramids of Mars where he faced off against the Fourth Doctor (Tom Baker). Gabriel Woolf reprises his role as the voice of Sutekh.[1]

Plot

The Doctor arrives at UNIT Headquarters, meeting up with their leader Kate Lethbridge-Stewart and several other members of UNIT. The Doctor asks them to try and identify the mysterious woman who has appeared as various other faces in his previous adventures. UNIT is able to identify her as Susan Triad, who is the head of S Triad Technology. The group believe S Triad to be an anagram of TARDIS, and believe it to be a trap. The Doctor additionally believes that Triad may be his granddaughter Susan Foreman. Ruby leaves with Rose Noble in order to retrieve a VHS containing security footage from the night Ruby was abandoned, with The Doctor and Ruby hoping to identify Ruby's mother through the usage of UNIT's technology.

Ruby and Rose return to Ruby's apartment, where Ruby's mother Carla joins them. She has their neighbour Mrs. Flood look after Cherry. As they leave, Flood declares "He waits no more" as a storm approaches. Ruby and Rose return to UNIT headquarters, where they use a "Time Window" in order to recreate the night Ruby was abandoned, entering it alongside UNIT colonel Chidozie. A hooded figure, believed to be Ruby's mother, points at The Doctor, and The Doctor asks Chidozie to see if there was anything else the figure could have been pointing at. Chidozie sees nothing, and as the figure disappears, a mysterious swirling vortex appears where Chidozie stood. After asking him questions, the Window overloads, leaving behind Chidozie's dead body.

The Doctor goes with Mel to talk to Triad as she prepares for an international technology launch broadcast. The Doctor does not recognise Triad as his granddaughter, and realises that she experiences dreams of her other existences. UNIT is able to view the vortex on the VHS, and using image enhancing technology, are able to determine that the TARDIS was at the centre of the vortex. UNIT identifies a being surrounding the TARDIS as it begins to groan. Harriet, a member of UNIT, is revealed to be a harbinger of The One Who Waits, who materialises around the TARDIS and reveals himself as Sutekh the Destroyer, the God of Death. During Triad's broadcast she breaks down over the memories of her dreams, before manifesting as Sutekh and preparing to kill The Doctor and destroy the universe.

Production

Development

The episode was written by Russell T Davies, the Doctor Who showrunner.[2] Davies said he first got a rough idea for the episode forty to fifty years earlier.[3] Davies gave a list of five previous stories that he suggested viewers watch before the episode released.[4] The episode draws together many loose threads and story arcs that have been developed throughout the series.[5] Some of these storylines also continued to explore that surrounding the "Timeless Child" which was first introduced in the preceding showrunners era.[6] It is the first episode in a two-part story, concluding in the following week's episode, "Empire of Death".[7] The two episodes are set to be bridged by an additional episode of Tales of the TARDIS.[8]

Filming

"The Legend of Ruby Sunday" was directed by Jamie Donoughue who compared the two-part finale to a feature film.[9] It was produced in the series' eighth production block along with the following episode. Some filming occurred at One Central Square in Cardiff in June 2023.[10]

Casting

Numerous performers reprised their roles after appearing earlier in the fourteenth series and throughout the 2023 specials. Jemma Redgrave reprised her role as Kate Lethbridge-Stewart for the fourth consecutive year in a row after a six-year absence from the programme.[11] Bonnie Langford also guest starred as former Sixth and Seventh Doctor companion Mel Bush. Langford also recently returned to Doctor Who in "The Giggle" after a thirty-six year absence.[12][13] Langford described her role in the episode as being "camp as hell".[14] Additionally, Yasmin Finney returned as Rose Noble,[15] the daughter of former companion Donna Noble, following her introduction in "The Star Beast".[16]

Susan Twist made an appearance as Susan Triad, the head and founder of the fictional company S Triad Technology.[17] Twist first appeared in "Wild Blue Yonder" and made a further appearance in "The Church on Ruby Road" before appearing in every episode of the fourteenth series as seemingly disparate characters.[18] These roles were ultimately connected in the episode, with "S Triad" being an anagram for the TARDIS.[19] Other returning cast members include Alexander Devrient, Michelle Greenidge, Anita Dobson, and Angela Wynter, Aidan Cook, and Nicholas Briggs.[20]

Lenny Rush appeared in the episode as Morris Gibbons, a scientific advisor for UNIT. Rush was originally cast to voice the character Eric in the series opening episode, "Space Babies". However, the producers were so impressed with his performance during the read through and early days on set that they chose to recast him as Gibbons instead.[21][22] The remainder of the guest cast included Genesis Lynea, Fela Lufadeju, Tachia Newall, and Jasmine Bayes.[23] Gabriel Woolf additionally appears as the voice of Sutekh, reprising his role from Pyramids of Mars (1975).[24]

Broadcast and reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Evening Standard[25]
The Telegraph[26]
Total Film[27]

Broadcast

"The Legend of Ruby Sunday" was released on BBC iPlayer in the United Kingdom on 15 June 2024 and followed by a broadcast on BBC One later in the day.[28] The episode was released on Disney+ worldwide, simultaneously with the iPlayer release.[29] Disney also handled international distribution of the episode outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.[30]

The episode is set to be shown the following week in select theatres in the United Kingdom alongside "Empire of Death".[31][32]

Critical reception

Stefan Mohamed of Den of Geek had a mixed response to the episode. While he believed the setup to be confusing to those unfamiliar with the show or uninvested in the characters, he felt the episode and plot "just about works" due to strong acting performances and major moments in the episode.[33]

References

  1. ^ Anderson, Kyle (14 June 2024). "Who is the Villain of Doctor Who Season 1". Nerdist. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  2. ^ Flock, Ray (8 June 2024). "Doctor Who: RTD on "Ruby Sunday"/"The Giggle" Connection; New Previews". Bleeding Cool. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  3. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (30 April 2024). "Doctor Who boss says finale contains scenes he's been planning for 50 years". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  4. ^ Graham-Lowery, Nathan (12 June 2024). "Doctor Who's RTD Lists 5 Episodes To Watch Before The Season 14 Finale". ScreenRant. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  5. ^ Hibbs, James (22 April 2024). "Doctor Who director teases movie-style finale: "People are going to be shocked"". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  6. ^ Hibbs, James (17 April 2024). "Doctor Who boss confirms Ruby Sunday is "so important" to season 15 storylines". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  7. ^ Gladman, Andrew (9 June 2024). "New Tales of the TARDIS Hints at Major Doctor Who Finale Twist". Comic Book Resources. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  8. ^ Griffin, Louise (7 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms new episode of returning spin-off and hints at link to classic story". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  9. ^ Hibbs, James (10 June 2024). "Doctor Who director teases movie-style finale: "People are going to be shocked"". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  10. ^ Laford, Andrea (9 June 2023). "Doctor Who films in Cardiff with Ncuti Gatwa and Bonnie Langford". CultBox. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  11. ^ Knight, Lewis (25 May 2024). "Who is Kate Stewart and actor Jemma Redgrave in Doctor Who?". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  12. ^ Harp, Justin (7 June 2023). "Doctor Who confirms Bonnie Langford returning for series 14". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  13. ^ Lewis, George (10 June 2024). "Doctor Who's Bonnie Langford teases "twists and turns" in two-part finale". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  14. ^ Knight, Lewis (10 June 2024). "Doctor Who icon Bonnie Langford teases Mel Bush's finale role: "It's camp as hell"". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  15. ^ Hibbs, James (6 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms BBC One time slot for The Legend of Ruby Sunday". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  16. ^ Griffin, Louise (28 November 2023). "Who is Rose Noble in Doctor Who? Yasmin Finney character explained". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  17. ^ Mensah, Katelyn (13 June 2024). "Susan Twist makes chilling reappearance in new Doctor Who preview". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  18. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (12 June 2024). "Doctor Who Boss Promises Answers This Week About Mystery Woman — What's Your Final Theory?". TVLine. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  19. ^ Griffin, Louise (7 June 2024). "Who is Susan Twist's character in Doctor Who? All the theories". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  20. ^ Griffin, Louise (5 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms Susan Twist's role in finale and more new cast". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  21. ^ Sarrubba, Stefania; Cook, Rebecca (11 June 2024). "Lenny Rush says Doctor Who role is different to anything he's done before". Digital Spy. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  22. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (11 May 2024). "Doctor Who guest star Lenny Rush was originally cast in a different role". Radio Times. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  23. ^ Laford, Andrea (5 June 2024). "Doctor Who 'The Legend of Ruby Sunday' cast list". CultBox. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  24. ^ Mohamed, Stefan (14 June 2024). "Doctor Who's New Villain Explained". Den of Geek. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  25. ^ Jessop, Vicky (14 June 2024). "Doctor Who: The Legend of Ruby Sunday review: an old enemy returns". Evening Standard. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  26. ^ Wilson, Benji (15 June 2024). "Doctor Who, episode 7 review: a properly scary baddie comes to town – after acres of bloated plot". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  27. ^ Opie, David (15 June 2024). "Doctor Who episode 7 review: "Real potential here to make it an epic, Gatwa-worthy finale"". Total Film. GamesRadar+. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
  28. ^ Hibbs, James (6 June 2024). "Doctor Who confirms BBC One time slot for The Legend of Ruby Sunday". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  29. ^ Russell, Bradley (4 June 2024). "Doctor Who release schedule: when is episode 6 on Disney Plus and BBC?". GamesRadar+. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  30. ^ Power, Ed (2 December 2023). "Is Doctor Who too whimsically British for Ireland?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 14 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Doctor Who confirms Ncuti Gatwa season's final 2 episodes coming to cinemas". Digital Spy. 23 May 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  32. ^ "Where to watch the Doctor Who season 14 finale in the cinema". Radio Times. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
  33. ^ Mohamed, Stefan (14 June 2024). "Doctor Who Series 14 Episode 7 Review: The Legend of Ruby Sunday". Den of Geek. Retrieved 15 June 2024.
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