Doctor Who fans have branded the show’s latest outing Dot and Bubble a ‘rip-off’ of Netflix favorite Black Mirror before sharing their fury at the shocking twist ending.
Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who episode 5, Dot and Bubble.
The latest adventure takes place in the mysterious world of FineTime, where the inhabitants live happily and depend on the bubble, a social media technology that literally encompasses the user’s head, making them almost oblivious to the outside world.
The episode was directed not by The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his companion Ruby (Millie Gibson), but by Lindy Pepper-Bean (Callie Cooke), who is so engrossed in the bubble that she doesn’t notice the giant slugs. They eat everyone around them.
Netflix’s 2016 Black Mirror episode followed a similar theme where people were also followed on social media and others’ online ratings would affect their daily lives.
Doctor Who fans have branded the show’s latest appearance, Dot and Bubble, a ‘rip-off’ of the Black Mirror episode Nosedive.
The latest adventure takes place on the set of FineTime, where the inhabitants live happily and depend on the bubble, a social media technology that literally encompasses the user’s head, making them almost oblivious to the outside world (Ncuti Gatwa in the photo).
The 2016 Black Mirror episode (pictured) followed a similar theme where people were also followed on social media and others’ online ratings would affect their daily lives.
X viewers said: ‘Does Doctor Who still want to be Doctor Who? Or are you happy to copy Black Mirror, Stranger Things and whatever else you can think of?’: ‘This episode is giving me Nosedive Black Mirror vibes.’
They continued: ‘I miss when Doctor Who aspired to be more than a cheap Black Mirror’: What the fuck was that? First, the disappointment of (last week’s episode) 73 Yards now Dot and Bubble. An entire episode for them to recognize Susan Twist and rip off Black Mirror. Also, why does the doctor always cry? I swear it’s been almost every episode. And this season started very well.’
The big twist at the end of the episode revealed that those living in FineTime are actually racists and Lindy rejects the Doctor’s help in getting everyone to a safe new home, after discovering the color of her skin.
Telling him, “You’re not one of us,” leaving the Time Lord crying in frustration and disbelief in a dramatic final scene.
However, some viewers were not impressed with the surprise that read: ‘Doctor Who’. Point and bubble. It’s not very subtle (writer Russell T Davies). I liked the uniqueness of the main character being someone you detested at the end, I can’t think of a similar scenario in New of Classic Who before.
‘Doctor Who Dot and Bubble is white savior Russell T Davies’ racism episode in a Black Mirror wrapper. If you don’t have a low IQ, you knew where this was going 15 minutes in, but the ending didn’t make sense. Written illogically just to make Davies feel smug and precise.”
And: “The woke left has to screw it all up, a very unique sci-fi concept reduced to racism on an alien planet.” What the fuck. The last five minutes are where Doctor Who ends, completely finished.’
Last month, Doctor Who fans gave a strong verdict on Ncuti’s performance as the 15th Doctor after the BBC show returned for its 14th series.
The episode was directed not by The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and his companion Ruby (Millie Gibson), but by Lindy Pepper-Bean (Callie Cooke, pictured).
She is so absorbed in the bubble that she doesn’t notice that the giant slugs are eating everyone around her.
The Doctor’s companion, Ruby Sunday, along with the Time Lord himself, appear briefly during the episode.
X viewers said: ‘Does Doctor Who still want to be Doctor Who? Or is he happy to copy Black Mirror, Stranger Things and whatever else comes to mind?
The beloved sci-fi show returned with two new episodes, Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord.
On X, formerly known as Twitter, viewers praised Ncuti as the “perfect” Doctor and that his “performance is stunning.”
‘This is a really bad episode, but Ncuti Gatwa has great energy for the doctor. I hope it has better episodes.”
Other fans gushed that the Sex Education star is “amazing” and they’re excited to see him in more episodes.
The big twist at the end of the episode revealed that those who live in FineTime are actually racists, and Lindy rejects the Doctor’s help to save everyone from the slugs after discovering the color of her skin.
However, some viewers were not impressed with the surprise.
‘They’re really good. Ncuti is amazing; Well, I’m already convinced of Ncuti; Ncuti is immediately warm and lovable from the start as the #DrWho doctor; I love Ncuti as a doctor.”
‘Really in love with Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor. #Doctor who; At least I feel like they’re a little better written than last season. Ncuti is also doing a great job with the character so far.”
‘I really like the new Doctor Who. Ncuti Gatwa plays the role with a confidence he hasn’t seen in Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. And I also liked both incarnations of him.
Born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, Ncuti was inspired to become an actor after seeing David Tennant in the role.
Doctor Who’s Dot and Bubble is now available on BBC iPlayer and airs Saturday at 6.50pm, BBC1.