Doctor Who: 73 Yards – a 'stone-cold classic piece of British TV sci-fi'
Millie Gibson steals the limelight in this 'genuinely disturbing' episode
Ncuti Gatwa was almost entirely absent from "73 Yards" but it didn't matter, said Ed Power in The Independent. The latest instalment of the iconic British sci-fi show passed the "litmus test" of any great "Doctor Who" episode: would it still work without the doctor? "The answer is stonkingly in the affirmative."
Despite the BBC's flash deal with Disney+, the fourth episode of season 14 had a "back-to-basics vibe", with the drama unfolding from a windswept cliff in Wales. The doctor mentions a dangerous politician before stepping on a fairy circle and vanishing, leaving Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) to fend for herself. Things take a dark turn as Ruby spies a mysterious woman following her from a distance (never allowing her to get closer than 73 yards), "making weird hand signals and cackling out of earshot". What more could an avid Whovian ask for?
The episode, penned by Russell T. Davies, cranks up to "full-on horror" as Ruby tries to "unravel the mystery", said Martin Belam in The Guardian. She heads to the nearby village to find help; the high point of the episode is the "oppressive Welsh pub night-time sequence" which "veers wildly" between the mirth of locals enjoying "pulling the leg of the gullible English tourist" and the "genuinely unnerving menace" as they tell tales of "Mad Jack".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Aneurin Barnard "cut an impressive figure" as villainous politician Roger ap Gwilliam, while Ruby's adoptive mum Carla (Michelle Greenidge) put on a heart-rending show, disowning her daughter and telling her with conviction: "Even your real mother didn't want you."
But it is Gibson who carried the episode with a "deeply moving and noble" performance, said Martin Robinson in the London Evening Standard, proving she is "a lot more" than a mere "gauche, wide-eyed companion".
The ending doesn't completely make sense. ("You'll probably need a flowchart, a cork board and lots of string to work it out", conceded Power.) Regardless, "73 Yards" is a "moving, provocative" episode that has the "gumption" to break with the weekly format and temporarily relegate the doctor to the sidelines. "It's a five-star knockout all day long."
Although "genuinely disturbing", this episode is, all in all, a "stone-cold classic piece of British TV sci-fi", said Robinson, and one that is sure to win over "even people who hate 'Doctor Who'".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Irenie Forshaw is a features writer at The Week, covering arts, culture and travel. She began her career in journalism at Leeds University, where she wrote for the student newspaper, The Gryphon, before working at The Guardian and The New Statesman Group. Irenie then became a senior writer at Elite Traveler, where she oversaw The Experts column.
-
5 highly educational cartoons about Louisiana classrooms
Cartoons Artists take on free lunch, the sixth commandment, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The SNP: a lacklustre manifesto?
Talking Point Voters 'getting weary' of familiar fare from Scottish National Party
By The Week UK Published
-
Labour vs. Tories: which party will raise taxes the most?
The Explainer What do the two main parties' manifestos say about their tax plans? And do their sums add up?
By The Week UK Published
-
Suranne Jones: Investigating Witch Trials – an 'engaging' documentary
The Week Recommends The actor delves into the chilling history behind witch hunts
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Federer: Twelve Final Days – adoring film about the tennis legend
The Week Recommends The Swiss maestro is explored further in this 'must-watch' documentary
By The Week UK Published
-
The Bikeriders: Jodie Comer and Tom Hardy star in high-octane drama
The Week Recommends Film inspired by 1968 book about notorious biker gang in Chicago
By The Week UK Published
-
My Father's Fable: 'gripping' family drama that 'keeps you guessing' to the end
The Week Recommends Faith Omole's debut play explores complex relationships with 'flair'
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
I Am: Celine Dion – a 'raw, heartbreaking and deeply moving' documentary
The Week Recommends Prime Video's film chronicles the singer's 17-year battle with stiff person syndrome
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
The only TV show you need to watch this election year
The Week Recommends Amazon Prime's 'The Boys' relishes its ripped-from-the-headlines ultraviolence
By David Faris Published
-
The best lakeside getaways in Europe
The Week Recommends These tranquil lakes offer a quieter alternative to their coastal neighbours
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Where to safely vacation in the Caribbean during hurricane season
The Week Recommends Head to the ABC islands: Aruba, Bonaire and Curacao
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published