“73 Yards” is a bold, eerie episode set in Wales, where the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) encounter a mysterious old woman whose presence causes those around her to experience intense fear and madness. The Doctor disappears early in the episode, leaving Ruby to navigate the terrifying landscape alone. As Ruby struggles to understand the woman’s connection to her and the larger threat at hand, she faces abandonment and fear, reflecting on deeper human emotions and societal issues.
Themes:
- Abandonment and Isolation: Ruby’s journey explores her deepest fears of abandonment, as she confronts various people in her life who turn away from her under the old woman’s influence. This theme is depicted through Ruby’s interactions with her adoptive mother and others who succumb to the woman’s whispers.
- Folk Horror and Psychological Terror: The episode draws heavily on folk horror elements, creating a chilling atmosphere through the mysterious old woman and the supernatural occurrences tied to Welsh folklore. The psychological impact on Ruby and those around her amplifies the horror (Den of Geek) (The Independent).
- Political Paranoia and Dystopia: The subplot involving the future Prime Minister Roger ap Gwilliam, a right-wing candidate with a dangerous agenda, adds a layer of political commentary, reflecting contemporary anxieties and dystopian futures (Empire) (The Doctor Who Companion).
Characters:
- Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson): Ruby is at the center of the episode, showcasing her resilience and vulnerability. Gibson’s performance is widely praised for capturing the complexity of Ruby’s emotional journey as she deals with abandonment and the supernatural threat.
- Roger ap Gwilliam (Aneurin Barnard): Introduced as a future political figure, his character adds a darker, more dystopian element to the narrative, emphasizing the stakes of Ruby’s mission (The Independent) (Empire).
Production Facts:
- Director: Dylan Holmes Williams, known for his strong visual style, effectively uses atmospheric settings and folk horror elements to create a haunting experience.
- Writer: Russell T Davies returns with a script that blends emotional depth with chilling horror, drawing comparisons to classic episodes like “Blink” and “Turn Left” (Den of Geek) (The Doctor Who Companion).
Audience Reactions: “73 Yards” has been received as one of the standout episodes of the new series, with critics highlighting its ambitious storytelling and Millie Gibson’s exceptional performance. Some viewers appreciated the episode’s exploration of deep emotional and psychological themes, while others found the ambiguity and complex narrative challenging but ultimately rewarding (Den of Geek) (Empire) (The Independent).
Overall, “73 Yards” is a thought-provoking and atmospheric episode that pushes the boundaries of traditional Doctor Who storytelling, solidifying Millie Gibson’s Ruby as a compelling and capable companion in the series.