Warning: Spoilers ahead forDoctor Whoseason 15, episode 1, “The Robot Revolution.“Doctor Whoseason 15, episode 1, “The Robot Revolution,” includes an exchange between Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) and the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) that quietly highlights a long-running companion trend that has been incredibly present in the show’s modern era. Although Sethu first appeared in 2024’s “Boom”, her role in theDoctor Whoseason 15 castplaces far more focus on her new character. The nature of theconnection between Belinda Chandra and Mundy Flynnis addressed near theend of “The Robot Revolution,“but it is not fully resolved.
Belinda proves herself a worthy companion inDoctor Whoseason 15’s opener, although the episode also comes with the surprising twist that she has no interest in traveling with the Doctor after being rescued. Instead, she just wants to return to Earth. However,the TARDIS can’t take Belinda home, and she is forced to go on a journey through time and space. This part of her character’s backstory is fascinating, but there’s something else about the Doctor’s new companion that seems frustratingly familiar.
Belinda Ruthlessly Points Out That She’s Another Of Doctor Who’s “Mystery Girl” Companions
Sethu’s new Doctor Who character quietly criticizes a modern companion trope
Belinda has come in to replace Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday after the latter made her exit as a full-time member of the cast at theend ofDoctor Whoseason 14. Although they have differences, both women have fallen into the category ofDoctor Who’s “mystery girl” companions. This is a common trope that predates Ruby. It encompasses previous companions like Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), Amy Pond (Karen Gillan), and Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman).Belinda unknowingly references this narrative trend in “The Robot Revolution” while speaking with Fifteen in the TARDIS.
THE DOCTOR: “I can’t help thinking, Bel, that maybe we are meant to be connected.”
BELINDA: “Like, this is destiny? Is that what you say to all the girls?”
- Doctor Who season 15, episode 1, “The Robot Revolution.”
AlthoughBelinda only intends the line to poke fun at the Doctor, it means a lot more when heard as a viewer of the show. Because of the mysterious issue of Fifteen and Belinda being drawn together by something that’s as yet inexplicable, showrunner/writer Russell T. Davies has made her seem more similar to other companions like Donna and Amy. It’s something of a meta joke that is ultimately an accurate appraisal of the Doctor’s recent history with companions.
Please Doctor Who, Don’t Make The Companion After Belinda Another Big Mystery
Doctor Who’s future needs to move away from enigmatic companions for a while
As much as I enjoy mysterious companion storylines, they start to lose their efficacy if used too often - which, in my opinion, they have been. What’s even more frustrating is that the big reveal aboutRuby’s mother inDoctor Whoseason 14, which was one of the biggest mysteries, turned out to be very disappointing. So, rather than introducing a new companion as an enigma to be solved, it would enjoy it far more ifDoctor Whoreturned to a more classic formula of those traveling with the show’s main character just being regular people who go on thrilling adventures.
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“The Story and the Engine”
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