Russell T Davies isn’t exactly an unknown quantity in the realm of Doctor Who. His notions of storytelling have been observed, analyzed, and mostly adored in the twenty years since it was announced he would be leading the revival of the program in 2004.
He set the pattern, and subsequent expectation, for laying out a series in terms of overall theme and how it would be parceled out leading to the conclusion, setting the stage for the series, and all the change that would come with it.
But this is where the push-pull of twenty years makes a difference. Even in taking on a production partner in Disney to further the reach of Doctor Who–in every conceivable way–whereas RTD had 13 episodes in 2005 to do his work, in 2024 he has only 8–a significant contraction in storytelling terms–therefore his various ‘moves’ need some acceleration.
The first episode being on the light side–done. Showing the new companion the wider world, right down to a panoramic show looking out–done. Topping up the phone to let the new companion call family across time and space–done. In other words Space Babies felt more than a little familiar.
What’s not familiar is just how lively this Doctor/companion team is. Gatwa is such a live wire that his energy just leaps off the screen–in fact we wonder if he needs–based on ‘one’ episode–to dial it down a little.
The good news … a second episode was broadcast that very same night. Images and caps for Space Babies are now online.
