Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 4 Review: A Refreshing Change of Tone
In a significant shift from the usual Doctor Who formula, season 2, episode 4, “Lucky Day,” marks the first episode without Russell T Davies credited as a writer. According to a review by IGN, Peter Hoar’s script brings a refreshing change in tone, one that subtly evokes the scrappy energy of the early revival years.
The episode follows season 1 companion Ruby Sunday as she navigates life back on Earth, a welcome sidestep from mystical contrivances. Millie Gibson gives a strong lead performance, leaning on familiar themes that highlight a companion’s struggle to find their place in the world without the Doctor. IGN notes that while the episode flirts with the idea of being a story about life beyond the TARDIS, that’s not really where “Lucky Day” finds its footing.
IGN praises the episode’s choice of villain, Ruby’s seemingly harmless boyfriend, Conrad, who is revealed to be the ringleader behind the online anti-alien conspiracy group Think Tank. This twist is effective and darkly comic, emphasizing the all-too-common way online hate groups can spread, fester, and mobilize. As IGN points out, it’s rare and wonderfully intriguing to see humanity cast as the real threat, especially as neither the Doctor nor UNIT has a satisfying answer to it.
However, IGN notes that the episode stumbles in its generic feel from moment to moment. While it’s possible that this ordinariness is intentional, the episode doesn’t foreground that idea strongly enough for it to resonate. IGN criticizes the episode’s emotional arc, stating that it feels too loosely stitched together to give the episode real emotional weight.
Despite its flaws, IGN acknowledges that “Lucky Day” knows the tone and story it wants to hit, and often does so with style. The Doctor’s climactic monologue about online radicalisation is earnest and conceptually rich, but dramatically flat and plays more like a PSA. On the other hand, Kate Stewart’s morally murky decision to weaponise the captured Sheek alien against Conrad is a rare moment of genuine moral complexity.
Ultimately, IGN concludes that the episode’s contradictions don’t undo its successes, but they do hold it back from greatness. As IGN notes, “Lucky Day” proves that there’s still space in Doctor Who for more politically charged, satirical stories rooted in our own messy reality.
In a detailed analysis of the episode, IGN highlights the episode’s strengths and weaknesses, providing a comprehensive review of “Lucky Day.” As IGN states, “Lucky Day” marks a notable shift in Season 2, and while it may not be a perfect episode, it’s a refreshing change of tone that shows promise for the rest of the season.
The review from IGN also mentions that “Lucky Day” features a strong performance from Millie Gibson, and that the episode’s themes of online radicalisation and humanity as the real threat are well-worth exploring. However, IGN criticizes the episode’s pacing and character development, stating that it feels too loosely stitched together.
Overall, IGN’s review of “Lucky Day” provides a detailed analysis of the episode’s strengths and weaknesses, and offers a comprehensive critique of the episode’s tone, themes, and character development.
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