Doctor Who
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Dearest gentle reader,Bridgertonhas some competition.
If youve beenwaitingfor more queer love stories in the Regency era, who says Netflixis your only option?
This week, the Doctor meets a mysterious loner named Rogue (a well-coiffed Jonathan Groff) in 1813.
Forget sci-fi and sci-fantasy for a moment it feels likeDoctor Whohas fully transformed into a gay enemies-to-lovers rom-com.
What a way to kick off Pride month!
Romance, drama, and stakes that test the Doctors moral compass?
Yup, this episode is definitely a strong contender for becoming my diamond of the season.
As viewers, we learn that something is wrong before the Doctor and Ruby do.
And yet … the chemistry is ridiculous.
The Doctor flirts shamelessly with Rogue until they stumble across a body and accuse each other of being responsible.
Once the gate is charged, Rogue can send him straight to the incinerator.
(Ncuti as a guest judge onDrag Racewhen?)
At this point, Ive put the rest of the plot on pause.
Yes, lives are in danger back at the ball.
But these two need to just kiss already.
Now the Doctors the flustered one, and Rogue is smirking.
Im almost positive that Ive read a slow-burnDoctor Whofanfic with this exact scenario.
Still no kiss?!?!
This emphasizes a crucial difference between Rogue and the Doctor.
I bet Rogue wouldnt have cried when last weeks racists sailed to their deaths.
Still, the different worldviews arent necessarily a turnoff.
Theyve bonded over their shared experience with loss, so perhaps they can keep each other company.
Unfortunately, the tri-form finishes updating before they can fix the insane romantic tension between them.
The Doctor and Rogue head back to the ball, where Ruby has also realized that somethings wrong.
The Doctor explains that Chuldurs come to planets to try people on like outfits.
In this case, the goal isBridgertoncosplay.
(There are more healthy solutions, Chuldurs.
Have you heard of Comic-Con?
To draw them out, the Doctor turns to another tried-and-true romance trope: fake dating.
He and Rogue scandalize the room by dancing together.
We hear a zap, and Ruby screams.
Is our companion gonna die so unceremoniously?
We havent even solved the snow mystery!
Unfortunately, thats when Ruby reveals that she is not a Chuldur.
She set her earrings to battle mode and fought Chuldur-Emily off.
Rogue throws Chuldur-Emily into the tri-form, locking it at maximum capacity.
They want to cosplay the entire planet to death so everyone, including Ruby, will die anyway.
Can you lose your friend to save the world?
This version of the Doctor cant.
I know, Rogue says, brushing away the Doctors tears.
They finally, finally kiss, wrapping an entire potential relationship into 13 tender seconds.
When Rogue pulls away, hes taken the trigger from the Doctor.
Hecouldpress the button and spare the Doctor from having to make the decision.
Instead, he runs into the trap and pushes Ruby out before any Chuldurs can escape.
Find me, he says, pressing the trigger.
Its exactly the pop in of character development that would make the Doctor fall even more in love.
As the Doctor explains to Ruby, there are as many dimensions as there are atoms.
I also suspect that the Chuldurs wouldve killed Rogue immediately upon landing.
His sacrifice is so tragic and touching because he knew it would be permanent.
Find me just felt like an excuse not to say good-bye.
Ruby forces the Doctor into a hug that he clearly needs.
Cut for Time (Lord)
What is it about the Doctor and period drama episodes?
(Though, can you imagine if Roguehadsurvived?
Ruby wouldve been third-wheeling across all of time and space.)
Rogue notes that his job has so much paperwork ever since we got that new boss.
Hes really solidified who this character is.
All the guest stars had great comedic timing.
Lock in your last guesses!
