I thought doctor who was doing pretty well this season. It had several things that I actively loved. Midnight and lux and ruby sunday. I loved belinda and I loved the fugitive doctor showing up in "The story and the engine". And honestly that episode in general.
And I want people to know that. But that doesn't mean I'm blind to its flaws. Of which there are many. But what I'm about to rant about fills me with a very particular kind of disgust.
I really enjoyed the direction everything was going in. I loved belinda taking none of the doctors shit and just wanting to go home. I thought we were gonna get some commentary on some of the toxic dynamics between the doctor and his companions as well as the ultimate power dynamic that consistently falls into place. (Eg: the doctor basically having complete control over the companions comings and goings.) And I honestly thought "Toxic" was confirming that.
Then "reality war" happened and all my hopes and dreams fell flat. "Toxic" was just cheap nostalgia bait. The doctor got to expert total power over his companions lives by deciding what the 'correct' timeline was.
We even had a whole "I knew you would come arround" speech like it was inevitable that belinda would just come to her senses and realise that the Doctor was just a brilliant amazing person giving her the opportunity of a life time. LIKE ALL HER INITIAL NOs MEANT NOTHING.
... like she was just playing hard to get.
He actively rewrote belinda's entire history and decided NOT to tell her! Leaving her with a daughter she never wanted and should not of existed. While he ran away.
I don't wanna spell it out but theres some very particular subtext I'm reading here and it is disgusting
