Doctor Who: 73 Yards Review - 6 Ups & 4 Downs

It does seem like RTD is replaying his greatest hits. If Wild Blue Yonder was his attempt to recapture the feeling of Midnight, then 73 Yards felt like it drew a lot of inspiration from Turn Left. You have an unseen presence stalking the companion at all times, the Doctor being absent from the plot forcing the companion to go it alone, and, of course, time jumps.

I had no idea how far this episode was going to go with this. I was a little surprised to see that Ruby had been alone long enough to justify her leaving the TARDIS behind, but to see her returning fully to her life, especially after losing Carla, was especially painful.

To see Ruby spend her entire lifetime keeping others at a distance, unsure what her goal is and how to achieve it, was rather depressing – but also the kind of story that Doctor Who, by its very nature, doesn't ever get to tell with a companion.

The glimpses we get of Ruby's life without the Doctor, her family, or any support network whatsoever are some of the best in the episode, as she struggles to hold down relationships and instead seems to take comfort in the presence of her constant companion. It very quickly paints a picture of the kind of life she has lived.