Doctor Who Series 11: 3 Ups & 2 Downs From 'Rosa'

2. The Social Commentary

Doctor Who Rosa
BBC

Not going to lie, I went into this episode concerned: not because I was worried it was going to be bad, just concerned as to how they’d go about it. It’s 1955 Alabama: the entire episode revolves around the irrefutably influential Rosa Parks. We already immediately know what we’re up against, and for it to be released in this political climate? Wooh, this was going to be an interesting one.

Doctor Who has taken in social issues in the past, especially in the series just gone by, but it was a bit more out of place - a bit more out of context - and it's occasionally felt shoe-horned and unnecessary. With Rosa, however, this wasn’t some one-off comment; this was an entire episode dedicated to commentary.

But most importantly, this was very much what Doctor Who was meant to be way back in 1963 - a history lesson and a part of history brought back to the masses. Rosa Parks, what she did and how she shaped today. Sydney Newman’s original vision for the show, history and education, not bug-eyed monsters, was brought to life again last night.

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Contributor
Contributor

Born in Theatre, sits at a Computer. After over a decade of tinkering with Video Editing software, Rich gets to spend his precious time editing whatever's thrown at him. Also the go-to for Doctor Who, and could tell you why Sans Serif fonts are better than most. Still occasionally tap dances under the desk.