Doctor Who: The Interstellar Song Contest Review - 5 Ups & 4 Downs

Rejoice! Belinda was a main character in this episode! After barely appearing in Lucky Day and taking a significant back seat in The Story & The Engine, I was starting to worry that Belinda might get even less screen time than Ncuti Gatwa got in his first season.

For me, Varada Sethu has been a highlight of Season 2 so far, and this episode is no exception. Sure, Fifteen had his big solo moments this week, which we’ll get to, but every moment spent slowing down to take just a moment with these two does wonders for the pacing and the plot. Their chemistry is fantastic, from the opening scenes where they’re just hanging out and chatting before all hell breaks loose, to that tender little ‘You’re wonderful’ moment at the end. I totally buy that these two are mates.

A standout scene for me this week was Belinda’s reaction to the Doctor joining the impromptu spacewalk. We cycle through a hell of a lot of emotions with her in very quick succession. Pure shock, sadness, panic, hopelessness – it’s a believable reaction and a scene that (ironically), gives the inevitably short-lived mass-murder some much needed gravity.

Speaking of which…