Doctor Who: The Reality War Review - 4 Ups & 7 Downs

It appears that Belinda’s time on the show is up, and I am absolutely gutted at how short-changed Varada Sethu has been, not just by this finale, but the series as a whole. In the history of NuWho, we’ve never had a solo companion that’s been utilised quite so little.

Belinda leaves the show, and her big finale has her not contributing to saving the world in any way (and actively hindering efforts at some points) – instead, she spends her entire final appearance acting like an entirely different character. Her job this week is to hold the baby and be a mother, because heaven forbid she can be more than one thing. The entire last episode parodied the whole idea of a nuclear family, forcing Belinda into the role of a doting housewife in a way that was meant to feel intentionally unnatural. This episode reduces her to this stereotype and plays it completely straight. There’s a real lack of self awareness here.

Belinda is the Martha to Ruby’s Rose, playing second fiddle at every opportunity, and there isn’t a greater metaphor for that than putting Belinda in a literal box with nothing to do for half the episode. 

I guess it’s now in the hands of Big Finish to give this character her due, one day.