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

Ruby Sunday, in universe, has had such a rough time – this girl has been consistently mistreated by everyone across a worrying number of episodes. This week, however, it made me particularly angry. Why? Because this mistreatment came at the hands of the Doctor, and not in a way that I think the script intended.

The scene in which Poppy disappears from existence was heartbreaking – or at least it would have been, if I wasn’t distracted by how poorly Fifteen and Belinda are treating Ruby. Firstly, they sit there almost entirely ignoring her whilst they make puppy eyes and talk about how great their new life is going to be, but it’s what comes after that really grinds my gears.

Ruby is the only one who remembers Poppy, and she is visibly devastated (understandably, given she’s essentially just witnessed the death of the cutest baby ever) – she tries to explain what she knows, and Fifteen completely shuts her down. His best friend is having an absolute breakdown, and not only does he not trust what she’s saying, he doesn’t comfort her in the slightest. Instead, he opts to tell her she’s just confused – this is a trope normally reserved for when the person saying it is brainwashed, but here, the Doctor does this without outside influence. Belinda even goes so far as to say that Ruby is being offensive. These characters just wouldn’t treat Ruby like this.

Not only does the Doctor know well enough to listen when people he trusts are saying things like this, but he also cares deeply for the woman he supposedly thinks of as his best friend. What a sad way to end the arc between these two. He doesn’t even apologise.

To add insult to injury, we don’t even take the time to include a goodbye between Fifteen and Ruby, after all they’ve been through. Honestly, Ruby, I think you need a new bestie.