Doctor Who fans have branded the show’s latest outing Dot and Bubble as a ‘rip off’ of Netflix favourite Black Mirror, before sharing their fury at the shocking final twist.
Spoilers ahead for Doctor Who episode 5 Dot and Bubble.
The latest adventure takes place in the mysterious world of FineTime where inhabitants live happily and are dependent on the bubble, a social media technology which literally encompasses the user’s head, making them almost oblivious to the outside world.
The episode was led not by The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and companion Ruby (Millie Gibson) but Lindy Pepper-Bean (Callie Cooke) who is so engrossed in the bubble she fails to notice giant slugs eating everyone around her.
Netflix’s 2016 Black Mirror episode followed a similar theme where people were also followed around by social media and their online ratings from others would effect their day to day lives.
Doctor Who fans have branded the show’s latest outing Dot and Bubble as a ‘rip off’ of Black Mirror ‘s episode Nosedive.
The latest adventure is on the set plant of FineTime where inhabitants live happily and are dependent on the bubble, a social media technology which literally encompasses the user’s head, making them almost oblivious to the outside world (Ncuti Gatwa pictured)
The 2016 Black Mirror episode (pictured) followed a similar theme where people were also followed around by social media and their online ratings from others would effect their day to day lives
Taking to X viewers said: ‘Does Doctor Who still want to be Doctor Who? Or is it happy to just rip off Black Mirror, Stranger Things and anything else it fancies?’: ‘This episode is giving me Nosedive Black Mirror vibes’.
They continued: ‘I miss when Doctor who aspired to be more then a budget Black Mirror’: WTF was that? First the disappointment of [last week’s episode] 73 Yards now Dot and Bubble. A whole episode so they could recognise Susan Twist and rip off Black Mirror. Also why does thus doctor always cry. I swear it’s been nearly every episode. And this season started so well’.
The huge twist at the end of the episode revealed that those living on FineTime are in fact racists and Lindy refuses The Doctor’s help to take everyone to a safe new home, after discovering the colour of his skin.
Telling him: ‘You’re not one of us’ leaving the Time Lord in tears of frustration and disbelief in a dramatic final scene.
However some viewers were unimpressed with the surprise saying: ‘Doctor Who. Dot and Bubble. Not very subtle is he [Writer Russell T Davies]. I Liked the uniqueness of the main character being somebody you detested by the end, can’t think of a similar scenario in New of Classic Who before’.
‘Doctor Who Dot and Bubble is white saviour Russell T Davies’ racism episode in a Black Mirror wrapping. If you aren’t low IQ you knew what this was headed 15 mins in but the ending made no sense. Illogically written just for Davies to feel smug and on point’.
And: ‘The woke left have to spoil everything, a highly unique sci fi concept boiled down to racism on an alien planet. What the f***. The last five mins is what Doctor Who is over, totally finished’.
Last month Doctor Who fans have given a strong verdict on Ncuti’s performance as the 15th Doctor after the BBC show returned for its 14th series
The episode was led not by The Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa ) and companion Ruby (Millie Gibson) but Lindy Pepper-Bean (Callie Cooke, pictured)
She is so engrossed in the bubble she fails to notice giant slugs eating everyone around her
The Doctor’s companion Ruby Sunday, along with the Time Lord himself, appear fleetingly during the episode
Taking to X viewers said: ‘Does Doctor Who still want to be Doctor Who? Or is it happy to just rip off Black Mirror, Stranger Things and anything else it fancies?’
The beloved sci-fi show returned with two new episodes, Space Babies and The Devil’s Chord.
Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – viewers raved that Ncuti is the ‘perfect’ Doctor and that his ‘acting is impressive’.
‘This is a really bad episode but Ncuti Gatwa has great energy for the doctor. I hope he gets better episodes.’
Other fans gushed that the Sex Education star is ‘incredible’ and they are excited to see him in more episodes.
The huge twist at the end of the episode revealed that those living on FineTime are in fact racist, and Lindy refuses The Doctor’s help to save everyone from the slugs after discovering the colour of his skin
However some viewers were unimpressed with the surprise
‘They’re really good Ncuti is incredible; Okay I’m sold on Ncuti now; Ncuti is so immediately warm & lovable from the jump as the doctor #DrWho; I love Ncuti as the doctor.’
‘Actually in love with Ncuti Gatwa as The Doctor. #DoctorWho; I at least feel like they’re slightly better written than last season. Ncuti’s doing a great job with the character so far too.’
‘I really like the new Doctor Who. Ncuti Gatwa plays the role with a confidence that I hadn’t seen from Peter Capaldi and Jodie Whittaker. And I liked both of their incarnations as well.’
Born in Rwanda and raised in Scotland, Ncuti was inspired to become an actor after watching David Tennant in the role.
Doctor Who’s Dot and Bubble is available now on BBC iPlayer and airs Saturday, 6.50pm, BBC1.