
Doctor Who's Latest Story Was About the Power of Doctor Who Itself
But now, in the strongest episode of his sophomore season yet, we have a story that nails exploring the Doctor's latest identity, because it allows itself the grace of being up front about engaging with that idea.
Last season's 'Dot and Bubble' played with the notion of the Doctor's racial identity by trapping him on a planet of white supremacists being eaten by giant slug monsters, but by saving that reveal for its closing scene as a gotcha for the Doctor and the audience alike, the episode failed to really engage with what it meant for the Doctor's identity as a Black man to be called into question outside of a single moment. 'The Story and the Engine,' then, by playwright Inua Ellams, stands as an interesting contrast. It is Gatwa's first Doctor Who script written entirely by a person of color (this season's 'The Well' was co-credited between Russell T Davies and Sharma Angel-Walfall). It is also a story that explicitly leverages Gatwa's identity as a Black man to tell a story that can only be told in such a circumstance.
But perhaps most crucially of all that in contrast, is that it is a story that uses that identity to tell a story of joy, of the universality and power of storytelling, something that connects the Doctor to the people they yearn to protect. And it can only do so by clearly establishing that connection between the story being told, and its setting, to the Doctor's current identity from the get-go.
Where that story takes place is Lagos, Nigeria, as the Doctor and Belinda continue to charge up their 'try and find 2025 London' device by hopping around in time and space. Landing in Lagos, the Doctor gets what he needs almost immediately, but is reluctant to move on quickly: there's a local barbershop, ran by a man named Omo (Sule Rimi), that he loves visiting. We've seen Gatwa's Doctor play with myriad styles, especially with his hair, but as Belinda points out to him, he has a massive time ship that does all that for him. The reason Omo's shop is special, the Doctor argues, is because it's a place that makes his current incarnation feel seen, in a way he hasn't before.
Although it's not the first time the Doctor has ever been Black (as we get a wonderful nod to with a brief surprise appearance by Jo Martin's Fugitive Doctor later on), having the Doctor articulate to Belinda his desire to feel recognized and welcomed in spaces as a Black man–and having them both, as the first TARDIS team completely made up of people of color, connect over that in their developing friendship–is an incredibly compelling idea, and it's one that really resonates compared to the times this Doctor's racial identity has been used in stories only to serve as a point of conflict, like 'Dot and Bubble' or briefly in 'Lux'.
After Belinda acquiesces and lets the Doctor check in for a trim though, things kick into high gear. It turns out Omo's shop is under new management, a mysterious figure known only as the Barber (Ariyon Bakare), who has trapped Omo and several other men there, wrenching the shop out of time and space to keep them all in an endless cycle of haircuts and storytelling: their tales of history and myth powering a massive mechanical spider that is whisking the Barber and his ally Abena, the daughter of Anansi (Michelle Asante), on a quest for vengeance against the gods themselves. The Barber, it turns out, helped spread the myths of countless gods and folklores throughout human history by creating a Nexus, a literal web of storytelling and culture that spread their reach and influence but also laid the fundamental groundwork for human civilization itself, the act of sharing and developing thousands of years of stories, passed on through generations. No longer needing him with the Nexus' creation, the gods cast the Barber out, and now he wants to destroy it, and take them with it.
Much of this plays out within the confines of Omo's barbershop, an infinitely tiny space for all these big ideas to burst out of, even if it's also revealed that said barbershop is currently temporally displaced and being carried about an alternate dimension by a giant mechanical spider. At times, 'The Story and the Engine' threatens to lose itself in the strains of bandying about all these big, heady ideas, but where episodes before it this season have hit those issues, here, it almost becomes part of the metatext of Doctor Who itself. After all, as this episode reminds us, what bigger story is there out there than the Doctor themselves, countless lives lived over and over? The Doctor's status as this being who has seen so many histories and futures is the crux of the whole premise. It's why Omo tells the Barber about them in the first place; it's a story left untold—that the Fugitive Doctor once promised to free Abena from the clutches of her father, but failed to do so, telling her and us in a brief moment that she was wrapped up in a story for another time—that creates the conflict between the Doctor and Abena in the first place.
It's how, ultimately, the Doctor manages to save the day, tempting the Barber with himself as the simplest story ever told: they live, they die, they are reborn. What saves the day in 'The Story and the Engine' is not necessarily the Doctor's brains or any kind of technobabble, it's the very fact that they are the star of the story that is Doctor Who, an ongoing, living, breathing narrative that stretches across life after life, is shared between generations of people. The Doctor isn't just a story of potentiality, but one so powerful it manages to overwhelm the Barber's engine, freeing everyone trapped in the shop and guiding the Barber and Abena away from their misguided quest for revenge.
That might be a story that could've been told with any incarnation of the Doctor–and that is arguably part of the point, given it's the Doctor's narrative potentiality that proves key to foiling the Barber's plans. But 'The Story and the Engine' also directly engages with beats that re-iterate that this is a story that could have only been told by pushing the Doctor's story to a place where people of color can be part of it, as well. It's not just in the yearning for community the Doctor seeks by going to Omo's shop in the first place, it becomes even more important when Abena decides to help the Doctor by braiding his hair with a map to the heart of the Spider so he can stop it, drawing on real-world historical traditions of braided hair being used to hide messages and maps in the era of colonialism and the slave trade. 'The Story and the Engine' is laser-focused on the power of Doctor Who as a story, metatextually or otherwise, but there's also a lot of power in how it chooses to tell this story intertwined with how it leverages Gatwa's identity as the first Black, queer man to be a major player in that story.
This era of Doctor Who in particular has been very interested in the metanarratives of stories, and with playing of awareness of them for both the audience and our heroes alike. Sometimes it's worth celebrating for a moment, as we get to here, that that story can now help connect even more people from different backgrounds and welcome them to be a part of it. And that's just vital a story to tell with the first mainline Doctor played by a man of color as any story of prejudice is.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Elle
5 hours ago
- Elle
The Espadrille Sneakers Fashion Insiders Are Wearing This Summer
With summer in full swing, it's likely your closet needs a few new pieces, including shoes. In which case, let me introduce you to espadrille sneakers. Yes, there are espadrille flats and wedges, which are always a classic summer staple. That said, they're not always the best choice for the moment—whether that be a relaxing walk or a fun getaway. Lucky for you, there's an easy alternative. No doubt, we need a little bit of everything to expand our wardrobes, from day-to-day pieces to options for playful occasions. I found the best espadrille sneakers using my expertise in the market, as well as factors including comfort, design, and, of course, style. Espadrille sneakers are a fun, summery shoe that'll give your wardrobe a nice seasonal update. Below, find 15 of our favorite takes on the espadrille sneaker. If you're fatigued by your old stash of Adidas sneakers, it's time to shop this fun collab that mixes jute with beaded details. I adore platform sneakers, and this affordable pair from Keds is so chic. The multicolored jute rope will blend in seamlessly with all of your summer ensembles. Speaking of mixing materials, denim shoes are having quite a moment. Grab Chloé's jute-trimmed version to go with all of your summer dresses. Here you'll find texture on top of texture in this unique take on the espadrille sneaker trend. A little logo love never hurts, especially when it comes courtesy of Celine's iconic triomphe symbol. Lean into the joys of the season with nautical stripes paired next to a jute-trimmed sole. Classic lovers, count on Tretorn's timeless silhouettes to go perfectly with your favorite jeans or breezy linen pants. Step into your coastal girl era with this monochromatic take on the craft-inspired sneaker. For added height, step into this stacked heel option by England-based brand Penelope Chilvers. With a mix of creamy neutrals and jumbo laces, this is the sweet sneaker to add to your collection of playful kicks. With perfectly distressed details Maison Margiela makes the espadrille sneaker look cooler than ever. JW Anderson brings the moody vibes with a deep taupe option that easily mixes and matches with any hue in your closet. If you love the look of sleek sneakers that gently hug your feet, Rag & Bone's low-profile design is what you need. With thick laces and a summery jute trim, this is the sneaker that deserves a spot in your luggage this summer. Amazon always has a wonderful selection of footwear—often at a reasonable price. This pair of platformed pink Superga sneakers are fantastic for all your spring outings. Every product featured on is independently researched, tested, or editor-approved. We only recommend products that we stand behind, and the merchandise featured on our site is always driven by editorial and product testing standards, not by affiliate deals or advertising relationships. Any content created in partnership with advertisers is marked as such.


Gizmodo
10 hours ago
- Gizmodo
The ‘Doctor Who' Comic-Con Pop-Up Offers a Fun Peek at UNIT's ‘Black Archive'
Across the street from the San Diego Convention Center, there's a secret trove of artifacts from some of the biggest clashes across time and space. Well, it's not so secret: there's a TARDIS photo op right in front to help you find it. Doctor Who's future isn't yet known—even the identity of the next Doctor isn't certain—but the show's SDCC pop-up ties into the show's past as well as its upcoming spin-off, The War Between the Land and the Sea. The 'Black Archive'—inspired by the 2013 50th anniversary special 'The Day of the Doctor'—takes you inside UNIT's classified stash of alien findings and other oddities, including old-school homages and several items recognizable from Ncuti Gatwa's recent stint as the Doctor. When you enter, you're granted top-secret clearance by hosts in character as UNIT agents. You're allowed to closely examine the displays, which are marked with handwritten tags in a room filled with a mysterious fog. We spotted this scaly egg dated '2025,' likely a nod to The War Between the Land and Sea—a literal Easter egg, perhaps? Here's a gallery featuring more images; recent archive entries appear to be Belinda Chandra's notorious star certificate, a reel of film from Mr. Ring-a-Ding himself, Time Hotel files, and a display of yellow mugs from the Fifteenth Doctor's reality-bending final episodes. Remember: the Twelfth Doctor hates pears! If you stop by the Black Archive in the evenings (July 24-26, 6-8 p.m.), you can undertake a 'mission,' rounding up clues hidden among the exhibits to assist the Doctor. The missions will change each night, and if you get stuck, those helpful UNIT agents can point you in the right direction. Otherwise, the space—located at the Harbor Club in the Gaslamp District, 100 E. Harbor Dr., San Diego—is open as an exhibit; if you're at SDCC, you can visit July 24-26 from 10am-8pm, or July 27 from 10am-5pm. Because it's Comic-Con, there's also a merch area; if you're not in San Diego this week, you can check out the offerings online at the BBC Shop. There's also an online component to the exhibit: 'UNIT HQ,' which you can access here. And if you really want to go all out, the Comic-Con Museum in nearby Balboa Park is also hosting an exhibit titled 'Doctor Who Worlds of Wonder: Where Science Meets Fiction,' featuring even more props from the show as well as costumes. Learn more about that here. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.

Vogue
10 hours ago
- Vogue
Charli XCX's Post-Wedding Style Is Less Bridal, More Glastonbury
Following her City Hall wedding last weekend, Charli XCX is already back to work. While the singer has a bigger bash scheduled, don't expect her to exhaust bridal whites. Just days after her wedding, Charli traded her Vivienne Westwood minidress for an outfit that could have just as well belonged at Glastonbury. And, in many ways, she took some cues from last month's headlining performance look. For her Day Four set, Charli hit the stage in three multicolored Alexander McQueen skull scarves, rejiggered to make a crop top, which she paired with black leather microshorts, a pair of maroon knee-high boots, and wraparound shades. Joseph Okpako Click News and Media / BACKGRIDUSA Earlier this week, Charli followed a similar outfit formula. She eschewed the scarf top for a black one-shoulder top and draped herself in an ecru pashmina, but stayed loyal to the microshorts in a gray-brown pair with similarly miniature pockets. She also hung onto her knee-high boots, donning a pair of black motos, and wore her large black shades. A noted fan of Anthony Vaccarello, she carried a quilted black Saint Laurent bag. While her style may be leaning more Glasto, Charli XCX still has time to make bridal style bratty before her trip down the aisle.