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“73 YARDS: RUBY'S LONG WALK INTO HORROR”

Following the intensity of Boom, 73 Yards slows things down—but not in a comforting way. Instead, it plunges Ruby into an eerie, isolating nightmare, where the Doctor’s absence is keenly felt. This Doctor-lite episode, filmed early in production while Ncuti Gatwa was still busy with Barbie, places Ruby at the centre of a terrifying alternate timeline where she is relentlessly pursued by an unknown force.

What starts as a classic Doctor Who folk horror—complete with a mysterious fairy circle on the Welsh coast, a small pub filled with wary locals, and an unsettling figure always lingering at exactly 73 yards—soon takes on a far greater scope. Ruby’s seemingly supernatural stalker remains silent yet ever-present, signing something to her from a distance. The mystery builds immediately, with every person who dares to approach the woman reacting in sheer terror before fleeing from Ruby forever.

FROM FOLK HORROR TO POLITICAL THRILLER

One of the episode’s greatest strengths is its ability to shift tones so effortlessly. The pub scene is a highlight, where Ruby, the outsider, becomes the subject of teasing and eerie ghost stories from the locals—setting up a rich, atmospheric unease. The pacing allows this scene to breathe, which makes the sudden transition into something much larger all the more jarring.

What follows is an unusual but gripping structure: we watch Ruby live through years of her life, abandoned by loved ones, unable to form meaningful connections because of the woman who haunts her. The horror of isolation grows as we see her mother and even Kate Stewart of UNIT turn away from her in fear. Then, out of nowhere, 73 Yards transforms into something entirely different—a political thriller.

Enter Roger ap Gwilliam, a rising far-right politician, dubbed “Mad Jack” and portrayed by Aneurin Barnard with unsettling charisma. He is a dangerous populist force, climbing the ranks toward becoming Prime Minister, a man whose future leadership threatens the world itself. Ruby, despite everything, is drawn into his orbit, determined to stop him before he gains access to nuclear codes. This unexpected shift into political commentary is bold, timely, and unnerving—especially because ap Gwilliam is all too believable.

But what exactly is his connection to the supernatural events that have plagued Ruby’s life? That remains deliberately ambiguous. 73 Yards thrives on unanswered questions, much like Midnight or Blink, but with an even more abstract and symbolic edge.

AN UNEXPLAINED HORROR

The nature of the mysterious woman remains unresolved. Who is she? Why does she inspire such fear? Why does she turn everyone Ruby loves against her? We never hear what she says to those who approach her, but whatever it is, it drives them to abandon Ruby instantly. That, in itself, is more terrifying than any monster.

The horror elements are accentuated through clever direction—Dutch angles, extreme close-ups, and unsettling quick cuts create a sense of claustrophobia, especially in the pub sequence. The music, too, is masterfully used, creating a thick atmosphere of unease. This is a story where the tension never fully lifts, lingering long after the credits roll.

Yet, despite the lack of answers, there is a poetic symmetry to the ending. Ruby, now an old woman, lies on her deathbed, the mystery woman finally approaching her—before seemingly becoming her. The implication? Ruby was being warned all along, haunted by a future version of herself sent back to prevent the very life she just endured. It’s a haunting, cyclical resolution that raises as many questions as it answers.

MILLIE GIBSON CARRIES THE SHOW

If anyone doubted Millie Gibson’s acting ability before this, 73 Yards should put those concerns to rest. With Gatwa barely present (though looking fantastic in his costume when he does appear), this is entirely Gibson’s episode—and she absolutely delivers. Ruby’s journey from curious traveller to haunted, isolated warrior is gripping to watch, and Gibson sells every moment with emotional depth and nuance.

📝VERDICT: 9/10

A bold, unsettling episode that shifts between folk horror, psychological thriller, and political drama with impressive fluidity. It never fully explains itself, but that’s part of its power—lingering in the mind long after the credits roll. Millie Gibson proves she can carry an entire episode, while the chilling concept of an ever-present, unexplained horror makes 73 Yards a standout.