(Full disclosure - watched this on a plane so not exactly an ideal viewing experience)

There has never been a Doctor Who episode quite like this one, set directly in Africa and exploring the Doctor’s current Blackness in ways we have yet to see. We learn about this barbershop in Nigeria that provides the Doctor a new community that accepts him. Inua Ellams is a Nigerian-born writer, and it’s clear RTD gave him free rein for this episode. The positives are a truly fresh and unique vibe, the cons are it feels a bit out of sync with the story of the era so far. The idea that there are all these gods that are sustaining humanity - it doesn’t seem to be the pantheon but it’s own thing.

Although punctuated by incredible unique visuals, a lot of the story is essentially people just telling stories in a room to each other. There is a lot of exposition as we get reveal after reveal as it turns out the villainous Barber is really a Storyteller, a man from millennia ago who helped bring the Gods to power and wishes for revenge. With him is the daughter of the trickster God who was pledged to marry…the Fugitive Doctor?? That’s right, Jo Martin is here ever so briefly. I would be over the moon if RTD gives her something big to do/explains her more. There is also a very fannish moment where screens show us famous moments from past Doctors. It does feed the fan brain, but back to the episode.

I think the root of this story is community, and the power that brings. The Doctor is upset when he feels tricked by Omo, in the one safe space he can call his own. Sadly we never see Omo’s love, just a photo of her and her blue earrings. Belinda joins halfway in, and sees a mysterious child which is drawn attention to. Two episodes with not as much Belinda, have we lost a bit of momentum? The Doctor does tell a beautiful story he has learned about her character. The Storyteller gives up his vengeance plot and Omo gives him his father’s name ‘a name people can trust’ so he can start again in a beautiful little moment.

I absolutely want to know a perspective on this from Black viewers and could see how this resonated a lot harder. I only wish we had seen Omo last season maybe so we felt the depths of emotion the Doctor does about this community we just learned about. I also don’t think it’s an accident we had both Black Doctors in this episode.

Most importantly, this era keeps trying big, bold ideas. It’s exactly what the show should be. So even if this wasn’t quite a home run for me, I’m sure it was for some and they should keep swinging.