8 thoughts on “SPOILER FREE Reaction to ‘Boom’ (Doctor Who)”
Wolfie
Ditto, Tim. As someone who struggled with the Moffat era’s treatment of death and loss (i.e. as a slap on the wrist), this might just be one of the writer’s finest. A meditation on war, dogma and capitalism. One that doesn’t flinch where prior stories have.
It invokes many of the writer’s tropes. As readily as a Bob Holmes script might bring us a double act or a Malcolm Hulke script, a complex morality play. But, Boom tempers its storytelling with an acknowledgement of where too much is too much. It’s very restrained. Very aware of what grates. Its excesses have been reigned in accordingly and it’s all the better for it.
Boom has very much solidified my fondness for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby. Not that I needed much encouragement, really. That’s a nice feeling. I found it interesting that some of Ruby’s more belligerent lines (written as Moffat tends to write his companions) felt out-of-character. Because the healthy compassion this Doctor and companion have for each other shines right through it all.
(And, as an added bonus, Boom‘s subject matter actually addresses a critique I had of an earlier episode, so that narrative itch has been scratched, as well.)
If you enjoyed Boom, I recommend checking out Life Hutch. A story by Harlan Ellison with a similar premise that may just have inspired this story. It was most recently adapted for LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS, but can also be found in prose.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ‘Boom’. Glad you agree with me. Yes, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson continue to impress me as the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby. I’m looking forward to how ’73 Yards’ turns out next Saturday. Thanks for recommending ‘Life Hutch’ to me.
Boom has taken the Doctor’s ability to stop wars in the cosmos to the best level of enjoyment in this century. It was the resolution to The Armageddon Factor for me in childhood. But Boom for its most profound message of love surviving death and moral quandaries of faith wins the prize so far for how Dr. Who can mix serious subject matter with fantastical sci-fi.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ‘Boom’. I’m looking forward to sharing an in-depth anaylsis and evaluation on ‘Boom’ and the rest of Series 14 later in the year when the season becomes available on DVD and Blu-ray.
I’ve felt that way about any new continuation for Dr. Who (at least on TV) for a few years now. I always admire how the powers that be, indeed the returning team of Davies and Moffat, still love to take creative chances. I suppose though in reflection of how the classic series ended, there could be an earlier-than-expected ending sometime soon.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don’t want to make any judgement on the season until it’s actually finished. I’m enjoying it so far and I like how Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson are playing their characters. I’m hoping ’73 Yards’ will be a good instalment and will match to how ‘Boom’ turned out. It seems to give that impression according to the ‘next time’ trailer.
There’s also going to be a limited cinema release for ‘The Legend of Ruby Sunday’/’Empire of Death’ in June. I don’t know if I’ll see the two-part finale on the big screen myself, but I’d like to think it’ll be epic and enjoyable to watch as previous RTD-era season finales have been.
Bradley's Basement 
Ditto, Tim. As someone who struggled with the Moffat era’s treatment of death and loss (i.e. as a slap on the wrist), this might just be one of the writer’s finest. A meditation on war, dogma and capitalism. One that doesn’t flinch where prior stories have.
It invokes many of the writer’s tropes. As readily as a Bob Holmes script might bring us a double act or a Malcolm Hulke script, a complex morality play. But, Boom tempers its storytelling with an acknowledgement of where too much is too much. It’s very restrained. Very aware of what grates. Its excesses have been reigned in accordingly and it’s all the better for it.
Boom has very much solidified my fondness for the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby. Not that I needed much encouragement, really. That’s a nice feeling. I found it interesting that some of Ruby’s more belligerent lines (written as Moffat tends to write his companions) felt out-of-character. Because the healthy compassion this Doctor and companion have for each other shines right through it all.
(And, as an added bonus, Boom‘s subject matter actually addresses a critique I had of an earlier episode, so that narrative itch has been scratched, as well.)
If you enjoyed Boom, I recommend checking out Life Hutch. A story by Harlan Ellison with a similar premise that may just have inspired this story. It was most recently adapted for LOVE DEATH + ROBOTS, but can also be found in prose.
Onwards and upwards.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Wolfie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ‘Boom’. Glad you agree with me. Yes, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson continue to impress me as the Fifteenth Doctor and Ruby. I’m looking forward to how ’73 Yards’ turns out next Saturday. Thanks for recommending ‘Life Hutch’ to me.
Best wishes,
Tim 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Boom has taken the Doctor’s ability to stop wars in the cosmos to the best level of enjoyment in this century. It was the resolution to The Armageddon Factor for me in childhood. But Boom for its most profound message of love surviving death and moral quandaries of faith wins the prize so far for how Dr. Who can mix serious subject matter with fantastical sci-fi.
LikeLiked by 2 people
It’s also a really great affirmation of the programme’s themes of science vs. superstition.
Without going into too much detail, every act of blind faith, through dogma and unquestioning obedience, makes the situation worse.
It’s the Doctor’s ability to reason, problem-solve, experiment, and question that prove his advantage in an otherwise impossible situation.
We’ve not seen that for ages and it’s nice to see it make its return where it counts. Brain over brawn, as the First Doctor would say.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi scifimike; Wolfie,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on ‘Boom’. I’m looking forward to sharing an in-depth anaylsis and evaluation on ‘Boom’ and the rest of Series 14 later in the year when the season becomes available on DVD and Blu-ray.
Best wishes,
Tim 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
While this was a better episode I’m not feeling Ncuti & Millie as the Doctor & Ruby something isn’t working for me.
I’m convinced this series will be cancelled after series 2 it’s a poor series so far.
LikeLiked by 2 people
I’ve felt that way about any new continuation for Dr. Who (at least on TV) for a few years now. I always admire how the powers that be, indeed the returning team of Davies and Moffat, still love to take creative chances. I suppose though in reflection of how the classic series ended, there could be an earlier-than-expected ending sometime soon.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Simon; Hi scifimike,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I don’t want to make any judgement on the season until it’s actually finished. I’m enjoying it so far and I like how Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson are playing their characters. I’m hoping ’73 Yards’ will be a good instalment and will match to how ‘Boom’ turned out. It seems to give that impression according to the ‘next time’ trailer.
There’s also going to be a limited cinema release for ‘The Legend of Ruby Sunday’/’Empire of Death’ in June. I don’t know if I’ll see the two-part finale on the big screen myself, but I’d like to think it’ll be epic and enjoyable to watch as previous RTD-era season finales have been.
Many thanks and best wishes,
Tim 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person