Doctor Who recently concluded its two-part finale. It kicked off last week with an intriguing premise of a reversed world where our queer Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) was in a nuclear family setup, married to companion Belinda (Varada Sethtu), and had a daughter, Poppy (Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps), with no memory of their time-travelling adventures.
However, as the mystery unfolded, the initial appeal of the situation started to fade away. This was reflective of the character arcs of companion Belinda Chandra and antagonist Mrs. Flood (Anita Dobson).
Both characters were introduced with mysterious backgrounds and intricate dynamics, sparking speculation among fans about their clash with the Doctor. Unfortunately, these promising signs led to nowhere but disappointment.
Spoilers for Doctor Who season 15
Mrs. Flood’s build-up was a complete waste
It was revealed that Mrs. Flood is a villain from Classic Who known as The Rani. However, her character was overshadowed when the true Rani (Archie Panjabi) made an appearance during a crucial scene in the Interstellar Song Contest episode.
BBC/Disney/Bad Wolf Studios
Despite being introduced in Fifteen’s debut in Christmas 2023, Mrs. Flood’s character fell flat in the grand reveal. The underwhelming post-credits scene and lackluster dialogue failed to deliver the anticipated impact.
As the plot progressed, Mrs. Flood took a backseat to the true Rani, leaving her character arc unfulfilled. The lack of depth and resolution in her storyline was a disservice to Dobson’s talent.
While Panjabi brought a campy villainous charm to the Rani, the writing failed to do justice to the character. Constant twists overshadowed the development of a villain the season had been building towards.
On the other hand, Belinda’s final fate in the series was deemed unforgivable.
BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon
Belinda became nothing more than a tradwife
Belinda’s character, initially captivating, took a disappointing turn in the final episodes. She transitioned into a stereotypical stay-at-home mom role, erasing the complexities that made her intriguing.
Her transformation into a mother was abrupt and devoid of the depth she once possessed. The focus on her motherly duties overshadowed her previously challenging and independent persona.
BBC Studios/Bad Wolf/James Pardon
Belinda’s character development felt rushed and lacked authenticity. Her storyline was centered around Poppy, neglecting her individual growth and agency. The show failed to explore her character beyond the confines of motherhood.
The rushed narrative and lack of character depth in both Belinda and Mrs. Flood’s arcs highlighted missed opportunities in storytelling and character development. Despite the show’s history of pushing boundaries in representation, these female characters were reduced to clichéd gender stereotypes, undermining their potential.
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