The Incomparable

82 “The Legend of Ruby Sunday” (S1E8)

It’s part one of a two-part finale, which leaves Jason and Chip struggling with how to judge it. But somehow we find a way—and it mostly leaves us feeling frustrated.

81 “Rogue” (S1E7)

The roguish Jonathan Groff appears amid an extended riff on “Bridgerton.” Jason recommends a different Netflix series. Erika gives this episode a very high rating. Chip wonders about the metatextuality of it all. Was this episode for the cosplaying birds? Or could we not get it out of our heads?

80 “Dot and Bubble” (S1E6)

Did you enjoy the work? Afterward, did you spend time thinking about what it meant? When you start to analyze it, does it offer several interesting interpretations? Does the intent of the author inform, or is it irrelevant? We’re talking about art in general, and this week’s episode of “Doctor Who” in particular.

79 “73 Yards” (S1E5)

A spooky story told around a campfire, involving the adventures of Ruby Sunday and the mystery of the woman standing 66.66666667 meters away from her at all times. Vibes! We’re here for the vibes.

78 “Boom” (S1E4)

Former showrunner Steven Moffat joins the new-new-series party with an episode set almost entirely in a bomb crater. The Doctor can’t move, and can’t emote too much, but he can still attempt to control the world around him. We talk about Moffat’s return, the importance of getting Ruby up to speed as a companion, and much more!

77 “The Devil’s Chord” (S1E3)

Jinkx Monsoon stars in an episode where an otherworldly force beyond the Doctor’s abilities manages to steal all music and potentially set off a human apocalypse. Oh, also the Beatles are there—but they don’t really matter. And there’s a musical number at the end—but it doesn’t really matter, either. These are the problems.

76 “Space Babies” (S1E2)

“Doctor Who” regnerates for a whole new first season on Disney+. Russell T Davies has a plan to welcome new audiences, but do his showrunner machinations balance out with the narrative elements of this episode? Chip and Jason consider what RTD’s up to, why he’s doing it, what works, and what doesn’t.

75 “The Church on Ruby Road” (S1E1)

Merry Christmas! The Ncuti Gatwa era begins! We judge this episode as a Christmas special, as a Doctor introduction, as a jumping-on point for new viewers, and as the last new “Doctor Who” we’ll see until May.

74 “The Giggle”

What Russell wants, Russell gets! We say goodbye to David Tennant and hello to Ncuti Gatwa and also hi-how-are-you to Neil Patrick Harris! Is the Toymaker living in an original Star Trek episode? It’s the end of the 60th anniversary celebration, but the moment has been prepared for. Special guest Annette Wierstra joins Jason and Chip to break it all down.

See you in two weeks for the Christmas special with a lightly-used new Doctor!

73 “Wild Blue Yonder”

Off we go for a discussion of rusty robots, long spaceships, creepy doubles, the merits of a U-shaped season, the two kinds of Russell T. Davies scripts, and our love of Bernard Cribbins!