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Critic Reviews
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At times it’s too busy, like watching a sci-fi fairground in full swing (plot lines whirling everywhere). Then again, the Doctor and Belinda have intriguingly abrasive chemistry (“There’s always a doctor standing back while the nurses do all the hard work”), so this could get interesting.
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Sethu is just right for Belinda’s no-nonsense approach to unfamiliar experiences, underscored with an instinctive compassion for strangers. Her chemistry with the ever-engaging Gatwa looks good. So we’re ready to fly again, but there remains the issue of making the comeback work as an episode on its own terms.
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“The Robot Revolution” is not a patch on 2005 classic “Rose”, but it is everything you would expect - both good and not so good - from a big, broad, crowd-pleasing premiere.
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While the new companion dynamic shows promise, the episode struggles to leave a lasting impression, weighed down by a dull plot and forgettable antagonists.
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Buffeted by some less-than-slick social commentary yet buoyed by Ncuti Gatwa and Varada Sethu’s refreshing Doctor-companion dynamic, Who’s latest series opener — unlike the poor old TARDIS — just about manages to stick the landing.
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Those who criticise the rebooted series for being preachy and overtly political are unlikely to be placated by this unsubtle swerve into the culture wars. A shame, because as far as episodes introducing new companions go, The Robot Revolution works a treat. Varada Sethu makes an immediate impact as Belinda Chandra.
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Halfway through the episode Davies seems to reverse polarity, changing the theme from technology and AI overreach to toxic masculinity. Neither are really explored in anything close to the depth they should be. .... However, it is a fun, fast-paced hour of TV, laced with trademark Davies wit and the joyous surprises you expect from a man who still clearly longs for that blue box to come and sweep him far, far away.
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The real highlight of “The Robot Revolution” is Sethu’s performance. .... “The Robot Revolution” ends up not really saying anything meaningful about either of these real-world antagonists [AI and incels].