Doctor Who Season 15: Did They Rush Belinda’s Trust Too Fast?

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Approach with Caution: Contains Spoilers for Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 2 titled “Lux”. The Fifteenth Doctor’s (Ncuti Gatwa) dynamic with Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu) in this series initially seemed to deviate from the traditional Doctor-companion dynamics. It was intriguing and refreshing, but unfortunately, showrunner Russell T. Davies reverted back to established norms by the end of episode 2.

In the 15th season of “Doctor Who,” Gatwa and Sethu headline the cast, although the initial episode primarily spotlighted Belinda rather than Fifteen. Despite this, the storyline predominantly revolves around the TARDIS’s efforts to return Belinda home, with the enigma surrounding her likeness to season 14’s Mundy Flynn being temporarily set aside. Initially frosty towards the Doctor in the season opener, “The Robot Revolution,” Belinda has surprisingly altered her opinion of him in a disappointingly brief period.

Belinda’s Mistrust Of The Doctor Has Already Vanished By The End Of Season 15, Episode 2

The Doctor won Belinda over far too quickly

As a cinephile, I must admit, in “The Robot Revolution,” Belinda showed an unusual stance towards the Doctor. Instead of sharing the usual awe and trust most companions have, she openly criticized his behavior, hinting at her disinterest in traveling with him in the TARDIS. To my disappointment, the intriguing dynamic between the Doctor and his new companion didn’t last as long as I hoped it would.

By the conclusion of “Lux,” the second episode of Doctor Who’s season 15, Belinda’s faith in the Doctor is depicted as unwavering. The transformation from cautious and reluctant companion to someone content with leaving her fate in the Doctor’s hands takes place within a single episode, if not sooner. While I don’t object to Belinda becoming more trusting of the Doctor, I believe it would have been more satisfying if this change had occurred gradually—perhaps spanning multiple episodes or even an entire season. This way, the development would feel more deserved and less hurried, as the current approach in season 15 seems to be both rushed and wasteful.

I Hope Belinda Is Still A Reluctant Traveler In Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 3

Belinda relishing her time in the TARDIS in “The Well” wouldn’t make any sense

In episode 3 of Doctor Who season 15, titled “The Well,” premieres on Disney+ on April 26, 2025. The enmity towards the Doctor, which was evident in “The Robot Revolution,” may have been resolved due to the occurrences in “Lux.” Yet, it would be a disappointment if Belinda now cherished her adventures in the TARDIS, as her initial unwillingness to join, highlighted in her introduction, was one of its most engaging aspects.

In the over six decades of Doctor Who, many companions have enjoyed their travels with the Doctor, and Belinda’s addition to this group is not necessary. The character of Sethu, created by Davies, was intriguing and fresh, but it appears that the showrunners are rapidly modifying her personality to fit more comfortably within the series’ traditional mold. To maintain consistency for Belinda, they should stick with the original plan for Sethu in the remaining episodes of season 15.

Doctor Who Season 15’s Release Schedule On Disney+
Episode Title Release Date (2025)
1 “The Robot Revolution” April 12
2 “Lux” April 19
3 “The Well” April 26
4 “Lucky Day” May 3
5 “The Story and the Engine” May 10
6 “The Interstellar Song Contest” May 17
7 “Wish World” May 24
8 “The Reality War” May 31

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2025-04-24 18:48