Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor Reveals His Dark Side in Game-Changing Episode

by

Be advised: The sixth episode of Doctor Who season 15, titled “The Interstellar Song Contest,” holds a significant revelation about Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, which was hinted at since the first regular appearance of the current leading man in the series. Each Doctor actor adds their unique twist to the role, and Gatwa follows suit. Throughout his tenure as the lead in Doctor Who season 14, it became clearer what kind of Doctor Fifteen aspired to be, a trend that persists into season 15. Yet, there’s more to uncover beneath the surface.

In the new Disney era of “Doctor Who,” Ncuti Gatwa is likely the first version of the Time Lord that a significant segment of the fan base has interacted with. Known for his jovial demeanor, Fifteen bears resemblances to David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor and Matt Smith’s Eleventh in their lightheartedness. Unlike previous Doctors who have one iconic costume, Fifteen is distinguished by his diverse and stylish wardrobe. Moreover, he tends to show emotions more readily than his predecessors. However, “Doctor Who’s” Eurovision episode hints at an additional trait that could be concerning.

Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 6 Fully Reveals The Fifteenth Doctor’s Darker Side

Fifteen’s torture sequence shows the Doctor at his worst

The Doctor generally shuns actions that cause unnecessary pain or suffering and seeks to minimize violence when possible. However, it must be noted that there have been occasions throughout Doctor Who‘s long-running history where the Doctor has succumbed to darker instincts and acted on motives more chilling than just saving the day. One of these instances stands out particularly for Fifteen, as he appears to take pleasure in tormenting the villain of “The Interstellar Song Contest,” Kid (Freddie Fox).

In the initial episode of Doctor Who season 14, titled “Space Babies,” I first noticed the emerging dark aspect in the Fourteenth Doctor, played by Gatwa. In a somewhat chilling scene, he deliberately frightens the babies from the title, causing them to cry, all just for his amusement. This sinister trait has resurfaced on occasion since then, with one of the most significant instances being during the Fourteenth Doctor’s encounter with the prejudiced inhabitants of Fine Time towards the end of “Dot and Bubble.” However, it was in the episode “Torturing Kid” that I saw the Fourteenth Doctor fully succumb to this darker side of his character.

I enjoy watching the Doctor display courageous acts, yet it’s intriguing when the Time Lord behaves unpredictably. These instances hint that we may not fully understand the Doctor, or perhaps his less appealing characteristics are overlooked or disregarded. In essence, these scenes reveal the Doctor’s imperfections, highlighting his involvement in the Time War and other conflicts mentioned in Doctor Who‘s lore. After numerous hints about this trait in Series 9, it feels satisfying to witness its manifestation.

Doctor Who Season 15 Explains Why Fifteen’s Dark Side Comes Out

Fifteen’s triggers include being reminded of the Time War & the loss of Gallifrey

In the modern era of “Doctor Who”, it’s been hinted that the Doctor requires a companion to help him embody his heroic nature more consistently. When the Doctor is traveling alone, there are instances where he adopts a slightly gloomy persona and acts more impulsively, even resorting to violence. Although his intentions are usually noble, he sometimes pursues a damaging direct path towards what he thinks is a just outcome at the moment.

As a dedicated cinephile, I found myself deeply immersed in “The Interstellar Song Contest,” where Belinda Chandra, portrayed by Varada Sethu, got tragically lost from the Doctor. The ensuing pandemonium made me question her fate, leading me to mistakenly assume she had perished. This loss not only left me without a guiding friend but also stirred up a dark memory within the Doctor – the notion of losing all one holds dear, as was the case with Gallifrey and the Doctor’s people. The chilling plan to eradicate the three trillion viewers of this contest eerily echoed the tragic fate of Gallifrey, striking a chord deep within the Doctor’s troubled psyche.

Given that he’s often left on his own for extended periods during the episode, it becomes clearer why Fifteen behaves so erratically towards Kid, resorting to torture. On other instances where Fifteen’s dark side has manifested, such as in “Dot and Bubble” or killing Sutekh in “Empire of Death,” he didn’t have a companion. However, the situations under discussion are ones where Fifteen is dealing with more lives at stake than usual. These stressful circumstances seem to cause him to lose his usual calmness, veering off course due to the trauma of what happened to Gallifrey.

Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor Having A Darker Side Makes Him Much More Interesting

Gatwa’s Doctor is now following in the footsteps of his predecessors closer than ever before

From day one, I’ve adored Ncuti Gatwa in the role of the Doctor. Since I wasn’t familiar with his work prior to his casting in “Doctor Who”, I could appreciate him solely as the Doctor without any preconceived notions. He skillfully handles the comedic scenes and the flirtatious aspect he brought to the character is a refreshing twist. However, it’s his ability to portray the Doctor as a well-rounded character that truly makes his performance compelling.

Instead of saying, “Fifteen’s generally less intense demeanor perfectly sets up the moments when his dark side shows,” you could rephrase it as: “Fifteen’s mild nature often masks his hidden darkness, making its sudden appearances all the more striking.” This version maintains the original meaning while sounding natural and easy to read. The scenes where Fifteen’s thirst for vengeance or aggressive frustration are evident stand out as some of my favorites, offering a stark contrast to his typical demeanor in the role of the Doctor.

Previous stars in the role of the leading actor for the show have had defining instances that make their tenure unforgettable. Ncuti Gatwa has had some significant scenes, particularly in season 15, but I believe only a select few qualify as these iconic moments. This is not a harsh critique, as this phenomenon typically applies to every Doctor actor. The lasting scenes are those that depict the different versions of the character struggling to reveal emotions they usually keep concealed. Now, Ncuti Gatwa is amassing more of these memorable Doctor Who moments.

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

Read More

2025-05-19 14:08