Breaking up with the Doctor, even devoid of romantic entanglements, is never a seamless endeavor. This week, we press pause on the thrilling escapades of the Doctor and Belinda to catch a glimpse into the tumultuous life of Ruby Sunday, a former companion struggling to stay afloat. (Spoiler alert: her waters are anything but calm.) Ruby bid farewell to the TARDIS in the previous season, yearning to focus on her personal growth and burgeoning family, yet the shadows of her past adventures still linger heavily upon her. Enter Conrad Clark, portrayed by Jonah Hauer-King, initially cast as a soothing balm, aiding Ruby's transition back into mundane life by encouraging her vulnerability, affirming her experiences, and—crucially—refraining from placing her in peril during their outings. This episode weaves a tale of grappling with PTSD, complicated by the fact that, as a former companion with direct ties to UNIT, Ruby's continued vulnerability to danger is not just plausible but probable… and the threats aren't confined to celestial beings or extraterrestrial predators. Humanity, in its own right, can be a harsh and perilous master.
The episode unfolds on New Year's Day 2007, amidst the bustling streets of London. Belinda, accompanied by the Doctor and his vindicator, continue their temporal odyssey, desperate to reclaim their rightful year of 2025. Their path crosses a young boy named Conrad, to whom the Doctor declares it a day of fortune, bestowing upon him a 50-pence coin. Conrad, up until now a figure of eerie blandness, finally animates, excitedly beckoning his mother to behold the enigmatic blue box. She, however, scoffs dismissively, striking him on the head with a curt, "Enough with your lies."
Years hence, Conrad blossoms into a man wielding a podcast microphone, a detail that perhaps should have served as an initial harbinger of things to come. Initially portrayed as a benignly inquisitive soul, captivated by the mysteries of the Doctor and UFOs, his character takes a turn. Having encountered the TARDIS on the street the previous year and hearing growls emanate from a nearby shop, rather than fleeing like a horror movie protagonist from a room filled with menacing mannequins, Conrad lingers long enough to be marked by a Shreek, doused in what resembles Nickelodeon slime gone horribly wrong.
The Doctor, accompanied by Ruby—still an active companion at this juncture, fresh from her encounter with Maestro and the Beatles—appears on the scene, explaining that the green goo is a form of vomit marking future prey for a Shreek. The red-eyed alien is summarily zapped back to its hive, while Ruby is handed an antidote to consume, rendering her untraceable.
Conrad captures a fleeting moment of Ruby stepping into the TARDIS, instantaneously initiating a search for her that spans time itself. Their fateful reunion unfolds a year later, under the spotlight of his burgeoning podcast—a platform with a loyal audience, amongst them a diligent UNIT employee named Jordan. During the broadcast, Conrad casually mentions the online rumor mill speculating about UNIT’s clandestine objectives, lamenting the years of ignored invitations to appear on his show. Yet, these remarks serve merely as a prelude to painting a portrait of Conrad: a clumsily endearing individual harboring a secret crush on Ruby....
At a cozy café, Ruby unveils a video depicting a Shreek, elucidating their annual hunting ritual. She reveals that one of these creatures has breached its pocket dimension, returning to the very Earthly locale where Conrad's mark identifies him—a hint that he is now in its crosshairs. The café's flickering lights mimic the Shreek’s capacity to disrupt electrical currents, enhancing her narrative. With playful charm, Conrad wields the coin bestowed by the Doctor, jesting that today might indeed be his fortunate day and proposing a dinner date in exchange for the antidote she offers.
The Sundays, Ruby's family, eagerly encourage her to embark on new ventures, warmly embracing Conrad's entrance into her life. Carla, ever the meddlesome aunt, imparts wisdom to Cherry on how to unearth Conrad’s shirtless snapshots on Instagram, perhaps even whispering tales of his allure to Ruby’s birth mother, Louise. This family, with their endearing quirks, warms the heart.
On their maiden date, Conrad confides in Ruby about his mother's battle with cancer, humble in the comparison to the Doctor's larger-than-life persona. When curiosity prompts him to inquire about her romantic history with the Time Lord, Ruby winks enigmatically, suggesting that the Doctor himself would be flirtatiously engaging Conrad, were he present. Unlike Ruby’s skeptical friends, Conrad affirms her experiences without hesitation. Their bond solidifies over five enchanting dates, culminating in an official romance amidst the quaint charm of an English village pub, where Ruby meets Conrad’s friends.
The flickering lights sent shivers down her spine, prompting her to eventually reach out to UNIT. Kate, who seemed to be immersed in a clandestine workplace affair with Colonel Ibrahim, confirmed that no Shreek were in the vicinity. Later, she double-checked to ensure the captured Shreek remained securely imprisoned.
Back at the pub, Ruby, tears streaming down her face, confessed to Conrad that she was grappling with some form of PTSD. However, her moments of comfort from her new boyfriend were all too brief, as Ruby soon spotted several Shreek lurking outside. Conrad admitted that he had refrained from taking the antidote out of a misplaced desire to emulate the Doctor's bravery. Despite being advised otherwise, he insisted on following Ruby outside. They discovered Sparky's clothes scattered on the ground, prompting Conrad to declare, "This is all because of me." Indeed, it was.
UNIT and a contingent of soldiers arrived as reinforcement, only for the Shreek to strip off their disguises, revealing themselves as humans in suits. Conrad's demeanor underwent a stark transformation as he insulted Ruby and unveiled the true nature of their relationship: a scheme to boost his "Think Tank" podcast by livestreaming his accusations against UNIT. "It has been a chore getting to know you," he spat, and Ruby's heartbreak was palpable. It seemed that Conrad wasn't merely stupid; he was malevolent. Had he, too, turned against her like Prince Eric? To heap further contempt upon him, he accused scientific adviser and wheelchair user Shirley of "collecting benefits" and "stealing our taxes." After one final jibe aimed at Ruby, he and his fellow protesters were apprehended.
American news anchor Trinity Wells, ever the recurring figure, suggested that the events amounted to fascism on British streets (perhaps she might want to focus on her own country's issues first, dear). Social media sided with "Think Tank," with most individuals praising Conrad for his bravery in confronting armed soldiers. He proceeded to expose UNIT employees' personal information, threatening the organization's funding and security status amid public protests. UNIT's technology was even at risk of being made public.
Shirley uncovered that Conrad had been denied a job at UNIT eight years prior. The man who professed such concern for the misappropriation of taxpayers' money was actually evading taxes himself and had lied about his mother's demise. In his eagerness to infiltrate the building, he shot his own inside man and couldn't even recall Jordan's name afterward. Conrad was becoming more of a cartoonish supervillain than a flesh-and-blood individual.
Colonel Ibrahim urges Kate to secure the area, yet she is determined to confront Conrad, who has resumed his livestream. The memory of her past interview with him for a position resurfaces, prompting Kate to reveal she had scrutinized her notes and discovered the warning, "Do not trust him." Conrad's tirade ensues, veering into nonsensical rants about monster costumes, as he brands a gun at Ruby and insults Kate's father. Amidst this chaos, Kate muses aloud that she's fortunate the Doctor isn't present, as he might have dissuaded her from her impending course of action: unleashing the authentic Shreek upon Conrad, with his loyal followers as witnesses.
"Just how deeply are you entrenched in the web of lies you've woven?" Kate queries, her amusement evident as Conrad's demeanor disintegrates into panic. She seeks to expose his true colors—a mask hiding his relentless quest for power and the attention garnered from spreading fear. Ruby, who had harbored intentions of aiding Conrad throughout, finally steps in after he pleads for mercy and confesses his deception. He expresses gratitude for her stunning the Shreek, only to receive a curt dismissal as she tells him to rot in hell. His subsequent attempts to feign bravery and dismiss the encounter as mere spectacle are abruptly cut short when the Shreek, displaying impeccable comedic timing, leaps forward to bite his arm.
In the aftermath, both Conrad and Jordan survive their ordeal. Public sentiment swings back in favor of UNIT, with "hot taser lady" trending online, while Conrad finds himself behind bars. Ruby confides in Kate that she is not alright and needs some time alone to gather herself. Kate offers a compassionate ear, telling her to call when she's ready to talk, prompting Shirley to quip that Ruby now has three mothers.
The Doctor, who has been keeping a close eye on Earth's developments, brings Conrad aboard the TARDIS to rebuke him for betraying Ruby and exploiting people's fears and insecurities for personal gain. "You wear me out," the Doctor laments. Conrad's unrepentant demeanor catches the Doctor off guard when he mentions Belinda—revealing her as the one who had informed the Doctor of her name prior to their meeting. The Doctor regains composure, informing Conrad of a grim future where he perishes alone in a cell marked 49. Conrad rejects this fate, raising the possibility that he might escape this destiny. In a climactic twist, Mrs. Flood reveals herself as the Governor, jingling her keys in front of his cell bars. Completing the episode's narrative circle, she informs him, "Today is your lucky day."
