YMMV / Doctor Who 2023CS "The Church on Ruby Road"

• Big-Lipped Alligator Moment: While the musical number is diegetic, the Doctor and Ruby joining in can count as this.
• Character Rerailment: A few detractors of the bi-generation twist last episode dreaded that the Fifteenth Doctor would undergo Aesop Amnesia by having the Fourteenth Doctor carry and reconcile the emotional baggage on his own while the new Doctor would head off on adventures without the past bothering him anymore, due to how influential it's been on the Doctor's Character Development. The instant Fifteen takes a moment to observe the foundling Lulubelle and contemplates a reflection of his own recent discovery of being a foundling and has a very deep emotional reaction, it silenced those fears.
• Crosses the Line Twice:
  • Goblins eating babies? Horrifying. Goblins going into an entire song and dance number about how much they love eating babies? Hilariously horrifying. The BBC using said song and dance number about eating babies to raise funds for Children in Need? The perfect cherry on top.
  • Everything involving Davina McCall's bad luck, but in particular nearly being crushed by a collapsing Christmas tree and stabbed in the head by the star on top.
• He Really Can Act: "They Really Can Sing" in this case. For an improv performance, Ncuti Gatwa and Millie Gibson have impressive singing chops.
• Improved Second Attempt: Ruby is a former foster child who is looking for her biological parents, but at the same time has a loving relationship with her adoptive mother Carla. This represents a much more positive take on the topic compared to previous companion Bill Potts, whose relationship with her foster mother was strained (complete with Calling Parents by Their Name) and who was much more defined as a character by the idea of her deceased birth mother.
• Paranoia Fuel: Every time you experience a weird accident, it may simply be bad luck... or it might be goblins "seasoning" you with unfortunate accidents so you'll taste better.
• Special Effect Failure: After the blow-up snowman head lands on the Doctor, it comes to a stop almost immediately, something that the real thing wouldn't do.
• Tear Jerker:
  • The missing photos on the fridge. It quickly becomes clear that once Ruby is Ret Goned from Carla's life, a lot of the light in that life goes with her, to say nothing of how many abandoned children missed out on a chance at a loving home because of her absence.
  • The Doctor sombrely saying that he's adopted, too. Unlike Ruby, though, it wasn't a happy adoption. It's like the reality of the situation finally hit him.

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