Doctor Who’s season premiere, “The Robot Revolution,” saw the return of Ncuti Gatwa’s eccentric Time Lord, this time as he searches for a young nurse named Belinda Chandra, who’s been taken against her will to rule over an army of dangerous robots on a faraway planet. The episode marked a much-needed return to form for the show, when the previous season suffered mixed reviews; Varada Sethu is an excellent addition tothe cast ofDoctor Whoseason 15, and Ncuti Gatwa is as charming as ever.
“The Robot Revolution” did a great job of introducing the season’s new companion while setting up countless new mysteries, ranging fromthe truth behind Mrs. Flood’s identityto the existence of a dangerous time fracture that won’t let Belinda return home. However,the episode is also filled with smaller details that remind audiences how fun and sillyDoctor Whocan be,such as a cute cleaning robot that comes to save the day.
The Machine Bears Some Clear Similarities To Sarah Jane’s Robot Dog
It’s only a small moment, but the Doctor’s reaction to the cleaning robot being switched off can be read as a subtle reference to Tom Baker’s relationship with K-9, the mechanical dog who joined him and Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) for some ofDoctor Who’s best stories. Although it’s been a long time since K-9 was seen on the show,Doctor Whocertainly hasn’t forgotten about him, ashe makes a brief appearance in “School Reunion” alongside David Tennant’s Doctor, and starred frequently inThe Sarah Jane Adventures.
This sweet moment between the Doctor and the cleaning robot in “The Robot Revolution” feels like a much-needed homageto the iconic character. The Time Lord seems immediately fond of the robot, and there’s a certain sadness when he’s switched off that could be understood as the Doctor reflecting on the absence of his canine friend.
Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor & K-9 Would Be A Brilliant Combination
The Two Should Definitely Meet On-Screen
It’s even possible that Russell T. Davies was trying to subtly hint toward K-9’s return with this moment, giving it even more weight on a rewatch. As mentioned, it’s been over 15 years since K-9 appeared in an episode ofDoctor Who—but Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor feels like the perfect incarnation to bring back the iconic character. He’s the most playful and lighthearted Doctor in a long time, which are traits that made Tom Baker’s Doctor such a perfect companion for K-9. Unfortunately, it’sdifficult forDoctor Whoto obtain the rights for K-9’s character, making the reunion less likely.
