Doctor Who — Series 15/Season 2 - Episode 5 — “The Story & the Engine” — A Review

9th May, 2025: “The Story & the Engine”.

Right then … it’s Friday and I’m starting a review, early!

And a copy of classic Dr Who story, The Claws of Axos playing the background.

Just to get myself into the mood to watch the next episode of the new series, tomorrow.

By the time you read this, or watch the video version … ?

It’ll hopefully be Sunday, 11th May,

I’ll see you then … !

~≈😷≈~

 

Doctor Who — Series 15/Season 2 - Episode 5 — “The Story & the Engine”.

10th May, 2025.

Part One: The Summary.

Episode 5 — “The Story & the Engine” — opens by showing us the face of Omo Esosa (Sule Rimi) as he has his haircut by an unseen Barber … 

And tells a story of how, during his childhood, his village was hit by a fire: only for both he, and his home, to be saved by a man armed with a blue box, and a hose-pipe.

And seeds: to plant in the fire ravaged, but now soaked ground.

Omo assures us that the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), his saviour that day, “always comes when needed.”

Only to be told, by one of the Barber’s other customers, that the Doctor is needed, now!

~≈😷≈~

Once the opening credits have rolled?

We see the Doctor, and Belinda (Varada Sethu) in the TARDIS: as Belinda reminds the Doctor that he’s supposed to be taking her home.

They will need to stop in Lagos, along the way, though.

Partly?

So the Doctor can buy parts for the Vindicator: Lagos has the largest technology market in Africa.

But partly?

So the Doctor can get a haircut at his favourite barbershop.

Omo’s … 

~≈😷≈~

Part Two: Thoughts.

Now … with Meatloaf’s “You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth”, what do I make of the song … and what did I make of “The Story & the Engine”?

Let’s get the song out of the way: that “I bet you say that to all the boys” line is one of the funniest in the business.

Any one who says Meatloaf had no sense of humour was very wrong!

And the fact it starts a belter of a tune adds a certain something.

At any rate, my choice of music is beside the point.

The real question is this: what did I make of the episode?

For starters?

“The Story & the Engine” is a very well written piece: Ncuti’s initial “I’m not human” speech being a highlight, a reminder this Doctor has problems earlier versions haven’t faced … and has something in common with his companion.

My point … ?

I know any given episode of any given TV show is a mix of many peoples work.

That speech, Belinda’s response, the dialogue in the rest of the episode?

The responsibility for these things is shared between the writer, director, cast and crew in each episode.

But in the case of “The Story & the Engine”, we have a story that starts with a well written script.

And, in the shape of Inua Ellams, I believe we have a writer who is very capable and who can contribute much.

To be more accurate: can contribute much more.

The man’s written for the Royal Shakespeare Company: having someone that sort of heft, writing for Dr Who is welcome!

Secondly?

The setting.

I don’t know where the episode was filmed: the majority of the episode looks as if it were studio bound.

But it’s set in Lagos, in Nigeria: and features a giant spider-god loosely based on an African trickster figure called Anansi.

We’ve seen giant spiders crop up in Dr Who, well before now.

But spider gods?

Are new: as is setting a story in Africa, a nod to Ncuti’s African heritage.

New, and very welcome.

~≈😷≈~

Part Three: More Thoughts.

Other things to notice … ?

There’s possibly a lot of other things to notice, here.

But the one thing that did catch my eye?

Was the performance by Ariyon Bakare: as the Barber.

I don’t think I’ve seen a villain who’s this sympathetic — or this menacing — in a long time.

And whilst Bakare’s sheer physicality helps make his performance, his face helps, as well.

Add that face to dialogue that tells us the Barber has a back-story?

We have a character I’d like to see more of: and not just in a Vincent van Gogh-style cameo in the final episode.

~≈😷≈~

Part Four: In Conclusion.

So … ?

What did I think of “The Story & the Engine”?

I think we have a very well made story, here!

It’s given us:

• A menacing, but sympathetic, villain
• Introduced us to a new writer who will hopefully write more
• And given us a surprise cameo from an old, familiar, face.

What’s more, “The Story & the Engine” has given us new, African-themed, elements.

Something I believe many white science-fiction/fantasy writers in the English-speaking world don’t do.

Mostly, I suspect, because they don’t want to step on any toes: but also because they are unfamiliar with the African equivalents of Robin Hood, or the Death of Arthur.

So … ?

What I think we have in “The Story & the Engine” is a well written, well made, entertaining story.

One that introduces us to things we’ve not seen before: and that keep me on the edge of my seat.

“The Story & the Engine” is all to the good!

~≈😷≈~

Part Five: Last Words.

With all that said?

Yes: I’m going to be looking to next week’s episode.

I’ll be watching “The Interstellar Song Contest” on Saturday, 17th May: and posting my written and video reviews of it not long afterwards.

I hope you’d care to join me.

See you next week.

“The Story and The Engine”

★★★☆