Feeling Heard Through Signing: A New Perspective

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for “The Well.”

In the realm of fiction, sometimes the most impactful messages are conveyed not through grand declarations but by exploring the implications of a scenario within the story’s universe. This week’s captivating episode of Doctor Who, titled “The Well,” exemplifies this approach brilliantly, offering a narrative rich in layers and insights.

Continuing directly from the events of “Lux,” the Doctor and Belinda, still dressed in their vintage 1950s attire, grapple with the TARDIS controls in a desperate attempt to reach their intended destination. Despite Belinda’s assistance, the TARDIS stubbornly refuses to land on May 24, 2025, intensifying the nurse’s anxiety. She fears that if the TARDIS is functioning properly, then either the date or Earth itself may be compromised, causing her to worry deeply about her parents’ safety. The Doctor acknowledges her fears but reassures her that they will be reunited with her family soon.

Undeterred, the Doctor continues with a plan to attempt landing in a few additional locations using the Vindicator, a device he constructed last week to help orient the TARDIS. Their next destination is set 500,000 years into the future, prompting Belinda to question whether humanity still exists at that point in time. The Doctor confidently assures her that humanity not only survives but has expanded throughout the cosmos, establishing a presence in every corner of the universe. They then head to the TARDIS wardrobe to change into more suitable attire for their adventure.

Upon exiting the TARDIS, they find themselves on the gantry of a spaceship, where a team of marines is preparing to leap into the unknown. With no other option, they join the mission and descend to the planet below, allowing the Doctor to take the Vindicator reading. However, the planet’s intense radiation forces the ship—and consequently the TARDIS—to descend slowly over the next five hours. As they integrate themselves into the mission, the Psychic Paper enables them to blend seamlessly with the team.

This inhospitable planet is home to a small mining colony that has been extracting its dwindling resources. Recently, the colony has fallen silent, and just as one of the marines suggests the absurdity of the situation, questioning whether they should have simply “nuked the site from orbit,” the tension escalates. The eerie circumstances hint at an impending confrontation.

Upon investigation, the team discovers a grim scene: all colonists are dead, with injuries indicative of violent altercations and catastrophic falls. With shattered mirrors and offline systems, the records of the tragic events remain inaccessible. Yet, amidst the chaos, there is one survivor—a deaf chef named Aliss Bethick, portrayed by Rose Ayling-Ellis. Aliss has been waiting on a large cargo turntable for days, isolated both physically and socially due to her hearing impairment.

Aliss’s isolation is compounded by her inability to hear, creating a profound barrier between her and the soldiers. Although she can lip-read, communication remains challenging. The Doctor finds a way to connect with Aliss using sign language, while the soldiers utilize captioning screens on their uniforms to aid in communication. Much of the episode’s second act revolves around the complex dynamics of interacting with Aliss as the marines navigate the intricacies of conveying information to her. At one point, Belinda steps into the circle to attend to Aliss’s injuries, only to sense an ominous presence lurking behind her.

As the Doctor learns more about the desolate planet, he discovers it was once a stunning landscape adorned with diamonds. This location is none other than the infamous planet Midnight, featured in the series four episode of the same name, where the Doctor faced an insidious entity that took control of one of the passengers. Just like that previous encounter, the Doctor’s attempts to maintain calm amid chaos ultimately fail. Two soldiers, driven by desperation, attempt to lure out the entity to eliminate it, but tragically, they do not survive.

Belinda, displaying remarkable insight, pieces together the rules governing the entity’s behavior: if you visualize Aliss as the center of a clock, anyone standing directly behind her is at risk of being attacked by the unseen monster. Standing at the six o’clock position grants safety, but the ominous warning “you’ll die at midnight” becomes starkly real as those caught in the entity’s path are tossed around like ragdolls—resulting in chaos as crew members turn against each other in a frantic attempt to combat the alien threat.

The Doctor approaches Aliss to confront the entity, but as the narrative builds towards its climax, he pauses, contemplating the solution. To extract the diamonds, the colonists would have funneled mercury through a pipe conveniently located behind Aliss’s head. Shooting that pipe would unleash a torrent of mercury, creating a reflective surface capable of banishing the monster.

As they make their escape, the Doctor hesitates to leave without witnessing the monster, inadvertently allowing it to target Belinda. In a tragic twist, the captain of the marines shoots Belinda, leading the entity to believe she is on the verge of death and prompting it to switch hosts. The pair then leap into the mineshaft, and Belinda regains consciousness in the TARDIS, under the Doctor’s care, prepared for their next thrilling adventure. Meanwhile, the marines debrief their superior—Mrs. Flood—who is not only aware of the Doctor’s use of the Vindicator but also reveals that the alien managed to board their spaceship.

A recurring theme throughout the episode is Belinda’s discussions of human terms and superstitions, met with dismissive reactions from her companions. This disconnect raises troubling questions for both her and the Doctor, indicating that something is fundamentally amiss within the fabric of reality itself.

Understanding the Consequences of Standing Behind the Host: You Die at Midnight…

In a recent interview, showrunner Russell T. Davies addressed criticisms regarding the show’s perceived shift towards wokeness and diversity. He remarked, “There are always voices questioning our commitment to diversity, claiming we have strayed into ‘woke’ territory. I have no patience for such critiques. What some might label as ‘diversity’ I see as simply keeping the door open. It’s invigorating and filled with endless possibilities—there’s a vast world ahead of you, full of blue skies, clouds, and the lively sounds of life.”

Davies’ inclusive perspective on storytelling enhances the narrative potential of the show. Notably, the last time a deaf character appeared in Doctor Who was in the 2015 episode “Under The Lake,” where her reliance on an interpreter reduced her role to that of a plot device. In contrast, while Aliss’s deafness is integral to the plot of “The Well,” it does not solely define her character. Significant efforts were made to develop her character further, transforming her disability into a means of exploring technology and communication challenges for individuals with different accessibility needs. This thoughtful approach was crafted by co-writers Sharma Angel-Walfall and Russell T. Davies.

As I indulge in an episode of the current iteration of Doctor Who, I often find myself contemplating the impact of Disney‘s financial backing. The episode “Midnight,” which “The Well” serves as a sequel to, was filmed as a “double banked” episode, allowing the production team to shoot two episodes simultaneously. “Midnight” was designed to be a cost-effective story, primarily taking place in a single room. Honestly, “The Well” could have followed a similar format, as most of its action unfolds within a few confined spaces.

However, it’s essential to acknowledge that the additional funding allocated to this episode is not in vain; “The Well” feels remarkably expansive by Doctor Who standards, showcasing an impressive array of sets and locations. This indulgence brings to mind the Aliens-inspired narrative from Strange New Worlds, which creatively reused existing sets for its storyline. It may seem peculiar to highlight that Doctor Who can now afford to depict a devastated bunkroom, but it truly enhances the viewing experience.

The perception of indulgence may stem from the episode’s emphasis on character development over high-octane events. Belinda shines in this episode, asserting herself within the narrative while facing challenges and setbacks. She attempts to take charge in treating Aliss but struggles with the advanced medical equipment. Although she cleverly deduces the alien’s rules, she ultimately falls victim to its chaos.

While the first two episodes of this season felt rushed and overstuffed, the more intimate story in “The Well” allows for a deeper exploration of character dynamics. The focus on accessibility tools as a narrative device is commendable, providing a rich avenue for storytelling and character growth.

Regrettably, I find myself echoing the sentiments regarding the influence of Steven Moffat on this season’s storytelling. Monsters like the Weeping Angels and the Silence were inspired by the concept of turning fear into a game for children. The nameless entity in “The Well,” with its mechanic of danger for those standing directly behind the host, fits seamlessly into that tradition.

Nevertheless, “The Well” also showcases instances where Davies engages with themes from earlier works and the current season. In both “Midnight” and “The Well,” the Doctor faces the challenge of maintaining control amidst the chaos, as the threat of the unknown breeds paranoia. A pervasive sense of dark pessimism permeates both narratives, yet “The Well” manages to imbue a sense of hope that was less evident in prior episodes.

It’s intriguing to observe how Davies, known for his structured season arcs, appears to be intentionally revisiting motifs and themes. The parallels between this season and the previous one are striking, with episodes like “Space Babies” and “The Robot Revolution,” “The Devil’s Chord” and “Lux” alongside “Boom” and “The Well” vying for a place in the same narrative space across alternate realities. The repetition of significant moments—such as the TARDIS wardrobe sequence and recurring injuries—suggests a deliberate narrative choice. If next week’s episode “Lucky Day” centers on Ruby Sunday, devoid of the Doctor and explores themes of physical distance and the supernatural, it may indicate a purposeful connection.

Unveiling Mrs. Flood’s Role in the Narrative

I have always found the trope of “The End… or is it?” to be a frustrating narrative device that often undermines the emotional weight of character arcs and resolutions. While it can be effective in certain contexts, it frequently cheapens the sacrifices made by characters in their battles against villains. Moreover, audiences with limited media literacy might misinterpret such endings as mere cliffhangers for future episodes.

In this instance, the conclusion serves as a means to introduce Mrs. Flood as the commanding officer overseeing the debriefing following the Doctor and Belinda’s departure. She possesses knowledge of the Doctor’s utilization of the Vindicator and has witnessed it in action through the soldiers’ recordings. However, unlike previous instances, there is no breaking of the fourth wall, presenting her character in a manner reminiscent of Susan Twist from last season, which adds an intriguing layer of complexity.