*Warning: this contains spoilers for Doctor Who The Star Beast.*
Doctor Who fans lauded the inaugural 60th anniversary special for its representation of the LGBTQ+ community.
The narrative reunited David Tennant and Catherine Tate as the Doctor and Donna Noble, respectively, while also introducing new cast members such as Yasmin Finney as Donna’s daughter Rose and Miriam Margolyes as Meep, a fluffy extraterrestrial.
Viewers praised numerous happy passages involving non-binary characters, saying they provided representation at a time of “such hatred from both the government and larger society.”
In one famous scene, the Time Lord encounters Meep and is corrected when they incorrectly assume the alien’s pronouns, which the extraterrestrial immediately reminds the Doctor that they just use the definite article, the Meep.
Later in the episode, the Doctor discloses their gender identification, stating that they are “Male and Female.” Neither does it. ‘And even more.’
BBC fans were thrilled with the scenes, with one writing on social media: ‘Not me in tears as RTD eviscerates the concept of binary gender. That was amazing! #DoctorWho is back and I couldn’t be happier.’
‘Okay that Doctor Who, slay. The non-binary representation on BBC on was so wonderful to see in a time of such hatred from both the government and larger society towards the LGBTQIA+ community! Thank you #DoctorWho,’ another added.
A third said: ‘Big fan. No notes. 10/10.’
Some suggested, that right-wing terfs would take issue with the narrative, while one X user anticipated a ‘meltdown’ from those quarters.
Fortunately, showrunner Russell T Davies has already addressed the inevitable trolls, saying that he knew there were some people ‘full of absolute hate, and venom, and destruction and violence who would like to see that sort of thing wiped off the screen entirely’.
Okay that Doctor Who, slay. The non binary representation on BBC one was so wonderful to see in a time of such hatred from both the government and larger society towards the LGBTQIA+ community! Thank you #DoctorWho
— Cheesygidds (@Cheesygidds) November 25, 2023
https://twitter.com/dralhubb/status/1728494633423196410
So the Doctor is non binary. Love it 😂 #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/4Ow0kDOfAv
— Karen (@kmr4726) November 25, 2023
Not me in tears as RTD eviscerates the concept of binary gender. That was amazing! #DoctorWho is back and I couldn't be happier. And it was also nice to see @cyberdoguk featuring prominently in the background. pic.twitter.com/lgvMV1tewI
— Dr Bethan Jones (she/her) (@memories_child) November 25, 2023
Big fan. No notes. 10/10. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/PIFR2tDFC5
— Ariadne Griffin 🦋 (@Ariadne_Reviews) November 25, 2023
#DoctorWho #DoctorWho60th SPOILERS‼️
“binary. binary. binary”
— ros🪩 emotionally unstable ⚭ (@Rosam23_) November 25, 2023
"binary, non-binary" RUSSELL T DAVIS YOU ARE THE GOAT #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/Ko2LAYeFvR
— heather (@hezipotter) November 25, 2023
Donna saying “binary binary binary binary binary” is one of the most heartbreaking bits of dialogue #doctorwho
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) November 25, 2023
And to anyone who held those ideals, he declared at a press event before the episode’s release: ‘Shame on you and good luck to you in your lonely lives.’
Saturday’s edition of The Star Beast is the first of three special episodes commemorating the show’s 60th anniversary.
Wild Blue Yonder will follow on December 2 and The Giggle on December 9.
Ncuti Gatwa, star of Sex Education and Barbie, will then take over as the Doctor for the holiday season, becoming the 15th Doctor.
Doctor Who The Star Beast is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
