'Doctor Who's' Ncuti Gatwa Era Begins with "Space Babies" and "The Devil's Chord"

After a three-part 60th anniversary celebration that gave us back an old Doctor and a holiday special that introduced a new one, Doctor Who is finally back on our screens with its first proper full season in several years. (No, whatever "Flux" was does not count.) Led by once and now-current showrunner Russell T. Davies, this premiere — which is Season 1, Season 14, or Season 40 depending on who you're asking — is new beginning in many ways, with the arrival of Fifteenth Doctor Ncuti Gatwa and companion Millie Gibson, an influx of Disney+ money and a serious recommitment to the sense of perennial adventure, wide-eyed wonder, and deliberate optimism that has defined the franchise for so long.

In a second unexpected twist, this new era of Doctor Who is launching with two new episodes rather than just one. The decision makes sense once you've seen them both: "Space Babies" and "The Devil's Chord" are very different episodes thematically and tonally speaking, ostensibly meant to illustrate the breadth of stories we'll get to see this season.

One is a pure camp romp featuring literal talking babies, poop jokes, and a scary monster in the basement of a space station called the Bogeyman. The other is a lore-heavy historical that features everything from The Beatles and a godlike new villain to callbacks to the Toymaker's appearance in the 60th-anniversary and deliberate hints that the Doctor's new companion may be more than she seems. But while its chaotic energy can undoubtedly feel overwhelming, it's impossible to ignore that this return is fun, and the sparkling chemistry between its two leads is enough to paper over the rough spots (of which there are a few).