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“My heart is so full”: Fans praise Doctor Who for its heartwarming trans-inclusive storyline

By Jordan Robledo

26th November 2023

BBC

Fans have expressed their excitement over the new Doctor Who episode and its trans-inclusive storyline.

Spoilers ahead

On 25 November, fans were finally treated to the first special of the show’s highly anticipated 60th anniversary celebration – which is set to take place across three one-hour episodes. 

Following the events of Doctor Who season 13, which saw Jodie Whittaker as the 13th Doctor, the episode begins with the time lord’s usual reincarnation. However, instead of having a new face, the extraterrestrial being takes on the same identity as his tenth iteration, which David Tennant iconically plays.   

As he walks about the city in his somewhat new form, the time lord runs into his former companion, Donna Noble (played by the beloved Catherine Tate), who now has a family and is still blissfully unaware of the Doctor’s existence.

Of course, it doesn’t take long for them to embark on another adventure together after a mysterious spaceship lands in London. 

The synopsis for the special reads: “The Doctor is caught in a fight to the death as a spaceship crash-lands in London. But as the battle wreaks havoc, destiny is converging on the Doctor’s old friend, Donna.”

Since its release, the episode has received universal acclaim from critics and fans, with many praising its larger-than-life storyline, clever dialogue and the performances of Tennant and Tate. 

 

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In addition to the aforementioned praises, the episode has also been lauded for its LGBTQIA+ content – including the introduction of Yasmin Finney’s new trans character, Rose Noble, the multiple conversations regarding gender and the major role Rose’s trans identity plays in saving Donna’s life.

Following the special’s premiere, fans flocked to X (formerly known as Twitter) to celebrate the show’s queer moments. 

One person wrote: “Asking about pronouns is a show as big as #DoctorWho is so amazing and makes me feel so seen. This is exactly what we need to normalise queerness and eradicate prejudice. Thank you #DoctorWho60.”

Another fan posted: “Donna standing up for her trans daughter getting deadnamed… as a trans guy, i’m sat here sobbing.”

 A third fan echoed similar sentiments, writing: “The fact that episode of #DoctorWho60 felt like the old Doctor Who was amazing but the icing on the cake is how angry transphobes (Gender Criticals) are gonna be at such a beautiful representation of trans joy.” 

Fortunately, there are two more Doctor Who 60th-anniversary specials for fans to immerse themselves in, with the second episode – Wild Blue Yonder – airing on 2 December and the third – The Giggle – on 9 December. 

Check out more fan reactions to the latest Doctor Who episode below.