Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio

Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio delves into an extraordinary adventure of time travel, superheroes, and a unique blend of science fiction and fantasy. Set primarily in New York City, the story follows the Twelfth Doctor, a reincarnated incarnation of the iconic character from the British sci-fi television series, as he faces off against a brain-swapping alien threat that threatens the very fabric of reality. The Doctor (played by Peter Capaldi) materializes the TARDIS near Times Square, where he finds an unusual companion, Nardole (played by Matt Lucas), a warrior from the distant planet of Monarch of the Romana's family from the original serial Shada, which was written by Chris Boucher and directed by Pennant Roberts but never finished on TV. As they explore the city, they stumble upon an investigative reporter, Missy's enemy, and an ordinary man with an extraordinary secret: the Ghost, a masked superhero. The Ghost, in reality, is the same person we see later in the serial: a brilliant and talented individual with extraordinary abilities who is struggling to balance his double life. Meanwhile, a series of mysterious energy signals begin to emanate from the city, and the Doctor quickly realizes that something is amiss. These signals are coming from brain-swapping aliens known as the 'shobogans,' who have come to Earth to harvest human minds in exchange for their more refined and complex human intelligence. These 'shobogans' possess the ability to transfer human consciousness into inanimate objects, effectively erasing the person's memories, skills, and even their sense of self. As the Doctor and Nardole delve deeper into the mystery, they team up with the Ghost, who is initially reluctant to share his true identity, and his loved ones. Together, they uncover the shobogans' sinister plot and attempt to save Manhattan from being overrun with these creatures. However, as the stakes escalate, the Doctor begins to suspect that the Ghost may hold the key to defeating the shobogans – or perhaps even be one of them. Throughout the adventure, Nardole becomes increasingly frustrated with his limited role as a 'buddy' to the Doctor, yearning for more action and adventure. The Doctor's responses to his complaints, combined with his eccentric antics, add an extra touch of humor and humanity to the serial, showcasing the strong friendship between the two characters. Behind Nardole's mask lies a mysterious and troubled past as he was a former monk in the planet of Monarch, which adds depth to his relationship with the Doctor and raises many questions about the true nature of Monarch. The Ghost's true identity serves as the heart of this mystery: a brilliant engineer and artist, he has used his intelligence and creativity to build a suit that enables him to become the Ghost. This person is essentially 'ordinary,' struggling to live up to his father's expectations, but also driven by the desire to do something more in life, something greater. While exploring his connection to the shobagans, we learn that the Ghost's mother was involved with the brain-swapping creatures, which makes him an unwitting part of their sinister experiment. As the Ghost's true identity is ultimately revealed, and with it his motivations and backstory, he comes to realize that the true secret behind the Ghost's existence lies not in his incredible abilities, but in the simple desire for human connection, understanding, and a sense of belonging. The climax of the story sees the Doctor, Nardole, and the Ghost working together to stop the shobogans' mind-harvesting operation, with a thrilling battle ensuing as they confront these alien entities in a spectacular display of action-packed drama. In the aftermath, as the Earth returns to normal, the Doctor must bid farewell to his new friend, returning the TARDIS to the shadows, leaving Nardole with a newfound sense of friendship and a deeper understanding of their own complicated past. In the final scenes, Nardole returns to his life on Monarch, though with a few more memories than he had before. His past still shrouded in mystery, the series leaves viewers wondering about Nardole's origins and the significance of the Monarch in his life. This raises questions about the complexities of Nardole's character and hints at potential plot developments in the future. As the story unfolds with its thrilling action sequences, heartfelt moments of connection, and an intriguing mystery surrounding the Ghost's past, Doctor Who: The Return of Doctor Mysterio delivers an entertaining and engaging adventure, exploring the true power of friendship and human relationships in the face of overwhelming danger.