There was a lot of emotion during last night’s episode of ‘Doctor Who’ (episode three of season eleven), which saw the titular character, played by Jodie Whittaker, travel back to 1955 Montgomery, Alabama, where she witnesses the momentous incident of Rosa Parks refusing to give up her bus seat.
The episode saw the Doctor, Ryan (Tosin Cole), Yaz (Mandip Gill), and Graham (Bradley Walsh) be silent witnesses to Rosa’s act of protest as the former insists they let history and the heroic act unfold as it is meant to: “We have to, I’m sorry, we have to not help her.”
The episode also sees Ryan and Yaz experience bigotry and discuss the racism they still face in 21st century England.
A number of viewers took to Twitter to celebrate the accomplishments of the episode, with many admitting that it provoked tears.
One Tweeter called the episode “bold, unflinching storytelling” while another called it “a brilliant episode, and gorgeous writing from Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall.”
Others talked about how the episode touched them personally and how it challenged viewers in a good way.
#DoctorWho at its most powerful. The tears are real. pic.twitter.com/Dys1oVpTk8
— 🌈 Karlpaldi ðŸ'« (@CosmicWhoNerd) October 21, 2018
That was proper old school #DoctorWho. Bold, unflinching storytelling. Heart and magic. *Some* tears
— Terri White (@Terri_White) October 21, 2018
Thank you #Doctorwho for bringing me and different people all around the world an episode this iconic and important âÂ?¤ï¸Â?âÂ?¤ï¸Â?âÂ?¤ï¸Â? https://t.co/hkgYV3jk8p
— out of context doctor who (@ocdwho) October 21, 2018
Also if you’d told teenage me that one day I would get to see a female Doctor in an episode about Rosa Parks that was written by @malorieblackman I would have never believed you. #doctorwho
— ✨Poppy✨ (@PoppyStarkie) October 21, 2018
#DoctorWho like fuck it, if schools won’t teach the children black history, we’ll teach them ourselves. What a brilliant episode, and gorgeous writing from Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall.
— b ✨ (@iambri_97) October 21, 2018
As a history teacher I'd have no hesitation in showing tonight's episode of #DoctorWho when teaching about the Civil Rights movement. In fact, like Blackadder Goes Forth, it should be made part of the curriculum #RosaParks #Rosa Stunning!
— Inebriated Anorak (@IontheAnorak) October 21, 2018
Thank you @malorieblackman Not only does my 14 yr old love your books but he was gripped by your Rosa Parks episode of #DrWho, hugging me & shedding a tear at the end. Well done to all involved. #Thankful
— Marcia Layne (@MarciaLayne) October 21, 2018
Explained to my girls that it was less than 79 years ago that #rosaparks made her stand. It changed everything. It’s the little things and the little people who together make #bigchanges... And now we have a female #doctorwho
— Angela Griffin (@Angela_Griffin) October 21, 2018
Malorie Blackman and Chris Chibnall really went there. If you're uncomfortable just remember this is reality for POC. #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/fPLB3q6xD7
— 🌈 Karlpaldi ðŸ'« (@CosmicWhoNerd) October 21, 2018
Using words like “negro” and “paki” to address racism on prime time TV on a show as popular as Doctor Who is amazing. Bonus Rosa Parks too! This episode is fast becoming an all time favourite #DoctorWho
— Dan (@DrTardisBox) October 21, 2018
Also a side note - I'm glad how uncomfortable some of the moments felt - BECAUSE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO BE UNCOMFORTABLE
We have to face what society was like and the problems it still has now - but we have to face them with hope
That's what I love about Doctor Who - the hope
— isaac ðÂ?˜µðÂ?˜©ðÂ?˜¦ ðÂ?˜ªðÂ?˜®ðÂ?˜®ðÂ?˜°ðÂ?˜³ðÂ?˜µðÂ?˜¢ðÂ?˜ ðÂ?˜ªðÂ?˜³ðÂ?˜°ðÂ?˜¯ ðÂ?˜§ðÂ?˜ªðÂ?˜´ðÂ?˜µ (@discountstark) October 21, 2018
‘Doctor Who’ continues next Sunday on BBC One at 7pm.
