“Rogue” is everything I want from an episode of Doctor Who. It’s quick-witted, fast-paced, and tremendously fun, harking back to the dorky Doctor Who of days gone by. The episode features hilariously forgettable villains with a comically bizarre motivation and The Doctor charming a bad boy who actually goes by the name Rogue.
Best of all, Ncuti Gatwa is back at the helm after weeks of “Doctor-lite” frustrations, bringing a refreshing tonal change along with him. Whereas “Dot and Bubble” was Doctor Who’s take on Black Mirror, “Rogue” is its show’s version of a gossip-filled regency romp with an alien twist. It’s hardly surprising that Bridgerton choreographer Jack Murphy was brought in to give “Rogue” an extra dash of authenticity.
The episode is filled with lines like “You cad!”, heated chats in the library that risk one’s honor, and a myriad of ballroom dancing scenes. A palpable sense of fun runs through “Rogue,” especially in scenes with Ncuti Gatwa and Jonathan Groff. Groff is marvelous as the titular space-faring bounty hunter: He’s mischievous and delightfully funny.
Every scene with him is a joy, particularly when he’s interacting with The Doctor. Rogue also feels very Time Lord-coded: he has a ship (which presumably time travels), a mysterious past, and plenty of charm. I was genuinely surprised that he didn’t have some kind of connection to Gallifrey.
Still, his interactions with The Doctor are the highlights of “Rogue”.
