'Doctor Who' Season 2 Episode 5 "The Story and the Engine" Review

Doctor Who Season 2 Episode 5 is a cultural, emotional, and visual triumph—arguably one of the strongest installments in years.

The second season of Doctor Who under showrunner Russell T Davies and starring Ncuti Gatwa continues to deliver fresh, exciting, and culturally rich storytelling. Episode 5, titled “The Story and the Engine,” is a standout. Written by Inua Ellams, this installment not only showcases the Doctor’s African identity in a meaningful way, but also crafts a vibrant, thought-provoking tale rooted in tradition, myth, and modern sci-fi spectacle.

The Doctor Returns to Lagos: A Personal Journey

At the heart of “The Story and the Engine” is the Doctor’s journey to Lagos—a first for the show and a deeply personal experience for Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor. Sporting a colorful shirt and longer hair, the Doctor visits Nigeria’s communication hub under the pretense of helping companion Belinda, who is desperate to return home. But there’s another reason too: it’s the home of his favorite barber, Omo.

This isn’t just a casual trip. The Doctor reveals a tender truth—this is his first time being in a Black body, and in Lagos, he feels truly accepted. This emotional revelation sets the tone for the rest of the episode, elevating it beyond mere sci-fi and into the realm of cultural celebration and identity exploration.

Inside Omo’s Palace: Where Stories Come to Life

The majority of the episode takes place inside a barbershop called Omo’s Palace, where stories are not just told—they're consumed. Literally. Omo (Sule Rimi) tells tales to the customers, and these narratives feed a mysterious creature behind an animated shop window. However, all is not well.

The barbershop is now controlled by a sinister figure known only as the Barber (played chillingly by Ariyon Bakare), who uses enchanted clippers to trap the men inside and drain them of their stories. The shop itself is a living paradox—rooted in Lagos yet simultaneously floating in space on the back of a giant spider, connected to a mystical network known as the Nexus, also humorously dubbed the WorldWideWeb.

The Doctor’s Past Haunts the Present

An emotional betrayal surfaces when Omo admits he lured the Doctor into this trap, believing the Time Lord’s powerful stories could finally satiate the Nexus. The Doctor’s reaction—hurt, betrayal, and restrained fury—offers one of Gatwa’s most nuanced performances yet. It’s a reminder that Doctor Who works best when emotional stakes are paired with high-concept sci-fi.

In a pivotal moment, we learn that Abena, the Barber’s assistant, is no ordinary character. She’s the daughter of Anansi, the spider god of storytelling—and someone the Doctor once failed to save. Her past connection with Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor adds a powerful layer of lore, as Martin briefly appears on screen to tie past timelines together.

Storytelling as Resistance: A Cultural Legacy

The climax of the episode is a stunning tribute to oral tradition and ancestral resilience. Abena braids escape-route patterns into the Doctor’s hair—a historical reference to how enslaved Africans would pass maps and messages through cornrow designs. As the Doctor runs his hands over his scalp, he connects with generations of Black history.

The final showdown with the Barber ends with the Doctor offering a powerful six-word story: “I’m born; I die; I’m born.” A poetic summary of his Time Lord existence, it overloads the story engine and forces the Barber to confront his own emptiness. The Doctor’s refusal to let him die—and Omo’s eventual act of kindness in giving him the shop—underscore the episode’s message of redemption through storytelling.

The episode’s visual design deserves special praise. From the bustling streets of Lagos to the surreal interiors of the Nexus and the moving animations in the barbershop window, every frame is packed with cultural symbolism and stunning aesthetics. The show’s production team brings Ellams’ vision to life with authenticity and imagination.

“The Story and the Engine” Sets a New Standard for ‘Doctor Who’

Doctor Who Season 2, Episode 5 isn’t just a sci-fi adventure—it’s a meditation on culture, memory, identity, and the enduring power of stories. With a nearly all-Black cast, strong performances from Ncuti Gatwa, Sule Rimi, and Ariyon Bakare, and a script that intertwines ancient mythology with modern-day relevance, this episode raises the bar for what Doctor Who can be.

Whether you’re here for the interdimensional drama or the deeper emotional themes, this episode delivers. And with Gatwa’s Doctor continuing to evolve in bold, heartfelt ways, the future of the TARDIS has never looked brighter.

What are your thoughts on the Doctor’s journey in Lagos? Drop a comment below and let’s talk time, space, and stories!

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