Doctor Who Season 2 on Disney+ debuted with excitement on Saturday, releasing the episode “The Robot Revolution.” This fresh season features Belinda Chandra (portrayed by Varada Sethu) as the Doctor’s new companion — adhering to the series’ established custom of companions who are either hesitant or unexpectedly drawn into the TARDIS.
Yet, this episode offers more than its polished, futuristic exterior suggests. Hidden beneath is a wealth of references, Easter eggs, and a behind-the-scenes narrative that explains the changes made to Belinda’s name. Let’s delve into the intricacies of this season’s premiere.
A Star (and Planet) Named Belinda
In an amusing twist, Belinda’s character name has a celestial backstory — quite literally. The International Star Registry, a legitimate company that allows people to name stars (albeit not officially endorsed by astronomers), unexpectedly influenced the creation of the character. Showrunner Russell T Davies disclosed that they had to modify Belinda’s name three times because her initial names were already registered. “She was initially intended to be named Belinda Finch,” Davies shared.
In the episode, Belinda’s former boyfriend Alan uses a fictional variant of the registry to name a star after her — complete with the designation “Miss.” However, the narrative takes a surprising turn when the star, its orbiting livable planet, and its inhabitants all adopt the name MissBelindaChandra, insisting that she be crowned their queen. This plot twist seems lifted straight from Douglas Adams’ repertoire — appropriate considering his connection to the series.
Belinda’s Pajama Look: A Sci-Fi Staple
Belinda isn’t the first British character to be whisked away from Earth while wearing pajamas. That distinction belongs to Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, who famously donned his bathrobe throughout his galaxy-spanning adventures. Belinda’s robe-wearing introduction is a clear homage to this — and the tribute continues in the Christmas special “Joy to the World,” where even the Doctor is seen sporting a robe evocative of Arthur’s.
This reference is no accident. Douglas Adams, the mastermind behind Hitchhiker’s, previously worked as a script editor for Doctor Who. The show’s playful nod to his beloved character is a charming addition for dedicated fans.
Familiar Faces on Familiar Robots
Although the robots in “The Robot Revolution” might seem fresh, they resemble designs from earlier episodes. Their emoji-like faces call back to the robots in “Smile” (2017), which also featured a new companion taking her inaugural trip to an alien world — in that instance, Bill Potts with the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi).
Additionally, classic Who enthusiasts will notice that the plot bears similarities to “Robots of Death” (1977), a Tom Baker-era episode that addressed the perils of a robotic uprising. Even the vintage rocket featured in the episode brings to mind the one seen in “The Star Beast,” the inaugural Doctor Who special on Disney+ from 2023.
A Rare Glimpse of the Doctor’s Two Hearts
The Doctor’s twin hearts have been part of the show’s mythology since 1970’s “Spearhead from Space,” when the Third Doctor’s X-ray unveiled his extraordinary anatomy. However, these hearts have only been shown a few times since — in the 1996 TV movie and the 2005 episode “Dalek.”
In “The Robot Revolution,” viewers are treated to a rare and visually captivating moment: the Doctor lifts a live X-ray blanket to reveal his two pulsating hearts to Belinda. It’s the first instance of seeing them in action, offering a delight for fans interested in Time Lord biology.
AI Antagonists: A Doctor Who Tradition
Worried about rogue AI? Doctor Who has engaged with this topic since 1966’s “The War Machines,” featuring the First Doctor battling WOTAN (Will Operating Thought ANalogue). While the term “artificial intelligence” wasn’t introduced until 2014’s “Death in Heaven,” the concept has consistently appeared.
Since then, AI has been a theme in at least eight episodes, and “The Robot Revolution” continues this tradition with its sentient machines and their revolt.
Belinda: Not the First Nurse in the TARDIS
Belinda Chandra, who identifies herself as “The Nurse,” is not the first medical professional to travel alongside the Doctor. That distinction belongs to Rory Williams (Arthur Darvill), who adventured through time and space with his wife Amy Pond and the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith).
Nonetheless, Belinda offers a distinct viewpoint. When the Doctor scans her DNA without her consent using his Sonic Screwdriver, she expresses her shock — emphasizing a violation of medical ethics. Showrunner Davies highlights that this marks the first instance of consent being explicitly addressed in the show. “What’s wonderful about that moment is she prompts the Doctor into an apology,” he remarks.