No Ship, Sherlock! Doctor Who: Legend of the Sea Devils

WARNING: SPOILERS AHEAD

Doctor Who has delivered its latest special, Legend of the Sea Devils, one of the last episodes with Jodie Whitaker as Thirteen. The special returned to bits of real history intervened by classic monsters in the way only Doctor Who can do it. Full of Sea Devils and pirates, the show sank its sailing ship.

The end of Flux presented the rise of the Doctor's latests list of conquests. Yaz was revealed to be in love with the Doctor and, more importantly, the Doctor was not so indifferent to those advances after all, even while trying to brush them off. Pleasantly surprising, the pairing seemed to click into place, despite not showing clear signs of it in prior seasons. The show which had taken on a more Classic Who take with its ensemble cast and a rescue of its educational origins, suddenly veered in a more New Who direction bringing back the heart-stealing Doctor even while in female form.

But as Flux came to a close and the boundary between friendship and lovers was placed back up, it remained to be seen whether the two would get together. Dan became every Whovian in Eve of the Daleks, telling the two the obvious, pulling it out of them. Even so, the boundary went back up at the end, although perhaps not as far up as before.

Legend of the Sea Devils has come to make it clear. The ship is there and ready to sail... except it doesn't. The attraction and romantic feelings between Thirteen and Yaz are evident. Jodie Whitaker and Mandip Gill have played their romantic line so gently, sweetly, and smoothly. Unfortunately rather than setting sail, the ship was sunk. It is yet to be seen whether that is temporary or not.

The feelings are there, even the flirting slipping out unintentionally and it couldn't have been smoother even if they'd tried. However, the Doctor has new disturbing information about her origins and her future, holding her back from a happy sail-off. This heavy emotional barrier is brought up twice during the special. A first more comical way, referencing River and the Doctor's romantic past, catching Yaz off-guard with the mention of a wife.

It is the second time however that all barriers are let down, even if momentarily, for a heartfelt, honest confession. Thirteen opens up. She wants it, she yearns for Yaz just as much, but there is too much going on. The centuries of leaving people behind is finally weighing in. An interest addition to this regeneration since it was presented as a much brighter change after going dark with Twelve.

The honesty of Thirteen is also contrasted with Yaz's silent acceptance of a situation she wants to change. She agrees to the Doctor's wishes to stay as they are and enjoy their time but the pain in her eyes is evident. Yaz wants more, and it is painful to not be able to reach out. Yaz's silent pining with intense looks and resignation brought to mind a little bit of Martha Jones, and revived the hopes that they follow a different path with the Doctor.

Either way, it has yet to be seen if they will get together, albeit briefly, for the remaining special. There is always a possibility of Yaz carrying on to the next regeneration and the situation changing then but it would be lovely to see that chemistry come to fruition with Thirteen herself. After all, she's not a bad date, is she?

But for now...

No ship, Sherlock!

*****

Doctor Who will return with one more special in 2022 and Fourteen is soon to be announced.