Doctor Who has received significant viewer and critical acclaim for an episode, featuring Rosa Parks (Vinette Robinson) that tackled racism and discrimination.
The storyline also did not attempt to influence the event, or in any way inspire Rosa for her actions that day.
Rather, they helped protect the circumstances so that the event did happen.
Not only did the episode highlight racist attitudes in the past, they also highlighted how racism continues today. Ryan (Toisin Cole) talked about being stopped by police and Yaz (Mandip Gill) opened up about being the abuse she has experienced as a Muslim.
They also contextualised Rosa Parks’ story, highlighting the future difficulties she faced and the continued fight for civil rights.
Notably, this was also the first episode in Doctor Who history to have been written by a person of colour.
It was also pointed out that the episode was aired on the same day as a black woman was racially abused and was made to move on an Ryanair flight.
And at the end of the episode, The Doctor highlighted that Rosa Parks not only changed the world but the “universe,” pointing out an asteroid that has been named after her.
