Part 3/7:
The Controversial Special and Its Fallout
The backlash was swift and vigorous. Many felt the special betrayed what made the series special, especially by allegedly transforming it into a platform for ideological messaging. Critics and fans alike pointed out that the special seemed to serve more as a trans allegory than a respectful homage or continuation of the storyline.
A viral clip from the episode encapsulated this dissatisfaction—depicting a scene where a transgender actor interacts with the Doctor in a way that many found disrespectful and tone-deaf. The scene included dialogue about pronouns and gender identity, but fans argued that it crossed boundaries into disrespect and infantilization.