Doctor Who episode excels with smart script, great actors

The latest Doctor Who episode, "The Story and the Engine," is praised for its strong writing and performances, focusing on a Nigerian barbershop and the power of storytelling. The Doctor visits a barbershop in Lagos, Nigeria, where he becomes entangled in a plot involving a mysterious Barber who uses stories to power a giant robot spider. The Doctor and his companion, Belinda, are drawn into the Barber's trap, where they must contribute their own tales. The episode explores themes of community, family, and the value of stories, while also addressing the Doctor's identity as a Black man. The review suggests the episode could have benefited from a longer runtime to fully explore its complex narrative.