1975 – The year I discovered Doctor Who, the year I discovered ABBA, the year I discovered I was Gay. Now, 50 years later, those three life-changing moments collide in what is for me, “the perfect storm” of The Interstellar Song Contest! The Eurovision Song Contest, on which this episode is based, has also been a yearly viewing tradition for me for almost as long.
Although this episode may be lost on most American and non-European viewers, Eurovision has always been an obsession of many in Australia, even leading to us competing in the contest in recent years, although we are a long way from Europe! It began in 1956, a very small affair, and has now become an internationally watched extravaganza viewed by millions. They usually say, “May the best song win!” and in this episode, they said, “It’s not about winning, it’s about the joy of each other,” but the truth is that it has always been very political, and the best song often doesn’t win. Well, one exception was when ABBA won in 1974!
The Doctor and Belinda stop off to take another Vindicator reading. It turns out they are in the Harmony Arena, a Space Arena where the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest in 2925 is just beginning to be broadcast to 3 trillion viewers. (The 2025 Eurovision, not one of the best years’ shows, I thought it was more of a freak-show, had 166 million viewers,) They become immediately captivated by the event and decide to stay, not knowing they have stolen the booth from Gary and Mike, the gay couple who become essential to the action of the episode. We also see Mrs Flood in the audience, pleased to see that the Doctor has taken his final reading, which means that her plans are about to come to fruition.
40 worlds are competing in the contest, which is hosted by British celebrity Rylan Clark, who is defrosted from his cryo-chamber when he is needed to make a public appearance. Sponsored by Poppy Honey, the show begins, and the Broadcast Control Room is hijacked by Kid, a Hellion from the planet where the poppies were harvested for the sponsor corporation’s honey product, to take revenge against their destruction of his home world. As the rehearsal recording is transmitted to the viewing worlds instead of the live feed, Kid unleashes Hell. It results in most of the arena audience, along with the hosts and the Doctor, floating in space, frozen.
The sudden appearance of Susan, the Doctor’s granddaughter, still played by the wonderful Carole Ann Ford, blew my mind as she calls into his mind to come back and find her… I screamed when she appeared. Things escalate, including the Doctor losing control as Kid’s attempt to kill 3 billion viewers triggers him over the destruction of Gallifrey. This all culminates in Mrs Flood being revealed as the Rani, or A Rani, setting up a major part of the final episode of this season.
There was an abundance of Eurovision references and nods in this episode.
- The doctor’s comment, “I was there in 1974 when ABBA won, and Olivia Newton-John came fourth,” made me cheer, as did his later comment, “I thought it was my Waterloo, but it was my Rise Like The Phoenix,” which referenced both ABBA from 1974 and the brilliant winning song from 2014 by the Austrian bearded Drag performer, Conchita Wurst.
- The track Making Your Mind Up by Bucks Fizz, 1981 winner from the UK, who were two girls, two guys, modelled on ABBA, was heard.
- In the Museum section we had a hologram of Graham Norton, the commentator of the show for the UK for many years. Dana International, an Israeli Trans performer who won in 1998 with her hit, Diva, was playing on the TV screen. The costume worn by the Australian entry, Sheldon Riley, in 2022. A copy of the Eurovision 1975 record release. The list goes on…
The songs created especially for this episode by Murray Gold and others were also outstanding.
- I Love You But My Heart Says No by Liz Lizardine from Lizardo was a brilliant example of the perfect Eurovision song.
- My Big Feet by Cora from Trion was a typically wacky Eurovision song.
- Cora’s Hellion Anthem at the end of the show moved me to tears, even though I didn’t understand the words; that is also something that happens with some Eurovision songs.
- Dugga Doo… what can I say, it sticks in your head and tortures you, another typical type of Eurovision song. It reminds me of Dustin The Turkey’s song Irelande Douze Pointe for Ireland that was in the 2008 Semi-Final… yes, a song by a glove-puppet. Dugga, dugga, dugga, doo… I loved it! 😊
Susan’s return was a wonderful surprise, despite the constant suggestions that she would. Archie Panjabi as the Rani (“…the definite article, so to speak…”) is perfect. Writer Juno Dawson did an excellent job of capturing the spirit and history of Eurovision as this episode’s setting. For me, this was the gayest/campest Doctor Who episode ever… glitter cannon to the rescue, topping it all off! This was my favourite episode of the recent two seasons and specials; however, there were a few small things that I was put off by, so I give it 4.5 out of 5 Jelly Babies! 😊
MICHAEL YOUNG 