Dot and Bubble

Lindy Pepper-Bean lives in the city of Finetime, populated by white, wealthy young adults from nearby Homeworld and shielded from the dangerous Wild Woods surrounding it. They live through a social media interface, a literal bubble projected around their heads by floating "Dots", robots that also direct their movements. Lindy is unconcerned that several of her friends are missing and she blocks the Doctor when he tries to send her a warning. Ruby then appears in Lindy's bubble and coaxes her into dropping her bubble. Lindy sees giant slug-like creatures eating some residents but ignoring her and others.

The Doctor and Ruby instruct Lindy and her friends to evacuate Finetime via conduits leading to an underground river. Lindy is surprised to realise that Ruby and Doctor are physically together and only belatedly recognises the Doctor from his earlier warning. Lindy views a message from her mother Penny, whom the Doctor and Ruby recognise, though from different places. Lindy is eventually aided in person by another resident, Ricky September, an influencer she idolises. He reveals that, unlike the other residents, he turns his bubble off regularly and can function without it. He discovers Homeworld has already been consumed by the slugs but lies to Lindy that all is fine.

The Doctor realises that the slugs were created and bred within Finetime by the Dots, leading residents to their deaths in alphabetical order by surname. Lindy finds herself no longer able to control her Dot, as it reveals its sentience and attacks them. When Lindy is cornered, she reveals Ricky's birth name was Richard Coombes (C preceding P in the English alphabet), and abandons him to be killed by the Dot. Lindy meets with the few remaining fleeing residents that the Doctor and Ruby rescued earlier and lies to them about what happened to Ricky.

The Doctor offers to take Lindy and the other remaining survivors into the TARDIS to find them a new home, but they disdainfully refuse, implying that his appearance makes him inferior. He warns them that they will die if they stay on the planet, as the Wild Woods are dangerous, and begs them to let him save them. They ignore him and launch their boat onto the river, and the Doctor angrily and tearfully leaves with Ruby.

The episode was written by showrunner Russell T Davies.{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-ep-5-dot-and-bubble-preview-guess-who-gets-doc-blocked/|title=Doctor Who Ep. 5 "Dot and Bubble" Preview: Guess Who Gets Doc-Blocked?|last=Flook|first=Ray|date=30 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Bleeding Cool|archive-date=30 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530183616/https://bleedingcool.com/tv/doctor-who-ep-5-dot-and-bubble-preview-guess-who-gets-doc-blocked/|url-status=live}} He initially conceptualised the idea in 2009 when the upcoming showrunner Steven Moffat asked Davies to return to the programme after his initial departure and write an episode for the Eleventh Doctor (Matt Smith) and his companion Amy Pond (Karen Gillan).{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/dot-bubble-doctor-who-black-mirror-newsupdate/|title=Dot and Bubble is Doctor Who's "clearest step into Black Mirror" says showrunner|last=Hibbs|first=James|date=25 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=28 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528164322/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/dot-bubble-doctor-who-black-mirror-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} Davies ultimately pitched the episode to Moffat in April 2010 for the sixth series, but it was scrapped due to the budget constraints that the heavy visual effects would have required.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/dot-and-bubble-doctor-who-step-into-black-mirror-territory/|title=Doctor Who Is About to Take its "Clearest Step into Black Mirror Territory"|last=Mellor|first=Louisa|date=25 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Den of Geek|archive-date=27 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240527015342/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/dot-and-bubble-doctor-who-step-into-black-mirror-territory/|url-status=live}} Following a co-production deal with Disney that began in 2023 and allowed for an increased budget,{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-doctor-who-budget-exclusive-newsupdate/|title=Chris Chibnall: Doctor Who's new budget will be "massive leap forward"|last=Griffin|first=Louise|date=23 November 2023|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=4 January 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240104175940/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/chris-chibnall-doctor-who-budget-exclusive-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} the episode was finally able to be produced. Working titles for the episode included "irl" and "Monsters, Monsters Everywhere". The episode explored the reliance of Generation Z on social media{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60742330/doctor-who-episode-release-schedule/|title=Doctor Who's episode release schedule for Ncuti Gatwa's first season|last=Cook|first=Rebecca|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=1 May 2024|work=Digital Spy}}{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/article/2024/jun/01/doctor-who-dot-bubble-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-callie-cooke-social-media-recap|title=Doctor Who: Dot and Bubble – season one episode five recap|last=Belam|first=Martin|date=1 June 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=The Guardian}} while featuring underlying themes of racism and elitism. The Finetime residents' rejection of the Doctor in the final scene has been widely interpreted as due to his race, a notion confirmed by Davies as intentional.Multiple sources:

• {{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-ending-ncuti-gatwa-comment/|title=Doctor Who's shock Dot and Bubble ending is Ncuti Gatwa's most stunning moment yet|last=Griffin|first=Louise|date=1 June 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601054948/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-ending-ncuti-gatwa-comment/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-dot-bubble-ending-explained/|title=Doctor Who Season 14, Episode 5 Ending Explained: Why Lindy Refuses The Doctor's Help|last=Elvy|first=Craig|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=Screen Rant|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601054949/https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-dot-bubble-ending-explained/|url-status=live}}
• {{Cite web |last=Lovett |first=Jamie |date=31 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who Season 1, Episode 5 Recap With Spoilers: "Dot and Bubble" |url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-season-1-episode-5-recap-spoilers-dot-and-bubble/ |access-date=2 June 2024 |website=ComicBook.com |language=en}}
• {{cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1593757/doctor-who-inspiration-netflix-black-mirror/|title=Doctor Who's Bleak New Episode Took A Page From Netflix's Darkest Show|last=Boyle|first=Michael|date=1 June 2024|accessdate=2 June 2024|work=/Film}} Davies compared the episode to Black Mirror but with more freedom;{{cite web |last=Seddon |first=Dan |date=25 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who boss teases that next episode is "step into Black Mirror territory" |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60904464/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-black-mirror/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526034023/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60904464/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-black-mirror/ |archive-date=26 May 2024 |accessdate=30 May 2024 |work=Digital Spy}} several critics also noted the similarities in tone and premise.{{Cite web |last=Rivera |first=Joshua |date=31 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who goes full Black Mirror only to set up its most shocking twist |url=https://www.polygon.com/24168156/doctor-who-dot-bubble-review-new-episode-6 |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=31 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531230400/https://www.polygon.com/24168156/doctor-who-dot-bubble-review-new-episode-6 |url-status=live }} Screen Rant{{hairsp}}'s Brennan Klein likened the premise to the episodes "Fifteen Million Merits" (2011) and "Nosedive" (2016).{{Cite web |last=Klein |first=Brennan |date=30 May 2024 |title=The Doctor Is Blocked On Social Media In New Doctor Who "Dot And Bubble" Clip |url=https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-social-media-blocked-clip/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530192517/https://screenrant.com/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-social-media-blocked-clip/ |archive-date=30 May 2024 |access-date=31 May 2024 |website=Screen Rant |language=en}}

{{multiple images

| direction = horizontal

| total_width = 400

| caption_align = center

| image1 = Bay Campus.jpg

| alt1 = A large multi-story brick building on a university campus.

| caption1 = Swansea University Bay Campus

| image2 = Cardiff Bay Barrage lock.jpg

| alt2 = A lock used for boat navigation with a low level of water near Cardiff Bay.

| caption2 = Cardiff Bay Barrage

| footer_align = center

| footer = Swansea University Bay Campus and the Cardiff Bay Barrage were used as the primary filming locations for the episode.

}}

The episode was directed by Dylan Holmes Williams{{cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-2024-season-1-trailer-2-episode-titles/|title=Doctor Who Season 1 New Trailer, Episode Titles Released|last=Outlaw|first=Kofi|date=1 April 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=ComicBook.com|archive-date=26 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526230710/https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/news/doctor-who-2024-season-1-trailer-2-episode-titles/|url-status=live}} and was the second episode of the fourteenth series to be produced, though the final shot of the episode was the very first scene to be filmed by Gatwa for the fourteenth series.{{Cite episode |title=Dot and Bubble |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001zxwn/doctor-who-unleashed-season-1-5-dot-and-bubble |access-date=1 June 2024 |series=Doctor Who: Unleashed |series-link=Doctor Who: Unleashed |last=Davies |first=Russell T |author-link=Russell T Davies |network=BBC Three |date=1 June 2024 |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023256/https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m001zxwn/doctor-who-unleashed-season-1-5-dot-and-bubble |url-status=live }} It was filmed in the series' first production block along with the previous episode, "73 Yards".{{cite web|url=https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-filming-with-aneurin-barnard-at-cardiff-city-stadium|title=Doctor Who filming with Aneurin Barnard at Cardiff City Stadium|last=Laford|first=Andrea|date=16 January 2023|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=CultBox|archive-date=16 January 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230116194927/https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-filming-with-aneurin-barnard-at-cardiff-city-stadium|url-status=live}} Filming took place in December 2022 and January 2023; locations included the Cardiff Bay Barrage and Swansea University Bay Campus in Wales.{{cite web|url=https://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/23206436.doctor-shoots-scenes-new-series-penarth/|title=Doctor Who shoots scenes of the new series in Penarth|last=Jamshidian|first=Harry|date=21 December 2023|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Penarth Times|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601054953/https://www.penarthtimes.co.uk/news/23206436.doctor-shoots-scenes-new-series-penarth/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-filming-with-new-monster-at-swansea-bay-campus|title=Doctor Who filming with new monster at Swansea Bay Campus|last=Laford|first=Andrea|date=4 January 2023|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Cultbox|archive-date=20 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240520233742/https://cultbox.co.uk/news/headlines/doctor-who-filming-with-new-monster-at-swansea-bay-campus|url-status=live}} Because the weather on set was unpredictable, Jack Forsyth-Noble filmed multiple fictional weather forecasts for the episode as Weatherman Will. Millennium FX designed the slug creatures, which took three people to operate during filming.{{cite AV media|title=Behind the Scenes – Dot and Bubble – Doctor Who|type=Behind the scenes featurette|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uXz0XHdsQI|date=1 June 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|publisher=BBC|archive-date=2 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023325/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8uXz0XHdsQI|url-status=live}}

Similar to the previous episode, Ncuti Gatwa was still filming Sex Education when the episode began production, limiting his availability, but he still had a larger presence than he held in "73 Yards".{{cite web|url=https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doctor-who-stars-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-interview|title=Doctor Who Stars Ncuti Gatwa & Millie Gibson Talk 2024 Show, Doctor History, and More|last=Williams|first=K-CI|date=10 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Teen Vogue|archive-date=22 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522132503/https://www.teenvogue.com/story/doctor-who-stars-ncuti-gatwa-millie-gibson-interview|url-status=live}} The episode instead focused on Callie Cooke as Lindy Pepper-Bean. Tom Rhys Harries appeared in the episode as Ricky September.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-callie-cooke-david-tennant-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who star Callie Cooke: 'I'm obsessed with David Tennant'|last=Craig|first=David|date=28 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=29 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240529084402/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-callie-cooke-david-tennant-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} Similar to other episodes of the series, Susan Twist guest-starred as another seemingly disparate character, this time as Penny Pepper-Bean.{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60875239/doctor-who-susan-twist-dot-and-bubble/|title=Doctor Who reveals new Susan Twist role in upcoming episode|last=Harp|first=Justin|date=22 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=26 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526033913/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60875239/doctor-who-susan-twist-dot-and-bubble/|url-status=live}} The remainder of the guest cast included Eilidh Loan, Aldous Ciokajlo Squire, and Niamh Lynch, among others.{{Cite web |last=Harp |first=Justin |date=22 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who reveals new Susan Twist role in upcoming episode |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60875239/doctor-who-susan-twist-dot-and-bubble/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240526033913/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60875239/doctor-who-susan-twist-dot-and-bubble/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-bubble-cast/|title=Meet the cast of Doctor Who – Dot and Bubble|last=Cremona|first=Patrick|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=2 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023300/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-bubble-cast/|url-status=live}} Only white actors were cast in the guest roles due to the episode's theme of racism; Davies was unsure when or if viewers would notice the lack of diversity before the final scene.

{{TV ratings

| aggregatenosort = y

| aggregate1 = Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)

| aggregate1score = 93%{{Cite web |title=Doctor Who: Season 1, Episode 5 |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/doctor_who_2023/s01/e05 |access-date=27 June 2024 |website=Rotten Tomatoes |language=en}}

| aggregate2 = Rotten Tomatoes (Average Rating)

| aggregate2score = 7.6/10

| rev1 = Digital Spy

| rev1score = {{rating|2|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60921855/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review/|title=Doctor Who's Dot and Bubble continues a discouraging season trend|last=Cook|first=Rebecca|date=28 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Digital Spy|archive-date=30 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530230408/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60921855/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review/|url-status=live}}

| rev2 = Empire

| rev2score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=Doctor Who: 'Dot And Bubble' |url=https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review/ |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=Empire |language=en}}

| rev3 = Evening Standard

| rev3score = {{rating|3|5}}{{Cite web |last=Jessop |first=Vicky |date=1 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who, Dot and Bubble review: the show takes a bleak Black Mirror turn |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review-b1161083.html |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023303/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review-b1161083.html |url-status=live }}

| rev4 = i

| rev4score = {{rating|2|5}}{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Stephen |date=31 May 2024 |title=Ncuti Gatwa deserves better than Dot and Bubble's lazy race twist |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/octor-who-dot-bubble-review-ncuti-gatwa-race-twist-3085261 |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531231703/https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/octor-who-dot-bubble-review-ncuti-gatwa-race-twist-3085261 |url-status=live }}

| rev5 = IGN

| rev5score = 5/10{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-season-1-episode-6-dot-and-bubble-review|title=Doctor Who Season 1, Episode 6 – "Dot and Bubble" Review|last=Anderson|first=Robert|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=IGN|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601055021/https://www.ign.com/articles/doctor-who-season-1-episode-6-dot-and-bubble-review|url-status=live}}

| rev6 = Radio Times

| rev6score = {{rating|3|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-dot-bubble-review/|title=Doctor Who - Dot and Bubble review: Black Mirror-like episode is ambitious to a fault|last=Jeffery|first=Morgan|date=27 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601055040/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-dot-bubble-review/|url-status=live}}

| rev7 = The Independent

| rev7score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/reviews/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-bbc-b2553973.html|title=Doctor Who: Dot and Bubble review – Russell T Davies goes all Black Mirror|last=Power|first=Ed|date=1 June 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=The Independent}}

| rev8 = Total Film

| rev8score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who-season-1-episode-5-dot-and-bubble-review-recap/|title=Doctor Who season 1, episode 5 review: "'Dot and Bubble' is like a family-friendly Black Mirror"|last=Salmon|first=Will|date=27 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|website=GamesRadar+|publisher=Future US|archive-date=31 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531010739/https://www.gamesradar.com/entertainment/sci-fi-shows/doctor-who-season-1-episode-5-dot-and-bubble-review-recap/|url-status=live}}

| rev9 = Vulture

| rev9score = {{rating|4|5}}{{cite web|url=https://www.vulture.com/article/doctor-who-recap-season-1-episode-5-dot-and-bubble.html|title=Doctor Who Recap: Hate to Burst Your Bubble|last=Zhan|first=Jennifer|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Vulture|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601054953/https://www.vulture.com/article/doctor-who-recap-season-1-episode-5-dot-and-bubble.html|url-status=live}}

}}

"Dot and Bubble" was first released in the United Kingdom on BBC iPlayer on 1 June 2024 followed by a broadcast on BBC One later in the day.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-bubble-air-time-newsupdate/|title=Doctor Who air time confirmed for Dot and Bubble on BBC One|last=Craig|first=David|date=22 May 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=30 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240530225502/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-dot-bubble-air-time-newsupdate/|url-status=live}} Disney+ released the episode simultaneously in the United States on 31 May.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/monicamercuri/2024/04/30/heres-whats-new-to-disney-plus-in-may-2024-including-doctor-who/?sh=363b5837c447|title=Here's What's New To Disney Plus In May 2024—Including 'Doctor Who'|last=Mecuri|first=Monica|date=30 April 2024|accessdate=30 May 2024|work=Forbes|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601055116/https://connatix-d.openx.net/v/1.0/av?auid=539870438&schain=1.0,1!connatix.com,679698455578581,1,,,,&url=www.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fmonicamercuri%2F2024%2F04%2F30%2Fheres-whats-new-to-disney-plus-in-may-2024-including-doctor-who%2F%3Fsh%3D899873f7c447&cb=93b8259a-96b8-46db-bea0-0dd25595829b&vwd=400&vht=300&gdpr=0&gdpr_consent=null&us_privacy=|url-status=live}} Disney also handled international distribution of the episode outside of the United Kingdom and Ireland.{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-release-date/|title=Doctor Who season 14: Release date, trailers, episodes and latest news|last1=Knight|first1=Lewis|last2=Griffin|first2=Louise|date=11 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Radio Times|archive-date=3 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240403164015/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-release-date/|url-status=live}}

The UK broadcast of "Dot and Bubble" brought in overnight viewing figures of 2.12 million.{{cite web|url=https://tvzoneuk.com/post/doctorwho-dotandbubble-overnightratings|title=Doctor Who: Dot & Bubble Overnight Ratings Revealed|date=2 June 2022|accessdate=2 June 2022|work=TVZoneUK}} The episode was viewed by 3.38 million viewers when accounting for 7-day ratings, the lowest viewing figure since the first episode of Battlefield (1989), which received 3.1 million viewers. It was the twenty-fourth most watched programme of the week{{cite web |last= |date=25 April 2022 |title=Doctor Who Guide: Ratings Guide |url=https://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date |access-date=25 April 2022 |work=Doctor Who News}} and was the highest-viewed in both its time slot and the day overall.{{Cite web |last=Jeffery |first=Morgan |date=27 May 2024 |title=Doctor Who - Dot and Bubble review: Black Mirror-like episode is ambitious to a fault |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/sci-fi/doctor-who-season-14-episode-5-dot-bubble-review/ |access-date=2024-06-18 |website=Radio Times |language=en-GB}}

{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|93|7.6|15|consensus=A withering treatment of the terminally online with slithering monsters thrown in for good measure, "Dot and Bubble" is another memorable adventure for The Doctor.}}

Total Film writer Will Salmon compared the virtual aspect of the episode to media productions during COVID-19 as well as the dystopian aspect to that of "Gridlock" (2007). Cooke's performance in the episode was praised by Salmon for expressing the "vulnerability" and "complexity" of her character. Den of Geek{{'}}s Stefan Mohamed wrote about comparisons between the episode and Black Mirror beyond just the plot and saying the two are also similar with their production design.{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-episode-5-review-dot-and-bubble/|title=Doctor Who Series 14 Episode 5 Review: Dot and Bubble|last=Mohamed|first=Stefan|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=31 May 2024|work=Den of Geek|archive-date=1 June 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240601055459/https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/doctor-who-series-14-episode-5-review-dot-and-bubble/|url-status=live}} Authoring a review for The Independent, Ed Power described the episode as a crossover between Black Mirror and a David Attenborough documentary.

Writing for Digital Spy, Rebecca Cook felt that the episode was worse than the previous two episodes, "73 Yards" and "Boom", criticising Davies' writing of Generation Z dialogue. Cook said she was interested in what the episode would have looked like prior to the Disney co-production. Cook later said that the episode helped her identify a trend of disappointing villains throughout the series.{{Cite web |last=Cook |first=Rebecca |date=1 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who just showed what the real problem is this season |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60958562/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-problem/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023301/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a60958562/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-problem/ |url-status=live }} Morgan Jeffery, reviewing the episode for Radio Times, stated the episode "feels like a victim of its own ambition", believing that it had an "abundance of ideas" but "overextends itself" in the process. Jeffery however, also commended Cooke's acting as well as that of Gatwa, despite his limited screen time, and described the episode as "undeniably fascinating." IGN writer Robert Anderson spoke similarly of the episode and believed it would have been better if Gatwa and Gibson had had more screen time. Jordan King of Empire gave the episode three out of five, praising the performances but criticising some of its dialogue as dated and through heavy-handed delivery.{{Cite web |date=6 March 2024 |title=Doctor Who: 'Dot And Bubble' |url=https://www.empireonline.com/tv/reviews/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review/ |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=Empire |language=en}} Vicky Jessie gave the episode three out five.{{Cite web |last=Jessop |first=Vicky |date=1 June 2024 |title=Doctor Who, Dot and Bubble review: the show takes a bleak Black Mirror turn |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review-b1161083.html |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=Evening Standard |language=en |archive-date=2 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602023303/https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/tvfilm/doctor-who-dot-and-bubble-review-b1161083.html |url-status=live }}

Mohamed also felt that the underlying racism shown by characters in "Dot and Bubble" was the most important part of the episode, but wished for such matters to be raised by a non-white writer in the future. Isobel Lewis with The New York Times furthered this point explaining that a character referred to the TARDIS as "Voodoo", which has been used as a racial slur.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/31/arts/television/doctor-who-episode-5-recap.html|title='Doctor Who' Episode 5 Recap: Bursting the Bubble|last=Lewis|first=Isobel|date=31 May 2024|accessdate=1 June 2024|work=The New York Times}} Stephen Kelly offered a negative review, criticising how the acknowledgment of Gatwa as the first black Doctor was raised through a "cheap twist".{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Stephen |date=31 May 2024 |title=Ncuti Gatwa deserves better than Dot and Bubble's lazy race twist |url=https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/octor-who-dot-bubble-review-ncuti-gatwa-race-twist-3085261 |access-date=1 June 2024 |website=inews.co.uk |language=en |archive-date=31 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240531231703/https://inews.co.uk/culture/television/octor-who-dot-bubble-review-ncuti-gatwa-race-twist-3085261 |url-status=live }}

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Category:2024 British television episodes

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