New Pantheon God Brings Light and Chaos to Doctor Who

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During the time period of the Fifteenth Doctor, the popular series ‘Doctor Who’ has been progressively integrating characters from the Pantheon of Discord – a group of powerful deities scattered across its vast cosmos. We’ve seen the reappearance of the chilling Toymaker, the menacing Maestro, and last season’s antagonist Sutekh, who reveled in lethal games. The defeat of Sutekh suggested the end of this storyline; however, it is not completely wrapped up yet. In the second episode of Season two, titled “Lux,” we are introduced to another prominent god from the Pantheon within ‘Doctor Who’.

As a passionate film enthusiast, in this episode, I encounter an iconic ’50s cartoon character named Mr. Ring-a-Ding, reminiscent of the captivating style seen in Cuphead. His animated shorts have been a hit with cinema-goers. However, during a screening in Miami in 1952 under the moonlight, something peculiar happens: an otherworldly beam penetrates the screen and draws Mr. Ring-a-Ding into our reality, causing everyone in the theater to seemingly vanish. The Doctor and Belinda show up later, using this location as a stopover for their vortex indicator – or Vindicator, if you will – to create a sort of ‘fishing line’ leading to May 24, 2025. This temporal thread will allow them to travel back to that specific date so Belinda can be reunited with her family and embark on her new venture.

Intriguingly, how comes that the Doctor, who appears to be African American, and Belinda, of South Asian origin, find themselves in Florida during 1952? The TARDIS often transports the Doctor to where he’s needed, as seen in this instance, so it seems they didn’t have many alternatives. Nevertheless, it’s surprising. At present, it’s 4AM and their intention is to remain for a short while, so the vindicator can recharge. However, an enigmatic locked theater along with a puzzling caretaker draws them into a whodunit-like adventure reminiscent of Scooby-Doo mysteries.

In this theater, you’ll encounter Mr. Ring-a-Ding, a small animated character from a series who seems to have stepped out of his cartoon world. He often repeats phrases like “don’t make me laugh,” and there’s a mystery surrounding his identity. The Doctor continually questions why they shouldn’t provoke laughter from him and probes into his true identity. Eventually, Mr. Ring-a-Ding lets out a laugh that matches the tune hidden by the Toymaker in all screens. The Doctor then understands that this character is a messenger of the gods of disorder. Mr. Ring-a-Ding removes his disguise and confesses that he is Lux Imperator, the deity of light, and the radiant core of the Pantheon.

In a close call, The Doctor and Belinda are rescued by Reginald Pye, the caretaker, and they find themselves in the projection room. This is where Pye plays films every night for Lux, as a way to dance with his late wife, thanks to a film reel provided by Lux. Unfortunately, those who were initially in the theater are now trapped on the reels. As Lux steps into the room, he interrogates The Doctor. Similar to other deities, Lux is bound to respond honestly and play fairly to The Doctor’s questions. Intriguingly, Lux refers to The Doctor as “the one,” the adversary of the Toymaker, the destroyer of Maestro, and the slayer of the god of death.

After Lux turns fifteen and Belinda transforms into cartoons, a sequence of unusual incidents unfolds. As they strive to return to reality and confront this Lux character from the Pantheon, they encounter fans of Doctor Who. For a fleeting instant, both the Doctor and Belinda question their own reality, wondering if they are merely characters in a television show. This brief, amusing meta moment takes place amidst their thrilling escapade. During this ordeal, the Doctor discerns that a beam of light could dispel the theater’s gloom and halt Lux. In a cunning maneuver, the character uses movie reels to immobilize the Doctor, aiming to seize the energy from his Time Lord essence to amplify his power. Basically, he intends to use this newfound strength to demolish Earth and the entire cosmos.

In a subtle hint, the Doctor suggests to Belinda that dawn is approaching, and with Mr. Pye’s assistance, they destroy all the films, resulting in an explosion that illuminates the theater. Lux expands and multiplies at such an immense rate that he blends invisibly among the cosmic stars. The theater-goers return and gain their freedom once more. Touched by their shared intimate moments, Belinda chooses to spend time with the Doctor thereafter.

It’s uncertain if Lux, appearing as a Pantheon god in Doctor Who, will make another appearance. However, it’s clear that these ominous signs are connected to Mrs. Flood. Interestingly, she appears just when Belinda and the Doctor depart in the TARDIS. She hints to some individuals that the Doctor’s series is set to end on May 24, which raises concerns. What transpires on this date that alters everything? And who exactly is Mrs. Flood in Doctor Who? As the season unfolds, we’ll find out more.

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2025-04-19 10:03