Explore the Surprising Ratings Behind Doctor Who's 'The Story and the Engine'

The Doctor Who season 15 episode, The Story and the Engine, which transported viewers to Lagos, Nigeria, and a barbershop where things are not as they seem, has received positive ratings.

In the episode, the Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) paid a visit to an enigmatic barber (Ariyon Bakare), who was seeking retribution via the use of storytelling magic.

As The Story and the Engine came to an end, it honored the beloved program's more than 60-year history with a series of films featuring all of the former Doctors, either in the form of audio snippets or glimpses.

1.59 million people watched the fifth episode of the most recent season of Doctor Who yesterday night (Saturday, May 10) at 7:10 p.m. on BBC One.

Compared to last week's episode, Lucky Day, which garnered 1.50 million overnight ratings, this represents an improvement.

After The Robot Revolution and The Well, the first and third episodes, it is the third-highest run to date.

The number is unconsolidated and excludes BBC iPlayer, which was accessible on Saturday at 8 a.m. before its BBC One broadcast.

The combined total, which includes accounts for gadgets and catch-up, will be released the week starting Monday, May 19.

Apart from the news, yesterday's BBC primetime show, The Story and the Engine, had the fourth-highest rating.

However, thanks to Britain's Got Talent and The 1% Club, ITV dominated the evening, and the BBC was unable to reach the 2 million mark in primetime.

When contacted by RadioTimes.com, the BBC refused to comment.

The episode's summary states: "The enigmatic Barber is the dominant figure in Lagos. Can the Doctor stop the Spider and its lethal web of retaliation after discovering a world where stories have power?

In her earlier interview with RadioTimes.com, author Inua Ellams emphasized the value of narrative in The Story and the Engine.

"Storytelling is what drives friendships worldwide, but it's also how the men let each other into their most private spaces," he said.

Relationships are strengthened by movement, especially in barbershops. It can be found anywhere. Friendship is formed in this way. We start telling people stories about ourselves. But it's intensified in the barbershop. Storytelling is therefore crucial.
Doctor Who continues next Saturday (17th May) on BBC One, with new episodes available from 8am on Saturdays on BBC iPlayer in the UK. The series is available on Disney+ outside of the UK.

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