The recent season finale of “Doctor Who” delivered long-awaited revelations about Ruby Sunday’s mysterious mother, leaving fans with a deeper understanding of the companion’s origins.
In the episode, “Empire of Death,” Ruby Sunday, played by Millie Gibson, and the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa), set out to uncover the identity of Ruby’s biological mother. With the help of UNIT, they traced Ruby’s DNA to Louise Alison Miller (Faye McKeever), a young woman with a troubled past.
Ruby, a foundling with an enigmatic background, was introduced in the 2023 Christmas special, “The Church on Ruby Road.” Abandoned as an infant outside a church on Ruby Road, she was fostered and later adopted by Carla Sunday. This season, Ruby embarked on a quest to solve the puzzle of her biological mother’s identity, even enlisting the assistance of Davina McCall.
The finale revealed that Louise was only 15 when she gave birth to Ruby and that her stepfather had a checkered history. Rose Noble added that Louise likely concealed her pregnancy. Ruby’s surprise at discovering her mother to be “ordinary” led to a thoughtful exchange with the Doctor. He explained that significance is ascribed by perception, suggesting that the very act of considering something important can imbue it with power.
Following the revelation, Ruby and the Doctor located Louise in the real world, observing her from a distance outside a coffee shop. The Doctor advised Ruby that Louise had chosen not to find her, despite having the opportunity. However, driven by her need for closure, Ruby revealed her identity to Louise, resulting in a heartfelt reunion.
The season finale of “Doctor Who” not only provided answers about Ruby Sunday’s mother but also set the stage for further exploration of Ruby’s origins and connections, including potentially finding out more about her birth father.
