Listen, Conrad Clark is a total jerk in Doctor Who

sets up a cult-like echo chamber of idiots, but there is one line where he makes a good point. Villains in Doctor Who range dramatically. There are murdering robots, all-powerful gods, bloodthirsty aliens, and misguided humans. However, somehow, Conrad Clark manages to become one of the lowest of the low with his introduction in Doctor Who season 15’s “Lucky Day.” And while he is utterly detestable, it has to be said, he did end up making one point where I couldn’t help but agree.

That being said, I completely disavow the despicable behavior of Conrad and his allies, who ultimately put their own fanatical ideas above and beyond everyone else. The show did a great job at revealing this dual nature, and the actor who plays Conrad, Jonah Hauer-King, did a phenomenal job of making every moment convincing and compelling. As the episode opens, and Conrad appears to be a decent and sweet young man who may have a genuine interest in Ruby Sunday, it’s wonderful to see love blossom for the former companion who appears to finally be settling in to life after the Doctor, only to have her heart broken.

Conrad Is Right, Ruby Sunday’s Name Does Sound A Bit Ridiculous

It Feels Like It Belongs In A Cartoon For Children

While Conrad initially plays the role of a doting boyfriend, the moment when the character reveals their true intentions, having gotten close to Ruby in the hopes of exposing lies told by UNIT, is one of the most emotive and intense reveals in recent Doctor Who history. And when his face shifts, and he begins to unravel the lies, it’s impossible to look away from a situation that quickly transforms from a terrifying horror, into a traumatic betrayal. And it’s at this moment that Conrad chooses to add insult to injury, yelling about how dumb Ruby Sunday is as a name.

In fairness, this may be the only good and true point that Conrad actually makes. Ruby Sunday is a bizarre character name, and the idea that this was a woman who was adopted and then willfully given such a profoundly silly name just doesn’t make sense. It sounds like some sort of dessert. Not every companion had a great name, but overall, the characters who accompany the Doctor at least don’t sound like made-up people in a TV show. The same can’t be said for Ruby Sunday, whose name reeks of being a silly joke name used as a placeholder, but ultimately makes it into the final show.

Conrad Clark Is One Of Doctor Who’s Most Detestable Villains Yet

Conrad Clark Had A Truly Heart-Breaking Reveal

Despite this, Conrad Clark is a complete and utter idiot who lacks enough clarity or presence of mind to make sense of his own eyewitness accounts. In at least two different points in his own personal history, Conrad saw the Doctor, the TARDIS, and alien creatures. He witnessed the box disappear before his eyes, and despite this, he chose to grow up rejecting the truth he saw first hand. But even beyond that, the world of Doctor Who has been a witness to plenty of extra-terrestrial activity by this point, so it’s odd to even consider that he would so forcefully reject it.

But what really makes him a despicable monster is his willingness to lie, manipulate, and cause harm, both physical and emotional. Conrad broke Ruby’s heart, going on several dates and pretending to enter a real relationship. Meanwhile, he was plotting to get revenge on her for lying. This is obviously hypocritical, but I guess Conrad only sees what he wants to see. Then, he also injures his man on the inside while storming into the UNIT building, using a gun from a fallen agent. Conrad has a heart made of stone in Doctor Who, but he won’t be forgotten any time soon considering how his story ended.

Doctor Who

5/10

Release Date

December 25, 2023

Directors

Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie

Writers

Russell T. Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat

Franchise(s)

Doctor Who / Whoniverse