Doctor Who fans are feeling fairly emotional after the latest episode, which retold the story of Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks.

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Following Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor and her Tardis team as they landed in Montgomery, Alabama, in 1955, the show explored racial segregation in America, and the historic moment when Parks was arrested for refusing to give up her seat on a bus to a white passenger.

And viewers were impressed with the decision to show black companion Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole) experiencing prejudice firsthand when he was slapped across the face after trying to return a glove dropped by a white woman.

Fans applauded the show’s unflinching depiction of racism in a family show that, however uncomfortable, demonstrated just how unpleasant attitudes were.

And many were pleased to see writer Malorie Blackman and showrunner Chris Chibnall highlighting the discrimination in today’s society too.

Viewers were reduced to tears by the show’s final scene, which saw Jodie Whittaker’s Doctor forced to sit quiet as she witnessed Rosa Parks's momentous protest against racial segregation. For audiences, it was a moment that showed how one brave action could have massive consequences on history.

Doctor Who continues on Sundays, BBC1

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This article was originally published on 22 October 2018

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Authors

Thomas LingDigital editor, BBC Science Focus

Thomas is Digital editor at BBC Science Focus. Writing about everything from cosmology to anthropology, he specialises in the latest psychology, health and neuroscience discoveries. Thomas has a Masters degree (distinction) in Magazine Journalism from the University of Sheffield and has written for Men’s Health, Vice and Radio Times. He has been shortlisted as the New Digital Talent of the Year at the national magazine Professional Publishers Association (PPA) awards. Also working in academia, Thomas has lectured on the topic of journalism to undergraduate and postgraduate students at The University of Sheffield.

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