Fugitive of the Judoon

"Fugitive of the Judoon" is the fifth episode of the twelfth series of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, first broadcast on BBC One on 26 January 2020.

The Judoon search modern-day Gloucester for a fugitive, and the Thirteenth Doctor (Jodie Whittaker) and her companions Graham O'Brien (Bradley Walsh), Ryan Sinclair (Tosin Cole), and Yasmin Khan (Mandip Gill) regulate the situation.

The episode sees the surprise return of John Barrowman as Captain Jack Harkness, and introduces Jo Martin as Ruth Clayton, a character revealed to be a previously unseen incarnation of the Doctor.

The Doctor intervenes when the Judoon try to attack the apartment of Lee and Ruth Clayton, and stalls them long enough to question the couple and find a hidden box.

Lee refuses to answer the Doctor's questions, but he covers the group's escape, turning himself in to the Judoon before being killed by their contractor, Gat, who recognises him as the fugitive's associate.

Whilst the Doctor flees with Ruth to Gloucester Cathedral, Ryan and Yaz are teleported to Harkness' ship, which is now being attacked by its rightful owners.

"Fugitive of the Judoon" was written by Vinay Patel, who wrote an episode of the previous series, "Demons of the Punjab", as well as by showrunner Chris Chibnall.

Russell T Davies, executive producer and lead writer of Doctor Who between 2005 and 2010, receives on-screen credit as the creator of the Judoon and Jack Harkness.

The website's critical consensus reads, "Doctor Who's twelfth season takes a hard left turn for the better in the surprising and delightful 'Fugitive of the Judoon'.