Doctor Who fans were less than impressed at an apparent Brexit joke being added to the programme’s New Year’s Day special.
The one-off episode on Tuesday saw the Time Lord (Jodie Whittaker) call the Unified Intelligence Taskforce (UNIT), which looked into threats to the planet, for help with a Dalek.
However, it turned out that operations were on hold “following financial disputes and subsequent funding withdrawal by the UK’s major international partners”, leading the Doctor to exclaim: “We’re on our own!”
Many viewers failed to see the funny side of the gag.
“The fact that they basically wrote out UNIT just for the sake of a Brexit joke is why I hate this current era of #DoctorWho,” said one person on Twitter.
The fact that they basically wrote out UNIT just for the sake of a Brexit joke is why I hate this current era of #DoctorWho
— Lee Hayman リー・ヘイマン (@HEELHayman) January 1, 2019
“So tuned into #DoctorWho in time for a presumed dig at Brexit “funding withdrawn by International partners”. Off you go… Well done #BBC. You have additionally ruined New Years Eve with your anti-Brexit bollocks right up until midnight and what I was looking forward to today,” fumed another.
So tuned into #DoctorWho in time for a presumed dig at Brexit "funding withdrawn by International partners". 🤦♂️Off you go…Well done #BBC. You have additionally ruined New Years Eve with your anti-Brexit bollocks right up until midnight and what I was looking forward to today.
— Thomas Evans (Follow Back Pro Democracy #FBPD) (@ThomasEvansSDP) January 1, 2019
One tweeted: “#DoctorWho wtf I can’t believe they had a dig at brexit during that episode.”
#DoctorWho wtf I can’t believe they had a dig at brexit during that episode. I take it back that is single handedly one of the worst doctor who episodes ever.
— James Fraser (@JamesFr12519760) January 1, 2019
Another asked: “Did we really just lose UNIT for the sake of a Brexit/austerity joke?
“Bloody hell, #DoctorWho. Because it would have been perfectly consistent for UNIT to have their arses kicked by a Dalek. It’s been that way since 1972.”
Did we really just lose UNIT for the sake of a Brexit/austerity joke? Bloody hell, #DoctorWho. Because it would have been perfectly consistent for UNIT to have their arses kicked by a Dalek. It's been that way since 1972.
— J.G. Moore (@JGMooreWriter) January 1, 2019
Doctor Who returns for a new series in 2020.