Ood

The Ood are an alien species from the long-running science fiction series Doctor Who. In the series' narrative, they are a peaceful race who have been enslaved by humans in the far future. The Ood are a telepathic species; however, humans—particularly the company Ood Operations—inhibited their telepathic communications, essentially lobotomising the Ood. During the course of the series, the Doctor encounters the Ood and later helps to free them from slavery.

Created by Russell T. Davies, the Ood's original purpose was to fulfill the role of a "servant race" in the 2006 episodes "The Impossible Planet" and "The Satan Pit", after plans to use the Slitheen in that role fell through. Davies and the production team felt there was more room to explore the Ood's history in the show's universe, and due to both that and a highly positive public reception of the Ood, they were brought back for the 2008 episode "Planet of the Ood".

The Ood have been a subject of analysis by various sources. Parallels between the in-universe treatment of the Ood and real-world instances of slavery and exploitation, in particular, have been a topic of significant discussion. Some analysts have also said that the Ood are seen as inferior and given the othering treatment not because of any wrongdoing on their part, but rather due to their different preferences and cultural priorities.