Doctor Who is now immortal

The Sparrow

From the Guardian:

He travels through time and space, saves the Earth, and has millions of fans all over the world. But as every "Whovian" knows, the Doctor cannot last for ever: Time Lords are able to regenerate only 12 times before they die.

Fans have always thought that the 13th doctor would be the last, thanks to a 1976 Doctor Who episode, The Deadly Assassin, featuring Tom Baker as the Doctor in his fourth incarnation, and revealing for the first time the regeneration limit. But a passing comment in a children's television programme later this month is set to rewrite history and cast the Doctor, iconic hero of the world's most successful and longest-running science fiction series, as immortal.

The moment comes in the CBBC spin-off show, The Sarah Jane Adventures, which stars former companion Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. Matt Smith, who plays the current Doctor Who, guest stars in a two-part episode called The Death of the Doctor, to be screened on October 25 and 26. While the Doctor and Clyde Langer, played by Daniel Anthony, are in the process of outwitting spooky vulture undertakers the Shansheeth, Clyde asks how many times he can regenerate. The Doctor indicates that there is no limit. The action continues.

Fans of the show have been expecting an official moving of the goalposts for some time, but it was anticipated as part of the Christmas special, rather than in an after-school slot on the CBBC channel.

Back in 1976, 12 regenerations must have felt like a safely distant number to pluck from the ether. Now, however, with Smith playing the character in his 11th incarnation, circumventing the rule has begun to feel rather urgent. As JK Rowling hinted last week, once a hero has conquered the world, it is hard to put him away for good: we may also see an extension to the seven-book Harry Potter franchise, despite its very final ending and Nineteen Years Later epilogue.

And with the Doctor Who brand constantly expanding (including spin-offs that range from lunchboxes to the Doctor Who Live show currently on a 25-date, nine-city tour) it was hardly likely that the BBC was going to call time on the series.

It was a stroke of PR genius to slip the hotly anticipated fudging of the Doctor's longevity into a children's series: the episodes are now sure to draw in the viewers. However, Whovians (famously likened by Sarah Jane creator Russell T Davies to a swarm of mosquitoes) will be disappointed that there is no technical reason given for the change: it is simply stated in passing.

Whovian Simon says: "Many of us old-timers have looked forward to the story that addresses the end of the Doctor's life span. I'm gutted that it appears that something so integral to the show's long-term storyline has been passed over in this way."

The BBC would not say whether there would be any further explanation. "We never comment on future storylines for Doctor Who," said a spokeswoman.

Doctor DooM

Knew that one was coming.

Gambler

Yeah but I expected some sort of "clock reset" to happen. Some weird combination of events happens to reset it so he somehow comes out with another 12 regenerations or some such..

Think it's a bit lame to just throw a casual comment out that negates something that was said in a previous episode so flippantly..

Doctor DooM

Gambler wrote: »

Yeah but I expected some sort of "clock reset" to happen. Some weird combination of events happens to reset it so he somehow comes out with another 12 regenerations or some such..

Think it's a bit lame to just throw a casual comment out that negates something that was said in a previous episode so flippantly..

Actually, I think we'll hear more about it. It's a really good hook for a story to just let go and Moffat likes his time manipulatey gimmicks.

pixelburp

Gambler wrote: »

[...]

Think it's a bit lame to just throw a casual comment out that negates something that was said in a previous episode so flippantly..

It is, but then this episode is written by Russell T Davies so it should come as a surprise to no one that he just drops a little bombshell like that.

Wonder what Stephen Moffat makes of this; nonplused or secretly grinding his teeth that his predecessor just mucked up Moffat's potential arc? If it were me I'd be fairly ticked off no end...

aidan_walsh

Probably drop it as a glib remark if he follows through on it at all.

Daemos

pixelburp wrote: »

Wonder what Stephen Moffat makes of this; nonplused or secretly grinding his teeth that his predecessor just mucked up Moffat's potential arc? If it were me I'd be fairly ticked off no end...

That's assuming RTD didn't ask Moffat beforehand, something that I think even RTD wouldn't do. I don't think it'd be in it at all if Moffat didn't approve.

VinLieger

Very disappointed with this and the way it was handled. Like others i was hoping for some truly epic last minute clock reset as a future series finale, no idea why they have changed it as in my mind that would be a finale and storyline to top all others if done right

sundaybrunch

I can't believe the script writers, who have endeavoured to keep new and old fans content, would introduce a twist of such epic proportions into an episode of the Sarah Jane Adventures. It is not the first time this has happened and if you remember the episode The Keeper of Traken the master was able to dodge his last regeneration by inhabiting the body of the Keeper. Watch this space..the writers would not rewrite history in what has been explained as a 'passing remark'...

aidan_walsh

aidan_walsh wrote: »

Probably drop it as a glib remark if he follows through on it at all.

Pff. It doesn't even need to be addressed outside of the episode to be taken as this.

[ Video at io9 ]

margarite

The Sparrow wrote: »

From the Guardian:

I love Dr. Who, but can anyone verify that one Dr. Who had a baby with someone he fell in love with. Is this not a way for Dr. Who to be continued?
Am I right in this? Why are there so few episodes now. When I was growing up it was on every Saturday at 6 o clock. The most recent ones are better in my opinion, but there was a lot more to look forward to when I was younger. Maybe we need more writers - younger writers with more active minds could write a few episodes and the best of them could be sent into the BBC for their opinion with what ever the BBC pick someone out there could find themselves working in a job they like. Does anyone else have an opinion on this??:D

Stark

The episodes are twice as long now. Much higher budget as well.

margarite

Stark wrote: »

The episodes are twice as long now. Much higher budget as well.

Yes that is all true, but what s to stop us making up our own episodes and when we are all happy with a few complete episodes we can submit them to the BBC come on who s up to it, and the prize would see our work up on the screen with their big budget. I think it would be worth it just to see more of Dr. Who, it would be fun and get our minds onto something else rather then the long dark nights where the government has taxed us out of nearly everything except our imaginations. Well who s up for this????:D

Doctor DooM

I was listening to Radio Free Skaro last night, they're calling this "Regenergate".

margarite

Doctor DooM wrote: »

I was listening to Radio Free Skaro last night, they're calling this "Regenergate".

What does s "Regenergate" mean, and what is the frequency for "Radio Skaro"

Daemos

margarite wrote: »

What does s "Regenergate" mean

Thanks to Watergate, adding "gate" to the end of a controversial topic gives you a name for it. Like "Handballgate" :rolleyes:

margarite

Daemos wrote: »

Thanks to Watergate, adding "gate" to the end of a controversial topic gives you a name for it. Like "Handballgate" :rolleyes:

Thanks for that, what a great idea; Keep them coming, a good laugh is always welcome:D

5cutch

margarite wrote: »

Yes that is all true, but what s to stop us making up our own episodes and when we are all happy with a few complete episodes we can submit them to the BBC come on who s up to it, and the prize would see our work up on the screen with their big budget. I think it would be worth it just to see more of Dr. Who,

There's the not inconsiderable hurdle of having to clone the actors, I've heard they put in some long hours.

Doctor DooM

margarite wrote: »

What does s "Regenergate" mean, and what is the frequency for "Radio Skaro"

It's a portmaneau of Regenerate and Watergate.

Radio free Skaro is a podcast on Doctor Who, and it's usually quite amusing!

margarite

5cutch wrote: »

There's the not inconsiderable hurdle of having to clone the actors, I've heard they put in some long hours.

Which person does not put in long hours into their job, but if are getting paid more and enjoying it not as a job but as a laugh, it so would be worth the pain (very well paid pain) in the end.:D

ixoy

Just watched the SJA story there and the remark was very flippantly put in.

What's surprising is that it was in a 2-parter that was a homage to the original series, including many many references, with some video clips, to the classic show. I mean the episode name checked Ben and Polly, zygons, autons, daemons, Ian and Barbara, Tegan, the Brigadier, etc. The current parent show has never done anything close to this.

So I have to believe that there's something we don't know yet, some reason that's yet to be uncovered. I know the SJA is not produced by Moffat (it's Davies' child), but I do have to believe there's something we've yet to see here.

margarite

ixoy wrote: »

Just watched the SJA story there and the remark was very flippantly put in.

What's surprising is that it was in a 2-parter that was a homage to the original series, including many many references, with some video clips, to the classic show. I mean the episode name checked Ben and Polly, zygons, autons, daemons, Ian and Barbara, Tegan, the Brigadier, etc. The current parent show has never done anything close to this.

So I have to believe that there's something we don't know yet, some reason that's yet to be uncovered. I know the SJA is not produced by Moffat (it's Davies' child), but I do have to believe there's something we've yet to see here.

Yes I agree with you, I have noticed that the SJA adventures are coming across with new things that have not as yet being mentioned as your have said, it would be great if the two writers and any fans who wish to give ideas to the writers, maybe then the two programms can only get better and better, I like these programmes because they bring me out of my life and bring ideas to my own writing. Can anyone else fee this?:D

nicowa

Daemos wrote: »

That's assuming RTD didn't ask Moffat beforehand, something that I think even RTD wouldn't do. I don't think it'd be in it at all if Moffat didn't approve.

Agree! It would be the bytchyiest of things to do really...

sundaybrunch wrote: »

Watch this space..the writers would not rewrite history in what has been explained as a 'passing remark'...

ixoy wrote: »

Just watched the SJA story there and the remark was very flippantly put in. I know the SJA is not produced by Moffat (it's Davies' child), but I do have to believe there's something we've yet to see here.

I wouldn't believe it was unintentional. Remember the watch! I have a feeling this will come up again - just think of the fervour that it has created in the lead up to the Christmas Episode now! And even if (more than likely) the Christmas Episode doesn't touch it, I have a feeling that it will come up in the next season.

Doctor DooM

That was indeed way too flippant. It would have been cut if it was a mistake. I also suspect we'll here more about it. I suspect it was an old time lord rule as opposed to the nature of the Time Lords or some such.

Wow what a nerd fest of an pair of episodes btw!

margarite

5cutch wrote: »

There's the not inconsiderable hurdle of having to clone the actors, I've heard they put in some long hours.

Ah come on there are a lot of actors out work at the moment, and would be glad to get roles that they can survive on and maybe even ending up rich. After all this is science fiction.:D

ixoy

Doctor DooM wrote: »

That was indeed way too flippant. It would have been cut if it was a mistake. I also suspect we'll here more about it. I suspect it was an old time lord rule as opposed to the nature of the Time Lords or some such.

Yeah, it was something that always loomed if the show kept going. As long as they address it I'll be happy. I also expect Moffat might do a decent explanation whereas RTD would have had a magic ritual with green fire...

Wow what a nerd fest of an pair of episodes btw!

Great wasn't it All the clips from the previous seasons had me rapidly identifying the episodes. I also loved stuff like Metebelis 3 being name checked. Even when I wondered why all the other companions weren't noticed they still please me by mentioning Ben, Polly, Ian, etc. at the end. Oh and Ian and Barbara got married! Finally confirmed.

Doctor DooM

ixoy wrote: »

Yeah, it was something that always loomed if the show kept going. As long as they address it I'll be happy. I also expect Moffat might do a decent explanation whereas RTD would have had a magic ritual with green fire...


Great wasn't it All the clips from the previous seasons had me rapidly identifying the episodes. I also loved stuff like Metebelis 3 being name checked. Even when I wondered why all the other companions weren't noticed they still please me by mentioning Ben, Polly, Ian, etc. at the end. Oh and Ian and Barbara got married! Finally confirmed.

I liked the way one of them she checked on is possibly Ace. Possibly.

margarite

Doctor DooM wrote: »

I liked the way one of them she checked on is possibly Ace. Possibly.

Hi I missed all of what you were talking about, where did you see all of this information. Can you please send me the link:)

ixoy

Doctor DooM wrote: »

I liked the way one of them she checked on is possibly Ace. Possibly.

I caught that too. It was the geekiest episode ever in the franchise's history - I don't recall any other episode having so many callbacks. I meant to go back and freeze frame all the clips and see if I could identify them.

I liked also how Jo and Sarah talked about Peladon and finding such common interests amongst others. Jo did appear aged (which the Doctor hilariously commented on) but she was still Jo Grant underneath. I'm watching Season 8 currently so I had a good baseline to compare against.

So with all those geeky references, the geekiest of all geeky, that reincarnation comment must mean something...

margarite

ixoy wrote: »

I caught that too. It was the geekiest episode ever in the franchise's history - I don't recall any other episode having so many callbacks. I meant to go back and freeze frame all the clips and see if I could identify them.

I liked also how Jo and Sarah talked about Peladon and finding such common interests amongst others. Jo did appear aged (which the Doctor hilariously commented on) but she was still Jo Grant underneath. I'm watching Season 8 currently so I had a good baseline to compare against.

So with all those geeky references, the geekiest of all geeky, that reincarnation comment must mean something...

I m having problems locating the episodes that you are talking about, can you please tell me where I can buy/rent them please.:)

Stark

VHS recordings...

Doctor DooM

margarite wrote: »

Hi I missed all of what you were talking about, where did you see all of this information. Can you please send me the link:)

http://tardis.wikia.com/wiki/Death_of_the_Doctor


Course some of us are just old and saw alot of it the first time round