Turrin wrote:
The way they set it up with the warrior Doctor not remembering that he didn't wipe out his people helps to avoid time line issues, but it feels cheap. They took the great tragedy of the Doctor's life and gave it a happy ending.
Well, with the time streams in flux it at least explains how Smith's, Tennant's, & especially Eccelstein's Doctors were so haunted by regret. I would guess Smith's Doctor DOES remember though, especially after his Discussion with Baker's Curator Doctor...& only for one more episode.
Viewing McGann's movie, which shows McCoy's regeneration from 7 to 8, this episode finally ties the old Series with the new. I thought it was great, with all the little nods to the old series I watched as a kid (the wall of past companions was great, as was UNIT's appearance - I loved the assistant with Baker's scarf, & the Zygons). Billie Piper was never better, Tennant & Smith played great off each other, & Hurt's gravitas brought much needed seriousness to their wackiness.
It should make for a very nice transition to Capaldi's Doctor & I'm sure the search for Gallifrey (in the painting) will play prominently in his series. SInce 11 doesn't know how it gets there, Capaldi (& maybe even Baker?) may play a roll in getting it to the archive.
Interestingly, the number of Doctors may be even more fudged up than just the introduction of Hurt's though - if you recall Tennant used up one of his regenerations to stay alive before his regeneration into Smith's Doctor (the 50th takes place when he's avoiding his inevitable death after that regeneration & before his final battle with the Master). Taken with what we know in the 11 second preview of the Christmas special, Smith's Doctor goes to Trenzelore & appears older. so I wouldn't be surprised if Capaldi's Doctor is the first regeneration beyond 12... We'll find out at Christmas!
Edited, Nov 27th 2013 2:34am by Omegavegeta
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