Doctor Who: Time Crash (Children in Need Special)

Tenth Doctor: "Wibbly wobbly..."
Both Doctors: "Timey wimey!"

I love the Children In Need specials. Despite being irregular, they're always of a decent quality and, although seldom giving us anything significant in terms of plot development, they always entertain. And what's not to like about seeing Peter Davison gracing our screens again? Sure he's a bit older and little heavier. But the man's still got it.

What always puzzles me about these multiple Doctor stories is they always call each other "Doctor" and never refer to each other by name. Obviously, there's a degree of secrecy surrounding the Doctor's name. But when they're talking to each other, that shouldn't be a problem, surely? Are they frightened the TARDIS might overhear?

There's always an air of irritability between meeting Doctors. In this episode, the tenth Doctor criticises the fifth Doctor's decision to go "hands free"... whilst simultaneously poking fun at his lapel garnish. Ultimately, though, two heads are better than one, and when both heads are your own, it doesn't really matter who solves the time crash conundrum -- you can revel in your own brilliance either way.

Both actors were excellent in this vignette. Davison slipped back into his old role with consummate ease. And Tennant so clearly lives and breathes the part these days, it's hard to imagine anyone else coming close to what he's achieved.

We've had a few multiple Doctor stories in the past (imaginatively named "The Two Doctors", "The Three Doctors" and "The Five Doctors"). I wonder how a modern day take would fare. We had a multiple companion story in "Journey's End". How about a modern day multi Doctor story? Surely they could get Tennant, McGann, Eccleston and Matt Smith together for the sake of charity?

Wouldn't that be something?

Billie says...

I don't have much to say about this one, other than it was a nice little tribute to the past -- bright, funny, enjoyable to watch. I know there have been other multiple Doctor crossovers, but I haven't seen them. It might get dull if it were an entire episode, but for a brief little thing, it was great fun.

Interesting dynamic, how our current Doctor constantly ridiculed his earlier self, at first. Especially the celery. And for the most part, the tenth Doctor didn't seem at all uncomfortable talking to himself. Of course, it's happened before. They did seem to be the same person, meaning that characterization of the Doctor has apparently been consistent, to some extent.

And it was lovely when the tenth Doctor told the fifth, "You were my Doctor." Very nice.

Bits and pieces:

-- Brief mention of L.I.N.D.A. from the terrible "Love and Monsters."

-- This special was written by Steven Moffat, future head writer. We can't wait.

Quotes:

Tenth Doctor: "Oh, no, of course. You mostly went hands-free didn't you? Like, 'Hey, I'm the Doctor. I can save the universe using a kettle and some string! And look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable!'"

Tenth Doctor: "Look at you! The hat, the coat, the crickety cricket stuff, the... stick of celery... brave choice, celery, but fair play to you, not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable."

Tenth Doctor: "Where are you now? Nyssa and Tegan? Cybermen and Mara and Time Lords in funny hats and the Master... oh, he just showed up again, same as ever."
Fifth Doctor: "Oh, no. Really? Does he still have that rubbish beard?"
Tenth Doctor: "No! No beard this time. Well, a wife."

Fifth Doctor: "To days to come."
Tenth Doctor: "All my love to long ago."

Tenth Doctor: "You know, I love being you."

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(Season 4, Children in Need special)