'Doctor Who' Recap: 'The Time of the Doctor'

The Doctor and Handles, courtesy BBC America

BY NOWAL MASSARI

A shielded planet has been sending out a message into all of time and space, drawing a crowd of the most horrifying villains in the universe. The Doctor has also been drawn in by this message, which not even the TARDIS can translate. So, like the rest of the growing army, he waits above the planet, though not at all patiently.

With the help of Handles, a decapitated Cyberman head, he transports onto other ships regaling the inhabitants with tales of his heroism and seeks their camaraderie. He is waving the eyestalk of a defeated Dalek, gesticulating his points with it, when he realizes that he is aboard a Dalek ship. High-tailing it out of there, he transports back aboard the TARDIS, when the phone rings. 
The telephone is no longer patched to the console of the TARDIS, so he asks Handles to remind him to fix that tiny inconvenience. Being a Cyberman, Handles requests details, which causes a teensy spat between the odd couple.

'The Time of the Doctor' Extended Trailer Released

With only a week left until "The Time of the Doctor," an extended trailer has been released. While it begins with some Christmas festivities and cheer, it appears as if the universe is on the brink of a second Time War. How will the Doctor save everyone this time? Tune in on December 25 at 9 p.m. ET to find out and say goodbye to Matt Smith.



-Nowal Massari

Trailer for "The Time of the Doctor" Has Arrived

After weeks of repeatedly watching the eleven second teaser, a full trailer for the "Doctor Who" Christmas special has been released.

The Doctor and his companion are returning to Trenzalore, where his tomb is and where he was warned he must never go. Facing the likes of Weeping Angels, the Silence, Cybermen and Daleks, how will it all end?

The Time Lord has entered the trap...and the clock is striking twelve...



-Nowal Massari

Steven Moffat Discusses Upcoming Season of Doctor Who: Matt Smith Is Doctor 13

Image courtesy of the BBC

"Doctor Who" showrunner, Steven Moffat, has recently announced that the upcoming series 8 will air as one full season. The seventh season of the monstrous BBC hit was split over 2 years, with the first half airing in 2012 and the second in 2013.

The new season is set to air in August 2014, and following his brief appearance in "The Day of the Doctor" and his debut in "The Time of the Doctor," this will mark Peter Capaldi's first full series run as the Doctor.

Moffat also confirmed that Matt Smith is NOT the 11th Doctor, but the 13th and final incarnation instead. Here's where things get a little...wibbly wobbly. According to Moffat, John Hurt's "War Doctor" and David Tennant's "10.2" regenerations cement Smith's status as the 13th Doctor. Moffat clarified, as much as he is wont to do, while speaking with Radio Times the regeneration limits of our favorite Time Lord, stating:

A Look Inside The 'Doctor Who' Christmas Special, 'The Time of the Doctor'

Poster for "The Time of the Doctor"

Following the record breaking 50th anniversary special, "The Day of the Doctor," the BBC is giving "Doctor Who" fans a sneak peek into the upcoming Christmas special.

"The Time of the Doctor" is set to air on Christmas Day and will star Jenna Coleman as "Clara," with a confirmed appearance by "Sinbad" actress Orla Brady, though her role has yet to be revealed. Here is a brief, spoiler-free synopsis of the episode from the BBC site:

Orbiting a quiet backwater planet, the massed forces of the universe’s deadliest species gather, drawn to a mysterious message that echoes out to the stars. [...] And amongst them – the Doctor. Rescuing Clara from a family Christmas dinner, the Time Lord and his best friend must learn what this enigmatic signal means for his own fate and that of the universe.

The 10-second preview that aired after "The Day of the Doctor" showed fans that the Doctor would be facing many old foes, and will be going back to Trenzalore, where the Silence warned him he must never go. In addition to the preview, the BBC has released this official poster where the holly jolly Christmas feelings are definitely amiss.

This episode will end Matt Smith's four year tenure as the 11th (13th?) Doctor. His friend and companion, Jenna Coleman stated recently at London's ExCel celebration of the 50th anniversary of the show that filming this episode was "pretty awful." Jenna continued, "It was a bit of whirlwind. It was incredibly exciting because you’re welcoming in a new Doctor (Peter Capaldi) but then at the same time you’re also feeling incredibly heartbroken and kind of angry as well."



-Nowal Massari