A Guide for the the Doctor New-Comers

So recently I've been nerd-ing out everywhere.  Okay so not recently, BUT, I have been talking a lot of Who with friends lately.  Now, many of my friends do watch the show, but I keep coming across people I know would love it but fear it's epic cannon.  I mean, not counting the 20-something seasons of the original run of the show, we are 8 seasons deep.  That's a lot of binge watching.  I mean, for me, its a normal amount, but for the average layperson who doesn't crave watching hours of TV, it seems like it requires too much dedication to try.  So I've come up with my own list of Who episodes that include ALL the "new" Doctors (with the exception of the War Doctor but don't worry about that).  The sole purpose of this list is to whet your whistle with the whoniverse.  Every season has an over arching plot line that is more complicated than you'd think they could do with a limited number of episodes, so you'll have to go back and re-watch, but the idea of this list is just to get you hooked.

Blink- Season 3

A 10th Doctor (David Tennent) classic.  The reason I tell everybody to start with this episode is because it's very doctor light.  You learn about the Doctor through the eyes of Sally Sparrow (Carey Muligan) and her misadventures with the Weeping Angels.  This episode is also Time Travel light, so if your not into the timey-wimey explanation of things, this one is for you.

The Empty Child/The Doctor Dances- Season 1

The 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) is not one of the most beloved, but whatever, he carried the weight of restarting a legendary series and I love him.  This is a two-part story and its worth watching back to back, but leave the lights on because it may scare this piss out of you.  This story is completely unrelated to the over-arch of season 1 so you can watch spoiler free.  These two episodes feel more like a movie than a tv show, with limited time travel and the introduction of the fabulous John Barrowman as Capatin Jack it is way way way worth the watch.

Vincent and the Doctor- Season 5

Matt Smith, aka, the 11th Doctor is a charming, childish and yet ancient man who carries the weight of his 900 some-odd years with a wink, a smile and a bow tie.  This episode is early in Matt's run and does contain some elements of the series over-arching plot, but I think its worth the potential spoiler.  The goofiness, kindness and pain of this doctor can all be seen beautifully in this episode.  And let me not forget to mention the brilliant performance of Tony Curran as Vincent Van Gogh.

The Mummy on the Orient Express- Season 8

Now, while I have been LOVING Peter Capaldi as the cantankerous 12th Doctor, I didn't enjoy series 8 overall.  The plots were all WAY to wrapped up in the Doctor's companion Clara (Jenna Louise Coleman) and I didn't feel we were giving the proper chance to really "meet" this new Doctor.  We just got a lot of Clara being cheeky and cute.  Because that's pretty much all she does.  Complaints aside, The Mummy on the Orient Express is a FUN episode that has way more of this new Doctor in it than most of the other episodes.  

The Unicorn and the Wasp- Season 4

I had to throw this in because it is probably my second favorite episode of Doctor Who (my first one being Midnight).  This episode showcases something none of the others listed do.  Humor.  Sure, there is inherent humor in this "meant for kids" show, but this episode is laugh out loud funny.  With my favorite companion Donna Noble (the hilarious Catherine Tate) bumbling about the 1920s with Agatha Christie (Fenella Woolgar).  There is one scene in particular that I will call "The Doctor Detox" that I can watch on loop without it ever losing its charm.

Please let me know what you think of the list, and feel free to comment on any Who Starter Pack episodes you feel should have been included.

We Have A New Doctor, But Nobody Is Asking The Real Question: What Will He Wear?!

So this weekend it was announced that Peter Capaldi will be taking on the iconic role of the Doctor in his 12th regeneration.  Now that the question of who the new Doctor will be has been answered, a more important question as arisen:  WHAT WILL HE WEAR?!  Maybe  its just the girl in me, but the Doctor's outfit as been the defining image of each Doctor, from celery pinned to a lapel, or a really cool bowtie.  Each Doctor faces villains, and has different personality quirks, but when somebody yells out "THE FOURTH DOCTOR!" you think "ludicrously long scarf."  Why that situation would arise is beyond me, but you know 4 = scarf.  Like your favorite cartoons, the Doctor is a character whose outfit is always the same, only changing slightly between each episode (maybe a blue suit instead of a brown one, but still exactly the same suit).  So how will Doctor 12 play it, sleek and tough like 9 or absolutely batshit crazy like 6?  Lets take at 50 years of Who fashion.

THE FIRST DOCTOR:  William Hartnell

The 1st Doctor always makes me think, "this is what Dracula would look like if he was your grandpa."  With his high pointed collar and small cravat, the 1st Doctor looks a bit menacing.  That is until he has to go outside sporting a loose cloth beanie looking thing and scarf.  Maybe it's just me, but with his slicked back hair and uncomfortable looking collar, I find the first Doc creepy.

The Second Doctor:  Patrick Troughton

With a bowl cut only a mother could love (or give) and conflicting patterns between his vest and pants, the 2nd Doctor constantly looked like he just rolled out of bed.  With a teeny tiny often askew bowtie (11 wasn't the first one to think bowties were cool), a plethora of fun hats and a bizarre fur coat, I think 2's most defining fashion choice was that haircut.

The 3rd Doctor: Jon Pertwee

If any Doctor's fashion embodied the time period he was in, it is easily #3.  This doctor flounced about in loudly colored velvet suits, capes and ruffled shirts WITH some sort of bowtie or cravat.  With his curly white hair, this doctor karate chopped his foes in style.  He may have been a bit of a dandy, but #3 is one Doctor I would not want to mess with.

The Fourth Doctor:  Tom Baker

One of the most iconic and easily recognized Who outfit was worn by Doctor 4.  With his dangerously long scarf and absolute mop of crazy curls, the fourth Doctor would hide his Jelly Babies in his long coat to take out at the most inconvenient times.  Going back to the cravat, this doctor often wore earthier tones, a stark contrast to his predecessors loud velvet get-ups.  Let's not forget his frumpy hat for outdoor adventures!

The Fifth Doctor: Peter Davison

The most adorable Doctor in my opinion, the fifth Doctor was always dressed to play cricket, with a sweater-vest and candy-stripped pants, he was to date probably the most fashionable of the Doctors.  Well... that would be with the exception of the inexplicable celery pinned to his lapel.  Seriously, why celery?  In a pinch it would provide little to no nutritional value.  Later, the Fifth Doctor's get up got a bit darker and a question mark was added to his collar, but pretty much this was his get up, day in and day out.

The Sixth Doctor: Colin Baker

With the exception of keeping the question marks on his collar, the 6th Doctor wore the polar opposite of muted tones of his predecessor.  What looks to be the product of a rainbow having sex with a clown, we get this rejected member of Godspell.  While I love all the Doctors, I will never understand how this crazy colorful outfit came about.  Despite the insane outfit, Baker was able to shine through, and the Doctor never lost his edge.

The Seventh Doctor: Sylvester McCoy

Taking the question mark motif to a whole new level, the clownish yet sad #7 carried a question mark umbrella while wearing a question mark sweater-vest, paired with tweed pants and some form of overcoat.  Often wearing a straw hat and some kind of loud tie, #7 was the last to carry the question mark, going out with a questionable explosion.... of gunfire.

The Eighth Doctor: Paul McGann

Rock me Amadeus!  That's what I think every time I see this Doctor.  With his strange old fashioned parted in the middle hair and 19th/18th century style, I don't get this Doctors fashion choice.  Maybe it's meant to hearken back to the 1st doctor, but when you are in the 90s and have so many great fashion choices, why would you go here?  It is a nice cravat though.

The Ninth Doctor:  Christopher Eccleston

I do, I really do love this Doctor, despite what others say, but my GOD did he have the most boring outfit.  A leather jacket is the only real iconic piece in the 9th Doctor's wardrobe.  Other than that it's black, black, black.  In a few episodes this Doctor tries to play off this boring wardrobe as fashionable in any age, but considering how his previous regenerations dress... well... yawn.

The Tenth Doctor: David Tennant

SEXY BEAST!  Oh, oh... sorry.  With his pinstripe suits, Converse, floor length over coats and occasional thick framed glasses I would call Ten, dapper as fuck.  Sorry, this Doctor just does things to me.  When I get married one day, this is how my husband will be dressed, minus the 3-d glasses of course.  Or not.  I guess it will depend on my mood.  

The Eleventh Doctor: Matt Smith

If our reigning Doctor has taught us anything its that bowties are cool.  An so are tweed jackets, often with elbow patches, suspenders, pants that are always a little too short, lace up boots and of course, fez...es.  Since the reboot, 11 is the first Doctor to wear something a bit out there.  With his kind of nerdy outfit, he is most known for his bowtie, but I have always been more into his high-water pants that show off #11's strange leg movements that make no physical sense.  With hair that defies gravity, whenever 11 wears a fez... or a stetson, it makes me a little sad.  11 you will be missed!

The Twelve Doctor: Peter Capaldi

So what will our newest member of the TARDIS wear?  Will they bring back the question marks?  Or keep it sleek and modern?  Well we go batshit clown crazy or will we keep the bowtie?  The Doctor's outfit is just as important as his companion or catch phrase.  Both 11 and 10 spent an entire SCENE picking out a new outfit.  IT. IS. IMPORTANT!  I almost wonder though... will they do a nod to Capaldi's previous stint on Who in "The Fires of Pompeii".

My Personal Thoughts: Peter Capaldi, The New Doctor

So yesterday as the clock ticked away I counted down to 2:00 to watch the big reveal of the new Doctor Who.  I felt like a patient waiting for test results.  I was legitimately nervous.  As I waited while BBC America experienced some technical difficulties that made me want to throw my TV out a window, I held onto a pillow and repeatedly told my mom how much I was going to miss Matt Smith.  My mom did not care.  I was so worked up in fact that I needed a day to process before blogging about the big news.   

Here is the thing though.  As I waited in heart pounding anticipation my rational mind told me "It will be fine."  I believe in the Doctor.  When Matt Smith came on I thought, "No way.  No way is this young, kind of doofy looking guy the Doctor.  Not my Doctor!  You can't replace David!"  But you know what?  He has been an incredible Doctor.  I will miss him with everything inside of me, I have come to love him just as much as David Tennant, and being nearly the same age as Smith has made me really appreciate his performance and ability to stuff 900+ years on a 20 something year old face.

So when the internet guessed correctly and Peter Capaldi walked out on stage as the 12th Doctor, I was extremely please.  Just looking at Capaldi, I could see the Doctor.  No, he won't be the lithe jello-like, constantly moving, extremely physical Doctor that Matt Smith has been.  I see Capaldi being a more cerebral Doctor, and that is in part to do with his age, which seems to be the biggest complaint I have read about his casting.  But here's the thing, he is not the first "older Doctor."  The first Doctor was the exact same age as Capaldi when the show started (though he looked much older due to illness).  Jon Pertwee, one of the most popular Doctors was also in his 50s when he took on the role and he karate chopped his way through foes!  Patrick Troughton was in his late forties when he sported his bowl cut and hopped on the TARDIS.

What I am most interested in is seeing Capaldi's relationship with Clara.  Let's be honest, Clara was never really the 11th Doctor's companion, she was the 11th Doctor's challenge.  Amy and Rory were the 11th Doctor's companions.  Clara will really be taking on her companion role with the newest regeneration and I think she will be known more for being the 12th Doctor's companion.  I always felt that her relationship with Smith was oddly awkward and somewhat strained, due in part to the fact that the Doctor was more curious about who or what Clara was.  Now that he knows the truth about this girl who saved his lives, he will be able to settle into a relationship with her closer to that of other Doctor/Companion relationships.  It will be interesting to see how her character shapes to fit in with Capaldi's Doctor.

No matter what anybody says, I think Capaldi is an excellent fit and I look forward to saying hello to a new regeneration as I tearfully say goodbye to an old one.  On a side note, I ran into an old companion this weekend and had a minor mental meltdown on the streets of Manhattan, the city that killed him off the show.  That's right folks, I saw Rory aka Arthur Darvill coming out of his performance in Once as I walked out of seeing Kinky Boots.  Needless to say I had I geeked out hard and may have pushed a girl out of the way to take a picture.

  

Some 50th Anniversary Pondering

As I am home feeling rather unwell on this Saturday night, and I can't bear to sit through the endless amount of commercials during In The Flesh (which I will post about tomorrow), I've been sitting and thinking about 50 Year Anniversary episode of Doctor Who.  Okay, it's not as sad as it sounds, I'm not literally sitting around thinking about Who, but while I was in the shower a thought occurred to me.  How can the 10th Doctor meet the 11th?  But then... some questions that I've always had about Rose could possibly be answered.  Wait I'm getting ahead of myself, lets start from the beginning of my thought process.

Okay, so my initial thought when I heard that Tennant would be reprising his role as the 10th Doctor was that we would be seeing his alternate version, human self.  You know, the one the grew out of his severed hand when Donna Noble touched?  Meta-Crisis Doctor.  The Doctor who got to grow old with Rose.  But, having seen pictures like the one above, it doesn't seem that is the case.  So, it stands to reason that when the 11th Doctor and Clara leave his time rip, they get off at the wrong time and end up face to face with his former self.  Well okay, it wouldn't be the first time... the 10th Doctor and the 5th Doctor ran into each other once:

But, in this short special, the 10th Doctor remembers this moment and knows how to fix the situation.  If the Doctor is meeting his former self in the 50th anniversary, than when he goes from 10 to 11, he would know things like a) his new regeneration is not a girl and b) he is once again not ginger.  He would probably also know how to avoid death and we would have more seasons with Tennant but that's neither here nor there.  But this situation would explained something that has always irked me.

It has always annoyed me that Rose knew that something bad was going to happen to Donna.  In the episode "Turn Left", Rose saves Donna from a Time Beetle that has rewritten the course of history.  At the end of the episode, the alternate version of Donna must sacrifice herself.  Now, throughout the season, people keep apologizing to Donna and basically telling her she is going to die.  Even River hints to Donna about her sad future, but of course River would know as she comes from the Doctor's future.  In "Turn Left," Donna is relieved, thinking that her alternate self's death is what everybody is talking about, to which Rose replies "I'm sorry."  HOW DOES SHE KNOW?!  Could it be that 11 spills the beans?  Or more likely Clara... or maybe she sees something in the time vortex?  It could finally make this plot point make sense...  Okay, yes it's highly unlikely, but I would like to think this irksome plot point would finally make sense.

I've also been discussing at length the role of John Hurt with fans.  People keep throwing around that he will be the new regeneration, but I think that is way off base.  While he is billed as The Doctor, I personally do not believe this to be a regeneration, but more of a physicalization of a  symbol.  Like in the episode "Amy's Choice," Toby Jones played a pysicalized version of all the bad inside of the Doctor... I think Hurt is playing who the Doctor was before he chose his new name.  This version obviously did something so bad that it took form in the Doctor's subconscious.  Also, whatever he did is NOT his destruction of  Gallifrey because that's not a secret.  The 11th Doctor specifically said that whatever Hurt did was a secret and everybody knows the Doctor destroyed Gallifrey to end the Time War... but what could be worse than killing your own people?

Anyway, I hope this post makes sense as I feel like crap and may be writing delusional nonsense, but I would love to hear from you.  Comments are much appreciated and I love hearing theories.

Like Every Blog Out There, Some Fantasy Casting For The New Doctor

That was pretty much my reaction when I heard about Smith's departure from Doctor Who this coming this December.  Now, I had mentioned in other posts that Smith's Doctor had seemed to be... well... tired this year.  I don't know if it came from a choppy season, or it was Smith manifesting his readiness to leave, but though I am sad, I think the Who team is making the right move.  The 11th Doctor got too tied to the Ponds, and when the city I live in took them away, well, it seemed there was no way this Doctor would be able to go on, and really, he didn't do a great job of it.  I mean, he only went after Clara because she was an enigma, sure he became attached to her, but only during his search to figure out who she was.  Anyway, every blog out there is trying to figure out who the next Doctor could be, so I figured I'd jump on the bandwagon, all be it a little late.

Now, back in 2012 on Graham Norton's radio show, actor Adrian Lester had expressed a desire to play the  Doctor.  When a caller asked if Lester would consider playing the doctor, this was his answer "I've had chats with my agent about it.  We're going to-and-fro about considering it.  Not that it's on my lap to consider, but any actor offered that role would."  Personally, I am not that familiar with Lester's work, but I'd be open to falling in love with him as I have every other Doctor.  Who was recently called out for being "thunderously racist" which is really the biggest load of BS ever, and I hope that if Lester is cast it's on his talent and not the fact that he is a black man.  In no way do I see Doctor Who as racist (they have a black queen of England in the future!) but I think having a black Doctor would bring new diversity to a string of skinny white guys.

The next theory is the gender bender.  A woman Doctor!  I actually would be really down with that, but when Tennant was making his exit, rumors that he was being replaced by a woman caused the internet to break.  People were really upset, but honestly I can't understand why.  The Doctor has made mention on several occasions that Time Lords can do an instant sex change... in fact the 11th Doctor thought he was a girl post-regeneration.  And in "The Doctor's Wife" the Doctor Talks about the Corsair being both a man and "a bad girl".  On a blog I saw the suggestion of Tilda Swinton and I flipped.  She would make and incredible Doctor, and a ginger one as well!  Swinton has the perfect androgynous look, I think people could really get behind her as the Doctor.  But, Swinton may be a bit to "big" for the role, still it would be pretty kick ass.

This is a picture of my dreams!  Here is my personal choice for the new Doctor, Being Human's Russell Tovey.  He has the perfect range for the Doctor, his character on Being Human going from side splittingly hilarious to so powerful you cry for 5 days.  Can't you just see him in the TARDIS being goofy and quick witted with alien races, or crying out in rage and pain when he loses a companion (and they all lose companions).  If Tovey gets cast I may actually cry, and it would absolutely cushion the blow of losing our dear darling Smith.

I think the #1 choice of Whovians seems to be Rupert Grint.  I personally even thought of him when discussing the new Doctor with a friend.  He's a gingers, he's a great actor, he has the range, he's a bit young, but the Doctor does seem to get younger and younger... but there is one huge problem.  Grint is already signed on to a pilot for CBS called Super Clyde.  There is no way Grint will be able to play the Doctor, even if the pilot totally bombs, there won't be time for him to turn around and become the Doctor, filming for the new Who would probably begin sometime in October.  So, while I think Grint would be a suburb choice, it just doesn't seem plausible... maybe he'll be lucky #13 and we will see him duke it out on Trenzalore.

No matter what, trying to guess who will be the new Doctor is impossible.  The Who production team does a great job at keeping secrets, if they don't want us to know, we probably won't.  Besides, when Smith was cast as 11, nobody saw it coming, most people didn't even know who he was.  There is a good chance Moffat will bring on some fresh blood.  Speaking of Moffat, will he depart with Smith?  There has been some recent epic battles on forums about Moffat's years as show runner, some people really really hate him and some will defend him to their last breath.  I honestly am pro-Moffat, but I can see where after this kind of pieced together season it may be time for a graceful exit.

Doctor Who Season Finale: Questions Answered, Questions Raised. Ugh. (spoilers)

In what has been a bit of a choppy season we are given a season finale that makes it all worth it!  My God!  Everything from the episode title to the last few seconds was fantastic.  Okay, so the tagline is kind of misleading.  Even though Moffat has publicly stated that he will soon be revealing the Doctor's name (which kind of feels like a shark jump considering we are only on Doctor 11 and know there are still more Doctors to come), it turns out he was just dangling a juicy tid-bit in front of whovians faces.  Apparently, his name is not the Doctor's biggest secret, but what we find is mind blowing, insanely puzzling and intensely exciting.  There is a secret that is answered however, why the impossible girl Clara Oswald is so impossible, and in true Who fashion I don't think anybody could have ever figured it out.  If you haven't seen the episode and don't want to know what happened read no further.  At the bottom of this post I have theories about the 50 year special so if you wana glaze over the recap be my guest!

Like every season of Doctor Who, season 7 had a repeating question, "Who is Clara Oswald?  Who is the impossible girl?"  Every whovian had a theory, but I don't think any of us could have guessed why this one girl kept popping up and popping out of the Doctor's life.  The episode starts with Clara falling through some sort of time rift, running after every version of the Doctor, screaming for him.  In a voice over monologue Clara says "I don't know where I am.  It's like I'm breaking into a million pieces and there is only one thing I remember.  I have to save the Doctor."  She finishes with "I'm Clara Oswald, the impossible girl, I was born to save the Doctor."  Well what the hell!  All I wanted to to was fast forward my DVR just to see who Clara is, but I patiently sat through the episode.  Here is a super quick recap of how we finally find out who Clara is.

Madam Vastra and her band of Victorian misfits find out that somebody has found out the Doctor's biggest secret.  Vastra calls a subconscious meeting with all of the people most important to the current Doctor, Madam Vastra, Strax, Jenny, Clara and.... RIVER SONG!  She's back and just a naughty as ever, changing a cup of tea into a flute of campaign.

Things go a bit off in this dream world as Vastra and Jenny are attacked by some crazy looking monsters in the waking world.  River wakes everybody up and makes Clara tell the Doctor whats going on, that his secret has been revealed.

Clara does as she is told and in some beautiful acting by Matt Smith, the Doctor realizes he must go to the one place a time traveler must never go... to their own grave.  We find out that the Doctor has been buried on Trenzalore, a name which has been thrown around in quite a few episodes, now we know why.  Of course the TARDIS doesn't like this time stream cross and blows up like always, but the Doctor and Clara make it on to this graveyard planet.  Here we find the Doctor's grave in the form of a dying TARDIS that has grown, now unable to keep up with the whole "bigger on the inside" thing.  Still mentally linked with Clara, River speaks to her without the Doctor being able to see or hear her.  For a second you think maybe the Doctor can because he turns and says "River" only to find her grave.  But of course, we know that this can't be River's grave, she died in the library a long before this. And that's when we realize the sad truth.  Clara is talking to the dead River, the River that was uploaded into the library.  Before your heart has a chance to break completely, the Doctor and Clara are attacked by those horrible creepy monsters and River tells Clara that her grave is a shortcut to the Doctor's tomb.

Meanwhile, the Vastra crew have all been brought to Trenzalore as well, where they discover the true nature of these monsters, they are all part of the Great Intelligence from the Christmas episode.  Remember all of those minds that were uploaded in "The Bells of Saint John"?  Well they fed the Great Intelligence with enough power for him to make copies of himself in the form of Doctor Simian.  The Doctor meets them all in front of the TARDIS tomb and Simian demands he open it using his name, his true name.  Of course every whovian heart is POUNDING thinking this is it!  This is the moment we find out!  Every one of the doctor's companions is being attacked by Simian's unfinished doppelgangers and you think, the doctor must use his name!  It's coming!  "PLEASE!"  The Doctor yells and the doors open... his name is please?  Oh no, Moffat you dirty genius you, RIVER in psychic form and knowing the name of the Doctor opened it without the audience ever hearing.  Whew!

Inside the tomb, we find not a body, but the scar tissue of the Doctor's journeys through time and space.  All that is left of him is an echo of his entire lifespan, of every moment he ever lived.  So what does the Great Intellegnce do?  Well he jumps on in!  He is ripped into a million pieces and spread across every moment in the Doctor's life!  HE UNDOES EVERY GOOD THING THE DOCTOR HAS EVER DONE!  We see what would happen if there was no Doctor in the universe.  Jenny disappears, Strax goes all Sauntaran, the stars start going out and the Doctor struggles in pain on the floor as his life gets re-written.  Well there is only one way he and the universe can be saved.  Clara throws herself into the Doctor's time stream, essentially killing herself.  River tries to explain that the copies won't be Clara, but Clara doesn't care, "Just like my mum said, the souffle isn't the souffle, the souffle is the recipe."  THAT is why there are so many versions of her.  She spread herself throughout space and time in order to constantly save the Doctor from the Great Intelligence, Clara is literally every Doctor's savior.  

But just when you think "YES!  We finally know who Clara is!"  River Song goes and spoils it all.  It turns out that the Doctor knew she was there the whole time, "You're always here to me, and I always listen and I can always see you."  The Doctor had been ignoring her because he knew talking to her would bring him pain.  They share a proper, beautiful kiss and a final absolutely beautiful goodbye.  But, before she says her final "Goodbye sweetie" that brought tears to my eyes, River gives us one last spoiler.  "I was mentally linked with Clara," she says, "if she's really dead, how can I still be here."  WELL WHAT THE HELL DOES THAT MEAN?!  Is she just referring to the fact that Clara isn't dead?  Is she saying she has some really important connection with Clara?  IS THIS THE FOREVER LAST EPISODE FOR RIVER!  UGH DAMN IT!

Anyway, the Doctor throws himself into his own time stream in order to try and save Clara.  They both end up in this sort of smokey dusty pit that looks like an old set from Charmed.  The Doctor is able to reach Clara, as she sees every version of the Doctor run past in the collapsing time stream.  Finally number 11 is able to come through and grab hold of her, but not before facing the secret... the Doctor's biggest secret.  A man stands at the edge of a pit.  The Doctor confesses that this man is him.  You think "Is it a future Doctor?" but no.  This man, is just a secret.  The Doctor tells Clara "My name my real name, that's not the point."  The name he chose, "The Doctor" is a promise he made, this man is who broke the promise, he is the Doctor's secret.  They have a brief conversation.

Man:  What I did, I did without choice, in the name of peace and sanity.

Doctor:  But not in the name of the Doctor.

The mysterious man turns around and we see legendary actor John Hurt with a caption.  "Introducing John Hurt as The Doctor."  WHAT?!?!?!  

SO MUCH INFORMATION!  Of course I've already started to wonder about the implications of this episode.  Is the John Hurt doctor the one who made the decision to end the Last Great Time War?  Is he a personification of the Doctor's real name?  Does he count as a regeneration?!  They have left us with such an enormous mystery!

Obviously Hurt is going to be in the 50 year anniversary episode.  Here is a clip of Smith and Tennant talking about the special.  They talk about an actor and a character who is "bemused" by them and now I assume they are talking about Hurt.

Also, this episode gives pretty good insite to how Smith's Doctor and Tennant's Doctor both show up in the 50 year special.  The Doctor has crossed into his own time stream... on the way out does he end up in Tennant's?  It makes sense, he was the last Doctor before this regeneration... does he get out of the time stream too soon?  That would be my guess but when it comes to Doctor Who I am always wrong.  I guess that's a good thing!  Welp, I'll see you whovians back in November for a 50 year anniversary blog post!