Doctor Who: The Theme of Series Nine is Consequences

(Credit: Entertainment Weekly/BBC)

I was thinking about a conversation I had several years ago with a good friend of mine regarding the Doctor. He commented about how every story ends the same way: the Doctor manages to save Earth or some other planet from certain doom and then quickly rushes off in his TARDIS on the next great adventure. There may still be damage left over from the struggle, but the Doctor leaves the cleanup to others. Sometimes the Doctor returns to the setting of a previous adventure, but this could be several stories, or sometimes, many series later. Often we never get to see the long-term impact of the Doctor’s interventions throughout time and space.

The Magician’s Apprentice/The Witch’s Familiar:

This is the only story that’s aired at the time of this posting. While trying to find a bookshop, the Doctor arrives on a battlefield where he attempts to rescue a frightened child. He discovers that the battlefield is on the planet Skaro, and that scared little boy is Davros. The Doctor walks away, but now Davros remembers which sets the whole plot of the story in motion. I won’t recount the entire plot here (you guys should know it by now). However, at the story’s conclusion the Doctor goes back to save young Davros after realizing the Daleks are now able to say the word “mercy.” Basically, the Doctor is the one who teaches Davros, and ultimately the Daleks, this word. The most intriguing aspect of this story was regarding the consequences the Doctor had to face based on his actions. I predict this theme will continue into the next episodes, leading to some interesting storytelling.

Under the Lake/Before the Flood:

The next two episodes this series are penned by Toby Whithouse and look to be quite scary, get-behind-the-sofa episodes. I’m a huge fan of Whithouse, as ‘School Reunion’ is one of my all time favorite episodes. I also loved Being Human, so I’m looking forward to episodes that bring humor as well as the frights.

Here is the synopsis for ‘Under the Lake’:

"When an underwater base comes under attack, the Doctor and Clara must save the frightened crew and defeat an impossible threat. But what is behind these terrifying events? And can they really be haunted by ghosts?"

Another reason I’m looking forward to this one is that it features the Fisher King, a legend I’m very interested in. What are causing these ghosts? It looks like we won’t get a full answer until the next episode.

Here is the synopsis for ‘Before the Flood’:

"On a remote Army outpost, a fearsome alien warlord – the Fisher King – sets in motion a twisted plan to ensure his own survival. The ripples will be felt around the universe. Is this chain of events inevitable? And can the Doctor do the unthinkable?"

This episode supposedly takes place a long time before ‘Under the Lake.’ My thoughts are the Doctor and his friends go back in time to learn the source of the ghosts from the previous episode. Once again we get to see instant cause and effect. My thoughts are that the Doctor and Clara’s interference in this episode will lead to what occurs in the future, which by that point we will have already seen. I love some timey wimey goodness.

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Next: PAGE TWO: Familiar Faces

More from Winter is Coming

(Credit: BBC)

The Girl Who Died/The Woman Who Lived:

Fans have been dying to learn the identity of the mysterious character played by Maisie Williams. Numerous theories have been blowing up the internet. Steven Moffat claims that Williams is playing a brand new character. While Mr. Moffat often lies, I think he’s being honest on this one.

Here are the Radio Times previews for the episodes:

"In a backwater of history, in a little Viking village where all the warriors have just been slaughtered, a young girl called Ashildr is about to make a desperate mistake. The Mire are the deadliest mercenaries in the galaxy, famed for being unstoppable and without mercy – and Ashildr has just declared war on them. The Doctor and Clara have twelve hours, to turn a handful of farmers and blacksmiths into a fighting force ready to face down Odin himself. And there’s more – because this is the day when the Doctor remembers where he’s seen his own face before.England, 1651. The highwayman known as The Nightmare is plaguing the land. But the Nightmare is not all he seems, and his fire-breathing accomplice who lurks in the shadows is clearly more than human… The Doctor, on the trail of an alien artefact, is brought face to the face with the consequences of his own actions. For once he encounters someone who won’t let him turn his back on the things he has done. But will the Nightmare be his friend or foe? It may well take till the end of the universe to be sure…"

As you can see from the preview of ‘The Girl Who Lived,’ the Doctor must face the consequences of his actions. It appears that Maisie Williams is playing a character that either becomes immortal or a time traveler. Whichever it is, it would seem once again that the Doctor’s actions from the previous episode are the cause.

Also, notice in the preview for ‘The Woman Who Died’ that the Doctor remembers where he has seen his face before. Some time ago I posted a theory article on why the Doctor subconsciously selected the face of Caecilius from ‘The Fires of Pompeii’. I’m still sticking to my theory that it served the Doctor as a reminder of altering fixed points in time. I’m giddy to finally see if I’m correct on this one.

The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion:

We know that these episodes serve as a sequel of sorts to the 50th anniversary special ‘The Day of the Doctor’. Zygons now live among us; however, a faction of Zygons have decided that this is unacceptable! These episodes are very exciting for not only the return of the Zygons but also of fan favorite Osgood. So how does this story relate to the theme of consequences? There are several possibilities: the Zygon uprising would never be happening had the Doctor not organized the peace treaty between humans and Zygons. Perhaps Osgood’s miraculous return to the living has something to do with it. We don’t know too much in relation to plot for these episodes, but I find it interesting that the word ‘inversion’ means a reversal of some kind. I think that as this series continues, we are going to see more about the specific laws surrounding what the Doctor has the power to change and what he cannot change.

Sleep No More/Face the Raven:

Supposedly, these are the only two episodes that don’t comprise a two-part story. However, this doesn’t mean they aren’t linked together strongly. ‘Sleep No More’ is the found footage episode written by Mark Gatiss and promises to be quite chilling. The next story ‘Face the Raven’ is penned by Sarah Dollard and features the return of Rigsy from ‘Flatline’. I like the synopsis for this one involving aliens folded away on invisible streets. On the surface, there appear to be no connection between these episodes besides the references to Edgar Allan Poe. I’m willing to bet my fez that the same monster connects both of these tales. I’ll even go a step further and say that the events of ‘Face the Raven’ end up being the cause of what occurs in ‘Sleep No More.’ I think this will be similar to how it will work in ‘Under the Lake/Before the Flood.’

Heaven Sent/Hell Bent:

Not much is known regarding the finale. ‘Heaven Sent’ will only have Peter Capaldi in it. There are a ton of rumors, such as David Tennant and Paul McGann returning for brief cameos. All I can say is that the Doctor won’t be able to run from the consequences of his actions this time. I’m expecting a real tearjerker of a finale. Anything could happen.

The Doctor’s actions create ripples all through space and time. This series will be different because we will get to watch those consequences occur side by side with the Doctor’s actions leading to them. Series Nine of Doctor Who will be different because the big bad won’t be a returning foe or some new monster but the Doctor himself.

Please sound off in the comments below. We would love to hear your thoughts about the theme of consequences or Series Nine in general.

Next: Trailer, Clips, & Video Intro From 'Under the Lake'