“Are you my mummy?” has long been a catchphrase among Whovians. However, that phrase may have a different meaning on Doctor Who, as the search for the Doctor’s mother continues.
In ‘Hell Bent,’ when the Doctor finally walked upon Gallifrey after untold years of searching for his home planet, we were able to see some of his home during peaceful times. The exited through the tunnel that he had punched through solid diamond, eventually emerging near a farm that looked relatively familiar. When he climbed up into the loft, it was implied that he was back at his childhood home.
If so, then who would that older woman (billed as “The Woman“) be? As the Doctor chatted with her, and she brought him food while allowing him to sleep in that familiar place in the loft, it was assumed that she may have been a relative of his. Perhaps, that woman, known only as The Woman in the credits, was the Doctor’s mother.
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Alas, for those hoping to get some clarification as to who, exactly, The Woman is, Doctor Who showrunner Steven Moffat is not going to provide much help. When asked about who that was, Moffat stated that he had “no idea,” and that a large part of the fun about writing about the Doctor’s past is to leave options open.
Yet, in a way, he may have answered the question to a degree. In noting that the Doctor is a high born Gallifreyan, Moffat did state that it is unlikely that the woman we saw would be his mother. It does make sense that she is not, but it is a bit disappointing for those of us hoping to see a bit of a family reunion.
In all likelihood, she was nothing more than a regular person who, knowing of the Doctor’s exploits and his championing of those who cannot defend themselves, was a bit starstruck to see him there. It certainly makes sense that anyone, seeing such a legendary person, would react the same way. It is more likely that “The Woman” from ‘The End of Time’ was the Doctor’s mother… it is somewhat interesting that both characters were billed the same, though.
The whole matter harkens back to the children’s book Are You My Mother?
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