BBC
People seem to be having differences of opinions breaking down the final scene of the Doctor Who Special, the regeneration. Seems only right that we put our two cents in.
Everyone who was watching Twice Upon a Time was inevitably waiting for the Doctor to regenerate. This regeneration was different than any other because it signaled a new era of Doctor Who: one with a female doctor.
Now, there were many parts of the episode that people didn’t seem to agree with, but I’ll leave that for my review. This is strictly going over the last scene, Jodie Whittaker’s first scene. There have been many reactions to the scene, and many people are taking what happened quite literally. As in — literally.
It was inevitable that the people who were not on board with the choice for a female doctor were going to be critical of the first scene. Somehow, this scene needed to sell everyone on the idea of a female doctor again. And enough that they will hopefully turn in when Season 11 airs in 2018.
Breakdown of the scene:
The new Doctor’s eyes change. Peter Capaldi’s ring falls. We see the TARDIS through the new Doctor’s eyes. She looks at herself in the mirror and says “Oh, Brilliant.” And then she pushes a button, and the TARDIS eventually forces her out, and we see her falling to Earth.
Nothing at all weird! Right? …Right?
Reactions:
My reaction to the scene was a general one. I was excited to see Jodie Whittaker take on the role, and expected her regeneration to break the TARDIS. I wasn’t surprised that the TARDIS dropped her, it seemed to be just like what happened at the beginning of Matt Smith’s season.
However, as I scoured the internet, this seemed to fuel anyone who had any doubts about the Doctor. Even though I’m sure Chibnall didn’t mean to write it like the TARDIS was refusing the change, despite the opinions. Many people have started with jokes saying that the female doctor isn’t what the “TARDIS wants” because she flew out of it.
Keep in mind that David Tennant’s regeneration destroyed the TARDIS, and Matt Smith almost flew out and crashed his TARDIS as well. The point of a large regeneration, especially one when everything is changing is to give a reason for a new…everything. Unless we’re getting ready for an Earthbound Doctor, I’m sure the TARDIS — and Doctor Who — will be fine.