Doctor Who classic moments: “It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for…”
By James Aggas
The Fourth Doctor’s regeneration is not only fondly remembered by Doctor Who fans to this day, but has even been paid tribute to in the New Series.
As we recently reviewed, Logopolis was a Doctor Who story that had both its strengths and weaknesses. It had many great ideas, but it also had some weak ones, too. The Master felt a little underused at times (particularly during the first half), but at the same time, he was brilliant in the second half.
This balance of strengths and weaknesses extends to the regeneration itself. The Fourth Doctor is given admittedly a great reason for sacrificing this particular life: saving the universe from the Master before it is utterly consumed by entropy.
But the cause of death is slightly weak: a fall from a great height. It’s not terrible, it’s just a little disappointing compared to the greatness of Tom Baker’s legendary incarnation. (Frankly, it also doesn’t help that we later saw the Tenth Doctor fall from a much greater height in The End of Time. And it was established at least that that particular fall didn’t kill him, or even greatly injure him.)
But then we get to the regeneration itself. And that’s where the story has its greatest moment.
“Doctor…”
The Fourth Doctor flashing back on his many enemies was major enough. But it was the flashbacks of all his friends that really gave the scene some emotional weight. It also showed what a prolific era Tom Baker really had in the show. Six friends gone (the last two were different incarnations of the same companion, after all), but with three right beside him in his final moments.
But, while this incarnation was facing his end, he didn’t seem too afraid. At least, not to his friends (or to the audience). And that’s when we had one final, reassuring line from an iconic Doctor:
"It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for."
More from Winter is Coming
- For All Mankind finally gives us information in Episode 405, “Goldilocks”
- Watch a stunning VFX breakdown of The Wheel of Time season 2
- Of course Steve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon) thinks Eve Best (Rhaenys Targaryen) should rule Westeros
- Confirmed: The Last of Us season 2 will air in 2025
- Final season of Star Trek: Discovery will have “a lot of action, a lot of adventure, a lot of fun”
And so, as the Watcher seemingly merges with the Doctor, we say goodbye to this very familiar face. But then, in a scene that really shows the idea of death and rebirth best, the Fifth Doctor is “born”, complete with a reassuring smile.
Legacy
It’s a simple moment, but one that’s very effective. Especially since most regenerations virtually have the “death” of one incarnation and the “birth” of the next in the same instant. What stands out about Four’s regeneration is that with his features wiped away by the Watcher, there’s a brief moment when it actually feels like a death. Just for a single moment, before we say “hello” to the new incarnation.
It’s simple, but effective, and has only really been done since with Seven’s regeneration in the TV movie. (Although the Third Doctor also had a similar moment where his death happened a short while before the birth of the Fourth in Planet of the Spiders.)
The Fourth Doctor’s regeneration is so effective and so well-remembered, that Steven Moffat paid tribute to it. In the final episode of Series Ten, The Doctor Falls, the Twelfth Doctor briefly flashes back over all his companions (as well as the companions of Nine, Ten and Eleven) saying “Doctor!” Considering that this story had Twelve enter the early stages of regeneration, if not feature the full regeneration itself, it was a nice touch.
Logopolis might not feature my favorite regeneration, but it’s still a moment that every fan remembers. And that’s what makes it such a classic moment.
Re-Watch: Logopolis gives the Fourth Doctor an epic final adventure. dark. Next
Is the Fourth Doctor’s regeneration your favorite? Do you think it was a good send-off for him? Let us know in the comments below.