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The Power of the Doctor

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300 – "The Power of the Doctor"
Doctor Who episode
Promotional poster
Cast
Guest
Production
Directed byJamie Magnus Stone
Written byChris Chibnall
Script editor
  • Caroline Buckley
  • Rebecca Roughan
Produced byNikki Wilson
Executive producer(s)
  • Chris Chibnall
  • Matt Strevens
  • Nikki Wilson
Music bySegun Akinola
Series2022 specials
Running time87 minutes
First broadcast23 October 2022 (2022-10-23)
Chronology
← Preceded by
"Legend of the Sea Devils" 		Followed by →
—
List of episodes (2005–present)

"The Power of the Doctor" is the third and final of the 2022 specials of the British science fiction television programme Doctor Who, and was broadcast on BBC One on 23 October 2022. The episode was ordered for the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the launch of the BBC, airing five days after.[1] It was written by Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.

Jodie Whittaker stars in her final regular appearance as the Thirteenth Doctor, alongside Mandip Gill and John Bishop as her companions Yasmin Khan and Dan Lewis, respectively. The episode also features the return of Jacob Anderson as Vinder and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, both of whom last appeared in the thirteenth series; Sacha Dhawan as The Master and Patrick O'Kane as Ashad, both of whom last appeared in the twelfth series; previous companions Janet Fielding as Tegan Jovanka and Sophie Aldred as Ace.[2][3] The ending of the episode features David Tennant, who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor, appearing as the Fourteenth Doctor.[4]

Plot

The Doctor and her companions rescue a bullet train in space from a CyberMaster attack, but Dan is nearly killed during the escapade. Having developed a sense of his mortality, Dan parts with the Doctor to get back to living his life. A renegade Dalek contacts the Doctor, offering information about a Dalek plot to destroy humanity.

The Doctor's former companions Tegan Jovanka and Ace investigate the abduction of a dozen of the world's leading seismologists and the addition of Rasputin's face defacing fifteen famous paintings. Kate Stewart invites the Doctor to UNIT's headquarters to meet Tegan and Ace and discuss their findings. The Doctor clarifies that the new face in the paintings is actually that of the Master, whom she goes to confront.

The Doctor learns the Master and his CyberMasters have allied with the Daleks to end humanity in the present by triggering eruptions from all Earth's volcanoes simultaneously. The Doctor meets the renegade Dalek, discovering the other Daleks allowed it to contact her in order to capture her, which they do after killing the traitor.

UNIT arrests the Master, who reveals he sent a miniaturised version of Ashad to Tegan, who assumed it was a warning from the Doctor. This enlarges and acts as a portal bringing Ashad and a large number of Cybermen into UNIT HQ, freeing the Master. The Daleks take the Doctor to 1916 Russia and hand her to the Master, who uses Gallifreyan technology and the Qurunx (an enslaved energy being) to force her to regenerate into him. In her mind, the Doctor encounters manifestations of her First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth incarnations, who inform her it may be possible to undo the forced regeneration with outside help.

An AI program the Doctor created, using images of the Fifth, Seventh, Fugitive, and Thirteenth Doctors, leads Ace to meet with former companion Graham O'Brien and destroy the Dalek volcano machine, Tegan to destroy the Cyberman converter and CyberMasters in UNIT HQ just as they are about to convert Kate, and Yaz and previous ally Vinder to capture the Master and make him undo the Doctor's transformation. Defeated, the Master mortally wounds the Doctor with the Qurunx's energy beam, causing her to begin regenerating.

The Doctor takes Yaz home before departing alone. Yaz attends a support group of former companions including Graham, Dan, Kate, Ace, Tegan, Ian Chesterton, Jo Jones and Melanie Bush. The Doctor travels to a cliff where she regenerates into the Fourteenth Doctor, who is alarmed to discover he has become physically similar to his tenth incarnation.

Production

Development

"The Power of the Doctor" was written by showrunner and executive producer Chris Chibnall, and directed by Jamie Magnus Stone.[5] After the first two specials were produced as part of the eight episodes ordered for the thirteenth series,[6] a third feature-length special was later ordered to coincide with the centenary of the BBC and serve as Whittaker's regeneration episode.[7] The BBC describes the final episode as an "epic blockbuster special".[8]

Casting and details of the centenary special, without yet revealing the title or airdate, were released after "Legend of the Sea Devils" concluded.[9]

The name of the special, "The Power of the Doctor", was announced on 14 September 2022.[10]

Casting

Jodie Whittaker stars as the Thirteenth Doctor in her final episode,[11][12] alongside Mandip Gill as Yasmin Khan and John Bishop as Dan Lewis.[13] The BBC announced Whittaker's and Chibnall's departures from the series in July 2021.[14][15]

A trailer for the special was released in April 2022, and confirmed the return of Jacob Anderson as Vinder, and Jemma Redgrave as Kate Stewart, both of whom last appeared in the thirteenth series. The Master, played by Sacha Dhawan, and Ashad, played by Patrick O'Kane, who both appeared in the twelfth series, also return. The special also sees the return of former companions Tegan Jovanka, Ace, and Graham O'Brien portrayed by Janet Fielding, Sophie Aldred, and Bradley Walsh respectively. The Daleks and the Cybermen also appear.[9]

In cameo roles, the First, Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, and Fugitive Doctors appear. The First Doctor is portrayed by David Bradley, who previously portrayed the character in the episodes "The Doctor Falls" and "Twice Upon a Time" (both 2017), as well as portraying the original First Doctor actor William Hartnell in the bio-drama An Adventure in Space and Time (2013), while the others are played by their respective original actors, Peter Davison, Colin Baker, Sylvester McCoy, Paul McGann, and Jo Martin. David Tennant, who previously portrayed the Tenth Doctor, makes a brief appearance as the newly regenerated Fourteenth Doctor.[citation needed]

Companions Ian Chesterton, Jo Jones (née Jo Grant), and Melanie Bush, respectively portrayed by William Russell, Katy Manning, and Bonnie Langford, also appear in brief cameos.[16] Russell, who last appeared in the final episode of The Chase (1965), broke the Guinness World Record for character with the longest gap between television appearances with this appearance.[17]

Filming

"The Power of the Doctor" was filmed throughout September 2021, directed by Jamie Magnus Stone,[18] concluding on 13 October 2021.[19][20] Tennant's appearance was filmed around May 2022, directed by Rachel Talalay.[21] Returning showrunner Russell T Davies scripted the incoming Doctor's appearance, with his first line, a reference to his first words as the Tenth Doctor, being suggested by Tennant himself.[22] The background of the regeneration scene, where the Doctor lands the TARDIS atop a stone arch and looks out over the sea, was filmed by drone at Durdle Door in Dorset. The Lulworth Estate was not informed of the context of the scene when granting permission for the shoot, and after the episode's broadcast expressed concern that it would encourage viewers to place themselves in danger.[23]

Among the musical cues heard in the episode is "Rasputin" by Germany-based pop and Eurodisco group Boney M, originally released in 1978; the Master, as played by Dhawan, portraying the Russian cleric, uses the song to accompany his impending transformation. Dhawan noted that he was given only "one or two takes" for the set piece, "and we didn't have that long to shoot it."[24]

Broadcast and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Rotten Tomatoes (Tomatometer)100%[25]
Rotten Tomatoes (Average Score)7.30/10[25]
Review scores
SourceRating
The Telegraph[26]
Radio Times[27]
The Independent[28]
The Guardian[29]
Evening Standard[30]
Metro[31]

Broadcast

"The Power of the Doctor" was first broadcast on 23 October 2022 as part of the BBC's Centenary celebrations, and is the third and final of the three 2022 specials.[32][33][34][35] The special is 87 minutes long.[36]

Ratings

The episode was watched by 3.71 million viewers overnight, becoming the fourth most-watched programme of the day, with peak viewership reaching 4.04 million.[37] The episode received an Audience Appreciation Index score of 82.[38] The final consolidated ratings for the episode were 5.295 million viewers, making it the fifth most watched programme overall for the week.[39]

Critical reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, a review aggregator website, 100% of seven critics gave "The Power of the Doctor" a positive review, with an average rating of 7.30 out of 10.[25]

The Radio Times and The Telegraph awarded the episode four out of five stars, the latter calling the episode "an electrifying thrill-ride of non-stop surprises".[40][41] The Houston Press' review was less positive, calling the episode "an explosive but confusing close" and concluding that "Doctor Who just doesn’t seem to have a present, let alone a future anymore."[42]

Home media

"The Power of the Doctor" received a separate home media release in Region 2/B on 7 November 2022,[43] and will receive in Region 4/B on 7 December 2022,[44] and in Region 1/A on 13 December 2022.[45] The episode is also included in the 2022 specials home media set released in Region 2/B on 7 November 2022.[46]

Soundtrack

Further information: Doctor Who: Series 13 – The Specials (soundtrack)

On 18 November 2022, composer Segun Akinola announced that selected pieces of the score from this special would be digitally released on 16 December 2022. A physical CD release containing all 3 soundtracks of the 2022 specials is also set for release on 13 January 2023.[47]

References

  1. ^ Cremona, Patrick (29 July 2021). "Doctor Who series 13 will be six episodes long – with trilogy of specials in 2022". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  2. ^ "BBC One - Doctor Who, The Power of the Doctor". BBC. Retrieved 13 October 2022.
  3. ^ "Doctor Who trailer revealed for Jodie Whittaker's epic final episode". Radio Times. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  4. ^ "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker's regeneration reveals a new Doctor". BBC News. 2022-10-23. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  5. ^ Laford, Andrea (16 December 2021). "Doctor Who 2022 Specials: news, writers and directors". CultBox. Retrieved 17 December 2021.
  6. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (29 July 2021). "Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall confirmed to leave Doctor Who in 2022". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  7. ^ Cremona, Patrick (29 July 2021). "Doctor Who series 13 will be six episodes long – with trilogy of specials in 2022". Radio Times. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  8. ^ Purslow, Matt (29 July 2021). "Doctor Who: Jodie Whittaker Leaving, Along With Showrunner Chris Chibnall". IGN. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  9. ^ a b "Doctor Who: Former companions to join Jodie Whittaker's farewell". BBC News. 17 April 2022. Retrieved 17 April 2022.
  10. ^ Bacon, Thomas (14 September 2022). "Jodie Whittaker's Final Doctor Who Episode Title Revealed". Screen Rant. Retrieved 14 September 2022.
  11. ^ Piester, Lauren (29 July 2021). "Jodie Whittaker Is Leaving Doctor Who With Big Plans For Her Final Episodes". E! Online. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  12. ^ Mellor, Louisa (29 July 2021). "Doctor Who: BBC Confirms Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall To Leave in 2022". Den of Geek. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  13. ^ Laford, Andrea (15 October 2021). "Dan Lewis (and John Bishop) survive Doctor Who". Retrieved 17 October 2021.
  14. ^ Kanter, Jane (29 July 2021). "'Doctor Who': Jodie Whittaker & Showrunner Chris Chibnall Are Leaving Iconic Sci-Fi Series, BBC Confirms". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  15. ^ "Jodie Whittaker and Chris Chibnall to leave Doctor Who in a trio of Specials in 2022". Doctor Who. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  16. ^ Mulkern, Patrick (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who's classic companions on their return: "It was a total joy"". Radio Times.
  17. ^ Pilastro, Eleonora (23 November 2022). "Doctor Who character breaks record for longest gap between TV appearances". Guinness World Records. Retrieved 26 November 2022.
  18. ^ Laford, Andrea (17 September 2021). "Doctor Who BBC Centenary Special: filming at Hodge House in Cardiff". CultBox. Retrieved 19 September 2021.
  19. ^ Laford, Andrea (13 October 2021). "Jodie Whittaker wraps final filming on Doctor Who". CultBox. Retrieved 14 October 2021.
  20. ^ Morris, Lauren (11 November 2021). "Doctor Who boss says last scene Jodie Whittaker ever shot was regeneration". Radio Times. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
  21. ^ Molina-Whyte, Lidia (14 November 2022). "David Tennant filmed Doctor Who regeneration 7 months after Jodie Whittaker wrapped". Radio Times. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  22. ^ Whitbrook, James. "David Tennant Added a Line to His Latest Doctor Who Regeneration". Gizmodo. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  23. ^ "Doctor Who: BBC called 'dishonest' over Durdle Door filming request". BBC News. 24 October 2022. Retrieved 14 November 2022.
  24. ^ Jeffery, Morgan (23 October 2022). "Sacha Dhawan on his Doctor Who dance sequence". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  25. ^ a b c "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  26. ^ Hogan, Michael (2022-10-23). "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor, review: finale confounds fans as David Tennant returns". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2022-10-23.
  27. ^ Mulkern, Patrick (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor review | A satisfying finale". Radio Times. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  28. ^ Lewis, Isobel (21 October 2022). "Doctor Who review: Jodie Whittaker deserved more for this end of an era". The Independent. Retrieved 28 October 2022.
  29. ^ Nicholson, Rebecca (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who review – Jodie Whittaker bows out with big bangs and even bigger heart". The Guardian. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  30. ^ Gregory, Elizabeth (24 October 2022). "Doctor Who Special: The Power of the Doctor review – the BBC has thrown the kitchen sink after Whittaker". Evening Standard. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  31. ^ Tate, Gabriel (23 October 2022). "Doctor Who: The Power Of The Doctor is frightening fun as Jodie Whittaker bows out". Metro. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  32. ^ Ritman, Alex (29 July 2021). "Jodie Whittaker Leaving 'Doctor Who' Alongside Showrunner Chris Chibnall". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  33. ^ "Chris Chibnall and Jodie Whittaker to leave Doctor Who in a trio of Specials". BBC. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 29 July 2021.
  34. ^ "New Doctor Who star Ncuti Gatwa can 'finally breathe'". The Independent. 8 May 2022. Retrieved 9 May 2022.
  35. ^ Mellor, Louisa (8 October 2022). "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor - New Trailer and Release Date Confirmed!". Den of Geek. Retrieved 8 October 2022.
  36. ^ "BBC One - Doctor Who, The Power of the Doctor". BBC. Retrieved 19 October 2022.
  37. ^ "Doctor Who News - The Power of The Doctor: overnight viewing figures". DoctorWhoNews. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
  38. ^ "Doctor Who News - The Power of The Doctor: Appreciation Index". DoctorWhoNews. Retrieved 26 October 2022.
  39. ^ "Doctor Who News - The Power of The Doctor: consolidated viewing figures". DoctorWhoNews. 31 October 2022. Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  40. ^ Hogan, Michael. "The Power of the Doctor Telegraph review". The Telegraph. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  41. ^ "Radio Times The Power of the Doctor review". Radio Times. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  42. ^ Rouner, Jef. "The Power of the Doctor Houston Press Review". Houston Press. Retrieved 25 October 2022.
  43. ^ "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor". Retrieved 10 October 2022 – via Amazon.
  44. ^ "Doctor Who: The Power Of The Doctor". Sanity. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  45. ^ "Doctor Who: The Power of the Doctor". Retrieved 19 October 2022 – via Amazon.
  46. ^ "Doctor Who: The Series 13 Specials Steelbook". Retrieved 10 October 2022 – via Amazon.
  47. ^ Segun Akinola [@segunakinola] (November 17, 2022). "#DoctorWho fans I have one more release for you: Series 13 - The Specials" (Tweet). Retrieved 18 November 2022 – via Twitter.

External links

Wikiquote has quotations related to Thirteenth Doctor.
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