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{{Infobox Story
{{ImageLinkTV}}
|name            ={{StoryTitle}}
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          = NOTD.jpg
|image          = Eight Regeneration.jpg
|series          = [[Webcast|''Doctor Who'' webcasts stories]]
|series          = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[50th Anniversary Specials]]
|season number  =
|special        = [[50th Anniversary Specials]] prequel minisode
|story number   =  
|citation series = ''[[Doctor Who]]'' [[50th Anniversary Specials|50th Anniversary Specials minisode]]
|novelisation   = The Day of the Doctor (novelisation)
|doctor          = Eighth Doctor
|doctor          = Eighth Doctor
|companions     =  
|featuring      = Ohila
|enemy          =
|featuring2     = Cass Fermazzi
|setting        = [[Karn]]
|featuring3      = War Doctor
|writer          = [[Steven Moffat]]
|setting        = [[Karn]], [[Fifth Segment]] of the [[Last Great Time War]]
|director        = [[John Hayes]]
|writer          = Steven Moffat
|producer        = [[Denise Paul]]
|director        = [[director::John Hayes]]
|broadcast date  = [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]]
|producer        = [[producer::Denise Paul]]
|broadcast date  = 14 November 2013
|network        = BBC Red Button
|format          = 7-minute minisode
|format          = 7-minute minisode
|production code =
|production code =  
|prev            =
|prev            = The Name of the Doctor (TV story)
|next            =
|next            = The Last Day (TV story)
|made prev      =
|made prev      = The Day of the Doctor (TV story)
|made next      =
|made next      = The Last Day (TV story)
}}
|fullvid        = The Night of the Doctor A Mini Episode - Doctor Who The Day of the Doctor Prequel - BBC
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a prequel to the 50th anniversary special. It saw the second on-screen appearance of [[Paul McGann]] as the [[Eighth Doctor]], his first being the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|tele-film]] of [[1996 (releases)|1996]]. After seventeen long years of absence, it tied up the final chapter of his life, which had evolved into one of the longest and most debated unanswered questions of ''Doctor Who''. The story depicted McGann's [[regeneration]] into the so-called "[[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|War Doctor]]", his true ninth incarnation, who chose to reject his namesake to become a warrior. Additionally, this new incarnation was shown to have been born at a younger age, before withering into an older and tired man, as he was shown to be in [[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor]]''. Of similar importance was the notion that the [[Time Lord]]s had become collectively hated during the Time War by the individuals who had suffered from their actions, and the pain it caused for the Doctor.
|bts            = The Surprise Paul McGann - Doctor Who 50th Anniversary The Night of the Doctor - BBC
|thwr = 100
|thwr2 = 183
}}{{you may|Night and the Doctor|The Night of the Doctor (reference book)|n2=the reference book of the same name}}
'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was a mini-episode of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the series.


This story was also very significant in that it forever removed the suggestion that the Eighth Doctor had regenerated directly into the [[Ninth Doctor]], portrayed by [[Christopher Eccleston]] at the relaunch of the series in [[2005 (releases)|2005]]. It also paid tribute to the Eighth Doctor's [[companion]]s across his many adventures in the [[Big Finish]] audio dramas and novelised journeys. Finally, it marked the return of the [[Sisterhood of Karn]] and related elements last seen in [[1976 (releases)|1976]], 37 years later.
Initially made available on the [[BBC]] [[iPlayer]] and [[YouTube]] channel on [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]], ''The Night of the Doctor'' was subsequently made available to [[UK]] viewers on the [[BBC Red Button]], from [[Saturday]] [[16 November (releases)|16 November]]. It was meant to be released days later but was released early to avoid an impending leak.<ref name="Early Release">{{cite web |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-18/paul-mcgann-we-were-forced-to-release-the-night-of-the-doctor-early |title=Paul McGann: we were forced to release The Night of the Doctor early |date of source=18 November 2013 |website name=Radio Times |publisher=Radio Times |accessdate=21 November 2013 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131121121740/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2013-11-18/paul-mcgann-we-were-forced-to-release-the-night-of-the-doctor-early |archivedate=21 November 2023}}</ref> Incidentally, this meant that the mini-episode premiered on Paul McGann's own 54th birthday, resulting in another anniversary celebration of sorts, in the wake of one for ''Doctor Who'' itself. Since it was recorded alongside the last two days of production on the anniversary, it shared the [[production block]] with ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''.


It was uploaded to the [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]]'s [[YouTube]] channel on the [[14 November (releases)|14 November]] [[2013 (releases)|2013]] and will be available for [[UK]] viewers via the [[BBC Red Button]] beginning on [[Saturday]] [[16 November (releases)|16 November]] at several times throughout the week until [[23 November (releases)|23 November]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/doctor-who-50th-anniversary-night-2716354 |title=Doctor Who 50th anniversary: The Night of the Doctor mini episode details revealed |author= Claire Hodgson |date of source=10 November 2013 |website name=Mirror Online |accessdate=14 November 2013}}</ref> <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.doctorwhonews.net/2013/11/night-of-the-doctor-141113120008.html |title=The Night of the Doctor |author=Chuck Foster |date of source=14 November, 2013 |website name=Doctor Who News |accessdate=14 November 2013}}</ref>
It marked [[Paul McGann]]'s first on-screen, live-action appearance as the [[Eighth Doctor]] since the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|1996 TV movie]].<ref>However, McGann did voice the Eighth Doctor in the animated version of ''[[Shada (webcast)|Shada]]'' released in [[2003]] and numerous audio dramas.</ref> It is the only [[BBC Wales]] production that stars [[the Doctor]], but never shows the current incarnation. Instead it showed the origin of a retroactively introduced incarnation from the Doctor's past – the [[War Doctor]], portrayed by [[John Hurt]].
 
It saw the return of the [[Sisterhood of Karn]], last seen in [[1976 (releases)|1976]]'s ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]''. This was also the first appearance of [[Clare Higgins]] as [[Ohila]], a woman in the Sisterhood who had a history with the Doctor.
 
The episode, along with having Paul McGann reprise his role as the Eighth Doctor on screen also shows the Eighth Doctor's regeneration into the War Doctor; uniquely making Paul McGann the only actor for the Doctor to have physically acted in the role only in stories involving the Doctor regenerating, this fact still holding true through to his third physical appearance as a [[Guardians of the Edge|manifestation of the Doctor's past incarnations]] in ''[[The Power of the Doctor (TV story)|The Power of the Doctor]],'' the [[Thirteenth Doctor]]'s regeneration story, in [[2022 (releases)|2022]].


== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
On the eve of his most terrible battle, the [[Time Lord]] is faced with a choice that will change the course of his life. The darkest of days are about to begin. [[The Doctor]] has always been a man of secrets - and now they can be told...
Still trying to skirt around the edges of the [[Last Great Time War]], the [[Eighth Doctor]] is forced to fully join the conflict by the mysterious [[Sisterhood of Karn]]. Killed while trying to save [[Cass Fermazzi|a woman]] who hates him simply for being a [[Time Lord]], the Doctor gets to choose what his next incarnation will be like. He arranges for a [[War Doctor|warrior]]... but makes the darkest sacrifice of his life in order to be reborn.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
A woman, named [[Cass (The Night of the Doctor)|Cass]], is seen in a damaged [[spaceship]] on the verge of crashing. The ship's [[computer]] offers to call for a "[[doctor]]" upon being asked for support, but Cass responds that she doesn't need one because she's not injured. Behind her ship, [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] is seen closing in on it. Inside, Cass continues to tell the ship that she is trying to send a distress call, and doesn't need a doctor. Suddenly, the [[Eighth Doctor]] appears, stating that he is a doctor, but probably not the one she was expecting. The Doctor notices that the ship's crew is missing and wonders why Cass is still aboard. She explains that she [[teleport]]ed the crew off the ship and stayed behind. The Doctor then offers to take her away and make her his companion. She accepts and they head for his TARDIS. As the Doctor is trying to open the doors to the room where the TARDIS is parked, Cass says she joined the crew to see the [[universe]]. She wonders if it is always like this. He finally opens the doors with his [[sonic screwdriver]]. Seeing the TARDIS, the Doctor reassures Cass that it's [[Dimensional transcendence|bigger on the inside]]. Cass is horrified, and correctly identifies it to be a [[TARDIS]]. She realises that the Doctor is a [[Time Lord]], a [[species]] taking part in the [[Last Great Time War|Time War]]. The Doctor counters that he hasn't participated in the conflict, but this fails to assuage Cass. When he points out that at least he's not a [[Dalek]], she replies that one can hardly tell the difference anymore. Cass then locks the doors with the Doctor inside and her on the outside. The Doctor states that he won't leave the ship without her, but Cass replies that she doesn't mind; she would rather die than travel with a Time Lord.  
[[File:Eighth Doctor rescuing Cass.jpg|left|thumb|The [[Eighth Doctor]] arrives to rescue [[Cass Fermazzi]] from a crashing gunship.]]
[[Cass Fermazzi]] is piloting a damaged [[spaceship]] on the verge of crashing. The ship's [[computer]] offers to call for a "[[doctor]]" upon being asked for support, to which Cass responds that she doesn't need one because she's not injured. Meanwhile, [[the Doctor's TARDIS]] is seen catching up to her ship. Inside, Cass continues to tell the ship that she is trying to send a distress call, and doesn't need a doctor. The [[Eighth Doctor]] suddenly appears behind her, stating "I'm a doctor, but probably not the one you were expecting."
 
[[File:Cass shuns the Doctor.jpg|thumb|right|Cass refuses to be rescued by a [[Time Lord]].]]
When the Doctor notices that the ship's crew is missing and wonders why Cass is still aboard, she explains that she [[teleport]]ed the crew off the ship and stayed behind. The Doctor then smiles and welcomes her aboard, and takes her hand as he leads her to the TARDIS. As he is trying to open the doors to the room where the TARDIS is parked, Cass says she joined the crew to see the [[universe]] and wonders if it is always like this. He jokes that it is if she's lucky. He finally opens the doors with his [[the Doctor's sonic screwdriver|sonic screwdriver]], revealing the TARDIS, and reassuring Cass that it's [[Dimensional transcendence|bigger on the inside]]. Cass is horrified, correctly identifying the police box to be a [[TARDIS]]. With contempt and hurt laced in her voice, Cass recoils from the Doctor and orders him not to touch her. She realises that the Doctor is a [[Time Lord]], a [[species]] taking part in the [[Last Great Time War|Time War]]. The Doctor counters that he hasn't participated in the conflict and that he's one of the nice ones, but this fails to assuage Cass. When he points out that at least he's not a [[Dalek]], she bitterly replies that one can hardly tell the difference anymore, and promptly [[Deadlock seal|locks]] herself on the other side of the door. Although the Doctor states that he won't leave the ship without her, Cass replies that she doesn't mind; she would rather die than travel with a Time Lord, and that him dying is the "best news all day" (unaware he would regenerate later on). The Doctor helplessly pleads with her while pounding on the door in a desperate terror, until time runs out and the spacecraft smashes into a nearby world with a savage explosion, claiming both their lives.
 
[[File:OhilaAndSisters.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ohila]] and her [[Sisterhood of Karn|sisters]] see the Doctor crash on [[Karn]].]]
The ship had crashed on the planet [[Karn]], where the [[Sisterhood of Karn]] have been expecting the Doctor. An elderly woman comments that the man who is destined to save them has at last arrived. She remarks that the Sisterhood always knew in their bones that the Doctor would come back to this planet someday but pities the nature of his arrival – slain before his time.
 
Inside a cave, the Doctor rests against an altar, before he suddenly awakens with a jolt and calls out for Cass. The woman, named [[Ohila]], explains that the sisters are still trying to extract who she believes to be his companion from the wreckage. The Doctor corrects her, explaining that Cass wasn't his companion. Regardless, Ohila predicts Cass in all likelihood to be dead. The Doctor questions this, as he points out that he survived. Ohila then explains that the Doctor did, in fact, die in the crash. The Sisterhood restored him to life temporarily with the [[Elixir of Life]] after they recovered his body, giving him only four minutes to live. The Doctor sarcastically comments that four minutes is "ages", stating that he might get bored. Remaining stern, Ohila replies that he should spend the little breath he has left more wisely. The Doctor suddenly realises that he is back on Karn, and recognises the women gathered around him to be the Sisterhood. He mockingly calls them "The Keepers of the Flame of Utter Boredom." Ohila corrects him with "Eternal Life" and dryly replies that he can mock them if he likes, before explaining that their Elixir can trigger his regeneration and help him fully return from the dead. She also explains that using an Elixir to trigger the regenerative process would allow the Doctor to choose which traits his next incarnation will possess, rather than have it be a random change. Several members of the Sisterhood step forward, holding different chalices filled with Elixir.
[[File:Eighth Doctor holds bandolier.jpg|thumb|right|The Doctor loses the will to keep his namesake.]]
 
The Doctor asks why the Sisterhood would help him, recalling that the Sisterhood was never grateful of his past help. Ohila explains that the Time War threatens all reality and that the Doctor is the only hope left. The Doctor resists the idea of taking any part in the war, claiming that he is comfortable with just trying to help out where he can. Reminding him of why he calls himself "Doctor", Ohila orders him to attend to Cass. Cass's body is then brought forward, the Doctor scanning her with his sonic screwdriver, and Ohila states that she is beyond even the Sisterhood's help. The Doctor, saddened, comments that Cass wanted to explore the universe, and he could have saved her but she wouldn't listen to him, but Ohila scolds him by answering that Cass was wiser than him; she understood that even if she went with the Doctor there could be no running from the Time War, as it will soon rip the entire universe apart if it doesn't end soon. The Doctor bitterly states he would rather die than take part in the war, prompting Ohila to remind him that "you're dead already; how many more will you let join you?" She pleads to the Doctor whether he would let the Universe fall.


[[File:Night_of_the_Doctor_3.jpg|thumb|The Eighth Doctor regenerates.]]The ship crashes on the planet [[Karn]], where the [[Sisterhood of Karn]] have been expecting the Doctor. Finding his dead body in the wreckage, they bring him back to life using the [[Elixir of Life]], albeit briefly. As he regains consciousness, the woman named [[Ohila]] tells him he has four minutes to live. Her cult has several potions which can begin a Time Lord's [[regeneration]] process. They say they have perfected Time Lord science, and the potions will allow him to determine what his new incarnation will be like. The Doctor soon comes to recognise the Cult as the Sisterhood of Karn, which they confirm. They tell the Doctor he is the only hope to stop the Time War, stating that all of reality is at threat. The Doctor resists the idea of fighting. They state that since he is a doctor, he should attend his patient. They bring in Cass, who appears to have died from the crash. They say she is beyond even their healing powers. The Doctor grieves that she wanted to see the universe. Ohila claims that she didn't miss much. She tells him that he is part of the Time War already, like it or not. He says he would rather die than join the Time War, to which Ohila brings up that he is already dead. Many more could die if he does not become part of the war.
[[File:Young War Doctor Reflection.jpg|thumb|left|"[[War Doctor|Doctor No More]]"]]


[[File:Night of the Doctor 5.jpg|thumb|left|[[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|"Doctor no more."]]]]
Succumbing to Ohila's persuasion, the Doctor concedes that the universe does not need a Doctor anymore. He removes a [[bandolier]] from Cass's body and tells Ohila to make him a [[warrior]]. Ohila offers one of the chalices of Elixir, which she claims to have developed herself. The Doctor takes the chalice and, horribly conflicted about what he is about to do, bellows at the Sisterhood to get out of the room. As they leave, the Doctor asks if the regeneration will hurt. Ohila simply replies "Yes", to which the Doctor grimly says "Good." Now alone, the Doctor raises the chalice and pays tribute to some of his past companions. He then apologises to Cass. Despairingly, he utters his last words, quoted from the book of Luke in the Bible "Physician, heal thyself," and drinks the Elixir. He drops the empty chalice as the regenerative process begins, and eventually falls to the ground in agony, gasping out his last breaths. Afterwards, Ohila returns to see if the regeneration has been successful.
Succumbing to their persuasion, the Doctor takes hold of a strap he took from Cass. He tells them to, "Make me a warrior now". Ohila offers one of the drinks which she developed herself. The Doctor takes it, and yells at them all to get out. As they leave, he asks if it will hurt. Ohila simply replies "Yes." The Doctor is glad. He salutes his eighth incarnation's companions and friends, and apologises to Cass. He drinks the potion and begins to regenerate into his [[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|next incarnation]]. Ohila wonders if it works, as the new incarnation gets to his feet, buckles on the strap and claims "Doctor No More."
 
The new Doctor stands and sympathetically puts his hand to Cass's face. He then grabs Cass's bandolier and buckles it across his chest and stares adamantly ahead at the glistening surface of a rock wall, glancing at his [[War Doctor|new reflection]] as he declares himself, "Doctor no more."


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Eighth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Paul McGann]]
* [[Eighth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Paul McGann]]
* [[Cass (The Night of the Doctor)|Cass]] - [[Emma Campbell-Jones]]
* [[Cass Fermazzi|Cass]] - [[Emma Campbell-Jones]]
* [[Ohila]] - [[Clare Higgins]]
* [[Ohila]] - [[Clare Higgins]]
* [[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|The War Doctor]]- [[John Hurt]]
: and introducing [[John Hurt]] as the [[War Doctor]]
 
=== Uncredited cast ===
* The War Doctor (non-face shots) - Paul McGann<ref name=":0">http://twitter.com/ohmissjones/status/447565901265924096</ref>


== Crew ==
== Crew ==
* [[Writer]] - [[Steven Moffat]]
* [[Writer]] - [[Steven Moffat]]
* [[Director]] - [[John Hayes]]
* [[Director (crew)|Director]] - [[John Hayes]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Denise Paul]]
* [[Producer]] - [[Denise Paul]]


== References ==
=== Uncredited crew ===
* The Eighth Doctor's last words, "Physician, heal thyself", quote the proverb found in Luke 4:23 of the [[Bible]].
* [[Costume Designer]] - [[Howard Burden]]<ref>[[DWMSE 38]]</ref>
* [[Make-up artist|Make-up Artist]] - [[Kathryn Newsome]]<ref>https://twitter.com/WhoSFX/status/533586399329812480</ref>
* [[Visual effects designer|Visual Effects Designer]] - [[Tamsie Thomas]]<ref name="VFX designer">https://twitter.com/WhoSFX/status/533583108877324288</ref>
 
== Worldbuilding ==
* The [[Eighth Doctor]] mocks his imminent [[death]], stating he might get bored waiting for four minutes and need a [[television]], [[book]]s, [[chess]], and [[knitting]].
* The Doctor's last words are from Luke 4:23 of the Bible. Luke was a doctor.


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
* Paul McGann is not wearing the costume used in [[Big Finish Productions]] which was first seen on the cover and publicity material for [[Dark Eyes (audio anthology)|Dark Eyes]] audio anthology. Instead, he is wearing clothing similar to his original attire while sporting the short haircut from his more recent appearances, with a more disheveled appearance and a different coloured, loosely-worn cravat. It is possible this was done to avoid confusing audiences who only identified with his telemovie appearance. Additionally, the [[sonic screwdriver]] he is using is his original one last seen in use during his [[Seventh Doctor|seventh incarnation]], and not the new one he began to use by the time of [[AUDIO]]: ''[[Dark Eyes]]''.
* The opening credits give only the name of the episode, and the name of the actor playing the Doctor, and omit the series name.
* This is the first time in which the revived series has directly referenced original characters from the [[Big Finish]] audio dramas.
* This was the debut performance for [[Clare Higgins]] as [[Ohila]]. Her first line in the role was: "And here he is at last. The man to end it all. My sisters, the Doctor has returned to Karn. We have always known in our bones that one day he would return here."
* The Doctor is told he has a little under four minutes left at approximately the 3-minute mark, with 4 minutes left to the minisode.
* The Eighth Doctor's costume here, designed by [[Howard Burden]], is unique and is based on the Doctor's costume from the TV movie.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/doctorwho/articles/Steven-Moffat-on-The-Night-Of-The-Doctor |title=Stephen Moffat on ''The Night of the Doctor'' |date of source=14 November 2013 |website name=BBC ''Doctor Who'' website |accessdate=15 November 2013}}</ref> Paul McGann has cited his costume from this story as his favourite of the Eighth Doctor costumes he has worn.<ref>https://youtu.be/-L3_6WwAzFI?t=16m9s</ref>
* The Doctor mentions his companions [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley]], [[C'rizz]], [[Lucie Miller|Lucie]], [[Tamsin Drew|Tasmin]] and [[Molly O'Sullivan|Molly]], all from Big Finish audio productions, marking the first time any have been referenced on film.
* The Doctor mentions his companions [[Charlotte Pollard|Charley]], [[C'rizz]], [[Lucie Miller|Lucie]], [[Tamsin Drew|Tamsin]] and [[Molly O'Sullivan|Molly]], all from Big Finish audio productions. This marks the first direct reference to the Big Finish audio dramas in the TV series.
* The [[British Broadcasting Corporation|BBC]] initially promoted this episode with the teaser that the audience would be shown either the [[Tenth Doctor]], [[Eleventh Doctor]], or the new [[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|unspecified incarnation]]. While this was indeed true, as it did feature the unspecified incarnation, it was a red herring to hide the surprise return of Paul McGann as the [[Eighth Doctor]], and to lead into the secondary reveal of the [[The Doctor (The Name of the Doctor)|true ninth incarnation]]. This was proudly jabbed at by the Eighth Doctor's line, "I'm a doctor, but probably not the one you were expecting."
* The [[BBC]] initially promoted this episode with the teaser that it would feature either the [[Tenth Doctor]], [[Eleventh Doctor]], or the [[War Doctor]]. While it did feature the War Doctor briefly, it was mainly used as a red herring to hide the surprise return of Paul McGann as the [[Eighth Doctor]].
* Paul McGann spent several months on his Twitter account bombarded with questions from eager fans of the 50th anniversary special asking of his involvement. Paul consistently denied these claims, and instead said that he hoped to be in the sixtieth anniversary, eventually posting a picture of St Paul's Cathedral to mock the incessant tweets. Surely enough, Paul's involvement was concentrated to this minisode, and not the 50th itself, and he had been only telling the partial truth.
* Unusually, the credits use the form "Introducing John Hurt as..." even though the same style of credit was used for him in [[TV]]: ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]''. Such credits are usually used only once. This is, however, the first time Hurt's character is referred to as the War Doctor.
* This webcast was released online on the 14 of november 2013, on McGann's 54th birthday.
* This story introduces the idea that the [[Time Lord]]s had become collectively hated during the Time War by the individuals who had suffered from their actions. The Doctor's conflict with his own people over the issue is also made apparent.
* The phrase "no more" appeared in the 50th-anniversary #SaveTheDay trailer, scrawled onto a girder. The meaning of the phrase was obscure prior to the release of this short, which gave some context for the words in its closing seconds. However, the true meaning of the words was explained in the 50th anniversary special itself.
* Paul McGann's reprisal of the role of the Eighth Doctor, seventeen years after his debut, parallels a visibly older [[Sylvester McCoy]]'s exit from the series as the [[Seventh Doctor]] to hand over the role to McGann himself. McCoy reappeared for one final outing as the Seventh Doctor in the [[Doctor Who (TV story)|1996 TV movie]], after his last on-screen adventure in [[1989]].
* By depicting the regeneration of the Eighth Doctor into the War Doctor, ''The Night of the Doctor'' abolishes the long-speculated idea that the Eighth Doctor eventually fought in the Time War and would regenerate into the [[Ninth Doctor]] portrayed by [[Christopher Eccleston]]. Years earlier, conditions imposed by [[Russell T Davies]] and the BBC on how it could be done (namely over having the Ninth Doctor with any other companion but Rose) led to the abandonment of ''[[Doctor Who Magazine]]''{{'}}s plan to depict the regeneration from the [[Eighth Doctor]] to the Ninth Doctor at the conclusion of ''[[The Flood (comic story)|The Flood]]''.
* According to Emma Campbell-Jones, Paul McGann played the War Doctor in the scene where he takes Cass's bandolier after the regeneration. This technically makes McGann the second actor to play two incarnations of the Doctor, since Sylvester McCoy played the [[Sixth Doctor]] for the regeneration sequence in ''[[Time and the Rani (TV story)|Time and the Rani]]''.<ref name=":0">http://twitter.com/ohmissjones/status/447565901265924096</ref>
* This is the second televised regeneration story not to feature any scenes inside the TARDIS, following [[TV]]: ''[[Planet of the Spiders (TV story)|Planet of the Spiders]].''
 
=== Rumours ===
* When the episode was first released, there was speculation among fans that the Eighth Doctor had not actually regenerated into the War Doctor and had instead regenerated into the [[Ninth Doctor]] off-screen, leaving the identity of the War Doctor still ambiguous. This was ultimately proven false by the events of ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''.
* As with ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'', there was continued speculation that the War Doctor was an incarnation existing prior to that of the [[First Doctor]]. This would also be rendered inaccurate by ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''. However, the existence of previous incarnations existing prior to the First Doctor would go on to become a plot point of ''[[Fugitive of the Judoon (TV story)|Fugitive of the Judoon]]'' and ''[[The Timeless Children (TV story)|The Timeless Children]]''.


== Production errors ==
=== Production errors ===
* Before the Doctor arrives on the ship, you can see the St John's Ambulance logo on the TARDIS. When you see the TARDIS parked (when the Doctor was going to take Cass), the logo is gone.
* The [[St John's Ambulance]] logo is visible on the [[SFX]] shot of [[the TARDIS]] as it chases after Cass' ship, but isn't there when the [[practical effect|practical]] TARDIS prop is seen. The SFX TARDIS appears to be the one used for the [[Matt Smith]] era onward, but the actual prop for the Eighth Doctor's TARDIS is the heavily battle-damaged TARDIS used by the War Doctor in ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]''.


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Eighth Doctor's last visit to Karn was in [[AUDIO]]: ''[[The Vengeance of Morbius]]''.
* The Sisterhood of Karn also used the Elixir of Life to heal the [[Fourth Doctor]] and were also at that time in the habit of causing ships too close to Karn to crash. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]'')
* Since making his decision about the war in [[PROSE]]: ''[[Museum Peace]]'', the Doctor has decided not to fight but help out where he can.
* Shortly after his regeneration, the Eighth Doctor took a [[Wild Bill Hickok]] costume for a New Year's Day party from a staff locker in [[Walker General Hospital]]. As he began to dress himself, he explicitly left the gun belt in the locker because he did not like to carry firearms. Here, he does the exact opposite when he claims Cass's [[bandolier]] as part of his outfit following his regeneration into the War Doctor. ([[TV]]: ''[[Doctor Who (TV story)|Doctor Who]]'')
* The Sisterhood of Karn last appeared onscreen in the [[Fourth Doctor]] story [[TV]]: ''[[The Brain of Morbius (TV story)|The Brain of Morbius]]''.
* The [[Second Doctor]] was also presented with potential options for his new incarnation prior to his [[forced regeneration]] before his [[Exile on Earth|exile to Earth]]. Like the Eighth Doctor, he rejected the options presented to him. ([[TV]]: ''[[The War Games (TV story)|The War Games]]'')
* Cass is shown wearing the bandolier that the Time War incarnation of the Doctor would don as part of his attire. The Eighth Doctor is shown to pick it up and strap it across his chest upon regenerating.
* Ohila reiterates that the outcome of regeneration is usually random. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot (TV story)|Robot]]'', ''[[Castrovalva (TV story)|Castrovalva]], [[The Caves of Androzani (TV story)|The Caves of Androzani]],'' ''[[Time and the Rani (TV story)|Time and the Rani]]'', ''[[The Parting of the Ways (TV story)|The Parting of the Ways]]'')
* The [[Eleventh Doctor]] turns a blind eye and [[Retirement|retires]] after losing [[Amy Pond|Amy]] and [[Rory Williams|Rory]], ([[TV]]: ''[[The Angels Take Manhattan (TV story)|The Angels take Manhatten]]'') and after being used by the [[Dalek Time Controller]]; ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Dalek Generation (novel)|The Dalek Generation]]'') a rash error which nearly lends victory to the [[Great Intelligence]], only defeating him thanks to [[Clara Oswin Oswald]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Snowmen (TV story)|The Snowmen]]'')
 
== Home video releases ==
[[File:The Day of the Doctor UK DVD Cover.jpg|thumb|The Day of the Doctor DVD Cover]]
 
=== DVD and Blu-Ray ===
* ''The Night of the Doctor'' was included on both the DVD and Blu-ray releases of ''[[The Day of the Doctor (TV story)|The Day of the Doctor]]'', and on the DVD and Blu-ray releases of ''[[The Name of the Doctor (TV story)|The Name of the Doctor]]'' in the [[50th Anniversary Collector's Edition]].
* The short was also included on the Blu-ray version of [[Doctor Who (TV story)|the TV movie]], released on [[19 September (releases)|19 September]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]] in the UK. It is the only HD content on the disc presented in true high-definition - all other content, including the film itself, is upscaled from standard definition.
 
=== Digital releases ===
 
* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]] as part of Series 7.
 
== External links ==
{{chakoteya|8Doctor/34-05.html|The Night of the Doctor}}


==Footnotes==
== Footnotes ==
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[[Category:2013 television stories]]
[[Category:Stories set in the Last Great Time War]]
[[Category:War Doctor television stories]]
[[Category:Doctor Who (2005) television stories]]
[[Category:Television stories that use Murray Gold's 4th main theme]]
[[Category:Stories with unique variations of the Doctor Who opening titles]]
[[Category:An Introduction To The Eighth Doctor television stories]]
 
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Latest revision as of 02:51, 23 March 2024

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The Night of the Doctor was a mini-episode of Doctor Who to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the series.

Initially made available on the BBC iPlayer and YouTube channel on 14 November 2013, The Night of the Doctor was subsequently made available to UK viewers on the BBC Red Button, from Saturday 16 November. It was meant to be released days later but was released early to avoid an impending leak.[1] Incidentally, this meant that the mini-episode premiered on Paul McGann's own 54th birthday, resulting in another anniversary celebration of sorts, in the wake of one for Doctor Who itself. Since it was recorded alongside the last two days of production on the anniversary, it shared the production block with The Day of the Doctor.

It marked Paul McGann's first on-screen, live-action appearance as the Eighth Doctor since the 1996 TV movie.[2] It is the only BBC Wales production that stars the Doctor, but never shows the current incarnation. Instead it showed the origin of a retroactively introduced incarnation from the Doctor's past – the War Doctor, portrayed by John Hurt.

It saw the return of the Sisterhood of Karn, last seen in 1976's The Brain of Morbius. This was also the first appearance of Clare Higgins as Ohila, a woman in the Sisterhood who had a history with the Doctor.

The episode, along with having Paul McGann reprise his role as the Eighth Doctor on screen also shows the Eighth Doctor's regeneration into the War Doctor; uniquely making Paul McGann the only actor for the Doctor to have physically acted in the role only in stories involving the Doctor regenerating, this fact still holding true through to his third physical appearance as a manifestation of the Doctor's past incarnations in The Power of the Doctor, the Thirteenth Doctor's regeneration story, in 2022.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Still trying to skirt around the edges of the Last Great Time War, the Eighth Doctor is forced to fully join the conflict by the mysterious Sisterhood of Karn. Killed while trying to save a woman who hates him simply for being a Time Lord, the Doctor gets to choose what his next incarnation will be like. He arranges for a warrior... but makes the darkest sacrifice of his life in order to be reborn.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Eighth Doctor arrives to rescue Cass Fermazzi from a crashing gunship.

Cass Fermazzi is piloting a damaged spaceship on the verge of crashing. The ship's computer offers to call for a "doctor" upon being asked for support, to which Cass responds that she doesn't need one because she's not injured. Meanwhile, the Doctor's TARDIS is seen catching up to her ship. Inside, Cass continues to tell the ship that she is trying to send a distress call, and doesn't need a doctor. The Eighth Doctor suddenly appears behind her, stating "I'm a doctor, but probably not the one you were expecting."

Cass refuses to be rescued by a Time Lord.

When the Doctor notices that the ship's crew is missing and wonders why Cass is still aboard, she explains that she teleported the crew off the ship and stayed behind. The Doctor then smiles and welcomes her aboard, and takes her hand as he leads her to the TARDIS. As he is trying to open the doors to the room where the TARDIS is parked, Cass says she joined the crew to see the universe and wonders if it is always like this. He jokes that it is if she's lucky. He finally opens the doors with his sonic screwdriver, revealing the TARDIS, and reassuring Cass that it's bigger on the inside. Cass is horrified, correctly identifying the police box to be a TARDIS. With contempt and hurt laced in her voice, Cass recoils from the Doctor and orders him not to touch her. She realises that the Doctor is a Time Lord, a species taking part in the Time War. The Doctor counters that he hasn't participated in the conflict and that he's one of the nice ones, but this fails to assuage Cass. When he points out that at least he's not a Dalek, she bitterly replies that one can hardly tell the difference anymore, and promptly locks herself on the other side of the door. Although the Doctor states that he won't leave the ship without her, Cass replies that she doesn't mind; she would rather die than travel with a Time Lord, and that him dying is the "best news all day" (unaware he would regenerate later on). The Doctor helplessly pleads with her while pounding on the door in a desperate terror, until time runs out and the spacecraft smashes into a nearby world with a savage explosion, claiming both their lives.

Ohila and her sisters see the Doctor crash on Karn.

The ship had crashed on the planet Karn, where the Sisterhood of Karn have been expecting the Doctor. An elderly woman comments that the man who is destined to save them has at last arrived. She remarks that the Sisterhood always knew in their bones that the Doctor would come back to this planet someday but pities the nature of his arrival – slain before his time.

Inside a cave, the Doctor rests against an altar, before he suddenly awakens with a jolt and calls out for Cass. The woman, named Ohila, explains that the sisters are still trying to extract who she believes to be his companion from the wreckage. The Doctor corrects her, explaining that Cass wasn't his companion. Regardless, Ohila predicts Cass in all likelihood to be dead. The Doctor questions this, as he points out that he survived. Ohila then explains that the Doctor did, in fact, die in the crash. The Sisterhood restored him to life temporarily with the Elixir of Life after they recovered his body, giving him only four minutes to live. The Doctor sarcastically comments that four minutes is "ages", stating that he might get bored. Remaining stern, Ohila replies that he should spend the little breath he has left more wisely. The Doctor suddenly realises that he is back on Karn, and recognises the women gathered around him to be the Sisterhood. He mockingly calls them "The Keepers of the Flame of Utter Boredom." Ohila corrects him with "Eternal Life" and dryly replies that he can mock them if he likes, before explaining that their Elixir can trigger his regeneration and help him fully return from the dead. She also explains that using an Elixir to trigger the regenerative process would allow the Doctor to choose which traits his next incarnation will possess, rather than have it be a random change. Several members of the Sisterhood step forward, holding different chalices filled with Elixir.

The Doctor loses the will to keep his namesake.

The Doctor asks why the Sisterhood would help him, recalling that the Sisterhood was never grateful of his past help. Ohila explains that the Time War threatens all reality and that the Doctor is the only hope left. The Doctor resists the idea of taking any part in the war, claiming that he is comfortable with just trying to help out where he can. Reminding him of why he calls himself "Doctor", Ohila orders him to attend to Cass. Cass's body is then brought forward, the Doctor scanning her with his sonic screwdriver, and Ohila states that she is beyond even the Sisterhood's help. The Doctor, saddened, comments that Cass wanted to explore the universe, and he could have saved her but she wouldn't listen to him, but Ohila scolds him by answering that Cass was wiser than him; she understood that even if she went with the Doctor there could be no running from the Time War, as it will soon rip the entire universe apart if it doesn't end soon. The Doctor bitterly states he would rather die than take part in the war, prompting Ohila to remind him that "you're dead already; how many more will you let join you?" She pleads to the Doctor whether he would let the Universe fall.

Succumbing to Ohila's persuasion, the Doctor concedes that the universe does not need a Doctor anymore. He removes a bandolier from Cass's body and tells Ohila to make him a warrior. Ohila offers one of the chalices of Elixir, which she claims to have developed herself. The Doctor takes the chalice and, horribly conflicted about what he is about to do, bellows at the Sisterhood to get out of the room. As they leave, the Doctor asks if the regeneration will hurt. Ohila simply replies "Yes", to which the Doctor grimly says "Good." Now alone, the Doctor raises the chalice and pays tribute to some of his past companions. He then apologises to Cass. Despairingly, he utters his last words, quoted from the book of Luke in the Bible "Physician, heal thyself," and drinks the Elixir. He drops the empty chalice as the regenerative process begins, and eventually falls to the ground in agony, gasping out his last breaths. Afterwards, Ohila returns to see if the regeneration has been successful.

The new Doctor stands and sympathetically puts his hand to Cass's face. He then grabs Cass's bandolier and buckles it across his chest and stares adamantly ahead at the glistening surface of a rock wall, glancing at his new reflection as he declares himself, "Doctor no more."

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

and introducing John Hurt as the War Doctor

Uncredited cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The War Doctor (non-face shots) - Paul McGann[3]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Uncredited crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Story notes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The opening credits give only the name of the episode, and the name of the actor playing the Doctor, and omit the series name.
  • This was the debut performance for Clare Higgins as Ohila. Her first line in the role was: "And here he is at last. The man to end it all. My sisters, the Doctor has returned to Karn. We have always known in our bones that one day he would return here."
  • The Eighth Doctor's costume here, designed by Howard Burden, is unique and is based on the Doctor's costume from the TV movie.[7] Paul McGann has cited his costume from this story as his favourite of the Eighth Doctor costumes he has worn.[8]
  • The Doctor mentions his companions Charley, C'rizz, Lucie, Tamsin and Molly, all from Big Finish audio productions. This marks the first direct reference to the Big Finish audio dramas in the TV series.
  • The BBC initially promoted this episode with the teaser that it would feature either the Tenth Doctor, Eleventh Doctor, or the War Doctor. While it did feature the War Doctor briefly, it was mainly used as a red herring to hide the surprise return of Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor.
  • Unusually, the credits use the form "Introducing John Hurt as..." even though the same style of credit was used for him in TV: The Name of the Doctor. Such credits are usually used only once. This is, however, the first time Hurt's character is referred to as the War Doctor.
  • This story introduces the idea that the Time Lords had become collectively hated during the Time War by the individuals who had suffered from their actions. The Doctor's conflict with his own people over the issue is also made apparent.
  • The phrase "no more" appeared in the 50th-anniversary #SaveTheDay trailer, scrawled onto a girder. The meaning of the phrase was obscure prior to the release of this short, which gave some context for the words in its closing seconds. However, the true meaning of the words was explained in the 50th anniversary special itself.
  • Paul McGann's reprisal of the role of the Eighth Doctor, seventeen years after his debut, parallels a visibly older Sylvester McCoy's exit from the series as the Seventh Doctor to hand over the role to McGann himself. McCoy reappeared for one final outing as the Seventh Doctor in the 1996 TV movie, after his last on-screen adventure in 1989.
  • By depicting the regeneration of the Eighth Doctor into the War Doctor, The Night of the Doctor abolishes the long-speculated idea that the Eighth Doctor eventually fought in the Time War and would regenerate into the Ninth Doctor portrayed by Christopher Eccleston. Years earlier, conditions imposed by Russell T Davies and the BBC on how it could be done (namely over having the Ninth Doctor with any other companion but Rose) led to the abandonment of Doctor Who Magazine's plan to depict the regeneration from the Eighth Doctor to the Ninth Doctor at the conclusion of The Flood.
  • According to Emma Campbell-Jones, Paul McGann played the War Doctor in the scene where he takes Cass's bandolier after the regeneration. This technically makes McGann the second actor to play two incarnations of the Doctor, since Sylvester McCoy played the Sixth Doctor for the regeneration sequence in Time and the Rani.[3]
  • This is the second televised regeneration story not to feature any scenes inside the TARDIS, following TV: Planet of the Spiders.

Rumours[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • When the episode was first released, there was speculation among fans that the Eighth Doctor had not actually regenerated into the War Doctor and had instead regenerated into the Ninth Doctor off-screen, leaving the identity of the War Doctor still ambiguous. This was ultimately proven false by the events of The Day of the Doctor.
  • As with The Name of the Doctor, there was continued speculation that the War Doctor was an incarnation existing prior to that of the First Doctor. This would also be rendered inaccurate by The Day of the Doctor. However, the existence of previous incarnations existing prior to the First Doctor would go on to become a plot point of Fugitive of the Judoon and The Timeless Children.

Production errors[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The St John's Ambulance logo is visible on the SFX shot of the TARDIS as it chases after Cass' ship, but isn't there when the practical TARDIS prop is seen. The SFX TARDIS appears to be the one used for the Matt Smith era onward, but the actual prop for the Eighth Doctor's TARDIS is the heavily battle-damaged TARDIS used by the War Doctor in The Day of the Doctor.

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

Home video releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

The Day of the Doctor DVD Cover

DVD and Blu-Ray[[edit] | [edit source]]

Digital releases[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • In the United Kingdom, this story is available on BBC iPlayer as part of Series 7.

External links[[edit] | [edit source]]

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]

  1. Paul McGann: we were forced to release The Night of the Doctor early. Radio Times. Radio Times (18 November 2013). Archived from the original on 21 November 2023. Retrieved on 21 November 2013.
  2. However, McGann did voice the Eighth Doctor in the animated version of Shada released in 2003 and numerous audio dramas.
  3. 3.0 3.1 http://twitter.com/ohmissjones/status/447565901265924096
  4. DWMSE 38
  5. https://twitter.com/WhoSFX/status/533586399329812480
  6. https://twitter.com/WhoSFX/status/533583108877324288
  7. Stephen Moffat on The Night of the Doctor. BBC Doctor Who website (14 November 2013). Retrieved on 15 November 2013.
  8. https://youtu.be/-L3_6WwAzFI?t=16m9s