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{{Infobox Story
{{ImageLinkTV}}
|name            ={{StoryTitle}}
{{Infobox Story SMW
|image          =The Woman Who Lived.jpg
|image          = The Woman Who Lived.jpg
|series          = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|series          = [[Doctor Who television stories|''Doctor Who'' television stories]]
|season number  = [[Series 9 (Doctor Who)|9]]
|season number  = Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)
|story number    = 256
|series episode number = 6
|story number    = 257
|novelisation    = The Woman Who Lived (novelisation)
|scripturl      = https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/documents/doctor-who-9-episode-6-the-woman-who-lived-shooting-script-230315.pdf
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|doctor          = Twelfth Doctor
|companions      =
|featuring      = [[Ashildr|Me]], [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|featuring      = [[Ashildr|Lady Me]], [[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|enemy          = [[Leandro]]
|enemy          = [[Leandro]]
|setting        = [[London]], [[England]], [[1651]]
|setting        = [[London]], [[1651]]
|writer          = [[Catherine Tregenna]]
|writer          = Catherine Tregenna
|director        = [[Ed Bazalgette]]
|director        = [[Ed Bazalgette]]
|producer        = [[Derek Ritchie]]
|producer        = [[Derek Ritchie]]
|broadcast date  = [[24 October (releases)|24 October]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]]
|broadcast date  = 24 October 2015
|network        = [[BBC One]]
|network        = BBC One
|format          = 1x45 minute episode
|format          = 1x45 minute episode
|production code =
|prev            = The Girl Who Died (TV story)
|prev            =The Girl Who Died
|next            = The Zygon Invasion (TV story)
|next            =TBA
|trailer        = The Woman Who Lived Trailer - Series 9 Episode 6 - Doctor Who - BBC
|made prev      =The Girl Who Died
|trailer2        = The Woman Who Lived Next Time Trailer - Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 6 (2015) - BBC One
|made next      =TBA
|clip            = Who is Ashildr? - The Woman Who Lived Preview - Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 5 (2015) - BBC
|clip            =
|clip2          = Ashildr 800 Years Of Adventure - The Woman Who Lived - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip2          =
|clip3          = The Doctor & Ashildr Save The Day - The Woman Who Lived - Doctor Who - BBC
|clip3          =  
|bts            = Introduction to The Woman Who Lived - Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 6 (2015) - BBC One
|bts            =
|bts2            = Steven Moffat's teaser to The Woman Who Lived - Doctor Who Series 9 Episode 6 (2015) - BBC One
|bts2            =
|bts3            =  
|bts3            =
|featuring2      =  
|trailer        =  
|featuring10=[[Clara Oswald|Clara]]
|trailer2        =  
}}{{you may|The Woman Who Lived (The Zygon Isolation)|n1=the episode of Doctor Who that exists within the DWU}}
}}'''''{{StoryTitle}}''''' was the sixth episode of the [[series 9 (Doctor Who)|ninth series]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]'' produced by [[BBC Wales]]. It was the 100th story of ''Doctor Who'' since its revival in [[2005 (releases)|2005]]. It featured the return of [[Ashildr]], now going by the name "Me," after her introduction in the previous episode. The episode explored the darker aspects of [[immortality]] -- the relativity of time and the short period of others lives being a focus. Despite being a continuation of the story started in the [[The Girl Who Died (TV story)|previous story]], the stories were not a two-parter, having different writers, settings and tone.
'''''The Woman Who Lived''''' was the sixth episode of [[Series 9 (Doctor Who 2005)|series 9]] of ''[[Doctor Who]]''. It was the first episode to be written by a woman since ''[[The Poison Sky (TV story)|The Poison Sky]]'' in [[2008 (releases)|2008]].


Much like the Fourth Doctor adventure, The Deadly Assassin , the Doctor is without a true companion for this story; however, unlike that story, the Doctor was simply own his own due this companion being on a break from traveling, rather than being left behind in a previous story .
It continued Ashildr's arc after her introduction in the previous episode, ''[[The Girl Who Died (TV story)|The Girl Who Died]]'', and revealed she had her name changed to "Me". It also explored the darker aspects of [[immortality]], the relativity of time and the short period of human lives being key focuses.
 
The episode is one of the few notable [[Doctor-lite|companion-lite]] episodes, which feature the Doctor travelling with no companions or with his companion on a brief break. Other key examples are ''[[The Deadly Assassin (TV story)|The Deadly Assassin]]'' and ''[[Midnight (TV story)|Midnight]]''.


This story also has simularity to  The Unquiet Dead, which had aliens with hostile intentions lie to the Doctor and his allies about seeking peaceful refuge
== Synopsis ==
== Synopsis ==
[[England]], [[1651]]. The deadly Highwayman ‘[[Ashildr|The Knightmare]]’ and his sidekick stalk the dark streets of [[London]]. But when they find loot that’s not of this world, they come face to face with the Doctor. Who is the Knightmare in league with? And can the Doctor avoid the hangman’s noose and protect Earth from a devilish betrayal?
Adventuring on his own for a while, the Doctor seeks out an artefact of great power that could spell disaster in the wrong hands: the [[Eyes of Hades]].
 
However, he soon comes face to face with consequences of one of his past acts of compassion, when he meets an [[Ashildr|immortal]] he created, who has now lost all hope with a heart filled with centuries of pain.


== Plot ==
== Plot ==
''to be added''
In 17th century London, a [[stagecoach]] belonging to Mr [[Fanshawe (The Woman Who Lived)|Fanshawe]] and [[Lucie Fanshawe]] is travelling through the woods; it is stopped by a highwayman. The [[Coachman (The Woman Who Lived)|coachman]] recognises the rogue as the infamous outlaw: [[Ashildr|the Knightmare]]. The rogue manages to scare them into not resisting by revealing the glowing eyes of a "demon" in the forest behind him; the Knightmare tells them it's his accomplice.
 
Not too far away, [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] materialises and the [[Twelfth Doctor]] departs, holding a [[Curioscanner]].
 
Back to the robbery, the Knightmare demands something specific of Mrs Fanshawe; she seems to know what the rogue wants. However, at that moment, the Doctor enters the carriage; he greets everyone in passing, saying he is tracking something. The Knightmare, annoyed, tells the Doctor that he's in the middle of a robbery. The Doctor says he wasn't paying attention and asks for the robber to repeat himself.
 
However, the Doctor ignores him again, going on to say, "Usually, [[Clara Oswald|someone]] hits me at this point, but she's taking the Year 7s for [[tae kwon do]]." The Doctor's scanner leads him to a case on the back of the carriage, which the Knightmare attempts to stake a claim on. However, the carriage races off the moment they're both behind it. The Knightmare tells the Doctor that he's ruined his robbery; however, the Doctor tells "Zorro" that he bungled his.
 
With nothing else to do, the Knightmare unmasks, revealing himself to be [[Ashildr]], who can mimic a man's voice, thanks to years of practice. The Doctor is surprised to see her, but is more surprised that she has forgotten her original identity due to the centuries that have passed; Ashildr now calls herself "Me" as there is no one who can remember her now.
 
Ashildr takes the Doctor to her home, where she reluctantly agrees to let him help her steal the object they're both after from the Fanshawes; she now lives in a mansion thanks to hoarding treasure over the years. She vaguely informs the Doctor that she now has an accomplice, whose glowing yellow eyes watch the Doctor from the shadows. Ashildr repeatedly asks the Doctor to take her with him to see the universe, but is turned down; after all, it's a bad idea to keep company with yourself or in this case, someone too similar.
[[File:Ashildr at Agincourt.jpg|thumb|220x220px|One of Ashildr's flashbacks.]]
Ashildr reveals that she dislikes keeping company with other humans, as their lifespans are like smoke that can be blown away. However, the Doctor notes that she's tried to help humanity, even founding a leper colony; Ashildr points out that when she helped cure a village of scarlet fever, she was drowned as a witch by the small-minded people, but was able to swim away. The Doctor sees that Ashildr keeps several diaries, since her memory is still in its original human-limited form, thus keeping her from remembering everything that's happened. Ashildr asks the Doctor what it's like for a near-immortal like himself, to keep trudging through the centuries, losing all those who are important to him. The Doctor, seeing a foil to himself in the regard that he's lonely, explains about the pain; however, unlike Ashildr, he has come to live with it as living in isolation is much worse.
 
The Doctor takes time to read through one of Ashildr's diaries, where he learns that she attempted to have what any woman would want in a normal life: a husband and children. However, her immortality proved troublesome, as she returned years later to see an old, senile version of her beloved, and later lost children to the [[plague]]; the pain of these events was recorded, so she didn't have to keep reliving them through the centuries. However, the Doctor notices some pages were ripped out; there were some things Ashildr found too painful to remember. Outside, Ashildr takes to her accomplice, explaining that an alien like the Doctor would be useful in their plans.
 
Later, they break into the Fanshawe estate and find their prize: the [[Eyes of Hades]], a glowing purple jewel. Escaping, they accidentally awaken Mr Fanshawe, who looks for them in the wrong direction. Ashildr is ready to kill for her escape, but the Doctor convinces her to escape through the chimney; she is less than happy with the idea but complies and continues prodding the Doctor with questions. Escaping into the forest, they are surrounded by other highwaymen, led by the Knightmare's rival — [[Sam Swift|Sam Swift the Quick]]. Swift thinks the Doctor is the Knightmare's sidekick and father, which annoys the [[Time Lord]], who taunts the thief for the redundant title. Ashildr quickly disarms her rival, ready to kill Sam; she sees no point in his life anyway. However, the Doctor tells her not to, as it will make her an enemy of HIM; knowing what that means, Ashildr lowers the weapon in fear. Sam and his cronies flee.
 
Back at Ashildr's mansion, the Doctor wishes to meet her accomplice. He learns its a fire-breathing alien from [[Delta Leonis]] called [[Leandro]]. Ashildr and Leandro want to use the Eyes of Hades to open a portal to leave Earth, but it requires the life energy of someone to work. They considered using Ashildr's aged butler [[Clayton (The Woman Who Lived)|Clayton]], but soon learn Swift has been captured and will be hanged that day. Tying the Doctor up, Ashildr sees luck favouring her when authorities arrive to check on "Lady Me"; she claims the Doctor is the Knightmare's sidekick and leaves, asking the Doctor just be imprisoned due to his advanced age.
 
The Doctor tries passing himself off as an undercover officer from [[Scotland Yard]] but realises it hasn't been founded yet. Seeing Ashildr leave with Leandro in her carriage, the Doctor tells the guards that the Knightmare is escaping and that he wishes to go to the hanging. The guards inform him there's a 20-pound bounty on him, which is a treasure compared to their pay, so they'd rather not take him to be hanged. The Doctor tells them where they can find Lady Me's treasure; they let him go and give him a horse in exchange.
[[File:Sam Swift.jpg|left|thumb|180x180px|"As long as I keep you laughing, I still live."]]
At the hangman's noose, Swift is making jokes to buy himself a few more minutes; some of them are insulting but still funny. Leandro waits impatiently in Ashildr's carriage, yelling for Swift to hang already. The Doctor arrives, assisting with Swift's delay; Ashildr manages to overrule the comedy and get the hanging to begin. However, the Doctor uses his [[psychic paper]] to claim that Swift has been [[pardon]]ed by [[Oliver Cromwell]] himself, successfully ending the hanging. However, the crowd is impatient to see someone executed and Ashildr takes matters into her own hands with Swift noticing that she's familiar somehow. She places the Eyes of Hades on him. Leandro reveals himself, breathing fire in triumph.
 
A portal opens, revealing Leandro was an advanced scout for his people, the [[Leonian]]s, to invade Earth. To her own shock, Ashildr finds that she still cares; she asks the Doctor what she should do. The Doctor has Ashildr use the [[Mire]] [[repair kit]] he left with her on Swift, [[resurrection|resurrecting him]]; the excess of life energy causes the Eyes of Hades to backfire and closes the portal. Leandro is vaporised by his fellow warriors for his failure.
 
In a pub later, Ashildr wonders if Swift is now immortal like her. The Doctor guesses that the excess that would have caused this may have been burned out in the portal closing, but is unsure himself; just in case Swift is immortal, he asks Ashildr keep an eye on him. It's at that moment that Ashildr realises why the Doctor won't take her with him; it's because her viewpoint is too much like his own, and he needs someone who sees things differently. The Doctor mentions having travelled with another immortal named [[Jack Harkness|Captain Jack Harkness]], and that she may be running into him in the future. Ashildr then says she'll take the role most of the others that have met the Doctor have, protecting the world from his good intentions.
[[File:Ashildr in the picture.jpg|thumb|190x190px|The Doctor sees a familiar face hidden in Clara's picture.]]
Later, in the TARDIS, the Doctor is playing his electric guitar, deep in thought. [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] arrives, and the Doctor accepts her hug. Clara explains that the Doctor helping her student, [[Evie Hubbard]], with an "imaginary" interview with [[Winston Churchill]] paid off; Evie got an A. The Doctor looks at the selfie taken of Evie and Clara, taking notice that Ashildr is the background; he pretends nothing is wrong. Clara wonders where they're going, to which the Doctor says it's her choice; she asks for somewhere new and magical. After explaining there's nothing new and magical under the sun, the Doctor tells her that they'll be checking above it. Clara hugs him again, saying she's not going anywhere.


== Cast ==
== Cast ==
* [[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Twelfth Doctor|The Doctor]] - [[Peter Capaldi]]
* [[Clara Oswald]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]
* [[Clara Oswald|Clara]] - [[Jenna Coleman]]
* [[Ashildr|Me]]/The Knightmare/Ashildr - [[Maisie Williams]]
* [[Ashildr|Me]] - [[Maisie Williams]]
* [[Sam Swift]] - [[Rufus Hound]]
* [[Sam Swift]] - [[Rufus Hound]]
* [[Coachman (The Woman Who Lived)|Coachman]] - [[Gareth Berliner]]
* [[Coachman (The Woman Who Lived)|Coachman]] - [[Gareth Berliner]]
* [[Lucie Fanshawe]] - [[Elisabeth Hopper]]
* [[Lucie Fanshawe]] - [[Elisabeth Hopper]]
* [[Fanshawe|Mr Fanshawe]] - [[John Voce]]
* [[Fanshawe (The Woman Who Lived)|Mr Fanshawe]] - [[John Voce]]
* [[Clayton (The Woman Who Lived)|Clayton]] - [[Struan Rodger]]
* [[Clayton (The Woman Who Lived)|Clayton]] - [[Struan Rodger]]
* [[Lloyd Llewelyn]] - [[Gruffudd Glyn]]
* [[Lloyd Llewelyn|Pikeman Lloyd Llewelyn]] - [[Gruffudd Glyn]]
* [[Reuben Johnson]] - [[William Stout]]
* [[William Stout|Pikeman William Stout]] - [[Reuben Johnson]]
* [[Leandro]] - [[Ariyon Bakare]]
* [[Leandro]] - [[Ariyon Bakare]]
* Crowd - [[Daniel Fearn]], [[Karen Seacombe]]
* [[Baxter (The Woman Who Lived)|Crowd 1]] - [[Daniel Fearn]]
* [[Hangman (The Woman Who Lived)|Hangman]] - [[Johne Hales]]
* [[Meg Baxter|Crowd 2]] - [[Karen Seacombe]]
* Voice of [[Ashildr|the Knightmare]] - [[Will Brown]]
* [[Hangman (The Woman Who Lived)|Hangman]] - [[John Hales]]
* [[Ashildr|Voice of The Knightmare]] - [[Will Brown]]


== Crew ==
== Crew ==
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|ProductionCoOrdinator=Adam Knopf
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|PolecamOperator=
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|Grip=John Robinson
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|CameraAsst=Cai Thompson
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|CameraAsst2=Matthew Lepper
|CameraAsst3=Scott Waller
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|Gaffer=Mark Hutchings
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|BestBoy=Andrew Gardiner
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|Electrician2=
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|SupervisingArtDirector=Dafydd Shurmer
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|ProductionBuyer=Sarah Frere
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|PropsBuyer2=Vicki Male
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}}
}}


== References ==
== Worldbuilding ==
* The Doctor recalls traveling with [[Jack Harkness]], and suggests that Lady Me will run into him someday.
* The phrase "Stand and Deliver" is used by the highwayman.
* Ashildr states that life expectancy is 35 in [[1651]].
* Somewhere between the [[9th century]] and the [[17th century]], Ashildr founded a [[Leper|leper colony]], which the Doctor oversaw from afar.
* Ashildr mentions [[backgammon]].
* Ashildr once cured an entire village of [[scarlet fever]]; however, as a result, they attempted to [[drown]] her for being a [[witch]].
* The Doctor mentions he meant to warn Ashildr about the [[Bubonic plague|Black Death]] in [[1348]]. Ashildr lost her children due to it.
* Ashildr mentions [[Christendom]].
* The Doctor references [[Hades]], King of the [[Underworld]].
* Ashildr and the Doctor compare humans to [[mayflies]].
* The Doctor tries to get himself out of trouble by claiming he has the [[Dunbar victory]] medal. He is told to tell it to the [[Newgate Prison]] gaoler.
* [[A Tryal of Witches at the Assizes]] and [[Heaven's Speedie Hue and Cry]] posters are hanging on a wall at the Tyburn hanging.
* [[Ye Swan With Two Necks]] is visited.
* The Doctor mentions [[sherbet lemon]] and [[Ferrari]]s as potential good gifts.
 
=== Culture from the real world ===
* The Doctor refers to the Knightmare as [[Zorro]], and mockingly calls Leandro "[[Lenny the Lion]]".
* The Doctor plays a segment of the [[Pink Floyd]] song "[[Wish You Were Here]]" on his guitar.
 
=== Organisations ===
* The Doctor claims to be working undercover for [[Scotland Yard]], before wondering if it has been invented yet.
 
=== Individuals ===
* The Knightmare is known to be faster than [[Sam Swift|Sam Swift the Quick]] and deadlier than [[Dupont|Deadly Dupont]].
* The Doctor pardons Sam Swift with a fake message from [[Oliver Cromwell]].
* The Doctor refers to [[Jack Harkness]], his immortality, and the fact that the two travelled together.
 
=== Technology ===
* The Doctor uses a [[Curioscanner]].
* Mr Fanshawe has a [[blunderbuss]].
 
=== Food and drinks ===
* Ashildr drinks [[pomace wine]] when having time for herself.
 
=== Locations ===
* Ashildr mentions [[Kent]].
* Sam Swift was to be hanged in [[Tyburn]].
 
=== Species ===
* [[Leandro]] is from [[Delta Leonis]].
* The Doctor mentions that the [[Great Fire of London]] was caused by the [[Terileptil]]s


== Story notes ==
== Story notes ==
''to be added''
* This marks the first full-length [[Twelfth Doctor]] story to feature [[Clara Oswald]] in a lesser role, only appearing at the end.
* According to an interview with writer [[Catherine Tregenna]] in [[DWM 492]], the story is set in [[Hounslow]].
* Ashildr mentions that she fought at the Battle of Agincourt. The episode was first broadcast the day before St Crispin's Day, 25 October 2015 - the 600th anniversary of the battle.


=== Ratings ===
=== Ratings ===
''to be added''
* [[BBC One]] Overnight: 4.34 million
* [[BBC America]] Overnight: ''to be added''
* Final [[UK]] ratings: 6.11 million<ref>[http://guide.doctorwhonews.net/info.php?detail=ratings&type=date Ratings DW]</ref>


=== Filming locations ===
=== Filming locations ===
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=== Production errors ===
=== Production errors ===
{{Discontinuity}}
''to be added''
''to be added''


== Continuity ==
== Continuity ==
* The Doctor mentions how the [[Terileptil]]s started the [[Great Fire of London]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'')
* The Doctor mentions that the [[Terileptil]]s started "a [[Great Fire of London|big fire]] that tears through [[London]]". ([[TV]]: ''[[The Visitation (TV story)|The Visitation]]'')
* The Doctor also refers to [[Jack Harkness]] and his immortality. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Parting of the Ways (TV story)|The Parting of the Ways]]'', et al)
* Though not realising it at first, Me points out that the Doctor will only take on companions whose perspectives are different from his own. ([[HOMEVID]]: ''[[Meanwhile in the TARDIS (TV story)|Meanwhile in the TARDIS]]'')
* Clara wears her silver bird necklace from [[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]''.
* Clara wears her silver bird necklace. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Bells of Saint John (TV story)|The Bells of Saint John]]'')
* Clara isn't with the Doctor because she's taking her Year Seven students to [[taekwondo]]. Clara previously told the Doctor she was fine defending herself because she knew taekwondo from taking her Year Sevens to lessons. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Clara is not with the Doctor because she is taking her [[Coal Hill Year 7|Year Seven]] students to [[tae kwon do]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* The Doctor says he's against bantering. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Me still has the second [[Mire]] [[repair kit]], but uses it to save [[Sam Swift]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Died (TV story)|The Girl Who Died]]'')
* The Doctor, in an attempt to jog Ashildr's memory, mentions [[Einarr]], and how the Doctor called him "Chuckles", as well as the [[Viking]] village. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Girl Who Died (TV story)|The Girl Who Died]]'')
* The Doctor says he is on record as being against bantering. ([[TV]]: ''[[Robot of Sherwood (TV story)|Robot of Sherwood]]'')
* Me mentions being present at the [[Battle of Agincourt]]. The [[First Doctor]] and his companions [[Susan Foreman]], [[Ian Chesterton]] and [[Barbara Wright]] encountered [[Henry V]] in [[France]] shortly before the battle. ([[PROSE]]: ''[[The Reign Makers (short story)|The Reign Makers]]'') The [[Fourth Doctor]] previously mentioned to his companion [[Leela]] that she would have loved Agincourt. ([[TV]]: ''[[The Talons of Weng-Chiang (TV story)|The Talons of Weng-Chiang]]'')
* The Doctor wonders if Clara may be giving him a gift because she is going to never travel with him again because he "said a thing". ([[TV]]: ''[[Kill the Moon (TV story)|Kill the Moon]]'')
* The Doctor had previously met a female highwayman who posed as a man. ([[AUDIO]]: ''[[Phantasmagoria (audio story)|Phantasmagoria]]'')
* Me asks the Doctor if he ever gives a thought to the various worlds and times he leaves behind, or the possible consequences his actions could have. The [[Ninth Doctor]] was previously questioned about the same thing by [[Blon Fel-Fotch Passameer-Day Slitheen]]. ([[TV]]: ''[[Boom Town (TV story)|Boom Town]]'')


== Home video releases ==
== Home video releases ==


=== DVD releases ===
=== DVD and Blu-Ray ===
''to be added''
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" hideaddbutton="true">
=== Blu-ray releases ===
File:Complete 9th Series UK Cover.jpg|The Complete Series 9
''to be added''
File:Series 9 Part 1 UK DVD Cover.jpg|Series 9 Part 1 DVD Cover
</gallery>
 
* ''The Woman Who Lived'' was released as part of the Series 9, Part One DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on [[3 November (releases)|3 November]] [[2015 (releases)|2015]], in region 2/B on [[2 November (releases)|2 November]] 2015 and in region 4/B on [[4 November (releases)|4 November]] 2015.
* It was later released as part of the Complete Ninth Series DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on [[5 April (releases)|5 April]] [[2016 (releases)|2016]], in region 2/B on [[7 March (releases)|7 March]] 2016 and in region 4/B on [[9 March (releases)|9 March]] 2016.
 
A subtitling error on some copies the Region 1 DVD release displays the Doctor's line, "Of course!" when speaking to Leandro and Me as, "Oh shit!".
===Digital releases===


* In the United Kingdom, this story is available on [[BBC iPlayer]].
== External links ==
== External links ==
''to be added''
Transcript of ''[http://www.chakoteya.net/DoctorWho/35-6.html The Woman Who Lived]'' on ''[http://www.chakoteya.net Chrissie's Transcripts Site]''
 
== Footnotes ==
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Latest revision as of 01:04, 22 October 2024

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The Woman Who Lived was the sixth episode of series 9 of Doctor Who. It was the first episode to be written by a woman since The Poison Sky in 2008.

It continued Ashildr's arc after her introduction in the previous episode, The Girl Who Died, and revealed she had her name changed to "Me". It also explored the darker aspects of immortality, the relativity of time and the short period of human lives being key focuses.

The episode is one of the few notable companion-lite episodes, which feature the Doctor travelling with no companions or with his companion on a brief break. Other key examples are The Deadly Assassin and Midnight.

Synopsis[[edit] | [edit source]]

Adventuring on his own for a while, the Doctor seeks out an artefact of great power that could spell disaster in the wrong hands: the Eyes of Hades.

However, he soon comes face to face with consequences of one of his past acts of compassion, when he meets an immortal he created, who has now lost all hope with a heart filled with centuries of pain.

Plot[[edit] | [edit source]]

In 17th century London, a stagecoach belonging to Mr Fanshawe and Lucie Fanshawe is travelling through the woods; it is stopped by a highwayman. The coachman recognises the rogue as the infamous outlaw: the Knightmare. The rogue manages to scare them into not resisting by revealing the glowing eyes of a "demon" in the forest behind him; the Knightmare tells them it's his accomplice.

Not too far away, the TARDIS materialises and the Twelfth Doctor departs, holding a Curioscanner.

Back to the robbery, the Knightmare demands something specific of Mrs Fanshawe; she seems to know what the rogue wants. However, at that moment, the Doctor enters the carriage; he greets everyone in passing, saying he is tracking something. The Knightmare, annoyed, tells the Doctor that he's in the middle of a robbery. The Doctor says he wasn't paying attention and asks for the robber to repeat himself.

However, the Doctor ignores him again, going on to say, "Usually, someone hits me at this point, but she's taking the Year 7s for tae kwon do." The Doctor's scanner leads him to a case on the back of the carriage, which the Knightmare attempts to stake a claim on. However, the carriage races off the moment they're both behind it. The Knightmare tells the Doctor that he's ruined his robbery; however, the Doctor tells "Zorro" that he bungled his.

With nothing else to do, the Knightmare unmasks, revealing himself to be Ashildr, who can mimic a man's voice, thanks to years of practice. The Doctor is surprised to see her, but is more surprised that she has forgotten her original identity due to the centuries that have passed; Ashildr now calls herself "Me" as there is no one who can remember her now.

Ashildr takes the Doctor to her home, where she reluctantly agrees to let him help her steal the object they're both after from the Fanshawes; she now lives in a mansion thanks to hoarding treasure over the years. She vaguely informs the Doctor that she now has an accomplice, whose glowing yellow eyes watch the Doctor from the shadows. Ashildr repeatedly asks the Doctor to take her with him to see the universe, but is turned down; after all, it's a bad idea to keep company with yourself or in this case, someone too similar.

One of Ashildr's flashbacks.

Ashildr reveals that she dislikes keeping company with other humans, as their lifespans are like smoke that can be blown away. However, the Doctor notes that she's tried to help humanity, even founding a leper colony; Ashildr points out that when she helped cure a village of scarlet fever, she was drowned as a witch by the small-minded people, but was able to swim away. The Doctor sees that Ashildr keeps several diaries, since her memory is still in its original human-limited form, thus keeping her from remembering everything that's happened. Ashildr asks the Doctor what it's like for a near-immortal like himself, to keep trudging through the centuries, losing all those who are important to him. The Doctor, seeing a foil to himself in the regard that he's lonely, explains about the pain; however, unlike Ashildr, he has come to live with it as living in isolation is much worse.

The Doctor takes time to read through one of Ashildr's diaries, where he learns that she attempted to have what any woman would want in a normal life: a husband and children. However, her immortality proved troublesome, as she returned years later to see an old, senile version of her beloved, and later lost children to the plague; the pain of these events was recorded, so she didn't have to keep reliving them through the centuries. However, the Doctor notices some pages were ripped out; there were some things Ashildr found too painful to remember. Outside, Ashildr takes to her accomplice, explaining that an alien like the Doctor would be useful in their plans.

Later, they break into the Fanshawe estate and find their prize: the Eyes of Hades, a glowing purple jewel. Escaping, they accidentally awaken Mr Fanshawe, who looks for them in the wrong direction. Ashildr is ready to kill for her escape, but the Doctor convinces her to escape through the chimney; she is less than happy with the idea but complies and continues prodding the Doctor with questions. Escaping into the forest, they are surrounded by other highwaymen, led by the Knightmare's rival — Sam Swift the Quick. Swift thinks the Doctor is the Knightmare's sidekick and father, which annoys the Time Lord, who taunts the thief for the redundant title. Ashildr quickly disarms her rival, ready to kill Sam; she sees no point in his life anyway. However, the Doctor tells her not to, as it will make her an enemy of HIM; knowing what that means, Ashildr lowers the weapon in fear. Sam and his cronies flee.

Back at Ashildr's mansion, the Doctor wishes to meet her accomplice. He learns its a fire-breathing alien from Delta Leonis called Leandro. Ashildr and Leandro want to use the Eyes of Hades to open a portal to leave Earth, but it requires the life energy of someone to work. They considered using Ashildr's aged butler Clayton, but soon learn Swift has been captured and will be hanged that day. Tying the Doctor up, Ashildr sees luck favouring her when authorities arrive to check on "Lady Me"; she claims the Doctor is the Knightmare's sidekick and leaves, asking the Doctor just be imprisoned due to his advanced age.

The Doctor tries passing himself off as an undercover officer from Scotland Yard but realises it hasn't been founded yet. Seeing Ashildr leave with Leandro in her carriage, the Doctor tells the guards that the Knightmare is escaping and that he wishes to go to the hanging. The guards inform him there's a 20-pound bounty on him, which is a treasure compared to their pay, so they'd rather not take him to be hanged. The Doctor tells them where they can find Lady Me's treasure; they let him go and give him a horse in exchange.

"As long as I keep you laughing, I still live."

At the hangman's noose, Swift is making jokes to buy himself a few more minutes; some of them are insulting but still funny. Leandro waits impatiently in Ashildr's carriage, yelling for Swift to hang already. The Doctor arrives, assisting with Swift's delay; Ashildr manages to overrule the comedy and get the hanging to begin. However, the Doctor uses his psychic paper to claim that Swift has been pardoned by Oliver Cromwell himself, successfully ending the hanging. However, the crowd is impatient to see someone executed and Ashildr takes matters into her own hands with Swift noticing that she's familiar somehow. She places the Eyes of Hades on him. Leandro reveals himself, breathing fire in triumph.

A portal opens, revealing Leandro was an advanced scout for his people, the Leonians, to invade Earth. To her own shock, Ashildr finds that she still cares; she asks the Doctor what she should do. The Doctor has Ashildr use the Mire repair kit he left with her on Swift, resurrecting him; the excess of life energy causes the Eyes of Hades to backfire and closes the portal. Leandro is vaporised by his fellow warriors for his failure.

In a pub later, Ashildr wonders if Swift is now immortal like her. The Doctor guesses that the excess that would have caused this may have been burned out in the portal closing, but is unsure himself; just in case Swift is immortal, he asks Ashildr keep an eye on him. It's at that moment that Ashildr realises why the Doctor won't take her with him; it's because her viewpoint is too much like his own, and he needs someone who sees things differently. The Doctor mentions having travelled with another immortal named Captain Jack Harkness, and that she may be running into him in the future. Ashildr then says she'll take the role most of the others that have met the Doctor have, protecting the world from his good intentions.

The Doctor sees a familiar face hidden in Clara's picture.

Later, in the TARDIS, the Doctor is playing his electric guitar, deep in thought. Clara arrives, and the Doctor accepts her hug. Clara explains that the Doctor helping her student, Evie Hubbard, with an "imaginary" interview with Winston Churchill paid off; Evie got an A. The Doctor looks at the selfie taken of Evie and Clara, taking notice that Ashildr is the background; he pretends nothing is wrong. Clara wonders where they're going, to which the Doctor says it's her choice; she asks for somewhere new and magical. After explaining there's nothing new and magical under the sun, the Doctor tells her that they'll be checking above it. Clara hugs him again, saying she's not going anywhere.

Cast[[edit] | [edit source]]

Crew[[edit] | [edit source]]

General production staff

Script department

Camera and lighting department

Art department

Costume department

Make-up and prosthetics

Casting

General post-production staff

Special and visual effects

Sound



Not every person who worked on this adventure was credited. The absence of a credit for a position doesn't necessarily mean the job wasn't required. The information above is based solely on observations of the actual end credits of the episodes as broadcast, and does not relay information from IMDB or other sources.


Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]

Culture from the real world[[edit] | [edit source]]

Organisations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • The Doctor claims to be working undercover for Scotland Yard, before wondering if it has been invented yet.

Individuals[[edit] | [edit source]]

Technology[[edit] | [edit source]]

Food and drinks[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Ashildr drinks pomace wine when having time for herself.

Locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

  • Ashildr mentions Kent.
  • Sam Swift was to be hanged in Tyburn.

Species[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

  • This marks the first full-length Twelfth Doctor story to feature Clara Oswald in a lesser role, only appearing at the end.
  • According to an interview with writer Catherine Tregenna in DWM 492, the story is set in Hounslow.
  • Ashildr mentions that she fought at the Battle of Agincourt. The episode was first broadcast the day before St Crispin's Day, 25 October 2015 - the 600th anniversary of the battle.

Ratings[[edit] | [edit source]]

Filming locations[[edit] | [edit source]]

to be added

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

If you'd like to talk about narrative problems with this story — like plot holes and things that seem to contradict other stories — please go to this episode's discontinuity discussion.

to be added

Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]

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

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

  • The Woman Who Lived was released as part of the Series 9, Part One DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on 3 November 2015, in region 2/B on 2 November 2015 and in region 4/B on 4 November 2015.
  • It was later released as part of the Complete Ninth Series DVD and Blu-ray boxsets in region 1/A on 5 April 2016, in region 2/B on 7 March 2016 and in region 4/B on 9 March 2016.

A subtitling error on some copies the Region 1 DVD release displays the Doctor's line, "Of course!" when speaking to Leandro and Me as, "Oh shit!".

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

  • In the United Kingdom, this story is available on BBC iPlayer.

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

Transcript of The Woman Who Lived on Chrissie's Transcripts Site

Footnotes[[edit] | [edit source]]