Doctor Bear: Difference between revisions
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'''Doctor Bear''' was a [[teddy bear]] belonging to [[Gerry Billing]]. To Gerry, who from [[November]] [[1963]] to [[29 February]] [[1968]] was [[Psychic link|psychically linked]] to [[the Doctor's TARDIS]], the bear came to represent [[the Doctor]]. The original bear was destroyed in [[July]] [[1967]] after Gerry was kidnapped by [[Mark Forester]] and [[Kenneth Meadows]], whose secrets Gerry had seen in his visions. The [[Third Doctor]] found out about Gerry and, after breaking the psychic link, procured an identical replacement bear from the same toyshop. Afterwards, the Doctor sent Gerry and his [[Billing family|family]] new sets of clothes for the bear every few [[year]]s, representing most of the Doctor's subsequent [[regeneration]]s. | '''Doctor Bear''' was a [[teddy bear]] belonging to [[Gerry Billing]]. To Gerry, who from [[November]] [[1963]] to [[29 February]] [[1968]] was [[Psychic link|psychically linked]] to [[the Doctor's TARDIS]], the bear came to represent [[the Doctor]]. The original bear was destroyed in [[July]] [[1967]] after Gerry was kidnapped by [[Mark Forester]] and [[Kenneth Meadows]], whose secrets Gerry had seen in his visions. The [[Third Doctor]] found out about Gerry and, after breaking the psychic link, procured an identical replacement bear from the same toyshop. Afterwards, the Doctor sent Gerry and his [[Billing family|family]] new sets of clothes for the bear every few [[year]]s, representing most of the Doctor's subsequent [[regeneration]]s. | ||
==History== | == History == | ||
===The original=== | === The original === | ||
The bear was purchased from a [[Barringdean]] [[Barringdean toyshop|toyshop]] by [[Claire Billing]] in early [[1964]]. [[Gerry Billing]] became fascinated by the bear upon seeing it, as the outfit it came in — checked [[trousers]], a [[waistcoat]], and a [[black]] [[ribbon]] tied around its [[neck]] — resembled that of the [[First Doctor]], whose adventures Gerry saw in his [[dream]]s due to a [[psychic link]] unwittingly established between Gerry, the Doctor, and [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in [[November]] [[1963]]. | The bear was purchased from a [[Barringdean]] [[Barringdean toyshop|toyshop]] by [[Claire Billing]] in early [[1964]]. [[Gerry Billing]] became fascinated by the bear upon seeing it, as the outfit it came in — checked [[trousers]], a [[waistcoat]], and a [[black]] [[ribbon]] tied around its [[neck]] — resembled that of the [[First Doctor]], whose adventures Gerry saw in his [[dream]]s due to a [[psychic link]] unwittingly established between Gerry, the Doctor, and [[The Doctor's TARDIS|the TARDIS]] in [[November]] [[1963]]. | ||
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Inspired by his favourite book, ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', Gerry tied Doctor Bear to a [[balloon]] and set him loose with a note asking for help, which led to the arrest of Forester and Meadows, and the shutdown of the factory. However, Doctor Bear was in unrepairable condition, and Claire and Ray did not let Gerry see the state of his beloved toy. | Inspired by his favourite book, ''[[Winnie the Pooh]]'', Gerry tied Doctor Bear to a [[balloon]] and set him loose with a note asking for help, which led to the arrest of Forester and Meadows, and the shutdown of the factory. However, Doctor Bear was in unrepairable condition, and Claire and Ray did not let Gerry see the state of his beloved toy. | ||
===The regeneration=== | === The regeneration === | ||
Some years after 1967, the [[Third Doctor]] found out about Gerry after hearing of Claire's phone call to Gatwick, and arranged to meet Gerry at the future [[UNIT HQ]] on [[29 February]], [[1968]]. Upon hearing Gerry's story, the Doctor | Some years after 1967, the [[Third Doctor]] found out about Gerry after hearing of Claire's phone call to Gatwick, and arranged to meet Gerry at the future [[UNIT HQ]] on [[29 February]], [[1968]]. Upon hearing Gerry's story, the Doctor realised what had happened, and broke Gerry's link to the TARDIS after catching him up on some of his later adventures. Hearing of the Billings' troubles, the Doctor left and arranged for the family to get a new start in [[Shoreditch]]. He also acquired a twin to the original Doctor Bear from the toyshop — one Claire had looked into, but been unable to find. [[Ian Chesterton]], summoned by the Doctor to the future headquarters by letter, found the package containing the new bear and handed it to Gerry, who unwrapped it to find the replacement wearing a replica of the Third Doctor's clothing. Attached was a note, reminding Gerry that, since Doctor Bear was a [[Time Lord]] bear, he had regenerated. | ||
The Doctor continued to send Gerry and his family new outfits and accessories for Doctor Bear over the years, always addressed to "Doctor Bear c/o Gerry Billing Esquire", later "c/o Dr Gerry Billing". | The Doctor continued to send Gerry and his family new outfits and accessories for Doctor Bear over the years, always addressed to "Doctor Bear c/o Gerry Billing Esquire", later "c/o Dr Gerry Billing". | ||
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A few years later, a package arrived with a [[Fourth Doctor|floppy hat and long scarf]] for Doctor Bear. | A few years later, a package arrived with a [[Fourth Doctor|floppy hat and long scarf]] for Doctor Bear. | ||
A replica of the [[Fifth Doctor]]'s [[Cricket whites|cricketing jacket]] and [[celery]] arrived for Gerry after he had become a doctor of [[archaeology]] and was working at a dig in [[Mexico]]. None of the | A replica of the [[Fifth Doctor]]'s [[Cricket whites|cricketing jacket]] and [[celery]] arrived for Gerry after he had become a doctor of [[archaeology]] and was working at a dig in [[Mexico]]. None of the Billings were ever able to deduce the reason for the celery. | ||
A few years later, shortly before Gerry's [[wedding]] to [[Wendy Billing|Wendy]], he was bewildered to receive a replica of the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s "garish" clothing. Gerry opined that even Doctor Bear would be embarrassed to be seen in it, but he wore the small [[cat]] brooch included at his wedding, instead of a buttonhole. | A few years later, shortly before Gerry's [[wedding]] to [[Wendy Billing|Wendy]], he was bewildered to receive a replica of the [[Sixth Doctor]]'s "garish" clothing. Gerry opined that even Doctor Bear would be embarrassed to be seen in it, but he wore the small [[cat]] brooch included at his wedding, instead of a buttonhole. | ||
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Doctor Bear had received a replica of the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s question-mark [[jumper]] by the time of the [[christening]] of Gerry and Wendy's younger daughter [[Vicki Billing|Vicki]], at which the bear was carried by her older sister [[Susan Billing|Susan]]. | Doctor Bear had received a replica of the [[Seventh Doctor]]'s question-mark [[jumper]] by the time of the [[christening]] of Gerry and Wendy's younger daughter [[Vicki Billing|Vicki]], at which the bear was carried by her older sister [[Susan Billing|Susan]]. | ||
A [[Eighth Doctor|velvet coat]] arrived for Doctor Bear just before Gerry's fortieth birthday in [[1996]]. A [[Ninth Doctor|leather jacket]] arrived on the day Gerry received an award for his work on the [[Aztec]] | A [[Eighth Doctor|velvet coat]] arrived for Doctor Bear just before Gerry's fortieth birthday in [[1996]]. A [[Ninth Doctor|leather jacket]] arrived on the day Gerry received an award for his work on the [[Aztec]] civilisation. | ||
Doctor Bear wore a replica of the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s suit and [[Converse]]s to Gerry's fiftieth birthday party in [[2006]]. His great-niece [[ | Doctor Bear wore a replica of the [[Tenth Doctor]]'s suit and [[Converse]]s to Gerry's fiftieth birthday party in [[2006]]. His great-niece [[Daisy (Imaginary Friends)|Daisy]] carried Doctor Bear around and attempted to feed him [[birthday cake]], after which he had to be scrubbed. | ||
Doctor Bear's replica of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s [[tweed]] coat and [[fez]] arrived the year after Ray's [[death]]. | Doctor Bear's replica of the [[Eleventh Doctor]]'s [[tweed]] coat and [[fez]] arrived the year after Ray's [[death]]. | ||
Latest revision as of 14:34, 4 November 2024
Doctor Bear was a teddy bear belonging to Gerry Billing. To Gerry, who from November 1963 to 29 February 1968 was psychically linked to the Doctor's TARDIS, the bear came to represent the Doctor. The original bear was destroyed in July 1967 after Gerry was kidnapped by Mark Forester and Kenneth Meadows, whose secrets Gerry had seen in his visions. The Third Doctor found out about Gerry and, after breaking the psychic link, procured an identical replacement bear from the same toyshop. Afterwards, the Doctor sent Gerry and his family new sets of clothes for the bear every few years, representing most of the Doctor's subsequent regenerations.
History[[edit] | [edit source]]
The original[[edit] | [edit source]]
The bear was purchased from a Barringdean toyshop by Claire Billing in early 1964. Gerry Billing became fascinated by the bear upon seeing it, as the outfit it came in — checked trousers, a waistcoat, and a black ribbon tied around its neck — resembled that of the First Doctor, whose adventures Gerry saw in his dreams due to a psychic link unwittingly established between Gerry, the Doctor, and the TARDIS in November 1963.
Claire was convinced to buy the bear in secret, returning a cardigan she had received as a Christmas present in order to afford it. The First Doctor happened to be in the toyshop at the time and remarked that the bear was a "magnificent specimen", which further emboldened Claire to make the purchase. Gerry was given Doctor Bear at an "extra birthday" party his family held for him on 29 February, as he had admitted to feeling left out of many birthday traditions and presents due to his actual birthday being 23 December. As a result, Gerry came to consider the 29th to be Doctor Bear's birthday.
Gerry's stories about the Doctor's adventures, which his family believed to be just dreams, had caused concern in the neighbourhood, so he was also given an exercise book and encouraged to write his dreams down, pretending they had happened to Doctor Bear. Claire told Gerry that Doctor Bear was a "representative" of the real Doctor.
Gerry grew very attached to the toy, bringing him everywhere but school and the bath. However, the Billing family's home life grew tense over the course of the 1960s, due to money troubles and Ray Billing becoming increasingly unwell. Doctor Bear was confiscated by Ray on two occasions due to Gerry disappearing for hours while attempting to find the Doctor for real, believing him to be in London. Gerry was panicked by the seizures.
When Gerry saw the Doctor regenerate into his second incarnation, he was thrown off and pushed away from Doctor Bear for a bit, not knowing whether the toy was still a representative of the Doctor. He added a Ringo Starr doll he had received at a Christmas party, as he felt it resembled the new Doctor.
The first iteration of Doctor Bear was destroyed in July 1967 as the result of a long-gestating plot. Through his visions, Gerry had witnessed murders committed by Mark Forester regarding a dangerous insecticide, (PROSE: Imaginary Friends [+]Loading...["Imaginary Friends (novel)"]) DN6. (TV: Planet of Giants [+]Loading...["Planet of Giants (TV story)"]) Gerry wrote down the details, including the formula, in his dream journal. Claire had later mentioned Gerry's aptitude for science to her neighbour, Lillian Grey, at a Christmas party. Both Ray Billings and Howard Grey worked at Forester's factory, and news of the formula could make the company go bankrupt.
Ray's boss Kenneth Meadows and Forester stole the journal and threatened Gerry to say nothing. Gerry attempted to protect Doctor Bear, believing his father would die if he failed to do so, and the mystery raised tensions in the Billing family. Eventually, in July 1967, Gerry was kidnapped and held at the factory. Claire, having been told by Gerry earlier that the Doctor was at Gatwick Airport, phoned the airport and raised a fuss, but got nowhere.
Inspired by his favourite book, Winnie the Pooh, Gerry tied Doctor Bear to a balloon and set him loose with a note asking for help, which led to the arrest of Forester and Meadows, and the shutdown of the factory. However, Doctor Bear was in unrepairable condition, and Claire and Ray did not let Gerry see the state of his beloved toy.
The regeneration[[edit] | [edit source]]
Some years after 1967, the Third Doctor found out about Gerry after hearing of Claire's phone call to Gatwick, and arranged to meet Gerry at the future UNIT HQ on 29 February, 1968. Upon hearing Gerry's story, the Doctor realised what had happened, and broke Gerry's link to the TARDIS after catching him up on some of his later adventures. Hearing of the Billings' troubles, the Doctor left and arranged for the family to get a new start in Shoreditch. He also acquired a twin to the original Doctor Bear from the toyshop — one Claire had looked into, but been unable to find. Ian Chesterton, summoned by the Doctor to the future headquarters by letter, found the package containing the new bear and handed it to Gerry, who unwrapped it to find the replacement wearing a replica of the Third Doctor's clothing. Attached was a note, reminding Gerry that, since Doctor Bear was a Time Lord bear, he had regenerated.
The Doctor continued to send Gerry and his family new outfits and accessories for Doctor Bear over the years, always addressed to "Doctor Bear c/o Gerry Billing Esquire", later "c/o Dr Gerry Billing".
On Gerry's thirteenth birthday in 1969, Doctor Bear received a toy sonic screwdriver.
A few years later, a package arrived with a floppy hat and long scarf for Doctor Bear.
A replica of the Fifth Doctor's cricketing jacket and celery arrived for Gerry after he had become a doctor of archaeology and was working at a dig in Mexico. None of the Billings were ever able to deduce the reason for the celery.
A few years later, shortly before Gerry's wedding to Wendy, he was bewildered to receive a replica of the Sixth Doctor's "garish" clothing. Gerry opined that even Doctor Bear would be embarrassed to be seen in it, but he wore the small cat brooch included at his wedding, instead of a buttonhole.
Doctor Bear had received a replica of the Seventh Doctor's question-mark jumper by the time of the christening of Gerry and Wendy's younger daughter Vicki, at which the bear was carried by her older sister Susan.
A velvet coat arrived for Doctor Bear just before Gerry's fortieth birthday in 1996. A leather jacket arrived on the day Gerry received an award for his work on the Aztec civilisation.
Doctor Bear wore a replica of the Tenth Doctor's suit and Converses to Gerry's fiftieth birthday party in 2006. His great-niece Daisy carried Doctor Bear around and attempted to feed him birthday cake, after which he had to be scrubbed.
Doctor Bear's replica of the Eleventh Doctor's tweed coat and fez arrived the year after Ray's death.
Doctor Bear was sent a copy of the Thirteenth Doctor's T-shirt and braces.
A package containing an orange top and tweed overcoat arrived for Doctor Bear in late 2023, shortly before Gerry's sixty-seventh birthday. His grandson Steven brought the package to Claire to see, as she was on her deathbed, and she remarked that Doctor Bear would look smart in them. Steven removed Doctor Bear's old clothing and put on its new clothing, before leaving for a piano lesson.
Claire spent her last waking moments watching Doctor Bear, and her last words were "Thank you, Doctor Bear." (PROSE: Imaginary Friends [+]Loading...["Imaginary Friends (novel)"])
