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To see the entity of the same name, see Grim Reaper
Reapers were beings linked to Time itself. The Reapers would search out disturbances in time, such as temporal paradoxes, leave the Time Vortex and "sterilize" the area by devouring everything, with older objects being the tastiest and sentient beings of more interest than inanimate objects. According to the Doctor there was nothing in the entire universe which could harm them
Characteristics
Appearance
The Reapers appeared as flying reptilian beings with sleek heads, four long hooked arms, mouths on their chests and tails that resemble a scythe.
Behaviour
They engulfed creatures in a flash of light with their mouths, leaving no traces. Despite these powers, they are material creatures (at least they are in this world), and can be blocked. They cannot pass through solid objects, with older objects being more effective barriers. As damage to Time in the form of time paradoxes accumulates, it allows them entry.
In less than a few hours, Reapers had devoured all but a handful of the Humans of an alternate timeline Earth.
The presence of Reapers would seem more prevalent given, as the Doctor explained, other than himself no Time Lords existed to prevent temporal paradoxes. With the Time Lords gone, paradoxes happened with more frequency. (DW: Father's Day)
- The Reapers are similar in appearance to the Vortisaurs, the Hunters and the Chronovores. The Doctor did not actually refer to them as Reapers.
In The Crimson Hand comic strip, the Reapers, alongside the Chronovores, were seen dwelling in the Time Vortex.
Behind the Scenes
- The name "Reaper" never actually appears on-screen. The script to Father's Day described the Reapers as appearing as multiple Grim Reapers who cut their victims down with their scythe. The idea of a more alien look for the Reapers came out of production team discussions.