Once, Upon Time (TV story)

From Tardis Wiki, the free Doctor Who reference
RealWorld.png

Once, Upon Time was the third episode of series 13 of Doctor Who. It formed the third chapter of the six-part serial Doctor Who: Flux.

This chapter saw the Thirteenth Doctor revisiting lost memories in her own time stream. As such, it re-introduced the Fugitive Doctor, and began to piece together how she fits in with the Siege of Atropos and the origin of the Flux, long ago.

It also connects the Division, and their creation of the planet Time, to the ending of the Dark Times, linking these new revelations to the expansive mythology of the existing Doctor Who universe.

As the episode focused in on each character's history, Once, Upon Time also shone light on Vinder's story, including how he came to be on Outpost Rose, and what will be his main motivation: reconnecting with Bel, who is shown making her own way to find him.

Bel's storyline in the episode also highlights the Flux's impact on the wider universe, with many worlds overtaken, and provides an anchor for the audience to understand what the Great Disruption has done to local time.

Synopsis

Atropos has fallen, once again. The Doctor has thrown herself into a time storm in a desperate bid to save her friends. As Time itself comes apart, she finds much more than she bargained for.

All four are lost, together, in memories: past, present, future. So many roles they play. So many choices they have endured. And now, what happened once has come again.

Plot

to be added

Cast

Uncredited cast

Crew

to be added

References

Story notes

  • The credits of this episode cemented the term "Fugitive Doctor" — gained from the episode where this incarnation first appeared, Fugitive of the Judoon, and widely used in Doctor Who fandom up to this point — as a DWU term.
  • This episode firmly establishes the "Fugitive Doctor" as a past incarnation, something which had been left ambiguous since her debut. Specifically, it places her near the end of the Doctor's association with the Division, adding extra weight to her decision to run away by Fugitive of the Judoon.
  • The video game Yaz and Sonya play bears a resemblance to Resident Evil.

Ratings

to be added

Filming locations

to be added

Production errors

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

Home video releases

to be added

External links

  1. This episode was also simulcast on BBC America, as well as other networks.