Closing the Account (short story)
Closing the Account was the ninth short story in the Short Trips anthology Short Trips: Defining Patterns. It was written by Stephen Hatcher and featured the Seventh Doctor and Ace.
Summary[[edit] | [edit source]]
Josef, who has been the president of his country for several decades, is dying. He wants the Doctor to visit him, so he captures Ace.
As Josef and the Doctor talk, Josef reveals that he has noticed a few things about the Doctor. Though they have met several times, and the last time was twenty-five years ago, the Doctor hasn't changed or aged. In addition, when he comes and goes, there is always a blue box involved.
Josef has deduced that the Doctor can see the future and wants to know what his legacy will be. The Doctor tells him that for over a hundred years, people will vilify him, but after that, people will realise that his actions, though sometimes wrong, were the right thing to do and they will continue his work.
As Ace is brought in, the Doctor notices that Josef's servant, Grigori, is putting something in his drink. The Doctor and Ace leave, knowing that both Josef and Grigori are fulfilling their destiny.
Characters[[edit] | [edit source]]
Worldbuilding[[edit] | [edit source]]
to be added
Notes[[edit] | [edit source]]
- As recognised in the Doctor Who Reference Guide, the text makes it clear that Josef is Josef Stalin, although his last name is never explicitly given.
- Controversially, the Doctor appears to praise Stalin while in his presence. This marks a contrast from other accounts of the Doctor's opinion on Stalin, such as the novels World Game and Endgame, where the Doctor refers to him with disdain.
Continuity[[edit] | [edit source]]
- The Eighth Doctor referred to Stalin as a "sad old madman". (PROSE: Endgame)
- The Tenth Doctor disapprovingly referenced "Stalin's Russia". (TV: The Idiot's Lantern)
