Yes, I know we've done this already. Twice, in fact. But as mentioned… well, everywhere now, neither the new companion to be nor Billie Piper will be appearing in the Doctor Who Christmas Special. But who will be the actual “next companion”, albeit for the space of one episode? Well, I know someone who does know, but he isn't telling because the journalistic equivalent an ancient and terrible curse will descend upon him and family for the next three generations if he does.
Interesting that, huh? The Christmas episode is going to feature someone so massively of note as an interim companion for the Doctor that all who are in the know have been sworn to even greater secrecy than those who knew the identity of the companion for the third series.
So who do you reckon it is? Captain Jack? Probably not - he's in Torchwood already so won't be such an exciting choice. So it's either going to be someone who's a really big name (eg Catherine Zeta Jones, Tom Cruise, Leslie Grantham, etc) or (and this is my personal theory) a former companion.
What do y'all reckon to Sarah Jane being given one last Christmas adventure? It would please the old-school fans. All the kids know who she is now. It makes sense dramatically (Doctor, facing sadness and regrets over loss of Rose, turns to former companion whom he met up with recently and who knew Rose for solace and to start making amends for past behaviour). They could drag K9 along for the trip, which would please everyone. And it would stop us all from getting attached to a new companion before the real one turns up.
Of course, since it's a theory that I whole-heartedly endorse, it's wrong, but I thought I'd throw it out there so that people with better track records could ruminate on it.
Related entries
- July 10, 2006: Review: Doomsday
Catherine Tate?!
Subscribe to the daily news by RSS or email, or follow me on Twitter for breaking updates
July 5, 2006 | Reply
I have to say I think that would be utterly lovely for all the reasons you give.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
Yeah. I'd liked to think it will happen. Maybe if we all think happy thoughts, it will?
July 5, 2006 | Reply
It's not Captain Jack because Captain Jack is getting a regular companion slot later in the series. John Barrowman said at the London Comicon last weekend that he just signed a contract for season 3 Doctro Who.
Your version makes perfect sense, it will make for a lovely and entirely appropiate Christmas episode.
How are they going to keep it a secret when they start filming in a couple of weeks? It will be awfully hard.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
I hear they're already filming around the Thames Barrier, but that may be made up.
Does the contract say for how many eps, incidentally? Cos it'll be hard filming Torchwood and DW at the same time, and gruelling for him if it's Torchwood + a large amount of DW.
The one problem with my theory (apart from it being mine and therefore wrong) is that it detracts a bit from the end of School Reunion and might therefore be rejected on dramatic grounds.
Another rumour going around is that it'll be the Brigadier, but that doesn't sound likely.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
What I'm wondering is how they can keep the Christmas special light enough for the festive slot when Rose is "dead" (I haven't read any finale spoilers, so I'm hedging my bets) - this'll be the first chance to see how the Doctor's coping, presuming their separation happens pretty near the end of the final episode.
True, he'll have had six months to get over it, but he'll *have* to still be feeling the effects, for the viewers' sakes if nothing else...
P.S. The Brigadier?
July 5, 2006 | Reply
Various people have hazarded a guess that it'll be like It's a Wonderful Life.
The Brigadier. He's appeared with every Doctor except numbers 6, 8, 9 and 10, unless you count the Big Finish audios in which case he's only missing 9 and 10.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
It doesn't have to be light for the festive slot, look at the aforementioned It's a Wonderful Life.
One thing I am certain of is that the emotional resonance of the season finale will be dealt with. RTD likes this stuff and does it well, and everyone is waiting for it. The angst is the one good pay-off if a fictional character has to die.
Re Captain Jack, (I am not giving away any heavy SPOILERS but look away if you want to know nothing), this is second hand information because I wasn't at the Comicon but JB said that he 'll be filming DW after he finishes filming Torchwood in October. He didn't mention number of episodes.
He gave away a couple of interesting character spoilers though.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
It would have to be a young, sexy Brigadier, someone who'd look good in a tache. I vote for Richard Armitage.
July 5, 2006 | Reply
Re: Young Brigadier. Not going to happen. Sorry Marie. No point having a returning character if you're just going to recast them. Plus Richard Armitage would look evil with a moustache.
Further suggestion RE: Wonderful Life. Maybe Sarah Jane would be the angel, leading the Doctor on a tour of his life as he wonders at all the misery he's caused...