Doctor Who Midnight Theory: Monster’s Name Reveals Its Deadly Secret

Caution: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 15, episode 3, “The Well.”

In more straightforward language:

One of the most chilling episodes of Doctor Who, titled “The Well,” was seen during its recent seasons. However, a theory about how the planet Midnight got its name adds an even deeper layer of darkness to this already spine-tingling episode. In season 4 of Doctor Who, when David Tennant played the Time Lord, the Doctor encountered one of his most enigmatic adversaries on the diamond-encrusted planet Midnight. “The Well” revisited Midnight and its monster 400,000 years after the initial encounter, and the outcome was just as petrifying.

In contrast to the enigma that surrounds “Midnight”, “The Well” provided significant insights about the monster. For instance, this hidden sequel to “Doctor Who” introduced the idea of victims meeting their demise when they stand behind the creature’s host. Additionally, strategically pausing the episode at crucial moments allowed viewers to catch glimpses of the true appearance of the “Doctor Who” Midnight monster. However, both the villain and its home planet continue to remain cloaked in mystery. This fresh theory helps fill a major gap in “Doctor Who’s” Midnight lore, making “Midnight” and “The Well” even more spine-tingling as a result.

Doctor Who Season 15 Implies How The Planet Midnight Got Its Name

Was Midnight Named After The Monster’s Behavior?

In season 4 of “Doctor Who,” the planet Midnight wasn’t explicitly given a reason for its name. One might think it was due to its shiny, gem-studded exterior, but an alternate explanation emerged in season 15’s episode “The Well.” As Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor strategized against the deadly creature, he and Belinda discovered that victims would be killed instantly if they stood directly behind the host, which on a clock face corresponds to the 12 o’clock position.

Fifteen observed that this matched the planet’s name, Midnight, but didn’t delve deeper into his theories about it. However, it’s hard to ignore that the creature from Doctor Who’s Midnight episode, which attacks when it reaches the 12 o’clock position, can’t possibly be a mere coincidence.

It appears less probable that the Midnight monster attacks victims at 12 o’clock as a joke about its home planet’s name. A more plausible explanation is that Midnight got its name because of how the monster behaves. Perhaps an earlier group of explorers discovered this diamond planet before the Tenth Doctor arrived. They encountered the monster and found out that standing behind it was deadly. Maybe their tale survived, and the planet became known as Midnight to alert future travelers about where they should avoid standing.

How Midnight Got Its Name May Explain Why There’s Only One Monster

The Monsters May Have Wiped Themselves Out

If we consider the possibility that the Midnight beast has been murdering individuals who approach it from behind for possibly countless years, and this is why the planet Midnight was named as such, then it could be plausible that there were multiple monsters in existence initially. However, due to the specifics of its attack patterns, the species may have gradually diminished over time, eliminating each other until a lone survivor remained, much like the inhabitants of Aliss’ mining base.

In these stories, “Midnight” and “The Well”, it is this solitary being who crosses paths with the Doctor; a creature now representing the last of its species, having endured countless ages in isolation following long periods spent on its own.

Episode Title	Release Date
“The Robot Revolution”	April 12
“Lux”	April 19
“The Well”	April 26
“Lucky Day”	May 3
“The Story & The Engine”	May 10
“The Interstellar Song Contest”	May 17
“Wish World”	May 24
The Reality War	May 31

The monster’s behavior may stem from its biological nature, as it could have been primarily benevolent when there were more of its kind. The trauma of witnessing the extinction of its entire race, coupled with countless years spent in solitude pondering its misfortune, might explain why it transformed into such a malicious and distorted creature. In other words, we can view the monster as a victim of its own biology, which appears to drive its actions towards instilling fear in others and eluding Midnight.

If This Really Is The Monster’s Backstory, Doctor Who’s Entire Universe Is In Trouble

Can Midnight’s Monster Even Be Killed?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but reflect on the nail-biting finale of “The Well” in Doctor Who. In those tense last moments, our beloved Time Lord confirmed that the beast from Midnight had hidden away and ventured into the vast cosmos, ready to sow chaos and undoubtedly give the Doctor another heart-stopping encounter. If it turns out that Midnight was actually named after the creature and its kind hunted itself almost to extinction, then our Doctor might face a formidable challenge in our next encounter with them.

An ancient and warped being lacks apparent vulnerabilities that the Doctor can utilize to defeat it. Reflective surfaces can momentarily deter it, yet as “The Well” demonstrates, it swiftly moves into a new host, restarting the cycle. As per theory, only another Midnight creature is said to be able to eliminate one of its kind. However, with just one such entity remaining in existence, this enigmatic figure may continue to wander from world to world forever, leaving the universe with no apparent solution in hand, which is a distressing predicament for Doctor Who. Unfortunately, the Doctor seems unable to take any action against it.

2025-04-30 20:49