Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 2’s Mid-Credits Scene Explained

Caution: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 15, episode 2, “Lux.”

In general, the show Doctor Who doesn’t usually have scenes that appear during the credits, but the bonus ending for the episode titled “Lux” significantly changes the entire storyline. Since Russell T Davies came back as the showrunner, the TARDIS has been taking a delightful journey into self-referential themes, such as the Toymaker’s puppet show featuring Doctor Who’s past companions and Maestro and Mrs. Flood playfully breaking the fourth wall. However, these instances seem insignificant compared to what happens in the second episode of season 15, “Lux.

As a die-hard Doctor Who fan, I found myself immersed in a surreal encounter with Lux, one of the esteemed members of the Doctor Who pantheon, who has the unique power to imprison foes within rolls of film. The unexpected meeting unfolded during Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor’s and Varada Sethu’s Belinda Chandra’s adventure, where they crossed paths with a threesome of Doctor Who devotees.

The sequence that followed was a mind-bending whirlwind of merchandise, towering stacks of Doctor Who DVDs, and the show’s emblem splashed across the television screen. The Doctor hypothesized that shattering Lux’s illusion would cause these imaginary fans to vanish. However, the episode’s intriguing mid-credits scene hinted that Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn miraculously survived this ordeal. This twist could potentially reshape the ending of Doctor Who season 15.

The Doctor Who Fans Being Alive Could Mean They’re Real

If They Don’t Disappear, They Must Be Real

According to what the Doctor reveals, the entire scenario involving “Doctor Who” fans – the room, the three individuals, the emblem, and so on – is a trick created by Lux to imprison Fifteen and Belinda within the movie, similar to the bogus cop and Pye’s deceased wife. Once the Doctor dispels this illusion, everything within it ought to vanish, much like when you switch off a light. Since Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn are not genuine characters, they should vanish as soon as the Doctor stops engaging with them.

It seems quite plausible that the characters in “Lux,” namely Lizzie Abel, Hassan Chowdry, and Robyn Gossage, are indeed genuine fans of “Doctor Who.” This notion is reinforced by several hints throughout the episode. For instance, just before the Doctor departs, Robyn expresses their character’s unique characteristic of not having surnames, suggesting a deeper connection to the show’s universe. Interestingly, when the credits roll for “Lux,” these characters are named, implying that they aren’t as insignificant or transient as they might have believed.

In the 2024 Christmas episode of Doctor Who, another hint was dropped. While staying at the Sandringham Hotel with Anita, the Doctor picked up a new pastime: collecting miniature police boxes. It turned out that these items were quite trendy online. This witty reference was aimed at Doctor Who fans who collect TARDIS merchandise, but it also poked fun at the idea that Doctor Who, as a TV series, exists within the universe of Doctor Who itself – a notion that seems increasingly plausible following season 15’s “Lux.

It’s conceivable that the three fans are real, but the strange incident of the Doctor and Belinda seemingly emerging from their television like characters from “The Ring” left them doubting for a moment – a response anyone could understand. An alternative explanation is that Lux may not have conjured up the fans as an illusion, as initially thought, but instead transported the Doctor and Belinda into another dimension, where “Doctor Who” is a television program. Given that Lux is a Pantheon God, such an ability would indeed be within his capabilities.

If The Doctor Who Fans Are Real, Does That Mean The Doctor Isn’t?

The Doctor Isn’t A Real Boy After All

Given that the “Doctor Who” enthusiasts seem to have endured the occurrences in “Lux”, it might be worth contemplating the idea that perhaps the Doctor’s logical thinking is reversed: they are genuine, while he may not.

The overall mood of Ncuti Gatwa’s tenure hints at this idea. Master performed the “Doctor Who” theme tune, and Character Fifteen himself made a nod to “non-diegetic” music in the same episode, suggesting he could hear the series’ soundtrack. Even in “Lux,” the Doctor mysteriously shouts “cut!” before questioning why he said it. All these subtle hints seem to be building towards a future disclosure that the Doctor may not exist within “Doctor Who”. The fact that Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn survive up until episode 3 only fans the flames of this theory.

As a die-hard movie buff diving into the Doctor Who universe, it’s Mrs. Flood who subtly hints at the questionable reality of the Doctor. Anita Dobson’s captivating character has dropped subtle references to the Doctor on multiple occasions, often suggesting him as her most beloved fictional character. In the final moments of Doctor Who season 14, she poignantly stated, “Regrettably, his tale concludes in utter dread.

In a natural and easy-to-understand manner:

Mrs. Flood can talk directly to the audience, adding to the feeling that those watching the Doctor are genuine people, while the Doctor himself appears as a fictional character. It’s also interesting to note that Mrs. Flood has dressed up like previous companions such as Clara Oswald and Romana, hinting that she might be part of the Whovian fan club, just like Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn. As we progress through Doctor Who season 15, there’s a possibility that the entire life of the Time Lord could be revealed as a complex work of fiction designed by members of the Pantheon or some superior force.

Did The Doctor Bring The Doctor Who Fans To Life?

The God Of Life Strikes Again?

A fascinating angle to ponder is that the three Doctor Who enthusiasts may not have been genuine individuals when they crossed paths with the Doctor, but instead, they might have materialized as a result of the encounter. The ending of “Lux” features Alan Cumming’s antagonist, who siphons regeneration energy from the Doctor to achieve a tangible form. It is worth noting that regeneration energy, as demonstrated by the butterfly the Doctor met during his travels with Ruby Sunday, has the capacity to rejuvenate or restore life. Although this is not a power the Doctor typically uses, it is possible that under specific circumstances, it could manifest sentient beings.

In this scenario, as the Doctor’s regenerative energy pours into Lux, it appears he’s reflecting on Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn. This is suggested because he instructs Belinda to recall the advice these fans had given. Therefore, it seems plausible that the Doctor’s thoughts, with his regenerative power flowing through Lux as a representation of the fans’ creator, may have brought these three individuals into existence. Until then, they were merely figments of Lux’s illusion; however, the Doctor’s regenerative abilities, infused with the spirit of a Pantheon deity, are what transformed them into real, living beings.

This thought aligns well with a popular theory about Doctor Who, suggesting that the Doctor might secretly be the Pantheon’s Deity of Life. Thanks to the Timeless Child retcon, we’re left guessing about the Doctor’s true species and homeworld. The only hint comes from the character’s ability to cheat death through regeneration.

The Time Lords, with great foresight, imposed limits on the Doctor’s abilities by conducting scientific tests. This restriction prevents the Doctor from regenerating more times without explicit approval from them. Had Gallifreyan interference not occurred, the Doctor could potentially create life in a way that would account for characters like Lizzie, Hassan, and Robyn still being alive at the end of “Lux.

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 Doctor might not realize it, but with their role as the Deity of Life, they could hold the power of unlimited creation. By linking with another Divinity – a being similar to themselves – Fifteen may have momentarily accessed his authentic, initial abilities and generated three individuals who share a fondness for Doctor Who, using regeneration energy as the source.

2025-04-19 15:21