Doctor Who’s SHOCKING New Twist Explained

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In Russell T Davies’ second tenure, the Doctor Who series has undergone some notable transformations. Although classic elements such as the TARDIS and Sonic Screwdriver are still present, this latest phase of the show is more centered around mythology and fantasy than science fiction. The world of Doctor Who now includes characters and occurrences that were once thought to be folklore but have since been shown to be real, even including ancient Time Lord legends. The viewers who watched “The Giggle” in 2023 were anticipating a regular regeneration, transitioning David Tennant to Ncuti Gatwa. Instead, they encountered the series’ first bigeneration.

As a devoted Whovian, I can’t help but share my excitement about an intriguing concept that has recently taken the Doctor Who universe by storm – bigeneration! You might remember this unique event occurring when the Fourteenth Doctor was hit by UNIT’s laser cannon, leading to the emergence of not a new incarnation, but two distinct entities: the Fifteenth Doctor and his predecessor. This fascinating twist initially seemed like a one-time addition to the Doctor Who lore, but it returned with a bang in “The Interstellar Song Contest,” featuring Anita Dobson’s Rani undergoing bigeneration! It appears that bigeneration is here to stay and I couldn’t be more thrilled to see it continue shaping the future of Doctor Who.

Bigeneration Explains Why Past Doctors Look Older

One advantage of the concept known as bigeneration is its ability to explain why past incarnations of The Doctor appear older when they reappear on “Doctor Who.” Although Steven Moffat provided an intriguing theory in “Time Crash,” suggesting that the time differential arising from two Doctors meeting could cause temporary aging, bigeneration offers a more persuasive explanation. This concept permits the past Doctor to continue having new experiences while the present one explores the cosmos. In contrast to regeneration, which involves the previous form being entirely replaced by a new body once the process is complete, bigeneration allows for the return of past actors like David Tennant as the Fourteenth Doctor at any point in “Doctor Who’s” future. The Time Lord’s aging can be attributed to living a long and contented life with the Nobles in London during this alternate existence.

In my excitement as a dedicated Whovian, I can’t help but marvel at the expansive nature of the Doctor’s regenerations, as revealed by Russell T Davies in his commentary for “The Giggle.” He unveiled that this concept, known as bigeneration, rippled through the Doctor’s timeline, meaning every Doctor before the Fourteenth and Fifteenth regenerated in this way. This clever retcon by Davies expands the Doctor Who universe with a multitude of bigenerated incarnations ready to reappear at any moment, a prospect that fills me with delight.

I eagerly anticipate encounters with an older Seventh Doctor, who may express remorse for his past harshness towards Ace. Tales Of The TARDIS hints at this possibility, as it showcases the return of previous Doctors like Peter Davison and Colin Baker in bigenerated forms. Fans have praised Tales of the TARDIS for its emotional reunions between past Doctors and companions.

These former incarnations, having already regenerated, possess a complete understanding of their journey. This means that conundrums such as the Second Doctor’s appearance in “The Five Doctors,” where he seemed aware of Jamie and Zoe’s mind-wipes despite not knowing their fate, can now be resolved. The bigenerated Second Doctor seen in “The Five Doctors” could have been a testament to this new concept following “The Giggle’s” conclusion.

The Ranis Have An Interesting Dynamic

The generation that captures my curiosity is the one involving the character known as the Rani, in which Mrs. Flood is revealed to be a recurring enemy of the Doctor in “The Interstellar Song Contest.” After suffering a brain injury in space, Mrs. Flood undergoes a process called bigeneration, transforming into the new version of the Rani, portrayed by Archie Panjabi. The dynamic between these two during this bigeneration is particularly intriguing, as unlike the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors who show affection towards each other, the new Rani treats Mrs. Flood with disdain, referring to her as “a” Rani while considering herself as “the definite article.” In response, Mrs. Flood behaves submissively towards Archie Panjabi’s Rani. Upon completion of the bigeneration process, Mrs. Flood essentially becomes a servant to the new Rani, carrying out her every command.

In most instances when different Time Lords meet, they perceive each other as equals, despite occasional disagreements or betrayals. For example, in “The Three Doctors,” Patrick Troughton’s Doctor and Jon Pertwee’s Doctor argue but eventually unite to fight Omega. On the other hand, “World Enough And Time/The Doctor Falls” presents John Simm and Michelle Gomez’s Master characters who argue over whether to ally with the Twelfth Doctor against the Cybermen or aid the Cybermen. Their disagreement results in them killing each other, with Simm’s Master using a Laser Screwdriver to shoot Gomez’s Missy and Missy stabbing Simm’s Master with a knife. It’s unusual for either the Doctor or the Master to let their successors treat them like servants, so the unique approach shown by the Ranis introduces an exciting new twist to the multi-Time Lord storyline.

Bigeneration Also Solves A Glaring Issue With The Master

In simpler terms, “Bigeneration” provides a solution to the confusion that some viewers have about the character arc of the Master, specifically Missy and Sacha Dhawan’s incarnation. Missy was well-received by fans for her unique portrayal of the Doctor Who antagonist, offering a fresh take on the Master’s character. Her storyline questioned whether the Doctor’s former enemy could ever truly be good or if they were destined to remain evil. In “World Enough And Time/The Doctor Falls”, Missy chose to help the Doctor save the Mondasian colonists from the Cybermen, but unfortunately was killed by her past self before she could reunite with the Doctor. The subsequent appearance of the Master featured Sacha Dhawan’s portrayal, who reverted back to the old ways of being evil. This change left some viewers disappointed because it seemed to undermine Missy’s journey towards becoming a force for good. “Bigeneration” offers an explanation for this sudden change in the Master’s character, providing closure to this storyline.

In bigeneration, a soul splits into two distinct entities, each embodying different characteristics. One might carry the brighter aspects of their personality, while the other assumes the darker traits. If Missy undergoes bigeneration and becomes Sacha Dhawan’s Master, she could retain her benevolent qualities, setting herself on a path towards redemption and potentially reunion with the Doctor. Meanwhile, Sacha Dhawan’s Master embodies the more malicious traits of the character, continuing his mischief and villainous deeds. This narrative twist allows for Missy’s continued growth, while introducing a new, complex iteration of the Master.

In simpler terms, the concept of “Bigeneration” suggests that a character’s traits are split between two incarnations. Fans of “Doctor Who” have been taken aback by the manipulative and occasionally violent aspects of the current Doctor, with instances such as his emotional manipulation of Joy in “Joy To The World” and his torment of Kid in “The Interstellar Song Contest.” If this theory holds true, the Fifteenth Doctor might have inherited some of the character’s harsher qualities, as seen in moments like the Tenth Doctor’s imprisonment of the Family Of Blood in “Human Nature/Family Of Blood,” while the Fourteenth Doctor could have retained his more compassionate nature. I, for one, would welcome this explanation, as it could offer fresh insights into the Master’s role during the Chibnall era and certain sequences involving the Fifteenth Doctor in Seasons 1 and 2. The “Bigeneration” concept presents an opportunity for fans to see their beloved characters in a new light and gain additional understanding of their actions.

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2025-06-01 23:21