Why Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Admits “Midnight” Scared Him More Than Any Other Threat

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Caution: spoilers ahead for Doctor Who season 15’s “The Well.”

Following countless thrilling escapades throughout “Doctor Who,” the Time Lord himself acknowledges that his most terrifying encounter was during “Midnight.” This claim is not made lightly. In an unexpected twist, it turns out that season 15’s “The Well” serves as a sequel to season 4’s “Midnight.” Here, the Tenth Doctor, traveling alone, finds himself among the stranded passengers of a damaged spaceship, tormented by an enigmatic entity. In another surprising revelation, Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor confesses with a trembling voice: “I have never felt so scared in my entire life.

It’s important to acknowledge that “Midnight” was indeed a terrifying episode, but considering the Doctor’s extensive history, one might question if there are not countless more frightening experiences hidden in his past. The War Doctor experienced the horrors of the Time War, the Fifth Doctor lost a companion and sacrificed himself for another, the Twelfth Doctor battled tirelessly to return to Gallifrey, and the Thirteenth Doctor had her entire existence disrupted. At face value, it may seem that “Midnight” surpasses these events in terms of scariness. However, upon closer examination, it fits perfectly into the Doctor’s traumatic timeline.

The “Midnight” Monster Took Away The Doctor’s Voice & Made Him Helpless

“Midnight” Left The Doctor Speechless

From the standpoint of the Tenth Doctor, the most chilling aspect of “Midnight” wasn’t the encounter with an unknown life form without a face, or being stuck in a cramped space alongside a character from Eastenders named Bianca’s mother. What truly sent shivers down his spine was the monster’s unique ability to usurp his voice. After some time spent imitating, learning, and adapting, this creature started controlling the Doctor’s speech, infiltrating his mind and speaking through the Time Lord’s mouth. In the end, it was another passenger’s bravery that rescued the Doctor, who found himself powerless on the floor of the shuttle.

In the expansive timeline of Doctor Who, the Doctor has encountered larger dangers such as Daleks, wars, Weeping Angels, divine beings, and so forth. Yet, this hero has consistently maintained the power to challenge wrongdoing through speech, even when lacking strategies, companions, or advantageous circumstances. However, the Midnight creature altered that status quo with an astonishingly minimal amount of effort. Although this episode might not be the scariest for external observers, it’s challenging to imagine a moment when the Doctor felt more exposed and vulnerable.

It’s not too unexpected that the Fifteenth Doctor expressed being “more scared than ever” since we saw a notably solemn side of him at the end of “Midnight,” where he appeared unusually subdued, even turning down one of Donna’s usual attempts to bring humor. This was an uncommon display for the Doctor in Doctor Who. Given this somber portrayal in his past, it is logical that the Fifteenth Doctor would make such a strong statement about fear in “The Well.

The Doctor’s Fear Proves How Dangerous The “Midnight” Monster Really Is

If The Doctor Is This Scared, You Should Be Too

Despite the revelations in “The Well,” there remains much that is uncertain about the creature central to the narrative. Its physical form, species, abilities, and origins are shrouded in mystery, leaving viewers none the wiser than they were at the conclusion of “Midnight.” Instead, the Fifteenth Doctor’s apprehension serves as a testament to the monster’s strength.

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 appearing visibly distressed, going as far as labeling his encounter with the creature from Midnight as his scariest moment yet, makes it clear that this unseen terror is on par with iconic villains like the Daleks, Cybermen, Weeping Angels, and the Master. In a chilling twist, “Doctor Who” relies not on menacing growls, destructive technology, ominous speeches, or global domination plots; instead, just one glance into the Fifteenth Doctor’s eyes is enough to convey the gravity of the danger faced by everyone in “The Well.” In this instance, the monster’s fearsome reputation does all the work.

The Ending Of “The Well” Sets Up A New Major Villain For The Doctor

A New Doctor Who Villain To Battle Across The Stars?

It turns out that the last scenes of “The Well” episode from Doctor Who reveal that the Midnight creature managed to survive. This hidden terror has now been freed from its planet and can travel across the universe. So, we can expect it to reappear in a future episode of Doctor Who. Given this, The Doctor will have to confront his deepest fear once more in the near future.

As a dedicated cinema-goer, I can’t help but feel that if the Fifteenth Doctor hadn’t labeled “Midnight” as his most terrifying encounter, the revelation of the monster’s survival would have lacked the powerful impact it was meant to have. Instead of just another cosmic menace with a grudge against Gallifrey’s last Time Lord, the camera-shy villain becomes something more. The Doctor’s visible fear and unease transform this creature into a long-term adversary for the Doctor, an enemy he may face again and again in the future of “Doctor Who”. This monster’s roaming from planet to planet sets up a new, personal foe for the Doctor, much like the Daleks or Weeping Angels – a danger that is as relentless and personal as these iconic enemies.

This time around, there’s a significant shift as the Doctor finds himself at a considerable disadvantage. The Time Traveler has extensive knowledge about the Daleks, Cybermen, and even the Master, understanding them better than they understand themselves. In contrast, the creature from “Midnight” in Doctor Who was previously unknown to the Time Lords, making it highly familiar with the universe’s savior. As a result, instead of being an “oncoming storm“, the Doctor is more like a sitting target for once.

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2025-04-27 17:38