DOCTOR WHO: The Road to the 50th Anniversary Special


Exactly two years from today, or about two minutes depending on how you travel, Doctor Who turns fifty.  Quite a long way from First Doctor companion Ian Chesterton encountering the TARDIS for the first time in 1963 and exclaiming "Let me get this straight...A thing that looks like a police box, standing in a junkyard, it can move anywhere in time and space?"

But that's ridiculous.

Whovians all over the world are understandably looking forward to November 23, 2013, especially now that Eleventh Doctor Matt Smith has confirmed that there will indeed be a special 50th anniversary episode.  And with the classic 20th Anniversary special "The Five Doctors" setting the precedent, speculation for the 50th has naturally focused on another multi-Doctor event. 

So, if a new "Five Doctors" or "Eleven Doctors" is indeed in the works, what would the story involve?  Only showrunner Steven Moffat knows for certain, but looking back on the past couple of years, I've come up with some ideas for the 50th Anniversary story.  Yes, they're a bit fanficcy and most likely won't come close to what actually appears on screen in 2013, but one cool thing about writing a blog is that people almost expect you to write these kind of rubbish thoughts once in a while. 

The featured Doctors besides Eleven?  Unless there's some recasting of the first three Doctors, I'm going with Five, Seven, Eight and Ten.  Maybe with vocals or cameos as different characters by Four and Six.  Here's why.

The story plot?  The Eighth Doctor has become stranded, possibly abducted, somewhere in time and space and it's up to Eleven and the other Doctors to rescue him.  I mean, it's not like I don't have some basis for this particular idea...

If you are receiving this message, please help me...Send a signal to the High Council of Time Lords on Gallifrey. I am still alive!  I don't know where I am!  I'm on some rock-like planet!
The villain(s)?  Provided Steven Moffat doesn't already use him for the Series Seven finale, the central villain just has to be Omega, doesn't it?  Here's why.  I imagine some quick cameos of Daleks and Cybermen are probably a must as well, or perhaps the Alliance from "The Pandorica Opens" would like to take another ultimately pointless shot at taking out the Doctor once and for all?

Companions?  The story would probably flow better without them and give more screen time to the Doctors, but a few key ones would be nice.  River Song, most likely, considering Moffat's love of the character and River's past comment about needing a "spotter's guide" when it comes to the various Doctors.  Captain Jack Harkness, given his past experience with the Ninth and Tenth Doctors, and just to see his reaction to all those Doctors.  Maybe K-9 as well, as a way to give nods to past Doctors now that the Brigadier and Sarah Jane are sadly no longer with us.

Yeah, two years is still quite a way off and we still have a couple of Christmas specials and all of Series Seven between now and the 50th Anniversary.  Plenty of time for Moffat to work a few more puzzle pieces into his grand Eleventh Doctor Era Masterplan.  But for now, go ahead and indulge in all the fun fan speculation over what might be in store for us in 2013.  It'll be here before you know it...
Posted on November 23, 2011 .