11 OMG moments from Doctor Who
Here’s a gobsmacker for each year of New Who’s life
2008
“When Doctor Who returns in 2010… it won’t be with me” (29 October)
Accepting his third Drama Performance gong in a row at the 2008 National Television Awards, David Tennant dropped the mother of all bombshells by revealing live on air that he was quitting Doctor Who.
Speaking via video-link from Stratford-upon-Avon, where he was appearing as Hamlet, the most popular Time Lord since Tom Baker told viewers: “When Doctor Who returns in 2010… it won’t be with me. The 2009 shows will be my last playing the Doctor.”
To audible gasps from the audience in the Albert Hall, he continued: “I love this part and I love this show so much, that if I don’t take a deep breath and make the decision to move on now, then I simply never will. This show has been so special to me, I don't want to outstay my welcome.”
As if.
2009
“That’s not Maggie…” (The Waters of Mars, 15 November)
If Doctor Who is about running down corridors away from monsters (which, let’s face it, it often is) then this is surely one of the best demonstrations of the art.
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For a start, the Doctor and Captain Adelaide Brooks (Lindsay Duncan) don’t just run – they ride on a robot. And has there ever been a creepier monster than the Flood – a viral species that’s infected the human crew of a Mars base and turned them into deranged zombies, spewing a constant torrent of water from their cracked mouths? (Also, aren’t zombies supposed to shuffle along like a bus queue? Scarily, this lot could give Usain Bolt a run for his money.)
And from a 2016 perspective, how wonderful that the Mars settlement is called Bowie Base One. Is there life on Mars? Yes, and it’s utterly terrifying.
2010
“I. Am. Talking!” (The Pandorica Opens, 19 June)
Any concerns that 26-year-old Matt Smith might be too young or inexperienced to play the Doctor were put to bed the moment he climbed out of his upended TARDIS talking about apples and swimming pools and yoghurt.
But the defining moment of Smith’s first year is when the Eleventh Doctor mounts an altar stone at Stonehenge to address the assembled hordes of his greatest enemies – and basically tells them to come and have a go if they think they’re hard enough.
“Just remember who’s standing in your way,” he warns them. “Remember every black day I ever stopped you, and then… and then, do the smart thing. Let somebody else try first.”
This is possibly the most triumphantly grandstanding moment the Doctor has ever had, in any of his incarnations. It’s his equivalent of Henry V’s St Crispin’s Day speech – and Smith totally nails it.
