Rate & Discuss: The Day of the Doctor

November 23rd, 2013
Warning! This article and its comments may contain spoilers...

In 2013, something terrible is awakening in London’s National Gallery; in 1562, a murderous plot is afoot in Elizabethan England; and somewhere in space an ancient battle reaches its devastating conclusion. All of reality is at stake as the Doctor’s own dangerous past comes back to haunt him.

It was the day he’s been running from all of his lives, but was it a day worth waiting for?

Well it doesn’t get much bigger than that! Doctor Who has just celebrated an honourable 50 years of time and space in a spectacular adventure that premiered simultaneously on TV and in cinemas worldwide. Millions of fans over the globe united as the Doctor’s past came back to haunt him and it was three Time Lords for the price of one as the mystery of John Hurt’s inscrutable incarnation was finally resolved. And what a resolution it was…

50 years ago today the Doctor started running and he hasn’t stopped running since. With returning Doctors, companions and villains alike, tonight’s landmark special paid tribute to the show’s spectacular past and also looked to the future as an ancient battle reached its devastating conclusion. There were plenty of shocks and surprises along the way and the stakes had never been higher… Now the Moment’s been and gone, how do you feel?

After years, months and weeks of huge anticipation and speculation, did The Day of the Doctor live up to your expectations? Was it worthy recognition of the Time Lord’s half a century in business? There’s lots to say and one place to say it. Share your views below!

NOTE: The discussion will NOT be spoiler monitored so please do not read the comments if you haven’t seen The Day of the Doctor. You have been warned!

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(64 Votes, Average: 4.72/5)
140 comments on this article
  1. Kelsey Kronenberg
    November 30th, 2013 at 3.46pm | #1

    The Day Of The Doctor was an amazing episode it was funny and at the same time very emotional. I watched The Day Of The Doctor on my tv because they didn’t show it in the cinema’s in my country. (The Netherlands). But still it really felt like a film and it was so amazing. This is the best episode I’ve ever seen. Steven wrote an awesome story the way the actors played the part was amazing no one could replace them. And I love the end because they brought Gallifrey back and it was quite remarkable because it gives a whole new light to Doctor Who.
    I’d love to have some Doctor Who stuff because I can’t buy it in my country.

  2. JOANNE LASSITER
    November 30th, 2013 at 3.59pm | #2

    The Day of the Doctor was simply pure genius! I’ve watched it 5 times already and I’m still going to continue. This recording won’t be deleted from my DVR for at least a year. Now, I just have to get myself emotionally ready to say goodbye to Matt Smith as The Doctor. He’s MY Doctor. I don’t want him to go. :’(

  3. Emily Grace
    November 30th, 2013 at 5.35pm | #3

    “The Day of the Doctor”? For me, it was more like the Week of the Doctor. The BBC have really set the bar high for future anniversary celebrations to come, with the multitude of programmes dedicated to that one Mad Man in a Blue Box. From explaining the Science behind the show, taught to us by the ever-charming Brian Cox, to the Guide that explored the Doctor’s past, an insight for every generation of Whovian. However, the written dramas, to me, were the most “Fantastic!” of all.

    Mark Gatiss’s story of how Doctor Who came to this world blew me away. “An Adventure in Time and Space” was exceptional and beautifully written, bringing tears to my eyes within the first few minutes, with David Bradley brilliantly casted as the late William Hartnell. If the narrative wasn’t enough, the extra surprise of some of the original cast members of Doctor Who sighted throughout the programme was the cherry on top. It got me extremely excited for the main event to come.

    And wasn’t it brilliant. “Absolute genius”. Steven Moffat really lived up to our expectations, which were hyped up by minisodes that transported Paul McGann’s Doctor to the screen, giving him the long-awaited regeneration he never had. We finally got to see the ever-elusive Time War and how destructive it had become; you could empathise with John Hurt’s Doctor and how he had given up hope of ever saving his people. Luckily, Billie Piper’s character, the Moment in the form of Bad Wolf, stepped in, bringing in the future selves of the Doctor, David Tennant and Matt Smith, and one of his companion’s, Clara “the Impossible Girl” Oswald (Jenna Coleman) with her to show the light in the darkness. Filled with time complications, 3D art, Queen Liz the 1st and Zygons, the anniversary special never gets boring, especially with the boyish chemistry between “Sandshoes, Chinny and Granddad”.

    My favourite moment was when all 13 Doctors, including the future regeneration, Peter Capaldi, who will fully come to our screens this Christmas, come together to save their home. You could hear the viewers from all over the world cheering them on to victory through the amazing, emotive speeches of hope the Doctors gave to the Time Lord Army. This little plotline twist alone gave Doctor Who fans a reason to celebrate what is the most outstanding British show of all time.

  4. John Montoya
    November 30th, 2013 at 6.06pm | #4

    The Day of the Doctor, where to start? I watched it live on TV, then drove to Los Angeles to watch it in 3D. The story line was perfect, not too sad, not too funny, not too far out there. John Hurt as the War Doctor was brilliant, Bille Piper as The Moment fit perfect. The interaction between the 10th and 11th Doctors was classic – what you would naturally expect if you found those two in the same room. The story line about Gallifrey and the War Doctor asking the other two doctors why they were afraid of growing up – all leads perfectly to the 12th Doctor. The episode will forever be a classic in the spirit of the 50th anniversary.

  5. Lina Goldenberg
    November 30th, 2013 at 8.13pm | #5

    Oh gosh, if I could use one word to describe The Day of the Doctor it would be…FANTASTIC! I could not have been happier with the script and the acting. The way the tree doctors played off of one another was absolutely brilliant. I really enjoyed the little things that they added that only very devoted Whovians would understand, like the “wobbly wobbly…” And so many more! It brought the fandom together and I am so grateful to see all of the on screen together. I do wish there was some interaction between Rose and 10 but I do think since their relationship was so complicated, they didn’t want to add that to the mix as well. It was a great setup for 12th journey in the upcoming season! Ah thank you Moffat for this amazing treat :)

  6. Myra Fox
    November 30th, 2013 at 10.53pm | #6

    I watched with a group of friends and we all agreed it was a wonderful episode that was even better than we hoped.

    The three doctors arguing and planning was priceless.

  7. Amy Miller
    December 1st, 2013 at 3.24am | #7

    I loved Day of the Doctor. Bad Wolf was the perfect selection for The Moment’s avatar. Companion and TARDIS together. In spite of the height of drama, they still managed so much silliness! Even the extremely dramatic episodes usually make me laugh, and this was no exception. Well done!

  8. Luka Kumburovic
    December 1st, 2013 at 11.14pm | #8

    Since we all know how good this episode was,i would like to point how much i loved every tiny detail of the episode,because if you pay some attention you will see that almost every object and every situation honours show 50 years.
    I must admit that my expectations were really high and they really impressed me.
    They managed to give as a very good story,change the game,secure the future of the show, and still pay attention at past 50 years without making it fanfest.Absolutely wonderful!

  9. Anastasia Zaitseva
    December 3rd, 2013 at 8.29am | #9

    I have watched it I don’t know how many times but I’m goin to watch it hundred more.I watched it on Ukrainian and I am very proud that I’m Doctor who fan living in Kiev. It’s imposibly cool like bow ties!

  10. Luke Mountain
    December 6th, 2013 at 11.20pm | #10

    in my opinion, The day of the Doctor was what I expected. The five Doctors with only three and a bit of humor, It could have been BETTER by a mile but it was still a bad ass episode and the doctor (John hurt) played the idea of the warrior doctor very well. It is a shame that Christopher Eccleston refused to show in it and that he has turned his back on the whovians as he was the doctor i started watching DW with! Also I WANT JOHN HURT’S SONIC SCREWDRIVER!!!!!!!!!!

  11. katie shepherd
    December 16th, 2013 at 5.08pm | #11

    amazing episode, absolutely loved it but its a shame that it didn’t fit in with the ending of series 7 ending but other wise L…O…V…E loved it.

  12. Georgia
    December 17th, 2013 at 9.48pm | #12

    Hi!! I found the day of the doctor brilliant!! Loved the fact they put 10 in (love tennant :D) and the fez! The fez is cool!
    I really need one of those paintings.

    Anyway it was spectacular and finally we had some gallifrey!! Yay ^^

  13. Matthew Littledyke
    December 24th, 2013 at 3.15pm | #13

    Now over a month later I still think it was great and really enjoyed it especially the scene where all 13 doctors showed cup and saved gallifray

  14. isabella
    January 4th, 2014 at 1.57pm | #14

    I was very pleased when I found out that David would be coming back ,he is my doctor.The day of the Doctor did not dissapoint, although my sister says otherwise, she just isnt what we are.I found it very intreaging. there was so much to it,it explains almost everything exept:

    where is gallifrey?

    I know that it is somwhere in a pocket universe but where
    I think that in the next series with capaldi he should go out looking for gallifrey.I think that would make most sence.dont you?

  15. isabella
    January 4th, 2014 at 2.08pm | #15

    @lidagoldenberg

    you know you said that there was no interaction between 10 and bad wolf?

    well there is.when all of the doctors are in the barn,10 sees bad wolf and is about to say something but she is gone

  16. isabella
    February 1st, 2014 at 11.20am | #16

    even though it has been over a month since the 50th I still find it very enjoyable I love it!

  17. John Smith
    March 2nd, 2014 at 3.08pm | #17

    It would’ve been better with more Doctors, Companions and Villians. Apart from that everything else was perfect.

  18. Rachel tennant
    April 8th, 2014 at 9.57pm | #18

    This episode made me cry SO hard .just the fact that they included not one, not two, but 3 doctors in it,not to mention bad wolf (technically the weapon interface), Clara , and queen Elizabeth
    Brings back do many memories of doctors past. I REALLY started sobbing when
    Matt smith was talking to TOM BAKER!! Here in America,it’s very rare to find other whovians, that just makes me love it even more. HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY DOCTOR WHO!!!!

  19. Rachel tennant
    April 8th, 2014 at 9.59pm | #19

    @isabella
    Also, the only person that can see the interface( bad wolf)
    It John hurt

  20. Olivia
    April 12th, 2014 at 11.56pm | #20

    My little brother and I went to go see it in theaters and it was awesome. It was (i think) the best episode in the history of Doctor Who. You know why? First of all ten and eleven plus rose all together in an episode,Second of all It had all the doctors in the same scene at the end and last but not least, Gallifrey was brought back. I mean, I was definitely not the only one in our theater that jumped up and started screaming, am i right? Our course I am! Love You all my fellow whovians!
    Kiss Kiss,
    -Liv

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