Doctor Who is one of the most beloved science fiction shows in the world. It has been on for over 50 years and has had many notable writers contribute to its lore. One of the most prominent writers to work on the show is Neil Gaiman. Gaiman is a British comic book writer and novelist renowned for his fantasy works such as Coraline, Stardust, and American Gods. He has written two Doctor Who episodes and one Doctor Who novel. In this blog post, we will dive into the episodes Gaiman wrote and what made them stand out.
The Doctor’s Wife
The first episode that Gaiman wrote for the show was titled “The Doctor’s Wife.” It was the fourth episode of the sixth season and aired on May 14th, 2011. The episode was unique because it was the first time that the Doctor’s TARDIS was portrayed as sentient and capable of communicating with the Time Lord. The TARDIS, which took on a human form named “Idris,” quickly became a fan favorite for her quirky and mysterious personality.
In “The Doctor’s Wife,” the Doctor and his companion, Amy Pond, travel to a planet that houses a mysterious asteroid called “House.” House was unique because it was capable of consuming other planets and using them as fuel. The Doctor and Amy soon discover that House has consumed another Time Lord’s TARDIS and has used it to lure the Doctor and Amy to the planet. The episode showcased the bond between the Doctor and his TARDIS and gave fans a glimpse into the mind of the enigmatic blue box.
Nightmare in Silver
Gaiman’s second episode for Doctor Who was titled “Nightmare in Silver.” It was the twelfth episode of the seventh season and aired on May 11th, 2013. The episode featured the return of the Cybermen, a classic Doctor Who villain, and introduced new upgrades to their design, making them more formidable than ever.
In “Nightmare in Silver,” the Doctor takes his companion and her two foster children to a futuristic amusement park called “Hedgewick’s World of Wonders.” The park’s main attraction is a battle simulation against the Cybermen, where the guests are supposed to be guaranteed victory. However, the park’s caretaker foolishly activates a dormant group of Cybermen, who then proceed to take over the park. The episode showcased the Doctor’s intelligence and ingenuity in the face of the new and improved Cybermen.
Nothing O’Clock
In addition to the two episodes that Gaiman wrote, he also wrote a Doctor Who novel titled “Nothing O’Clock.” The novel was part of a series of short stories published by Puffin as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebrations. The story followed the Eleventh Doctor as he travels to Earth in the far future, discovering a mysterious alien race that had taken over the planet.
Conclusion
Neil Gaiman’s contribution to the Doctor Who universe has been significant and has left an indelible mark on the show’s legacy. His episodes “The Doctor’s Wife” and “Nightmare in Silver” were fan favorites and showcased Gaiman’s unique style and creativity. His Doctor Who novel “Nothing O’Clock” was also highly praised by fans and critics alike. Overall, Gaiman’s work on the show was a testament to his skill as a writer and his love for the world of Doctor Who.
FAQ
What all has Neil Gaiman written?
Neil Gaiman is a well-known English author with a prolific writing career spanning over three decades. He has published an impressive list of books, graphic novels, short stories, and screenplays, as well as various works of non-fiction, poetry, and audio adaptations.
One of his most popular and critically acclaimed works is the Sandman series of graphic novels, which tells the story of Morpheus, the Lord of Dreams. Other notable graphic novels that he has written include Batman: Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?, The Books of Magic, and Marvel 1602.
Gaiman’s novel American Gods has also garnered much attention and received several awards. It tells the story of Shadow Moon, a former convict who is thrust into a supernatural conflict between old gods and new gods. Its sequel, Anansi Boys, explores similar themes with a focus on the West African trickster god, Anansi.
In addition to fiction, Gaiman has written several children’s books, including Coraline, The Graveyard Book, and Fortunately, the Milk. He has also written screenplays for films such as Stardust and MirrorMask, and he has worked on television shows such as Doctor Who and Good Omens.
Gaiman has also written multiple short story collections, including Smoke and Mirrors and Fragile Things, and two novels co-written with Terry Pratchett: Good Omens and The Long Earth. He has also written several non-fiction works, such as The View from the Cheap Seats and Art Matters, which offer insights into his beliefs about storytelling and creativity.
Neil Gaiman’s wide-ranging body of work stands as a testament to his versatility as a writer and his dedication to exploring the many facets of human experience through the lens of fantasy and imagination.
Is the TARDIS the doctor’s wife?
In the popular science fiction show Doctor Who, the Doctor’s TARDIS (Time and Relative Dimension in Space) is often referred to as a living being. The TARDIS is a time machine that can travel through time and space, and it is an essential tool that the Doctor uses on his journeys through the universe. However, in one episode titled “The Doctor’s Wife,” a character named Idris claims to be the personification of the TARDIS and refers to the TARDIS as the Doctor’s wife.
Idris, who claims to be the TARDIS, explains that she is the Doctor’s TARDIS trapped in a human body. She tells the story of how the Doctor stole her from a museum on Gallifrey long ago, and how she has been his constant companion ever since. However, she has never been able to communicate with him before she took human form.
Throughout the episode, Idris exhibits a deep understanding of the Doctor that is unlike anything a machine could possess. She also shows emotions that seem more human than machine-like, which has led many fans to believe that the TARDIS is more than just a ship but is sentient in some sense. Idris also refers to herself as the Doctor’s wife, which has led some viewers to speculate that the Doctor has romantic feelings for the TARDIS.
However, it is worth noting that the show has never explicitly confirmed or denied the idea that the Doctor and the TARDIS have a romantic relationship. While the Doctor often speaks to the TARDIS in a way that suggests he cares about her deeply, this could simply be the result of his attachment to the ship that has helped him through countless adventures.
While there are hints that suggest that the Doctor and the TARDIS have a deeper relationship than just a man and his machine, the show has never explicitly confirmed this theory. Regardless, the TARDIS is an essential part of the show and is often seen as a companion to the Doctor.
Why did the TARDIS not like Clara?
Clara Oswald, played by Jenna Coleman, is one of the most popular companions in the history of Doctor Who. However, there was a moment in series 7 when the TARDIS, the iconic time and space spacecraft, seemed to dislike her. This was hinted at in the episode “The Rings of Akhaten” when the TARDIS doors refuse to open for Clara, despite the Doctor trying to make them. This left fans wondering, why did the TARDIS not like Clara?
In answering that question in Doctor Who Magazine, showrunner Steven Moffat suggested that the TARDIS’ dislike of the current companion may be due to her sceptical nature and how she did not seem suitably awed by the Doctor’s spaceship. The TARDIS is almost a character in its own right, and it has a personality of its own. It is known that the TARDIS is sentient and has feelings, as showcased in the episode “Journey’s End,” where the TARDIS was left heartbroken after the Doctor left her.
In “The Rings of Akhaten,” when Clara was unable to open the TARDIS doors, the Doctor said to her, “She’s not keen on you,” to which Clara replied, “Oh, great, brilliant. I’m stuck here, in a haunted house, with the worst thing in the world – a man.” This conversation demonstrated that the TARDIS had some level of dislike towards Clara.
However, it is important to note that the TARDIS has previously had a difficult relationship with other companions, such as Donna Noble. In the episode “The Runaway Bride,” the TARDIS was revealed to have thrown Donna off itself when she tried to leave the Doctor. The TARDIS also tried to keep Rose Tyler out of the console room in the episode “The Parting of the Ways.” So, the TARDIS’ dislike of Clara was not unique to her.
The TARDIS’ dislike of Clara may have been due to her sceptical nature and failure to show the necessary respect and awe towards the Doctor’s spaceship. However, it is not unusual for the TARDIS to be difficult with companions, so it would be wrong to attribute it solely to Clara’s personality.
Has Kate ever been in the TARDIS?
Kate Stewart, the head of UNIT (Unified Intelligence Taskforce), has appeared in several episodes of Doctor Who. However, her time spent in the TARDIS, the Doctor’s time machine and spaceship, has been very limited. In the episode “The Power of Three,” which aired in 2012, Kate is seen stepping into the TARDIS briefly when the Doctor introduces her to his spaceship.
Despite her limited time in the TARDIS, Kate’s experiences with the Doctor and her knowledge of alien invasions have seemingly granted her the status of a companion, which is a term used to refer to the Doctor’s close friends who travel with him on his adventures. In the episode “The Day of the Doctor,” Kate is shown working closely with the Eleventh Doctor and other former companions of the Doctor in order to save the universe from total destruction. During this episode, Kate shares some of her experiences with the Doctor, revealing that her work with UNIT has given her insight into some of the most dangerous threats to Earth.
While Kate is not a traditional companion in the same sense as characters like Rose Tyler, Martha Jones, or Clara Oswald, she has proven herself to be a capable ally of the Doctor. Her expertise in dealing with alien threats and her willingness to work with the Doctor despite the danger involved suggest that Kate may be the sort of companion the Doctor needs in times of crisis.
While Kate Stewart has only been in the TARDIS once, her status as a companion has been cemented by her experiences with the Doctor and her role in saving the universe. Kate’s expertise and bravery make her a valuable ally to the Doctor, and fans of the show can only hope to see her join the Doctor on more adventures in the future.
Who is the Doctor’s Gallifreyan wife?
The topic of the Doctor’s Gallifreyan wife is a complex and multifaceted one, which has been the subject of much speculation and controversy among Doctor Who fans. In the show’s long and complex history, there have been many references to the Doctor’s romantic relationships, but the identity of his wife remains something of a mystery.
One possible candidate for the role of the Doctor’s Gallifreyan wife is “Patience”, a name given by Tegan Jovanka to the mysterious woman who appeared in the serial “Arc of Infinity”. In this story, the Doctor is surprised to discover that he is reported to be married, and it is suggested that his wife may be involved in a plot to destroy Gallifrey.
However, this story is considered by many fans to be non-canonical, and the identity of the Doctor’s wife remains uncertain. Some have speculated that he may have had a romantic relationship with the Time Lady Romana, who travelled with him for several adventures during his fourth incarnation. Others have suggested that the Doctor’s wife may be a Time Lady who has not yet been introduced in the show.
It is worth noting, however, that the Doctor’s relationship with his family and romantic partners has never been the primary focus of the show. Instead, the focus has always been on the Doctor’s adventures through time and space, and the relationships he forms with his companions along the way. While the identity of the Doctor’s wife may remain a mystery for now, it is clear that his adventures will continue to thrill and entertain fans for many years to come.
Is The TARDIS In Love With the Doctor?
The relationship between the Doctor and the TARDIS is one of the most intriguing and fascinating aspects of Doctor Who. Since the beginning of the show, fans have speculated about the true nature of the Doctor’s connection to his time machine. Some have even suggested that the TARDIS is in love with the Doctor, an idea that has gained traction in recent years.
It’s easy to see why fans might think that the TARDIS is in love with the Doctor. After all, the Doctor and the TARDIS have been together for over 50 years, and they’ve shared countless adventures and experiences. As the Doctor’s constant companion, the TARDIS is always there for him, even when everything else falls apart. She’s saved his life more times than he can count, and she’s taken him to some of the most amazing and beautiful places in the universe.
But is the TARDIS really in love with the Doctor? It’s hard to say for sure, as the show has never explicitly addressed this question. However, there are certainly hints and clues that suggest that the TARDIS might have some kind of emotional attachment to the Doctor.
For example, the Doctor often talks to the TARDIS as if she were a living being, using words like “her” and “she” instead of “it.” He also seems to have a deep understanding of the TARDIS, and he’s able to read her moods and feelings in ways that no one else can. In addition, the TARDIS has shown signs of sentience and even personality, such as when she refused to take the Doctor where he wanted to go in the episode “The Doctor’s Wife.”
All of these factors have led many fans to conclude that the TARDIS is more than just a machine – she’s a living being with her own thoughts, feelings, and emotions. And some fans believe that the TARDIS is in love with the Doctor, or at least has a deep emotional connection to him.
Of course, there are other interpretations of the Doctor and TARDIS relationship as well. Some fans see the TARDIS as more of a tool or a vehicle, rather than a sentient being. And even those who believe that the TARDIS is alive might argue that she’s not in love with the Doctor, but rather simply has a strong bond with him as her pilot and caretaker.
The question of whether the TARDIS is in love with the Doctor is one that may never be fully resolved. But it’s certainly a fascinating and important aspect of the show, and it adds a layer of depth and complexity to the Doctor’s already rich and complex character.
Does Clara have her own TARDIS?
Clara Oswald is one of the most unique and beloved companions in the history of Doctor Who. She first appeared in the show’s seventh series as a young woman who the Eleventh Doctor couldn’t resist investigating, as she kept appearing throughout his timeline. Clara quickly became a fan favorite and was later brought back for Series 8 and 9, as a full-time companion of the Twelfth Doctor.
Throughout her run as a companion, Clara’s story arc was one of the most ambitious and complex in the show’s history. One of the major developments in her character was the fact that she got her own TARDIS. Although it was not exactly a full-sized TARDIS, but a tiny version called the TARDIS “Me,” created by the Doctor for Clara as a birthday present.
The TARDIS “Me” was first introduced in the episode “Flatline,” where the Doctor was stuck inside the shrunken TARDIS and could only communicate with Clara through a small screen. The concept of a miniature TARDIS was not new to Doctor Who, as it had been introduced in the classic series as well. However, this was the first time a companion got her own TARDIS.
The TARDIS “Me” may have been small, but it still had all the features of a regular TARDIS, including a console, a color scheme of blue and white, and a time rotor. Clara, thrilled at the gift, used it to save the day, proving that she was a true hero and that she was more than just a mere companion.
The answer is yes, Clara Oswald got her own TARDIS, albeit it was a miniature version. Nevertheless, this was a significant development in her character arc, and it allowed her to explore the cosmos independently and showcase her bravery and ingenuity as a hero. Clara’s TARDIS “Me” remains one of the most delightful and innovative aspects of the show’s recent history, and it was a clear indication of how Doctor Who continues to push the boundaries and take risks with its storytelling.
Did Susan come up with the name TARDIS?
Susan, the granddaughter of the first Doctor in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Carole Ann Ford, has been an important character in the show’s early history. She was a companion to the Doctor in the first season, which aired from 1963 to 1964. She was portrayed as a teenage girl who had accompanied the Doctor on his travels through time and space in their time machine, which she had named the TARDIS.
It is revealed in the early episodes of the show that Susan and her grandfather, the Doctor (played by William Hartnell), are exiles from their own people in “another time, another world”. They have been travelling through space and time in the TARDIS, which she had named from the acronym “Time and Relative Dimension in Space”.
So, did Susan come up with the name TARDIS? The answer is yes, she did. It was through her that the acronym was introduced to the viewers and it has since become a staple in the show’s history. It was widely used in the following seasons and is still used today in the modern iterations of the show as well.
Susan was a vital character in the series, not only for coming up with TARDIS’ name and its significance, but also for being the first companion of the Doctor. Her character was well received by the viewers and played a significant role in the show’s early success.
Susan did come up with the name TARDIS, which has since become an iconic part of Doctor Who’s mythology. Her character was a vital part of the show’s early history and helped establish it as one of the most beloved science fiction shows of all time.