The Night of the Doctor: A Mini Episode | The Day of the Doctor Prequel | Doctor Who | BBC

[@Theocook1]

"I'm a doctor, but probably not the one you expected" They must have so enjoyed writing that line of dialogue...

[@loug1016]

He must have enjoyed saying it!

[@uny4781]

"Where are we going?" "Back of the ship." "Why?" "Because the front crashes first, think it through." I love that line.

[@eichelbergergary]

Yeah, This is quintessential Eight by McGann. Moffat must have listened to a fair amount of Big Finish to write the character so unswervingly from the established persona. It is pitch perfect. Anyone who likes this portrayal owes themselves some Big Finish. I really think McGann is at his very best in Doom Coalition, which is actually not a bad jumping on point - and equal kudos to Dark Eyes, although knowing the immediate backstory there from the previous audio series greatly bolsters the emotional drivers of the Dark Eyes story. Doom Coalition is also more cohesive as a single story arc, as it was designed from the start as a four volume storyline, while Dark Eyes had some serious bolt-on characteristics that reflected its modified format after it was expanded from a single volume story. Both are incredible audio, worthy of multiple listens. A ting from all characters is first rate, as always, but with these stories they really upped the game on production values, i.e. audio quality, effects and music. Exciting stuff.

[@Zebby-Dee]

Depending on the size of the craft it gives more time to think about how to escape. It is big enough it would have slowed down enough to jump off. *sorted*

[@guntherabrahamowicz4659]

@@eichelbergergary Blood of the Daleks (with Lucie) is my suggestion for a starting point.

[@J.R8765]

@@guntherabrahamowicz4659 yeah, that's how I started by accident. It was great and I didn't expect Haley Atwell to be in it

[@propertyofranger]

I never get tired of watching Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. He is beyond brilliant, and beings so much to the role. It is so terribly unfair that he's had so little screen time as the Doctor - the man deserves entire seasons dedicated to his incarnation!

[@IOmoon6221]

+propertyofranger He already has. Big Finnish.

[@propertyofranger]

+Ionut Maris I have all of his Big Finish audio adventures, and he is magnificent in them. But it's so not the same as having entire seasons dedicated to his amazing character on TV.

[@Hudson112]

+propertyofranger Wouldn't that make his audio adventures useless?

[@propertyofranger]

+Hudson112 Why would it make them useless? He's a time traveller with many adventures. Why can't he have both audio adventures as well as a television series?

[@sootysine2384]

I KNOW!!! He is one of my favorites. Doctor Who The Movie is also one of my favorite Doctor Who stories. Especially the music and 90's tv movie style. It gives a feeling that I don't know how to describe..

[@Gggmanlives]

I wish we could more interim episodes like this with McGann, he's a really good Doctor.

[@JnEricsonx]

"We're heading to the back." "Why?" "Because the front part crashes first, think it through."

[@bonniealbo3324]

So good! Wish he had his own series!

[@ashley-z4l6m]

He did a lot of radio I think as the 8th Doctor en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Doctor_Who_radio_stories

[@ashley-z4l6m]

32 episodes I think

[@carlofrancisco1501]

*Gman?* im suprised to see an Australian game reviewer also talks about Doctor Who

[@hlkeeley]

Paul McGann is so perfect for the doctor. He has so much emotion and comedic timing. He is literally worn down, and you can tell the Doctor is at that moment will join the war because there is no choice. That is why he gives others a choice to back down and walk away, to prevent another war.

[@ItsSpecialHands]

You can see his TARDIS is battleworn too, 8 lived such a long, hard life

[@yohansong3207]

One of the best regeneration stories ever... In less than 10 minutes!

[@MultiJman01]

Yohan Song o

[@TheAdorkableRJ]

''Keepers of the Flame of Utter Boredom.'' ''Eternal Life!'' ''That's the one!'' Gotta love how he still delivered some funny lines even in such a sad, dark, dramatic short.

[@RiverJanewayRoslin]

"Four minutes that's ages. What if I get bored or need a television couple of books; anyone for chess; bring me knitting." I can just see Paul McGann sitting there on the ground all dusty and knitting of all things! HAHAHA It's just too funny and never gets old! Paul I miss you so much you are my one true Doctor.

[@KrytenMark]

Paul McGann shall always remain a great Doctor, no matter what people thought of the movie. He was a true star in this mini episode and I applaud him. :)

[@KrytenMark]

***** Definitely not! If anything, he was just fine.

[@AlexT1994]

***** I think anyone who thought the TV movie was anything apart from really, really fun isn't a fan of Doctor Who :D I love the fact that it was like The Terminator mixed with Doctor Who.

[@KrytenMark]

AlexT1994 I can agree with you on that one. :)

[@KasaiWolf07]

I loved the movie, Paul McGann was quite funny. "Jelly baby?" *Cop looks at him* "He's British" lol.

[@KrytenMark]

Yes, that was pretty funny indeed. ^^

[@Elnont]

If Paul McGann had 3 seasons of RTD writing like David Tennant I truly he’d believe he’d be one of the most iconic and popular doctors, up there Tennant and Baker themselves.

[@funnyfunnyvalentine7991]

He has a good 20something years of content in the Big Finish audiobooks

[@Elnont]

@@funnyfunnyvalentine7991 and I’ve listened to it all - I WANT LIVR ACTION haha

[@crazyman8472]

Maybe with RTD back in the day. Now, not so much… 🤦‍♀️

[@DoctorRedivivus]

"Yes, I'm a Time Lord but I'm one of the nice ones!" Ah, Paul McGann on TV again, demonstrating why he should have had a longer run on screen. Naturally, this takes nothing away from the many excellent audio adventures in which he reprised his role as the Eighth Doctor.

[@ItsSpecialHands]

Imagine how good Human Resources would have been as a TV two partner though, one of my fave Cybermen stories

[@DoctorRedivivus]

@@ItsSpecialHands The Eighth Doctor and Lucie Miller together on screen? It would be wonderful - I'd certainly want to see that. :-)

[@FuryousD]

Would be nice if those radio episodes could be animated like some of the lost episodes were

[@vollied4865]

'Physician heal thy self' God why is that line so raw. Very rarely does a does Doctor deliver a line with so much weight in so few words.

[@MaccamatBuxAnimations]

They should create a mini-series with 6 episodes or a full one for Paul McGann just to let his Doctor have a good run.

[@SouthPark333Gaming]

agreed

[@MrBooks-lx6hk]

MaccamatBux Animations if it was his later life yes but not so much earlier. But I think that may not be possible because of Big Finish

[@MaccamatBuxAnimations]

Mr. Books Yeah, his recent life before this mini-episode is what I have in mind. That would be great.

[@Userrrrr1990]

MaccamatBux Animations I agree

[@alienbenny8384]

MaccamatBux Animations they are thinking of crossing capaldi's doctor with mcgann

[@beepboopethanj]

It's funny, when you think about it. His first words pondered who he was, "WHO AM I?!" His last words confirmed who he was, "Physician heal thyself.", instating himself as as a healer and wise man (physician, doctor).

[@iHuzza]

And it also is a reference to the Bible, as at various points of the TV movie (like after he regenerates) there is imagery which makes the Doctor appear similar to Jesus (from his first scene, the shroud that he wears, and him forcing the door to his "tomb" open). His last line, which you quoted, is a direct quotation from Jesus in the Bible as well, bringing the bible references full circle.

[@iHuzza]

***** Pretty much! While some people bash Moffat for his writing, I love the little references he implements, it makes the show a bit more interesting.

[@Kiralitess]

iHuzza He really didn't start doing that, at least not well, until the second half of series 7. It took him two and a half series to do it, but I think Moffat has finally learned what Doctor Who is about. The Doctor, not companions like Amy and Rory(Soooooo, glad they are gone). Before that, you couldn't stop me from watching each new episode when it aired, but during that two and a half series portion, the amount of time between when each episode aired and when I actually watched it, got longer, and longer, and longer. Then with Amy and Rory gone, I was/and am back to watching it when it airs. That horrible companion duo is gone. YES! Celebrate good times, come on!

[@iHuzza]

Sonic Doctor I really didn't mind how well he did them, it was their appearance in the first place. I agree, towards the end of their tenure, Amy and Rory were starting to dilute the show and make it more about their characters instead of the Doctor's. In all honesty, I liked series 5, it was a really solid series in my opinion, but series 6/7.1 were simply a car-crash, as the plot just became so detached and over-complicated that it was difficult for me to actually care about the central characters.

[@Kiralitess]

iHuzza For me the "car crash" started a few episodes before the end of series 5, and culminated in the dreadful finale. Really think about it think about how the Doctor was save in the end. Amy wishes him back into existence, one person, a tear drop, and poof, the Doctor is back. Yeah, the Doctor before had had some pretty out there ways of surviving, and when I mention the end of series 5, people say well what about series 3's ending, that was worse, definitely not believable. Of course I say, no it was well explained and believable fiction. Series 5 was one girl's wish. Series 3 was the mental/psychic power of an entire world bent at one point, the Doctor and him being restored/saved.

[@BFMachine]

Even now Paul McGann is still the sexiest Doctor, plus he embodies all the great character traits but in an adult manor. You believe his sincerity and he can pass off sarcasm without appearing childish.

[@brownblair98]

We saw His beginning. We witnessed His end. Well done,BBC. You have not forgotten Him.

[@csc_03]

And we listened to everything else. And it was brilliant.

[@ChairmanOProductions]

I am so glad that Paul McGann finally got a proper regeneration.

[@maartenprehn3960]

"I'm a doctor, but probably not the one you were expecting". This is a genius line. Everyone who has seen this mini episode and knows at least one of his audios should know that 8 is one of the best doctors out there.

[@Lauranna]

Paul McGann is a great Doctor. He is fantastic in the Doctor Who audio books. He's reason I got into them in the first place. I really hope he gets to appear as The Doctor on screen again at some point.

[@lindasmith6316]

Love Paul McGann.Favorite line:"Bring me knitting."

[@Lab-Gr0wn-Lambs]

lol XD it's a shame he didn't get a whole series

[@lindasmith6316]

Catie the Scribble I know,I thought he was very good ; the TV movie just wasn't good enough to give him a chance.(I liked it, though.)

[@AndySwaggly]

+Linda Smith There's always Big finish, he'd done hundreds of stories on there (you have to pay but what's there is still good)

[@its-morbintime]

So far he's my favourite Doctor to have featured on the New Show overall (I don't count Tom Baker as the Curator because he's not 4 there). I often wonder why they didn't just get HIM to be The War Doctor. In terms of story and characters (also as the "me I don't talk about" ie the one that only got one movie) it lines up perfectly.

[@PaulSmithASTD]

+Morbius Fitzgerald - I've always thought that exact same thing. In fact I think that would have been BETTER. Because we see "The Doctor" choosing to give up his "goodness" to be a "Warrior". It would have been, IMHO, far more impactful to see #8 go from being the giddy, child-like fellow we met in the TV movie to accepting that he could no longer stay on the fringes of the Time War... and becomes the Warrior himself. I think that would have been much more dramatic and emotional to play with as a plot and character development. As wonderful as John Hurt is, slipping in an 'extra' War Doctor as the one who fought in the war was actually a bit too convenient for me, and allowed the character to be far too disconnected and clean from his own actions.

[@jdofthefunk]

I wish Mcgann had a proper series.

[@DoctorDodge]

At least there's the audios, of which he's done 10 seasons of so far. :)

[@millennials4trumpmillennia455]

I'm just so very glad we got to see him again! He got so little respect in the fandom, but this does make me feel better.

[@kwatson813]

IKR he was great in the movie. And he is so handsome ~spoken like a true fangirl lol~

[@millennials4trumpmillennia455]

kwatson813 I hope your not referring to ME as a fangirl. >.

[@archive9796]

He does His audio adventures and all 4 series of Dark Eyes

[@DarthRushy]

The universe is ending. 8: Is crushed by responsibility. 10: is disappointed and fulfilled with determination. 11: Wheeeeee!!!

[@MrMyster1ous]

What would the Ninth Doctor do in your scenario?

[@DarthRushy]

MrMyster1ous Win.

[@DarthAzabrush]

DarthRushy Grumble more like

[@DarthRushy]

Ian Warner No, he'd just take it on like he took on the Daleks.

[@DarthRushy]

MineBlox ProPlayer What?

[@JamesCPotter13]

Anyone notice he had the choice to be a Ginger Warrior and he didn't take it?

[@d_the_great]

No wonder why he only wanted to after this regeneration. Wooooow.

[@ebrandt9698]

because it was only 10 and 11 who wanted to be ginger.

[@ride-playerbb2818]

JamesCPotter13 Do we even know what the war doctor's original hair color is?

[@ebrandt9698]

+just another hufflepuff brown

[@nerdfightercommenter6969]

He probably thought that the warrior didn't deserve to be ginger lol

[@Neithie]

I kind of wish they'd started the new series with this Doctor. He's pretty incredible to watch and the actor IS the Doctor.

[@sokuddo]

Keepers of the flame, of utter boredom. Eternal life. That's the one...

[@timrob12]

0:59! Return of the old sonic screwdriver! I love these tiny little details.

[@benjamingrant5970]

Is it wrong to think that this simple, little short story,told in less than 10 minutes, has better writing, better acting,better effects,more pathos,more callbacks,is just,in general, SUPERIOR, to any of the crap churned out over the last 3 or so years? I'm so glad Paul,and the rest of us,at least got THIS.

[@peanutbutter2630]

Hell yeah! I would love to see Paul McGann back as the 8th Doctor on TV or maybe even the 14th Doctor. It's a shame that we got only so little of him as the 8th Doctor.

[@rossmandell8734]

Paul Mcgann is great. He deserves his own series. His audio shows are also great.

[@SpectreSaunders]

It's great that in the Big Finish 8th Doctor Time War audio dramas have made Cass a companion. With her & 8's timeline being made "wibbly, wobbly, timey, wimey" due to the conflict of the time war messing up the universes continuity.

[@DEWGGaming]

"But probably not the one you were expecting." Damn right, for anyone that's never seen this at least.

[@lisakaz35]

Hard to believe this is so short and so well done. Congrats to all who made it work.

[@gavinlopez7302]

Wait so the war doctor started out young and grew into an old man the time war was really THAT long?!

[@rafko250]

Well its a time war they could have fought an entreaty for every moment of the war. Time is relative especially for timelords from our perspective a moment could have passed from theirs a million years could have passed.

[@IOmoon6221]

Well, if I remember correctly, in the Engines of War novel, it's stated that War fought for 400 years, so the Time War must be longer than that (I'll personally give it 500-600 years)

[@artbunker]

Vatz9 Remember 11 was on Trenzalor for at least 600 years . He aged as well

[@johnknight7064]

artbunker McGann was on Orbis for around 600 years as well

[@vito7654]

yes like a matt smitch

[@immortuipraebibo910]

I love the, "4 minutes? What if I get bored?" That's so consistent with New Who, especially Matt Smith.

[@cmrobbins88]

I see that A LOT of people are confused about who this new Doctor is supposed to be. First off, this takes place during the *Time War*, the greatest war between the *Time Lords of Gallifrey* and their arch enemy, *the Daleks from Scarro*. This war ravaged all of time and space and many innocents were caught in the crossfire. This took place mainly during the Doctor's *8th incarnation* (Paul McGann, the one that only got a movie instead of a series). After the ship crashed he decides to regenerate into this incarnation, *The War Doctor*, the one who foresakes his title name and the promise he made with it, to protect aid rather than attack and kill, by fighting in the Time War and ending it by "supposedly" wiping out the Daleks AND the Time Lords. This begins the trope that the Doctor is *the Last of the TIme Lords*, during his time as the following regenerations; *the 9th Doctor* (Christopher Eccelston), *the 10th Doctor* (David Tennant), and the *11th Doctor* (Matt Smith). *The War Doctor*, the one that comes before the *9th Doctor*, is the incarnation that the Doctor would rather forget, so he is never mentioned until the 3rd to last episode of the *11th Doctor's* last series, "The Name of the Doctor". If you can't understand this *wibbley wobley timey wimey stuff*, watch the following episodes, *The Name of the Doctor* and *The Day of the Doctor* in Series 7.

[@piplup2009]

so he could go to gallifrey and there was a planet full of timelords in the classic series?

[@cmrobbins88]

piplup2009 Yes. The Time Lords were very prominent in the classic series. For example, at the end of the series with the 2nd Doctor, they exiled him to Earth for a while and they forced his regeneration into the Third Doctor. The 5th Doctor and 6th Doctor also had a few episodes with the Time Lords. And this was all before the Time War that started in the main time line of the series, during the 8th Doctor's timeline (the Doctor that you see in this video regenerating into the War Doctor).

[@IOmoon6221]

+Geass Prince Great explanation. :) But please, PLEASE correct "Skaro".

[@piplup2009]

Geass Prince oh, been watching doctor who for 10 years and didn't know the classic series was before the time war

[@cmrobbins88]

piplup2009 Yes, the Time War doesn't take place until after the movie with the 8th Doctor. It happens before the first season of the new series with the 9th Doctor.

[@kevindavies2114]

I would love to see Paul McGann reprise his role in a full episode with Capaldi.

[@mr.barcode3186]

Yeah, sort of like a "Two Doctors" remake kind of thing. I like that idea.

[@megavidaeos]

He had a small part in the latest finale, hopefully RTD will bring him on for a full episode or something.

[@HelloTardis]

Moffat clarified this in an interview. The problem is so many people are trying to number this regeneration so it makes sense, but in this case you can't include the doctors regen limit when talking about john hurt. This (in very simple terms) was a freebie regeneration. The elixir brought it about, so it doesn't count to his regen limit. Couple that with the fact that he chose to now be "The Warrior" and it's all settled. 8 is still 8, and 9 still 9. He got a freebie "life" and after fighting as the Warrior returns to being The Doctor on his 9th regeneration.

[@Jr-shiungHu]

so I can assume Matt smith and David tennant is going to make a reappearance?

[@libertasgrace2547]

So, the War Doctor wasn’t an official regeneration, yes? The others 1 - 12 were, that’s why they’re numbered.

[@elliebrooke3987]

This wasn't a freebie, this took up one of his regenerations and cost him one of his 13 original bodies (Hartnell to Smith). The reason 8 is still 8 and 9 is still 9 with war in between is because John Hurt wasn't a doctor, he was a warrior. So 9 is still the ninth doctor, but it's the 10th body of the timelord we've been watching for over 50 years now

[@oliverasensio9429]

Hello Tardis. Exactly.

[@matthewduncan8523]

Lady Liberty consider it a gap year between 8 and 9.

[@matthewduncan8523]

2:48 this is the moment I fell in love with Paul McGann and went to listen to all the audio dramas I could get my hands on.

[@AliSiddiqui55]

5:50 onwards is what happens when I drink Red Bull. "Will it hurt?" "Yes." "Good."

[@stokeroo96]

drinking red bull makes you regenerate?

[@AliSiddiqui55]

The energy surge is comparable.

[@minnibig10]

EconGeekProductions Red bull does nothing for me. Although neither does coffie. I guess I am just immune to the affects of caffine.

[@ZheninehZ]

Red Bull makes me drowsy...

[@danielsanderson4926]

Should have just had Paul mcGann come back for the 50th and save a regeneration

[@homeworld1765]

I know this was four years ago, but I agree. Nothing against the late great John Hurt, but this was a missed opportunity to bring back Paul

[@brianartillery]

Superb! I always knew Paul McGann was a good choice for the 8th Doctor, way back in 1996. This proves it. Oh, what a pity he wasn't given a full series then - but his Audio adventures have always been excellent, and by having him salute his companions in those stories, Steven Moffat has made those stories canonical. A worthy 'foreword' to the mighty 'The Day Of The Doctor'. I also liked that it was set on the planet Karn, from the classic 4th Doctor story 'The Brain Of Morbius'. Good stuff indeed. Mr Moffat, you are spoiling us.

[@MrMischiefter]

Imagine how epic this would have been as the pre-credit sequence of The Day of the Doctor. And would have made it an 80 minute episode.

[@No-hl4qm]

+Ash Benzaiten HELLO!!!

[@KhrystaPlays]

I NEVER EVER get tired of watching this Prequel! I love it. Paul McGann is so frakin' A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! #Savetheday

[@1EvilDoctor]

Nice to see McGann again as the Doctor, and that he got his regeneration scene. I also like how they used an old photo of John Hurt to show the younger War Doctor. Can't wait for tomorrow...

[@bobsomething4733]

This scene has so much more weight to it now that I've binged so much of McGann's audio stories by Big Finish. Before it was just words. Now that I know who Charley, Tamsin or Lucie are this scene is painful because technically I've now spent more time with 8th than any of the modern era doctors. Originally I saw this mini episode as nothing but mild fanservice and the desire of Moffat to show 8th's regeneration. Now I see it very, very differently.

[@DoctorDodge]

Oh yeah. When this was broadcast, I had been a huge fan of the audios for years already. How well Moffat handled Eight's Doctor was emotional enough, but his final words to his companions - companions that I had enjoyed listening to - was a solid reminder that this wasn't just the Eighth Doctor of the TV movie that I was watching regenerate. It was the Doctor I had been following through those audios for years. I'll always be grateful for Moffat for adding that little touch that meant so much more to fans like me.

[@kiltedjohn1000]

this is the best drwho minisode ever but really shouldve been included in the 50th film

[@DoctorDodge]

I like that it was its own thing: McGann's regeneration story is, no matter how short, entirely his own, with nothing else to distract the awesomeness of it like some of the major events in Day of the Doctor. Being released a week before also got people talking about nothing but McGann for an entire week. Us 8 fans don't often see that. :)

[@kiltedjohn1000]

hmm the man himself wanted to be in the 50th ,,cos it was 3d lol

[@mm1145]

that look she gets when he says "it's bigger on the inside" is chilling and I love it!!!

[@TheJaviferrol]

BIG FINISH IS NOW CANON!!!!!! YES!!!!!!!

[@jarekgunther]

TheJaviferrol My mouth dropped when he mentioned his companions!!

[@somebuddyX]

TheJaviferrol It just means the Eighth Doctor had some companions with the same names. It'd be like comparing the Marvel Films with comics and expecting the same history.

[@FirstSlateProductionsOfficial]

sumbuddyx No. Big Finish is canon

[@JoshSweetvale]

TheJaviferrol This bit alone helped tie the story to its earlier series AND the stuff inbetween. That's... SO significant!

[@dfblaze]

TheJaviferrol The mention of his companions PLUS the "return to Caan" thing, oh dear!

[@Voileen]

I like how she says "fat or thin" -- I can just see him being all, "Yup I've decided. I"m going to be fat. Old. Ginger. Maybe a woman . . . " lol.

[@addiforras]

Soooo... Donna Noble? Alright calm down, calm down people. I liked Donna as much as the next kid

[@OnemarioOLDCHANNEL]

Donna Noble has left the Library. Donna Noble has been saved.

[@its-morbintime]

+Voileen There's no way he'd choose "fat", look up the end of The War Games and you'll probably see from there that Colin Baker will probably be the fattest Doctor we're ever going to get.

[@Voileen]

haha! Well I know that. That was the joke :P

[@enigmagenesis7341]

Regenerates into Joan Simms' character from that story with Sabalom Glitz...

[@robbiejohnson5856]

MAKES SO MUCH SENSE NOW!!! The 8th Doctor regenerated into John Hurt. 11 said that regeneration isn't called "The Doctor" because of something that one did. So 8 regenerates in to him, and then this on does something that turns him into not the Doctor. And that we get the 9th Doctor!!! Makes sense now!

[@ebrandt9698]

+retrofan 8371 what are you talking about? the first 8th Doctor story was aired in 96...

[@CYBERDOODY]

So can we have that 8th Doctor series now please BBC?

[@robertbarnard6120]

or a John Heart series

[@CYBERDOODY]

Nah; Eight is a higher priority; besides whats the point of a Hurt series? Unless we can reverse age Hurt so he can do an entire series as the young War Doctor.

[@frachris87]

August Chap What about a mini-series focusing on the events of Time War itself? The War Doctor doesn't necessarily have to appear, but he could be referenced.

[@CYBERDOODY]

That would be good; preferably with 8 in it though; he must have fought in some of it as he was there on the first day

[@DoctorDodge]

Channel JMT 2014 Nah, they're perfect as they are, and a lot of them would require a much higher budget than could be afforded on TV, especially Dark Eyes. But a TV series set between the audios and Night that had a few little references to them would be good.

[@Clockworkcityofpain]

I knew that Moffat could do at least something good damn it and that was bringing Paul McGann back

[@kidpax]

And making (at least some) of the Big Finish audio stories part of Doctor Who canon. BTW wasn't Big Finish named after one of Moffat's old show's episode titles?

[@elliebrooke3987]

Well, Moffat did also give us River Song, the Weeping Angles, the Ponds and so many amazing speeches from Capaldi as well

[@DarthRushy]

Imagine if, when Hurt, Tennant and Smith were about to press The Red Button, another TARDIS materialised(the sound of hope) and McGann stepped out of it. "I regenerated for this?" A bunch of explaining how this is the only way and then they come up with the new plan. McGann: "Because the alternative is death." Hurt: "And I've seen enough." Tennant: "And I never want to..." Smith: "See it again."

[@kzldevrim129]

DarthRushy Awesome.

[@Asrugan]

And this is why we need a spin off anthology series, bringing back previous doctors for one shot stories, tie ins, and explaining gaps in the history. I know it's almost hearsay to say, but there could even be some look alike casting (ala the first doctor in "The Five Doctors"), though for others like Smith they could get in another story without being tied down by a full series. We could especially get to see more of the doctors who we just really didn't get to know well enough, as McGann shows here. It could even run a limited series of a few specials a year if they didn't think it could hold a full series of it's own, and it'd still go over like gangbusters. You know the fans would watch it #drwho

[@jessewebster6761]

There are the audio dramas that they still do. The past Doctors has been doing that. The most recent one is from the fifth Doctor, which is played by Peter Davison. Other actors from the show's past even does it like Tom Baker and Sylvester McCoy. The cool thing about The Night of the Doctor is that Moffat just made those audio dramas canon.

[@einezcrespo]

Jesse Webster Actually Night of the Doctor only made the audio companions of the 8th Doctor canon not necessarily their stories.

[@DoctorDodge]

Einez Crespo Ah, kind of like how Sarah Jane appearing in School Reunion made her canon to the new series, not the classic stories she was in, right?

[@einezcrespo]

James Aggas Actually Sarah Jane will always be part of Who Classic and New. ;)

[@DoctorDodge]

***** Then why was Eccleston's season called "series one", rather than "season 27", if it's supposed to be a continuation? ;) (Of course, I'm aware that the new series is a direct continuation of the original series and that its new numbering was to make things easier for new viewers, but my point is that if companions like not just Sarah Jane but also Charley and Lucie are explicitly canon, then why not their stories?)

[@lindseydejesus1877]

seeing the title credits with "paul mcgann" is so surreal. it's such an interesting look at what might have been.

[@maureenhewitt4701]

These John Hurt jokes aren't funny. They Hurt me.

[@MondySpartan]

It hurt Eccleston aswell so yeah, not really funny. (I hope you'll get what I mean :p)

[@powernarth-mm9819]

TehMondasianSpartan | Ah, yes, the regeneration of the 9th to 10th! Fantastic! Well, not really fantastic, since he's our favorite

[@hermitsunite953]

You became the very thing you swore to destroy

[@tomnorton4277]

Fun fact, the 7th Doctor tricking Davros into destroying Skaro back in the Classic Era was the beginning of the Time War. 8's been running away from the fact that the Time War was 7's fault. So when he says "I'm not part of the war. I swear to you, I never was" he's only being half-truthful. 8 isn't part of the war but 7 struck the first blow, so the Doctor's only rationalization is to separate his incarnations instead of considering them all to be one man.

[@CMDRThunderush]

The moment this came out, I was in college and running late to eat and get to class. I hated that 8 never got to regenerate and it was a shame. Then, I saw this on its premiere day and dropped everything. I don't care if I was late, I saw _the_ regeneration take place and experienced pure joy.

[@enigmagenesis7341]

Am I allowed to choose this as my favourite ever episode, even though it was only a Minisode? Because to me this is one of the greatest ever Doctor Who moments.

[@redharlow76]

I absolutely still love this moment, years later. The Doctor’s regret has always been the actions he committed during the Time War, and there was always a sort of spite from the later incarnations (at least with 9,10 and 11) towards the War Doctor version. But 8 was the one who made the decision to become that. I wonder if some of that spite is reserved towards 8 for this moment, because he was ultimately the incarnation that chose to be the warrior.

[@JamesPlaysGames95]

i remember my friend made me watch doctor who. we binged for ages on it, then he got the movie with the 8th. mcgann was my fav. i got some big finish stories, then on this video being released, my friend sends it and says "james, put this on full screen on 1080p" and i was so happy

[@azapro911]

Paul McGann deserved a proper TV run as the Doctor, with hindsight his portrayal really bridges the gap between the classic series and the revival.

[@JaimewissnerCreate]

Paul McGann is and always will be my Doctor

[@Lythgoemania]

I just want to hug Moffat for making this.

[@lukegauci1159]

Christopher was my first Doctor, followed by Tennant. But when I saw Mcgann i’m not ashamed to admit I screamed with joy to see the 8th doctor!! ❤️

[@davidchristensen8644]

"...bring me knitting." I love that

[@lfkpics3884]

The eighth doctor started by being dead too long and finished by having minutes to live from being revived

[@Mister_Jay_Tee]

This Mini-sode made the 8th Doctor my favorite Doctor ever.

[@enigmagenesis7341]

I never cheered and applauded out loud at my television before this...

[@anonymousidentity8637]

paul mcgann was a legend he inspired me doctor no more

[@SunuAkkad]

I personally think the BBC and the writers should have used the 8th Doctor Paul McGann instead of making up a "War Doctor" John Hurt in the Name Of The Doctor and in The Day Of The Doctor. I think both the classic Who fans and the new fans would have been estatic if they did that. It would have brought more closure and fill in the gab between where old Who left off and the new series.

[@EventHorrorEyesOn]

Where are we going? Back of the ship. Why? Because the front crashes first, think it through. Ahahaha

[@froznic]

Just wanted to say thank you for posting this online. Even if some of it was cut out from the original. Wish you'd do it more often with full episodes but I don't see that happening unfortunately.

[@gettotheGate]

The one time he had control. The ONE TIME he had it within his power...and he forgot to ask to be ginger.

[@LastMumzy]

Holy cow how did I miss this? The moment when he gives up the title Doctor; this explains why he is skipped in the regeneration numbering sequence.

[@Bensvideos-pm3sx]

Somehow this is 100 times better than the end of time

[@mrdoctorgilmore]

Given how bad end of time is, that wouldn't be a hard thing to do.

[@willwheatley7296]

Ohico: You have a little under four minutes The Doctor: Just enough for a mini episode!

[@islandboy70]

I would love to see Paul back again in an episode with the 12th Doctor. :)

[@edwinreyes675]

Do you guys remember when the Doctor (David Tennant) was talking to Rose as he was leaving her and human Doctor on the beach and told her that he needed her to fix him (human Doctor) as he was born out of war like he (Time Lord Doctor) was as well. This War Doctor was supposed to be the 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston) that Rose fixed and to be a better person (David Tennant Doctor). That's why 9th Doctor talked about how he had just ended the Time War recently. There was never supposed to be a weird War Doctor that mixed up the regenerations but Chris didn't want to come back to the show so they improvised.

[@welch1nc240]

It does make things interesting. The War Doctor seems like a changing point, from a man seeking adventure to one that's running away

[@Hopetothefuture]

Paul McGann is brilliant, I wish they would do more with him, such a nice guy and a pleasure to meet as well

[@erikfantasia9985]

Doctor singing to himself: I hurt myself today... ;)

[@JamesCPotter13]

Yes, I'm a Time Lord. But I'm one of the nice ones. that's a horribly ironic echo when we get to 'The Beast Below' Amy: So you're an alien? Are you one of the nice ones? 11: Yes! Yes, definitely one of the nice ones.

[@nightowl8477]

Probably my favourite regeneration effect, though 11's was awesome. I love how it melted like magma.

[@pmcv7]

How awesome was this and then the timeless child happened. Cheers Shitbnell

[@DIO_Brando1801]

You know, from the point where the Doctor wakes up till the regeneration is done it actually lasts just under 4 minutes. Neat.

[@kevanoid]

I truly wish for more 8 he's stuff is so small I know the audio books and comics but I would love to see him and grace on the screen again lol

[@danielwilliamson6180]

I love this mini-episode/prequel. I was happy that Paul McGann finally got to play the 8th Doctor again and his fate was finally resolved. I always imagined The 8th Doctor fought in the Time War and he was wounded and he regenerated into the 9th Doctor (Christopher Eccleston). I liked the idea of The Doctor being offered a potion which will help him regenerate into a new form of this choice. Why didn't they think of that back in 1966? The 2021 Terminator fan film Skynet reminded me a bit of Night of the Doctor. Would had been good if we got to watch this at the cinema and they shown it before Day of the Doctor. Night of the Doctor would also would had been amazing on the big screen and in 3D. Night of the Doctor is one of the best of New Who and one of Steven Moffat's best work on Doctor Who.

[@haileyshannon7548]

I still keep waiting for them to cut to some woman in bed saying to her husband "I just had a dream about Doctor Who" and than the man says "What's Doctor Who" and they both look at the camera with puzzled looks on their faces!

[@georgemorgan8920]

finally after 17 years his regeneration was explained :)

[@Doctormario4600]

I see they re-uploaded this on the official Doctor Who channel. Which really makes me wonder... why didn't they upload it here in the first place?!

[@mickums]

matt smith at the end was just adorable

[@literallyanangrymoose7717]

I wish McGann had more screentime. He's a fab Doctor.

[@greatpudgyowl]

2:10, the sisters from the Brain of Morbius!

[@RuchiraRambles]

I read the Day of the Doctor novelization. Cass gets a bit of backstory in the last chapter: "Chapter 13 The Doctor ‘Was he a friend of yours?’ I asked. ‘A relative?’ Cass Fermazzi didn’t reply, but she took the bandolier I held out to her, and strapped it round her chest. She was looking at the sky, and there was something fierce in her eyes. ‘You look like you’re ready for a fight,’ I said. ‘Been ready all my life,’ she said. ‘I’m just admitting that now.’ She flashed a bleak little smile at me. ‘Thanks for looking after him,’ she said, and started climbing out of the crater. ‘What do you mean, all your life?’ I called after her. ‘Oh, you know,’ she said, without turning. ‘No, I really don’t.’ She turned at the lip of the crater, and sighed. ‘It’s going to sound stupid.’ ‘Good. I hate things that don’t.’ ‘When I was a kid I was in therapy.’ ‘Weren’t we all?’ ‘We weren’t rich though. I had one of those bots. Looked like a clown-God knows why. It was supposed to take away some of my memories, but it was so full of someone else’s, they all just kept spewing out.’ I felt my stomach turn over. It was exactly what I’d figured out, but it was chilling to hear it. ‘What kind of memories?’ ‘Just vague stuff. About always fighting for what’s right, but trying never to hurt people. Never be cruel, never be cowardly, that kind of thing. Cheesy stuff, but it got to me.’ Yeah, I thought, me too. ‘Time to go and do like the clown says, I guess.’ She flashed another sad smile, and was gone. I could never save her, I knew that. She was too wrapped up in my own timeline. But at least, just once, she’d looked at me without hating me. And you can’t save everyone, I reminded myself. You just have to save all the ones you can. Was that what the Moment had wanted to teach me?... ... Well, anyway, enough brooding, I decided. The day of the Doctor was over at last, and it was time to get my head back in the game. Somewhere there’s danger, somewhere there’s injustice, and somewhere else the tea is getting cold. Come on, Doctor, work to do. So it was me who set off across the muddy battlefield towards the TARDIS, but it was the Doctor who opened the door, stepped inside, and slammed it shut behind her."

[@jwg5774]

And according to the teaser for "The War Doctor Begins" the new audio series will pick up immediately after the events of Night of the Doctor.

[@eichelbergergary]

yes, and it did so marvelously

[@JamesOhGoodie]

Hear me out: I'm kind of sad THIS didn't open "Day of the Doctor". Think about it! People have been clamoring for Paul McGann to return for years. He pops up, the crowd cheers, and we see his start of darkness becoming the War Doctor. Perhaps even during the end, when all of the Doctors time-lock Gallifrey, we get to see McGann returning and getting to right the wrongs done here. Oh the possibilities...

[@martinsnee4191]

Oh, and by the way, Paul McGann rocks - he did in the 90s with the telemovie and he still does - honestly one of the top handful of actordoctors!

[@chikowashere]

As much as I wish 9 would've come back so that we finally see him fighting on Galifrey and destroying it. I absolutely loved John Hurt here, and Paul McGann. I honestly wanted them to have a ten episode miniseries, just because they were so brilliant here. And honestly McGann deserves it, wash out the taste of the movie with some actual episodes of him being the Doctor. Because him in the anniversary episode felt like he was the Doctor and I still want more. 5 episodes of him being the Doctor we never got, so we can really know him. As for Hurt, he was just brilliant and I selfishly wanted more. Last episode of his 5 could end with him regenerating. We don't really know if he had any more adventures when he left 10 and 11 in that museum. We just see him regenerating. Maybe he could go somewhere else as soon as he walks in the TARDIS. 5 episodes later we see him walking into his TARDIS and begin regenerating. So that's how they can write his episodes in. Too late now obviously, but I was saying this back then too. Missed opportunity

[@jimodonnelly7762]

I always wanted to see more of Paul McGann's Doctor; I'm pleased to see him here, as well as the Sisterhood of Karn from "The Brain of Morbius" (4th Doctor story).

[@larawilliams1234]

Calm down

[@Njenkin]

Lost count of the amount of times I've watched this. Doctor Who is EPIC !

[@jamesluna5914]

make a petition

[@EndingSummerwithRalph]

RIP John Hurt. I love your films!