Why does The 14th Doctor have the SAME FACE as The 10th Doctor?

[@jeffwalker7185]

One element that seems to be overlooked is Eleven's (Matt Smith) revelation in The Time of the Doctor is that Ten actually regenerated (or partially regenerated) during the events of the Stolen Earth/Journey's End story arc. Eleven says that this was a regeneration with regards to the 12-regeneration cycle limitation - meaning Ten kept the same face when he became the real Eleventh Doctor (or 12th Doctor if you count the War Doctor). So, in effect Tennant's Doctor has a habit of keeping the same face. He has played the 10th Doctor; 11th Doctor and the meta crisis Doctor and now the 14th Doctor.

[@SongoftheLute]

He's the doctor who keeps on comming back. That would be a great idea for a story. Surely there must be something unique about this reincarnation.🥂Happy new year!

[@adamburke4738]

What's your point?

[@joshuaking2171]

So he's the 15th

[@adamburke4738]

@@joshuaking2171 no he’s technically 16 or 17. I don’t know what the numbering is anymore.

[@PathsUnwritten]

I don't think any of what you said is overlooked, it's just matter of fact.

[@edwardvey3019]

The Doctor is often confused when they regenerate. They got to figure out all over who they are all over again. Regeneration can be traumatic, forced regeneration even worse, and a hijacked regeneration by the Master would scar the Doctor. I think the Doctor would hold to something familiar reverting back to an old face and who better than a face that didn't want to go.

[@treefrog1018]

I haven't watched any of Doctor 13 lore but I do like this theory.

[@robertfergusson5367]

"I don't want to go" Well, The Curator(A future reincarnation of The Doctor using a past face

[@bison-yetistudio2296]

Maybe that’s where the toy maker comes in.

[@LyokoisGreat2]

@@robertfergusson5367 yea possibly hinting at future reappearances of old doctors

[@CrazyHorseTheSiouxW4rrior]

Edward Vey well when the doctor regenerates his body "resets" itself not just physically changes that's why he doesn't remember anything after he changes because his brain has refreshed itself its like resetting a Computer and having to regain all your progress on that Computer

[@gracebohler4380]

Personally, I think it's purely a case of unfinished business. He didn't feel like he was ready to leave. How Donna left was traumatic and that's probably a big loose end for the 10th Doctor. I can't say how likely this is, but I think it would be really interesting to have one incarnation of the doctor "fight" the other, or at least phase in and out for a time. One wants a chance, the other can't let go.

[@sabinajoh]

There is a point where the next doctor screams and asks what’s going on on a beach, which i believe has been a way to show the doctor’s brain. You could be right, they could be fighting in his brain

[@tienshinhan8189]

Remember how 12 broke the wall for billions of years for Clara? Maybe 10 climbed the mountain we saw in The Power of the Doctor for Donna.

[@StarWyvernHPB]

Look at the speeches Smith and Capaldi had, or the acceptance that 9th had compared to the regenerate into the same face/i don't want to go of the tennant doctors.

[@gracebohler4380]

@@sabinajoh Though I've heard that clip has an edited green screen for a background, and the true location is unknown, I do think it would explain his bewilderment and anger. I really doubt that we'll have to wait until the end of the three-part story to see the next doctor in action.

[@gracebohler4380]

@@tienshinhan8189 That is so tragic it fits 10 perfectly and I love it.

[@ryanhau1073]

It have been strongly implied that the Doctor can influence the appearance of the Regeneration on a Subconscious Level, infact that's the in lore reason why the 12th Doctor is played by the same actor as someone the Docter met in a previous story, like they didn't need to address that but it's interesting that they did and can open up some possibilities for the future. Maybe the return of David Tennant is just as simple as that

[@realtimetraveler35]

not only that but the fact that tennant is the one who met the face of capaldis doctor in fires of pompeii

[@WNShadow814]

Not the first time either. The fifth doctor had an episode on gallifrey where he was shot by a time lord security officer (captain maxwell I believe his name was) who would go on to play the sixth doctor. Colin Baker would occasionally joke that be shot the doctor and took his job

[@TheBlackSeraph]

@@WNShadow814 This was never formally acknowledged in the show though - not by the Doctor when admiring his new appearance nor by the Time Lords. Rules of regeneration in classic who *seem* to be that you can choose your appearance if you regenerate by choice, but if you are dying then it's basically random ("That's the problem with regeneration - you never know what you're going to get" - 5th Doctor).

[@WNShadow814]

@@TheBlackSeraph true, and romana was able to choose her shape and picked princess Astras body from the Armageddon factor because she liked the look of it. But then she also went through three other bodies as well changing her shape at will before settling on romana 2s body in destiny of the daleks. Then again she was academically anyway far more gifted than the doctor so had probably researched how to influence her shapes

[@TheBlackSeraph]

@@WNShadow814 I don't think it's an issue of academic brilliance, because at least one Time Lord in Gallifrey (Borusa?) talks about regenerating because he thought it was time for a change.

[@jonathinater4043]

I really like the “confused regeneration” explanation, timelords (or lady’s in this case I guess) aren’t supposed to regenerate this much in such a short amount of time. so I like to think that although it seemed okay from the outside, maybe the doctor’s body was struggling to create a brand new body so had to resort to using a familiar one to make the process easier. And what better body to use than the one that’s been regenerated into twice? I also want to think that the shot of 15 talking in the trailers is him on the edge talking to past incarnations discussing why he is there. 99% all this is bs and I’m talking trash but I’d really want to see 15 alongside other doctors

[@prof-eon]

My personal theory is that this regeneration is similar to 12, a regeneration the Doctor subconsciously chose to remind himself of something. See, 11 and 12 both had in common that they went too far by fear of losing their companion (demons run, hellbent) and 13 had this weird relationship with her companions where she never really took the leadership role and treated her friends as absolute equals, except for the end of series 12. My theory is that she regenerated back into 10 as a reminder that despite the hurt, he has to let go and to not become this Time Lord Victorious and that when he let his companions grow too close to becoming like him or too close to him, bad things happen to them, like with Donna and Rose why

[@StarWyvernHPB]

it'd make sense that the default for a 'easy/stored' regeneration would be one it'd regenarted into twice and a hand.

[@timrob12]

I definitely believe that 15 is on the edge.

[@MissCaraMint]

I think that partly makes sense. But also I think 10s last moments going “I don’t want to go” might also have something to do with it. Basically this regeneration has unfinished business. Coupled with how the doctor seems to have an affinity for this particular body.

[@timrob12]

@@MissCaraMint It would be brilliant if the 60th itself conveyed the message that Doctor Who is more than just David Tennant.

[@sangeetakumari1468]

I DON'T CARE ABOUT THE REASON ,I AM BEYOND ECSTATIC THAT DAVID TENNANT IS BACK,I JUST LOVE HIM!

[@KenLieck]

And as a renter I can tell you after a "Tennant" moves on It's very very rare that they get a chance to return!

[@jimtheperson.4999]

That’s the issue with nostalgia baiting

[@DaCostaRica48]

@@jimtheperson.4999he has played the doctor before he is beloved so he knows how to do it right he wants to do it he will give care this gives me hope

[@RageUnchained]

If anyone deserves to revisit the role it is David Tennant. The man is fantastic in the role and even if this is only temporary I’m glad we get a bit more of his take.

[@dandywaysofliving]

He theoretically lived like 5 years, so seeing a return of a previous face that makes the doctor reconnect with himself. Makes a sentiment. . That yes I miss who I was and maybe Fter the revisit, I can truly continue who I am myself. . He was always going towards a further pass of who he was to still be himself. . Sometimes he just wants to continue being his best self. . It happens I know many do it. . We just keep trying but wanna stay who we are. . I am the doctor, but who . Is the doctor? . Ello. "just popping by to say yes we can be happy" . Insert** Drama of being responsible. . I dint ask to be here** So yes I'm here to handle my drama. . Hello

[@brettpritchard265]

Best guess something to do with Donna and the meta-crisis. The fact that she's begun to remember him has reverberated back to him causing this.

[@piecaruso97]

For me the real reson of the old face back is Donna, it's gotta be it!

[@quietdemon8138]

Having 14 be face to face with 15 and having both of them along with the Guardians of The Edge combining their energy is a great idea imo, I like the idea of 14 coming to terms with the idea of having to let the 10th face go and 15 becoming the successor and then fully regenerating into a new and (to The Doctor) completely new incarnation, if that’s what does happen I’m very curious to see how they logically piece it all together

[@rubysultra]

Yes....he did not want to go....maybe because of Donna....he can possibly help her not explode now :D

[@mlfilms893]

I like the Toymaker theory, the one where he's become a raging fanboy of the Doctor and is using his God-like powers to manipulate reality to go back to the "good-old days" with Tennant & Tate. Essentially, making the 60th anniversary a commentary on fan-service.

[@dingbat19]

The thing is though, as a guardian of time I’m not sure the laws set in by the grace would allow for such an interference with a very powerful entity which is the doctor, he has wielded the glory once, as well as being able to absorb the power of Lux Aeterna.

[@ObviouslyKieran]

@@dingbat19 "Yeah!" - James Hetfield 2022

[@mrwho995]

I think it's pretty likely that the forced regeneration will be brought up, because RTD would have no reason not to, really. The Doctor going back to an old face isn't a great precedent to set (the Curator doesn't really count, certainly not in the same way) and RTD probably realises this, so no matter the actual mechanisms of how it happens, which probably involve the toymaker, it would make a lot of sense to use the forced regeneration as an excuse for how this could have happened - The Doctor being in a weakened state because of it allowing the toymaker to do stuff he usually couldn't. Using the forced regen as an excuse is too good of a way of saying "this is a one-time thing and won't happen again" to not use.

[@kittycat0876]

I think that it has something to do with Donna

[@MissCaraMint]

So far though ten is the only doctor with unfinished business though. The only one why said he didn’t want to go. Couple that with Donna having part of him inside her ten is kinda still tied to the world in a way. Very unlike all the other past doctors.

[@timrob12]

My main theory is that Ten has unfinished business and that it is up to him to figure out what that is. Maybe it's connected to Donna, maybe not. I also like the fan-theory that this Doctor might regenerate with a line akin to: "I'm ready to go now."

[@stevenle9960]

I'll bet it'll be allons-y or "let's go"

[@timrob12]

@@stevenle9960 Seems more for when he springs into action.

[@Antifag1977]

Doubtful it's about unfinished business. Its always the same person regardless of the face. So if there was unfinished business he would've just taken care of it as 11

[@timrob12]

@@Antifag1977 Each face felt as a different person and acted like they were there own personality, so it's not unreasonable.

[@stonebaxter]

The Toymaker is messing with his regeneration and/or it’s the “unfinished business” of Donna, like 12 and Pompeii.

[@ImmortalAbsol]

Because the Doctor went into a machine in an untested configuration after the polarity was reversed. Also because RTD and David need to redeem the franchise.

[@Scroteydada]

Maybe the Toymaker has been on a revenge quest against the Doctor - which led him to Donna. Making him Tennant to make Donna remember him - exacting his revenge by killing a friend

[@ClockMaster-mq2hm]

that *does* sound plausible î_î

[@SchardtCinematic]

Yes maybe that safety guard that caused Donna to faint in The End of Time works only one time. So now Donna is very vulnerable now.

[@NolaFlower]

Oh wow… I didn’t let my mind or heart go in that direction. But now that you said that… this is so diabolical

[@CrusherX1000]

Now, I hope this is the story!! That's so simple yet so good!

[@rogerpaparazzo4725]

I also seem to remember that Dalek Kahn stated that one would die, but didn't say when, and no one did, unless you count Jack. But he came back to life. So you could be on do something. And yes, I know the actress who played Sarah Jane passed away, but in universe, I do not believe the character is dead.

[@davidanato5701]

I'm hoping one of the big differences between 10 & 14, is how much 14 remembers what came AFTER End of Time. It's shouldn't just be 10 in 2022, but a 10 that has remembered & learned all that came before him. They saved Gallifrey, kicked out Rassilon only for the Master to destroy it all; after Rose, they fell in love again (River, Clara, Yaz); they learned about their secret history as the Timeless Child & as an agent of the Division; and most of all they've learned much about accepting death/regeneration.

[@John-pp6xy]

that’s kinda how it works? the doctor isnt a new doctor every time, it’s the same doctor different face. Yes there a personality quirks but they still have all the memories

[@ASS-tb3mq]

Yaz me personally they should’ve never made her a love interest man

[@yonaunega]

David anato there has been a rumour that rdt wants to erase the last era and leave it to the fans if they want to include this in their Canon which I never will

[@davidanato5701]

@@yonaunega I don't think thats true. If that were the case, then they should Do that for a lot of other unfavorable parts of its history

[@WNShadow814]

@@davidanato5701nothing else has been so polarising or damaging to the lore as timeless child

[@davidbrent8031]

I am almost certain that whatever the in-universe reason for this is, it will have nothing to do with anything from the Chris Chibnall era. I think the 3rd theory is most compelling, it's probably Neil Patrick Harris' character or something else to do with the 60th.

[@treefrog1018]

Hm. Doctor 14 in the trailer says Donna will die if she remembers him. If I was trying to protect Donna, I wouldn't show up as a familiar face.

[@Chicken_Little_Syndrome]

The Chris Chibnall era is best forgotten. The dude destroyed the show and completely wrecked the first woman Doctor.

[@Dj.MODÆO]

He came back to save The dr Who universe from its greatest threat…..bad ratings, but I’m still happy he is back

[@sothisishowusernameswork.2043]

I haven't seen this episode where this villian I have talked about came from that much, literally only once, so I forgot what happened to him, but I think the dude who we think is the celestial toymaker is actually that clown dude from sarah jane adventures played by bradley walsh. Also with the "Grand premiere" can also go back to clowns, look at what he's standing infront of, and a show of clowns could be a "Grand premiere"

[@Flomas98]

I like the theory that because 13th doctor ( Jodie) regenerated twice in quick succession (forced regen and the master shooting), the body wasn't ready to regenerate again, so it chose a previous body, because it already had the template for that body. And because Davids Doctor regenerated into himself during the stolen earth story, this is probably the best template to use again.

[@necatron73]

It's the Toymaker messing with things, it's literally said in the first appearance of the character. He once said to the 1st Doctor "I have the power to change your appearance". In doing so he's trying to bring The Doctor Donna back as a hybrid Timelord is meant to bring about some sort of cataclysmic event.

[@dingbat19]

The doctor has come a long way from his first incarnation though, he has since wielded the glory, fought with quantum archangel and the carnival queen, absorbed the power of Lux Aeterna, etc so while still nothing compared to a guardian of time we have to remember a guardian of time lives in the six fold realm, and have to abide by the laws set in by the grace. As they could easily erase all of existence besides the six fold realm, but they are not allowed to.

[@cheezeofages]

It's previously been established that regenerations can take a form the Doctor needs for something. Either to learn something, confront something psychologically, or to have an ability or talent. If it's not something going wrong, I hope we see an explanation as to what the Doctor needs from Tenth.

[@DougBohm]

I believe because of The Masters meddling by attempting to merge with the 13th Doctor and 10s hand are really adding some much needed complexity to the regeneration process as well as closing some loose threads in the canon. This is going to be very good for future storytelling.

[@Hbd2002]

So maybe the doctor restored to an earlier version to get rid of it damaged regeneration sector is like a computer

[@MissCaraMint]

@@Hbd2002 so basically the doctor rebooted?

[@TheHollowPhantom]

10 regenerated into 11 and wanted to lose the pain of being himself so he became the younger happier and forgetful 11th doctor who was titled "The Man Who Forgets", when 11 regenerated into 12 he felt that Clara could accept him of who he was a grumpy old man who has regrets and doubts about who he is and his face was the reminder that no matter how grumpy and old he was and no matter how much things happen that you can always save one person, and when 12 regenerated into 13 he wanted a new start a happier start he felt that he learned the lessons of being his old grumpy self and wanted to start fresh and be happy again which is my opinion of why 13 was a total changeup and went into a female incarnation. I skipped the 13th doctor for reasons but now that Tennant's back im gunna watch the seasons but given that all the previous doctors have shaped who the new them is based on their desired thoughts and feelings during regeneration I imagine that when 13 regenerated into 14 she was feeling some sort of feeling that made her think that who she was as the 10th doctor was someone who she wanted to be again in some way shape or form even if it wasn't the direct thought "oh yeah wanna be him again" just some lesson 10 learned that she feels she needed to experience again or some feeling of being him she wants to revisit.

[@smashstuff86]

14's last line will almost certainly be something like, "I'm ready to go now."

[@squallrowlandson8028]

14th Doctor is like the Gemini twin of the 10th Doctor.

[@ryanduarte9714]

7:30 I would like to point out that, like 13, 10 also did not want to change bodies, so much so that on 10's first regeneration, he kept his face as 10. Maybe when 13 was crossing over to the edge on that clifftop, 10 was going to try and intercept her to get her to accept the change, as she had refused all of the other previous doctor's, but was then replaced as the 14th doctor somehow.

[@michaelduty4025]

In day of the Doctor when 11 was talking to the Curator the Curator saud about returning to old faces... but some of the favorite ones. This set up the posibility of The Doctor being able to regenerate again into an older look.

[@j4ckpsych0_54]

And also feel like the curator is a future verson of the doctor but retired and that's why he has an old verson of the doctors face

[@AdamAddictL]

*WITHOUT* even WATCHING this video ,WHY is this a video *anyway*??? In Day of the Doctor the Curator LITERALLY tells the Doctor,, “you may find yourself revisiting a few faces,but just the OLD FAVORITES “ and Tennant is LITERALLY a favorite

[@cat_tee_vee]

I defo agree w the Celestial Toymaker theory. Given the character’s abilities, Neil Patrick Harris v likely playing him, and the attention they r drawing to it both at the end of Power of the Doctor and in the teasers for the 60th, it just cannot b a coincidence!

[@lovebuzz3902]

I think all your theories are absolutely brilliant!!! Just found your channel! Can't wait to start binge watching! Lol

[@Hei_Darkfire]

I read somewhere that they were going to do a comic run that was going to explain exactly why (in story) 14 is an old identity. Though I do like the fan theory that someone had. They said that 10 was a product of the Doctor's pain, I don't remember what 11, 12 and 13 were, but 14 was apparently theorized to be a product of the Doctor's nostalgia.

[@MissCaraMint]

I’m wondering if this is also partly the doctor having worked through some of his emotional trauma and is ready to go back and face things he couldn’t do as 10. Basically an unfinished business thing.

[@Andrew04]

The day of the doctor curator scene the eleventh doctor meets the curator and said I never forget a face which he said, "And in years to come you might find yourself revisiting a few... but just the old favorites, eh?" They predicted the 14th doctor form before it even began

[@vanimapermai]

It's happening because Chris Chibnall has destroyed doctor who as a franchise the veiwers good will is down ratings are down heck chibnall didn't even know who was going to be the next writer or doctor when he was writing power and originally was going to have Jodie on the cliff regenerating and had it fade to black The only reason RTD is back is because no one wanted to touch doctor who after chibnall because of how badly he fucked the show. So bringing back David is literally a way to bring back veiwers and rise the levels of good will before we jump into season 14.

[@huntd004]

The face may just be as simple as 10 having unfinished business. He did speak of how he could do so much more before regenerating and ending his time as the Doctor with "I don't want to go". I am more interested in possible long term consequences from the forced regeneration. That possibly could lead to the eventual rise of the Valeyard. They could play that some remnant of the Master stayed with the Doctor and corrupts a future regeneration. I don't know, just some random thoughts.

[@j4ckpsych0_54]

But didn't they mention that the valyard came when the doctor was at his last incarnation witch would of been Matt Smith unless they redconed it with the timeless child stuff

[@Cedders001]

I agree there will be an in-universe explanation, but have a fourth suggestion. There was, as anyone reading this probably knows, eventually an explanation for Peter Capaldi's returning face. _The Girl Who Died_ told us it was to remind the Doctor that he bends rules to save people. Maybe David Tennant's face could also remind the Doctor of that scene in Pompeii, as well as recalling saving Wilf and other errands of mercy. There may even be an in-universe explanation for the clothes regenerating - I've always felt the new body template 'comes from' somewhere else since it's too fast to be an organic change, and we saw the second Doctor presented with some choices. The trailer suggests to me an alternative explanation to the three suggested here. OK, a 'glitch' in _Power of the Doctor_ might be a convenient factor in the Doctor 'revisiting' a face, particularly one of the 'old favourites' as the Curator put associated with the Time Lord-human metacrisis. But we shouldn't forget the other half of the metacrisis, namely Donna. The trailer says Donna is meeting 'fate', and implies the universe is again revolving around the temp from Chiswick and her family. Explaining Catherine Tate's return seems harder than David Tennant's, since her character was written out pretty conclusively as having lost any interest in adventure, at least beyond the West End. So the trailer suggests something is forcing the Doctor back to protect her and forcing Doctor-Donna to be reawakened. And the best way to do that is with a familiar face and a personality that buried itself deep into her unconscious. So the reason Fourteen looks like Ten is Donna, and a new cycle in the Doctor-Donna story. Just as Ten's accent and personality originally was an incarnation designed to fit in with the first Rose, so it returns to indicate Donna. The Doctor-Donna is needed for something big that the Doctor can't handle alone, I predict. By the way, I doubt this theory about the Toymaker returning. For one thing, RTD has already harked back to early stories but generally only for a giggle, and _The Celestial Toymaker_ is not one of the better stories whose concept and script stood the test of time. Often other fans have guessed RTD's intentions and I've refused to believe it, so I may be wrong. My test of this theory is what you say about 'Mr Emporium' - how does that link to the Toymaker any more than, say to _Evil of the Daleks_ or spooky shopkeepers from SJA?

[@alexrobertssings]

Look at the waistcoat the toymaker is wearing in the trailer. It's almost an identical pattern to the one the doctor regenerates into. That can't be a coincidence!

[@dvmachurst7632]

To me this is key to what we're seeing. In the same way that his top hat n tails outfit is identical to the 11th Doctors' get up in The Big Bang. He's also wearing the 2nd Doctor's bow-tie.

[@nickbrown8852]

I think the lore reason is simply it being a rarity that can happen but is very unlikely for Time Lords. The real reason is because the show was tanking thanks to Chibnall and Russell and Tennant are back to save the it. Plus instead of just doing another multi Doctor special for the 60th this lets them introduce the start of a new era and do something different.

[@MooKau_]

From memory Romana meditated to pick her next reincarnation, to have teh eye colour she wanted and so on.

[@THERetroGamer9000]

Love the new intro. Looking forward to seeing what new content you bring out. Happy New Year.

[@filmunion8194]

The Eleven and The Monk should return

[@priscillateo1691]

Yeah I love 11! But Matt probably doesn’t have the time what with Hotd etc. sigh!

[@ѕтоие]

Beautiful Logo Design!

[@cbpoppet1288]

If it is The Celestial Toymaker, then being responsible for the Doctor's regeneration would tie in with the original "Renewal." plan from the 60s. When the Doctor is rendered invisible in The Celestial Toymaker story, the original plan was for this to be William Hartnell's exit from the series. That the Doctor was to re-appear as a different actor. But Hartnell managed to gain a stay of execution and we got The 10th Planet's regeneration. The important thing I think needs addressing (and I'm confident that RTD will address it, in some way), is the nature of the 10th Doctor and the nature of his downfall. The 10th Doctor's story, is one of hubris. The worst things that happen to him, are the consequences of his own arrogance. In his first story, he ousts Harriet Thorpe. The power vaccuum this leaves is filled by Harold Saxon. He and Rose trigger the creation of Torchwood, which leads to their seperation. Finally upon pronouncing himself "The Timelord Victorious." and claiming the power to choose who lives and dies, The Ood arrive to predict 10 having to choose whether he, or Wilf lives, or dies. Maybe this persona has returned to finally learn his lesson and will, willingly and selflessly regenerate into the 15th at the end of the specials.

[@redfog42]

The Toymaker strongly reminds me of the character Q from TNG. Anyone else get that vibe or similar?

[@rossgriswold6348]

I think your Doctor from the Edge theory is correct. The reason he doesn’t seem to remember this is the trauma of regeneration. He may have “come out fully formed” but that doesn’t mean that he didn’t go through hell to get there.

[@srvfan454]

In the years to come you might find yourself revisiting some of the old faces. -The Curator

[@l.salisbury1253]

There are three things fans of Time Travel Sci-Fi have wanted: A) David Tennent's return to Doctor Who (mission accomplished!) B) Scott Bakula's return to Quantum Leap (STILL waiting...) C) A Quantum Leap/Doctor Who crossover...!

[@jamiethomas3768]

Hey Matthew did you know that David Tennant starred alongside Michael Sheen in a series called Good Omens?

[@HeroOfLight13]

So far I really think for all intents and purposes, 14 really is a sort of “10+” , for the most part anyway. Like he’s literally 10 who got to come back, quirks and everything, but because the Doctor had been thru so much since 11-13, he’s not quite the same person he was by the time he originally regenerated into 11. With that in mind and depending on what happens in the anniversary specials, I have a feeling that while for the most part we’ll get a few fanservicey moments to show that it really is him back from the brink, I think we’ll also get a few opportunities to see how he’s a changed person or slightly different from how he was in his past life. Again, 11, 12, and 13 have each been thru a lot and now that’s all part of his background. That’s gotta be weighing on him, all while he’s trying to figure out why everything is happening now.

[@gremlinwc8996]

I think, much like the actor playing them, the 14th doctor will be like 10 but with the added wisdom and age from experiencing so much since originally being 10. Itd be a waste to have 14 act completely differently to 10, but it'd also feel a bit hallow if he also seemed to be exactly the same as he was before regenerating.

[@Chris-ev6cp]

So we're going back to the good old days of the 10th hopefully? If so I'm all up for this and hopefully saving this dying series

[@SquashedSkinner7]

I love 10 returning, but I like the alternate idea that 9 comes back, and he says something like, “I’m still northern… hang on… I know that voice… FANTASTIC!” (Ignore the whole Eccleston/BBC problems) I really wish he had more time at the helm 😢

[@RageUnchained]

9 was magical. He was my first doctor. I wish Chris had longer too. His episodes are comfort episodes for me.

[@st.anselmsfire3547]

The Celestial Toymaker is probably planning something that requires the Doctor Donna. So it makes sense if he forced the Doctor to go back to Ten

[@themomentalist]

The answer to the question is because they are played by the same actor. Happy to help 👍🏻

[@MsDemonBunny]

Well, Ten said he didn't want to go. So... 12 didn't want to regenerate at first either, but came to accept it. Ten really wasn't ready but sacrificed himself to save another. He did that for Donna. On some inner level, perhaps The Doctor senses she is in danger (wiping memory not enough to protect her) and came back or was allowed to in effort to fix things. That's The Doctor's whole deal; fix the bad things, heal, help, protect.

[@luciusbest9240]

I like the idea that Donna still having 10 imprinted in her somewhere allowed 10 to be pulled back to the surface. Likely because of major events surrounding her. If they wanted to tell a "the 10th doctor can't accept death" story or a "weird glitchy regeneration" story it should focus on that rather than bringing in extra fan service. It's not like people wouldn't be hyped just to see David back. I haven't kept up with 13 or any news besides the trailer so I'm unaware if there's any information that goes against this.

[@luciusbest9240]

And as I'm not familiar with the lore I don't have any reference point for the Toy Maker or anything like that so I can't factor them into my thoughts. Just suprised Donna literally having 10s mind (as far as I remember) isn't mentioned much at all in the theories I've seen.

[@FRADAVE02]

Another theory for why he went back to Ten is that the Master has ruined his name all over the universe. Maybe he (subconsciously) felt that one of his more successful faces would help to restore his reputation.

[@therunningstef5347]

Very meta

[@MissCaraMint]

Or maybe it’s kinda like putting on your old comfy hoody after coming home from a really bad day. Old, familiar, and comforting.

[@Jmaul85]

I loved Tennant as the Doctor and can't wait to see where this story goes. But I have to say this because from what I've seen no one has addressed this. In Doctor Who season 2 Christmas episode where he loses a hand he grows another saying "good thing I'm 15 hours into my regeneration" and then grows a new hand. In "Let's Kill Hitler" River regenerates and is shot by Nazis within minutes and goes "Never shoot a girl while she's regenerating" and blasts a shockwave of energy keeping her current form. My point? Once again the show breaks established continuity. Jodie's Doctor was forced to regenerate twice and was shoot after the second. According to established canon she literally should have walked it off (lol). I don't know if anyone else out there is on the same wavelength as I am but yeah those are my thoughts. Don't get me wrong I liked the special but feel they could have used a different angle to send Jodie off on.

[@captainjellicoe1701e]

I do hope that the 14th doctor has a different personality than the tenth doctor all his life experiences surely be taking into account for his new personality you would think between his 10th regeneration and is 14th

[@helena9164]

Here's a possible theory considering that the 12th regeneration was played by Peter capaldi who had played a someone the saved as the 10th and also considering how long the doctor spent with Rose and that when the 12th doctor regenerated they had a vision of Clara which triggered the regeneration which would me that the doctor's regenerations may actually be based upon the people that they not only had close relationships with but also physically touched meaning the doctor's appearance for the 13 is more than likely a combination of Rose, River, clara and the forgotten female regeneration is the combination of Bill and Martha , which would mean that the 14th is so that the doctor can finally say goodbye to Donna with the face she knew not counting the time she saw the 11th doctor but the 10th because it was the first regeneration she had met and there's a possibility that after what is going to probably be the 15th unless the they only stay as tennet temporarily and the next actor who I'm forgetting his name right now, ends up becoming the 14th then maybe the doctor after may end up having Donna's face or Amy's just a thought because even the war doctor's appearance was inspired by someone that the doctor knew. Though this is just a theory.

[@isaacmarshmallow8751]

Regenerating Into 6 and 12 both regenerated Into faces they had previously seen. Probably after a time of previous companions, if she was thinking of loose threads at the moment of regeneration, it's natural that Donna crop up and that Tennant return. If Capaldi could choose a face to remind him of who he is (he saves people), then surely the opposite is possible, a reminder of his past could choose his face

[@tienshinhan8189]

6 regenerated into 7, having seen 7 before? When?

[@isaacmarshmallow8751]

@@tienshinhan8189 5 into 6

[@boukmanflow]

The only reason the tenth doctors regeneration looked painful is because he was holding it back in order to do his farewell tour. none of the doctors after that held back at all. I also cant help but think that because he regenerated his outfit that this has to be an illusion caused by the toymaker. if the master can pervert the process of regeneration then im sure the toymaker can too. the thing is when timelords show up you have to doubt everything.

[@robincarey6341]

There's a line in the trailer, something about "destiny is coming for Donna Noble", and the TARDIS knows all and helps the Doctor when he regenerates. I think the TARDIS brought a version of 10 back because of Donna's story line. I also think Donna has Time-Lord ancestry which is why the Doctor-Donna meta-crisis occurred. We know nothing about Wilfred Mott's wife, I reckon she was the Doctor's daughter Jenny, caught by a weeping angel and stuck in London just after the second world war.

[@Ssrijon]

jenny flew off into space didn't she

[@robincarey6341]

@@Ssrijon She did, but then she featured in a few comic book adventures and met #10 in those, but so far, her story seems to have just stopped being told. So my theory kind of depends on her finding her way to earth and getting caught by chance by a weeping angel. It may be a bit tenuous, but still a worth while theory. As I said, all we know about Wilfred's wife is that she's dead, we don't even know her name. That forms my hypothesis that she married him having been stranded in 1945/6. Had Jenny been caught by a weeping angel, she would have become a fixed point in time, meaning she would grow old and die as a regular human. Jenny is made from #10's DNA, exactly the same as in the severed hand. Genetic traits often skip a generation, meaning that Donna's mother would have dormant Timelord DNA, that was active already in Donna which is why the TARDIS really rescued her from her wedding to Lance, and then fully activated in Donna when Davros hit her with a bolt of electricity, and the regeneration energy flying around the TARDIS caused it to be a much more massive event, causing the burn out in her brain. I don't see how else the biometacrisis could have happened in a universe where such a thing is completely impossible.

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

After leaving the army, 'Wilf' joined the Metropolitan Police. He was on the beat in the 60s when he entered a police box, only to find out it was, in fact, a time machine inhabited by a strange man and his granddaughter. On his return from a future war with a Dalek invasion force, he changed his name from Tom and started a new life. Unbeknownst to him, his time travelling had subtly changed his genome, which he ultimately passed onto Donna. Thanks to all the wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey _stuff,_ her first encounter with the Doctor created a link between them, bringing about the fruition of the Doctor-Donna prophecy. After all, nobody seemed to notice he knew to try disabling a Dalek by covering its eye-stalk. Almost as if he'd encountered them before...

[@robincarey6341]

@@the_once-and-future_king. How do you know all this?

[@the_once-and-future_king.]

@@robincarey6341 Watch the Doctor Who movies from the 60s and you'll see...

[@CrypticEve]

I’m convinced the 14th Doctor looking like the tenth is because of the Toy Maker. Lore wise the Toy Maker was originally going to make the first doctor change appearance into a new actor. This was back before they established regeneration so it wasn’t necessarily a regeneration just the toy maker has that level of power to physically change a beings appearance. The toy maker having some level of control over the universe could also explain why the doctor changes clothes if the toy maker willed that into existence and could potentially also explain how Donna is able to remember the doctor without burning up if it’s potentially not the real Donna and just the toy maker playing tricks

[@StevenHouse1980]

Why that face? the Doctor needs to find them selves, the face of 10/11 regenerations is the one most familiar for some level of spiritual balance, its also the one version with the most bagage that time needs to be delt with eventualy. Plus Dona has a conection to The Moment dew to 11th's Metacrisis. Dew to The Doctor sufering, long-term feed-back side-effects of the 9th's Doctor saving Rose with that kiss, brakeing her conection with The Tardis and The Moment that was conected together at the time. That was the starting trama of The Doctor's Metacrisis, The Doctor's conection with The Tardis was Enhanced with The Moment conected. But then Rose trigered her BadWolf event and that disrupted things. The Metacrisis was one part of reality trying to rebalance it's self, with The Tardis and with "Time" dew to 13 Doctor's all useing The Moment to save Gallifrey. That sounds wibbly-wobbly-timey-wimey enough to be elegantly real, so the 14th Doctor with this face would be part of the whole The Moment-BadWolf-Metacrisis after-shock/sideffects.

[@ArdinVincent]

Just wanna note that 14's story has already begun in comic form, and he barely seems to care about the oddity of being in an old body. He just jumps back into the TARDIS, briefly mentions 10's original hand ('someone else's hand now', which I would assume is foreshadowing for Donna), and then is taken off to 1966 to try and track down a distress call where he immediately encounters Daleks. There's no mention of the regeneration going wrong or wacky or anything so far, only that he seems to suddenly have a little trouble remembering the TARDIS controls. Although...maybe that in itself could shed some light on who he really is.

[@katiecat9353]

The tenth doctor still could have hijacked the regeneration, the guardians of the edge seem to mostly be going on in his subconscious. He wouldn't necessarily remember it.

[@spl0fy]

thats a very good theory

[@baneblade__]

Short answer is that most people have lost all faith in Doctor Who ever being good again so getting David Tennant back for the 60th anniversary special is a desperate attempt at winning back fan confidence. Hopefully it works :)

[@johnroberts524]

I hope 14 doesn’t have the same exact personality as 10. It would make sense to acknowledge his experience and growth as 11, 12, and 13. Also Ramona and 12 both chose a specific face so this could be the case. Edit: I would like to mention the curator was played by two different former doctors across different media. Edit 2: the one of the classic who doctors changed clothes upon regeneration and I read somewhere it was an intentional choice as not to be mistaken as another joke about men in women’s clothing

[@MissCaraMint]

I think the big change here is that 14 will leave with a smile rather than with tears.

[@marckusduverger9776]

David Tennant was my favorite Doctor, so I’m actually pretty glad he’s making a return.

[@kc0itf]

Is the Master now part of the Doctor's regeneration history and what consequences could that have?

[@KingFahtah]

Why don't they just continue with tennant as an apology to the fans for the whittaker years and the doctor doesn't have to do blackface?

[@sarahglover3286]

New logo? I like it!

[@dominichenry7724]

The curator - " you may find yourself revisitig a few, but only the old favorites"

[@tienshinhan8189]

What if the 14th Doctor isn't David Tennant, but actually Ncuti. So Jodie did in fact regenerate into Ncuti, but the Toymaker is projecting an illusion which shows David Tennant as the Doctor. Might explain why we saw his clothes "regenerate" alongside his face.

[@therunningstef5347]

This is what im thinking and it might not be the toymaker at all. Someone like the dream doctor, who can project an alternate yet indistinguishable reality where physical appearance of a person can be changed. The classic “its all a dream” explanation 😅

[@tienshinhan8189]

@@therunningstef5347 Yesss

[@tienshinhan8189]

@@therunningstef5347 As the 10th Doctor begins to adjust to his new regeneration, he finds himself in the TARDIS, face to face with the Toymaker. The Toymaker is a powerful and malevolent being who has the ability to create and control a variety of deadly toys. The Doctor immediately recognizes the Toymaker from a previous encounter and knows that he must be careful. The Toymaker tells the Doctor that he has been waiting for him and that he has a special game in mind for the two of them to play. The Doctor is wary, but the Toymaker promises that if he wins, the Doctor can return to his newly assigned body (Ncuti's body). The Doctor agrees to play, and the Toymaker leads him to a large room filled with all manner of toys and games. The Toymaker tells the Doctor that he must complete a series of challenges, each one more difficult than the last. The Doctor quickly realizes that these are not just games, but deadly traps designed to kill him. Despite the danger, the Doctor is determined to win and save himself and anyone else that the Toymaker has trapped. He uses all of his intelligence, bravery, and knowledge of the TARDIS to outsmart the Toymaker and complete the challenges. Finally, the Toymaker is defeated and the Doctor is able to escape. As he leaves the Toymaker's lair, he promises to keep an eye out for any other schemes the Toymaker may have in the future, knowing that he is one of the most dangerous foes he has ever faced. The end.

[@MissCaraMint]

Yeah but if it’s just an illusion, why would the teeth feel familiar?

[@disneymagicfanatic]

I personally think there could be a subconscious existential reason...What if the Doctor has regenerated so many times, or has lived so long, that they have undealt-with subconscious issues that result in an "identity crisis" where they return to an old "subconsciously familiar" body until they can figure it all out and resolve those hidden identity issues (possibly caused by something The 10th Doctor did or something involving the Celestial Toymaker...or whoever Harris is playing). Then as The Doctor finds their purpose/identity again, explaining those unseen doubts/issues to the audience, and dealing with those unresolved subconscious setbacks through the plot, they're finally able to move on and accept a new body again. Then he "passes the torch," so to speak, and the 14th Doctor accepts himself for who The Doctor wants to be going forward, letting Gatwa take over as a plot symbol that self-acceptance. I know that's a bit Feudian, but I think it's possible in the universe of Doctor Who. I could be TOTALLY wrong of course, but it's just an idea I had.

[@twilliamspro]

A idea I have that probably will get shot down (been told off for this on another page) What if Ncuti isnt going to regenerate from David what if Ncuti regenerates from The fugitive Doctor. Ncuti's Doctor has a Run and When it's over Bring back David and have something go down where The Doctors are Merged together into the 16th Doctor (perhaps the Doctor during a regeneration was Split into two Elements neither was aware until Jodie Encountered Ruth

[@twilliamspro]

Split regeneration me a year ago was almost onto something

[@arcanewarrior863]

The reason is basically the same as the reason why the writers chose Ten's face, nostalgia. Probably the Doctor possibly has seen a lot of the universe, and experienced so much new stuff, that she wants to look back, to reminisce, so she revisits one of her "old favourites". Therefore the Doctor can have a few adventures as his old self before he moves on to the next stage of his life

[@emeraldazakite]

I think it's from the forced regeneration degenerating too far back, and a little bit the villain (which if it's the toymaker, he has the power to mess with him.)

[@emeraldazakite]

Both meep and the toymaker have both been in non episode stories, one I remember explained that he stole the doctor's old friends' body

[@tylere.8436]

I'm pretty sure it's because the BBC is desperate.

[@cyriljackal]

He's one of the personalities who didn't go over the cliff he regretted not saving Donna.

[@captainstage2009]

Here’s another great theory: The 14th doctor having David Tennant’s face is just an illusion by the toy maker. He actually regenerated into Ncuti. This would explain why he changed clothing; it’s all an illusion. We could have a scene of Tennant’s 14 running down the street in his iconic run, passing by a mirror. He stops and realizes that the mirror shows Gatwa’s face with 13’s clothes. I think this is a great idea, and it’d mean that Whittaker regenerated into Gatwa.

[@theabraham8164]

That's like every plot of Quantum Leap.

[@priscillateo1691]

It would work if 14 didn’t have the same mannerisms as 10.

[@captainstage2009]

@@priscillateo1691 Because he genuinely thinks he’s regenerated into 10 again.

[@priscillateo1691]

@@captainstage2009 haha ok! 👍 It would fit the mad chaotic essence of the Doctor.

[@poetmaggie1]

It's a comic make believe, so it really doesn't matter. I love seeing different people playing the same characters and how they mostly fit right in.

[@andrescarnederes2295]

I don't think that the reason for 14 looking like 10 will have anything to do with the power of the doctor. Tho I like to think that maybe the events of flux weakened the universe to the point where the toymaker could easily break through from his dimension and wreak havoc. I do know that flux might be getting a reference due to some word teasers from RTD in DWM. But it most likely won't have anything to do with anything from the chibnall era and it'll be something uniquely RTD. If tennant's 14 turns out to be a creation of the toymaker then I'll just call him "The Celestial Doctor". I don't like the idea of calling him 14, that title should belong to Ncuti Gatwa. Also, if tennant's doctor is a creation of the toymaker I hope this means he'll manipulate his appearance to bring back other previous doctor (matt, peter, jodie, chris, tho he's not likely).

[@mrspeigel3593]

Because Chris Chibnalls writing team was soooooo bad they felt this was the only way to salvage it was bring Tennant back.

[@richardjames6947]

I haven't enjoyed Doctor Who since Capaldi left, mainly because of Chibnall, and a little less by the writers and the directors. I hoped that the time after Capaldi would turn out to be a parallel universe. Oh well.

[@mimimaitri1]

I just love your toy maker idea. It’s so good.

[@SongoftheLute]

Happy New year ! You know I was thinking of the mythology of ghosts. The idea that you can't leave if you have unfinished buisness because you can't rest in peace. After all, its not like the doctor can die as we do, he\she regenerates. Of all the doctors so far, tennant was the one most unhappy about leaving. tee hee, back in classic era everyone just laid down on the floor for a nap! zzz 🌠

[@sweethavenmyparadiseforani5501]

David has always been and will always be my favorite doctor. (Yes I've see the originals) I spilled my dinner by jumping up from excitement because it wowed me that much. Not many can surprise me so yes I can't wait for this next season!!!

[@savagedarksider]

I get one more adventure with my favorite doctor. I'm happy.

[@lynbaker]

Didn’t The Curator in the 50th say we would revisit some faces but just the old familiar ones?

[@Slaker-gc4yc]

Intresting

[@jamesgilleylen4142]

it is simple, when Tenth Regeneration said "I don't want to go!" it is like D.I.D. or Dissociative Identity Disorder. In the phase of shifting between alters some alters have finished their mission and passes on accumulative knowledge to be shared through all incarnations from that point, it is like a data point, things they don't know they know! It is like living a thousand lifetimes and someone surprises you by learning something they never knew. In the case the alter doesn't want to share the experiences can be blocked, a mental protection against bad memories or things they don't want to burden the others with. In a case of Doctor Who, it is when he can remember the amount of death he caused vs his next incarnation literally dismissing it as A LOT. Sometimes in D.I.D. the lack of sharing can cause the alter to fuse with parts that also was not shared creating a different type of incarnation (the reason he looks older because of the fusion of those other parts) I.E. if a personality is full anarchist and starts fusing with different piece they can turn emotionally distant and stoic, not caring about what the original cared for. It can be the same backward where a person who was chaotic becomes peaceful as the pieces fused gently nudges from the actions shared. Doctor Who is a study of D.I.D. and those people like myself tends to understand it but it has science fiction, monsters and crazy story telling to amaze the audience while keeping focus on the mental disorder and embracing personal change and acceptance at the new you.

[@stonebaxter]

Disagree. The numbering actually does matter. The only actors that count are the ones who have put in an era: Hartnell, Troughton, Pertwee, Baker, Davison, Colin, McCoy, McGann, Eccleston, Tennant, Smith, Capaldi, and Jodie. There are only 13 Doctors (now 14 with Tennant again). Everything else is just story flourishes and drama. No one gets to just magically insert random “Doctors” into the timeline cuz modern feels. The Timless Child simply isn’t canon. Facts.

[@ThetaSigma-vu1sk]

its canon whether you like it or not

[@stonebaxter]

@@ThetaSigma-vu1sk LOL!! As "canon" as McGann's "half-human". As in, not at all. ; )

[@ThetaSigma-vu1sk]

@@stonebaxter just because you dont like something doesnt mean its not canon. i hate 90% of moffats era, i dont claim its not canon

[@ghostmachine71]

"From time to time you might find yourself revisiting a few of the old favorites" - The Curator, in Day of the Doctor.

[@jackharkness363]

because the master's personality was in 13, and then the Tennant regeneration I'm thinking Valeyard.Imagine !4 in his Timelord Victorious mode with a dash of The Master thrown in. Perfection.

[@JagoHazzard]

I think the fact that the clothes change as well is key, and that leads me to think that this isn't a conventional regeneration - my theory is that either this is Ten plucked out of his own timeline, or it's an illusion and in reality he looks like Thirteen or Fifteen.

[@InternetGravedigger]

The Toymaker idea is interesting... maybe he managed to get something similar to the elixer that the Sisterhood of Karn used on the 8th Doctor, but more generic. In such a case, it might've merely latched onto the strongest previous regeneration 'pattern' (as he's technically regenerated into the same face more than once) and used it by default.

[@SergioBallZ]

Am I the only one who loves the narrative of him being the only Doctor that didn´t want to go out, to die, and now he is back? Am I the only one seeing here the potential for a character arc?

[@MissCaraMint]

No it’s kind of so obvious that we are trying to see more complicated things that might even be there.

[@SergioBallZ]

@@MissCaraMint I mean all I´m saying is that it has the narrative potencial to go on that route since it checks out with the story and character arc of said doctor. If they do not wnat to do that with the character and instead do something else is ok. I just think that mentioning this will be for the better of the continuation.

[@MissCaraMint]

@@SergioBallZ No what I mean is that you are right. It’s just fun to look for overcomplicated reasons why.

[@SergioBallZ]

@@MissCaraMint Oh, sorry I misunderstood then

[@gf1006]

Its almost certainly because someone put him in that form so that Donna will recognise him

[@akaakaakaak5779]

i think there will be one line about revisiting a few old favourites and thats it

[@lexwithbub]

Doctor: "Tag, you're it!" Toymaker: "Let the games begin..."