The First Doctor (David Bradley) is attempting not to regenerate as he's not accepting he is dying. As he wanders to the South Pole and running into Doctor Twelve (Peter Capaldi) which is pretty much where we left off in the last episode. A Doctor Falls which is basically where Doctor Twelve signed off and this ep was his momentous goodbye to us all. Where the fat lady sang. The Doctor not wanting to go on and just wanting to die means something else was required for the mix, not only for the series to continue with new Doctor Thirteen, but also for Peter Capaldi to say a farewell and introduce the new Doctor. Thus the parallels between the First Doctor not wanting to 'die' and this one, Twelve, wanting to die, to find peace. As he asks when will he find peace?
It isn't the dilemma that faces Doctor Twelve and his decision on whether to get a new face (and body!) but rather their refusal causes a paradox thus leading to time freezing, as shown by the snowflakes still in midair. With numerous references to the TARDIS and how it's changed, with added windows. (Headed for another change now methinks!)
As we also jump to Ypres 1914 and a soldier, two soldiers of opposing sides, facing off with each other, fingers poised on triggers, neither one wanting to fire, but it's war this is inevitable. The soldier (Mark Gattis) being transported to the South Pole by an 'alien' looking, transparent being. Stopping the Doctors in their tracks as he asks if one of them is a Doctor? Doctor Twelve replying, 'you've go to be joking.' Entering the TARDIS, with the ultimate, 'it's bigger on the inside' reference. They both proceed to tick each other off. The Doctor Twelve with his First's incarnations and outbursts and outmoded attitude and less dealing with technology, advanced that is. Including several references to the Sonic and his sunglasses to follow, such as they being sonic and having an interface. Browser history 'n' all. Doctor One asking for brandy for the soldier, who can't fathom what's happening but he's not dead and right now that's all that matters. Oh and the guitar reference with Doctor Twelve trying to hide it.
As they try to escape the 'alien' they find the TARDIS is being hoisted into the ship (akin to a balloon, chain and what no laser lights or technology to beam the TARDIS in. The alien tells them it will give them a life in exchange for the soldier as it was his moment to die and he must face it. (A little like the two Doctors.) Out walks Bill (Pearl Mackie) and the Doctor must examine her with his Sonic as she can't be real. She tells him she is and she's not a Cyberman as the girl from the puddle turned up and she found her. The First Doctor adding she must be his companion and it's good she's back since the TARDIS could do with some cleaning. However they speak of women being glass and she says she's not, she knows women, including being with other woman, which shocks them.
The Doctors examine the 'alien' being and Doctor One says her face is distorted and if it was a computer it would be perfect. The alien reveals others like it, they are the memories of people. They take them, get their memories and keep them for the future. Their testimony. He is referred to as "the Doctor of War." Doctor Twelve thinks that what they're doing is not right and he will find out who they are and he will return, as they make their escape by following his lead and jumping onto the chains holding the TARDIS. However the TARDIS is reeled back, thus they must resort to using the First Doctor's one. A much similar, cleaner line (and I'm not referring to his 'needs cleaning' line from earlier either.)
Doctor Twelve examines the alien again on the screen and places the sunglasses on Doctor One's head. Doctor Twelve was pretty quick to grab the glasses once browser history was mentioned, what's he hiding then? Ha. He knows somewhere they can find out what the Testimony is and takes them to Villengard where someone will be happy to see him die close up. Of course it could only be a Dalek. The one lone Dalek, the enemy of its own 'people'. Agree to Doctor Twelve's terms and allows him to use the interface. As the Doctor adds it's the only one that's appeared to him naked. Accessing the interface he finds they are people from the future, preserving memories and Bill is part of the Testimony institute. As we see her hand change whens he pours another brandy for the soldier. Nameless thus far for reasons that will become obvious.
The Doctor wants to take the soldier back as he must since he tells them about his family, his sons and how they must leave their father. Thus he takes them back to the Christmas Armistice of 1914, where his life is saved. Where he tells them to look in on his family: the LeftBridge-Stewarts, it could only be. Doctor One saying he now understands why they called him the "Doctor of War" not cos of his war mongering or belligerency, but his humanity and saving lives. The moment when the Doctor decides if he still wants to die, as the First Doctor accepts his fate, returns to his TARDIS for his regeneration. Putting right what once went wrong. Bill said this and it brought back the line from Quantum Leap of course, Sam's prime purpose with Project Quantum Leap.
Bill says she has her memories and that's all that's necessary for her to be Bill. As Nardole (Matt Lucas) makes an appearance too, mentioning his invisible hair and now he's glass completely and not just his nipples. Group hug for one last time this trio will be together. Then what fans would have been waiting for and be surprised too in some ways at the appearance of Clara (Jenna Coleman in her pre Victoria appearance on ITV later) calling him "stupid old man" and the Doctor realizing his memories are back. He will remember her and she tells him that forgetting her was "offensive." The push that he needed to go on and not just wither and die. Peace is not yet in his domain.
Finally stepping back into the TARDIS one last time and letting go to Doctor Thirteen.
Who stumbles into her own problems as the TARDIS burns up and she freefalls...
The climax of course was Peter's monologue as the Doctor delivered for the final time, with emotion, depth, understanding of his role and making us realize how much we will miss him, as he stepped into this role with much uncertainty and a lot of past Doctor's shoes to fill over the years from past Doctors. But undoubtedly it was apparent he won us over overtime (no pun) and really did make Doctor Twelve one he could be proud of. A shame that all good things must end and Peter will rank up there as my three fave modern takes on the Doctor, Doctor Eleven (Matt Smith) Twelve and Ten (David Tennent)! Goodbye Doctor Twelve you will be sorely missed!!
Doctor: "Oh, there it is. Silly old universe. The more I save it the more it needs saving. It’s a treadmill. Yes, yes I know they’ll get it all wrong without me. Well, I suppose….one more lifetime won’t kill anyone. Well, except me. You wait a moment, Doctor. Let’s get it right. I’ve got a few things to say to you. Basic stuff first. Never be cruel, never be cowardly. And never ever eat pears! Remember – hate is always foolish…and love, is always wise.
Always try, to be nice and never fail to be kind. Oh, and….and you mustn’t tell anyone your name. No-one would understand it anyway. Except…Except….children. Children can hear it. Sometimes – if their hearts are in the right place, and the stars are too. Children can hear your name.
But nobody else. Nobody else. Ever...Laugh hard. Run fast. Be kind.
Doctor – I let you go..."
Regenerates...More Shakespearean than speeches from past Doctors and yet even more poignant as more thought went into writing it! But utterly moving and tear inducing!!
As for Rusty, Rusty Dalek was seen in 2014 Into the Dalek, where the Doctor and Clara explored Rusty and what had happened to him, whereby he was fixed by the Doctor since he had a chemical leak, effectively turning him back into an evil Dalek. When the Doctor became a miniature and being able to explore inside him, he referred to that moment twice in this episode, telling Rusty how it's "been a long time" and "remember the good old days? When I got miniaturized and climbed around inside you?" Rusty recalling how he taught him to hate the Daleks and as the Doctor's hatred of them was transferred to Rusty. Rusty here saying "you are a good Dalek" to the Doctor reaffirms the earlier episode where the Doctor's desire to destroy the Daleks came into play. With the Doctor now ending up in Villengard attempting to access the Dalek hive mind for information on the Testimony. Rusty after all, was the first Dalek Doctor Twelve encountered and thus in this ep became the last he would also encounter, coming round full circle.
And read here to find where the references in the Doctor's final speech hail from:
http://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2017-12-25/did-you-spot-all-the-doctor-who-references-in-peter-capaldis-regeneration-speech/
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