Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time

"Doctor Who: Twice Upon a Time" is the Christmas special episode in 2017 that celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Eleventh Doctor, played by Matt Smith, and marks the departure of Peter Capaldi as the Twelfth Doctor. The episode brings together two incarnations of the Doctor, who refuse to regenerate, and takes an intriguing journey of self-discovery, love, and letting go. The episode begins with a poignant scene of the Twelfth Doctor (Peter Capaldi) in a desolate, snow-covered landscape. We learn that he is at the end of his regeneration cycle, and the universe needs a new Doctor. However, the Doctor is hesitant to regenerate, feeling that it would be unfair to his friend Nardole (Matt Lucas), who believes he would be killed in the process of the regeneration. Meanwhile, a World War I soldier, Captain Jekyll (Mark Gatiss), is transported to this desolate world. As the Doctor tries to find a solution to his regeneration conundrum, he stumbles upon this young soldier. Overwhelmed by his own guilt and loss, Captain Jekyll seeks solace in this strange world, away from the horrors of war. In this frozen wasteland, they encounter the First Doctor (David Bradley), an incarnation of the Doctor that we have not seen for decades. We last saw the First Doctor in the episode "The Day of the Doctor" in 2013. The surprise reunion between the two Doctors creates tension and raises questions about their respective eras. Initially, the First Doctor is wary of the Twelfth's presence, as he does not understand why he is not dying. However, after sharing their stories and experiences, they realize that they both need each other's help and support to move forward in their respective timelines. The two Doctors form an unbreakable bond, one that transcends time and space. However, the arrival of a mysterious glass avatar, led by an alternate version of Clara Oswald (Jenna Coleman) from a different universe, disrupts the fragile peace between the two Doctors. This alternate Clara exists in a world where the Time Lords were never defeated, and she is searching for the Time Lords, determined to join them in their struggle against the universe. The First and Twelfth Doctors form an alliance, knowing that the universe is at stake. As they journey through time, the Doctors realize that their combined experience and knowledge could solve a major problem. Clara is also trying to help, using the power of the glass avatars and the alternate dimension to bring the two Doctors closer together. However, things become complicated when we see that Captain Jekyll is not just any ordinary soldier; he has a mysterious past tied to the Time Lords. Throughout their journey, the Doctors encounter moments of sadness, loss, and heartbreak, which serves as a poignant reminder that, despite the vast differences in their timelines and experiences, they share a common purpose: to protect the universe. This episode marks a bittersweet reunion between the two Doctors, as we see the passing of the torch from the Eleventh Doctor's story, marking a significant chapter in the Doctor Who franchise. However, a critical revelation is made when Captain Jekyll is revealed to be none other than the Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart (played by John Hurt), a beloved character in the Doctor Who universe. This is a twist, as Captain Jekyll had an alternate timeline, where he had joined the Time Lords, rather than the British military. As the stakes grow higher, we see a heart-wrenching reunion between the Doctor and Captain Jekyll. The realization that Captain Jekyll is an alternate version of the Brigadier, who had a different fate in this timeline, adds an emotional depth to the episode. The episode culminates in a heart-wrenching finale, as the Doctors finally agree to move forward, but with a twist. The regeneration of the Twelfth Doctor, as a result of the energy of both First and Twelfth Doctors is now imminent and is about to take place. Clara is there to guide the Doctors during this emotional moment and is a witness to the passing of the torch. In a poignant moment of farewell, the First Doctor gives the Time Lord's ring of Rassilon to the Twelfth Doctor, symbolizing his passing on the legacy. The Twelfth Doctor regenerates into Jodie Whittaker's thirteenth incarnation, thus marking the beginning of a new era for the Doctor Who franchise.