Doctor Who has completely rewritten the Second Doctor’s regeneration, in the most incredible way. The official launch of the “Whoniverse” was accompanied by an edited, recolorized version of “The Daleks,” a classic William Hartnell story. This time round, it was the turn of the 1969 epic “The War Games,” the final story of Second Doctor Patrick Troughton.
The colorization is absolutely incredible. The edit is a little more debatable; “The War Games” was originally ten episodes long, so a 90-minute cut was always going to be difficult. Still, the most remarkable thing of all is the regeneration - one enforced by the Time Lords. This version has been edited smartly, making it something completely new.
Modern Doctor Who Is Woven Into The Regeneration
The regeneration sequence begins when the Time Lords put the Doctor on trial. They believe in a policy of non-interference, but the Doctor does nothing but interfere. For this crime, he will be exiled to Earth in the twentieth century. Because he’s known on Earth, and would be at risk, he will be forcibly regenerated.
“The War Games” sees the Doctor initially offered a range of different faces, each of which he dismisses. These were originally just random faces, with no greater significance (although one of Virgin’s New Adventures revealed the dystopian “Inferno” timeline was created by the Doctor choosing one of them). Now, though, they’re very familiar faces - ones from the modern Doctor Who era. The Doctor rejects the faces and forms of Peter Capaldi, Matt Smith, David Tennant, and Jodie Whittaker.
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It’s a smart nod (and the edit is wise to remove the moment when the Doctor complains one proposed form is “too fat”). Amusingly, the Doctor rejects Whittaker as being too young, before insisting Smith - the most Troughtonesque Doctor, complete with bow tie - won’t do at all. It feels like a subtle dig at the part of the fanbase who disliked the very idea of a female Doctor, and who would’ve done this in the opposite order.
The Second Doctor Gets A Proper Regeneration Sequence
The Second Doctor’s regeneration takes place in the TARDIS, when he’s en route to Earth. The edit reworks classic Troughton footage into the story, with more footage of Jon Pertwee lifted from “Inferno” but smartly adapted; it's actually lifted from a popular fan edit, making this a beautiful acknowledgment of the fandom itself. Regeneration effects are modern - there’s the golden glow characteristic of regeneration since 2005 - but there are still nods to classic Who.
The regeneration is accompanied by a series of flashbacks as the Second Doctor’s life flashes before his eyes. It’s reminiscent of Peter Davison’s regeneration in 1984’s “The Caves of Androzani,” generally seen as one of the best and most emotional in the original show. But this is bittersweet; Troughton remembers lines in which his companion Zoe says she’ll never forget him. Her memories were wiped when the Time Lords sent the Doctor’s companions back to their own times, meaning this recollection must have broken the Doctor’s hearts. It’s a powerful moment, underscoring how much the Doctor cares about his friends.See AlsoWhat happened to tomorrow when the war began 2? – Short-FactTomorrow, When The War Began (Part 2: the movie)TOMORROW WHEN THE WAR BEGAN 2: Sequel Talk after 2010 Film TV Premiere | FilmBook
The TARDIS Arrives On Earth
The TARDIS is shown descending toward Earth, a very modern shot reminiscent of the opening of “Rose.” Attentive viewers will notice a series of meteorites following the TARDIS down to Earth too; these contain fragments of the Nestene Consciousness and its Autons, and are setup for Pertwee’s first story, “Spearhead from Space.” It’s a delightful little continuity nod.
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The TARDIS’ sensors appear to be suffering a glitch as the ship lands. The date shown on the console shifts between 1970 and 1980 - a hilarious nod to a major continuity problem in the Earth-bound stories that followed. They were originally supposed to be set in the near-future (1980) but dialogue would later establish them as being set at the date of release (1970). The so-called UNIT dating problem is basically irreconcilable (although that didn’t stop showrunner Chris Chibnall making an attempt in the Whittaker era). It’s great to see it acknowledged so openly, a wonderful bit of fan service.
Jon Pertwee’s Third Doctor Gets (Slightly) Better First Words
The edit gives Pertwee’s Third Doctor new first words. They aren’t really all that great; “Where am I,” he asks as the TARDIS materializes. Still, they’re an improvement, given his original first words were even less impressive. “Spearhead From Space” opens with the Third Doctor in hospital looking for his shoes, because he has a spare TARDIS key inside one. So this is better than “Shoes. Must find my shoes.”
All in all, “The War Games” edit is an impressive reworking of a classic Doctor Who story. Opinions will differ over whether all the changes work, but the recolourization and edit have been done with the greatest of love, and this will hopefully see a new generation of viewers introduced to the Troughton era. The regeneration changes in particular are a wonderful Christmas present from Doctor Who.
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