The Doctor Who crew is about to get stuck in a time loop for the New Year’s Special. Director Annetta Laufer reveals there’s one more twist to look forward to!
The upcoming New Year’s Special titled “Eve of the Daleks” is the first of the three specials that will carry forward into 2022 and see the end of Jodie Whittaker’s run as the Doctor.
In the episode, the crew will once again face the Doctor’s age-old enemies, the violence-hungry Daleks. Having learned from their previous defeats, the Daleks are back with a new trick up their sleeve — trapping the Doctor and her companions in a time loop they’ve created.
Speaking with Radio Times, Laufer reveals there is yet another twist to the time loop — Every time a new loop starts, it will be a minute shorter than the previous loop.
So, all with figuring out how to escape the time-loop and defeating the Daleks, the Doctor Who crew have to monitor the time as well. It makes me wonder what will happen to the crew if time runs out!
This added pressure is all thanks to showrunner and writer Chris Chibnall:
He [Chibnall] added an extra complication. So we had to really keep an eye on: ‘Well, OK, time-wise, where are we?’ Which was fun, but also, yeah, quite complicated at times.
Annetta Laufer
Laufer also explains that since the concept of time-loop is quite common to sci-fi, you need to establish rules of the type of time loop you’re using and make the audience is aware of the same. This will help avoid plot holes and allow the audience to understand and enjoy the story.
To make it easy on the eyes, there are cues that will let the audience know when the time-loop has been reset. A few elements from the previous loop may also repeat with the characters experiencing deja vu.
For a show that is all about time, this is probably Doctor Who’s first full-fledged episode that deals with a time loop. The creative team has also teased that it will be reminiscent of the classic movie, Groundhog Day.
As with the movie, perhaps the Doctor Who crew’s solution comes with some character growth and important decisions made by companions Yaz and Dan.
If done well, Eve of the Daleks can turn out to be quite the riveting episode. Plus, you wouldn’t want to miss Aisling Bea and Adjani Salmon guest starring. Catch the episode on January 1!
About Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British sci-fi TV program produced by the BBC since 1963. The series aired from 1963-89 and was then again revived in 2005.
The program depicts the adventures of a Time Lord called “The Doctor,” an extraterrestrial being who appears to be human. The Doctor explores the universe in a time-traveling spaceship called the TARDIS. With various companions, the Doctor combats foes, saves civilizations, and helps people in need.
Over the years, many actors like Jodie Whittaker, William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton, Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker, and Peter Davidson have played the Doctor. Hartnell was the first actor to be cast as Doctor Who.
Source: Radio Times
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