The Doctor is easily distracted, and occasionally forgetful.


I would totally ask myself what the hell I was thinking, wearing that with that.

Exactly. If this is true, it'll just be a little cameo that will come as a really nice surprise to anyone who was smart enough not to peek at spoilers

Moffat can't resist dragging people back one last time

Have you seen The Three Doctors and The Five Doctors?
Isn't it now established that only the oldest Doctor retains memories of interactions with his younger selves. For example, Hurt and Tennant will forget most of The Day of the Doctor, while Smith will only forget Capaldi's cameo and the conversation with Baker Redux.

The Doc's been doing that for years. Just ask fancy pants and scarecrow.

I'm not sure it's absolutely established as such - I don't think this has been stated on screen - but it seems to be a commonly held assumption that this is indeed the case.
And it makes sense too, which is nice.

I don't think it's established as such - we can probably conclude that that happens when the events would mess up the Doc's future timeline, but it's probably okay here.

Well, Hurt lamented the fact that he wouldn't remember trying to save Gallifrey, instead of burn it. Also, Tennant told Smith that he might as well discuss Trenzalore because he wouldn't remember the conversation. It was stated on-screen that only Smith would retain the memories because "the time streams are out of sync".

OK - well that seems pretty definite. Thanks.
My memory isn't what it used to be - perhaps I've crossed my own time stream too many times...

I know it's been done lot's in the past, but, just saying, however much it's been done, ridiculing yourself as if you weren't the one who made those decision's on what to where/how to act, dosen't ring true, in my opinion anyway. When david tennant or patrick troughton say they don't like the new doctor's tardis, that's fine becuase it's in the future for them, and they will eventually mature to like it, but matt smith ridiculing david tennant's 'sand shoes' when he was the same man who picked them or jon pertwee bickering with patrick troughton even though he would remember his frame of mind when he was troughton, and therefore have more patience, just seem's off, as if the writer's forget they are writing one character, and instead play each doctor as a separate one. If i were writing a multi-doctor story, I would have the doctor be more nostalgic toward's his younger self, like tennant in time crash towards peter davison. That way it really emphasises that he's remembering when that used to be him

But the Doctor doesn't evolve and mature like a human being. He has each new regeneration thrust upon him, altering his personality and sense of style. Why else do you think he can't wait to cast-off the previous Doctor's outfit?

Technically Tom Baker did appear in Peter Davison's first story in the pre-credits regeneration sequence. I'm hoping that this will be the case here rather than a couple of episodes in as it would jar too much. By then the audience would have accepted Peter C. as the Doctor and forgotten Matt. That's what happens to all new Doctors.

yeah, I get your point, but just because he has a change in his tastes, dosen't mean he should disown his past by almost acting like he wasn't the one who acted or dressed that way when he was

I'm wondering if this 'reassuring Clara' is just a shorthand for 'reassuring Tennant and Smith fans', especially as many - especially internationally - jumped aboard with 10 and 11.

Since there is going to be, allegedly, a mood shift in the show, it might be a nice touch and a bridge between eras.

think your probably right, as the comapnion is affectly our eye's and ears in the show. I liked the light hearted tone of tennant and smith, but have a really excited feeling that this new 'dark tone' will be a good era for the show (here's hoping)

Human beings do this all the time even in our relatively shorter life span when compared to a Timelord. We all have clothes we wore or opinions we held or relationships/friendships that we might look back on with a mixture of embarassment/regret/pride/fondness/laughter/scorn/nostalgia and the Doctor is no different. And humans don't go through anything like the change the Doctor does at a regeneration. The Doctor doesn't disown his past-he might mock it. The only past he did disown was War Doctor and that was resolved.

For me the amusing bickering among the Doctors about their sartorial choices is the same as me bumping into myself ten years ago and wondering why I dyed my hair purple. The same could be said of companions. Though never said on screen I think its perfectly reasonable to expect that if say CapaldiDoc ever met Donna Noble he would think 'what was I ever doing hanging around with this harridan?' (I like Donna btw. Just an example before the Doctor/Donna fans jump on me).

Sorry to resurrect this thread but I wanted my say on it! I personally think it would be a good addition. If it's just a phonecall it won't take anything out of Capaldis debut at all. As other people say it is the same person so a past phone call shouldn't matter. As someone above mentions it's good assurance to the younger fans who are a bit disappointed with the older casting. Children under the age of about 12 probably won't be used to an older doctor and know no different than a younger doctor. It would act as assurance to them as well as Clara.

Does anyone know if this is definitely going to happen? Or is it likely to be a false rumour that has fooled everyone (including me)?

It has been caught on film. 11's dialogue and all.

To be honest my first thought is that's its a bit pointless. Matt's gone why bring him back unless there's a good reason storywise.

To be honest all this talk of kids not like a older Doctor makes me laugh. Anyone over the age of 20 to kid is ancient

If they do it right it will be ok. 11 even said as he was dying he would keep the memories. We will soon find out if that's true. Regeneration is not fun or easy. Course it will take 12 and Clara a bit of time to get use to it. Sure by the end of the episode it will be fine. They will be ready to go exploring time and space together. Plus I liked MS as 11. He is welcome to come back anytime and in any form. Think he would save it for a special occasion though. Maybe for the diamond 60th anniversary 22/1`1/2023 ?.

I remember a similar argument 4 years ago after The Eleventh Hour when previous regenerations appeared in a hologram. At the time I didn't like it. Now, I think it's wonderful. Hearing Matt's voice is not going to upstage Capaldi at all. If anything Capaldi could upstage Matt, if the rumours about him making his mark in the upcoming series are true.

Less than two months to go. Hehehehehe...