The Doctor’s Dark Secret Revealed

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Over the past six decades, this series has kept viewers on their toes with numerous unexpected developments. More recently, however, the enigmatic character of Mrs. Flood has captivated audiences. Initially perceived as a comic figure, her recurring hints have spectators speculating about her true motives.

Her knack for addressing the audience directly adds a nice element, but it’s not something new in the world of ‘Doctor Who.’ Evidence from an old episode suggests that the original Doctor also interacted with viewers. This has left fans speculating whether Mrs. Flood might share a deeper connection with The Doctor than we are aware of.

“The Daleks’ Master Plan” Is Technically the First Christmas Special

Among the early serials of “Doctor Who,” there lies one titled “The Daleks’ Master Plan.” In this series, an episode named “The Feast of Steven” was broadcast on Christmas Day in 1965. Initially, the episode appears ordinary. The Doctor, Sara, and Steve find themselves apprehended in contemporary Liverpool and taken to a police station. Fortunately, they contrive their escape and reclaim the safety of the TARDIS. But the excitement resumes when they materialize in the midst of a 1920s film set, where they mingle with an aspiring singer named Bing Crosby. In essence, this episode exudes the same enchanting and whimsical vibe that fans have come to associate with “Doctor Who.

Written By Directed By Original Air Date
Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner Douglas Camfield 13 November 1965–29 January 1966

The Feast of Steven” stands out as significant due to its groundbreaking fourth-wall break in the series’ history. In the TARDIS, The Doctor presents champagne flutes to his fellow travelers. He raises a glass toward the cameras and says, “Merry Christmas to everyone watching at home!” Afterward, it appears as if nothing unusual has transpired, with other characters carrying on as usual. Unfortunately, this scene doesn’t fit into the show’s intricate narrative and was instead intended as a heartwarming gesture for fans. Since this episode was scheduled to air on Christmas Day, the writers were encouraged to adopt a more cheerful tone. Consequently, the storyline subtly veers from the central plot and focuses solely on putting viewers in a festive mood.

It turns out that viewers aren’t overly bothered by the episode’s fourth-wall break but are more focused on the fact that it aired on Christmas Day. When “Doctor Who” underwent its 2005 reboot, the series began producing captivating Christmas specials, with “The Runaway Bride” debuting in 2006 as the first of many. Over time, these special episodes have become synonymous with the holiday season. As a result, fans consider “The Feast of Steven” to be the inaugural Christmas Special, although the show itself doesn’t acknowledge it as such. Furthermore, since this episode has vanished from the BBC archives, it seems that the series is reluctant to recognize it as canonical. Additionally, this episode stands out as the only instance of The Doctor violating the fourth wall, adding an extra layer of intrigue and distinctiveness to the entire serial.

This Small Detail Suggests That Mrs. Flood Has Links to the First Doctor

Despite the First Doctor’s casual remark being merely a wink to the viewers at home, it’s clear that Mrs. Flood’s repeated fourth wall breaks are far more deliberate. In the closing scene of Season 14, Episode 8, “The Empire of Death,” Mrs. Flood directly addresses the audience, warning them that The Doctor’s tale will inevitably culminate in fear. Furthermore, she interacts with the viewers again. Though the audience remains uncertain about Mrs. Flood’s true identity and trustworthiness, it’s clear that her frequent direct addresses set her apart from other characters in the series.

It’s reasonable to think there might be a special bond between Mrs. Flood and the First Doctor, given their shared ability to break the fourth wall. Most fans are hesitant to accept that Mrs. Flood is actually The Doctor due to differences in behavior. Yet, some viewers propose she could be an incarnation of Susan Foreman. This theory gains credence because both women appear knowledgeable about the TARDIS and seem to accompany The Doctor on his travels. Intriguingly, several classic companions have reappeared, such as Ace.

A different fan theory posits that Mrs. Flood might share a connection with the 15th Doctor. In “The Devil’s Chord,” and more recently in “Lux,” The Doctor has demonstrated an ability to interact with the real world, even going so far as to physically pass through a TV screen and engage with fans on the other side. He also discovered that he is a fictional character. This unexpected development marks a departure from the series’ usual narrative. Given Mrs. Flood’s capacity to communicate directly with viewers, it seems plausible that her connection might extend back to the very first episode featuring The Doctor. Therefore, if we consider the 1st and 15th Doctors as essentially the same character, it seems reasonable to suggest that Mrs. Flood’s relationship with him could be traced all the way to the beginning of the show.

Mrs. Flood Is Surrounded by Mysteries That May Never Be Explained

Despite enthusiastic fans constantly speculating and trying to unravel the intricacies of Doctor Who, it seems unlikely that we’ll ever get a definitive answer about who Mrs. Flood truly is. As hinted by Doctor Who’s showrunner Russell T Davies in an interview, fans might want to manage their expectations as Mrs. Flood may remain a mystery for the foreseeable future.

It appears that, despite Mrs. Flood’s identity being revealed in the last episode of Season 2, fans may find themselves puzzled with more questions than answers, much like what has happened in the past when intriguing and enigmatic characters such as River Song and Bill Potts were introduced to the Doctor Who universe. Initially, these characters seemed to be deeply connected to the show’s lore, but over time, viewers came to see them as plot devices with unresolved mysteries. Though this can be quite aggravating for fans, they accept that these characters will continue in audio dramas, novels, and fan fiction. Consequently, it’s not surprising that the series would leave some threads hanging for the audience to explore further.

Viewers admire Anita Dobson’s portrayal of Mrs. Flood, finding it exceptional and a refreshing departure from her soap opera background. They eagerly anticipate her appearances in each episode, appreciating the suspense she generates with her ominous lines. Yet, some find her frequent comments on breaking the fourth wall a bit repetitive, as the reason for this is not always clear, making it less enjoyable over time. Similarly, fans appreciate The Doctor’s interactions with the real world and learning more about his television legacy, but if these moments don’t influence the overall narrative of the show, they may seem insignificant. Overall, when The Doctor broke the fourth wall in “The Feast of Steven,” it was a delightful gesture to acknowledge the audience’s longstanding support. Now, with Mrs. Flood also engaging in significant asides and referencing The Doctor’s past, fans might be setting themselves up for potential disappointment if these elements don’t live up to expectations.

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2025-04-22 02:22