Talk:Twice Upon a Time (Doctor Who)/Archive 1

The Doctors
This serves no purpose in the article. It was mentioned in one fansite and was proven to move incorrect, and even if it was used in production as the name of the episode, which there are no sources for, that's still irrelevant and takes up space, serving no purpose in the article other than to feed one editors ego and personal vendetta. There's not a single source for this being a working title, and even if there were, there are no Doctor Who stories which state the working title in there article. Microbat98 (talk) 14:42, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Please contribute to to the currently-existing Request for Comments thread at to gain consensus for your views. --  Alex TW 14:45, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * As for the content itself, it takes up no space, only a single line, if that. Previous titles have always been included in an episode's article; see "Knock Knock", and how it was originally titled "The Haunted Hub". Now, please stop edit-warring over the content (especially now given that another editor has contributed directly to that line and not seen fit to remove it), and contribute to the linked discussion. --  Alex TW 14:46, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Find a source declaring it a working title. Even the fansite doesn't consider it as such, just uses the name in passing with no source for it. There seems to be a consensus for Doctor Who News being wrong about The Doctors being a title in the linked discussion, unless you argue that your opinion is the consensus again? Microbat98 (talk) 14:50, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * The article doesn't say it's a working title, so I'm not sure where you're getting that - the article clearly states The episode had been reportedly titled "The Doctors". Reportedly titled. And it had been reported as being titled as "The Doctors". What is being stated here is only a fact, that on certain sites, it had been listed as "The Doctors". I believe that the third editor in our thread at Talk:Doctor Who (series 10) actually told you where they got the title from - there is your source. And you're going to need consensus to continue declaring Doctor Who News as a fansite, which, again, you'll need to get at the linked RFC. --  Alex TW 14:53, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * We have a consensus there, that the fansite didn't get the title from anywhere and, if anything, was a mistake on the creator's part. I know where Doctor Who News got their information from, I always had, but nowhere in the original source uses The Doctors as a title, as that's the one thing that the fansite made up. Microbat98 (talk) 15:00, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * You use the word "fansite" so much that it's like you're trying to drive a point home... And failing. Anyways. I'll pull the other editor's quote from the discussion for you: take a moment and look at Doctor Who News's source for the title, you'll see it's a press release from Comic Con, citing the title as "The Doctors". The press release is the primary source for the title, DWN the secondary source citing it. That makes the information, and thereby the source, reliable. There's another whole quote, but I'm not going to copy that as well, you can go ahead and read it. --  Alex TW 15:04, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * In said source from the BBCA and Comic Con, it is never said that The Doctors is the title of the episode, as stated in the discussion you linked. That was made up by the fansite Doctor Who News. The consensus is that it shouldn't be considered as such, from four different editors (myself, the two on the aforementioned discussion, and the one in the Series 10 Talk page). It seems as though you're arguing for the sake of arguing, as a user gave a well backed argument for it not to be considered a working title in the Series 10 Talk page, to which you generated another discussion elsewhere, where two others users said the same thing, and now you're saying that the consensus is that it should be included, despite you being the only one who believes as such, just like you did in the Series 9 Talk page. The consensus is not that it should be considered a working title, and as such, it should be reverted. Microbat98 (talk)▪
 * Concerning your most recent contribution to your edit-war... Where are these four editors? Of course, you do not mean the RFC, as that it a discussion about DWN as a source, not the content about "The Doctor" being a previous episode title. Pray tell, where are these invisible friends? --  Alex TW 15:26, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Also, consensus' are not formed during a discussion, they are formed at the end of a discussion. But I realize that you have extremely little editing experience here, and you are not aware on what the typical guidelines for something like this are, so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. You'll learn as you go along, kid. Especially when you say it's against "one editor", when another ("the one in the Series 10 Talk page") directly edited that line without removing it. Can you prove that it was never said by the BBCA and Comic Con? No? A shame. Funny how you also pulled out that one thread which was related to a number of other threads, where a solid consensus was formed between many editors. Do you see those episodes being paired? No? I wonder why. --  Alex TW 15:32, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Calm down, there's no need to be aggressive. Four editors agreed, who agree with what you're saying? Can you prove that it was said by BBCA and Comic Con? No? A shame. In the linked thread you claimed that all the episodes were paired and stated that that was the consensus, despite everyone disagreeing with you. The same can be said here. You constantly revert the changes, rather childishly, and have no official sources behind doing so. Microbat98 (talk) 15:56, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Who agrees with me? I constantly revert? That last revert adding it back in certainly wasn't by me... --  Alex TW 15:57, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Yes, who agrees with you. You insisted on insulting me by claiming I have 'invisible friend's, despite the fact that three other users have all expressed that it shouldn't be in the article, when no editors have agreed with you. If you're going to insult me, try not to make it apply to yourself. But I'd rather you remain civil and stop insulting all together. Microbat98 (talk) 16:02, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Perhaps we can both do that. But given that you've just violated WP:3RR, who knows where this will go? Especially given that no editor has agreed with you on the content. --  Alex TW 16:03, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * So have you. Also, consider that you've still provided no official source. Microbat98 (talk) 16:05, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Multiple users have, all stating that it was probably a mistake made on DWN's part. Quote an editor that states it should be included, if you have the majority on your side here. This entire discussion stems from the fact that, originally, DWN was all we had to go on, and I told you that there s no official source and that it won't be the title. You disagreed, and after it was proven to be correct, you insisted on adding a line about it being a working title, which seems to have stemmed from a vendetta. DWN is reliable, but that doesn't mean it's always right and we should take it's word against all others, including it as fact. Unless we can get an official source, we can't include it, as it would be distributing incorrect information. We can't go on one fansite when there are no other sources and there's a huge likelihood that it's a mistake made by the creator of the article. Microbat98 (talk) 16:15, 24 July 2017 (UTC)

We cannot keep incorrect information on this page. I won't drop this until it's corrected and the childish behaviour ends. It needs to be corrected. Microbat98 (talk) 21:52, 24 July 2017 (UTC)

The facts: Until we receive official information saying that this was the working title, it should not be on the article, as it is not factual, merely a rumour. Microbat98 (talk) 22:12, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Doctor Who News was the only source to declare The Doctors as the title for the Christmas episode.
 * No official sources have even mentioned the term The Doctors, even in passing, only calling it 'the Christmas episode' or 'Twice Upon A Time'.
 * Doctor Who News has no connection to the BBC or anything related to Doctor Who, and is just a fan site that reports recent news. Reliable, yes, but without further sources we cannot take their word as gospel.
 * Official sources probably make up far less than a tenth of all sources in Wikipedia. As long as they are and have been reliable, then they are acceptable. A source does not need to be official, in whatever meaning you mean official, to be added into an article. I linked you to another source, but you dismissed that as well, so no, it is not the only source declaring "The Doctors" as a title. If you want me to quote an editor that states it should be included, I point you to the three editors who have reverted you thus far... And I keep repeating myself here, so please get the point soon: I'm not saying it's a working title, I'm saying that that's the title it was reported as. See your talk page. I applaud that your determination to not drop it, but beware the WP:DEADHORSE, eventually. Especially when you keep calling Doctor Who News a "fansite" with nothing to back this up. --  Alex TW 23:34, 24 July 2017 (UTC)
 * You never gave another source. Stop making that up. Post a link to another source. Ive asked you enough times. Doctor Who News is a fansite; it's created by fans. I asked you to back up your claim that it isn't a fansite. It isn't created by the BBC, the production team, or any organisation. It's a fan news site. Additionally, the only reason you're not arguing your point as much as I am mine is because your edit has been kept, for some strange reason. Wikipedia should be better than to post rumours. With only one source to go off of, that isn't official, from weeks ago, we can't use that information. Before, you were saying that it is the name of the episode, and now it's turned out not to be, and you're saying that it was. Of course I'm going to keep fighting when someone's insisting that I'm wrong when I'm not, and threatening to ban. If it's changed to how it should be, I'll leave it alone, but for now I'll keep fighting for my point until what's right is done. There's no point in posting rumours and what was reported but was wrong. If we did that, then this page would be huge, due to the amount of fan sites reporting misinformation. Microbat98 (talk) 00:08, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Gonna post in numbered sections so you can read each individual bit, since I'm repeating myself. 1) I did poster another source. Go look back. You'll find it. You even replied to it. 2) Another editor proved that it wasn't a fansite in the RFC. Go look back. You'll find it. 3) A source's age doesn't matter, we could use sources from 2005, if they existed and if we required it. 4) I'm really getting a sense of déjà vu: did not say it was the title, said it was reported as the title. 5) Never threatened to ban you, simply posted a standardized template on your talk page. --  Alex TW 06:01, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * If you call Alex or any other editor a liar again by accusing them of "making (things) up", it's next stop WP:ANI for you. THE TITLE CAME FROM THE PROGRAM FOR SAN DIEGO COMIC CON, as I've noted more than once.  DWN picked it up from there.  They did not "make it up."  Get that through your head, learn to  assume good faith by other editors, and STOP calling people liars.  You are way out of line.  -- -- Dr. Margi   ✉  06:57, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * No, the only source given has been the BBCA, which never mentioned a title. There's no evidence that this was ever the title. Rather than claiming other sources used that as the title, give links to sources and use quotes, because, I repeat, not once has Alex given a source to somewhere else where The Doctors was used, and you yourself have previously stated that it was probably a mistake on DWN's part as no other source has mentioned the title. You said that. You. And I think you need to calm down a little, there's no need for such aggression. I'm not just going to assume someone's always telling the truth, as that makes no sense. If someone on here told me that Hawking told them that the Earth is flat, is that now fact and I have to take their word for it? Of course not. Microbat98 (talk) 13:20, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Rather than telling me to go back and look, just post the link to a source. DWN got their information from the BBCA, which never once used The Doctors as a title. If you have a link to a source, post it, with a quote where it stated that The Doctors is a title, and I'll admit that I was wrong. But you haven't done that yet, so we must assume that DWN made a mistake. A sources age does matter, as if a source states new information, after a short time that information will be verified by an official source, such as the BBC. If a source was posted years ago with no link to anything official, and has not been verified by any official source, then we can't use that information. One, unofficial source cannot be trusted to that extent. Microbat98 (talk) 13:25, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Not my job. I posted it. It's in the discussion, I just checked and it's still there. You commented on it. And, wow. You're really beating a dead horse with something that's been explained to you, aren't you? Not the title. Reported as the title. How many times do I have to say that? Shall I say it simpler? --  Alex TW 14:00, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * I'm the one who's explained my point in detail, your only argument seems to be that You posted another, official source, when you didn't. You didn't post another source. Doesn't matter how many times you say you did, you didn't. But if you're going to play like that, I posted a source a while back which declared DWN made a mistake. Microbat98 (talk) 14:23, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Never, not once, did I saw I posted an official source. Keep trying to put words in my mouth, see where it gets you, yeah? I posted a source. Not an official source. Not official. But a source. Short sentences for you. Let's quote me again: Official sources probably make up far less than a tenth of all sources in Wikipedia. As long as they are and have been reliable, then they are acceptable. A source does not need to be official, in whatever meaning you mean official, to be added into an article. Welcome. --  Alex TW 14:48, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * Stop going on about how you've posted a source and prove that you then, because I've read through these discussions five times now and found nothing of the sort. Microbat98 (talk) 16:45, 25 July 2017 (UTC)
 * No need, as I know that as soon as I post it, you'll again say that "is not a reliable and official source either", as you cannot seem to understand that not all every reliable source needs to be "official". Hence why I recommend you read up on some policies and guidelines first, given your short time here. --  Alex TW 01:02, 26 July 2017 (UTC)

Destruction of Skaro
The Destruction of Skaro has been addressed as the "New Scaro" being the Earth in an alternate timeline (Master of the Daleks) or a Skaro in an alternate history (the Doctor states that history can be shaped in "Pyramids of Mars") The War of the Daleks novel tried to explain that the "Skaro" destroyed was a in reality a reshaped Antalin but this directly conflicts with the novelization of "Remembrance Of The Daleks" which is explicit that it was Skaro and not some copy that was destroyed. Since the Testimony is capable of time travel the destruction of Skaro is "set" regardless of that still being true in the current time line. Never mind that the Daleks are capable of crude time travel which would allow Davos to be on Skaro before the Doctor destroyed it.--2606:A000:7D44:100:8042:1274:5B3B:B89A (talk) 12:02, 26 December 2017 (UTC)

Tenth Planet
It seemed odd that the Continuity section completely ignored The Tenth Planet, which is the driving force behind the narrative, so I have added this into the article, with references. Editors may wish to add other details.

I'm a little confused as to how Ben and Polly seemed to vanish from the Tardis after they had helped the 1st Doctor to a temporary recovery, but maybe I'm missing something. Perhaps that can be explained in this section. Cnbrb (talk) 20:13, 26 December 2017 (UTC)
 * In the original episode, the Doctor goes on ahead of Ben and Polly and they lose him. Eventually they find the TARDIS and bang on the door until they are eventually let in. There, they find the Doctor standing at the console with disco lights flashing (a shot surviving on 8mm and replicated in Twice ...).  Immediately, he falls to the floor (no footage exists of that bit) Polly pulls his scarf out of the way, and we cut to the close-up of him regenerating.
 * In this new story we find out what goes on with the Doctor and the TARDIS while Ben and Polly were still struggling through the Antarctic snow. At the end, everything is in place, just in time for them to come inside and watch the Doctor collapse and regenerate.81.154.25.196 (talk) 23:16, 26 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Another thought - basically what we see on screen at the end of TuaT is three disjointed sections - (1)the Doctor at the console before he lets Ben and Polly in,(2)the Doctor on the floor after they've got in and he's fallen but before they get across the room to him (3)the close up of the Doctor regenerating. Bear in mind we don't have any surviving images from The Tenth Planet of the Doctor falling on the floor or of Ben and Polly coming through the doors.  Possibly Moffat chose not to remake these bits because, if he did, it's sod's law that the episode will be found one day and it would  turn out that he'd got those bits all wrong.81.154.25.196 (talk) 00:10, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks - I got the impression that the 2017 scene with Ben and Polly took place in the Tardis, but I do need to watch it again.Cnbrb (talk) 01:06, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Do you mean the "It's far from being all over!" scene? That took place in the Cyberman spaceship where Polly and the Doctor were being held prisoner.81.154.25.196 (talk) 01:15, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * And another thing - we don't actually see either the Doctor or Ben/Polly's trek across the snowy wastes. The Doctor says "keep warm" and disappears out of the Cybercraft.  Ben looks down at s shrivelled Cyberman and says "Good looking guys, ain't they?"  Then cut straight to Ben and Polly banging on the TARDIS door.  Inside we see the Doctor in the disco lights, as shown in TuaT.  Eventually over the noise we hear the TARDIS door sound effect.  Then we hear Polly go "Doctor, what happened " and Ben go "No, leave him." (No visuals survive of this or of the Doctor falling down just before).  Then we get Polly pulling back the Doctor's scarf and cut to the close up of the regeneration.  Have a watch 81.154.25.196 (talk) 01:25, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you, that was my confusion. Cnbrb (talk) 11:44, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * There's quite a good juxtaposition video here that should help to fit everything together 81.154.25.196 (talk) 21:11, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks agian - I love it! Cnbrb (talk) 23:32, 27 December 2017 (UTC)

a jolly good spring clean
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Twice_Upon_a_Time_%28Doctor_Who%29&type=revision&diff=817219111&oldid=817218970 What is considered a reliable source for dialogue in Doctor Who? 81.154.25.196 (talk) 00:12, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * See identifying reliable sources. DonQuixote (talk) 00:14, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Doesn't really say on there what are considered reliable resources for quotes from fiction/iterature/drama etc. I still reckon citing the original broadcast as a source - or maybe a video release - would be okay under WP:PRIMARY, with the linked transcript used just as a convenience link.  81.154.25.196 (talk) 00:20, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Specifically, see the section WP:RS/SPS. Also, be careful of synthesis. DonQuixote (talk) 00:25, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Yeah I get that, but what about the episode itself as a primary source of its own content? 81.154.25.196 (talk) 01:13, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Current consensus is that you would need to cite a reliable source that says there's any connection between this episode and the one you're trying to reference--it's a measure to avoid synthesis and trivia. DonQuixote (talk) 01:18, 27 December 2017 (UTC)
 * That is, Den of Geek or the Radio Times or the Guardian, something similar, or someone from the production team saying it in a doc or DVD commentary themseles (anything but a fan site) would have to pick up on the possibility that the dialogue references Barbara's line. We cannot do it ourselves as an encyclopedia does not engage in synthesis or original research.ZarhanFastfire (talk) 07:07, 28 December 2017 (UTC)
 * This Den of Geek review is already cited in the article, and discusses "casual sexism" of the First Doctor (including references to spring-cleaning and smacked bottoms) in the show's continuity. It's easy to find references if you just try. Cnbrb (talk) 10:11, 28 December 2017 (UTC)
 * But Den of Geek does not make any connection between the "a jolly good spring clean" line in this episode and Barbara. So it is not a reference for what you are trying to add above. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 10:46, 28 December 2017 (UTC)
 * No, but that's possibly such a tiny point that may never get covered by serious reviews. It's better to discuss the broader point of the humour in the episode that made reference to the general casual sexism in the old series (which is arguably more useful to the casual reader), rather than get stuck on a small detail that risks becoming fancruft. Den of Geek does address this quite well. Cnbrb (talk) 17:04, 28 December 2017 (UTC)
 * I don't see anyone having an issue with covering the broader point - to me it does sound relevant as it has been a common discussion point in several things I have read. However it definitely would not go in continuity section. Maybe production or reception? Remember to keep it balanced though - even DenOfGeek comments on how it is "hard to find any examples of sexism as egregious". Cheers, Dresken (talk) 20:46, 28 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Comments/interpretation from the Den should go to reception (unless they cite show people), and unless they highlight a specific quote, we cannot supply it for them because we don't know which ones they have in mind. (To that broader point, it is kind of odd that the episode made such a case that the First Doctor had an "egregious" case of male chauvinism when, as far as I can remember, he didn't (of course I've never seen the missing episodes, so what do I know?). The way I recall it, female characters may have been portrayed stereotypically by the show through their words and actions in the 1960s, sometimes, but those historically representative attitudes were not generally given validation by either One or Two. Is this the gist of what Den are saying or am I engaging in synthesis?) ZarhanFastfire (talk) 01:21, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * That's how I read Den too - the episode overplayed the sexism that was present in the show. The other pieces I've read seem to concur that the show at the time was not sexist like portrayed - I'd like to read some articles that actually have the other opinion - because I currently don't understand why both Moffat and Briggs would think that it was overbearingly present. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 02:54, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * I think Moffat and Briggs got their ideas from The Five Doctors where the First Doctor (played by Richard Hurndall) orders Tegan to go and prepare some food for himself, Susan and the Fifth Doctor, who manages to stop Tegan from blowing a fuse in part by telling Turlough to go and assist the task (thus neutralising the sexist aspect.) As I said in My Edit Wot Got Reverted, the "jolly good spring clean" line was originally said by female companion Barbara Wright in The Web Planet part 1 as she contemplated the sorry disorganized state of the TARDIS's medicines section.  Similarly, the line about "a jolly good smacked bottom" was originally said by the First Doctor to his grand-daughter Susan Forman in The Dalek Invasion Of Earth after she caused a whole load of scaffolding to collapse on the TARDIS, burying it and injuring her ankle in the process.  The story was made at a time when corporal punishment to children of either gender by parents of either gender was accepted largely unchallenged, and Hartnell delivered the line in a tone of voice that more than anything indicated annoyed affection towards his grandaughter. 81.158.209.135 (talk) 10:32, 29 December 2017 (UTC)

Original research
Please can you clarify where in the episode it was stated that the TARDIS crash was "caused" by the regeneration? Or that hte TARDIS suffered "multiple" failures? Becaues on my watching neither was said which makes those guesses original research. Thanks in advaance. Amisom (talk) 13:36, 29 December 2017 (UTC)


 * It may be original research, I don't know, but if one watches carefully, the very monitor the Doctor looks at states "Multiple Failures", but this is only seen for a brief few seconds. Either way, the TARDIS is damaged, for it can't be stated as having become "Uncontrollable" without a reason for why that happened, and the scene has similar traits to the closing scene for the 10th Doctor. In any case, check not only WP:NOR, but also MOS:TVPLOT as well, if you feel there are issues. What's there is, I believe, within reasonable tolerance of Wiki Policies. GUtt01 (talk) 14:07, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thanks for letting me know about the screen saying Multiple Failures. I hadn't not spotted that. But as for the rest of it, paritclulry the cause of the failutres, you're right, it is original research. And as the title of WP:NOR suggests, that doesn't belogn on Wikipedia. Nothing on MOS:TVPLOT says otherwise. So pleases can you remove that? Amisom (talk) 14:12, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Done. GUtt01 (talk) 14:37, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Thank you. Amisom (talk) 16:54, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * I don't agree that this falls under original research. During Twelve's regeneration, energy tendrils from his body hit various TARDIS panels; this can clearly be seen onscreen. Afterwards, the lights are dim and there is smoke. Basic cause-and-effect - the TARDIS is damaged. Why else would it lurch 90 degrees and open the doors for Thirteen to fall through after she pushes just a single button? Why else would the console room be exploding before the ship disappears? Calling this "multiple failures" does seem like OR, but the synopsis should explain the reason for the final moment and Thirteen's plight. Just clarify it: "from damage during the regeneration", or words to that effect. Ooznoz (talk) 16:50, 29 December 2017 (UTC)Ooznoz
 * "Why else would the console room be exploding before the ship disappears?" That's original research. That question. It means you're making a guess. Amisom (talk) 16:54, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * I must agree with Amisom - it would be considered original research to state that the 12th Doctor's regeneration caused damage to the TARDIS; yes, the scene is about similar to the 10th Doctor's regeneration, but even so, stating this would be against WP:NOR, and defending it via MOS:TVPLOT would be pointless, as that policy doesn't show anything that would defend such information. GUtt01 (talk) 17:05, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Adding that it is definitely OR to say the regeneration caused the TARDIS' malfunctions. It's reasonable to say the control room appeared to explode (after she was ejected) from the malfunctions, since everything was already blowing up and on fire before, but we can't say the malfunction was caused by the regeneration. --M asem (t) 17:07, 29 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Quite right. Any suggestion that the regeneration caused the damage, is purely guesswork, and thus can be considered OR. My inclusion of "Multiple Failures" was questioned at the start of this discussion, but apart from it being proven to be the case in the episode, it was stated as such to explain why the TARDIS behaved as it did in the ending scene, including the console room exploding. The statement that the ship became "uncontrollable" was not clear on why. GUtt01 (talk) 17:15, 29 December 2017 (UTC)

Captain - Companion or not?
- You reverted my edit of the Captain being a companion. Your reasoning was that opening credit billing makes not a character a companion on the basis of John Simm's credit in The End of Time - however I think that is clearly an exception to the rule - John Simm was given top billing for his antagonistic role and because of his previous appearances. As I said in my edit description, MOST opening credits are for either companions or the Doctor. Excluding him, every other top billing, particularly in Christmas specials (and the 2009 specials), denotes a companion. The Captain, as played by Mark Gatiss, in this episode acts very much in the companion role. -- Imagine Wizard (talk · contribs · [//tools.wmflabs.org/xtools-ec/?user=Imagine+Wizard&project=en.wikipedia.org count]) Iay amay Magineiay Izardway. 21:27, 30 December 2017 (UTC)
 * The current consensus is that we should cite a reliable source so that such decisions aren't made by editors. DonQuixote (talk) 21:48, 30 December 2017 (UTC)

Captain, Brigadier's grandfather
I realize he is not explicitly referred to as the Brig's grandfather onscreen, but Mark Gatiss has confirmed in an interview that's who he is. Now, if you don't want to say it in the synopsis, what is the point of keeping the note there? Moreover, calling him the Brig's "ancestor" when we didn't have anything confirming that other than a surname was synthesis, though most of us appear not to have realized that at the time. I suggest we work together to find a solution, because as things stand we have a note and ref confirming "grandfather" and a synopsis only saying ancestor. That doesn't make sense to the casual reader. In the Smile (Doctor Who) article we have a note confirming the offscreen name of a planet. We could do something similar here. Elsewhere (I'm just citing some examples, not claiming WP:OTHERSTUFF is right), in the Me Myself and Irene film, in order to say that Jim Carrey's character acts like Clint Eastwood, it's supported with a reference within the synopsis, with a quote of the relevant text in the note. I propse that we do one of the following things: (1) remove any reference to the Brigadier, including ancestry, from the main text, and explain it all in a note (2) restore "a grandfather" rather than "an ancestor", and again, some kind of explanatory note. What we cannot do is leave things as they are for reasons stated above: if "grandfather" cannot stand because it's not explicit, than neither can "ancestor". ZarhanFastfire (talk) 17:45, 31 December 2017 (UTC)
 * If Gatiss affirmed it, it should be included, with a source to that interview (since its not stated in episode). It will prevent editors from coming along trying to claim another relationship (like, timeline wise, it could easily be that Captain is Brig's father if he came late in Captain's life). Using external sources from people involved in production to spell out explicit details is very much accepted practice in fiction articles. --M asem (t) 17:48, 31 December 2017 (UTC)
 * More or less what I did before it was changed back to 'ancestor' by User:GUtt01. I should have pinged them in the first place so they can elaborate on why they think the note can stand but the information the note points to should not be in the synopsis. ZarhanFastfire (talk) 23:36, 31 December 2017 (UTC)
 * Simple - That information could have been simply referenced in Continuity. There was no mention in the episode that the Captain was the grandfather of the Brigader - only his surname shows he is related to him. So, while the interview can put forward that notion, we can't exactly state it in the Synopsis. GUtt01 (talk) 23:45, 31 December 2017 (UTC)
 * So you keep saying, but you're not actually addressing the questions, and you're getting ahead of yourself. Why is it okay to say "ancestor" when that is no more explicitly referenced than grandfather? Are you saying it should go too, then, or not? And can you point to a policy that actually says we can't do what I've suggested? We have a reference by the actor saying who he was playing and references can and do go in synopses to a limited degree. I am not sure it should go in continuity when the Captain has never even appeared in the show before. But to the point: find us a policy-based reason for keeping it out of the synopsis first which would support your objection, then we can discuss alternatives such as the one you've suggested. ZarhanFastfire (talk) 04:27, 1 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Yeah, the only concern we have with plot summaries is introducing original research. Sourced clarification is 100% acceptable, and in this situation, it seems very clumsy to leave out this sourced fact until the Continuity section. --M asem (t) 05:28, 1 January 2018 (UTC)
 * User:GUtt01, why are you tinkering with that bit of the article, replacing "ancestor" with the even more vague "bloodline relative" during an ongoing discussion? That's not how WP:BRD works. Kindly revert your edit. You haven't addressed questions (WP:IDIDN'THEARTHAT). You have posted nothing here in support of that or for "ancestor", or for why either of these is preferable to stating matter of factly what the reference actually says. Without a policy to back any of this up, or a coherent argument other than you think we can't, this is as much as saying you don't approve of it because you don't(WP:IDON'TLIKEIT). Now, do you actually have anything to support your original objection to the proposal? ZarhanFastfire (talk) 06:53, 1 January 2018 (UTC)
 * I will add, since you don't seem to have understood it the first two times, that adding anything about the Brigadier without a reference is WP:SYNTHESIS. That the Brig and the Captain share the same surname does not in and of itself prove they are blood relatives, ancestors or anything other than that they share a surname. Guess what? Lots of people share surnames without being "blood relatives" or "ancestors". As an example, without the reference, for all you or I know, the Brigadier was adopted by the Captain or his son and his death would only have deprived the Brig of a role model who served in the military. Without a reference embedded in the synopsis, we should not have been saying anything. Now that we have the reference, it is not merely illogical to put anything else in there but what it actually states, it is an active misrepresentation, which is the exact opposite of what we are here to do. ZarhanFastfire (talk) 07:08, 1 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Seems there is a bit of controversy over the exact relationship between the Captain and the Brig. With the character first appearing in "Night of the Intelligence" stating he is the great-uncle not grandfather, and a short story What's Past is Prologue released since this episode, which allows a compromise for either possibility. Given it is not explicitly stated in the episode - I don't think it is up to Wikipedia to define the relationship explicitly in the plot section. Currently says "direct descendant" which might be taking it too far as well. Making notes of the intention of the production team, should be probably in the Production section. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 00:07, 2 January 2018 (UTC)
 * It said that because User:GUtt01 is ignoring the WP:BRD process. At first he appeared to concede by changing it to grandfather, and then went back to tinkering, instead of making his proposals here. That's all moot now, thanks to your revelations. Well that leaves us with option 1, then (make no authoritative connection at all within the synopsis), if sources are in conflict. Though I'm inclined to say Gatiss ought to be authoritative since he's playing the part and has served as a writer on the show, I can see the other side that mutliple sources weigh against him. We must not say he's anything other than the obvious, like "which is the same surname as the Doctor's frequent ally and long time friend the Brigadier" (I never liked "close friend"). We can discuss what the sources say in production, as you say. ZarhanFastfire (talk) 02:25, 2 January 2018 (UTC)
 * I have made the changes to the text and added a sentence to Cast notes following the trailer, rendering what Gatiss said, which now shows it may have been his personal interpretation of who the character is in relation to the Brigadier. @Dresken, since you found the relevant additional sources, would you mind filling in with a sentence or two the other interpretations? ZarhanFastfire (talk) 02:49, 2 January 2018 (UTC)
 * I have added the other interpretation. Just in case people have questions, the sources used are comments from Andy Frankham-Allen, who is the Creative Director of the Haisman Literary Estate. However as the comments are fundamentally making reference to fictional character biography in books, I have also referenced the relevant stories themselves. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 20:13, 2 January 2018 (UTC)


 * This may be me, but perhaps we should drop reference of this in Production, until we can get some further insight into this matter, and further research. I think we need to determine if the writers really did intend to make the Captain the grandfather of the Brigader, and if these comments and information about the Brigader's backstory can be substantiated (i.e. A double-checking of the article on the Doctor Who character within Wikipedia). GUtt01 (talk) 23:48, 2 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Double checking another Wikipedia article is irrelevant because Wikipedia articles cannot be used as references in Wikipedia articles (see WP:CIRCULAR). I think this article now is talking about intentions of the episode's writer and the subsequent reaction of the Brigadier's copyright holders - for something that was unclear subtext in the episode as aired - so makes the article out of universe which is generally preferred to WP:INUNIVERSE on Wikipedia. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 01:10, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Now that we know there are issues concerning the ownership of the character of the Brigadier (and his relatives apparently), it may actually explain why the episode did not attempt to make the link except in the most oblique way possible: they may have anticipated that they could not do so without paying royalties, for example. Another editor put "ancestor" back in, then it got removed altogether. The lack prompted another editor to easter-egg link the Captain's name (since reverted), which will no doubt happen again unless we restore at least the surname name check, in my opinion. Should I go ahead and put the half sentence about them sharing a surname back in at least, or is even that controversial in light of current events? Does anyone have a better idea? (Gods below, I never thought this would get so complicated.) ZarhanFastfire (talk) 02:05, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * What do you know, I have just thought of a third, nuclear option: Just don't mention that the Captain introduces himself in the synopsis. ZarhanFastfire (talk) 02:09, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * I'm definitely fine with it being in there - seems like it is a big moment in the episode - seems to be at least worthy of inclusion. I think its removal will probably lead to even more back and forth. In the moment, the twelfth doctor definitely has a look of recognition - at the very bare minimum the scene is meant to suggest he is reminded of the Brig (just as the audience is) - the surrounding lines do to suggest some form of actual family connection is implied but ultimately unspecified. The exact wording to use... yeah tricky. The previous version you had did seem fine to me. Dresken (talk) 03:34, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * That makes three of us (Don Quixote thanked me for that edit--praise from the master). Re-added. That being said, I for one am open to other ways of expressing it--but please, please, let's all talk about it here this time; it gets messy going back and forth with various permutations in the article itself. It's really, really hard to get across the relationship (whatever it is) without engaging in synthesis now that we no longer have a conclusive ref. The Captain says "keep an eye on my family", the Doc says he will do so. His name is the same as the Brig. (therefore they are family = SYNTH!). Trying to think back to sequence of events, could we instead describe Twelve's reaction to hearing the name of his old friend? No, not "look of recognition" (that's interpretation). Agh, I'm off to bed. Hope someone else comes up with something. Wonder what Paul Cornell will say in his novelisation (not that it would make any difference to us). ZarhanFastfire (talk) 06:42, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Good work. It does sounds like you have headed too far down the "what can I actually prove?" rabbithole. I mean I am pretty certain it is definitely not conveying a look of disgust, or happiness, or sadness, or hunger... I could go on. It is a visual medium therefore sometimes things are conveyed visually. The primary source is the scene and is definitely trying to convey that the Twelfth recognises the name - I would argue that this is a "straightforward, descriptive statements of facts that can be verified by any educated person with access to the primary source" WP:PRIMARY - even my partner (not a fan at all) who was watching with me asked who the name was meant to imply - so understood that the scene was meant to convey recognition but not of whom. However even if that is not clear enough then this "interpretation" is also confirmed by the secondary sources as well, they discuss both their interpretation of the episode directly and quoting of behind the scenes people - really it has only been the exact relationship that is controversial. I don't think the baby needs to be thrown out with the bathwater as they say. Cheers, Dresken (talk) 07:52, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * I think the scene of the Captain giving his name certainly is a notable plot point in the story line - more particularly in the reaction of the 12th Doctor. Such a name wouldn't have much significance to the 1st, but to the 12th, he generally would be not expecting to hear that the Captain's surname is the same as his lifelong friend (now deceased, in terms of Doctor Who events at this stage in the programme's storyline). In short, in terms of the plot's synopsis, making any mention of family relationship between the Captain and Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart should be reverted, because it is merely conjecture, speculation and so forth, since any possible evidence wouldn't have been revealed unless the writers stated it after the episode's broadcast, and even so, this is being contested by another group who hold some intellectual claim on the character of the Brigader and his backstory per se; mentioning it in Production -> Cast Notes, is fine, considering the notable elements of this information, though I wonder if perhaps there should be a separate section about the episode featuring a "Contested Easter Egg". Still, I would be more in favour of making a note of the 12th Doctor's reaction to the name and the relevance of this, so long as it conforms to TVPLOT. But that is my opinion on the matter. GUtt01 (talk) 14:09, 3 January 2018 (UTC)
 * Don't know if it's this days-long discussion or the unrelenting cold here in Winnipeg, or something else, but I could not get a wink of sleep last night. If anyone needs me I've joined an expedition hunting eggs left by the Contested Easter Bunny down this rabbithole: it's warm here, at least. (Seriously, maybe we all need a break from this thing for a day or two.)ZarhanFastfire (talk) 02:40, 4 January 2018 (UTC)

First Doctor's behavior
Can anyone be able to find any reliable sources (reviews, etc) to use, that address the divided opinions over the First Doctor's characterisation? I know that there is mostly blogs or fan discussions, but is there any reviews that mention it in anyway? I do think it that exact quoted & sourced words about the portrayal could be added within the the article along with attribution to it. After all, "The Talons of Weng-Chiang" article mentions the criticism surrounding the racial stereotypes in that episode. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 92.18.218.154 (talk) 19:09, 8 October 2019 (UTC)

Reinstatement of wikibox episode snapshot
The wikibox until recently has contained a snapshot of the episode, but has been removed. I propose to reinstate this image to the wikibox, in line with most other wikiboxes for episodes of Doctor Who having them too.Comrade TruthTeller (talk) 22:03, 13 March 2020 (UTC)