David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor's absence in 'Doctor Who' Finale sparks one major rumor
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor and Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor are both now part of 'Doctor Who's evolving storyline. Traditionally, different incarnations of the Doctor don't meet unless something unusual occurs, like a time anomaly or a special event.
However, the introduction of the bi-generation twist in 'The Giggle' changes this. It allows these two Doctors to exist simultaneously in their own timelines.
This new dynamic presents a potential plot hole. Since both the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Doctors exist concurrently in their respective timelines, there's no inherent barrier preventing them from teaming up if needed.
Even though Fourteenth is officially retired, the prospect of saving the world from a major threat like Sutekh would normally beckon. So, why doesn't the Fifteenth Doctor seek help from the Fourteenth during the climax of 'Doctor Who' Season 14's finale, 'Empire of Death'?
This question arises because the established rules of time and Doctor Who lore haven't typically addressed the simultaneous coexistence of multiple Doctors within their individual timelines.
This narrative shift opens up intriguing possibilities for future episodes and character dynamics within the 'Doctor Who' universe.
The Fourteenth Doctor might have died from Sutekh's wave of death in 'Doctor Who' Finale
The Fourteenth Doctor would have definitely helped defeat Sutekh, but Tennant's later version of the Time Lord is killed during Sutekh's cosmic massacre.
Sutekh reveals himself at the end of 'Doctor Who' season 14's 'The Legend of Ruby Sunday' and immediately starts wiping out life across the universe as 'Empire of Death' begins.
The Fifteenth Doctor is astonished that he and Ruby are spared, eventually realizing that Sutekh is delaying their death until he uncovers the identity of Ruby's mother.
By the time the showdown starts, possessed Mel confirms Fifteen and Ruby as 'the last two beings in existence'. This confirms that David Tennant's Fourteenth Doctor was killed by Sutekh offscreen during 'Empire of Death,' along with everyone else.
Sutekh only needs Fifteen alive, so Fourteen - and all other forms of the Doctor - are dead.
We might know more about the Fourteenth Doctor in future 'Doctor Who' episodes
In this case, David Tennant's absence from 'Doctor Who' makes perfect sense, given the circumstances caused by the bi-generation twist. However, this initial issue will resurface in future episodes.
By the end of 'Doctor Who' Season 14, everyone killed by Sutekh is revived. This means the Fourteenth Doctor is back in Donna's garden, enjoying Prosecco and boasting about the time he "snogged Madame de Pompadour" (probably).
In 'Doctor Who', it won't be long before another villain tries to wipe out all life on Earth. When that happens, the question, "Why isn't the Fourteenth Doctor helping?" will come up again.
Moving forward into Season 15 and beyond, 'Doctor Who' will need to address the Fourteenth Doctor's absence in these situations. There are only so many excuses that can be given before this becomes a tired trope.
While 'Empire of Death' manages to explain it away, eventually a more permanent solution will be necessary for the Fourteenth Doctor's recurring absence.
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