Demystifying the Amusing Conclusion of Doctor Who

In the latter part of "The Giggle," the situation appears dire for the Fourteenth Doctor (portrayed by David Tennant). He finds himself vastly overpowered by the nearly all-powerful Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris), and his defeat seems inevitable.

In a final attempt to save the day, the Doctor offers the Toymaker the opportunity to leave Earth and explore the universe with him. Although the villain briefly considers the offer, he ultimately declines. The Toymaker then points his laser cannon at the Doctor's companion, Donna Noble (Catherine Tate), and his allies, but the Doctor intervenes and is shot in the process.

Doctor Who: The Giggle ending explained

The fatal injury triggers the Doctor's regeneration into his next incarnation, following in the footsteps of all his predecessors. It is at this point that "The Giggle" significantly departs from established Doctor Who lore.

The Doctor's regeneration comes to an abrupt halt, prompting him to ask Donna and Mel Bush (played by Bonnie Langford) to pull his arms. The tugging causes the Doctor to split into two separate beings: his current self and the Fifteenth Doctor (played by Ncuti Gatwa).

The Fifteenth Doctor identifies this occurrence as "bi-generation," which has always been considered impossible by the Time Lords and fans alike. With explanations out of the way, the two Doctors swiftly defeat the Toymaker in a game of catch, effectively erasing him from existence.

How does The Giggle set up Doctor Who Series 14?

Using the Toymaker’s residual reality-warping energies, the Fifteenth Doctor crafts a new TARDIS for the Fourteenth Doctor, who then sets off on independent escapades, allowing the Fourteenth Doctor to enjoy a more peaceful existence with Donna and her family.

While most of the plot threads are resolved in "The Giggle," a few loose ends remain. One of which is the mysterious "One Who Waits" teased by the Toymaker, hinting that this storyline will continue in Doctor Who Series 14. Additionally, the Toymaker's defeat includes a significant moment when he leaves behind his gold tooth, which serves as the Master's current prison. It's unclear if this is a signpost for Series 14 or a future season.

As the two Doctors fail to notice the tooth, an unidentified woman's hand covertly grabs it while the sinister laugh of the Master's past incarnations echoes. It seems likely that showrunner Russell T Davies has future plans for one of the Doctor's most iconic enemies. Stream Doctor Who: The Giggle on BBC iPlayer (UK & Ireland) and Disney+ (everywhere else) now for the latest news and updates. Visit Dexerto for full coverage.

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Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I am thrilled with the conclusion of Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary special, "The Giggle." The bi-generation twist, where the Fourteenth Doctor splits into two separate beings, is a bold and unexpected move that pushes the boundaries of the show's mythology. It's exciting to see the franchise take risks and explore new storytelling possibilities. The introduction of the Fifteenth Doctor, played by Ncuti Gatwa, is also a welcome change, and I can't wait to see how his character develops in future episodes.

However, I do have some concerns about the overall plot and pacing of "The Giggle." The Toymaker, while a formidable villain, felt a bit underdeveloped, and his motivations could have been fleshed out more. Additionally, the resolution of the conflict felt somewhat rushed, and I would have liked to see more build-up and tension leading to the Doctor's regeneration. Despite these minor critiques, I believe "The Giggle" is a solid conclusion to the 60th-anniversary celebrations, and I'm eagerly looking forward to Series 14 and the adventures of the Fifteenth Doctor.