Doctor Who's Most Hilarious You've Redecorated TARDIS Moments
Discover the recurring hilarity in Doctor Who as the TARDIS receives a familiar remark six times throughout the series Dive into the amusing instances when the Doctor playfully teases the TARDIS with the iconic 'You've redecorated' joke A must-read for fans of the Time Lord's witty banter!
Summary
Doctor Who
The TARDIS in the show has a running gag about its redecoration, highlighting the fact that anyone, regardless of their character, can voice their opinion on interior design. This joke originated in the classic episode "The Three Doctors" where the Second Doctor expressed his dissatisfaction with the alterations to the TARDIS's style.
Content Throughout the series, different Doctors have made the same joke about the TARDIS set, even though it continues to change with each new generation.
Despite the ever-evolving nature of the TARDIS set in each new generation, the humorously recurring theme of dislike towards its redecoration remains consistent among the various incarnations of the Doctor. Doctor Who, since its debut on British television in 1963, has witnessed significant growth and expansion while managing to maintain certain beloved elements that fans have come to expect from this iconic science fiction series.
Second Doctor To Third Doctor
The TARDIS, featured in Doctor Who, and other recurring locations have often been the subject of the same joke - that they have been redecorated. This humorous observation has been made by many Doctors and companions, highlighting the fact that any character in the show can have an opinion on interior design. Dedicated fans of the series, known as Whovians, are well aware of this recurring trope, as it has been quoted numerous times in the first 60 years of the show. Despite this, Doctor Who continues to refresh the style of the TARDIS set with each new generation, resulting in the same joke being made time and time again.
The TARDIS decoration joke was initially introduced in the classic Doctor Who serial "The Three Doctors," which originally aired in 1972 and 1973. This marked the very first episode in which multiple incarnations of the Doctor crossed paths, featuring Jon Pertwee as the Third Doctor, Patrick Troughton as the Second Doctor, and William Hartnell as the First Doctor. When the Second Doctor encounters the Third Doctor, he notices how the TARDIS of his successor has been altered and expresses his dissatisfaction with the changes made to the console room's design.
Second Doctor To UNIT
The redecoration joke, which is one of the most memorable quotes from Doctor Who's Second Doctor, takes a different twist in this instance. It doesn't pertain to the TARDIS but serves as a meta-reference. In the 1983 special "The Five Doctors," where the five original Doctors intersect, the Second Doctor arrives at a UNIT reunion and reunites with his old friend Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart. Stepping out of the TARDIS and entering the Brigadier's office, the Second Doctor doesn't hold back in expressing his disappointment with the decorative changes at UNIT since his last visit.
Eleventh Doctor To Craig
The character of Craig Owens, played by James Corden, was initially introduced in "The Lodger," an episode of Doctor Who in 2010. Craig caught the attention of the Eleventh Doctor, portrayed by Matt Smith, who paid him a return visit in the second-to-last episode of season 6, titled "Closing Time." Unexpectedly, the Doctor shows up unannounced at Craig's residence, leaving him stunned by the arrival of an extraterrestrial being. Keeping up with the tradition of Doctor Who, the Doctor observes the "redecorated" state of Craig's house. However, what the Doctor fails to immediately notice is that it is an entirely different dwelling from the one Craig resided in during "The Lodger."
Tenth Doctor To Eleventh
In the 50th-anniversary episode of Doctor Who titled "The Day of the Doctor," numerous characters both old and new made appearances. This included the Tenth Doctor portrayed by David Tennant, the Eleventh Doctor played by Matt Smith, and the introduction of the War Doctor embodied by John Hurt. Once imprisoned in the Tower of London, the three protagonists eventually manage to escape and reunite inside the TARDIS belonging to the Eleventh Doctor. It is interesting to note that the Eleventh Doctor is the only incarnation to have made significant stylistic modifications to the TARDIS, while the Tenth Doctor retained the identical interior design as his predecessor, the Ninth Doctor as portrayed by Christopher Eccleston. Upon encountering the console room of his successor, the Tenth Doctor makes a comment expressing his personal distaste towards the new style.
Clara To Twelfth Doctor
In his debut episode as the Twelfth Doctor, titled "Deep Breath," Peter Capaldi's character surprises Clara by showcasing the modifications he made to the TARDIS upon their return. Retaining the previous Doctor's style, the Twelfth Doctor endeavors to create a more welcoming atmosphere, incorporating various enhancements such as bookshelves, candles, chalkboards, and a prominent armchair. Additionally, he makes adjustments to the lighting surrounding the time rotor. Although Clara expresses uncertainty towards these alterations, the Doctor acknowledges her concerns, leading to further redecorations throughout his inaugural season.
Thirteenth Doctor To The TARDIS
After transforming into her Thirteenth incarnation, portrayed by Jodie Whittaker, the Doctor makes her return to the TARDIS in the 2018 episode "The Woman Who Fell to Earth." During her previous encounter, the Doctor suffered a dramatic fall out of the TARDIS doors in an attempt to prevent it from crashing, a result of her regeneration. Now, as she stands before the TARDIS once again, she feels apprehensive about its current state. However, upon opening the doors, her joy is overwhelming. In a first for Doctor Who, she playfully compliments the TARDIS, addressing it with delight: "You've redecorated. I absolutely adore it."
