Unveiling the Secrets of Doctor Who Season 14: Decoding the RTD Clues

Unveiling the Secrets of Doctor Who Season 14: Decoding the RTD Clues

Unravel the enigmatic clues of Doctor Who Season 14: Delving into the meaning behind Kingdom, Gold, and Tigella Get ready for exciting speculations and thrilling possibilities!

Russell T Davies has provided cryptic hints for what fans can expect in Ncuti Gatwa's portrayal of the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who season 14. Filming for Gatwa's first season in the iconic role is nearing its conclusion, and it has been confirmed that the season finale will feature the return of Bonnie Langford as the companion Melanie Bush from the 1980s. Additionally, Davies has shared three words from the script of episode 8 of season 14 - "kingdom," "gold," and "Tigella." As Davies is known for delivering grand finales, it is likely that season 14 will follow suit. These three chosen words may be misleading, references to previous moments in the show's history, or significant clues about what lies ahead in Doctor Who season 14.

What "Kingdom" Could Mean For Doctor Who Season 14

Unveiling the Secrets of Doctor Who Season 14: Decoding the RTD Clues

The mention of "kingdom" in relation to the United Kingdom and UNIT suggests the possible involvement of UNIT in the season 14 finale of Doctor Who. Jemma Redgrave's return as Kate Stewart has already been confirmed for at least one episode, alongside Ncuti Gatwa. It is therefore likely that she will have a recurring role in the new era of the show. While UNIT stands for "Unified Nations Intelligence Taskforce," it is primarily associated with the defense of British, specifically English, interests, which makes it more aptly described as the United Kingdom Intelligence Taskforce.

Another interpretation of "kingdom" could be something reminiscent of a fairytale, although this has not been a focus in RTD's Doctor Who. Based on photographs taken by fans and paparazzi on set, it appears that episode 8 of season 14 takes place in a contemporary Earth setting. This aligns with the trend in RTD's Doctor Who to primarily feature adventures on Earth, rather than alien planets. Therefore, it seems fitting for the returning showrunner to present an exhilarating Earth-bound adventure with Ncuti Gatwa and Bonnie Langford, centered around saving the United Kingdom.

What "Gold" Could Mean For Doctor Who Season 14

Unveiling the Secrets of Doctor Who Season 14: Decoding the RTD Clues

In a nostalgic nod to Bonnie Langford's Doctor Who era, the term "gold" holds significance in Spandau Ballet's popular 1980s record. It could also allude to the formidable antagonist in the season finale, potentially sparking another intense clash between UNIT and the Cybermen. Gold proves to be the Cybermen's deadly weakness, evident by their attempts to annihilate Voga, the gold-infused planet, in "Revenge of the Cybermen." The Fifth Doctor, portrayed by Peter Davison, ingeniously employs Adric's gold badge for mathematical excellence to exterminate a Cyberman in "Earthshock."

Furthermore, there is speculation that the Daleks in Doctor Who's season 14 finale have received a gleaming upgrade. Drawing inspiration from the rich legacy of comics, Russell T Davies introduces fresh threats during his second era, as exemplified by Beep the Meep in the 60th anniversary specials. In the 1960s and 70s, the television series' gold Emperor Dalek became an iconic figure in the TV21 comics. With rumors of the Daleks' return in Ncuti Gatwa's inaugural season, it is possible that the celebrated Emperor Dalek might make their cinematic debut alongside the other returning villains.

What "Tigella" Could Mean For Doctor Who Season 14

Unveiling the Secrets of Doctor Who Season 14: Decoding the RTD Clues

Tigella is the planet introduced in the Doctor Who episode "Meglos," featuring a villain named Meglos, who is a shapeshifting cactus. Meglos disguised himself as the Fourth Doctor, portrayed by Tom Baker, in order to steal Tigella's power source. Ultimately, Meglos was defeated. The mention of Tigella is intriguing as it could imply the return of Tom Baker's Doctor Who villain or even a revisit to the planet itself. It could also allude to the core conflict on Tigella, which was outlined in the episode "Meglos."

On Tigella, there existed two opposing factions known as the Deons and Savants, each with contrasting belief systems. The Deons were a religious group devoted to the god Ti and regarded the dodecahedron, their power source, as a sacred object. On the other hand, the Savants were logical scientists who rejected the religious beliefs of the Deons and sought to explore the dodecahedron's scientific applications. The ongoing conflict between science and religion remains a relevant and significant theme for Doctor Who even after 40 years, particularly in light of the recent global pandemic.

The Fifteenth Doctor could casually mention Tigella while being caught in yet another clash between scientific and religious groups. Alternatively, Tigella could simply be a passing reference to another planet in the Doctor Who universe, similar to when the Tenth Doctor (David Tennant) mentioned the Sense Sphere from the William Hartnell era. Regardless of the purpose behind mentioning Tigella, Russell T Davies seems to enjoy playfully tantalizing fans with these small details to fuel their anticipation until the return of Doctor Who on screens.