5 Biggest Questions I Still Have After That Awesome Doctor Who Finale
By Dan Bibby
Warning: HUGE spoilers ahead for "The Reality War."
"The Reality War" served a brilliant finale to Ncuti Gatwa's second run as the Fifteenth Doctor, and ultimately turned out to be the actor's final regular appearance as Doctor Who's leading man. After being set up by "Wish World" a week earlier, "The Reality War" was able to tell a way more focused story that didn't need to build up the Rani's new version of Earth so much. That said, Fifteen's farewell didn't tie up all of his era's loose ends.
I'd like to just take a second to say how much I loved Gatwa's era. It would have been easy to hide behind the show's glossy new look and high-budget CGI, but he poured his heart and soul into playing a fascinating version of one of my favorite characters of all time. I'd have loved to see more of Gatwa as the Doctor, but I guess all good things must come to and end. Hopefully, he'll return one day, but until then, the show has some work to do before his run can be more neatly rounded off.
I'd like to just take a second to say how much I loved Gatwa's era. It would have been easy to hide behind the show's glossy new look and high-budget CGI, but he poured his heart and soul into playing a fascinating version of one of my favorite characters of all time. I'd have loved to see more of Gatwa as the Doctor, but I guess all good things must come to and end. Hopefully, he'll return one day, but until then, the show has some work to do before his run can be more neatly rounded off.
5. Why The Heck Did Susan Reach Out In "The Interstellar Song Contest"?
The Doctor's granddaughter was pretty much a non-factor
Carole Ann Ford returning as Susan was something I don't think anyone had on their 2025 bingo card, so it surprised everyone in "The Interstellar Song Contest." With so much already going on with just two episodes left, I was worried the show wouldn't have time to give Susan the time she deserved. Or, maybe she was going to be folded into the two-part finale that was "Wish World" and "Reality War." Sadly, neither of these things really happened.
After an incredibly brief cameo in "Wish Word," that was seemingly it for Ford's long-awaited comeback. Susan seemed to be asking her grandfather for help, but Fifteen essentially shakes off the visions and ignores the message from Ford's character. I can only hope that Russell T. Davies has a more long-term plan in mind for Susan's return. Plus, Susan's existence in general becomes especially mysterious after the big reveal that all Time Lords are now sterile.
After an incredibly brief cameo in "Wish Word," that was seemingly it for Ford's long-awaited comeback. Susan seemed to be asking her grandfather for help, but Fifteen essentially shakes off the visions and ignores the message from Ford's character. I can only hope that Russell T. Davies has a more long-term plan in mind for Susan's return. Plus, Susan's existence in general becomes especially mysterious after the big reveal that all Time Lords are now sterile.
4. What Was Really Going On With Poppy?
Belinda's daughter first appeared in "Space Babies"
The "reveal" of Poppy being the Doctor's biological daughter teased the beginnings of a solution to one of Doctor Who's oldest mysteries: Where are the Doctor's children? The existence of Susan has long established the Doctor as a family man, even if he hasn't actually fathered any children yet. Poppy could have been a big link in the Doctor's timey-wimey family tree, but she just turned out to be the daughter of Belinda and an offscreen human father.
I'd be okay with this resolution, as it would leave the enigma of the Doctor's descendants alive. But Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps first played Poppy in 2024's "Space Babies," and her reprisal of the role in 2025 never properly explained how she popped up (pun intended) twice in the Doctor Who timeline. Fifteen offers a token explanation that Poppy was made from "scraps of memory" when she was thought to be part of the Wish that enveloped the Earth, but that turned out not to be true. So, the two Poppys remain connected while also being confusingly separate.
I'd be okay with this resolution, as it would leave the enigma of the Doctor's descendants alive. But Sienna-Robyn Mavanga-Phipps first played Poppy in 2024's "Space Babies," and her reprisal of the role in 2025 never properly explained how she popped up (pun intended) twice in the Doctor Who timeline. Fifteen offers a token explanation that Poppy was made from "scraps of memory" when she was thought to be part of the Wish that enveloped the Earth, but that turned out not to be true. So, the two Poppys remain connected while also being confusingly separate.
3. Was That It For Omega's Doctor Who Comeback?
"The First Time Lord" was barely in Gatwa's final episode
Just as Sutekh returned at the end of Gatwa's inaugural run as the Doctor, RTD delved back into Doctor Who's classic era while looking for villains for Fifteen to oppose in "The Reality War." As well as two versions of the Rani, the showrunner brought back Omega for the first time in over 40 years, but his screentime was incredibly limited and Fifteen defeated him with almost no effort at all.
Omega has an incredibly cool backstory, as the first Gallifreyan to discover time travel, becoming trapped in an alternate dimension akin to Hell as a result of his experiment gone wrong...that actually worked. Revered by many Time Lords among the ancient society, Omega's time in the Underverse twisted his mind and made him crave the recognition he never received for his contribution to the birth of the Time Lords. With a clear desire to become the Pantheon's God of Time, I have to believe "The Reality War" isn't the last we'll see of him.
Omega has an incredibly cool backstory, as the first Gallifreyan to discover time travel, becoming trapped in an alternate dimension akin to Hell as a result of his experiment gone wrong...that actually worked. Revered by many Time Lords among the ancient society, Omega's time in the Underverse twisted his mind and made him crave the recognition he never received for his contribution to the birth of the Time Lords. With a clear desire to become the Pantheon's God of Time, I have to believe "The Reality War" isn't the last we'll see of him.
2. Is Billie Piper ACTUALLY Playing The Sixteenth Doctor Now?
The show's "new" star caught me hugely off-guard
In a wild twist predicted by absolutely no one, Ncuti Gatwa's regeneration scene brought about the return of Billie Piper to Doctor Who. Everyone obviously already knows she played Rose Tyler the first time around, but that can't possibly be the case now...right? The episode credits Piper, but doesn't say who she is playing. It simply says "Introducing Billie Piper."
The most obvious answer is that Billie Piper is now the Sixteenth Doctor, and it wouldn't be unprecedented for this to be the case. Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor also subconsciously regenerated to have the face of a previous Doctor Who character he'd played, so there could be something similar going in with Piper's return. Either way, the actress' comeback feels like a strange blend of fan service and a well-written mystery. Only time will tell which is true.
The most obvious answer is that Billie Piper is now the Sixteenth Doctor, and it wouldn't be unprecedented for this to be the case. Peter Capaldi's Twelfth Doctor also subconsciously regenerated to have the face of a previous Doctor Who character he'd played, so there could be something similar going in with Piper's return. Either way, the actress' comeback feels like a strange blend of fan service and a well-written mystery. Only time will tell which is true.
1. Is Doctor Who Coming Back Now That Ncuti Gatwa's Era Is Over?
Doctor Who's future looks uncertain at the moment
A lot changed ahead of Ncuti Gatwa taking over as Doctor Who's lead actor. After David Tennant stepped away as the Fourteenth Doctor in the show's trilogy of 2023 60th-anniversary specials, Doctor Who started to focus on more supernatural storylines, with certain sci-fi tropes being pushed to the fringes. I've enjoyed this change of pace, although I know other Whovians haven't been the biggest fan of Gatwa's era. Many have even criticized his performance as the Doctor, but I couldn't disagree with them more.
Regardless, the negative voices have unfortunately been heard the most, and now Disney seems uneasy about fulfilling their original deal with the BBC and may end their collaboration early. As a result, there's now no more confirmed episodes of Doctor Who on the way, although there are reports of two more seasons of scripts being ready. Piper's return could generate enough interest to keep Disney on board, which would presumably result in a quicker turnaround when making next season. If not, there'll probably be a break for a couple of years while the parting of the BBC and Disney is orchestrated.
In the meantime, there is still more from the Doctor Who universe waiting right around the corner, even while Disney arrive at a decision about continuing the main show. The War Between the Land and Sea is due later in 2025 and will revolve around Jemma Redgrave's Kate Stewart and her UNIT team in a gritty, Torchwood-style spinoff as they do battle with the Sea Devils. I wasn't too fussed about the spinoff, but the recent trailer has me a little more excited. I just hope it's not the last we see from Doctor Who shows in the near future.
Regardless, the negative voices have unfortunately been heard the most, and now Disney seems uneasy about fulfilling their original deal with the BBC and may end their collaboration early. As a result, there's now no more confirmed episodes of Doctor Who on the way, although there are reports of two more seasons of scripts being ready. Piper's return could generate enough interest to keep Disney on board, which would presumably result in a quicker turnaround when making next season. If not, there'll probably be a break for a couple of years while the parting of the BBC and Disney is orchestrated.
In the meantime, there is still more from the Doctor Who universe waiting right around the corner, even while Disney arrive at a decision about continuing the main show. The War Between the Land and Sea is due later in 2025 and will revolve around Jemma Redgrave's Kate Stewart and her UNIT team in a gritty, Torchwood-style spinoff as they do battle with the Sea Devils. I wasn't too fussed about the spinoff, but the recent trailer has me a little more excited. I just hope it's not the last we see from Doctor Who shows in the near future.