Doctor Who: Time Crash (Children in Need Special)

Tenth Doctor: 'Wibbly wobbly...'
Both Doctors: 'Timey wimey!'

I love the Children In Need specials. Despite being irregular, they're always of a decent quality and, although seldom giving us anything significant in terms of plot development, they always entertain. And what's not to like about seeing Peter Davison grace our screens again? Sure he's a bit older and little heavier—but the man's still got it.

What always puzzles me about these multiple Doctor storylines is that they never refer to each other by name. Obviously, there's a degree of secrecy surrounding the Doctor's name, but when they're talking to each other, that shouldn't be a problem, surely? Are they frightened that the TARDIS might overhear?

I love the air of irritability between meeting Doctors. The tenth Doctor criticising the fifth's decision to go 'hands free', whilst simultaneously poking fun at his lapel garnish, was positively inspired. And since two heads are better than one, when the two heads are your own, it really didn't matter who solved the time crash conundrum—it was win win either way.

Both actors were excellent in this vignette. Davison slipped back into his old role with consummate ease, and Tennant so clearly lives and breathes the part these days, that it's hard to imagine anyone else coming even close to what he's achieved.

We've had a few multiple Doctor stories in the past (imaginatively named 'The Two Doctors', 'The Three Doctors' and 'The Five Doctors')—I wonder how a modern day take would fare. We had a multiple-companion story in 'Journey's End', how about a modern day multi-Doctor story? Surely they could get Tennant, McGann, Eccleston and Matt Smith together for the sake of charity?

Wouldn't that be something?

Other Thoughts:

—Brief mention of L.I.N.D.A. from the terrible 'Love and Monsters.'

—This special was written by Steven Moffat, future Doctor Who showrunner. I can't wait!

Quotes:

Tenth Doctor: 'Oh, no, of course. You mostly went hands-free didn't you? Like, 'Hey, I'm the Doctor. I can save the universe using a kettle and some string! And look at me, I'm wearing a vegetable!''

Tenth Doctor: 'Look at you! The hat, the coat, the crickety cricket stuff, the... stick of celery... brave choice, celery, but fair play to you, not a lot of men can carry off a decorative vegetable.'

Tenth Doctor: 'Where are you now? Nyssa and Tegan? Cybermen and Mara and Time Lords in funny hats and the Master... oh, he just showed up again, same as ever.'
Fifth Doctor: 'Oh, no. Really? Does he still have that rubbish beard?'
Tenth Doctor: 'No! No beard this time. Well, a wife.'

Fifth Doctor: 'To days to come.'
Tenth Doctor: 'All my love to long ago.'

Tenth Doctor: 'You know, I love being you.'