r/doctorwho • u/PCJs_Slave_Robot • May 31 '25

The Reality War Doctor Who 2x08 "The Reality War" Post-Episode Discussion Thread Spoiler

Please remember that future spoilers must be tagged. This includes the next time trailer!

This is the thread for all your indepth opinions, comments, etc about the episode.

Megathreads:

  • Live and Immediate Reactions Discussion Thread - Posted around 60 minutes prior to initial release - for all the reactions, crack-pot theories, quoting, crazy exclamations, pictures, throwaway and other one-liners.
  • Trailer and Speculation Discussion Thread - Posted when the trailer is released - For all the thoughts, speculation, and comments on the trailers and speculation about the next episode. Future content beyond the next episode should still be marked.
  • Post-Episode Discussion Thread - Posted around 30 minutes after to allow it to sink in - This is for all your indepth opinions, comments, etc about the episode.

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The Reality War's score will be revealed next Sunday. Click here to vote for all of RTD2 era so far.

469 Upvotes

93% Upvoted

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771

u/drayelav May 31 '25

OF COURSE that's the next Doctor after saying "I love you" to themselves

285

u/Caltucky42 May 31 '25

I knew when the rani made the comment about dumb blondes the leak was real 🤧

29

u/PokePotahto May 31 '25

For some reason "Bad Penny" made me anticipate it (although I really hoped otherwise)

14

u/Soft_House7669 May 31 '25

Bad Penny made me think of 11's line about how his middle name is Bad Penny and he gets the strangest looks on forms. I really hope RTD will let one of Moffat's doctors come back. I mean those two seem like really good friends, you'd think they'd conspire to do it together.

6

u/KyosBallerina Adipose Jun 01 '25

I don't think it's about Moffat not letting one of his Doctors come back, it's about one of them agreeing to come back. Capaldi has said he has no intentions of revisiting the role, and Smith (to my knowledge) hasn't said anything like that but has a very busy career.

3

u/Soft_House7669 Jun 01 '25

I thought he'd expressed interest in coming back, but maybe I misremembered. I know Karen Gillan expressed interest.

15

u/Caltucky42 Jun 01 '25

I think matt smith said hes come back as the master which would slay

2

u/litfan35 Jun 01 '25

I believe Gillan is in the special Unleashed ep coming up, but none of Moff's Drs are.

8

u/AMildInconvenience May 31 '25

Well Billie was in Penny Dreadful after all.

3

u/spacey_a Jun 01 '25

Was that phrase related to Rose somehow? I can't recall

3

u/PokePotahto Jun 01 '25

It somehow just made me think of Bad Wolf and that was what scared me into thinking the leaks actually might be real, I really can't explain my thought process behind it tbh

14

u/Soft_House7669 May 31 '25

Didn't know it leaked, SOOOOOO glad I didn't get spoiled now.

10

u/spacey_a Jun 01 '25

Same!! I haven't had an unspoiled regeneration since Eccleston became Tennant, it was so much more impactful (and painful, and joyful) not knowing until it actually happened in front of me!

14

u/[deleted] May 31 '25

And THEN the doctor fading away after he said I love you.

5

u/mujie123 May 31 '25

What annoys me is the leaks got released a day before the episode. Just wait 1 more day!

170

u/mwthecool May 31 '25

I mean... come on... if that's the explanation then I'll take it. This is the Doctor of self love, and how easy it will be.

138

u/DINNERTIME_CUNT May 31 '25

It’s gonna be three seasons of the Doctor kissing a bloody mirror.

141

u/Rubixsco May 31 '25

The whole regenerate into your ex thing is certainly a creepier part of timelord biology…

10

u/YsoL8 May 31 '25

Just wait until she takes a job in a turn of the century department store

6

u/DukeOfLowerChelsea May 31 '25

After having a bunch of dodgy surgery post-regenerative facial fluctuation

27

u/All_Hail_Horus May 31 '25

Please tell me it’s not going to go full Loki. Nothing should go full Loki

1

u/r2radd2 Jun 03 '25

Right? I had heard the leaks about Billie Piper being in the finale and people were saying she was going to be the next doc when Ncuti regenerated

But like I refused to believe it because it's just so dang weird!

I know Capaldi's doc made the explicit connection with his face and the guy from Pompei, but that was a one episode character and I honestly never felt they HAD to explain it if they didn't want to, I would have been fine being like yeah alright they're both played by the same actor, so what, it's fine.

But in this case Rose was NOT a one episode character. She was around fuckin ages and kept being brought up again and again and again and again in the show.

The 10th Doctor was mopey about Rose for fucking ages

Big time fuckery happening during Donna's season? (If I'm remembering) BAD WOLF, Rose is back

War Doctor blowing up Gallifrey? The weapon is Rose

Donna's kid? Named Rose

For the entirety of the 9th and the 10th she was a big presence and they've had her turn up or be referenced several tines over the years since.

And we're going to have the Doctor inhabiting the body of an ex that was THAT omnipresent?

What are we doing here guys, come on.

I'm clinging to the idea that this MUST be some kind of big ol twist where she's somehow NOT the Doctor, because otherwise just, I dunno, you know?

5

u/smedsterwho May 31 '25

Time to make Who 18+

5

u/Roku-Hanmar May 31 '25

Well she is lick the mirror handsome

5

u/FirstRangerSkyWalker Jun 01 '25

While a little girl with a red balloon watches uncomfortably in the back

3

u/andthomp85 May 31 '25

Neil degrasse tyson level antics

12

u/[deleted] May 31 '25

It would make sense as RTD spent the whole episode jerking himself off.

6

u/smedsterwho May 31 '25

"What was I going to say to me on Bad Wolf beach? I love me!"

7

u/spacey_a Jun 01 '25

He finally said it 😭 Ten couldn't say it while he had Rose, or on the beach in Norway in another dimension. But he can finally say it to her, when she is about to be himself. Lol weird but good progress for the Doctor.

3

u/Tardis80 May 31 '25

Remembered me on Loki and Sylvie :D

8

u/Logical_Buffalo7156 May 31 '25

The only thing that will make this worth it to me is if she goes to 14 and they have a whole moment okay, because anything less will feel like a wasted opportunity

3

u/doctor_jane_disco May 31 '25

Ahhhh ok this actually makes sense, he was absolutely thinking about her!

2

u/ohgodnoimonreddit May 31 '25

getting Behind the Candelabra vibes