The Next Doctor Who Christmas Special

Earlier this year, the Doctor and a hoard of his companions (from past and present) rescued Earth and the entire universe from an old, familiar threat. After dismantling the Daleks, again, and removing the threat of their creator Davros, again, the last installment of the longest-running science fiction television series ended with a strange conclusion.

In fact, it ended with the story complete. Series 4 featured the Doctor travelling with Donna Noble (portrayed by British comedienne Catherine Tate) until the end of their journey, which culminated in a showdown with Davros and saw the return of familiar companions Sarah Jane Smith, Mickey, Captain Jack, and Rose Tyler. As usual, the Doctor and his companions save the day, while paying a strong personal price. The Doctor removed Donna's memories of him and the travels to save her from the knowledge in her own mind. Then the Doctor walks out in the rain and boards the TARDIS, striking out alone. Again.

But there was no bride magically appearing in the TARDIS, no Titanic crashing through the walls this time. The last series of this popular programme ended with no toss to the next special. It was a distinctly different finale. But another special was indeed planned, and possibly even shot. An advertisement for it aired at the close of the finale on the BBC. The trailer did not make it to the US release, unfortunately. And more of the programme is in the works.

The upcoming installment, a one-hour Christmas special, attempts to pick up where the finale left off, with the Doctor on his own again. The Doctor will travel to what appears to be the Victorian Era, where yet another old enemy has resurfaced: the Cybermen. These Cybermen look every bit like they did at Series 2's finale, but will most likely involve a different origin, possibly driven by steam power. A new form of Cybermen will also appear, an upgrade known as the Cybershade.

To top things off, the Doctor's companion for this adventure is. . .the Doctor! This year's Christmas special carries the title "The Next Doctor," and will feature David Morrissey as a character claiming to be a Timelord, even wielding his own sonic screwdriver. What gives? Only a few details have been released thus far. It is possible that Morrissey may indeed become the Eleventh Doctor, to replace David Tennant, but that most likely will not happen in this special.

The other unique trait of this special is that, unlike the previous three, it will not air between two series. "Invasion of the Sycorax," "Runaway Bride," and "Voyage of the Damned" all aired at the end of one series and in anticipation of the next. Series 4 ended earlier this year, "The Next Doctor" will air at Christmas, but no new Doctor Who series will return next year.

Instead of a full series (a season of episodes), Doctor Who will return as four one-hour specials to be aired during 2009 and 2010, before a fitfh series takes the air in 2010. Thus, this special will not bridge one series to the next, but serve as more of an add-on to the last. David Tennant will return as the Doctor for all four of next year's specials, but he will depart the programme at the conclusion of the last, before Series 5 can begin.

Russel T. Davies, the executive producer of the programme for the past few years, has mentioned big plans for Tennant's character. Tennant won awards for his performance on the programme, claiming the title of "Favorite Doctor." He will be missed by fans, of course, but it leaves fans to wonder. Who will be the next Doctor? Tennant portrayed the Tenth Doctor. Who is the Eleventh?

Perhaps David Morrissey's character in the upcoming special casts more illumination than we realize. Could it be that the Eleventh Doctor will make his appearance this Christmas, remain in the wings for a year, then return to our sets in 2010 for Series 5?