* EnsembleDarkhorse: Despite only appearing in this and a short story, the Shalka Doctor has a few fans who wish to see him return.
* FanNickname: This version of the Doctor is often called the "Shalka Doctor" to tell him apart from the canon Doctors.
* HilariousInHindsight
** The mere existence of the serial, these days considering Creator/DerekJacobi went on to play [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E11Utopia the Master again,]] Creator/RichardEGrant not only starred with Creator/PaulMcGann in ''Film/WithnailAndI'', but was also The Doctor in ''Recap/DoctorWhoTheCurseOfFatalDeath'' and was Simeon in the 2012 Doctor Who Christmas special [[Recap/DoctorWho2012CSTheSnowmen "The Snowmen"]].
** As for the supporting cast, Creator/SophieOkonedo went on to play Queen Liz in [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E2TheBeastBelow "The Beast Below"]], and Creator/DavidTennant (the future Tenth Doctor) makes a cameo here.
** The fact that ''Shalka'' was intended to be the debut canonical Doctor before the news of the 2005 revival rendered it an AlternateContinuity becomes this when "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS38E10TheTimelessChildren The Timeless Children]]" revealed that the Doctor has had many lives they don't remember. [[EpilepticTrees Some of whom allegedly working for the Time Lords against their will, much like the Shalka Doctor.]]
** The Master working with the Doctor, repenting for his misdeeds, and being trapped by him somewhere is almost reminiscent of Missy’s character arc in Series 10 of the revival.
* HoYay:
** The Doctor and the Master have always had it, but the answering machine message takes the cake. Spoiler for slashiest moment in DW history follows:
--->'''The Doctor:''' (''on recording'') *giggle* — You have reached the good ship TARDIS. *giggle* We're rather — *giggle* — busy at the moment, *giggle* *giggle* so leave a message after the beep and we'll try to get back to you before you called. *giggle* — Stop that! *giggle* *giggle*\\
'''The Master:''' We really should change that message.
** The Master also complains about the Doctor's new (cute, female, of course) companion. The Doctor and the Master are basically married in this. The writer has said that although the Doctor's late former companion was supposed to have been the cause of his giggling, [[AscendedFanon it could be the Master if you want it to be]]. That probably wasn't taken too seriously at the time, but now that the TV show has made this non-canon, ''there's nothing that says that can't be true'' for the offshoot continuity ''Shalka'' thus far stands alone in.
*** The original writer for the show has stated that while he didn't intend to imply that the Master and the Doctor were in a relationship, he's very happy with this interpretation, to the point of being a guest on a Doctor/Master panel at a convention.
* RetroactiveRecognition: Creator/DavidTennant as a one-line cameo.
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