History Recap / DoctorWho60thASTheGiggle

The Toymaker skips over the companions of the [[Characters/DoctorWhoThirteenthDoctor Thirteenth Doctor]] in favor of a more disastrous outcome that happened during Thirteen's time: '''The Flux,''' an apocalyptical event that could have, and should have, been stopped before it happened, but was unleashed for a brief time anyway, destroying ''half of the entire universe'' because of it. With no actual rebuff that the Doctor can use to save himself from this past scenario, despite not actually being responsible, his TranquilFury rises to the top as he challenges the Toymaker to a game. Naturally, the Toymaker accepts.

The Doctor and Donna are met at HQ by Kate Stewart, who gives the Doctor a hug and wearily asks him the question of the hour: how the hell are they supposed to save humanity ''from'' humanity? Stepping inside, the Doctor is confronted by a familiar face: Melanie Bush (last seen all the way back in the Seventh Doctor era), who's now working for UNIT! Unfortunately the catching up will have to wait, as Kate confirms the Doctor's worst fears: the problem is worldwide, and it's so effective at convincing humans that they're right about everything that they won't even stop for basic reason or self-preservation (as seen by the pilot who decided there was nothing at all wrong with landing smack dab in the middle of a city, resulting in the plane crash from last episode). No change for the wacky politicians though (especially the ones who lean too hard to the left or right). Regardless, the only reason why UNIT isn't affected by the phenomenon is all because of a handy piece of AppliedPhlebotinum called "Zeedex" that was created by the Vlinx (a robot alien that works for UNIT, [[RememberTheNewGuy yes, they're a new character, nothing to worry about]]), which suppresses the effect; and even the best-hearted among them aren't immune to the HatePlague, as Kate Stewart being ''briefly'' without it causes her to start hurling hateful accusations at some of her closest friends (by being xeno-racist, ableist and an anti-redhead fan in one fell swoop). And with humanity in this state, good luck trying to convince them to put these devices on their arms, as we see influencers like Trinity Wells (a former AMNN news reporter who has previously popped up in a ''lot'' of old Russell T. Davies era stories) convincing the people of the world to go anti-Zeedex [[SarcasmMode (hmmm, does this remind anyone of]] [[UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic something similar in real life?)]].

The Doctor gets UNIT scientific advisor Shirley to put up the wavelength on the monitor to analyze it. Upon inspection, the wavelength peaks seven times, with a steady hill pattern to boot. But Donna is able to figure out the pattern as Kate Stewart explains to the team that the plague begun two days prior, when the KOSAT 5 satellite from South Korea was activated...although the satellite WASN'T hiding the signal. Donna then shows the team her homework on the signal pattern, and ponders if the signal is a tune, judging from said pattern (she was able to figure it out from her tuning skills acquired for the sole purpose of teaching her daughter the recorder). Mel's singing skills come in handy here, as she performs an arpeggio scale...which matches the signal's pattern perfectly. A musical palindrome that affects human minds, and '''has''' affected them since... ''the invention of television itself.''

Shirley brings up the footage of Stooky Bill, the most plausible fit for the arpeggio puzzle, as we hear him giggle in a similar, if not, exact fashion to the arpeggio. And the worst thing about it? For some reason, ''it's been burned into every screen ever since then.'' Only now has it unleashed it's true power upon the Earth thanks to KOSAT 5's broadcast of the video being weaponized by the giggling mastermind behind it all, causing an armageddon upon humanity. And it's all thanks to a simple, taunting giggle.

As the Doctor and Donna walk, Donna notes that he doesn't tend to reminisce much about his past, nor his companions of old. Doctor makes up an excuse for the reason why, but Donna tells him that when she was the [=DoctorDonna=] for a bit, she saw a glimpse of the Doctor's gloomy headspace. She states that he's been staggering a lot. Perhaps the reason why Fourteenth has this old, familiar face is because of the fact that his own past is finally catching up to him? It would make sense given what happened recently with his "origins" as a Timeless Child, and-- never mind, he's brushed her off again. Pooey.

As the Doctor's blurry vision of the past come into fold, he finally remembers the time he faced this particular man in a game when the Doctor was in his "first" incarnation. And that man is none other than...'''The Toymaker.'''

Before the Doctor can talk to him about ''anything'', really, the Toymaker invites him and Donna to play the second game known to man: "hide-und-seek". The Toymaker giggles a la arpeggio-style and hides behind his domain of games, and the chase is on. With the duo trapped in the Toymaker's domain, the Doctor recaps to Donna about the last time he beat the Toymaker in a game (as the other games he played all ended pre-maturely or on a tie), i.e. the first game he played with said celestial immortal. The Doctor also panics about how he might have truly screwed up and put Donna's life in gravest danger (revealing that it was his salt trick with the Not-Things in the last episode that allowed The Toymaker into this universe), lamenting about after everything that's happened to restore her, he might not be able to save her life this time. This cues an existential crisis similar to Twelve's; that if you remove the "toys" i.e. the Sonic, the TARDIS, and the swagger, what's left?

Meanwhile, Donna ends up in a dark, gloomy attic room, where a crying woman is hiding in the corner. This woman turns out to be poor wee Stooky Sue, who doesn't know what to do after the Toymaker threw her in the cubby upon losing her precious hubby, mourning every day thanks to Bill being took away. Because Stooky Bill was burned on TV, he can't see his poor wee missy. And now, her Stooky babbies weep and cannot sleep. They miss their papa, seeking him near and far, and with Donna in their sight...they ''greet her in the endless night.'' The Stooky babbies don't look so sweet, especially given they've come to eat. As the widow Sue has finished her cry, she declares that it's time for Donna to die. But, thanks to her rough, less-wooden personality, Donna is able to come out on top with a more clever follow-up rhyme: "Hello Stooky, my name's Donna! Now I think that you're a '''goner!'''" and proceeds to behead the wooden widow by slamming Stooky Sue against the wall. Donna scares off the stooky babbies back into their corner, and Donna escapes the room triumphantly, reuniting with the Doctor at last.

Next, the Toymaker introduces Donna to a beautiful brunette lady called "Clara Oswald", who spans across time and space. She travelled with two incarnations of the Doctor, until one day, out of nowhere, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E10FaceTheRaven a ''bird'' killed her]]. The Doctor rebuffs him by saying that Clara still "lives", albeit on her last second of life (effectively being immortal). Again, the Toymaker gives out the same response, and introduces Donna to "Bill". As in, ''lady'' Bill, not Stooky Bill, who went on adventures with the Doctor in [[Characters/DoctorWhoTwelfthDoctor his twelfth incarnation]], until Bill was killed and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E11WorldEnoughAndTime turned into a Cyberman]]. Once more, the Doctor rebuffs and states that Bill's consciousness survived. The Toymaker gives the same response, louder this time.

As the Toymaker warps, dances, and lip-syncs to "Spice Up Your Life," he ends up tossing Kate into the wall ''hard'', and tosses Mel into the ground. Kate, showing off the genetics, immediately calls for FiveRoundsRapid, which is a stupid idea anyway, as the Toymaker's RealityWarper powers come into play, making the troops' guns shoot rose petals and turning said troops into mere toy balls that contain their screaming faces. After turning the control room into a colourful mess, he leaves through his own trapdoor out of mere existence, for now, but eventually, they start to hear the Galvanic Beam being used, and that can only mean one thing: the Toymaker has managed to grab a hold of a destructive weapon. Thus, they rush to face him.

Despite only lasting a few hours (and having a shorter run than the last time he had this face), The Fourteenth Doctor has begun his regeneration. That being said, given how he's also similar to Tenth, he's able to relive Ten's regeneration-- only with company this time around. Donna and Mel stand up for the Doctor, and they proceed to protect him from the Toymaker, who was planning to outright kill the Doctor permanently. With his CharacterDevelopment firmly in play[[note]], as well as the fact that this is the third body of a regeneration cycle compared to the thirteenth[[/note]], and with the Doctor's redheaded companions tugging on his arms, the Fourteenth Doctor finally make amends with Ten and says "''Allons-y!''", ready to accept [[TheNthDoctor his change into a new incarnation]]...

--> '''The Toymaker:''' You know full well this is merely a face concealing a vastness that will never cease, because your good and your bad are nothing to me. All that exists is to win, or to lose.
* AccentSlipUp:
** When the Toymaker insults Banerjee with a racial remark, Banerjee fires back that the Toymaker's over the top German accent has disappeared.

* ActorAllusion: Yes, The Toymaker (played by Neil Patrick Harris) ''will'' [[Series/HowIMetYourMother accept the Doctors' challenges!]]. The Toymakers' dance number to "Spice up your life" is also an allusion to Harris' talents for musical theatre too.

* AllIsWellThatEndsWell: Subverted. After defeating the Toymaker, Donna and Fifteen celebrate-- before Fourteen grimly wonders how many people died in the Toymaker's HatePlague before they stopped it, taking the wind out of the celebrations somewhat. [[note]]This is likely influenced by the Toymaker's recounting of what happened to the Doctor's previous companions Amy, Clara, and Bill, deflating the Doctor rebutting with the bittersweetness of their fates using a sarcastic "Well, that's all right then!". Not to mention that the Toymaker then brings up the Flux that completely destroyed half the universe.[[/note]]

** Implied with the UNIT agents turned into balloons-- when Shirley grabs one of them, it's got a screaming face in it.

--> "I came to this universe with such delight, and I played them all, Doctor. I toyed with supernovas, turned galaxies into spinning tops. I gambled with God and made him a jack in the box. I made a jigsaw out of your history - did you like it? The Master was dying and begged for his life with one final game. And when he lost, I sealed him for all eternity inside my gold tooth." ''(Grins, revealing too many teeth and a shiny gold tooth)''
* BaitAndSwitch: As the oblivious Doctor monologues away, Kate storms up to him with a serious expression on her face-- and then promptly hugs him, admitting she's completely out of her depth.

---> '''Donna:''' [[BondOneLiner Anything to add?]] Babbies.

---> '''The Toymaker:''' I think they're still falling. ''(A faint thud, followed by a glass crash, is heard in the background.)''

* BookEnds: Creator/DavidTennant's run as the Doctor ends similarly as his [[Recap/DoctorWho2005CSTheChristmasInvasion first full episode]]: proposing and winning a challenge against the villain, followed by a dinner with his companion's family.

** [[Recap/DoctorWho50thASTheDayOfTheDoctor The TARDIS is once again airlifted by a UNIT helicopter.]]

** The Doctor's pleas with the Toymaker to take their game to the stars and play forever evoke his similar pleas to the Master during [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E12TheSoundOfDrums "The Sound of Drums"]].

* CanonMarchesOn: The episode being treated as the Doctor's third meeting with the Toymaker (after a NoodleIncident in the latter's debut serial and said serial itself) contradicts the audios, comics and novels in which the character has appeared since then ([[Recap/BigFinishDoctorWhoTLSS1E1TheNightmareFair including adaptations of the unproduced "The Nightmare Fair" script]]). Similarly, Mel's account of her life after the TARDIS is at odds with other expanded media stories, along with the [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLb-rlZQA9k "24 Carat" narrative trailer]] for the classic Season 24 Collection Blu-Ray.
* CerebusCallBack: The Doctor's tendency to give metaphors for sci-fi effects before saying that they don't actually explain it is done less jokingly here-- the Doctor asks Shirley if she'd believe that the Toymaker "controls atoms with his mind", before snapping that that ''isn't'' what he does and humans have no way to understand him, let alone fight him.
* ContinuityNod:
** Due to the Earth being in an absolute, unsolvable crisis, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS34E12DeathInHeaven the Doctor once again is given command over the planet.]]
** The Toymaker describes a Stone Age caveman who used a rock to commit the first murder; the First Doctor himself [[Recap/DoctorWhoS1E1AnUnearthlyChild nearly did the same]].
** The Toymaker then makes reference to the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E2TheEndOfTheWorld year five billion]], where the last human "kicks off the skull of his enemy [[GratuitousGerman und]] says, "that is the final ball of all"."
** When discussing how the KOSAT-5 satellite is connected to the HatePlague, Shirley states the satellite isn't hiding a signal like [[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E12TheSoundOfDrums the Archangel Network was]].
** The Doctor briefly catches up with Mel, who tells him of [[Recap/DoctorWhoS24E4Dragonfire her travels with Sabalom Glitz]] before she returned to Earth and [[Recap/DoctorWho2022CENThePowerOfTheDoctor was offered a job by Kate]].
** The Doctor says he is "a billion years old", seemingly acknowledging his hidden past as the Timeless Child, and possibly his time spent trapped in the [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E11HeavenSent Confession Dial]].[[note]] Although it is in dispute how that time frame actually applies.[[/note]]
** The Toymaker taunts the Doctor and Donna with the untimely fates of the three major companions who followed her -- [[Recap/DoctorWhoS33E5TheAngelsTakeManhattan Amy Pond]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E10FaceTheRaven Clara Oswald]], and [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E11WorldEnoughAndTime Bill]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS36E12TheDoctorFalls Potts]] -- and the destruction of half the universe due to the events of the ''Flux'' arc, which unlike the fates of the companions has no bittersweet ending.
** The Toymaker has, in the interim between appearances, beaten the White and Black Guardians, as well as the Master-- the latter is now trapped in the form of a gold tooth.
** While holding Fourteen's hand shortly before the bi-generation, Mel calls all of his incarnations [[Characters/DoctorWhoNinthDoctor "fantastic"]]. A brief snippet of background music from Nine's regeneration into Ten ("Hologram") plays as she says the word as well.
** Fourteen and Fifteen's conversation in the falling action references many other previous stories (and losses), including the Key to Time arc, the Time War, "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E7Logopolis Logopolis]]", "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E6Earthshock Earthshock]]" and "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS25E4TheGreatestShowintheGalaxy The Greatest Show in the Galaxy]]".
** Donna describes a normal life as the one adventure the Doctor couldn't have, referencing the Tenth Doctor saying the same thing in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E13Doomsday Doomsday]]" and Joan Redfern using a similar description in "[[Recap/DoctorWhoS29E9TheFamilyOfBlood The Family of Blood]]".

* CopycatMockery: At one point, the Toymaker torments the Doctor with a puppet modelled after the latter, repeating "I thought I was clever".

* TheDeadHaveNames: Invoked-- as part of the clean-up, Kate asks for the names of all the agents killed by the Toymaker.

* TheEndOrIsIt: As the Doctors and Donna go back inside UNIT, somebody takes the Toymaker's abandoned gold tooth [[SealedEvilInACan containing the Master's essence]] offscreen -- complete with the [[Creator/AnthonyAinley Tremas Master]], the [[Characters/DoctorWhoJohnSimmsMaster Saxon Master]], [[Characters/DoctorWhoMissy Missy]], and the [[Creator/SachaDhawan Spy Master's]] [[EvilLaugh Evil Laughter]] overlapping -- in a ShoutOut to ''[[Film/FlashGordon1980 Flash Gordon]]'''s famous use of this trope (with the tooth in the place of Ming's ring), and a CallBack to the similar moment at the end of "The Last of the Time Lords". The recipient of the gold tooth also picks it up from an angle off the side of the platform, placing them high above London in midair, hinting at a RealityWarper nature to whoever holds it now.
* EvilerThanThou: The Toymaker challenged the Master, presumably after [[Recap/DoctorWho2022CENThePowerOfTheDoctor "The Power of the Doctor"]], to a game for the latter's escape from death. The Master lost, and now he's trapped in the Toymaker's gold tooth. But that seems destined to change soon ...

* HasAType: The Toymaker pokes fun at the Doctor for having a thing for red headed companions when he recaps Amy Pond's story.

* HorrifyingTheHorror: The Toymaker claims to have fought the Master, the Black and White Guardians, and ''God himself'', and beat them all. But he says there is ''something'' out there ("The one who waits") that even ''he'' wouldn't dare to face, and ran from instead.
* HumanoidAbomination: The Toymaker's nature as an alien force [[AFormYouAreComfortableWith wearing a human disguise]] is played into far more here. According to the Doctor, he comes from a different universe working on a different set of laws, and his powers ''don't'' work by manipulating atoms, instead through something less comprehensible. When the Doctor calls him small in an appeal for a sensible use of his immeasurable power, the Toymaker literally bristles at the choice of words and his whole form is seen [[{{GlamourFailure}} wavering slightly as in a heat shimmer]]. Not to mention the tiny extra teeth he seems to suddenly have whenever he's flashing his widest grin.

---> ''"Stone Age man. He picked up ein rock. He said "[[GratuitousGerman Oh! Das ist ein ball!]]" He throwed it, und he killed a man. He said "Oh, what fun!" And now, everybody loves the balls!"''
** ''The Doctor'', [[AllLovingHero of all people]], goes on a tirade about this when he learns about the giggle, noting that it's not making anyone do anything that humans haven't already been doing for millennia.

--> '''Pedestrian:''' ...but not me. [[HypocriticalHumor I've always been right!]]

** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5NRQbUFisg The Shepherd's Boy]], as the Doctor rides the helicopter to UNIT Tower
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBe-R434CPY UNIT Rocks]], as the Doctor lands on the helipad, and when he talks to Mel about her return to Earth.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bW7pIDSabQs The Sun's Gone Wibbly]], as the Doctor exposes Stooky Bill's subliminal presence in every screen on Earth.
** [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4OgYrlnrDQ Final Days]] as Shirley tells the Doctor and Donna when Stooky Bill's footage was recorded and when the two Doctors challenge the Toymaker to a third game.

** For the Toymaker's puppet show, variations of "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l81q7VBvPlQ Amy's Theme]]", "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IrMWUAvK4E Clara?]]" and "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTuQPrANJho Bill's Theme]]" play as the Doctor is reminded of their fates, and [[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFrU-r5SVn4 the Flux motif]] is rolled out again as the Toymaker taunts the Doctor about its aftermath.
** "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP-u51WQnck Hologram]]", when the Doctor begins to regenerate.

** And finally, "[[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONkZSnEQY8s Fifteen]]" is introduced as that incarnation takes off in the TARDIS for parts unknown.

* OhCrap: The Doctor during the confrontation in the Toy Shop, as he gradually realizes who exactly they're dealing with here-- and just how much trouble they're all in now.

-->'''The Doctor:''' Don't go thinking you've got an ''excuse''. The human race might be clever and bright and brilliant, it's also savage and venal and relentless. All that anger out there on the street, the lies, the righteousness-- that's human, that's you! That's who you are. Using your intelligence to be stupid. Poisoning the world...

---> ''Do you like my puppets, Doctor? Do you like my fun? All of them have played and lost, but here's my favorite one!"

---> ''[[BondOneLiner "Hello Stooky, my name's Donna. Now I think you're a goner!"]]''

* SealedEvilInACan: The Master's essence in the Toymaker's gold tooth. This also happens to the Toymaker once he's defeated and sent back to his own realm.

* SequelEpisode: To [[Recap/DoctorWhoS3E7TheCelestialToymaker "The Celestial Toymaker"]], picking up the Toymaker's storyline for the first time in 57 years (at least on the TV side of the franchise) and pitting him against the Doctor for their long-awaited rematch.

** The Toymaker's German accented theatrical show-off is very reminiscent of Joel Grey's Emcee character from ''{{Theatre/Cabaret}}''. Doubles as ActorAllusion since Neil Patrick Harris played the Emcee on Broadway.

** The planet puppets that The Toymaker cuts down re-enacting the Flux's effects in his puppet show has a similar face to the moon in Creator/GeorgesMelies's ''Film/{{A Trip To The Moon}}''.

* SlapstickKnowsNoGender: During the Toymaker's Spice Girls routine, he teleports himself into Kate's arms for a dance, before he slams her into a wall. He then does the same to Mel, spinning her so fast that she is sent across the room and falls to the ground. It's PlayedForLaughs, but it also contributes to show how bizarre and dangerous he is as an enemy.

-->'''Fourteen''': But you're fine.\\
'''Fifteen''': I'm fine because you fixed yourself.

-->'''The Doctor''': Oh, I think he's here...

* UnusuallyUninterestingSight: Downplayed with the Vlinx. The Doctor takes note of them when he sees them, but the obviously-non-human Vlinx is simply treated as another [=UNIT=] employee with neither intrigue nor fanfare sent in their direction.

-->'''Donna''': Won't he cheat?\\
-'''The Doctor and Toymaker, in unison''': No.\\
'''Toymaker''': Shame!

* WhamLine: When the shop owner asks if the Doctor remembers him, the Doctor stares at him coldly and only say his name...
-->'''The Doctor''': ''[[TheBusCameBack The Toymaker.]]''

-->'''The Doctor:''' Could you... ''pull?''
* WhamShot: The Toymaker forces the Fourteenth Doctor to regenerate using UNIT's Galvanic Beam. Fourteen begins the regeneration process, with Mel and Donna at either side-- and then the process abruptly ''stops''. Fourteen asks his companions to pull, and soon enough, the Fourteenth literally ''splits'' into two, with him and the Fifteenth Doctor co-existing!

[[Recap/DoctorWho2023CiNSDoctorWhoChildrenInNeed 2023]] ''[[Recap/DoctorWho2023CiNSDoctorWhoChildrenInNeed Children in Need]]'' [[Recap/DoctorWho2023CiNSDoctorWhoChildrenInNeed Special]]\\
'''60th Anniversary Specials''': "[[Recap/DoctorWho60thASTheStarBeast The Star Beast]]" | "[[Recap/DoctorWho60thASWildBlueYonder Wild Blue Yonder]]" | "'''The Giggle'''"]]-]]]
'''2023 Specials, Episode 3:'''

'''Air date:''' 9 December, 2023

Shirley brings up the footage Stooky Bill, the most plausible fit for the arpeggio puzzle, as we hear him giggle in a similar, if not, exact fashion to the arpeggio. And the worst thing about it? For some reason, ''it's been burned into every screen ever since then.'' Only now has it unleashed it's true power upon the Earth thanks to KOSAT 5's broadcast of the video being weaponized by the giggling mastermind behind it all, causing an armageddon upon humanity. And it's all thanks to a simple, taunting giggle.

With the partners in crime back together again, they are greeted by the Toymaker, as he prepares a worldwide premiere puppet show, especially made for Donna. The Toymaker begins his tale of woe by starting at the point when Donna first left the Doctor, taking us for a trip down memory lane; or more specifically, the Creator/StevenMoffat and Creator/ChrisChibnall eras. The Toymaker introduces Donna to a plucky, redheaded Scottswoman called "Amy Pond", who despite her flirty behavior, was a favorite of the Doctor's (having traveled with his [[Characters/DoctorWhoEleventhDoctor eleventh incarnation]]). Sadly, she eventually [[Recap/DoctorWhoS33E5TheAngelsTakeManhattan died to a out-of-nowhere Weeping Angel in the middle of a graveyard]]. The Doctor rebuffs this by stating that Amy was only sent back in time (with poor ol' Rory) and died from natural causes at a very old age. The Toymaker immediately spouts a sarcastic "WELL, THAT'S ALRIGHT THEN!" in a thick American accent.

->''"[[SeenItAll I've fought them all]]. Robots and insects and yetis and clones, but what do we do this time, Doctor? How do we fight the human race?"''

As the Toymaker warps, dances, and lip-syncs to "Spice Up Your Life," he ends up tossing Kate into the wall ''hard'', and tosses Mel into the ground. Kate, showing off the genetics, immediately calls for FiveRoundsRapid, which is a so very stupid idea anyway as the Toymaker's RealityWarper powers come into play, making the troops' guns shoot rose petals and turning said troops into mere toy balls that contain their screaming faces. After turning the control room into a colourful mess, he leaves through his own trapdoor out of mere existence, for now. But eventually, they start to hear the Galvanic Beam being used, and that can only mean one thing: the Toymaker has managed to grab a hold of a destructive weapon. Thus, they rushes to face him.

Before the Doctor can usher the gang back into the building, the Toymaker holds them hostage with his brand new toy that he stole off UNIT. Kate questions the Toymaker about where the two UNIT staff members went when the Toymaker warped into the Galvanic Beam's site, to which he assures her that they're still falling. Cue the thud. The Doctor then begs the Toymaker to stop this game for the sake of using his reality-bending powers for good. Obviously, this sort of diplomacy will never work on him, given the Toymaker's mindset on life runs on whoever wins and loses, and not running on the morals of good and evil. And besides, the Toymaker has taken a liking towards Earth. After all, humanity has birthed so many games, regardless if they take place indoors or outdoors, within computers, or even within minds. It is an ultimate playground for the Toymaker, and he can play in it for as long as possible. The Doctor, unfortunately, cannot play his last round with the Toymaker, for he has found new meaning in his life of games. With the Galvanic Beam in his hands, the Toymaker blasts the Doctor right into his chest, proclaiming that his third game will be with the ''next'' Doctor.

...But the Fourteenth Doctor does ''not'' regenerate.

Yes, you heard it here, folks, for the very first time in the show's history, there are ''two'' incarnations of the Doctor living in the same universe, thus giving us both a regeneration and a Multi-Doctor story in the same episode! And honestly, this works out in everyone's favor (well, except the Toymaker). Say hello to the snazzy, jazzy and freshly bi-generated [[Creator/NcutiGatwa Fifteenth Doctor]]![[note]]For those wondering how bi-generation was even possible, it's not explained. That being said, one can assume the recent regeneration from Thirteenth to Fourteenth allowed for the latter to keep his incarnation and also allow his next incarnation to be born from all that recent post-regeneration energy. And besides, [[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E7Logopolis this isn't the first time that the rules of regeneration have been screwed with]].[[/note]] The Toymaker decides to see if he can make more Doctors pop out with the use of the Galvanic Beam, but that ain't happening because with a new challenger, comes a new game. The long-awaited third round can finally start, and the Toymaker '''has''' to accept, despite being the one who caused the bi-generation to happen. [[NiceJobFixingItVillain Whoopsy-daisy!]]

To make things fairer, they all agree to play the first game made by man: the ball. If one drops the ball, they lose. Considering there are two Doctors playing against the Toymaker, the possibility of losing has doubled. Luckily, both Doctors share the same amazingly perfected motor skills in order to catch the Toymaker off-guard a little bit. The Toymaker does seem have the upper hand for a bit with his showboating however, even going as far to give Fifteen a sly grin at his face, gold tooth gleam and all. Fifteen scowls back at him. Fourteen almost drops the ball but is able to catch it, as he tosses it to Fifteen to deliver a perfect pitch towards the Toymaker. And with the Toymaker just ''barely'' missing, he has finally been defeated. While the Toymaker is known for destroying planets that hosted a game that he has lost himself, he is unable to do so here, as the Doctor chooses a particular prize of choice: banishing the Toymaker from existence forever. But despite his body flattening and folding up, the Toymaker decides to have one last laugh by telling the Doctor that his "legions are coming", and nothing more.

With the Toymaker finally contained in his toy box, Stooky Bill's giggle has been stopped, and thus, humanity is saved. This calls for a celebration, right? Well, no. While humanity as a whole ''was'' saved, the giggle-demic unfortunately led to a lot of people dying around the world. But with Fifteen around, Fourteen is able to rely on himself (literally) for support, as they embrace for a hug. Afterwards, the gang heads back inside the building, but they seem to be forgetting their ''bonus'' prize: a gold tooth.

Later on, Fourteen and Donna take Fifteen on a small tour through the new TARDIS just in case he has any opinions on it. Fifteen tells Fourteen that the latter needs a chair. As in, he needs to take a long rest from travelling to-and-fro, given how the Doctor(s) have been going on dangerous adventures non-stop, and were unable to take a break. After all, [[TraumaCongaLine the Doctor as been through a ''lot'' of traumatic events]], such as [[Characters/DoctorWhoSixthDoctor Six's]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS23E1TheMysteriousPlanet trial]], [[Characters/DoctorWhoSecondDoctor Two's]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS6E7TheWarGames exile (and actual execution)]], [[Characters/DoctorWhoFourthDoctor Four's]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS16E1TheRibosOperation whole "Keys to Time" mishap]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS18E7Logopolis and his failure of stopping Logopolis' destruction]], [[Characters/DoctorWhoFifthDoctor Five]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS19E6Earthshock witnessing Adric's death]], the Doctor witnessing [[Characters/DoctorWhoRiverSong River Song]]'s messy life from (almost) back to front, [[Recap/TheSarahJaneAdventuresSpecialFarewellSarahJane the recent off-screen passing of Sarah Jane]], and [[Characters/DoctorWhoRoseTyler Rose Tyler's]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E13Doomsday emotional farewell from an alternate universe]]. [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E13JourneysEnd Twice, if we may add.]][[note]]Not to mention [[Characters/DoctorWhoTwelfthDoctor Twelve]] going completely [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E11HeavenSent mental]] over Clara's death, to the point of almost [[Recap/DoctorWhoS35E12HellBent wiping out reality itself]] to save her.[[/note]]

But while the Doctor has been through a lot of trauma, they were able to succeed triumphantly in other events, [[Recap/DoctorWho50thASTheDayOfTheDoctor such as saving Gallifrey during the end of The Last Great Time War]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS31E13TheBigBang saving the ''universe'' by becoming one with The Pandorica]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS3E4TheDaleksMasterPlan defeating the evil Mavic Chen]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS2E2TheDalekInvasionOfEarth saving Earth from]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS27E13ThePartingOfTheWays at least four]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS28E13Doomsday separate Dalek invasions]] [[Recap/DoctorWhoS30E13JourneysEnd throughout the]] [[Recap/DoctorWho2021NYSRevolutionOfTheDaleks course of the series]], [[Recap/DoctorWhoS25E4TheGreatestShowInTheGalaxy defeating the almighty Gods of Ragnarok and their space circus]]... the list can go on, but at the end of the day, Fourteen is pretty much tip toeing on the razor's edge of a complete meltdown and a possible permanent death. Fifteen tells Fourteen to take a huge vacation, for now. Because Fifteen assures him that eventually, he'll be ready to continue his love for journeys in Fifteen's own shoes; it seems Fifteen is ''not'' just born, instead the bi-generation pulled him from a point in the Doctor's personal timeline where he's healed from the trauma. Rehab out of order, as Fifteen puts it.

But there's just one last question that has yet to be answered: Why does Fourteen's face resemble Ten's? And Donna gives him a proper answer: because of the Doctor's own subconscious, he found Donna again. And Donna would understand him better if he had Ten's look. Therefore, that face was brought back for one thing: "to come home". He accepts it, but is saddened to see his TARDIS be given away to his next incarnation, as he feels like this kind of thing would break his hearts. That would be the case, if the Toymaker ''didn't'' give a small parting gift for the Doctor(s) to use for the occasion: a toy hammer to use in the last seconds of the Toymaker's domain magic before it truly goes away. Thus, Fifteen decides to do the seemingly impossible: make a second TARDIS pop out of the first! Fifteen's TARDIS, however, is very much similar to Fourteen's, at least. But it comes with a jukebox and a wheelchair ramp now, so that's pretty cool! But as Fourteen compares the two [=TARDISes=], Fifteen attempts to ditch the group. Luckily, Fourteen caught on quick, and Fifteen gives. They both hug one last time, and Fifteen hugs Donna too. The new Doctor farewells them for real, and wishes them a good rest of their time on Earth.

Sometime later, in a sunny Spring afternoon, the Fourteenth Doctor has been accepted (adopted, even!) as part of the Noble family. Together with Donna, Rose, Shaun, Sylvia, Wilfred[[note]](who's busy off-screen shooting moles in holes, thankfully protected by the Doctor's sonic forcefields)[[/note]] and even Mel, the Doctor can finally be part of a family that he's always wanted. The reason he has fought all of those past battles and sins have lead to this moment. [[EarnYourHappyEnding And he's going to live in this moment for as long as possible.]]

With the story of Fourteen drawing to an end, Fifteen's story has already begun. The Fifteenth Doctor goes off on a new adventure with his own TARDIS. His destination? [[Recap/DoctorWho2023CSTheChurchOnRubyRoad Manchester, circa Christmastime 2023.]]

The Doctor and Donna are met at HQ by Kate Stewart, who gives the Doctor a hug and wearily asks him the question of the hour: how the hell are they supposed to save humanity ''from'' humanity? Stepping inside, the Doctor is confronted by a familiar face: Melanie Bush (last seen all the way back in the Seventh Doctor era), who's now working for UNIT! Unfortunately the catching up will have to wait, as Kate confirms the Doctor's worst fears: the problem is worldwide, and it's so effective at convincing humans that they're right about everything that they won't even stop for basic reason or self-preservation (as seen by the pilot who decided there was nothing at all wrong with landing smack dab in the middle of a city, resulting in the plane crash from last episode). No change for the wacky politicians though (especially the ones who lean too hard to the left or right). Regardless, the only reason why UNIT isn't affected by the phenomenon is all because of a handy piece of AppliedPhlebotinum called "Zeedex" that was created by the Vlinx (a robot alien that works for UNIT. [[RememberTheNewGuy Yes, they're a new character, nothing to worry about]]), which suppresses the effect; and even the best-hearted among them aren't immune to the HatePlague, as Kate Stewart being ''briefly'' without it causes her to start hurling hateful accusations at some of her closest friends (by being xeno-racist, ableist and an anti-redhead fan in one fell swoop). And with humanity in this state, good luck trying to convince them to put these devices on their arms, as we see influencers like Trinity Wells (a former AMNN news reporter who has previously popped up in a ''lot'' of old Russell T. Davies era stories) convincing the people of the world to go anti-Zeedex [[SarcasmMode (hmmm, does this remind anyone of]] [[UsefulNotes/COVID19Pandemic something similar in real life?)]].

The Doctor gets UNIT scientific advisor Shirley to put up the wavelength on the monitor to analyze it. Upon inspection, the wavelength peaks seven times, with a steady hill pattern to boot. But Donna is able to figure out the pattern as Kate Stewart explains to the team that the plague begun two days prior, when the KOSAT 5 satellite from South Korea was activated...although the satellite WASN'T hiding the signal. Donna then shows the team her homework on the signal pattern, and ponders if the signal is a tune, judging from said pattern (she was able to figure it out from her tuning skills acquired for the sole purpose of teaching her daughter the recorder). Mel's singing skills come in handy here, as she performs an arpeggio scale...which matches the signal's pattern perfectly. A musical palindrome that affects human minds, and '''has''' affected them since...''the invention of television itself.''

Unluckily, and yet to absolutely ''no one'''s surprise, a {{Femme Fatalon|s}}ed hand from absolutely ''nowhere'' is able to nab that prize away from them, as we hear an echoing quartet of Koscheis [[EvilLaugh laughing evilly]] (ranging from the [[Creator/AnthonyAinley classic]], [[Creator/JohnSimm political]], [[Creator/MichelleGomez female]] and [[Creator/SachaDhawan most recent]] incarnations), a sign that Gallifrey's resident bad seed will rise again. Seems like the more things change, the more things stay the same...

Despite only lasting a few hours (and having a shorter run than the last time he had this face), The Fourteenth Doctor has begun his regeneration. That being said, given how he's also similar to Tenth, he's able to relive Ten's regeneration-- only with company this time around. Donna and Mel stand up for the Doctor, and they proceed to protect him from the Toymaker, who was planning to outright kill the Doctor permanently. With his CharacterDevelopment firmly in play[[note]], as well as the fact that this is the third body of a regeneration cycle compared to the twelfth[[/note]], and with the Doctor's redheaded companions tugging on his arms, the Fourteenth Doctor finally make amends with Ten and says "''Allons-y!''", ready to accept [[TheNthDoctor his change into a new incarnation]]...

* RealityWarper: The Toymaker's whole stick.

Despite only lasting a few hours (and having a shorter run than the last time he had this face), The Fourteenth Doctor has begun his regeneration. That being said, given how he's also similar to Tenth, he's able to relive Ten's regeneration-- only with company this time around. Donna and Mel stand up for the Doctor, and they proceed to protect him from the Toymaker, who was planning to outright kill the Doctor permanently. With his CharacterDevelopment firmly in play[[note]], as well as the face fact that this is the third body of a regeneration cycle compared to the twelfth[[/note]], and with the Doctor's redheaded companions tugging on his arms, the Fourteenth Doctor finally make amends with Ten and says "''Allons-y!''", ready to accept [[TheNthDoctor his change into a new incarnation]]...