Ncuti Gatwa’s appointment as the fifteenth Doctor has sent Doctor Who fans into a frenzy.
While fans were aware that the third special, The Giggle, would be the final time they saw David Tennant in the lead role, the manner in which he was farewelled surprised many.
The Doctor faced an old opponent in the episode, The Toymaker, played by Neil Patrick Harris.
As they faced up in an epic fight, it became evident that things were not going well for the Doctor when a laser beam was sent through his chest, triggering the start of his latest regeneration.
Companion Donna Noble (Catherine Tate) and prior companion Mel Bush (Bonnie Langford, who played on the series in the late 1980s) stood by his side as it looked this might be the last we saw of him.
While they were saying their goodbyes to their friends, the Doctor split in two and Ncuti emerged after David’s Doctor intimated that things were ‘feeling different this time’.
Managing to pull themselves apart, the rare regeneration saw the Doctor split into two and shocked by their ability to exist as two beings.
Even more shocked were fans watching on at home, who couldn’t contain their excitement at the plot twist.
‘DAVID TENNANT AND NCUTI GATWA TOGETHER?!?!? I DONT KNOW WTF IS GOING ON BUT WE HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE BACK,’ one fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa and the world is here for it!!#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/PCnid63nxh
— ✰ (@majestybelles) December 9, 2023
I take this two Doctors any time #DoctorWho
David and Ncuti ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/kn9Qpsn9AH— Karen (@BlackWidow_221B) December 9, 2023
#doctorwho spoilers //
GOD THIS IS TRULY MY ROMAN EMPIRE I CANNOT STOP THINKING ABOUT THIS. NCUTI AND DAVID REALLY ARE MY BEST PEOPLE 🙁 pic.twitter.com/8cz7tr8ynU
— ridz (@triptiidimrii) December 9, 2023
‘OMG DOCTOR WHO!!! David Tennant AND Ncuti Gatwa the way I SCREAMED. It’s too much awesomeness on one screen,’ someone else shared.
Another added: ‘TWO DOCTORS! INSANE!!! THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST DOCTOR WHO EPSIODES EVER!! I NEVER THOUGHT I WOULD SEE NCUTI GATWA AND DAVID TENNANT ACT TOGETHER.’
Others said they were left in tears watching what had now become their ‘favourite episode and regeneration that has ever happened.
*Spoiler alert* Go behind the scenes of the regeneration with Ncuti Gatwa and David Tennant 🤯 🔥🎬 It’s only a world exclusive… 👀#SteffanPowell #DoctorWhoUnleashed #BBCThree #iPlayer #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/1r9dVyWyRT
— BBC Three (@bbcthree) December 9, 2023
Some did, however, have some thoughts on the fact that Ncuti was just wearing a white collared shirt and his underwear for the duration of his scenes.
‘Oh I loved that. Ta Russell T Davies David Tennant, Catherine Tate & Ncuti Gatwa but please reassure me that lovely young man gets some trousers for the new series,’ one person posted.
Others, on the other hand, didn’t appear to mind.
‘I did not think Ncuti Gatwa could get any more iconic but doing your intro scene in your pants is *chefs kiss*,’ one viewer posted.
‘Well, I’d be quite happy if Ncuti Gatwa spends his entire time as Doctor Who in just his pants,’ someone else shared.
Following the regeneration sequence, the two Doctors had to attempt to find out if they could coexist, with the outcome revealed after Ncuti’s Doctor managed to clone the Tardis and leave one behind for his other half.
While David’s Doctor finally went out on his adventures, he chose to settle in modern-day London with Donna and her family.
David’s return to the role was celebrated by many.
‘We get to keep David Tennant who gets to stay with Donna and her fam and we got Ncuti being fabulous,’ one person summed it up.
Doctor Who is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
