Sorry if this was mentioned.... Doctor Who, the show, comes to an end with the demise of the 13th... There is big fanfare and too do... End of the show.... It goes on hiatus for a couple of years just to let it all sink in and then... Re-boot Ala Abrams-Trek... It just starts off again with Doctor #1... Alternate timeline and universe, or not.... They could keep some of the same characters (Susan, for one) and even reimage some of the original stories, but do a re-boot... We could get a definitive origin story from the day he steals the TARDIS... The possibilities for new storylines are endless...
Doctor Who is one show which does not need a reboot. Especially since it practically reinvents itself every few years anyway. A Trek XI style reboot does not serve this franchise at all. I don't get why the idea has been so popular since, well, since Trek XI.
In general, I agree with you.. I'm just saying that if they're going to stick with the 12 regenerations cap, this would be one way to deal with it that I could live with... I've always been keen on an origin story anyway...
I've firmly believed for years now that Romana escaped to E-Space during the Time War (perhaps after she was overthrown by Rassilon?), taking with her a few other people (Leela, Drax, K-9 I & II, etc.)
Regenerations are not still capped at 12, but the show-runner and producers may choose to revisit this idea at anytime, before or at or even after the 13th Doctor. The show has long ago abandoned any sense of hard rules (or even 'soft' rules) within it's universe. Each episode is essentially independent from the last, carrying over information and history only as that one episode's individual writer wishes. So, for example, an episode can say X is impossible. The next episode can ignore this rule as though it were never said. Two years later, however, an episode can mention the premise that X is impossible as a throw-away line or joke. Another episode may choose to act as though X has been impossible all along, despite previous episodes which were contrary to this notion. Said episode can then equally dismiss the impossibility/possibility of X at the end. All episodes that follow need not honor anything that happened in this, or other episodes.
I’m surprised they didn’t make more of a big deal of River using up her regenerations on him, since as far as we know she’d only regenerated three times there’s 9 more incarnations there! Frankly however much I loved the show, I doubt it can really go beyond 20+ Doctors.
A reboot would be unessesary. Besides, they're making a one off prequel about the docotr stealing the tardis for the 50th anniversary.
^ Are you sure you're not thinking of the Gatiss-written dramatisation of the show's beginnings at the BBC? Though what you've described would be very welcome too!
If the show is still as popular as it is when they reach the cap, they aren't going to cancel it. Popularity will almost always trump in show "rules." Almost always.
Mark Gatiss is writing a docudrama about the origin of Doctor Who for next year. That's the only "prequel" that's been announced, not anything like an in-universe story about the Doctor stealing the TARDIS.
If the Doctor's life continues beyond the regeration limit it'll be up to whomever's in charge of the show at the point. I find it's best not to think of such matters and just to enjoy the Doctor as is. For right now now gives the Doctor's life and odd sense of realism, not knowing how long he'll live now it a good thing to me anyway.
I think we'll find out when 13 dies. I'm expecting the next words after that event will be: "Well, that was unexpected!"
Thirded! Maybe interject some mystery. Let it be a surprise to the Doctor, and he's not sure how many more he has left. However, they do it, agree that it shouldn't be swept under the carpet but deal with it directly. But, I certainly do want the show to go on! Mr Awe