The Doctor comes to the aid of a military base under attack from sentient waters. It may be another stand against immeasurable odds, but waiting in the wings for the Time Lord is a sign that all songs must end...
The Doctor briefly mentions the Ice Warriors to Adelaide, who were an old alien race that made several appearances in the classic series. Their first encounter with the Doctor was in the series 5 episode: The Ice Warriors.
The Doctor's acceptance of dog-shaped robots as opposed to human-shaped ones is a reference to K-9, one of the Fourth Doctor's companions, who later appeared in School Reunion in Series 2.
The Doctor's 'space suit' is from Sanctuary Base 6 as evidenced by the SB6 logo. It was last seen in the episode The Satan Pit.
Chook Sibtain, who plays Tarak Ital, previously portrayed Mark Grantham in the Sarah Jane Adventures two-parter Warriors of Kudlak.
The Doctor: This thing's airtight, yeah? Adelaide: And therefore watertight. The Doctor: Depends how clever the water is.
Ed: Well, at least I'm good for something. Adelaide: Now and again. Ed: That's almost a compliment. Things must be serious.
The Doctor: This moment, this precise moment in time, it's like... I mean, it's only a theory, what do I know? But I think certain moments in time are fixed. Tiny, precious moments. Everything else is in flux, anything can happen, but those certain moments, they have to stand. This base on Mars, with you, Adelaide Brooke, this is one vital moment. What happens here must always happen.
Adelaide: You should have left us there. The Doctor: Adelaide, I've done this sort of thing before. In small ways, saved some little people. But never someone as important as you. Ooh, I'm good. Adelaide: Little people? What, like Mia and Yuri? Who decides they're so unimportant? You? The Doctor: For a long time now, I thought I was just a survivor. No, but I'm not. I'm a winner. That's who I am. The Time Lord Victorious. Adelaide: And there's no one to stop you. The Doctor: No. Adelaide: This is wrong, Doctor. I don't care who you are. The Time Lord Victorious is wrong. The Doctor: That's for me to decide. Now, you'd better get home. Ooh, it's all locked up. You've been away. Still, that's easy. (opens door with sonic screwdriver) All yours. Adelaide: Is there nothing you can't do The Doctor: Not any more.
Adelaide: It can't be stopped. Don't die with us. The Doctor: No, 'cause someone told me just recently, they said I was gonna die. They said, "He will knock four times" and I think I know what that means and it doesn't mean right here, right now, 'cause I don't hear anyone knocking, do you? (Andy pounds his head on the door window three times) The Doctor: Three knocks is all you're getting!
The Doctor: We're not just fighting the Flood, we're fighting time itself! And I'm gonna win!!!
Adelaide: We're safe. It's hermetically sealed. They can't get in. The Doctor: Water is patient, Adelaide. Water just waits. It wears down the cliff tops, the mountains, the whole of the world. Water always wins.
The Doctor: (to Mars colonists) I should go. I really should go. I'm sorry. I'm, I'm sorry with all of my hearts, but it's one of those very rare times when I've got no choice. It's been an honor.
Adelaide: You said we die. For the future. For the human race. The Doctor: Yes, because there are laws. There are laws of time, and once upon a time, there were people in charge of those laws, but they died. They all died. Do you know who that leaves? Me! It's taken me all these years to realise the laws of time are mine, and they will obey me!
The Doctor: (to Ood Sigma): I've gone too far. Is this it, my death? Is it time?
Adelaide: What is that device? The Doctor: Screwdriver. Adelaide: What are you, The Doctor or the janitor? The Doctor: I don't know. Sounds like me, though: maintenance man of the universe.
Adelaide: State your name, rank, and intention. The Doctor: The Doctor, Doctor,... fun?
International Airdates:
Turkey: May 22, 2011 on CNBC-e
The episode ends with an in memoriam to long-time original series producer Barry Letts, 1925-2009.
This story was originally intended as a Christmas special, and as such was originally titled Red Christmas. Some elements of the Christmas setting remain, such as the snow at the end of the episode.
The Doctor's reference to fixed points in time and imagining one was in Pompeii alludes back to the fourth season story The Fires of Pompeii where the Doctor first mentioned the concept of fixed points and establishes the eruption of Vesuvias as one.
S 6 : Ep 13
Aired 10/1/11 (46:19)
S 6 : Ep 12
Aired 9/24/11
S 6 : Ep 11
Aired 9/17/11
S 6 : Ep 10
Aired 9/10/11
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