Doctor Whoseason 15 is the most ambitious season of the long-running sci-fi show in several years, breaking the fourth wall and delving into uncharted, self-referential territory with its writing. This was clearer than ever in “Lux”, which features several throwaway lines that gently poke fun at the show’s history. The episode sawthe Doctor realize he was in a television showby traveling outside the universe ofDoctor Whointo the “real world”, where he met several fans of the show.
There have been many similar lines in the latest season ofDoctor Who, proving that the show is never afraid to have a laugh at its own expense. One aspect of the show’s history that’s often criticized by long-time fans is the continuity between classic and modern episodes - for example,Doctor Whostill has no idea how regeneration works, and the rules are constantly bending to fit with whatever story is using them.Russell T. Davies is clearly aware of this too,as he brings the lack of continuity into question in “Lux”.
Doctor Who Season 15’s “Continuity” Joke Feels Self-Referential
The Show Has Broken The Fourth Wall A Lot Recently
One of the many throwaway lines in “Lux” that feels like it playfully makes fun of the show’s past is when Lux Imperator fails to convince the Doctor that he’s reentered reality by dressing his fake policeman in the wrong uniform.The episode takes place in Miami, Florida, and the officer is dressed as a member of the New York Police Department. For those who’ve stuck withDoctor Whofor many years, the Doctor mentioning “continuity” should feel somewhat ironic, given the show’s own continuity issues throughout the years.
It’s to be expected that a 60-year-old show will encounter continuity errors eventually, butDoctor Whohas more than you’d expect.TheDoctor Whocanon is flooded with contradictions, whether that’s the mystery surrounding the origin of the TARDIS’ name or the notoriously impossible question of how many incarnations of the Doctor there have been.The show often struggles to keep up with its own rules, and “Lux” is seemingly being self-referential in that regard.
RTD Tried To Explain Doctor Who’s Various Plot Holes Using The Toymaker
The Show Protected Itself From Plot Holes In Advance
However,Doctor Whohas recently managed to provide an in-universe explanation for all of its plot holes. One throwaway line byThe Toymaker in “The Giggle” seemingly made everything canon; by claiming that he manipulated the Doctor’s past and“made a jigsaw of [his] history,”the Toymaker seemingly accounts for all these strange additions toDoctor Whocanon. The show didn’t make mistakes after all - it was just the Toymaker wreaking havoc.
