Celebrating the enduring legacy of Doctor Who, we delve into a standout episode from its modern era, “The Waters of Mars.” Originally aired in 2009, this special not only commemorates the show’s rich history but also stands as a pivotal moment in the Tenth Doctor’s journey, foreshadowing his impending regeneration and exploring the perilous nature of unchecked power. This episode, arguably the strongest of the specials leading to David Tennant’s departure, offers a chilling glimpse into the Doctor’s potential for darkness, a theme that resonates deeply within the Whovian universe.
Adelaide, I’ve done this sort of thing before. In small ways, saved some little people, but never someone as important as you. Oh, I’m good.
Little people? What, like Mia and Yuri? Who decides they’re so unimportant? You?
For a long time now, I thought I was just a survivor, but I’m not. I’m the winner. That’s who I am. The Time Lord Victorious.
– The Doctor’s unsettling conversation with Adelaide Brooke.
“The Waters of Mars” distinguishes itself from other specials like “The Next Doctor” and “Planet of the Dead” by directly confronting the Tenth Doctor’s mortality. While those episodes hinted at his departure, “The Waters of Mars” plunges into the heart of the Doctor’s struggle with his own ego and the looming regeneration. It’s a narrative that suggests the Tenth Doctor’s flaws, previously simmering beneath the surface, are reaching a critical point, threatening to consume his heroic persona. This special serves as a bold exploration of the Doctor’s character, venturing into territory rarely explored in such depth before.
The Doctor’s Dual Nature: Hero and “Oncoming Storm” in The Waters of Mars
A central tension within Russell T Davies’ era of Doctor Who, brilliantly highlighted in “The Waters of Mars,” is the Doctor’s inherent duality. He is simultaneously a heroic figure, the savior who rescues planets and inspires companions, and a force of nature, an unstoppable “Oncoming Storm” capable of immense destruction. This dichotomy is not a mere character quirk but a fundamental aspect of his Time Lord identity, explored with increasing complexity throughout the series.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – The Doctor gone wrong
The Doctor’s descent into “Time Lord Victorious” in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, showcasing the terrifying potential when the Doctor’s moral compass falters.
From the very beginning of the revived series, Davies hinted at this darker side. In “The End of the World,” the Ninth Doctor’s coldness towards Cassandra after her prolonged suffering reveals a ruthlessness beneath the surface. This undercurrent of potential darkness becomes more pronounced as the series progresses, culminating in episodes like “Family of Blood,” where the Doctor’s actions to protect himself result in devastating consequences for others. “The Waters of Mars” takes this exploration to its most extreme, presenting a scenario where the Doctor’s heroic impulses and god-like power clash with devastating results.
The Ninth Doctor’s portrayal as a character grappling with post-traumatic stress from the Time War provided a consistent and compelling arc, focused on redemption and healing. However, the Tenth Doctor’s longer tenure, spanning four years, presented a different challenge. Maintaining a consistent characterization across such a long period is inherently difficult, and the show deliberately played with the fluctuations in the Tenth Doctor’s personality. At times optimistic and whimsical, at others brooding and burdened, this inconsistency, paradoxically, contributed to the richness and complexity of his portrayal. “The Waters of Mars” capitalizes on this established complexity, pushing the Tenth Doctor to his breaking point.
The narrative often circles back to the Doctor’s hubris as a central flaw. While generally presented as a force for good, the series doesn’t shy away from showcasing the potential dangers of his ego. “The Waters of Mars” is not just about an alien threat; it’s about the Doctor confronting his own inner demons and the terrifying possibilities that arise when his ego takes control.
Moral Ambiguity and Inconsistencies: The Tenth Doctor’s Character Arc
The exploration of the Doctor’s morality throughout the Davies era is marked by intriguing ambiguities and occasional inconsistencies, adding layers of depth to his character. Episodes like “The Sound of Drums” and “The Last of the Time Lords” highlight this complexity. The Doctor’s unwavering refusal to kill the Master, even when faced with the Master’s horrific actions against humanity, raises questions about the Doctor’s moral code. Is it idealism or a dangerous form of hypocrisy? Is his compassion a strength or a weakness that could have catastrophic consequences?
Doctor Who – Waters of Mars – Making a splash on Mars
The Flood on Mars, a visual representation of the unstoppable force the Doctor confronts, both external and internal, in Doctor Who’s “The Waters of Mars.”
“The End of Time” revisits the Doctor-Master dynamic, yet the show still seems to grapple with definitively resolving this moral puzzle. While acknowledging the inconsistencies in the Tenth Doctor’s character, the series doesn’t provide easy answers. This ambiguity suggests that the Tenth Doctor’s character arc was, in part, shaped retrospectively, allowing for a more organic and evolving portrayal.
The Doctor’s actions in “The Christmas Invasion,” where he effectively overthrows Harriet Jones’ government, further complicate his moral landscape. Initially presented as a victory against a potentially authoritarian leader, hindsight reveals this act as a seed of future disasters. The removal of Harriet Jones inadvertently paves the way for the Master’s rise to power and the catastrophic events of “The End of Time.” This narrative arc suggests that even actions with good intentions can have unforeseen and detrimental consequences, a theme powerfully explored in “The Waters of Mars.”
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Cold Stare
A chilling close-up of the infected crew member in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, highlighting the body horror elements and the terrifying nature of the Flood.
The Davies era, culminating in “The Waters of Mars,” presents a Doctor who is both “wonderful and terrifying, enabling and humbling, heroic and horrific.” While “Turn Left” offers a glimpse into a universe worse off without the Doctor, the overall tone emphasizes the collateral damage often left in his wake. This portrayal stands in stark contrast to Steven Moffat’s more overtly heroic depiction of the Doctor. Moffat, from “The Day of the Doctor” onwards, firmly establishes the Doctor as “a good man.” While Moffat’s Doctors may make mistakes, their fundamental goodness is rarely questioned. Davies’ Tenth Doctor, however, exists in a more morally grey area, forcing viewers to confront the unsettling aspects of a being with immense power and unchecked ego.
The Waters of Mars: A Cautionary Tale of Power and Hubris
“The Waters of Mars” functions as the ultimate cautionary tale within the Tenth Doctor’s narrative. It serves as a stark reminder of the raw power the Doctor wields and the potential for that power to corrupt. This episode is not about subtle nuances; it’s a direct confrontation with the terrifying possibility of the Doctor becoming something truly monstrous if left unchecked.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Suit Up
The Doctor in his spacesuit in “The Waters of Mars,” a symbol of his readiness to confront danger and, in this episode, his growing sense of invincibility.
Doctor Who has previously hinted at a “dark doctor,” most notably during the Colin Baker era and in “The Trial of a Time Lord.” However, “The Waters of Mars” makes this concept chillingly real. It doesn’t rely on contrived scenarios or out-of-character actions. Instead, it portrays a logical and terrifying escalation of the Tenth Doctor’s existing traits, amplified by the immense pressure of his impending regeneration and the weight of his Time Lord heritage. This isn’t a sudden, inexplicable shift in personality; it’s the Doctor’s inherent ego and sense of responsibility, twisted and magnified to a dangerous degree.
For the first time, the audience truly understands why the Doctor might fear himself. This self-doubt carries into the Moffat era, explored in episodes like “The God Complex,” where the Doctor’s own fear is personified as himself. “Amy’s Choice” further delves into this internal conflict, depicting the Doctor’s subconscious as bitter and resentful. “The Waters of Mars” is the genesis of this self-awareness, the moment the Doctor confronts the potential for darkness within himself.
Fixed Points and Conservative Themes: Challenging the Doctor’s Liberalism
“The Waters of Mars” cleverly mirrors “The Fires of Pompeii,” creating a thematic symmetry through contrasting elements: water and fire, red and blue, future and past. Setting “The Waters of Mars” in the future allows for a unique exploration of the “fixed point” concept. Unlike historical events, the future offers a different kind of narrative freedom, raising questions about the Doctor’s right to intervene even in events yet to pass.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Dalek Cameo
A Dalek projection cameo in Doctor Who’s “The Waters of Mars,” a reminder of the larger universe and the Doctor’s constant battles against formidable foes.
The concept of “fixed points” in time, while somewhat nebulous within Doctor Who lore, becomes central to the episode’s conflict. The Doctor himself struggles to define them, describing them as “tiny, precious moments… they have to stand.” “The Waters of Mars” grounds this abstract concept in a tangible consequence: the Bowie Base One incident is presented as crucial for humanity’s future space exploration. Changing this event, the episode argues, would have a ripple effect, altering countless lives across the galaxy.
This justification for non-intervention, however, raises philosophical questions. Is history truly fixed for the best possible outcome? Does non-interference inherently uphold a conservative worldview, prioritizing the status quo over the potential for positive change? The idea that Pompeii’s destruction was necessary for the present world to exist is a deeply conservative notion, implying that the current reality is inherently superior simply because it exists.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Cool Guys Don't Look at Explosions
The Doctor and Captain Adelaide Brooke in a moment of tension in “The Waters of Mars,” highlighting the clash between the Doctor’s extraordinary nature and human resilience.
This introduces a potentially uncomfortable conservatism into Doctor Who, a show often perceived as liberal and libertarian. “The Waters of Mars” suggests a limit to the Doctor’s liberal interventionism, a point where even he must accept the established order. This echoes the more politically conservative undertones sometimes attributed to the Jon Pertwee era of Doctor Who, prompting reflection on the inherent politics within the science fiction narrative.
Regeneration as Inevitability: Time and Tide in The Waters of Mars
“The Waters of Mars” transcends its immediate plot, functioning as a metaphor for the Tenth Doctor’s impending regeneration. The concept of “fixed points” mirrors the inevitability of his departure, a universal constant even the Doctor cannot escape. The episode’s funereal tone, foreshadowed in the preceding specials, underscores this sense of closure and transition.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Turbo Boost
The Doctor using his sonic screwdriver in “The Waters of Mars,” a familiar image that contrasts with the unfamiliar, darker path he treads in this episode.
Regeneration, typically portrayed as a form of cheating death, is recontextualized in “The Waters of Mars” as a form of death itself – the death of the Tenth Doctor. This perspective, articulated by the Tenth Doctor himself in “The End of Time, Part I,” highlights his resistance to change and his deep attachment to his current incarnation. “The Waters of Mars” becomes a crucial step in accepting this inevitability, forcing the Doctor to confront the limits of his power and the natural order of time.
The episode’s central threat – water – further reinforces this theme of inevitability. The Doctor describes water as patient and relentless, a force that “always wins.” This mirrors time itself, an unstoppable current that will inevitably lead to the Tenth Doctor’s regeneration. The climax, where the Doctor declares, “We’re not just fighting the flood, we’re fighting time itself. And I’m going to win!” is a moment of profound hubris, highlighting his desperate struggle against the unavoidable.
Adelaide Brooke’s Legacy and the Doctor’s Reckoning
Adelaide Brooke’s role in “The Waters of Mars” is pivotal, not just as a key figure in a fixed point, but as a catalyst for the Doctor’s downfall and eventual reckoning. Her legacy, her predetermined death on Mars that inspires future generations, becomes the very thing the Doctor attempts to defy, leading him down a dangerous path.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Eye Contact
A tense moment between the Doctor and Adelaide Brooke, showcasing the central conflict of “The Waters of Mars” – the Doctor’s intervention versus the sanctity of fixed points in time.
Adelaide’s initial defiance – “I won’t die. I will not.” – mirrors the Doctor’s own resistance to regeneration. His superficial consolation, “But your death creates the future,” rings hollow, especially considering his subsequent actions. He chooses to rewrite history, declaring himself “Time Lord Victorious,” unbound by the Laws of Time. “It’s taken me all these years to realise the Laws of Time are mine, and they will obey me!” This declaration marks the zenith of his hubris, the culmination of the darker tendencies hinted at throughout his tenure.
In this moment of unchecked power, the Doctor becomes truly terrifying. David Tennant’s performance brilliantly captures this descent, showcasing the Doctor’s alien nature in a disturbing new light. He electrocutes a creature with sadistic glee, reveling in his self-proclaimed victory over time itself. This scene foreshadows the Time Lords’ desperation in “The End of Time,” suggesting that a cornered Time Lord, facing extinction, is a force to be feared.
The Unsettling Truth of the Time Lord Victorious
The episode underscores the unsettling implications of the “Time Lord Victorious” persona. Mia’s bewildered question upon entering the TARDIS – “What is that thing?… It’s bigger. I mean, it’s bigger on the inside. Who the hell are you?” – highlights how the Doctor’s actions have distorted even the familiar and comforting aspects of his identity. The TARDIS, a symbol of wonder and adventure, becomes alien and unsettling when viewed through the lens of the Time Lord Victorious.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Lording Over Us
The Doctor as “Time Lord Victorious,” a powerful and unsettling image from Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, representing his overreach and god-like complex.
This distortion of the familiar is so potent that Steven Moffat later recycled the concept in “The Night of the Doctor,” where the mere sight of a TARDIS instills terror. The Doctor’s rule-breaking in “The Waters of Mars” warps the very fabric of his narrative, pushing the show to a point where even its established tropes become unsettling.
Adelaide’s suicide, while tragic, serves as the necessary course correction. Her act forces the timeline back into place, highlighting the devastating consequences of the Doctor’s hubris. The few minutes of the Time Lord Victorious are terrifying precisely because they are fundamentally wrong, a perversion of everything the Doctor is supposed to represent.
Coward or Killer: Moral Choices and the Doctor’s Dilemma
“The Waters of Mars” subtly echoes “The Parting of the Ways,” another pivotal Tenth Doctor episode. In “The Parting of the Ways,” the Ninth Doctor chooses “cowardice” over genocide, refusing to destroy Earth to save the universe. Adelaide, in “The Waters of Mars,” challenges the Doctor’s desire to flee, asking, “You don’t look like a coward, but all you’ve wanted to do is leave.” However, the episode ultimately suggests that in this instance, leaving – accepting the fixed point – was indeed the morally correct “cowardly” choice.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Behind You
The infected crew member lurking in the shadows in “The Waters of Mars,” a visual representation of the lurking dangers and the episode’s suspenseful atmosphere.
This brings to the forefront the central ambiguity of the Davies era: Is the Doctor fundamentally a force for good, or is he a dangerous entity whose power must be carefully managed? While “The Parting of the Ways” and “The Waters of Mars” seem to valorize restraint and “cowardice,” “The End of Time, Part II” appears to contradict this, with the Doctor ultimately choosing to plunge Gallifrey back into the Time War, seemingly justifying his past genocidal actions. This inconsistency underscores the ongoing debate about the Doctor’s true nature and the moral complexities inherent in his role as a time traveler.
Adelaide’s Sacrifice and the Doctor’s Lesson
The use of Adelaide’s suicide to teach the Doctor a lesson is a somewhat uncomfortable narrative choice. While dramatically impactful, it risks reducing Adelaide to a plot device, sacrificing her agency to serve the Doctor’s character arc. The episode’s ambiguity regarding how Adelaide’s Earth-bound death inspires her granddaughter further complicates this. However, the central point remains: the Doctor cannot cheat time, and Adelaide’s sacrifice, however tragic, underscores this unyielding truth.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Red Planet Mars
The desolate Martian landscape in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, setting the stage for the isolation and horror of Bowie Base One’s fate.
Despite this potential flaw, Lindsay Duncan’s portrayal of Adelaide is compelling, and Davies’ script skillfully establishes her as a complex and independent character. “The Waters of Mars” excels in its nuanced portrayal of the Bowie Base One crew and their relationships, reminiscent of the richly drawn ensemble in “The Impossible Planet” and “The Satan Pit.” The episode’s opening sequence, depicting Adelaide listening to mundane recordings from home, adds a layer of relatable humanity to the extraordinary circumstances, grounding the science fiction narrative in everyday concerns.
Conclusion: The Inevitable End and the Legacy of The Waters of Mars
“The Waters of Mars” stands as the definitive special in the lead-up to the Tenth Doctor’s regeneration. It is the moment where his end feels not only inevitable but necessary. He has transgressed the fundamental rules of time and the very narrative of Doctor Who, and his time is, indeed, up. While the episode raises profound questions about power, responsibility, and the nature of time itself, some of these nuances are unfortunately overshadowed in the rushed conclusion of the subsequent specials, “The End of Time” Parts 1 and 2.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Washout
The Flood consuming Bowie Base One in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, a visual metaphor for the unstoppable nature of time and the Tenth Doctor’s impending regeneration.
“The End of Time” builds upon some of the themes introduced in “The Waters of Mars,” but the subtle intrigue and chilling exploration of the Doctor’s dark side are somewhat lost in the grand spectacle of the finale. Nevertheless, “The Waters of Mars” remains a powerful and thought-provoking episode, a crucial exploration of the Tenth Doctor’s character and a stark reminder of the potential for darkness within even the most heroic figures. It solidifies its place as a highlight of the Davies era and a significant chapter in the enduring mythology of Doctor Who.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Reading the Signs
Captain Adelaide Brooke contemplating the ominous signs in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, hinting at the impending disaster and the fixed point in time.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Faint in Space
A crew member succumbing to the infection in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, emphasizing the vulnerability of humanity against the unknown and the episode’s horror elements.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Imperfect Ten
The Tenth Doctor, far from perfect, grapples with his moral boundaries in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, questioning his role and responsibilities.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Screwdriver Loose
The Doctor’s sonic screwdriver, a tool for good, used in a moment of questionable morality in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, symbolizing his descent.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Drop in the Ocean
The Flood, visually represented as a relentless and overwhelming force in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, symbolizing the unstoppable nature of time and fate.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Growing Pains
An infected crew member undergoing a disturbing transformation in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, highlighting the body horror aspect and the alien nature of the threat.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Brooking History
The Doctor contemplating the potential consequences of altering history in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, showcasing his internal struggle and moral dilemma.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Fire and Ice and Rage
A powerful description of the Doctor’s immense and sometimes terrifying nature, perfectly capturing the essence of “Time Lord Victorious” in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Snow Escaping Fate
Snow on Mars juxtaposed with the impending doom in Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, creating a stark and beautiful yet unsettling visual contrast.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Go Go Gadget
The Doctor using a device in “The Waters of Mars,” showcasing his ingenuity and reliance on technology to combat threats, even as his morality becomes compromised.
Doctor Who – The Waters of Mars – Cloister Bell Tolls
The Cloister Bell, a symbol of impending doom and change, subtly woven into the narrative of Doctor Who: The Waters of Mars, foreshadowing the Doctor’s regeneration.
