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Father's Day (Doctor Who)
Encyclopedia
"Father's Day" is the eighth episode in series one
of the British
science fiction television
series Doctor Who
. The episode was first broadcast on 14 May 2005. The Doctor brings Rose to 1987 to comfort her father as he was dying, but when she prevents his death from happening, the monstrous Reapers are unleashed upon the Earth.
This episode marks the first appearance of Rose Tyler
's father Pete Tyler
, played by Shaun Dingwall
, who would later reprise his role in the 2006 series as a Pete from a parallel universe
.
of Jackie
telling a younger Rose
about her father Pete, who died in a hit-and-run accident on the way to a friend's wedding on 7 November 1987.
In the TARDIS
, The Doctor
agrees to take Rose to the day her father died so that she can be there when it happens. They witness the accident but Rose is unable to move when The Doctor tells her to go and be with her dying father. After Rose recovers, she asks The Doctor if she can try again. The Doctor allows it, but warns Rose to not run until their former selves have left to prevent a paradox
. As the accident is about to happen, Rose runs out and pushes Pete aside, saving his life, but her former self and The Doctor vanish. The Doctor angrily warns Rose about the damage to the timeline but Rose dismisses it, believing Pete to just be an average person. While Rose goes with Pete to the wedding, The Doctor storms back to the TARDIS, only to find that it is now an empty shell, and thus realizes something is very wrong. Elsewhere, strange flying beasts appear and begin consuming people.
Rose and Pete drive to the wedding, but Rose is surprised at anachronistic elements playing over the radio and on her cell phone. At the church, the same car that was intended to kill Pete earlier appears and almost hits Pete's car, but he swerves out of the way when Rose shouts 'Dad'. They join the other guests, including Jackie Tyler
with the infant Rose. Rose is surprised to see that her parents argue all the time and that her father seems to have cheated on Jackie. Jackie even accuses Rose as another one of Pete's women. Suddenly, Rose hears The Doctor shouting as he runs towards the group when one of the flying creatures (Reapers) appears above Rose and almost consumes her, but The Doctor arrives in time and pushes her out of the way. As he is gathering everyone into the church the creatures attack and eat the groom's father.
The Doctor explains to Rose that her actions have caused a paradox that normally the Time Lord
s would have prevented, but without them, the flying creatures are treating the wound in time by consuming everyone within it. The church is older and thus stronger against the creatures. As they seal up the church doors the couple-to-be asks The Doctor if he can save them, even though they don't find themselves to be special. He replies by explaining how he has seen and done marvelous things but will never have an ordinary life like them and that makes them special and that he will try to save them. Pete talks to Rose more, and learns she is his daughter from the future, but she cannot answer his questions on how good a father he was to her. The younger version of Mickey
runs in and clings to Rose followed by Jackie who comments on how Pete clings to the youngest blonde, unaware that Rose is her daughter.
Rose talks to The Doctor again while he is watching the infant Rose. He states how ironic it is that Jackie gave her to him to watch and yells at Rose saying she "Can't do anything right". He also warns her not to touch the baby or she will cause another paradox, which could let the reapers in. After Rose apologizes The Doctor hugs her and they discover the TARDIS key is warming up-telling The Doctor it's still connected to the TARDIS. Using the key and a battery from an old cellphone The Doctor starts to summon the TARDIS so that he can stop the creatures. He tells Rose that this will not correct what she changed, and Pete interjects saying he was supposed to die and that is why this is happening.
Jackie overhears Pete calling Rose his daughter and is disgusted, thinking he had kids with other people which he all named Rose. To prove to Jackie she is the same Rose he puts that baby in her arms. As The Doctor warned, this allows one of the flying beasts to enter the church, and The Doctor throws himself in front of it, causing himself and the beast to disappear. This also breaks the TARDIS summoning process, and the key drops to the ground- cold.
As the other guests start to panic, Pete continues to observe the same car appearing and disappearing outside the church. He has an emotional goodbye to Jackie and Rose, and then runs out of the church and onto the street the next time the car appears. As Pete is struck by the car, the timeline is repaired, and those previously consumed by the beasts, including The Doctor, reappear. The Doctor sends Rose off to be with her dad as he dies and she hold his hand until he is gone. Rose returns to The Doctor, and the two walk hand-in-hand back to the restored TARDIS.
The episode ends on a similar flashback as the opener, as Jackie explains to a young Rose that Pete didn't die alone - a young woman stayed with him until he died, leading the adult Rose to eulogise about Pete Tyler, her father, "the most wonderful man in the world".
Doctor Who (series 1)
The new first series of British science fiction series Doctor Who began on 26 March 2005 with the episode "Rose", which marked the end of the programme's 16-year absence from episodic television following its cancellation in 1989, and aired its finale episode "The Parting of the Ways" on 18 June 2005...
of the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
science fiction television
Science fiction on television
Science fiction first appeared on a television program during the Golden Age of Science Fiction. Special effects and other production techniques allow creators to present a living visual image of an imaginary world not limited by the constraints of reality; this makes television an excellent medium...
series Doctor Who
Doctor Who
Doctor Who is a British science fiction television programme produced by the BBC. The programme depicts the adventures of a time-travelling humanoid alien known as the Doctor who explores the universe in a sentient time machine called the TARDIS that flies through time and space, whose exterior...
. The episode was first broadcast on 14 May 2005. The Doctor brings Rose to 1987 to comfort her father as he was dying, but when she prevents his death from happening, the monstrous Reapers are unleashed upon the Earth.
This episode marks the first appearance of Rose Tyler
Rose Tyler
Rose Marion Tyler is a fictional character portrayed by Billie Piper in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and was created by series producer Russell T Davies...
's father Pete Tyler
Pete Tyler
Pete Tyler, full name Peter Alan Tyler, is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Shaun Dingwall...
, played by Shaun Dingwall
Shaun Dingwall
Shaun Dingwall is a British actor and is known for his roles on British television.-Early life:Shaun Dingwall was born in 1972 and attended Ilford County High School for boys. His initial ambition was to become a photographer and for several years he worked as an assistant photographer within the...
, who would later reprise his role in the 2006 series as a Pete from a parallel universe
Parallel universe (fiction)
A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
.
Plot
The episode opens with a flashbackFlashback (narrative)
Flashback is an interjected scene that takes the narrative back in time from the current point the story has reached. Flashbacks are often used to recount events that happened before the story’s primary sequence of events or to fill in crucial backstory...
of Jackie
Jackie Tyler
In "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" Coduri plays a parallel Earth version of Jackie. In this universe, she is still married to Pete, but they have no children, although she has a Yorkshire terrier named Rose. Despite Pete's success, which has led to Jackie becoming a celebrity, they...
telling a younger Rose
Rose Tyler
Rose Marion Tyler is a fictional character portrayed by Billie Piper in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, and was created by series producer Russell T Davies...
about her father Pete, who died in a hit-and-run accident on the way to a friend's wedding on 7 November 1987.
In the TARDIS
TARDIS
The TARDISGenerally, TARDIS is written in all upper case letters—this convention was popularised by the Target novelisations of the 1970s...
, The Doctor
Doctor (Doctor Who)
The Doctor is the central character in the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who, and has also featured in two cinema feature films, a vast range of spin-off novels, audio dramas and comic strips connected to the series....
agrees to take Rose to the day her father died so that she can be there when it happens. They witness the accident but Rose is unable to move when The Doctor tells her to go and be with her dying father. After Rose recovers, she asks The Doctor if she can try again. The Doctor allows it, but warns Rose to not run until their former selves have left to prevent a paradox
Physical paradox
A physical paradox is an apparent contradiction in physical descriptions of the universe. While many physical paradoxes have accepted resolutions, others defy resolution and may indicate flaws in theory...
. As the accident is about to happen, Rose runs out and pushes Pete aside, saving his life, but her former self and The Doctor vanish. The Doctor angrily warns Rose about the damage to the timeline but Rose dismisses it, believing Pete to just be an average person. While Rose goes with Pete to the wedding, The Doctor storms back to the TARDIS, only to find that it is now an empty shell, and thus realizes something is very wrong. Elsewhere, strange flying beasts appear and begin consuming people.
Rose and Pete drive to the wedding, but Rose is surprised at anachronistic elements playing over the radio and on her cell phone. At the church, the same car that was intended to kill Pete earlier appears and almost hits Pete's car, but he swerves out of the way when Rose shouts 'Dad'. They join the other guests, including Jackie Tyler
Jackie Tyler
In "Rise of the Cybermen" and "The Age of Steel" Coduri plays a parallel Earth version of Jackie. In this universe, she is still married to Pete, but they have no children, although she has a Yorkshire terrier named Rose. Despite Pete's success, which has led to Jackie becoming a celebrity, they...
with the infant Rose. Rose is surprised to see that her parents argue all the time and that her father seems to have cheated on Jackie. Jackie even accuses Rose as another one of Pete's women. Suddenly, Rose hears The Doctor shouting as he runs towards the group when one of the flying creatures (Reapers) appears above Rose and almost consumes her, but The Doctor arrives in time and pushes her out of the way. As he is gathering everyone into the church the creatures attack and eat the groom's father.
The Doctor explains to Rose that her actions have caused a paradox that normally the Time Lord
Time Lord
The Time Lords are an ancient extraterrestrial race and civilization of humanoids in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, of which the series' eponymous protagonist, the Doctor, is a member...
s would have prevented, but without them, the flying creatures are treating the wound in time by consuming everyone within it. The church is older and thus stronger against the creatures. As they seal up the church doors the couple-to-be asks The Doctor if he can save them, even though they don't find themselves to be special. He replies by explaining how he has seen and done marvelous things but will never have an ordinary life like them and that makes them special and that he will try to save them. Pete talks to Rose more, and learns she is his daughter from the future, but she cannot answer his questions on how good a father he was to her. The younger version of Mickey
Mickey Smith
Mickey Smith is a fictional character in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, played by Noel Clarke.Mickey is introduced as the boyfriend of the Ninth and Tenth Doctor's companion Rose Tyler, and a recurring character on the programme...
runs in and clings to Rose followed by Jackie who comments on how Pete clings to the youngest blonde, unaware that Rose is her daughter.
Rose talks to The Doctor again while he is watching the infant Rose. He states how ironic it is that Jackie gave her to him to watch and yells at Rose saying she "Can't do anything right". He also warns her not to touch the baby or she will cause another paradox, which could let the reapers in. After Rose apologizes The Doctor hugs her and they discover the TARDIS key is warming up-telling The Doctor it's still connected to the TARDIS. Using the key and a battery from an old cellphone The Doctor starts to summon the TARDIS so that he can stop the creatures. He tells Rose that this will not correct what she changed, and Pete interjects saying he was supposed to die and that is why this is happening.
Jackie overhears Pete calling Rose his daughter and is disgusted, thinking he had kids with other people which he all named Rose. To prove to Jackie she is the same Rose he puts that baby in her arms. As The Doctor warned, this allows one of the flying beasts to enter the church, and The Doctor throws himself in front of it, causing himself and the beast to disappear. This also breaks the TARDIS summoning process, and the key drops to the ground- cold.
As the other guests start to panic, Pete continues to observe the same car appearing and disappearing outside the church. He has an emotional goodbye to Jackie and Rose, and then runs out of the church and onto the street the next time the car appears. As Pete is struck by the car, the timeline is repaired, and those previously consumed by the beasts, including The Doctor, reappear. The Doctor sends Rose off to be with her dad as he dies and she hold his hand until he is gone. Rose returns to The Doctor, and the two walk hand-in-hand back to the restored TARDIS.
The episode ends on a similar flashback as the opener, as Jackie explains to a young Rose that Pete didn't die alone - a young woman stayed with him until he died, leading the adult Rose to eulogise about Pete Tyler, her father, "the most wonderful man in the world".
Continuity
- Continuing the "Bad Wolf" theme of the season, a poster advertising a raveRaveRave, rave dance, and rave party are parties that originated mostly from acid house parties, which featured fast-paced electronic music and light shows. At these parties people dance and socialize to dance music played by disc jockeys and occasionally live performers...
on a wall near where Pete was supposed to die in the beginning has the words "BAD WOLF" defacing it. (See Story arcs in Doctor Who.) - Although never named in the programme, the creatures were called the Reapers in publicity material. They bear a strong resemblance to the Chronovores (first featured in The Time MonsterThe Time MonsterThe Time Monster is a serial in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast in six weekly parts from 20 May to 24 June 1972.- Synopsis :...
) as portrayed in Paul Cornell's Doctor Who New AdventuresVirgin New AdventuresThe Virgin New Adventures were a series of novels from Virgin Publishing based on the British science-fiction television series Doctor Who...
novel No FutureNo FutureNo Future is an original novel written by Paul Cornell and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Seventh Doctor, Ace and Bernice. A prelude to the novel, also penned by Cornell, appeared in Doctor Who Magazine #209...
, the Vortisaurs in the Eighth DoctorEighth DoctorThe Eighth Doctor is the eighth incarnation of the protagonist of the long-running BBC television science-fiction series Doctor Who. He was portrayed by Paul McGann...
's first series of audio adventures for Big Finish ProductionsBig Finish ProductionsBig Finish Productions is a British company that produces books and audio plays based, primarily, on cult British science fiction properties...
, and the Hunters in the New Adventures novel The PitThe Pit (Doctor Who)The Pit is an original novel written by Neil Penswick and based on the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It features the Seventh Doctor and Bernice...
by Neil Penswick. - Rose refers to the ending of this episode in "The Parting of the WaysThe Parting of the Ways"The Parting of the Ways" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 18 June 2005. It was the second episode of the two-part story that featured Christopher Eccleston making his last appearance as the Ninth Doctor...
", telling Jackie that she met her father and was the girl who held Pete's hand as he died. - Although he dies in this episode, Pete Tyler returns (in a parallel universeParallel universe (fiction)A parallel universe or alternative reality is a hypothetical self-contained separate reality coexisting with one's own. A specific group of parallel universes is called a "multiverse", although this term can also be used to describe the possible parallel universes that constitute reality...
form) in the second-series episode "Rise of the CybermenRise of the Cybermen"Rise of the Cybermen" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. The episode features the return of Cybermen, where they are created on Earth itself. It is the first part of a two-part story, the concluding part being "The Age of Steel"...
" / "Age of Steel" and again in the same series "Army of GhostsArmy of Ghosts"Army of Ghosts" is the twelfth and penultimate episode in the second series of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who which was first broadcast on 1 July 2006...
" / "DoomsdayDoomsday (Doctor Who)"Doomsday" is the thirteenth and final episode in the second series of the revival of the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. It was first broadcast on 8 July 2006 and is the conclusion of a two-part story; the first part, "Army of Ghosts", was broadcast on 1 July 2006...
".
Production
- Working titles for this story included "Wounded Time" and "Wound In Time" (as stated in the Telos Publishing Ltd.Telos Publishing Ltd.Telos Publishing Ltd. is a publishing company, originally established by David J. Howe and Stephen James Walker, with their first publication being a horror anthology based on the television series Urban Gothic in 2001...
book Back to the Vortex). - On the DVD commentary for this episode, writer Paul Cornell and producer Phil Collinson mention that in the original script, in the scene where the Doctor opens the TARDIS doors and discovers only a police box interior, the police box fell apart. This was changed for reasons of cost, and Cornell said on the commentary that he thinks the change is an improvement.
- Cornell also states on the DVD commentary that the character of Pete Tyler is based on his own father, who attempted many different jobs and schemes (including, like Pete, selling health drinks) before eventually finding success running a betting shopBookmakerA bookmaker, or bookie, is an organization or a person that takes bets on sporting and other events at agreed upon odds.- Range of events :...
. Pete's line "I'm your dad, it's my job for it to be my fault" is taken from something Cornell's father once said to him. - Also on the DVD commentary, Billie Piper says that this was her favourite episode of the first season, and the most emotionally taxing for her to perform. Christopher Eccleston has also stated that this was his favourite episode, due to its many emotional layers.
Outside references
- Posters seen advertising the Socialist WorkerSocialist WorkerSocialist Worker is the name of several socialist/communist newspapers associated with the International Socialist Tendency...
read 'No Third Term For Thatcher', serving to campaign against re-electing Prime MinisterPrime ministerA prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
Margaret ThatcherMargaret ThatcherMargaret Hilda Thatcher, Baroness Thatcher, was Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990...
in the General Election in June 1987United Kingdom general election, 1987The United Kingdom general election of 1987 was held on 11 June 1987, to elect 650 members to the British House of Commons. The election was the third consecutive election victory for the Conservative Party under the leadership of Margaret Thatcher, who became the first Prime Minister since the 2nd...
. - When time is damaged, one of the effects is that mobile telephones all begin to repeat the message, "Watson, come here, I need you," purportedly Alexander Graham BellAlexander Graham BellAlexander Graham Bell was an eminent scientist, inventor, engineer and innovator who is credited with inventing the first practical telephone....
's first words ever spoken over a telephone. However, according to a recording by Watson reminiscing about the event, the words were "Watson, come here, I want you." The error was not present in Paul Cornell's original script, but crept in at some point during production. - The episode features two of the biggest hits from 1987, "Never Gonna Give You UpNever Gonna Give You UpA group of London dance producers, called The Rickrollerz made a house music cover version of "Never Gonna Give You Up" on that day, and in honor of that event....
" performed by Rick AstleyRick AstleyRichard Paul "Rick" Astley is an English singer-songwriter, musician, and radio personality. He is known for his 1987 song, "Never Gonna Give You Up", which was a #1 hit single in 25 countries...
and "Never Can Say GoodbyeNever Can Say Goodbye"Never Can Say Goodbye" is a song written by Clifton Davis and originally recorded by The Jackson 5. Released as a single in 1971, it was one of the group's most successful songs...
" performed by The Communards, both of which have some relevance to the basic themes of the story. It also features the 2002 song "Don't Mug YourselfDon't Mug Yourself"Don't Mug Yourself" is a song first released in October 2002 by UK rapper The Streets. It was the fourth single taken from his debut album Original Pirate Material. The song is performed by Mike Skinner and a friend of his, Calvin Bailey...
" by The StreetsThe StreetsThe Streets were a British rap/garage project from Birmingham, United Kingdom, led by vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Mike Skinner and has included a myriad of other contributors most notably drummer Johnny Drum Machine, vocalist Kevin Mark Trail and the Italian-American beatmaker Leroy.The...
, indicating the damage to the timeline. - Rose believes Pete to be "a bit of a Del BoyDel BoyDerek Edward Trotter, better known as "Del Boy", is the fictional lead character in the popular BBC sitcom Only Fools and Horses and one of the main characters of its prequel, Rock & Chips...
", referring to the character from Only Fools and HorsesOnly Fools and HorsesOnly Fools and Horses is a British sitcom, created and written by John Sullivan. Seven series were originally broadcast on BBC One in the United Kingdom between 1981 and 1991, with sporadic Christmas specials until 2003...
, which was airing around the time this episode is set. Humorously, Shawn Dingwall later went on to play Del Boy's father Reg Trotter in the Only Fools and Horses prequel Rock and Chips first aired in 2010.
Awards
- The episode was nominated for the 2006 Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Short Form; the episodes "The Empty ChildThe Empty Child"The Empty Child" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 21 May 2005. It is the first of a two-part story. The concluding episode, "The Doctor Dances", was broadcast on 28 May...
" and "The Doctor DancesThe Doctor Dances"The Doctor Dances" is an episode in the British science fiction television series Doctor Who, which was first broadcast on 28 May 2005. It is the second of a two-part story and saw Jack Harkness, played by John Barrowman, join the Doctor as a companion. The first part, "The Empty Child", was...
" won. "Father's Day" topped the third place category in terms of votes.
External links
- Doctor Who Confidential — Episode 8: Time Trouble
- "Be careful what you wish for." — Episode trailer for "Father's Day"