Doctor, Doctor! Doctor Who?

So, as I am still recovering from the revelations in The Name of the Doctor, the finale episode of season 7 of the new Doctor Who series, I find myself both enthralled and somewhat confused over the introduction of one of Britain's greatest character actors, John Hurt, as The Doctor.

 

To say I was totally blown away, and very emotional, over the possibility of John Hurt taking on the role of one of the most iconic and beloved characters in British science-fiction is an understatement. John has proven himself a master of his craft since the early 1960's, but really came to prominence for his portrayals of Quentin Crisp in The Naked Civil Servant - a ground-breaking expose of homosexual lifestyles in the '30's-'50's - and the insane but omnipotent Caligula in I, Claudius.  The power of these roles stamped him as one of the most accomplished actors in the British pantheon, and won him admiration around the world.

And now, after decades of achievements and accolades, this enigmatic icon is going to play The Doctor!! How spine-chillingly wonderful!!

 

And then the questions started! Having not been following any prior anticipatory announcements, pronouncements and limitless speculations by the myriad of bloggers and critics, I had not even heard or read any of the rumours about John Hurt being involved in Doctor Who in any capacity. So now my mind started running overtime!

• How will the transformation between Matt and John occur?
• Does this mean Matt's time as The Doctor is over? It seemed rather short!

But then I read some of the background materials rapidly appearing on the internet, which spawned even more questions!

• John will be the 9th Doctor? How does that impact the "current" 9th Doctor's reign?
• If he is not allowed to call himself The Doctor because of his transgressions against The Doctors' prime directive (very Star Trek 2nd Gen, I must say!), what will he be called, if his "real name" is still to be kept secret?
• If Matt is now the 12th (and therefore the Last?) incarnation, does this mean we are in the end game of Doctor Who as a whole, 50 years on?
• Will we now see the transformations between Paul McGann and John Hurt, and John Hurt and Christopher Eccleston? Are these even being contemplated?
• Now that the concept of retro-active storylines - going back to a new 9th Doctor timeline - have the BBC opened the door to resurrect stories for Paul McGann (yes, please!!) and the shortened life of Christopher Ecclestone?

I know I am far from alone in wondering about all of these, and many additional, impacts from the revelations so far, and I am also sure that the BBC will be planning a whole series of enticing announcements, leaks and cast interviews to keep us all on the edge of our seats until November 23. And could this be the most anticipated episode and series of Doctor Who ever??  You had better believe it!!

 

It is going to be a long and inquisitive Summer!!