Chris Chibnall’s Timeless Child twist is probably the former showrunner’s biggest and most controversial addition to Doctor Who canon, but it also paradoxically explains one of the potential plot holes opened by the storyline. Doctor Who‘s Disney era has gently referenced Chibnall’s divisive addition to the show’s continuity, but it hasn’t focused on it all that much. The Doctor’s TARDIS was also affected by the shocking reveal due to the strong connection between the Time Lord and the iconic blue box. However, the Timeless Child storyline also explains why the TARDIS looks so recognizable.
The TARDIS has been a huge part of the show’s formula ever since the very first episode of Doctor Who‘s classic era. Although it holds the potential to blend in seamlessly with its surroundings, it’s never seen as anything other than a 1950s police box. Of course, the show had long explained why this was before Chibnall took charge, but the Timeless Child twist quietly adds to this lore. The biggest clue comes when a surprise actor is added to the group of those who have played the Doctor.
The TARDIS May Have Remembered Being A Police Box From Before The First Doctor (& Decided To Stay That Way)
The Doctor’s TARDIS may have looked how it does for much longer than the show has implied
Doctor Who season 12, episode 5, “Fugitive of the Judoon,” introduces Jo Martin’s Fugitive Doctor. Her debut brings with it the Doctor’s TARDIS but with both the ship and its owner predating William Hartnell’s First Doctor – an entire era not remembered by the show’s main character. Somewhat confusingly, the Fugitive Doctor’s TARDIS already looks like a police box. Adhering to the available lore at the time, this shouldn’t have been the case at this point in the Doctor’s timeline, as it’s supposed to have a functioning chameleon circuit. On the other hand, it provides a brilliant alternative theory.
In short, the Fugitive Doctor’s TARDIS looking as it does may not have been a production oversight – but rather an intentional attempt to foreshadow the Doctor’s future.
Although the TARDIS’ memory has also been strongly implied to have been wiped by Division, the time and space machine may recall a fragment of its past from before the memory wipe. If so, it could remember taking the form of a police box before its pilot took the form of Hartnell’s Doctor. If so, the TARDIS could have made a conscious decision to remain that way – although it may not understand why. In short, the Fugitive Doctor’s TARDIS looking as it does may not have been a production oversight – but rather an intentional attempt to foreshadow the Doctor’s future.
The Timeless Child Would Also Explain Why The Doctor Never Fixes His Chameleon Circuit
The Doctor’s subliminal affection for the TARDIS’ appearance may have been a factor
The TARDIS’ chameleon circuit can still be broken even when the pre-Hartnell Doctors are accounted for. Similarly, the Doctor’s explanation for not fixing it because he likes how the blue box looks can also still be true. However, this new theory put in motion by Chibnall’s contributions could add an extra motivation when refusing to repair the circuit in question. In short, the Doctor may also harbor some form of memory of the TARDIS being a police box when they were under Division’s employ. So, the familiar appearance may offer Doctor Who‘s main character a subliminal feeling of familiarity.
