The Time Lord Victorious – A Model and Warning of Isolation

As I roll past day forty in quarantine, I’ve found myself thinking a lot about the Doctor Who specials that marked the end of David Tennant’s run as the Doctor.  Not so much the finale two-parter which contained his showdown with the Master, but rather “The Next Doctor” (Dec 2008), “Planet of the Dead” (April 2009), and “The Waters of Mars” (Nov 2009).  The reason these specials have been on my mind is they explore the Doctor travelling alone, roaming the whole of time and space without any companion(s) by his side.  The pain of loneliness and isolation are universal – something we all experience, in various degrees and at various times in our lives.  In fact, I’d wager this constant struggle with loneliness is part of what makes the Doctor such an appealing character.  We all can relate.  While always relevant, this seems particularly poignant now.