Will series 7 of Doctor Who be a standard “full run” of 14 episodes (13 plus a Christmas special), or a “curtailed” run like Torchwood’s five-episode series 3, or the run of specials between Who’s 4th and 5th series?
The answer seemed to be “full run” from this BBC announcement – though there were grounds for caution in BBC’s addendum that “we do not know yet how many will air in 2012.”
But a subsequent announcement clarifies that “there won’t be a full series of Doctor Who in 2012, but a special run for the anniversary in 2013.”
It’s not clear what precisely this means. Maybe seven episodes in 2012 and another seven in 2013?
Previously, when asked about 50th anniversary plans, Steven Moffat has said “there are thoughts” and “we’ll do something big, or something more.” About the 14-episode commitment, the Grand Moff has said: “I’ve got a plan and I’m NOT TELLING YOU WHAT IT IS.”
So might 2013’s “special run” be a miniseries featuring multiple past Doctors, in the tradition of such episodes as the 10th anniversary special The Three Doctors; the 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors; the, um, 22nd anniversary special The Two Doctors; the unofficial 30th anniversary episode Dimensions In Time; and the, um, um, 44th anniversary episode Time Crash? (Among the living candidates, Christopher Eccleston probably wouldn’t return; Tom Baker might or might not; David Tennant, Peter Davison, and Paul McGann probably would; Sylvester McCoy and Colin Baker almost certainly would.)
Update: Moffat says to ignore “misquotes and misunderstandings,” says he won’t be “bounced into announcing the cool stuff before we’re ready,” and counsels “patience.”
Of course, whatever Moffat says about it means nothing. He’s just trying to keep people interested, keep the swirl going. It’s like Davies poopooing the Daleks and The Master all the time… until it couldn’t be denied they were coming back. Moffat’s just keeping the waters muddy because he knows it’ll keep everyone debating amongst themselves.