Who's afraid of the...
Okay.We know there are at least three mentions of "the Big Bad Wolf":
a) The Moxx of Balhoon's comments in "The End Of the World".
b) Gwyneth seeing something dark in Rose's mind in "The Unquiet Dead"
c) The pics of the TARDIS sprayed with graffiti in "Aliens of London".
So the question is, who is the wolf?
Is it the victor of the time war who destroyed the Time Lords?
Is that the same entity the Doctor may be running / hiding from - after all the rhyme does go "WHO'S afraid of the ...."?
Is it the Master? The someone the Doctor thought was long dead?
Is is the Daleks?
Or is it just a huge wind-up by RTD to get us all talking?
The Bad Wolf could be the Doctor himself. Something he did during the war lead to the destruction of Gallifrey, and forced his last regeneration.
Posted by: Kevin | Apr 11, 2005 at 12:51
It's Rose. She calls herself "wild" in TUD and I think she'll end up turning against the Doctor at some point in the near future.
Or is it the Doctor, who's TARDIS huffed and puffed and blew up the Time Lords? That would make Rose little red riding hoodie.
I don't think it's the Master. Too easy...
Posted by: Neil | Apr 11, 2005 at 14:33
Yeah, I figured that Rose came into it somewhere. The maid also mentioned (unless I imagined this!) the 'darkness' in Rose's life and 'all the things' she had seen. Well she hasn't seen that much, so does she have a history that she/we aren't aware of? Or is it just that one trip to the future is a lot if you're a Victorian undertaker's assistant? Am I reading too much into this?
Until now, I'd figured that the Doctor was the wolf (a sheep in wolf's clothing?) and that he'd committed some terrible, desperate act which had ended the war and a whole lot besides...
Posted by: Phil | Apr 11, 2005 at 14:46
Just a quick thought from the last comment. Couldn't Gwyneth have been seeing Rose's future as well as her past? To paraphrase the doctor, time doesn't go in straight lines.
Posted by: Stewart | Apr 11, 2005 at 15:02
Could the "darkness" in Rose's life be something that went on with her late father?
Posted by: Kevin Jordan | Apr 11, 2005 at 15:08
When Gwyneth mentions the "... big, bad wolf.." to Rose, I thought that there was some hint of understanding from Rose, rather than puzzlement that would have been present if she'd had no idea what Gwyneth was talking about. I think it's part of Rose's past.
The fact that the Moxx knew about this "...bad wolf scenario... " 5 billion years later, suggests that it's something that transcends time, and therefore linked to the Time War itself.
I also don't think the term itself would be a random one, so suggests some kind of kind of disguise, or someone not being who they appear to be.
Whatever the answer, I can't wait for the mystery to unfold.
Posted by: Kev | Apr 11, 2005 at 15:17
Some interesting comments on OG pointed out the intriguing point that the Doctor was probably witness to most of that conversation (because he reminds Gwyneth of a part that was said before the Wolf bit later in the story).
Also, someone thought they heard one of the alien voices whisper it in one of the scenes where the aliens were whirling over the actors' heads, too. Four references, so far?
Posted by: Drew Castalia | Apr 12, 2005 at 01:09
I am loving this "Bad Wolf" story arc very much. It provides a sense of mystery surrounding the Doctor without alienating casual viewers.
I have to say that I use to love the story arcs that were set up in "Buffy" and in particular "Babylon 5"...clever stuff...but let's not overdo it or over use it.
Posted by: Wayne Barry | Apr 12, 2005 at 11:12
How have you managed to watch Aliens of London? It's not being broadcast (at least in the UK) until this coming Saturday (16th April).
Posted by: Ketsuban | Apr 12, 2005 at 14:04
The "Bad Wolf" TARDIS graffiti has turned up in on-set photos, the "Next week on DW" episode trail, and I even think there was some footage of the kid daubing it onto the TARDIS in one of the Confidential shows. I guess the fans take notice when their beloved box gets defaced (or redesigned!). The important question is, does the paint fall off like the snow, or have to be cleaned off. :)
Posted by: Ian Davenport | Apr 12, 2005 at 14:19
there is a mention in dr. who confidential of rose having a dark secret... hmm.
Posted by: gschoppe | May 03, 2005 at 08:48
I think the Doctors body has been taken over by the Master. He tried to do that in the one off a few years back.
Seems simple but it also seems obvious to me when all the clues are added up.
Posted by: vic | May 03, 2005 at 11:34
Has anyone got any thoughts on the following number sequence that has been popping up on the show:
23, 6, 801
You only have to look at the photos in the "WHOSpy" section of the "Doctor Who" website. It's been used on a bus stop sign, the psalms in a church, street bunker for the Downing Street set, room 801 crops up, a heading in a diary. This could be a red herring of course. But interesting all the same...
Posted by: Wayne Barry | May 03, 2005 at 12:57
Of course, Season 23, Doctor 6 ... the "Bad Wolf" must be "The Valeyard". As for 801...According to some theologians it represents the Greek Alphabet - 1 being "Alpha" and 800 being "Omega", which would suggest that it is the "beginning and the end". So it begins with the 6th Doctor in Season 23 and ends with the 9th.
That has to be the worst case of fanwankery ever...I shall retire now to my little dark room and will not surface to well after this season has ended...the shame, the shame...LOL
Posted by: Wayne Barry | May 05, 2005 at 09:31
This sounds too easy but think about it...Moxx said "Bad Wolf Situation" and Cassandra betrayed everyone onboard the ship. This could be like "what the Dickens" using an example of past times to suggest what's happening. So maybe the Doctor; or indeed Rose, betrays something which has a huge affect on the Universe.
Posted by: Liam Rowbotham | May 08, 2005 at 12:48