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by Anonymous on May 30th, 2004

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Why is the series called Doctor Who if that's not his name?

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  • by Anonymous on May 30th, 2004

    Anonymous

    In "An Unearthly Child", the very first Doctor Who episode, aired on November 23, 1963. William Hartnell, the show's main character, was introduced simply as "The Doctor", a cranky old man with a time machine shaped like a British Police Box. Because his character was shrouded in mystery, the title Doctor Who merely referred to the fact that we were never to know exactly who this man is.

    At various times in the show, different names were referred to:

    "The Doctor" - the name he introduces himself as in every single story, and the (proper) name many people call him by.

    "Doctor Foreman" - Ian Chesterton and Barbara Wright refer to him as this initially when they are investigating their unusual student Susan Foreman, the Doctor's granddaughter.

    "Doctor Who" - WOTAN in "The War Machines" referred to the Doctor by this name; it was acknowledged as an error by the writing staff.

    "Dr. John Smith" - alias used while working for U.N.I.T. during his exile on Earth.

    "Theta Sigma" - Used twice, in "The Armageddon Factor" and "The Happiness Patrol"; apparently, a Time Lord nickname given to the Dr. during his time at the Academy on Gallifrey.

    "Merlin" - It's revealed in "Battlefield" that, in a future (?) incarnation, the Doctor will become Merlin, adviser to King Arthur. The time reference is uncertain since it involves parallel universes.

    There are also various word plays on his name "Sir the Doctor is here to see you" "Doctor? Doctor Who?” .... and so forth. Apart from what he was called, the series did present us, over the past 30-some years, with much more information.

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