Doctor Who Will Finally Deliver Timeless Child Answers, But There's A Catch

Jodie Whittaker Doctor Who BBC America

Doctor Who Season 12 has been a huge season in terms of reveals, and showrunner Chris Chibnall has teased more are on the way in the two-part finale. Part one will feature the return of the iconic Cybermen, and part two will have real answers to the mysterious subject that has been teased since Chibnall took over, "The Timeless Child."

Just days ahead of the first part of the Season 12 finale, Chris Chibnall is being a bit more forthcoming with what to expect in the Doctor Who episodes. In regards to part two, fans can expect to see a lot of the questions they've had answered, though there's a catch in that those answers may only lead to more questions.

We’ve been playing out this mystery for a while now. Obviously the Timeless Child was first mentioned in Jodie’s second episode and then came back in force when the Master returned at the beginning of this season and told her that everything she knows is a lie. ‘The Timeless Children’ — plural! — will pay off a lot of the strands that we’ve set running both last year and this year. I’m going to do classic British understatement here: It’s a relatively seismic episode for the Doctor, and for the show. You will get some answers, but you will also be left with a whole load of new questions in true Doctor Who style.

More questions are true to the spirit of Doctor Who, though it has been a long time since a season has ended with "a whole load" of new questions. Based on what Chris Chibnall has told EW about how this Season 12 finale will play out, this could be one of the big cliffhanger endings reminiscent of the Russell T. Davies era of Doctor Who. Will the truth behind the Timeless Children only be the start of a much bigger story containing The Doctor?

The Doctor Who season finale isn't all about setting up the future episodes, however. As is often the case in the BBC America series, fans can expect thrills, action, and maybe even some real danger for the companions. Whatever is coming must be really big, as Chris Chibnall is confident enough to say the Season 12 ending will leave the fandom feeling a certain way.

It is an emotional and narrative roller coaster — for the characters, for the audience. I think you’re going to need a very strong drink. It’s a 65-minute finale, so on BBC America that will go longer, obviously. It’s big, it’s action-packed, it’s very, very epic and very, very emotional, and there is a blistering performance from Jodie Whittaker in that final episode. People, I think, are going to feel wrung-out and possibly a little bit open-mouthed.

It's bold of Chris Chibnall to presume that fans will have strong emotions before the finale is upon us, though it's hard not to buy into his confidence, given the satisfying twists and turns of Doctor Who Season 12. We’ve seen a new version of The Master, a new female Doctor, and oodles of references to the classic run of the series. It’s been a strong season thus far, and hopefully, it will conclude on an equally high note.

Doctor Who kicks off part 1 of its finale on BBC America, Sunday, February 25 at 8:00 p.m. ET. Continue to stick with CinemaBlend for more on the series, and for the latest news happening in television and movies in 2020 and beyond.

Mick Joest
Content Producer

Mick Joest is a Content Producer for CinemaBlend with his hand in an eclectic mix of television goodness. Star Trek is his main jam, but he also regularly reports on happenings in the world of Star Trek, WWE, Doctor Who, 90 Day Fiancé, Quantum Leap, and Big Brother. He graduated from the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in Journalism and a minor in Radio and Television. He's great at hosting panels and appearing on podcasts if given the chance as well.