The tenth doctor mentions the Brigadier

[MrKite1996]

my the best doctor companion rest in peace he was UNIT's finest Brigadier

[FutureMrsMattSmith03]

i feel bad because i havent really seen a Brigadier episode...

what was he like?

[thebaloobearbeat]

@FutureMrsMattSmith03 He was awesome...really down to earth and no nonsense, he often leaned more towards violence than the Doctor's way of doing things, but only to protect the people. But he listened to the Doctor and was just generally a bit of an awesomely human badass who met almost all of the Doctors. And also quietly rather hilarious just in the way that he acted...<3

[browndog388]

@FutureMrsMattSmith03 brilliant, try the DVD day of the daleks

[Ridgwaycer]

...and remain so until his death. 3 years later."

Was Peru put into a time-lock?

[slightlyinsaneFTW]

@Ridgwaycer No, there was an episode of the spin-off show The Sarah Jane Adventures where the Brigadier returns from Peru.

[JamesOhGoodie]

@Ridgwaycer You kidding? It's Doctor Who! I wouldn't put it past them!

[SamaCWNS]

Oh...that makes sense now lol!

[dxweirdo]

its times like this everyone could do with the brigadier....

[IRISHREM1234]

R.I.P

[cvrmaniac]

R.I.P nicholas courtney..... :(

[animelover5076]

brig! :) i like that the doctor mentions him. but i think the phone call with the elventh doctor is the best modern brig moment. made me cry a little inside...

[ecwecwecw1]

I don't know why they didn't have him appear in this episode. It would of been amazing to see him. Now its to late and that is a damn shame.

[glnelson1956]

@ecwecwecw1 Nick Courtney was likely too ill to appear here. Lis Sladen wanted Nick to have a major part in "The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith", but he was too ill to make the SJA appearance.

[ecwecwecw1]

@glnelson1956 Well If that was the case then I totally understand. You can't do more then your physically able to.

[THE4thTARDIS]

one of the best characters of all time

[thedoctorTARDIS]

the brig can never die. he will be forever on a mission for unit to explain his absence.

[jlf2032]

Oh wow. This scene makes so much sense now. I never watched the original dr who, so I didn't know who they were talking about here.

[MovieFreak880]

no sound?!

[xxdrosexx]

The Brigadier was meant to feature in the SJA episode that Tennant was in but Nicholas Courtney was recovering from a stroke :(

[krizzy1997]

BRIGADIER :D i love references to classic!doctor who (:

[slightlyinsaneFTW]

Alistair Lethbridge-Stewart!

[SuperSonicBreadman09]

Thought he said "Brilliant idea" at first, but this makes much more sense

[Mastersrewdriver]

Tennant and Courtney would of worked well together if they had an episode? Maybe him being featured in one of his specials!!!! Rest in Peace Nicholas, we still miss you :')

[Nanaman12345]

Rest In Peace, Nicholas Courtney. You were the best of the best.

[johnhamilton08]

@Nanaman12345 without a doubt one of the best companions ever.

[oliversmillie4]

First the Brig now Sarah Jane. So no more SJA ever. :( unless they ask someone else to take over which i highly doubt. Please BBC bring back some classic characters before its two late.

[frankydman]

Well, if the Brigadier can't return now, maybe they can have Sergeant Benton or Captain Yates return for an episode

[frankydman]

RIP Nicholas Courtney

[Wolfieist]

@Bladerunner93: hey man don't hate

its more Steve Moffat: Can I pull crazy time travel stories and dark crap?

writers:maybe.

Steve Moffat:F you its my universe now and I'm not bring back anything from the old one.

hrrr totally control river song is amazing!!!!!!

/loves that man but come on Steve sometimes.

[johnhamilton08]

@Bladerunner93 I'm sure Davies wanted this line to be about Rose.

[priamyvate]

@Bladerunner93 what the fuck?

[eastwing329]

@Bladerunner93 well that is harsh.

[eastwing329]

@Bladerunner93 plus, he was dead.

[tf2whackyengineer]

It's such a shame Nicholas Courtney was recovering from a stroke when they filmed The Wedding of Sarah Jane Smith. He was supposed to run into the 10th doctor. It would be great to see how the brigadier would have reacted to one of the Doctor's newer faces.

[hufcrquality]

RIP Nicholas Courtney, never forgotten, a doctor who legend.

Sleep Well.

[Kanuskiz]

RIP Nicholas Courtney.

He shall be remembered. I think either futures season of Doctor Who or SJA will

mention Brigadier's passing away.

[TheNokia1974]

RIP in Space my friend

[Dramatrauma]

RIP Nicholas Courtney, we'll leave the Ghostlight on. Shame on ya BBC for not bringing him onto NuWho (SJA not withstanding) in at least a cameo.

[Dramatrauma]

RIP Nicholas Courtney, we'll leave the Ghostlight on. Shame on ya BBC for not bringing him onto NuWho (SJA not withstanding) in at least a cameo.

[jsutton0010]

Timelords cannot change gender. A timelord can only change bodies that match the gender of their first life. Never in Doctor Who has it suggested that change of gender can happen. 

[Dubzoomember]

@jsutton0010

What about in The End of Time, when the Doctor says (just after regeneration), "I'm a girl!".

[jsutton0010]

@Dubzoomember That is not proof Timelords change gender, The Doctor said that only because his hair was a bit long. Plus he was going through the tramatic stress which causes the Doctor to act strange. The Eighth Doctor did mention he can change species at the moment of death and the nineth Doctor did mention about having a new body with no head. But there has been nothing said in the new series or classic series which states a TimeLord can change gender.

[Akirasmoo162]

@Dubzoomember

And in "The Doctors Wife" when he's talking about his Time Lord friend with the snake tattoo, he said he always got that tattoo everytime HE regenerated, even when he was a girl once

[Lurgie1]

There's no such thing as a 'Time Lady'. Next you'll be telling me that because I'm a girl I'm no longer a human but a huwoman! Also I don't think Time Lords can change their genders.

[BowTiesareCool12]

@Lurgie1 well "time lord" are the male population of gallifrey but do you not think that there are also women? technically they can change genders but they never show that happening. so if they aren't going to change genders then the "time ladies" would be the females that have started off that way, and have you not seen Romana????? shes a time lady- she regenerated so she has to be a time lady or a mutant freak

[Lurgie1]

There's no such thing as 'Time Ladies'. Next you'll be telling me that because I'm a girl I'm not a human but a huwoman! And also in response to emROARS comment I don't think that Time Lords can change their genders.

[emROARS]

if people want to know, he can't change genders unless he commits suicide basically forcing himself to regenerate. it's considered one of the worst crimes imaginable on gallifrey.

[TylerCharlesFisher]

Sir Alistair?

So he's been knighted? He certainly deserves it!

[upchuck69]

I hope SM can bring back Lethbridge-Stewart for one or two shows.

[Janiqua]

What the devil's he doing in Peru?

[PaulTheAberration]

@Janiqua That was what I always asked!

[LeonSKennedy828]

He SO should have met The Brigadier.

[TheDruidfreak]

What happened to the Brigadier anyways?

[BowieGlam]

fdsihdsfjhkfdsnjkfdsankjfas

I was so excited when I saw this the first time.

The Brig is my favourite character from any show, movie or book EVER.

I really really hope they bring him back.

he was awesome in the Sarah Jane Adventures.

[ZoahLord]

Half the science concerning Gallifrey and the Time Lords wouldn't work in the real world :D

[ZoahLord]

Yeah, but it's not bullshit. It's almost canon. In the novels, there are machines on Gallifrey called "Looms" that create/re-create bodies for Time Lords (due to a sterility problem they had). They could also be used to resurrect dead Time Lords in emergencies situations or be used as bargaining tools (see "The 5 Doctors" where the Time Lords offer it to the Master if he helps the Doctor).

Funnily enough, the machine that created Jenny could function almost the same way after some tweaks...

[TheTurnipKing]

Nah, it's too limited. Jenny is genetically Gallifreyan, but being from Gallifrey isn't enough to make you a Time-Lord. Note, for example, that she didn't actually regenerate after her resuscitation.

(Residual Time-Lord energies from The Doctor? That would explain why it took so long after her apparent death to revive her, and would suggest that Jenny doesn't have anything like the full complement of Time Lord energies.)

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

There are many theories around that.

1. The Doctor's son will carry on

2. The Time Lords will return and grant the Doctor another cycle of regenerations

3. Somehow the Doctor has found the secret to immortality (like Rassillon) and therefore and regenerate as often as he likes

[destroyer1187]

They said something about the doctor being able to regenerate more (mainly so they could continue the series.)

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

Where did you hear this? I've not heard anything about it. All I've heard are ideas from people on Gallifrey Base, my fab being "The 12 regeneration thing could just be a life expectancy. Maybe they can regenerate more or less?"

I like this theory actually. Wouldn't be overly stretching possible ways of keeping the show going.

[destroyer1187]

I like the idea of the time lords granting him another cycle of regenerations, cept for the fact they're dead :( also remember the doctor has a daughter, who is also a time lady, and can regenerate.

[Toribot]

Except it's explicitly stated in The Deadly Assassin that "After the twelfth regeneration, there is no plan that will postpone death."

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

Untill The Five Doctors. Where it is revealed that Timelords can be offered a whole new cycle of regenerations

[murrangurk]

@Toribot However, the doctor is "no odrinary Time lord..."

[JamieHowitt]

@murrangurk

... but he is. :)

[murrangurk]

@JamieHowitt Ah, but how many Time lords end being president of Gallifrey only to pull a Zaphod Beeblebrox on their own people?

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

And yes, Time Lords can only regenerate 12 times with no distinctions between male and female. When the Doctor becomes Matt Smith this will be his 10th regeneration

[Kaagh178]

Actually, you are wrong there. There is a distinction between male and female Time Lords. Time Lords and Time Ladies. However, on a whole the race is referred to as Time Lords. Those who live in tribes outside the Gallifreyan Citadel are simple savage warriors and do not have the power of Time travel technology, nor possess the knowledge. Therefore, they are simply called Gallifreyans, not Time Lords. A few Gallifreyans used to be Time Lords though but were banished from the Citadel.

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

You are correct there. But by "no distinctions between male and female" I was actually referring to another posters comment about the Time Lords ability to regenerate. Someone said that Time Ladies can only regenerate 6 times. Something I've never heard of.

[Kaagh178]

Oh I see. My mistake, sorry.

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

No worries mate ^^

[amphitritie]

But if Time Lords REALLY try can't they switch gender? So where goes their regeneration energy? Does it just dissipate?

[TheTurnipKing]

Some _might_ have that ability. Romana demonstrated significantly more control over her regenerations than the Doctor has ever shown. Though I don't think even she ever changed gender.

[iwaswithyourmum]

i think they can he said in his 11th regen im a girl

[Annabella56]

That was about his hair length and his small voice not about his gender! He was still male just with longer hair and a small girl like voice!!

[iwaswithyourmum]

i know that he just said im a girl because of his voice and hair he thought he was a girl

[RYCloud92]

But dont forget he sounded shocked when he said it, hinting that if he ever did change gender it wouldnt be out of personal choice and it would also be highly unlikely

[iwaswithyourmum]

i kinda know that

[JamieHowitt]

@iwaswithyourmum

He can't become a girl.

Just the same way as Time Ladies can't become men.

They can change their appearance but not their *gender*. If they could, there would be no point having "Time Lords" and "Time Ladies", would there?

[BlackMonk66]

@JamieHowitt Has the phrase "Time Ladies" ever been used on the show itself? I think Romana was always referred to as a Time Lord. She was called a "time lord" in her farewell and when Donna became the DoctorDonna, she was described as part Time Lord.

[Torchwodguru]

13 times

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

12 times. 13 bodies :)

[SetsunaHeeroShinn]

There seems to be alot of confusion here so let me clear it up. @WarshipAngelus - Doctor Who started in 1963 (not 62) and whereas Nicholas Courtney (who plays the brigadier) does guest satr opposite William Hartnalls doctor he isn't playing The Brigadier.

The Brigadier doesn't actually meet the Doctor until The Web of Fear with Patrick Troughton. In this story he was Col Stewart he became Brigadier in The Invasion, also with Pat's 2nd Doctor.

[WarshipAngelus]

The actor that played the brigadier has been with Doctor Who since the series started back in 1962 he has played other roles on Doctor Who before becoming the role that he is known for which is the Brigadier.. The Brigadier character has so far never meet the nine Doctor nor the Tenth Doctor or even the first Doctor.. But he has meet the Sixth and Eight Doctor in novels, but not in the tv series..

[MarcusSLazarus]

Actually, he met the First Doctor in "The Three Doctors"- although the First only appeared on the TARDIS monitor- and "The Five Doctors"- where the First was played by Richard Hurdnall-; the actor also appeared with the First Doctor in "The Dalek's Master Plan"

[CrimsonMoonShade]

@MarcusSLazarus The Brig would have also at least seen the 1st Doctor (as played by Hurdnall) in "The Five Doctors". I can't remember for certain if they actually spoke to one another, but the Brig definitely punched the Master in the face while the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Doctor(s) were in the same room.

[CheesyAbs6]

@CrimsonMoonShade actually the brigadier has met the 1st (five doctors), 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th & 7th doctors.

only the 6th, 8th, 9th & 10th doctors haven't met him - and the 11th hasn't met him yet if he ever will

[SuperWolsey]

@CheesyAbs6 in print and in audio, the Brig met Docs 6th, 8th, and 10th. In one short story all 12 incarnations were at his funeral. Also sees 1st once more (with Susan)

[slavemale2]

Brigadier Sir Alistair Leithbridge (sp?) Stewart. As played by Nicholas courtney was a staple of Doctor Who during the Jon Pertwee era. And made several appearences alongside other Doctors. To the best of my recollection, of the original 8 Doctors, "the Brig" only missed appearing with Colin Baker & Paul McGann. He's even made a recent appearence in the Sarah Jane Adventures!

[Primsong]

Dear ol' Brig - if he isn't off in Geneva, he's in Peru. What's a Doctor to do? ;-)

[MissHarpoMarx]

Who is the Brigadier?

[mullen1995]

the brigadier was one of the founders of UNIT and commander of its UK operations. From his second incarnation onwards, and notwithstanding some early tension between the two during the start of his third incarnation, the Doctor has long considered the Brigadier one of his most trusted Human allies and closest friends

[DrNaviii]

@mullen1995 an he is fucking awesome 

[KendrixTermina]

@MissHarpoMarx The only person the doctor ever accepted as his *boss* XD ... After some lovely bickering, of course. He worked for unit and was a major recurring character in the classic series, comparable (in terms of importance) to Jack or River.

[jrbrooks19]

they really should bring the brigadier back but wouldn't be same with the mark the original actor who played him did.

[randothepally]

He is in SJA,Enemy Of The Bane.(Same person as the Classic One)

[Finlandcitizen]

Then we should have him in Doctor Who before it`s too late.

And those of you who didn`t catch my drift, you can´t make episode "The 12 doctors" for a good reason now can you?

[elixaristhedragon]

your right thats cause there are only 11

[Finlandcitizen]

With the new one coming next year, that makes it 12. :D

[elixaristhedragon]

no next year makes it 11

[Finlandcitizen]

Wait... Yeah... I really need to make my math better :/.

[rharrington1451]

Just out of interest, does anyone actually realise that Time Lords were only meant to be able to regenerate 10 times, meaning this actor could actually be the last Doctor

[Rohan2300]

I believe it was 11 times, so counting the original body, that'd be a total of 12. though personally, I always felt that Hartnell wasn't in his first incarnation, and that the whole limited regeneration thing was meant to be self-imposed. after all, immortality leads to insanity. that or extreme boredom

[mandosaro]

No, a male time lord can regenerate 12 times, resulting in 13 Doctors. A female can regenerate considerably less times. I'm not sure how many but its around 5 or 6. When David Tennant's Doctor sort of regenerated at the end of series 4, would that count as a regeneration or not? The Doctor healed himself, so he did regenerate but he didn't do it fully as he didn't change his appearence and personality.

[Rohan2300]

I don't remember there being any distinction between male and female timelords, as a matter of fact, I recall a particular timelord who actually changed sex. as I recall, the regeneration limit was actually never stated per-say. but the producers once said something to that effect.

maybe the partial one counted given he used the energy (and transferred the rest to the hand, thus using up the energy provided for his regeneration)from the dialog, it clearly didn't bother him too much.

[MarcusSLazarus]

The way I see it, the Doctor stopping that regeneration changing his appearance means it doesn't count as a true regeneration; if channelling the appearance-changing energy of the regeneration away while retaining enough to heal himself amounts to the same thing as him ACTUALLY regenerating, why bother doing it in the first place?

[CrimsonMoonShade]

@mandosaro How do you figure that a Time Lady can regenerate less? o.O;

[whosammut]

God bless the Brig

[batmanofni]

Well he not stranded in Peru for long because he's in SJA.

[mullen1995]

i know cant wait!!!

[absurdrhino]

@batmanofni Now they're both... dead ;(