10 Even MORE Doctor Who Episodes You Didn't Know Were Connected
6. The Day Of The Doctor & The Witchfinders
In The Witchfinders, the Thirteenth Doctor attempts to take the fam to see the coronation of her ex-wife, Queen Elizabeth I. Unsurprisingly, given the Doctor's history with Elizabeth, the TARDIS gives the coronation a swerve, and instead lands them in Bilehurst Cragg in the early 17th century.
This passing reference to Queen Elizabeth I isn't the only link between The Witchfinders and The Day of the Doctor. The Witchfinders also features King James, who takes a particular shine to Ryan and reveals his complicated family history to him.
James was the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was seen by many as the rightful heir to Elizabeth I's throne. In 1562 – the same year that much of The Day of the Doctor is set – a potential meeting between Mary and Elizabeth to mediate this power struggle was abandoned due to a civil war in France.
From there, the story of Mary and Elizabeth's rivalry becomes long and convoluted and very bloody. But King James neatly sums it up for Ryan, when he explains:
"My father was murdered by my mother, who was then imprisoned and beheaded."
And who ordered that James' mother be beheaded? Elizabeth I, the Queen of England and the Doctor's ex-wife! This is one bit of family drama the Doctor should probably stay out of.