10 Huge Moments In Doctor Who That No One Cared About
4. "I'm Half Human, On My Mother's Side"
Love it or hate it, the 1996 TV Movie did one thing absolutely perfect, the casting of Paul McGann as the Eighth Doctor. But one major aspect of his character has not ever been taken too seriously...
"I'm half human, on my mother's side" is a comment made various times throughout the American-produced special. Now that is pretty huge. Not a lot is ever really discovered about the Doctor's past in the Classic series. The only family member we are introduced to is granddaughter Susan in the first seasons of the show. But otherwise, it is always just assumed the Doctor is one-hundred percent Time Lord.
Of course, once again the Chibnall era has decided to add its own spin on the character's origins, and currently seems a lot more concrete of an explanation than this throw away line, but even before this retconning in 2020, the "half-human" comment is never really taken as gospel. It's a storyline that maybe could have worked properly, but almost feels too cliche. With no follow up to the TV Movie, we'll maybe never truly know the intentions.
Both RTD and Moffat have mentioned before they don't truly believe into it, with another widely believed theory of whom the Doctor's mother is being the nameless woman in the End of Time. This could be a monumental moment for the show, but after the TV Movie is pushed aside, many chalk this up to post-regenerative trauma.
Maybe, lineage should be left alone, keeping the mystery in Doctor Who.