10 Longest Pay-Offs In Doctor Who History

9. He Will Knock Four Times

Doctor Who River Song Singing Towers of Darillium
BBC

When The Master appeared in season three, it seemed he was defeated by the end, but we knew he'd be back after the mysterious woman retrieved his ring from the ashes of his pyre. She would, of course, go on to revive the Master for the 2009 special, The End of Time, which aired two-and-a-half years after the Master's last appearance.

During the course of the specials leading up to this story, The Doctor learns of the prophecy that claims He Will Knock Four Times. Fans instantly connected this to The Master. However, when the moment came, it was actually Wilf who knocked four times after being trapped in a glass case that is going to fill with radiation, leaving Ten in a moral predicament. He thought he had cheated death, and was suddenly confronted with the fact that he had to die to save his friend.

This twist of fate had been a long time coming. He met Donna in 2006 and came across Wilf in 2007. He found Donna again and travelled with her again in 2008, then dropped back into Wilf's life in 2009. Fate was pulling him towards this for a very long time. Even more surprising, is it looks like they're being pulled back together now, 14 years later.

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Simon is a writer, cat dad and presenter of a geeky radio show with his husband. He loves Doctor Who (except 10 who can get in the bin…only joking.) He idolises Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Lara Croft and would 100% be a Sith Lord in a galaxy far, far away. He wishes life was like a musical so he’d actually be a good singer.