What is Regeneration? Regeneration. God, we all LOVE a regeneration- the drama and sadness of a hero's death. "Oh, when is it going to happen? Is it now? I can't look!!!" Then there's the excitement of embracing a new Doctor. A new actor to take on the role, imbuing the character with his own nuances and ideas whilst attempting to create some sense of character continuity. Not a mean feat. And will it work? Is he right? Will he be a Tom Baker success or a Colin Baker divisive choice. It began as a necessity, the first Doctor William Hartnell left due to ill health and writers further demonstrated their creative ingenuity by creating a 'rebirth' concept, a now much loved element of the Doctor Who mythos, fully making use of The Doctor's alien nature. Patrick Troughton had the unenviable task of assuming the role, successfully continuing the grumpy old man demeanour with his own 'cosmic hobo' interpretation (as suggested by series creator Sydney Newman). The initial idea was not fully fleshed however, as with a lot of Who-lore the Gallifreyan method for longer life as been fluid and developing, changing of the guard in terms of writers has given us some greater detail, i.e. 13 regenerations... But what IS regeneration? We all know that it's commonly accepted a Timelord is entitled to 13 regenerations. That's fine. Hey, in Doctor Who it's quite nice to have a rule. In a world of various writers and a continuously developing canon, situations such as: "Oh no there can't be two of you in the same space at the same time". "Oh we can't go back to that particular place/ time because of timey wimey conveniences" etc, are commonplace. A limit of 13 regenerations makes the Time Lords feel real. It's a bit like at school. Children think it would be great to have no rules and do as they please but we know the truth, they crave rules and structure and enjoy the chaos as a break only. I'm a teacher, sorry, but the point remains- sci-fi needs at least SOME rules, even if writers think they don't so they can write what they please. BUT WHAT IS REGENERATION?! This is my question. I am afraid I don't know the answer. Truth is, there isn't an answer. Don't be mad at me! I just think we need one. We are also near to getting one. Here are my two main theories on what regeneration is, which for me, is the big question that needs an answer- not 'Doctor Who?' And Moffat or his replacement will need to consider this come the end of Capaldi's run. Are regenerations a natural or created phenomenon? If regenerations are natural then it's part of a Timelord's genes, like how we know humans get two sets of teeth (milk and adult) or certain lizards can regrow their tails. It means that it's a function of the body and self controlled. Take The Master's death at the end of Series 3. He resisted his regeneration, a bit like how we may pick at a scab to stop it healing or stop ourselves from sneezing. This would make sense as if it was a scientific creation of the people of Gallifrey then surely this would have ceased with the destruction of the planet. Yet still, they could be artificial. There are two good examples to suggest this is so. Firstly, the Second Doctor's forced regeneration. When the Timelords saw fit to change Troughton's appearance it seems as if they used technology to change him. Of course, it could be said they used some form of weapon to 'kill him' and instigate a regeneration. Secondly, The Valeyard. When the sixth doctor is on trial it is revealed that The Valeyard is intending to 'take' the future regenerations of The Doctor to lengthen his own existence. This could only be possible if regenerations were 'allocated' by the Timelords. So you see, if it's a bodily function then how can The Doctor defy his physiology to have further lives?! And if it's a scientific creation how has it continued beyond the destruction of the Timelords?! If it's created though, our hero could create the technology to maintain his further regenerations. If it is natural then the answer would require magic or experimentation. Imagine, a whole concept series, such as 'The Trial of a Timelord', where The Doctor is searching for the answer to avoid his death. Each episode is a failed avenue or leads to a new possible answer. Seeing The Doctor's desperation to save himself for once and having to face his own mortality in a more real sense than ever before. That sounds like a writer's/ actor's dream. That excites me. Maybe I should write it myself?! But still, New Who raises further issues. At the end of series 4 the 10th doctor regenerated but used his hand as a store for the excess regeneration energy, once his body was healed. Now we are under the impression that John Hurt is playing a missing Doctor, 'Doc 8.5' if you will. If he is placed after McGann (8) and Ecclestone (9) then Tennant was actually 11 and Smith 12 leaving Capaldi... as number 13. 'The problem of the '13th Regeneration', as I suggest it shall now always be referred to, will be a fantastic and exciting writing and mythology altering challenge. The direction taken by Moffat, if it is still his job, will become a major adjustment to the character of The Doctor and the show's future...