News broke today that next week's Doctor Who finale The Name of the Doctor is already available to watch online after it was leaked thanks to a shipping error in US. The episode featured on the Series 7 Part 2 Blu-ray release, was accidentally dispatched early to fans in the US this weekend.
Digital Spy.com reports, "it emerged earlier today (May 12) that fans who had pre-ordered the boxset in the US had received the Blu-ray before the final two episodes of the current series had been transmitted." The internet is full of spoilers and illegal torrents of the finale. Apparently the Doctor Who Wikipedia page was also affected so I would suggest avoiding it for the time being. The reaction online to this news has been huge from fans and the BBC alike. Edward Russell, the BBC Brand Manager for Doctor Who, tweeted about the incident and urged those who had received the episodes to not spoil other fans. He posted:
"Production error in US means DW bluray shipped early. Let's hope no one spoils it for those who want to enjoy it together on Sat. Please RT."
The show's official Twitter account has also posted a message concerning the leak. They too "urged fans to consider the enjoyment of others before posting spoilers". They tweeted:
"Some US DVDs of this series have gone out early. The #DoctorWho team would be hugely grateful if fans helped keep spoilers off the net...Steven Moffat has promised if fans help keep the finale's secrets, we'll release a special video featuring Matt & David right after the ep!"
Executive producer Steven Moffat has teased the final episode, saying that the episode will "change the course of Who forever". It is believed that the episode will lead directly into the 50th anniversary episode, scheduled to air on November 23th. The BBC released a three-minute prequel for The Name of the Doctor following the conclusion of last night's episode Nightmare in Silver. This features the Doctor and Clara admitting how little they actually know of each other. This shocking revelation comes on the heels of rumours that Matt Smith is finishing up with the series soon. Can you wait for next week? Or will you cave and check out the spoilers? Let me know the comments below. The Name of the Doctor airs May 18th at 7pm on BBC One.