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Did You Catch This Hidden William Hartnell Reference in Doctor Who’s Latest Episode?

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Caution: Contains spoilers for the seventh episode of Doctor Who Season 15 titled “Wish World.” This latest installment demonstrates how Russell T. Davies continues to delve into the extensive history of Doctor Who, although some references may be more discreet than others. The return of the Rani, a character from the classic era of Doctor Who, has generated much attention. Given Sutekh’s resurgence at the end of Season 14, I assumed Davies would avoid bringing back old villains, but it appears he is far from finished exploring Doctor Who’s ancient lore.

If mentioning Omega wasn’t a nod to classic Doctor Who already, Davies has also subtly acknowledged the show’s early episodes in a different way. It’s not just about Carole Ann Ford reprising her role as Susan. The First Doctor isn’t present in “Wish World,” but Davies still manages to give a subtle wink to William Hartnell, who was the original lead of the show. It’s a fleeting moment that might be easy to miss, but it’s delightful for fans of Hartnell and those who have delved into Doctor Who’s early history.

Doctor Who Season 15’s “I.M. Foreman” Easter Egg Explained

I.M. Foreman owned the scrapyard that Susan and her grandfather once lived in

In the series “Wish World,” Conrad Clark, previously played by Jonah Hauer-King in “Lucky Day,” reappears for the first time. The Rani has placed him in a significant role within Earth’s revamped leadership structure. His main task is to channel the powers of the infant deity of Wishes onto the planet’s inhabitants, thereby projecting an idealized version of reality across the globe. This manipulation is achieved by reading a succession of “Doctor Who” novels, with the storyline in “Wish World” following the fictitious account titled “Doctor Who and the Deadly Wish.” Notably, this book is attributed to “I.M. Foreman.

The moniker I.M. Foreman isn’t merely a casual choice; it’s derived from the London scrapyard on Totter’s Lane, the very spot where the First Doctor and Susan arrived on Earth. They concealed their time-space vessel, the TARDIS, there, allowing Susan to immerse herself in an ordinary life after the Doctor had clandestinely absconded with his time machine from Gallifrey. Interestingly enough, this Totter’s Lane scrapyard was brought up in season 14, episode 2 of Doctor Who, titled “The Devil’s Chord,” when the Fifteenth Doctor (Ncuti Gatwa) and Ruby Sunday (Millie Gibson) also materialized in 1963, on a different side of London.

The title “Wish World” doesn’t disclose the origin of I.M. Foreman’s name on its cover for “Doctor Who and the Deadly Wish.” It seems doubtful that Conrad has extensive knowledge about the Doctor’s past incarnations, or even his current one. Instead, it’s speculated that I.M. Foreman is the author of the book due to the recent trend in “Doctor Who” of blurring the line between fiction and reality, or breaking the fourth wall. However, “The Reality War” might offer a clearer explanation.

Doctor Who’s “Deadly Wish” Book Rips Off Another Franchise

The novel’s artwork looks incredibly familiar

The title ‘Deadly Wish’ isn’t merely connected to the Hartnell era of Doctor Who; it also pays tribute to another renowned British saga – Harry Potter. The book’s design and title format echo elements from J.K. Rowling’s captivating series of magical tales. Since Doctor Who has been delving more into fantasy than science fiction lately, it seems quite appropriate that a nod is given to Harry Potter.

As a movie critic, I found an intriguing parallel between the pseudonym I.M. Foreman, reminiscent of J.K. Rowling’s pen name change for her writing career, and the distinctly different narrative of “Deadly Wish.” While it may not mirror the enchanting tales of Harry Potter, the idea of engrossing audiences worldwide in the unraveling of “The Deadly Wish” mirrors the fervor with which the Harry Potter franchise was devoured during its release and continues to be today. This connection, drawn from Doctor Who, adds an enjoyable layer of depth to the work.

Doctor Who Season 15’s Release Schedule On Disney+
Episode Title Release Date (2025)
1 “The Robot Revolution” April 12
2 “Lux” April 19
3 “The Well” April 26
4 “Lucky Day” May 3
5 “The Story and the Engine” May 10
6 “The Interstellar Song Contest” May 17
7 “Wish World” May 24
8 “The Reality War” May 31

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2025-05-29 19:00

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