#SavetheDay, the global re-watch of The Day of the Doctor, has been and gone. The event saw thousands of Doctor Who fans worldwide turn on the story at exactly 7pm GMT and then tweet along their thoughts. Organized by Doctor Who Magazine’s Emily Cook, it was designed to be a way for fans to get together in a fun and positive spirit in a season when conventions have all been cancelled and people are staying in and keeping safe. So for 75 minutes we were all able to put our fears and worries aside and smile and what readers of DWM voted the greatest Doctor Who story of all time.
One of the brilliant things about the virtual get-together was the enthusiastic participation of writer Steven Moffat, Ingrid Oliver (Osgood) and Dan Starkey (Strax). While Oliver hosted a live video chat, Steven Moffat scripted a brand new introductory scene for Day of the Doctor. Performed by Starkey, it perfectly captures Moffat’s sharp sense of humour and love of the sometimes absurd contradictions in a show as long running as Doctor Who…
Yes! Here it is, courtesy of @StevenWMoffat and with the help of @McIntoshNeve, my esteemed colleague Strax entreats you to #SaveTheDay and join us in our viewing of The Day of The Doctor. Today at 7pm GMT, 3pm EST and all around the world! #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/ljqFWM6QRE
β Dan Starkey (@StanDarkley) March 21, 2020
Moffat also rejoined Twitter on a strictly temporary basis for the event, and we’ve included some of his best tweets as we go along. But he kicked off by revealing the original opening prologue. A speech by the Doctor it was cut because it rather gave the ending away…
Long ago, on the lost world of Gallifrey, the planet of the Time Lords, there was a legend much loved by the children. It told of a great hero who who would return on their darkest day to save them all. But first he would have to save himself.
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
He also noted how he deftly dealt with the crowds of onlooking fans he knew would gather as soon as filming started in London city centre. He wrote them in to the script…
I wrote in the people behind the crash barriers cos I figured they'd be there. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
Fans also relieved the excitement of finally seeing the Time War on screen.
This opening battle scene is SO impressive. One of the best bits in all of #DoctorWho. When that Dalek mutant comes flying out of the screen! Amazing stuff. #SaveTheDay
— Paul Lang (@rudemrlang) March 21, 2020
While Steven Moffat praised John Hurt…
How good is John Hurt. Owning that part in one go. And such a lovely man. Pleasantly grumpy about everything. We had a cast dinner – he was grumpy about how GOOD the wine was. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
…and expressed amazement at how David Tennant still talks to him, despite his tendency to mock all his leading men in his scripts
Dick Van Dyke. And David still speaks to me! #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
Hi Peter! Hi Sylvester! Hi Colin! Glad you made it into the episode.
Now remember: All of the 80's Doctors are under those canvasses in this scene.
See? Classic Who does count. ;P #SaveTheDay
— Ian McCann (@theReelMcCann) March 21, 2020
Max Curtis touches on the reason for fans getting altogether.
The worst part about self-isolating is you're stuck with yourself #SaveTheDay pic.twitter.com/S05xzbpWIq
— Max Curtis (@MaxCCurtis) March 21, 2020
Steven Moffat, meanwhile, pointed out some plot oddities…
Closer inspection of this plot will reveal this fact: it's Elizabeth who defeats the Zygons. She uncovers their plan, traps the Zygons, and despatches the Doctor to sort them out in the future. Yah for Liz 1. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
Blogtor Who’s own Bedwyr Gullidge remembered his own experience of having to re-assemble the Black Archive’s board of companions for the Doctor Who Experience.
Those bloody boards. Here is a true story. When delivered to the Doctor Who Experience the pictures had all been removed from the boards. So, using stills from the episode myself and others had to try and work out what picture went where. #DoctorWho #SaveTheDay pic.twitter.com/8VYfVlS12F
— Bedwyr Gullidge (@BedwyrG) March 21, 2020
So say we all, Lori
Matt Smith & David Tennant I love you. #SaveTheDay #DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/nXbsgFesaT
— lori β¨ (@lor_meganxo) March 21, 2020
Steven Moffat gave full credit for one of the story’s key moments to his predecessor Terrence Dicks.
Never cruel or cowardy. The words of the late great Terrance Dicks. The key to being the Doctor – even for the Doctor. Terrance taught him how to be the man he needed to be. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
Carol was just one of the many fans for whom #savetheday was exactly what they needed right now.
I had so much fun!! After 10 days of quarantine, I can't even believe I'm having so much fun!! #SaveTheDay #DoctorWho
— xCarol @π‘ (ACNH πβ¨) (@xcarolinas) March 21, 2020
Writing the scenes where the all thirteen Doctors assemble to save Gallifrey was almost as exciting…
I had to type these scenes standing up. TOO EXCITING. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
… as watching them!
βOh hundreds and hundreds! But donβt worry! Iβve been doing this all my lives!β
ALL THIRTEEN!!! πππ
THE CHILLS. GUYS. THE CHILLS!! #SaveTheDay pic.twitter.com/HhwBUguvdR
— Pheebs α’ (@pheebs_18) March 21, 2020
"No, sir. All thirteen!"
Twelve has been and gone in Doctor Who, and yet seeing a glimpse of his eyes STILL gets a thrill out of me π#DoctorWho #SaveTheDay pic.twitter.com/T6s6fLOluy
— Bad Wolf Archives (@BadWolfArchives) March 21, 2020
By his final scenes John Hurt was already such a part of the family he was making his own Who jokes.
The joke about which "Tardis is mine?" was John Hurt's. He went native fast. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
“You know, I really think you might”
This is where the episode broke me.
Broke me like no other Doctor Who episode ever has.
I was 12 again.
Now that's real time travel.
Thank you, @StevenWMoffat.#SaveTheDay#DoctorWho pic.twitter.com/U64jeyLrPG— Dan Slott (@DanSlott) March 21, 2020
To finish, Steven Moffat affirmed just how much he loves this silly little show. But also appealed to people to stay safe and to help each other in the current crisis.
Miss that show. Miss the madness and the speed and the vitality of it. And I miss you lot. Stay well. Stay home. If you've indulged in panic buying take it all to the door of the nearest NHS worker. Save the world. #SaveTheDay
— Steven Moffat (@StevenWMoffat) March 21, 2020
With Moffat declaring his Twitter presence only temporary, people rushed to thank him before he popped off again.
Before he signs off Twitter again for good, can we all take this moment to thank @StevenWMoffat for not just The Day of the Doctor but everything he did for #DoctorWho? #SaveTheDay pic.twitter.com/Z0aELTlmuA
β Morgan Jeffery (@morganjeffery) March 21, 2020
But if your worried about his insights disappearing in a puff of smoke, never fear. Lauren has your back.
Iβve just panic screen shotted all of Moffats tweets before he deletes them all #SaveTheDay
— lauren π¦π« (@robxkristen) March 21, 2020
The whole event went down incredibly well, setting Doctor Who as #1 trending in the UK and #3 in the world.
TRENDING IN THE UK RIGHT NOW:#SaveTheDay
John Hurt
War Doctor
Zygon
Billie Piper
The Moment
Murray Gold
Osgood
Strax
Bad Wolf
Time War
TennantSafe to say we’ve won Twitter this evening! π#DoctorWho
β Emily Cook (@Emily_Rosina) March 21, 2020
In fact, so well received was it, that Emily immediately began plotting the sequel. #TripofaLifetime anyone?
Seeing as some of us are going to be isolated at home for the foreseeable, fancy watching some more Doctor Who together?!
I propose a communal rewatch of:
β¨Rose on 26 March (on its 15th anniversary)
β¨The Eleventh Hour on 3 April (on its 10th anniversary)Anyone up for that? pic.twitter.com/9Mlxk8Enk3
β Emily Cook (@Emily_Rosina) March 21, 2020
