Summary
Doctor Who’slatest reboot has introduced a whole host of new lore to the show in just its premiere season, but Sutekh’s return also creates plot holes for earlier Doctors.Doctor Whohas been on the air for more than 60 years, with the show first appearing in 1963. Since then, the series has introduced a whole host of villains and adventures for the Doctor and his companions to face on their adventures in time and space.
However, this lengthy history can create problems for a show that is nearing its 900th episode, with conflicting stories appearing every now and again. Showrunner Russell T Davies also hasn’t been shy about making somebig changes to the Whoniverse, with some details causing more than just a ripple in the fandom, but also raising serious issues with formerDoctor Whostories. For example, bringing back theclassicDoctor Whovillain Sutekhfrom 1975, has created a major plothole within the newly appointed Pantheon of Discord.
Please Doctor Who, Don’t Give Mrs. Flood The Same Treatment As Ruby Sunday
Doctor Who season 14 dropped the ball when resolving the mystery of Ruby Sunday’s mother, and cannot afford to repeat that error with Mrs. Flood.
Two Pantheon Gods Were Riding In The TARDIS During Doctor Who’s Fifth Doctor Era
Sutekh Wasn’t The Only God Hitching A Ride
The final episode ofDoctor Whoseason 14 revealed that Sutekh, a god-like creature who was first introduced during the Fourth Doctor’s era, had actually been clinging to the TARDIS ever since he was supposedly defeated in “The Pyramids of Mars.” The implication is thatSutekh has been stuck to the TARDIS since that time, accompanying the Doctor on every adventure in time and space, while depositing some of its own essence and power to spread far and wide throughout all reality.
However, this does create a significant implication for the Fifth Doctor, who had another member of the Pantheon on board theTARDIS shortly after Sutekh began clinging to the blue box. The Mara, also known as the god of dreams according to Sutekh, possessed one of the Fifth Doctor’s companions, Tegan. This means thatboth the Mara and Sutekh were traveling togetheron the TARDIS simultaneously.
The Mara’s Presence In The TARDIS Creates A Doctor Who Plot Hole
Changing Doctor Who History
The thing is, this really doesn’t make sense according to what was shown in the rest of Doctor Who season 14. When other members of the Pantheon, the Toymaker, and Maestro felt the presence of Sutekh, they were able to identify them, and were in fear of their master.Sutekh inspires fear and terror in their underlings, so it’s safe to assume that the Mara would feel equally distressed at the presence of Sutekh. Despite this, the Mara acts only according to their own plans with the Doctor while possessing Tegan, potentially directly in conflict with their leaders' master plan.
And, if it was simply because the Mara was unaware Sutekh was there, how were the otherPantheon gods able to sense Sutekhand not them? It’s unclear how or why the Mara traveled in the TARDIS while it was being commandeered by Sutekh, and how they failed to notice their own leader was present, but ultimately, it creates a conflict for the story as a whole. As stated before, with a show likeDoctor Whothat is operating with several decades worth of material, pulling villains from the past or changing the shows' history is bound to create conflicts, and RTD reintroducing Sutekh did exactly that.
Doctor Who
Cast
Doctor Who: Released on June 29, 2025, this series follows the Doctor and their companion as they journey across time and space, encountering a range of extraordinary friends and adversaries, expanding the universe of the long-running British science fiction series.
