"A change is going to come..."
Doctor Who: The Time of the Doctor - Movie Quotes
Memorable Quotes
I'm not running. This is a siege. This is a long, slow siege, and I'm not running.
— The Eleventh Doctor
Context:
The Doctor says this to Clara after she returns to Trenzalore and finds him hundreds of years older. He is explaining his new reality as the steadfast protector of the town of Christmas.
Meaning:
This quote signifies a major shift in the Doctor's usual modus operandi. He is known for running from danger or finding a quick, clever solution. Here, he accepts a long, drawn-out fate, emphasizing the gravity of the situation on Trenzalore and his commitment to protecting it.
I will not forget one line of this. Not one day. I swear. I will always remember when The Doctor was me.
— The Eleventh Doctor
Context:
Spoken in the TARDIS just before he regenerates. He sees a vision of Amy Pond, says his goodbyes, and prepares for the violent change into the Twelfth Doctor.
Meaning:
This poignant line is part of the Doctor's final monologue. It's a moment of self-reflection where he acknowledges the unique identity and experiences of his eleventh incarnation. It's both a farewell from the character and a meta-commentary from actor Matt Smith on his time in the role.
Times change, and so must I... We all change, when you think about it. We're all different people all through our lives. And that's okay, that's good. You've got to keep moving, so long as you remember all the people that you used to be.
— The Eleventh Doctor
Context:
This is part of the Doctor's final speech to Clara in the TARDIS before his regeneration begins in earnest.
Meaning:
This is the philosophical core of the Doctor's acceptance of regeneration. He reframes the terrifying process of change as a natural and positive part of life. It’s a message of hope and reassurance to both his companion and the audience, asserting that identity is fluid but memory provides continuity.
Eleven's hour is over now; the clock is striking Twelve's.
— Clara Oswald (reading a Christmas cracker motto)
Context:
Clara reads this from a Christmas cracker during a meal with the aged Doctor in the clock tower on Trenzalore, shortly before the final Dalek attack.
Meaning:
A direct and poetic piece of foreshadowing, this line explicitly signals that the Eleventh Doctor's time is up and the Twelfth Doctor is about to arrive. It reinforces the symbolism of the clock and the theme of time running out.