Christmas is a merry time of year for many, but Doctor Who fans don't always have the happiest holidays due to the Doctor's unfortunate habit of dying and regenerating around that time of year. While we already know that the Twelfth Doctor will be saying his last farewell in the 2017 Christmas special, it turns out that he may get to reunite with his very first companion before he goes. Clara might be back one more time with Twelve.
The news hit Twitter recently when one insider got the scoop that the BBC booked a location called Eddie's Diner for two days of filming in July. Fans will remember Eddie's Diner as a place visited first by Eleven and his companions, and then (sort of) re-visited when Clara's TARDIS took its shape to meet with Twelve one last time after his mind was wiped of his memories with her. The chameleon circuit on Clara's TARDIS stopped working shortly thereafter, meaning that her TARDIS will be stuck in the form of the diner in the same way that the Doctor's is stuck in the form of a police box.
Although it could not be 100% confirmed that Eddie's Diner will be used by the BBC for Doctor Who, the evidence has mounted up. We already knew that filming for the Doctor Who Christmas special will conclude in July, and the diner has become so iconic to two different versions of the Doctor that it's hard to imagine that the BBC would try to recycle it for another series. My money is on a return -- if only for a cameo -- from Clara before Twelve's time is up.
Of course, a return from Clara does raise a lot of questions. Will the Doctor somehow remember her and go back to say goodbye? Nine, Ten, and Eleven did get a chance to see their original companions one last time before their regeneration, and Clara was Twelve's first companion. A final scene between them would be in keeping with the tradition of the revival series, and it's practically guaranteed to get fans sniffly on both sides of the pond this Christmas.
Alternately, will Clara somehow get wind of the Doctor's upcoming demise and find him to say goodbye? Even if he doesn't remember her, she remembers him, and their time together obviously means a great deal to her. I wouldn't put it past her to drop by in her diner TARDIS to see him one last time before he becomes Thirteen. Then again, maybe they'll just happen to cross paths as part of Twelve's final adventure. Rumor has it that Twelve will team up with One to try and save Gallifrey; could Clara play a part in the Gallifrey mission?
We'll have to wait and see if she makes her her way back. I was an absolute wreck when Nine, Ten, and Eleven all (sort of) saw their original companions one last time before regenerating, so I'm sure I'll have a slightly weepy Christmas if Clara reappears. Stay tuned to CinemaBlend for the latest in Doctor Who news, and don't forget to check our summer TV premiere schedule to discover all your viewing options now and in the coming weeks. Be sure to drop by our rundowns for cable/streaming and broadcast TV renewals and cancellations as well.
