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The triumphant return of Doctor Who in the first of its three 60th-anniversary specials was a nostalgic rollercoaster for long-time fans, neatly tying up loose ends that had been dangling for 15 years. David Tennant reprised his role as the Fourteenth Doctor, and the looming threat surrounding Donna Noble’s fate was finally resolved. “The Star Beast” may have largely concluded its narrative, but being Doctor Who, it couldn’t resist ending on a tantalizing cliffhanger, setting the stage for the upcoming special 2. However, amidst the episode’s resolution was a cryptic line hinting at a new story arc for the series, one that might unravel over an extended period.
The Meep, a character both evil and oddly adorable (with a preferred pronoun being ‘The Meep’), before being apprehended by the Wrarth Warriors and departing Earth, ominously forewarned the Time Lord: “Oh, I will escape, and have my revenge. So you beware Doctor, cause there’s one more thing. A creature with two hearts is such a rare thing, just wait till I tell the boss.”
Who is The Meep’s Boss in ‘Doctor Who?’
This reference to “The Boss” hints at the arrival of a new formidable antagonist who could orchestrate forthcoming alien threats. But who exactly could this enigmatic figure be? Let’s explore three potential contenders:
The Toymaker: Speculation immediately arose suggesting the quick resolution of this mystery, given that Neil Patrick Harris is set to appear as The Toymaker in the third anniversary special, “The Giggle.” However, intriguing comments made by David Tennant in a video commentary for “The Star Beast” hint otherwise. He admitted that the identity of The Meep’s boss remains elusive, indicating that this revelation might unfold beyond the anniversary specials, possibly as the central antagonist for Season 14 featuring Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor, airing in spring 2024.
The Rani: When pondering on a hidden antagonist within Doctor Who lore, thoughts naturally turn to the Master, the Doctor’s arch-enemy. However, the Meep’s reference to “a creature of two hearts” being rare might imply a connection between the Doctor, the Meep, and The Boss—suggesting a shared attribute of being Time Lords or species with a binary vascular system. While the Master has been a significant presence in previous Doctor eras, the return of The Rani, a female Time Lord villain last seen in 1987, could add a refreshing twist to the narrative. Russell T. Davies had previously hinted at her return, and with his return as showrunner, this revival might be on the cards.
BOSS: Sometimes, the answer lies in plain sight. The identity of The Boss might not be as cryptic as speculated. What if The Boss turns out to be BOSS itself? BOSS, short for Biomorphic Organizational Systems Supervisor, was an AI antagonist from the 1974 story “The Green Death.” Responsible for environmental havoc due to its belief that the company’s prosperity translated to the world’s welfare, BOSS remains a classic ’70s Who villain. Considering the present-day significance of environmentalism and AI ethics, Davies might choose to reintroduce BOSS in Season 14 to explore these themes in a contemporary context.
Ultimately, while these are compelling speculations, Doctor Who always keeps fans guessing. It might just surprise us with an unexpected twist, possibly even reintroducing quirky characters like the Kandy Man into the mix. The mystery surrounding “The Boss” remains, leaving fans eagerly anticipating the unfolding of this intriguing narrative arc.