Doctor Who’s Big Death In “The Well” Takes On A Whole New Meaning The Second Time You Watch It

Warning! This article contains spoilers for Doctor Who season 15, episode 3, “The Well.”

Doctor Who

is one of those shows that is generally benefitted by a rewatch, and “The Well” is an episode that is drastically altered on a second viewing. While Doctor Who has experienced some big changes in the last five years, the show remains an integral connected part of the larger series that stretches all the way back to 1963. And in that time, the Doctor and his companions have gone on plenty of adventures that led them down dark and mysterious paths to unpredictable and dangerous outcomes.

However, with the wealth of backstory, the show has the unique opportunity to revisit stories that took place decades earlier. In “The Well,” Doctor Who takes advantage of this fact, and the series brings back a creature that was first introduced in a 2008 episode titled “Midnight.” But beyond the return of a terrifying monster from the Doctor’s own past, “The Well” episode also introduced a compelling new hero that has a wonderful narrative arc in just this episode.

Shaya’s Final Words In Doctor Who’s “The Well” Totally Change Her Story

Shaya Has A Full Circle Character Arc In Doctor Who After Just One Episode

Early in “The Well,” Shaya, the captain of the expedition to this defunct mining world, is cold, matter-of-fact, and direct in her approach. While other characters discuss their personal feelings and inclinations, Shaya bluntly says that “hope is irrelevant,” employing extreme pragmatism in the face of danger. However, the end of her story is narrated by the character, stating how her life has come full circle from running away from monsters as a girl to now running to protect everyone else.

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Why Ncuti Gatwa’s Doctor Says “Midnight” Was The Most Scared He’s Ever Been

In Doctor Who season 15, Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor claims “Midnight” was the most scared he’s ever been, and there’s a good reason why.

After Shaya decides to take the mysterious entity off Belinda’s back, she makes a dash for the well that extends to the depths of the planet. The episode flashes back to her life as a young woman running from monsters, and draws a comparison between the two. But interestingly, Shaya declares that her ultimate goal was to “bring hope.” Considering her unwillingness to entertain such an idea earlier on, it feels like a major change. However, Shaya appears to have always had hope, and tries to make a real difference as she puts on a brave face.

Shaya’s Secret Belief In Hope Explains Why She Trusts The Doctor

Shaya Had A Challenging Past, And A Perfect Send-Off

The thing is, it was odd for Shaya to put so much faith into the Doctor after so little evidence. Their mission was not one that appeared in need of any audit, and the Doctor appearing mysteriously in the middle of the lineup should raise suspicion. However, Shaya finds him trustworthy, and begins to put her faith in him over some of her own team. For instance, when one of Shaya’s subordinates turns on her, she continues to side with the Doctor.

The Doctor is clearly an inspiring and strong person. Having endured so much loss and suffering, he finds ways to maintain his own hope. And then, in the face of evil, or whatever threats may rear their ugly heads, the Doctor acts fast, with hope, positivity, joy, and confidence. Shaya was likely drawn to these characteristics, and while hope was not initially a priority on her radar, Shaya finds a bright spark of hope that allows her to save the people she is with in Doctor Who’s “The Well.”

Doctor Who

5/10

Release Date

December 25, 2023

Directors

Douglas Camfield, David Maloney, Christopher Barry, Michael E. Briant, Barry Letts, Michael Ferguson, Richard Martin, Peter Moffatt, Pennant Roberts, Lennie Mayne, Chris Clough, Ron Jones, Paddy Russell, Paul Bernard, Michael Hayes, Timothy Combe, Morris Barry, Gerald Blake, Graeme Harper, Waris Hussein, Rodney Bennett, Mervyn Pinfield, Hugh David, John Gorrie

Writers

Russell T. Davies, Dave Gibbons, Kate Herron, Steven Moffat

Franchise(s)

Doctor Who