The Zygons: “Peace in Our Time” and What’s Next
Guest contributor Edward S. investigates what happened to the Zygons and their future.
After “The Day of the Doctor” rolled out its credits, you probably sat there scratching your head, after, of course, jumping up and down and Tweeting about the curator or Capaldi’s eyes. What exactly happened after the Zygons forgot who they were? Yes, the Time War plot was tied up nicely, but does that mean that Kate and Osgood now have doubles running around? One of Matt Smith’s lines may have hinted at what really happened… or will happen.
Once Ten and Eleven use their Sonic Screwdrivers to activate the memory-wiping device, the Zygons and humans both forget what race they are. Both Kates immediately shout to cancel the detonation, but in the confusion, many may have missed what Eleven says next.
“Peace in our time” may sound like a reassuring message to indicate that the conflict is over, but it may be a subtle hint toward an even worse event yet to come.
The famous quote spoken by Eleven was formerly said by Benjamin Disraeli, and later in 1938, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain.
“This morning I had another talk with the German Chancellor, Herr Hitler, and here is the paper which bears his name upon it as well as mine… I believe it is peace for our time. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Go home and get a nice quiet sleep,” said Chamberlain in two different speeches.
Many may realize that this peaceful negotiation was formed just a few short years before Europe was thrown into World War II. It is ironic that Chamberlain would reassure his country about their safety after talking with Hitler, only to be stabbed in the back years later in an enormous war with the very person he found peace with.
When Eleven says, “peace in our time,” it could very well simply mean that the Zygon conflict is over and we have nothing else to worry about. However, this does not seem very likely, since we never were given a concrete resolution. The plot was left open and was not visited after that last scene, so it is still possible that we may see the Zygons again very soon. After all, they worked so hard on the costumes – it’d be a shame to let them go to waste!
Moffat could have sneaked in “peace in our time” as a parallel between the Zygon plot and World War II. In both situations, peace is (thought to have been) made. We are left with a safe feeling, knowing that we have no more (unintentional) villains to worry about. However, soon after we get that feeling, it turns out that peace never was actually made and the conflict is much worse than we thought.
What do you think? Is this simply a coincidence or is it a reference, implying that the Zygon plot will be resumed? When do you think this will happen, if at all?
Personally, I believe this was a cleverly-crafted warning that the Zygons are not willing to give up quite yet. I saw “The Day of the Doctor” in a theater on Monday with my dad, and he pointed this out to me this morning. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. Oh, Moffat, how you tease us.
