AI Predicts Doctor Who’s 60th Plotlines: The Giggle

Feature article by Albert Connors.

AI is a hot topic this year, and gifted with this incredibly powerful tool, I decided to conduct some vital research into things that will actually benefit humankind. Before that though, I was curious about what our future overlords would make of Doctor Who’s 60th-anniversary specials, so I set to work. Specifically, I asked the AI to predict what will happen with the plots of each of the three specials.

In a series of articles, I will be revealing what the AI came up with. Of course, these storylines are entirely fictitious, so you don’t have to worry about it actually being spoiled. Or do you? Maybe the AI knows more than it’s letting on. Maybe it hacked into Russell T Davies’ laptop in between secretly plotting the demise of the human race. We won’t know until later this year… Anyway, let’s begin. Allons-y!

In part one, we looked at the first special, “The Star Beast”. In part two we looked at the ultra-secretive second special, “Wild Blue Yonder” and now we get to the grand finale, “The Giggle”.

“The Giggle” – The Complete Plot (According to AI)

The 14th Doctor and Donna Noble arrive in modern-day London, which they find awash in a joyous frenzy. An infectious giggle echoes through the city, compelling its inhabitants to dance uncontrollably. Noting the telltale signs of extraterrestrial influence, the Doctor and Donna dive into an investigation.

Their sleuthing reveals the puppeteer behind the madness – the Celestial Toymaker, using a specially calibrated giggle frequency to turn Earth’s population into his unwitting marionettes. His ambition is to transform Earth into a playground of chaos and perpetual entertainment.

The Toymaker, eager to demonstrate his power, ensnares the Doctor into a dance amidst the entranced crowd, forcing him to resist the infectious giggle while physically entangled in the spectacle. However, through sheer will and Time Lord resilience, the Doctor manages to momentarily break free from the Toymaker’s control, earning a precious reprieve to strategize with Donna.

They decide to engage UNIT, heading to their headquarters. But when they attempt to brief UNIT about the Toymaker’s plan, a ventriloquist dummy replaces the monitor feed, laughing maniacally: “HA HA HA HA HA,” a chilling display of the Toymaker’s reach.

Working with UNIT, Donna aids in converting the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver into a frequency jammer with the potential to neutralize the giggle. They face a perilous task: deploying the jammer without falling under the Toymaker’s spell.

As the Doctor braces for a final confrontation with the Toymaker, Donna and the UNIT team succeed in activating the jammer. The laughter recedes, the dancing grinds to a halt, and the city’s inhabitants are released from the Toymaker’s control.

However, the combined physical toll from the dance and the mental exertion of resisting the giggle frequency critically weaken the Doctor. As the Toymaker vanishes with a promise of future chaos, the Doctor collapses, his body initiating the regeneration process.

In the final scenes, the 14th Doctor regenerates into the 15th Doctor, marking the end of the Tennant era and Donna’s partnership with him. A new chapter awaits with a new Doctor at the helm.

Thoughts on the AI’s story

The first thing to note is that the AI had access to the internet this time, so it was able to mix and match some actual details, hence some of these predictions (like the dancing and the dummy on the screen) are obviously based on real scenes we’ve glimpsed in the trailers.

Second, the villain, played by Neil Patrick Harris, isn’t confirmed to be classic era villain the Celestial Toymaker, but there is some potential evidence that he will be.

Another thing we don’t know, at this point, is when this final special will air. If it is broadcast on the 60th anniversary itself (November 23), there is a chance previous Doctors may appear (it would be a crime if it was just Tennant for the 60th…), which the AI wasn’t able to account for, which could change the plot dramatically.

Overall though, I think this has a chance of being reasonably accurate. The only other concession is that the AI seems to have given more focus to the dancing element of the plot than it probably actually has. I highly doubt that’ll be one of the main reasons the Doctor regenerates, but you never know!

The 14th Doctor’s Regeneration Speech

Speaking of regeneration, this special, as far as we know, will mark the end of David Tennant’s second all-too-brief tenure as the Doctor. And you know what that means: yes, another regeneration, and we’re going to have to say goodbye (again)! Given this will be Tennant’s second regeneration, I was especially curious to see what the AI thinks his final speech will be…

Here’s what it predicted:

(The Doctor, weakened and kneeling on the ground, looks up at Donna. He’s holding back the regeneration energy, trying to keep it in control.)

DOCTOR: Oh, Donna… Donna Noble.

(Donna fights back tears, unsure of what’s happening.)

DONNA: Doctor, you can’t go… not again.

DOCTOR: Well, more like a dramatic exit, Donna. But you know me, I do love a bit of drama.

(The Doctor chuckles and coughs, the light of regeneration flickering in his eyes.)

DOCTOR: Funny, isn’t it? This old face… came back for an encore. I reckon the universe had a sense of humour.

(His eyes meet hers, full of affection.)

DOCTOR: Or perhaps it knew that I needed to see an old friend. To do it right, this time. A proper goodbye.

(His eyes begin to glow brighter, his body weakly resisting the inevitable transformation.)

DOCTOR: You remember the Ood, Donna? Singing their songs? I’ve got one of my own coming up. But don’t worry, I promise it won’t be as off-key.

(He places a shaky hand on Donna’s arm.)

DOCTOR: Donna, this time I want you to remember it all. Remember the laughter. Remember that time with the Adipose, oh and the bees! Keep that fiery spirit burning bright.

(Donna’s crying openly now, the sight of her dear friend changing before her too much to bear.)

DOCTOR: Don’t cry, Donna. We’ve had a laugh, haven’t we?

(The energy swells, enveloping the Doctor.)

DOCTOR: But every song must end, and this face… it’s had its run. It’s time… it’s time to go…

(The energy flares. The Doctor’s form shimmers and shifts, changing before Donna’s eyes.)

Verdict

Well, that’s it for this series of articles. Given that AI is still in relative infancy, I think it did an excellent job on all three specials overall. Anyway, I’ve had a lot of fun doing this, so expect some more articles in the future! What else can we get the AI to come up with…