Season 2 of Doctor Who: Uncovering the Easter Eggs, Cameos, and References Hidden in Each Episode

Season 2 of Doctor Who: Uncovering the Easter Eggs, Cameos, and References Hidden in Each Episode

Welcome to our exhaustive roundup of Easter eggs and references discovered in the latest episodes of Doctor Who! On this page, we have compiled every notable nod to the show's extensive history, as well as hints about its ongoing story arc.

Doctor Who boasts a remarkable 60-year legacy, and we have carefully documented the tiniest details that allude to the past. Additionally, we will be keeping a close eye on the recurring appearances of Mrs. Flood, who seems to be a significant character this season, given her anticipated role in every episode.

We encourage readers to proceed with caution, as there are major spoilers ahead for episodes 1 through 7!

Episode 7 - Wish World

• The Rani transforms Violet into flowers: Although this is not a direct reference, it follows a similar pattern from "The Mark of the Rani," where the Rani used landmines to transform people into trees.
• Seventh son of a seventh son: The baby stolen by Herr Zufall is revealed to be the seventh son of a seventh son. In folklore, seventh sons are often said to possess special powers, and in Lancashire, they were occasionally named "Doctor." This nod to the very first Doctor Who episode adds a unique touch.
• Space baby Poppy: After a brief glimpse of Poppy in "The Interstellar Song Contest," she returns in "Wish World" as Belinda's daughter, fulfilling the role of the Doctor's companion. The connection between Poppy and the Doctor dates back to the season-opener, "Space Babies."
• Doctor Who and the Deadly Wave: Conrad is seen reading a book styled after the original Bloomsbury editions of the Harry Potter novels. There are seven volumes of them in the scene, just like the Potter books, and they are written by I.M. Foreman - the same name that appeared on the gates of the junkyard where the Doctor and Susan were living in "An Unearthly Child."
• John Smith: The Doctor, having had his memories wiped, assumes the alias John Smith. This name is an alias he first adopted during his exile on Earth in the Third Doctor's era and has sporadically used ever since, most notably in the classic 10th Doctor story "Human Nature"/"The Family of Blood."
• Susan Triad: Fans of the classic series may recognize Susan Twist as she reprises her role as Susan Triad in UNIT HQ, now working as the tea lady.
• "Many a slip twixt cup and lip": The old proverb "Many a slip twixt cup and lip" means that things can still go wrong, even when everything seems to be going well.
• UNified National Insurance Team (UNIT): The organization once dedicated to fighting alien threats has transformed into an insurance firm, making its huge headquarters in London somewhat comical.
• The Seal of Rassilon: The Rani's allegiance to Gallifrey is evident through her use of the famous symbol, which first appeared in "Revenge of the Cybermen" and is associated with the Prydonians - one of the six ruling Chapters of Time Lords. It is now known as the Seal of Rassilon, named after the power-hungry former President Eternal of Gallifrey, who was last seen on screen in "Hell Bent."
• The drones: The Rani's drones are the same ones seen in "The Interstellar Song Contest." This detail may imply that she took some with her when she left the station, but their purpose remains unclear.
• The giggle: The baby emits the same sinister giggle as the gods in the Doctor Who universe.
• The Rani's Sonic: It remains to be seen if the Rani's Sonic device is a screwdriver or not.
• Ruby's past lives: As doubts about the nature of life in this strange version of Earth grow, Ruby experiences flashes of a deleted timeline from "73 Yards."
• Cherry's betrayal: For the second time in a parallel universe, Cherry sells her daughter out, as she did in "73 Yards."
• Susan Foreman: Susan Foreman, the Doctor's granddaughter, was mentioned frequently last season, but her on-screen reintroduction did not occur until "Wish World." There is no new encounter with Susan in this episode, but viewers catch a glimpse of her on John Smith's television, shortly before he receives a message from...
• Rogue: Jonathan Groff's bounty hunter is still trapped in the Hell dimension he was lost in at the end of last year's "Rogue," suggesting that the show has not forgotten about this plotline.
• The constellation of Kasterborous: The Rani name-drops the constellation that Gallifrey inhabits. It was first called this in "The Leisure Hive" and is sometimes referenced by the Doctor to sound grand and important.
• "You woke the Pantheon": The Rani references "Wild Blue Yonder," pointing to a crucial moment when the Doctor inadvertently made magic, superstition, and ritual potent forces in the Doctor Who universe.
• Kate O'Mara: The Doctor recalls the Rani and sees her previous incarnation, as played by Kate O'Mara in the classic series.
• "Long live Omega!": The introduction of Omega into the narrative adds a pivotal figure to the Pantheon of Discord, suggesting larger threats are on the horizon.
• The Doctor's faces: The Doctor regains his memories, which involves a clip showing his various past incarnations.

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• The episode contains numerous references to past Doctor Who games, movies, and interviews.
• The ‘Rani' character, a recurring villain, is linked to the 'Space and Astronomy' category, as she invokes the constellation of Kasterborous.
• The ‘John Smith' alias, used by the Doctor, hails from the 'entertainment' domain, having been first introduced in the classic 3rd Doctor story, "Spearhead from Space".
• The 'education-and-self-development' sector is depicted through Susan Triad's reprise of her role as Susan Twist, a character from the classic series.
• The episode also integrates elements of the 'medical-conditions' category, as Susan Foreman is mentioned and briefly seen on television.
• In the 'general-news' section, there is a reference to the ongoing plot of the bounty hunter, Rogue, left from the previous season's episode, "Rogue."
• The ‘adventure' genre is highlighted in the giggle similar to that of the gods and the mystery behind the Rani's drones.
• The Rani's allegiance to Gallifrey and the Seal of Rassilon tie into the 'science' category of the series.
• Finally, the integration of the proverb "Many a slip twixt cup and lip" and the transformation of UNIT into an insurance firm brings a touch of 'humor' into the episode.

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