Doctor Who: Time Crash

Separated from his companion Martha Jones, the Doctor finds his TARDIS collide with another ship, and suddenly he is facing a familiar face from the past. The collision thrusts two incarnations of the same traveler into a cramped console room and a dizzying dash through time and space. The exchange is witty and brisk as the Ten and Five respectively compare their methods, gadgets, and quirks while trying to keep the situation from spiraling out of control. With the ship rattling between eras, the Doctors debate duty, risk, and the burden of responsibility, all while preserving the sense that time itself is a flexible playing field. The result is a short, affectionate celebration of Doctor Who's long lineage.

Time Crash premiered in 2007 as a BBC Children in Need charity special. Directed by Graeme Harper and written by Steven Moffat, the short crossover brings the Tenth Doctor into contact with the Fifth Doctor, drawing on the wider Doctor Who universe and its legacy. It uses period set pieces and brisk banter to fuse two distinct voices into a playful, affectionate celebration.

Fans still celebrate Time Crash as a bright bridge between eras. The moment when the Ten meets the Five, aided by a wink to the classic series, feels earned and affectionate. Clips and discussions endure online, serving as a touchstone for how the show honors its past while embracing change and inviting new viewers to explore the mythic backstory.

Reception was warm among fans and critics who praised its brisk pacing, humor, and respectful cross era interaction. The piece highlights themes of identity and regeneration as the Doctor grapples with the pull between history and present duty, and the value of teamwork across time and space.

Awards: There are no major nominations or wins recorded for Time Crash. The short is nonetheless celebrated by fans and cited as a highlight of the modern Doctor Who era for its clever conceit and affection for the show's history.