Doctor Who: Will Rogue Reappear Next Season?

Doctor Who: Will Rogue Reappear Next Season?

Highlights

  • Rogue wasn’t in Series 14 for long, but he left a big impression on the Doctor and fans.
  • Actor Jonathan Groff has left the door open for the bounty hunter’s return, although it will likely take a lot of effort and luck for the Doctor to find him.
  • Rogue’s fate and whether he will return in the next season is just one question fans have after the series finale, ‘Empire of Death.’

As a longtime fan of Doctor Who, I can’t help but be intrigued by the latest addition to the TARDIS crew – Rogue, played by the brilliant Jonathan Groff. The way his character was introduced in the season finale left me with a mix of excitement and apprehension.


In Season 14 of “Doctor Who,” fresh characters, both heroes and villains, emerged in the long-standing Whoniverse. Among them was Rogue – an intriguingly named enigma who met the Time Lord and his companion Ruby during their Regency-era adventures. This mysterious man, as described by the Doctor, was brooding yet humorous with a dash of peculiarity.

In the latest season episode titled after him, played by Jonathan Groff, the enigmatic bounty hunter who formed an alliance and something more with the TARDIS team was a noteworthy addition. With his captivating presence, Groff stood out as an excellent choice for the Bridgerton-inspired mystery written by Kate Herron and Briony Redman. The brief encounter left a lasting impact on both the Doctor and avid Doctor Who fans, leaving us pondering if he might make another appearance in the future.

Who Is Rogue?

‘Rogue’

Main Cast

Ncuti Gatwa, Millie Gibson, Jonathan Groff, Indira Varma

Written by

Kate Herron and Briony Redman

Directed by

Ben Chessell

Season

13

Episode

6

Air Date

June 8, 2024

Where To Watch

Stream on Disney+

At a Regency Ball in Bath, England, the Doctor and Ruby unexpectedly ran into Rogue. They enjoyed the lively festivities until their psychic earrings, which helped them dance like experts from shows such as “Bridgerton,” detected interference. The source was Rogue, a bounty hunter who targeted and apprehended or eliminated extraterrestrials. With both parties taking notice of each other, tensions rose between the Doctor and this relentless pursuer.

The theory linking Rogue to Captain Jack Harkness was debunked swiftly. While Rogue’s profession didn’t appear to align with the Doctor, they exhibited an undeniable connection from their initial encounter on a balcony overlooking a ball. ‘Rogue’ stands out as one of the few instances where the Doctor intentionally sought a romantic involvement, marking a first for same-sex partnerships in the series. In contrast to the Doctor’s prolonged courtship with River Song that spanned across multiple regenerations (not necessarily in order), this interaction brought to mind the Tenth Doctor’s infatuation with Madame de Pompadour during the show’s second season. However, the Tenth Doctor wasn’t nearly as bold as the Fifteenth Doctor was in this situation during “The Girl in the Fireplace”.

In the Whoniverse, where love takes an intricate path, the Doctor and Rogue’s relationship was far from plain sailing. The Doctor found Rogue’s profession intriguing, but the bounty hunter was convinced that the Doctor was responsible for the strange occurrences eliminating guests on the Ball’s list. On Rogue’s spacecraft, the Asteroid Hopper, and later in the TARDIS, they grew acquainted, engaging in playful banter. As they learned more about each other, they discovered unexpected similarities. Their common thread was their encounters with loss amidst their peripatetic existence in the universe.

An obstacle prevented the pair from debating in outer space: unwelcome intruders. The ominous Chulder clan, resembling birds with the power to transform through a bolt of lightning and claim lives, were the uninvited guests. What made them even more menacing was their uncanny ability to immerse themselves in human experiences, such as watching “Bridgerton” intimately. Their intentions went beyond that, as they set their sights on ascending to London’s high society and even targeting the British royal family.

As a devoted fan, I’d love to see an episode of Doctor Who where aliens engage in cosplay! The intrigue of this scenario was palpable as Ruby, the Doctor, and I worked together to outmaneuver the deceptive shapeshifters, all while trying to prevent them from wreaking havoc on a planet. However, it was the insidious Chulder that ultimately drove a wedge between the Doctor and me.

What Happened To Rogue In Doctor Who?

Doctor Who: Will Rogue Reappear Next Season?

In the final moments of “Rogue,” the bounty hunter gave up his life to shield Ruby. He modified the hunter’s trap, a three-pronged device, to banish instead of kill up to six Chulders into another realm. As they prepared this strategy, they were unaware that Ruby had feigned her demise and disguised herself as the bride for the Chulder’s desired wedding ceremony. In reality, she had escaped by activating her psychic earrings in combat mode.

When the truth came out that the true Ruby was among the captive Chuldas, Rogue understood that the Time Lord wouldn’t give up his friend to save the world. In an instant, Rogue took her place, sharing a kiss with the Doctor before disappearing. The final image fans were left with was that of Rogue falling into an unknown dimension. Although Rogue had said “Find me,” the Doctor told Ruby as he launched her cloaked spaceship towards the moon that locating Rogue was a futile endeavor due to “as many dimensions as there are atoms in the universe.”

As a longtime fan of both Doctor Who and Dungeons & Dragons, I found the recent episode absolutely thrilling. The cliffhanger left me utterly intrigued! The Doctor, our beloved time lord, ended up wearing Rogue’s ring – an accessory handed to him in the heat of their successful mission to expose the Chulder’s deceit.

Will Rogue Appear Next Season?

Doctor Who: Will Rogue Reappear Next Season?

The fourteenth season of Doctor Who concluded with some unresolved storylines. The two-part finale revealed the causes behind the groaning TARDIS and the recurring image of Susan Foreman, who traveled through time and space with the Doctor and Ruby when Sutekh was unmasked as the main antagonist. However, viewers believe there is still much to learn about Ruby’s significance, her ability to create snow during emotional moments, and how she came to reside near the intriguing character of Mrs. Flood, who frequently breaks the fourth wall.

As a long-time fan of “Doctor Who,” I’m thrilled by the recent developments in the show. The shorter seasons and longer lead-up to the 60th-anniversary celebrations in 2023, along with Ncuti Gatwa stepping into the role of the Fifteenth Doctor, have me intrigued. I believe that this new approach will allow for more intricate storylines to unfold over several seasons, which is a welcome change from the quick turnaround we’ve seen in previous years.

It’s highly likely that the final episode of “Rogue” will be revisited soon, perhaps even shortly after – there are indications that Davies’ second tenure as showrunner could last for another five years, and production on Series 15 is already in full swing. Consequently, Rogue’s goodbye may have been filmed with his potential return already planned out.

Attentive viewers will recognize Millie Gibson’s comeback in the second season after her premature exit in “Empire of Death.” Reports indicate that she’ll reappear a few episodes into Season 15, teaming up with Varada Sethu’s new character. It’s plausible that if Rogue comes back, it would be when the Doctor is traveling with Ruby Sunday.

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but notice the fantastic connection between Ncuti Gatwa and Jonathan Groff in their recent collaborations. Fans are excitedly anticipating where this chemistry will lead us next. Interestingly enough, Groff himself fueled rumors of a reunion during an interview on Doctor Who: Unleashed. When asked about his inspiration for his bounty hunter character, the Glee star mentioned Han Solo and even hinted at his potential comeback.

We surely look forward to Rogue making another appearance. Rogue has instructed the Doctor to locate him in the last episode, so it’s entirely within the Doctor’s power to make that happen. Essentially, the responsibility lies with the Doctor now.

As a longtime fan of both Marvel Comics and Doctor Who, I’m excitedly waiting for Rogue’s rumored return to the MCU. The hints we’ve received so far – her curiously bird-shaped ship and exile to an alien dimension – have me feeling that we’re in for a wild ride to an alternate reality. But let me tell you, having followed the twists and turns of these stories for decades, I’m not holding my breath for a happy ending. With Rogue’s history of being an outcast and the unpredictable nature of Doctor Who, it seems likely that this adventure could end in heartache rather than triumph. Fingers crossed, but I’ll be ready for whatever comes our way.

Read More

2024-07-17 00:34