I Believe This Touching Doctor Who Season 15 Moment Secretly Paid Tribute To Tom Baker's Fourth Doctor

Doctor Who's season premiere, "The Robot Revolution," saw the return of Ncuti Gatwa's eccentric Time Lord, this time as he searches for a young nurse named Belinda Chandra, who's been taken against her will to rule over an army of dangerous robots on a faraway planet. The episode marked a much-needed return to form for the show, when the previous season suffered mixed reviews; Varada Sethu is an excellent addition to the cast of Doctor Who season 15, and Ncuti Gatwa is as charming as ever.

"The Robot Revolution" did a great job of introducing the season's new companion while setting up countless new mysteries, ranging from the truth behind Mrs. Flood's identity to the existence of a dangerous time fracture that won't let Belinda return home. However, the episode is also filled with smaller details that remind audiences how fun and silly Doctor Who can be, such as a cute cleaning robot that comes to save the day.

I Think The Doctor Gets Sad Over The Cleaning Robot Because Of K-9

The Machine Bears Some Clear Similarities To Sarah Jane's Robot Dog

It's only a small moment, but the Doctor's reaction to the cleaning robot being switched off can be read as a subtle reference to Tom Baker's relationship with K-9, the mechanical dog who joined him and Sarah Jane (Elisabeth Sladen) for some of Doctor Who's best stories. Although it's been a long time since K-9 was seen on the show, Doctor Who certainly hasn't forgotten about him, as he makes a brief appearance in "School Reunion" alongside David Tennant's Doctor, and starred frequently in The Sarah Jane Adventures.

Ncuti Gatwa as the Fifteenth Doctor in Doctor Who

Again, Doctor Who Leaves Me Wondering If Ncuti Gatwa's Fifteenth Doctor Is Actually Good At His Job

Ncuti Gatwa’s version of the Doctor is certainly among the show’s most entertaining, but he’s far from the most successful incarnation.

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This sweet moment between the Doctor and the cleaning robot in "The Robot Revolution" feels like a much-needed homage to the iconic character. The Time Lord seems immediately fond of the robot, and there's a certain sadness when he's switched off that could be understood as the Doctor reflecting on the absence of his canine friend.

Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor & K-9 Would Be A Brilliant Combination

The Two Should Definitely Meet On-Screen

It's even possible that Russell T. Davies was trying to subtly hint toward K-9's return with this moment, giving it even more weight on a rewatch. As mentioned, it's been over 15 years since K-9 appeared in an episode of Doctor Who — but Ncuti Gatwa's Doctor feels like the perfect incarnation to bring back the iconic character. He's the most playful and lighthearted Doctor in a long time, which are traits that made Tom Baker's Doctor such a perfect companion for K-9. Unfortunately, it's difficult for Doctor Who to obtain the rights for K-9's character, making the reunion less likely.