It only took 14 years, 8 months, and 13 days, but we finally have an answer to, well, what the hell was up with that duck pond Dr Who pointed out in The Eleventh Hour.
Let me refresh you on the exchange. From the eternally invaluable Chrissie’s Transcripts Site:
DOCTOR: What is that?
AMY: It’s a duck pond.
DOCTOR: Why aren’t there any ducks?
AMY: I don’t know. There’s never any ducks.
DOCTOR: Then how do you know it’s a duck pond?
AMY: It just is. Is it important, the duck pond?
(The Doctor clutches his chest.)
DOCTOR: I don’t know. Why would I know?
And why would he know? How? How or why would anyone have known? Surely that’s setting something up, I thought in 2010. I still thought it in 2011. And 2012. But the Moffat era came and went without answers. Even Big Finish hasn’t picked up on it. 14 years, 8 months, and 13 days later, here we are. Reading a prop newspaper from impending Christmas special Joy to the World.
I’ve included it here as big as they’ve released it, it’s pretty legible, but there’s a transcript below the fold.
I’m gonna say, mystery thoroughly solved. I hope those ducks are happy in 1973.
THE TIMEY WIMEY
Reflecting your voice in the past and future.
Swipe for us on Blue. Issue No. 30139_APPLE_C. Only 800 credits for subscription service.
PRISONER ZERO FOUND INNOCENT.
TRIAL OF THE CENTURY AT THE ICELANDIC ALLIANCE
PAGE 05
DUCK POND MYSTERY SOLVED
In an astonishing turn of events, what was once thought to be an ordinary duck pond in a quiet corner of Leadworth, has turned out to be an extraordinary time portal to the year 1973.
Madeleine CARTER FEATURES EDITOR
For decades, the duck pond in Leadworth had been a serene spot for residents to enjoy the company of ducks and the tranquility of nature. It was the kind of place where time seemed to stand still, a picturesque spot where families came to feed the ducks and escape the hustle and bustle of modern life.
However, everything changed when a group of adventurous locals decided to investigate the mysteries surrounding the pond. Some reported strange ripples in the water and unusual fluctuations in temperature, while others claimed to have seen glimpses of people dressed in 1970s attire through the water’s surface.
The tale begins innocently enough, with local residents enjoying leisurely strolls around the pond, feeding the ducks, and basking in the tranquility it provided. Little did they know that beneath this peaceful facade lay a portal into the past, a doorway to a different time and place.
The discovery of this otherworldly connection came to light when a curious group of teenagers stumbled upon an old journal in the attic of a nearby historical home. The journal, belonging to a former scientist named Dr Evelyn Hartley, contained cryptic notes and diagrams hinting at experiments involving a secret chemical compound and the pond.
As rumours spread, a team of curious individuals decided to get to the bottom of the mystery. Armed with scientific equipment and historical research, they began their investigtion into what would become known as the “Duck Pond Anomaly.”
What they discovered was nothing short of astonishing. After extensive tests on the water and the surrounding area, they concluded that a previously unknown chemical had been introduced into the pond, causing a temporal rift. This rift transformed the seemingly ordinary pond into a portal to Carnaby Street in 1973.
Brave volunteers from all over the community, equipped with special suits to withstand the time-travel process, took the plunge into the pond’s waters. Their accounts of the experience were nothing short of remarkable. They found themselves transported to the streets of 1973 Carnaby Street, where they encountered vintage cars, fashion, and a distinctly different atmosphere compared to the present day.
The team documented their findings meticulously, comparing notes from their time-travel experiences with historical records of Carnaby Street in the 1970s. It became clear that the portal was a one-way journey to the past, as returning to the present proved to be impossible.
The discovery of this temporal portal has raised profound ethical and scientific questions. What are the consequences of interacting with the past? Should it be explored further, or should the portal be sealed to prevent potential disruptions to the timeline?
The government has sent a scientific unit to the site to monitor the situation and to see if there is anything we can learn from this Duck Pond anomaly or if it is a national security risk.
Scientists and historians are now working together to better understand the implications of this newfound phenomenon. They are studying the chemical responsible for the time portal and its potential effects on the space-time continuum. Meanwhile, local authorities are considering safety measures to prevent unauthorised access to the portal.
The Leadworth Duck Pond has transformed from a quiet retreat into a hub of scientific inquiry and a symbol of the unknown mysteries that still exist in our world. As researchers continue to unraval the secrets of this temporal anomaly, one thing is certain: The Duck Pond Mystery of Leadworth is a story that will be told for generations to come with the continuum of time.
(I will transcribe the other stories later.)