Night of the Doctor mini episode sends Doctor Who theories flying

DOCTOR Who fans rejoice as BBC releases mini-episode "Night of the Doctor" ahead of next week's 50th anniversary. Watch it in full here and revel in conspiracy theories.

Starring Paul McGann will for the first time ever reveal what became of the 8th Doctor. On the eve of his most terrible battle, the Time Lord is faced with a choice that will change the course of his life. Picture: BBC.

GIRD your loins, Doctor Who fans. A mini-episode of the new series has launched online explaining how the Eight Doctor (a role reprised by Paul McGann, be still my beating heart) came to be the War Doctor (played by John Hurt).

The episode is just six minutes and 49 seconds long but it explains oh so much.

News_Rich_Media: The Night of the Doctor: A Mini Episode - Doctor Who:

First of all Moffat brings back the Sisterhood of Karn - a female order dedicated to protecting the Sacred Flame, a life extending elixir thought to be the source of the Doctor's regeneration powers.

Karn first appeared in a stage play called Doctor Who and the Daleks in Seven Keys to Doomsday but was then re-used in season 13th season of the original Doctor Who TV series.

Paul McGann also reprises his role as The Doctor after appearing in only a single TV episode in 1996.

Needless to say the internet has been going bonkers over the last 24 hours.

The episode was a clever ruse executed by writer and director Stephen Moffat.

News_Image_File: Special mini-episode 'The Night of the Doctor' reveals The Doctor's darkest chapter. Picture: BBC.

Earlier this year Paul McGann who played the eight doctor denied that he was in the 50th Anniversary Special coming up on the 23rd, saying he was "absolutely gutted".

But he didn't say anything about a six minute prequel.

Moffat told the BBC McGann ws "childishly excited about it".

"Well, we had our new 'hidden mystery' Doctor and I was thinking, what else can we do for our anniversary year … I thought … Why don't we get Paul McGann in and regenerate him into John Hurt? I'd like to see that! I'd love to see that!," He said.

"And we had this possibility that we could do it as a surprise, so we got in touch with Paul who was dead keen and I'm delighted to say he was so happy to join in with the idea of keeping it secret. He was childishly excited about it!"

News_Image_File: This book would have come in handy when watching the episode last night. Picture: Twitter.

Some fun trivia: McGann was the first Doctor to kiss a lady in the series. Moffat described him as "the first of the sexy, romantic Doctors".

Already conspiracy theories have begun to emerge.

SPOILER ALERT: This is the point you want to stop reading if you haven't already watched the episode. So hurry up and watch it so you can get in on the lovefest. It's six minutes long for goodness sake, you can't spare six minutes?

Onwards:

The Doctor can become a woman. It's canon. #savetheday #nightofthedoctor

— Poirot Never Sleeps (@CoolsomeXD) November 15, 2013

News_Image_File: From Tumblr.

Was that Halia's voice I heard? I didn't think she said she was singing for the 50th #NightOfTheDoctor

— Arielle Roberts (@Spoilertweets) November 14, 2013

News_Image_File: From Reddit.

News_Rich_Media: The Night Of The Doctor Mini Episode Breakdown

Does this mean that BF companions are canon but Izzy, Destrii, Fitz and Anji aren't? #DrWho #NightoftheDoctor #nottheoneyouwereexpecting

— Steve Cookson (@SteveIsCookie) November 14, 2013

News_Image_File: From Reddit.