WIST Quotations

Doctor Who (1963) -- 06×01 “The Dominators,” Part 1 (1968-08-10) [w. Mervyn Haisman, Henry Lincoln]

Dave — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 18:32:03 +0000

JAMIE: Oh, no, you’re not thinking what I think you’re thinking, are you?

THE DOCTOR: That, I think, Jamie, depends upon what you think I am thinking!

Doctor Who (1963-1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
06×01 “The Dominators,” Part 1 (1968-08-10) [w. Mervyn Haisman, Henry Lincoln]
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialog confirmed). As the Doctor steps toward the open door of the spacecraft they've just discovered.

Doctor Who (1963) -- 08×04 “Colony in Space,” Part 1 (1971-04-10) [w. Malcolm Hulke]

Dave — Thu, 12 Mar 2026 23:11:12 +0000

JO: I don’t believe it! It’s bigger inside than out!

THE DOCTOR: Yes. That’s because the TARDIS is dimensionally transcendental.

JO: What does that mean?

THE DOCTOR: It means that it’s bigger inside than out.

Doctor Who (1963-1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
08×04 “Colony in Space,” Part 1 (1971-04-10) [w. Malcolm Hulke]
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialog confirmed).

The difference between the interior and exterior of the TARDIS was mentioned in the very first episode, 01x01 "An Unearthly Child" (1963), by Susan:

I thought you'd both understand when you saw the different dimensions inside from those outside.

The first use of the "bigger [on the] inside" line was in 10x01 "The Three Doctors" (1972), when Sergeant Benton first goes inside, and the Third Doctor is actually the one to comment (video):

Well, Sergeant, aren't you going to say it that it's bigger on the inside than it is on the outside? Everybody else does.

(Which implies that others have said it before, we've just not seen it.)

Conversely, in (2005 revival) 10xCS "The Snowmen" (2012), Clara changes the perspective (video):

CLARA: But it's. Look at it, it's --
THE DOCTOR: Go on, say it. Most people do.
(Clara makes a circuit of the exterior of the TARDIS, then steps back in.)
CLARA: It's smaller on the outside.
THE DOCTOR: Okay, that is a first.

A compilation of the theme can be found here.

Doctor Who (1963) -- 20xS1 “The Five Doctors,” Part 2 (1983-11-23) [w. Terrance Dicks]

Dave — Wed, 25 Feb 2026 20:52:28 +0000

SARAH JANE: I mean, well, whatever’s in that Tower, it’s got enormous powers and, well, what can we do against it?

THE DOCTOR: What I’ve always done, Sarah Jane. Improvise.

Doctor Who (1963-1989) British science fiction television series, original run (BBC)
20xS1 “The Five Doctors,” Part 2 (1983-11-23) [w. Terrance Dicks]
(Source)

(Source (Video); dialog confirmed). This 20th Anniversary special feature was originally broadcast as a feature-length TV movie. For later releases, it was broken into four parts/episodes.

Peel, John -- Timewyrm: Genesys, ch. 10 [The Doctor] (1991)

Dave — Sun, 01 Feb 2004 16:00:00 +0000

I never make stupid mistakes. Only very, very clever ones.

John Peel (b. 1954) British writer [pen names Nicholas Adams, Rick North, J.P. Trent, John Vincent]
Timewyrm: Genesys, ch. 10 [The Doctor] (1991)
(Source)

Part of Virgin's "Doctor Who New Adventures" book series, which came out after the 1963 version of the TV show was canceled. Note that some sites misattribute this book to another Doctor Who novelist, David A. McIntee.