"The untimely passing of Herman set course a series of events that unfolded after the funeral held by his adopted daughter, River, fans everywhere campaigned for the studio to keep the show going, once rumours broke that they're hesitant continuing the show because of Herman's passing, and the outcry strong that the studio's forced to tell the fans that the show's staying, once the last filmed episode airs, they're working on finding a new show runner for the next series.
'The Doctor' shall continue despite the fears many had, though, the cast and crew will remember Herman Tully's contributions to the show, and will always remember his hand in shaping the show further after the previous show runner, David McGinnis, departed since finishing his tenure after two series'.
Due to the circumstances of Herman's passing and the nature of the show, the actor who played the Doctor during Herman's time's set to continue longer than normal, at least until everything's set with the studio and the network, and he is 'regenerated' into the new actor playing the Doctor, following the replacement show runner's introduction.
Details remain scarce to this day on the circumstances of Herman's death, River remained adamant discussing the matters with anyone from the press, and those who attempted to find details on their own, haven't found anything in their search.
It became a whirlwind of rumours, but nothing ever came of them, and after consideration, River decided with a heavy heart, in a rare press conference after radio silence for weeks, to move from her childhood home, in hopes of finding comfort, elsewhere.
No one's been able to find or locate her, since, though there have been instances of her appearing in places around Europe, though nothing conclusive has come from the reports.
A bizarre case, indeed, one that will haunt the airwaves for years on end."
Reading the news article that she brought with her to read as she sat on the seat of the bullet train heading to Shibuya as their first stop before working their way around Tokyo proper, with Theodore next to her, having surprised her with his birthday wish, having decided that going somewhere on another planet wouldn't make for a good birthday party, so Theodore opted for somewhere local for his thirty-fifth birthday.
It's a miracle he even remembered his own birthday, with everything they had to deal with in the span of months, but Al helpfully reminded him with the thing they've been wanting for so long, a vacation.
Yes!
Theodore and Lila, for at least a week or two, are off the hook from their second jobs, allowed to enjoy their time with their families and not having to run like hell every time there's danger.
Though, they're still at the whims of the library and Hammond, they don't have to worry about unexpected adventures.
It took time, but Al managed to square their vacation with the other Doctors in circulation.
Unless it's an absolute emergency, an emergency that cannot be overlooked or passed off, they're to have their vacation undisturbed, and Al came through with his promise.
He took them to Japan, a different Japan, still on Earth, but Al made sure it's as similar as the one back home, however, due to concerns that taking them to the Japan in their world would cause, considering the rise of social media and cellphones, and the fact there'd be no way for them to reach Japan in record time.
That said, everything's squared, no circles, triangles, anything, and Al swore on his circuits that there's nothing getting in the way of Theodore's belated birthday.
With his help, Al made sure they had travel money to last them during their time in Japan, in the form of plastic, this Japan's slightly more advanced than the Japan they're familiar with that this card can pay for everything under the sun and how.
"So, credit cards?" Lila summed what the card is when he presented them it just before they left on their trip, before Al elaborated that she didn't need to do anything more than simply press the card against the marked surfaces, no scanning the old-fashion way, no hassling with pushing numbers on a keypad, just tap and go.
Causing Lila to sum, "So, credit cards?"
Her lack of excitement to the card caused Al to exhale in exasperation before he further elaborated with, "At least I don't threaten to break your legs if you miss a credit payment!"
Too true, even out of date that may be.
"Point stands, I think it'll serve us well," Theodore thanked Al for putting in the work for them to enjoy his birthday without issue, only for Al to remind him of the limitations of the card, namely, not trying to buy any buildings or that sort.
Even if the card can buy almost everything, the overage charges for inter dimensional land and or building purchase fees are astronomical enough to make even the shadiest of banks weep.
"Duly noted," Theodore acknowledged the limitations of the card that had his name on it.
Before the trip to Japan went underway, Al asked him a minor favour, and Theodore heard him, Al asked for some time to himself, namely because he's got his own plans with Beatrix.
"Beatrix?" Theodore raised his brow at this before Al gestured and elaborated that it's Bumble's real name, he managed to coax it out of her at a dinner.
Caused Lila to point out, "How'd you eat, you're a projection!"
Al waved as he assured her that he worked everything out when he got the courage to ask Beatrix out for drinks.
"I wasn't aware she can even drink!" Theodore brought up he didn't know Bumble, er, Beatrix, was capable of that, and Al said that Lizzy insisted that Beatrix have the same capabilities as her, her father hesitated at the upgrades, but Lizzy put on her big sad eyes.
Shaking her head in disbelief, Lila sighed, after countless adventures, encounters, you name it, she didn't have it in her to call out on the matter, and Theodore reminded Al not to get into trouble.
Snorting, Al asserts that he isn't a troublemaker, to which Lila flatly brought up his crimes prior, and he waved at her as he stated that the statues of limitations passed.
Oh, he is also a machine, thus voided said crimes, and those crimes were for their benefits, as he recalled.
"Just don't get towed, again," Lila pointed at him.
Snapping back to them on the bullet train en route to Shibuya, Lila folded up the newspaper, stowing it away, as she settled in her spot next to Theodore, him pulling her close as the train went over periodic speed bumps, enough to jolt the passengers aboard.
"Wonder what happened," Lila crossed her legs, her navy-blue jean stiffly moving, as she pondered what happened to Herman, River hadn't revealed the cause of his death, yet, and likely they won't hear from her for a while, as the news article said she moved recently.
Pondering as he crossed his light brown stitched pants, Theodore says that he's not sure, it's difficult to gauge considering, but in time, he's sure they'll know, when River feels the time's right, she'll reveal the cause.
"Talked to Davey?" Lila asked if Theodore spoke with David recently, figuring the two would've at least exchanged words before Theodore gone on his trip with Lila.
Scratching the side of his nose, Theodore says he had, David's doing better these days, he's decided to leave his father's grave on the dwarf planet, felt wrong to move it, and Theodore suggested it was also, because David didn't want to have to see his father's body.
"One hand, he has his answer, other hand, it's depressing," Lila summed that while David found the answer to his long-awaited question, it's still the answer he didn't want.
Lowering his free hand, Theodore responded that at most, David found where his father's buried, and while there's still the question of who's responsible for his death, he still had his answer for this question.
Still, depressing.
"Who buried him?" Lila wondered the person responsible for burying David's father, ruling out his killer grew a heart at that moment and decided to give him a proper burial.
Shrugging, Theodore replied, "Who's to say?"
David's sure it wasn't Pete that buried his father, that detail he wouldn't have kept from him, and given Herman didn't know where his father went after moving all those years ago, he doubted he would've known, either.
Outside the bullet train, Lila sees the familiar sights, some differences slipped through, but still recognizable for her, as they're close to arriving to Shibuya.
With the power of trains, planes, automobiles, and Lila's knowledge of Japanese, the duo shouldn't have trouble getting around Japan.
Though, Lila did remind Theodore that there are still pockets that aren't welcoming to gaijan, even if they're not in the same Japan, and Theodore responds that he's aware, but isn't deterred, as he's in good hands, a gentle squeeze by his arm around her waist affirming that.
Arriving in Shibuya, Lila picked up a map of the area, taking notes of what parts she's familiar with and what's only in this version of Japan.
Nothing in the language changed, not much that it's a problem, so Lila's able to read the map, and so their adventure in Japan began.
Shibuya's bustling like the Shibuya that Lila's familiar with, plenty of people out in the streets, sections cordoned off from vehicular traffic, and the neon signs and large screens above.
Theodore's unsure what he wanted to do for his birthday first, so Lila suggested that they go through the touristy areas first, get them out of the way, let Theodore acclimate, then branch out.
With the map, their psychic paper, Al's 'credit card,' and Lila's proficiency in Japanese, they shouldn't have any difficulties.
Lila tried suggesting that Theodore do what he did when he needed to know French during their one adventure, but he adamantly refused, even when Lila told him that it'd be a good thing, as kanji's a difficult part of the language to read, that even she couldn't read them all, even despite her studying in her youth.
"Ah, I think I'll be fine," Theodore modestly tells her that, while he appreciated the offer, he'll be fine.
Oh, this spaceman, whatever goes on underneath that wild hair of his?