Only three regenerations left!

David Tennant is leaving Doctor Who next year. He will be doing four "special episodes" in 2009, which I believe is in addition to the Christmas special for 2008.

Note that these are "special episodes" as opposed to "very special episodes." The Doctor won't be coping with alcoholism or a friend dying of cancer. It's just that the four specials don't count as a season.

I've liked David Tennant's take on the character. He seemed more like The Doctor than the soccer hooligan who played the 9th Doctor. I wish David would have hung on for seven seasons, but it looks like Tom Baker's record remains intact.

Still, this means we've burned through two regenerations in just five years. Timelords only have 12 regenerations, allowing for 13 incarnations total.

I'm sure that if the show ever burns through their 13th actor, they'll find some way for the Doctor to get a new cycle of regenerations (a la what the Time Lord Council offered the Master in "The Five Doctors").