The Lodger (comic story)

Summary
The Doctor lands the TARDIS in present-day London, but before Rose Tyler can emerge, the TARDIS dematerializes due to the Doctor forgetting to lock the time settings; this causes the TARDIS to jump a "time track" and move forward several days. Left temporarily stranded in London while he waits for Rose to catch up (only a few seconds will have passed for her), the Doctor needs somewhere to stay. After an aborted attempt at visiting Jackie Tyler (who is otherwise occupied with one of her male suitors), the Doctor decides to crash at Mickey Smith's flat, where he proceeds to be a less-than-welcome houseguest. Meanwhile, a Bandrigan fleet approaches Earth with plans to destroy it.

Characters

 * Tenth Doctor
 * Rose Tyler
 * Mickey Smith
 * Jackie Tyler (cameo)
 * Gina

Story Notes

 * Mickey is shown sticking the sonic screwdriver into his mouth; it's possible the Doctor left it in the bathroom and Mickey mistook it for a toothbrush.
 * The Bandrigan threat is only minor, and we only see their vessels on Mickey's TV.


 * Mickey attempts to get the Doctor to use the alias John. This is the second DWM story in a row in which a single-name alias is suggested for the Doctor (although he rejects this one). Coincidentally, the Doctor's most common alias is John Smith.


 * The strip seems to form the basis for an episode of Series 5, titled Don't Go Up The Stairs.

Continuity

 * This story takes place immediately after an unchronicled encounter with "some angry Lombards".
 * The story takes place over the course of four days, for the Doctor and Mickey; for Rose, only a few seconds pass.
 * This story appears to take place not long after DW: The Christmas Invasion, and well before School Reunion, as Mickey makes reference to the Doctor's recent regeneration, and is still seething with the jealousy he displayed in his early appearances (but has dropped by the time of School Reunion, when he becomes an official companion). Despite the conflict between them, Mickey ends the story reunited with Rose (if temporarily) and impressed by the Doctor, possibly paving the way for his more friendly disposition towards the Doctor in later episodes. It has been suggested, given that the opening scenes of DW: New Earth show London devoid of the snow it had in the previous episode, that this (and perhaps other comics like it) precede New Earth in continuity, and that this adventure may directly lead into the TV episode.
 * Mickey mentions the events of DW: Rose, in particular his abduction by the Nestene Consciousness.
 * Mickey is also shown attempting to start a relationship with another girl (which the Doctor "accidentally" disrupts).
 * The TARDIS appears to land in the exact same location where it landed in DW: Aliens of London.
 * Sticking a sonic screwdriver into one's mouth results in tooth extraction, but the screwdriver is capable of putting them back in.
 * The Doctor is a skilled football player.
 * The Doctor is savvy enough with videogames to find a way to win a shoot-em-up without resorting to digital violence. He is also able to adjust Mickey's TV so that it picks up TV programmes from a decade in the future, as well as images of an alien fleet in space.

Timeline

 * This story occurs after DWM: The Betrothal of Sontar
 * This story occurs before DW: New Earth