To read or not to read? That is the question "Doctor Who" fans are battling after five scripts from Season 8 were leaked online. According to Radio Times, the first five scripts from the upcoming series mysteriously appeared online Monday, July 7.
It seems like the leak happened after the material was passed along to BBC's new Latin American headquarters in Miami for translation. Among the leaked material is the script for the premiere episode, titled "Deep Breath" and the next four episodes.
"The opening episode is being simulcast globally so of course translations have to be prepared in advance," a BBC source said, according to Radio Times.
News of the leaked scripts spread like wildfire across the Internet and BBC Worldwide quickly issued a statement begging fans not the ruin the surprise and to wait until the show airs this summer.
"BBC Worldwide is currently investigating a security issue around 'Doctor Who' series eight where unfinished material has inadvertently been made public. We deeply regret this and apologize to all the show's fans, the BBC and the cast and crew who have worked tirelessly making the series. We would like to make a plea to anyone who might have any of this material and spoilers associated with it not to share it with a wider audience so that everyone can enjoy the show as it should be seen when it launches. We know only too well that 'Doctor Who' fans are the best in the world and we thank them for their help with this and their continued loyalty," the statement read.
Bleedingcool.com reports that the scripts are very easy to find online but also claims that along with the leaked material "the full episodes themselves also leaked, but were unable to be downloaded before they were removed from the Internet."
For the most part, it seems like fans don't want to read the leaked scripts but the few who have peaked at them seem impressed with what they read.
"... What I read was good, but then again I'm not known for being critical of the show. I can't wait for true fans to truly rip them apart and say they're the worst 'Who' episodes in existence," one fan wrote. "Anyway I think I'll follow the steps of the others here, store them for reading after the episodes air and as historical artifacts and not distribute them."
"Yeah I'm glad I didn't read any more than I did. What I did read, I liked very much though. Hope that isn't giving anything away," another fan wrote.
"Skimmed a few pages just to make sure that Capaldi's Doctor will be awesome. Left satisfied," another posted.
The new season of "Doctor Who" kicks off Saturday, Aug. 23 on BBC America with Peter Capaldi replacing Matt Smith as the new doctor and Jenna Coleman returning as Clara.
Would you read the leaked scripts or wait until "Doctor Who" airs?
