Doctor Who: Season 29 (1992-93)

Introduction

Season 29 would have been seen as the beginning of a new era for the show. The biggest new beginning since Season 18 in 1980. With this being Ben Aaronovitch's first season as Script Editor as well as Ian Fraser's second season as producer. But now. He had his own Doctor to work with.

The Eighth Doctor would be seen as a Doctor who harkened back to the First Doctor, but updated for the 1990s, with Eight coming off as a mentor to all of his companions, giving them life advice while going on technobabble's.

But, due to the casting of an older man. It was noted that in the season, they'd need to introduce a younger male companion to do all of the running down corridors and physical scenes. With this, a serial towards the beginning of the season would introduce said male companion.

On the topic of companions. Lysette Anthony had decided to leave at the end of the season. And with this being known ahead of time. Brand new script editor, Ben Aaronovitch had decided to create and introduce the companion towards the end of the season and have them travel with Kelly and the Male Companion before Kelly can leave.

This would be one of many changes for the season.

Next up, with the show improving in the ratings, Ian Fraser and Michael Wareing got Jonathan Powell to agree to up Doctor Who's episode and serial count. With the episode being bumped up from 14x25 minute episodes to 20x25 minute episodes with six serials being in the season. With the season opening with a four part serial and concluding with a five part serial, and the middle of the season having three, three part serials and one two part serial.

Also with this season. The show would no longer be produced in-house by the BBC. Due to a new law passed by the Conservative government at the time. Several shows had to now be produced by independent production companies. And Jonathan Powell (still being upset that the show resurging in popularity) had decided to pawn Doctor Who off to an independent company.

With this, World Productions took over production of the show. It's owner and founder, Tony Garnett became an executive producer on the show. The first since 1980, when Barry Letts was brought in to oversee John-Nathan Turner's first season as producer. While Garnett and his company would take over. Both producer Ian Fraser and script editor Ben Aaronovitch would maintain their position and handle the day to day production of the show with Garnett just overseeing the production of the show.

Serial One (Ep. 1-4): REVIVAL OF WAR

Written by Ben Aaronovitch
Directed by Charles McDougall
Air Dates: 5 September-26 September 1992

The opening serial of the season, would be a UNIT serial and feature the return of Angela Bruce as Brigadier Winifred Bambera. With UNIT in London, overseeing a peace summit to help end the Cold War.

The first episode of the serial, bar a couple scenes on Earth of the peace summit being assembled, would take place only on the TARDIS. As the Doctor is suffering from post traumatic regeneration trauma. As he acts like his previous incarnations intimidating the First, Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth and Sixth Doctors. He also switches outfits from his previous incarnation's outfit to his own outfit. Which was made up of a black pin-stripe jacket and trousers, pink dress shirt, red bow-tie making a more sharper looking Doctor since his Third incarnation.

At the beginning of the second episode. The TARDIS lands at the summit with him and Kate being briefed by Brigadier Bambera about it. And also notes that the new Foreign Secretary has been acting sketchy as of lately. Thinking that he may be attempting to defect to the other side.

The Doctor and Kelly meet the Foreign Secretary, James Ramset, and the Doctor feels that something is off about him. And it is revealed in the cliffhanger of episode two. That "James Ramset" is actually a new incarnation of the Master, played by House of Cards actor Ian Richardson.

The Master's plan in the serial is he is wanting to stop the peace summit from happening and cause a nuclear Armageddon on Earth, just to spite the Doctor for leaving him on the dying Cheetah world.

The Doctor, Kelly and UNIT expose the Master for what he was attempting to do. And he is arrested by UNIT for trying to cause global domination, which the Master easily escapes from. And the peace summit goes forward. Making the Doctor realize on who he really is.

Serial Two (Ep. 5-7): VICTORIAN MACHINERY

Written by Colin Brake
Directed by Graeme Harper
Air Dates: 3 October-17 October 1992

The second serial of the season would be a gateway serial for a younger male companion to be introduced to the show. With a younger male companion being the consequence to having an older Doctor.

This new companion, Marcus Fawns, played by Neil Pearson would be a factory worker in Victorian England. This makes Marcus the first companion since Jamie McCrimmon to be a companion from history.

In this serial, a humanoid-robotic race known as the "Verdak" is using Victorian factories to help build new equipment to make warships. The Verdak are using Victorian factories as their home planet was blown up in a war with a rival race that was more robotic than humanoid-robotic.

The Doctor and Kelly along with Marcus' help are able to stop the Verdak. Which causes their factories to implode. At the end of the serial. The Doctor asks Marcus to come and join him and Kelly in the TARDIS and show him a new, brighter future.

Serial Three (Ep. 8-9): INSIDE THE POLICE BOX

Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Alan Dossor
Air Dates: 24 October-31 October 1992

This two part serial would take place entirely in the TARDIS. This was done to be a budget saving serial to put more money towards the finale serial of the season, which was being set-up as one of the biggest Doctor Who serials ever.

In this serial, the TARDIS starts going haywire and falls out of space and time. And is just in a white, desolate void. With no real explanation to how or why the TARDIS has gotten there. The Doctor, Kelly and Marcus try and repair the TARDIS but no matter what they try. It doesn't work.

In the end, it is revealed that the TARDIS was brought to the void by an omnipresent voice who wants to study new life forms inside their void and in the end, the Doctor simply is let go. And is not given an opportunity to stop it. As, he didn't even know how to fight what or who it was that brought them their or returned them to the universe.

Serial Four (Ep. 10-12): A SCHOOL FOR GLORY

Written by Tony Etchells
Directed by Alan Dossor
Air Dates: 7 November-21 November 1992

This serial would be the show's first pure historical since Season 19's Black Orchid or Season 4's The Highlanders. With this serial taking place in the British trenches of World War 1. And be a return to form of the early Hartnell historicals about teaching the audience about an event in history.

This serial would show the brutal and mature nature of the first world war. With this serial being heavily critical about it and it's classist approach within the British army. Something that the Doctor himself is extremely against.

This serial would have mixed reactions overall with some feeling that it was too brutal and brutish for a Doctor Who serial.

Serial Five (Ep. 13-15): LOVE AND WAR

Written by Paul Cornell
Directed by Roy Battersby
Air Dates: 28 November-12 December 1992

This serial would be the penultimate of the season. And introduce a brand new companion, Bernice Summerfield. Played by actress Lisa Bowerman. Who previously played Karra in the Seventh Doctor serial Survival.

In this serial, the TARDIS takes the Doctor, Kelly and Marcus to the planet, Heaven in the year 2570. Where the trio comes across an archelogy group led by Bernice.

Throughout the serial. Kelly falls for a man named Jan, who is apart of a group known as "Travellers". Which are an anarchist neo-pagan group. However, the Doctor is opposed to the relationship and is one of the serial's big mysteries as to why the Doctor does not like Kelly being romantically linked with Jan.

It turns out that an alien race known as the Hoothi a race that has been using corpses on the planet Heaven. And they are infecting people that is alive and in a plot twist in the final part. It is revealed that Jan has been infected. And, the Doctor convinces him to sacrifice himself to stop the Hoothi. In which, he agrees to stop them to help Kelly.

Kelly at the end of the serial feels betrayed by what the Doctor had done. And when the Doctor is offering Bernice the opportunity to join the TARDIS. However, Kelly demands the Doctor that the next place they stop. She is getting off... permanently.

Serial Six (Ep. 16-20): WAR OF THE DALEKS

Written by John Peel
Directed by Jenny Killick
Air Dates: 19 December 1992-16 January 1993

The finale of the season would be a big-action packed Dalek serial. With this arc being the finale to the Dalek Civil War arc that began all the way back in 1984 with Resurrection of the Daleks. And this serial would also feature the return of Davros with Terry Malloy.

The finale would have the TARDIS landing on Skaro showing that the Doctor had failed in destroying the planet in Remembrance of the Daleks. With the Doctor, Kelly, Marcus and Bernice coming across a Thal tribe which had remained on the planet. The Doctor, Marcus and Bernice help form an attack plan against the Daleks while Kelly on the side takes care of ailing Thals who have been hurt, but not killed by the Daleks.

Throughout the fourth and fifth parts of the serial, the Doctor leads the Thals into battle against the Daleks as they attack the Dalek capital. With the Thals being able to overwhelm Daleks with brute force and some Dalek stupidity.

At the end of the fifth part. All of the Daleks are destroyed and Davros is taken into custody by the Thals. With the Thal leader being killed in the attack on the capital. The Thals look for a new leader and they all turn to Kelly due to how much love and care she has shown them.

Despite repairing her friendship with the Doctor. Kelly still decides to leave the TARDIS so that she can help the Thals rebuild a proper society on Skaro. With this, she talks with the Doctor in the TARDIS. As she says her goodbyes. And the Doctor gives a speech on how much she had changed. Even mentioning that the first time they met, she pulled a gun on him. But, still says goodbye in the end. Even though he didn't want to.

The serial ends with the Doctor, Bernice and Marcus in the TARDIS as they leave Skaro behind.

Season Conclusion

The season would go down well with the fandom, general audience's and critics. With particular praise going to the bookend serials.

However, this season was just the warm-up act as for something special with the 30th anniversary of the show.

Come Back Next Time for Doctor Who: Season Thirty

Doctor Who: Season 28 (1991)

Introduction

The twenty-eighth season of Doctor Who, would have completed the transition that began in the previous season.

John-Nathan Turner had vacated his post as producer after eleven years in the job and production manager Ian Fraser takes over as producer. With Fraser working with script editor Andrew Cartmel to produce serials that could be done feasibly with Doctor Who's low budget, but knowing that once Johnathan Powell would be gone. Doctor Who would be in a much better position within the BBC.

Andrew Cartmel had decided to depart as script editor at the end of the season along with the show's lead, Sylvester McCoy, after playing the Doctor for a total of five seasons. Making him one of the longer serving Doctor's. Both of them had planned to depart at the end of the previous season. But, did not for two reason. The first being that the BBC wanted to break in new producer Ian Fraser. The second was to complete what was dubbed behind the scenes as "The Cartmel Master Plan". To re-inject mystery into the character of the Doctor and the mythology of the show.

While McCoy and Cartmel would be departing at the end of the season. Companion actress Lysette Anthony playing Kelly Turner did confirm in a interview with DWM that she was staying on for the twenty-ninth season.

Serial One (Ep. 1-3): NIGHTSHADE

Written by Mark Gatiss
Directed by Nicholas Mallet
Air Dates: 4 September-18 September 1991

This serial would begin with the Doctor and Kelly landing in the English village of Crook Marsham in the year of 1968 during Christmas time. With the Doctor acting... somewhat withdrawn and melancholic. The Doctor and Kelly investigate the local area as people have being murdered.

During the investigation, the Doctor and Kelly run into a retired actor, Edmund Trevithick, who was famous for playing Professor Nightshade in a television show, known as Nightshade. The actor dons his Nightshade persona to help the Doctor and Kelly during the adventure which ends up with him dying in the process trying to fight the main villain.

The villain of the serial being known as only "The Sentience" which fed on human energy to survive and was laid beneath the village of Crook Marsham. And had the ability to create images from strong memories.

At the end of the serial, the Doctor and Kelly are able to stop the Sentience and the Doctor starts feeling more chipper and happier.

Serial Two (Ep. 4-6): NETWORK

Written by Ben Aaronovitch
Directed by Alan Wareing
Air Dates: 25 September-9 October 1991

This serial would take place on a Earth college in the year 2175. With the Doctor being offered a special degree by the college's chancellor. However, the Doctor noticing... odd things at the university which is known as "CAGE" (College of Advanced Galactic Education). At the CAGE, technology is being created far earlier than they are actually made.

All of this is being a plan by the Rani to lure in the Doctor to the university and trap and kill him once and for all after her two previous failed attempts to kill him. As well as behind the scenes, Cartmel wanted a serial in the season to feature the Rani as the main threat due to her being the main threat in McCoy's first season as the Doctor.

In the end, the Doctor and Kelly are able to expose the Rani's plot to the authorities and they promptly arrest her as the Doctor and Kelly board the TARDIS with the technology that the Rani had created.

Serial Three (Ep. 7-10): AVATAR

Written by David A. McIntee
Directed by Nicholas Mallet
Air Dates: 16 October-6 November 1991

This serial would take place in the city of Lancashire, England. While originally the writer David A. McIntee wanted this serial to take place in the New England area of the United States. But, Andrew Cartmel supervising the scripts for the serial. Told him to move it to a more British setting.

The serial deals with a race of body-snatching aliens called the, "Fergonians", which takes the look of corpses that were basically gods to the Silurian race and know, they are trying to conquer the universe, beginning with Earth. And in the end of the serial, the Doctor and Kelly are able to remove the Fergonians from their corpses and remove them from the dimension.

While this serial received a more mixed reactions compared to the other serials in the season. Fans and critics did note that the serial did fall in line with the style of McCoy's Doctor and McCoy did receive praise for his performance in the serial. As well as that, McCoy did say it was a personal high of his era.

Serial Four (Ep. 11-14): LUNGBARROW

Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Graeme Harper
Air Dates: 13 November-4 December 1991

This serial would be the final serial for Sylvester McCoy's tenure of the Doctor. While this serial was originally planned for the previous season. Cartmel felt that the serial did not fit within the story of the previous season, as well as taking place on Gallifrey which the serial Ice Time took place on in the final part.

This serial would feature the return of several former characters from 70s and 80s Gallifrey serials. With Romana II, Leela, K-9 Mk I and II (with only one prop being used to save money and having a dual screen effect whenever they are on screen together). As well as Andred and Rodan, now played by new actors with Lewis Collins and Isabelle Amyes playing them respectively.

In the serial, we would see the House of Lungbarrow, which we learn is where the Doctor grew up as well as hinting that the Doctor was loomed from the DNA of one of the three founders of Gallifreyan society, the Other.

The plot for the episode being a murder mystery inside the House of Lungbarrow. Which the Doctor and Kelly try to solve throughout the episode. With it being revealed that the Doctor's cousin, Glospin being the villain of a murder that took place when the Doctor first left Gallifrey. And killed the patriarchal figure of the house to take the Doctor's inheritance of the House.

When the House of Lungbarrow, which is revealed to be sentient like the TARDIS, finds out what Glospin has done. Starts to destroy itself and while everyone else escapes the House. The Doctor and Glospin are trapped in the house and are crushed to death.

While they are pulled out of the rubble. Glospin is declared dead. However, the Doctor is pulled from the rubble and is declared to be in the state between an incarnation's death and regeneration. The Doctor's body is brought to Romana's office laying on a sofa. Kelly wonders on how they are going to bring him back to life. Romana touches the Doctor's temple and the Doctor begins to wake up.

The Doctor wakes up. Kelly sits down next to him. And asks him about the regeneration process that Romana had mentioned. The Doctor calmly explains regeneration to her and on how it can... change a Time Lord. He lays back down. As he begins to give a speech about life as he sees visions of both Mel Bush and Ace. As Kelly tries to gets the Doctor's attention as he goes off about Mel and Ace. The Doctor looks at Kelly and says, "Kelly, it's time to say goodnight." And with that, a gold glow surrounds the Doctor's face and hands. After sometime as the camera zooms closer and closer to the Doctor's face, the glow disappears. And, the Doctor stands up. Kelly say his name.

The Doctor then turns around and we see the Eighth Doctor, David McCallum.

The Doctor smiles saying, "Hello Kelly. I assume you have some questions?" Kelly is shocked and the serial ends with the Doctor smiling.

Season Conclusion

A month before the season began airing on BBC1. It was announced via a photo call and several BBC news broadcasts that David McCallum would be replacing Sylvester McCoy in the role of the Doctor. With the photo call taking place in front of BBC Television Centre in London with McCallum with Lysette Anthony being photographed in front of the TARDIS prop.

Also around this time, in an interview with DWM. Andrew Cartmel had announced that Remembrance of the Daleks, Battlefield and Network writer Ben Aaronovitch would replacing him as Script Editor.

However, that would not be those will not be the only major changes behind the scenes with Season 29. With a bigger budget, more serials and episodes and... a new production company.

Come Back Next Time for Doctor Who: Season Twenty-Nine

Introduction to Series & Doctor Who: Season 27 (1990)

Introduction to Series

Hello, and to the Doctor Who: Beyond 1989 series.

This series is a series in vein to What if Doctor Who Wasn't Axed? (created by Benjamin Windibank) or Doctor Who: The Cancelled Years (created by Optical Spectre) where we take a look at what would have happened if the hit British science fiction show Doctor Who was not cancelled by the BBC.

This will be our interpretation on what could of happened. The series originally had started out on our wiki back in 2020. And, due to several behind the scenes reasons. We have decided to revamp and polish the series to make it seem more believable.

With this, we begin with the first season for the 1990s, with Season 27.

Introduction to Season

With it seemingly that Doctor Who was on the verge of cancelation, John-Nathan Turner still loved the show and felt that it could survive if there was one thing to be done, that was his departure. He then approached BBC executives to not cancel the show, instead renewing with the sole promise that he would leave the show after it’s 27th season. After several pleas from J-NT to continue the show going and with the BBC putting Doctor Who as a series show instead of a serial show after the two departments were split up. The BBC had decided to renew the show and see if the public still wanted Doctor Who on their screens.

With the greenlight in motion for a twenty-seventh season, J-NT decided to take a very much back seat approach to the season, like he did with seasons twenty-five and twenty-six and let Andrew Cartmel act as showrunner with him making the lead decisions on what should and should not happen.

While J-NT worked with the BBC higher-ups to figure out who will succeed him as Producer of Doctor Who. Cartmel sat down and planned out the season. With several things of being to note. First off that both of the show's leads Sylvester McCoy (The Doctor) and Sophie Aldred's (Ace) contracts were up. With Aldred's contract up at the halfway part of the season and McCoy's being up at the end of the season. Cartmel had decided to wrap up Ace's story with her final serial being the second in the season. With a new companion being introduced in the third serial in the season.

Serial One (Ep. 1-3): NIGHT THOUGHTS

Written by Edward Young
Directed by Alan Wareing
Air Dates: 5 September-19 September 1990

Starting out the season would be a three part horror serial. With the Doctor and Ace investigating a mansion on an island off the coast of Scotland. The Doctor and Ace investigate the mansion which is revealed to be doing experiments on a little girl who is obsessed with a sentient childhood plush toy known only as "Happy the Rabbit".

The Doctor and Ace fight off the one behind several experiments happening at the mansion. A former British Army anesthetist who fought in the Falklands. And at the end of the episode, the Doctor has them locked up in the mansion with the sentient rabbit and not seen on screen. But, is hinted to be killed by said rabbit.

At the end of the episode, while exiting the mansion. Ace says that she thinks the Doctor's actions were... cruel to say the least. The Doctor tells her that he had no choice with the villain this time around. He. Had. No. Choice.

Serial Two (Ep. 4-7): ICE TIME

Written by Marc Platt
Directed by Michael Kerrigan
Air Dates: 26 September-17 October 1990

This serial would act as Sophie Aldred's final regular appearance as companion Ace.

The serial would take place in 1960s London during the height of the cold war. Where the Ice Warriors are trying to invade Earth to terraform the planet into a new Mars. With them getting involved with a motorcycle gang wearing Ice Lord helmets. And, on the request of John-Nathan Turner the use of the attraction London Dungeon. And the Doctor and Ace teaming up with a man named, Sam Tollinger, A private investigator. 

However all of this would take a back seat as the main focus of the episode is Ace's departure. She throughout the episode takes charge of the situation and the Doctor working with a Time Lord known as "The Adjudicator" to see if Ace is qualified to enter the Time Lord academy as a Prydonian and eventually, one day, become a Time Lord.

However, as this is revealed in the third part. Ace had no idea that this is what the Doctor all this time had been trying to do. Which has a knockback effect in the final part. Where Ace grows to hate the Doctor at first, but overtime. Comes to understand and that he was trying to give her a good life.

The episode ends on Gallifrey with Ace in Prydonian Robes sitting with the Doctor as they say goodbye to each other. And, hoping to one time in the future. Meet again.

Serial Three (Ep. 8-10): BLOOD AND IRON

Written by Andrew Cartmel
Directed by Alan Wareing
Air Dates: 24 October-7 November 1990

This serial would be a companion introduction story. Introducing a new companion. Kelly Turner (played by Lysette Anthony). Kelly would be a new type of Doctor Who companion as she is in this serial's first part. Apart of the main villain's group of allies. With part one of the serial even ending with Kelly aiming a gun at the Doctor's head. And her story over the serial being a tale of redemption as she proves to herself and UNIT as being a good person. With the Doctor seeing the good in her, offers her a chance to travel with him.

This serial would also feature the return of UNIT who had made their re-introduction in the previous season's Battlefield. Along with UNIT, Angela Bruce returns as Bambera. As they investigate an animal rights extremist by the name of Scobie. Who was the leader of a animal rights group of students who attended Margrave University. Kelly being one of them.

Scobie ends up teaming with an alien race called the Numlocks who Scobie thinks will help him stop the human race mistreating animals. But, just take over his plan and try and take over the planet, which the Doctor along with the help of Kelly and UNIT put a stop to, kicks them off the planet and UNIT arrests Scobie for his actions.

Serial Four (Ep. 11-14): ILLEGAL ALIEN

Written by Mike Tucker
Directed by Andrew Morgan
Air Dates: 14 November-4 December 1990

The final serial of the season would have been one that was written in a specific way. During the production process of Season 27, it was unsure if the show was gonna be renewed for a 28th season as BBC executives could not find a suitable name to take over from John-Nathan Turner as producer. However, one name was found to succeed Turner. But, that did not stop Cartmel working with the serial's writer Mike Tucker to include a speech at the end of the serial to add as a possible ending if the show was not renewed. Despite it not being renewed, the speech was still kept in the final cut of the serial.

This serial would have taken place during the London Blitz. And feature the Doctor and Kelly working with a Private Investigator in a battle against the Cybermen as well as Nazi spies hidden in London trying to topple the government from the inside out. While John-Nathan Turner, Andrew Cartmel and Mike Tucker wanted this serial to introduce a new design of the Cybermen. A more slender and horrific style design. Due to the budget for the serial. This design was unable to be used and they reused the design that had been done since the 1982 serial Earthshock.

After the Cybermen are stopped and sent into the London sewers. The Doctor and Kelly talk in front of the TARDIS about what the Doctor does. The Doctor goes on a speech about why he does what he does. He loves the universe and feels that it needs to be protected from villains and he tries to do what he can from time to time. Like they did with the Cybermen. No matter what. He would be there. For the universe.

Season Conclusion

During the production of the season. John-Nathan Turner was championing production manager Ian Fraser to replace him as producer. However, the BBC were unsure if he was suitable for the role and wanted a new person to take on the producer role for the show. But, everyone they approached turned them down. In the end, the BBC decided to go with Turner's choice as Fraser to replace him as producer.

While both McCoy and Cartmel had intended to stand down at the end of the season as well. The BBC asked them both to stay on for one more season to help break in Fraser as producer. This got Cartmel happy as it meant, he was able to complete his master plan with McCoy's final season...

Come Back Next Time for Doctor Who: Season Twenty-Eight