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