D. Evans 2007-07-09
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In 1985, the then controller of the BBC, Michael Grade axed Doctor Who. In hindsight this was a very strange decision, as the debut story of season 22 Attack of the Cybermen had attracted very good ratings, and the programme maintained healthy audience figures throughout the rest of the run. Grade had justified dropping the programme because he felt that the series had become violent and had declined in quality. Although it is true that at this stage in the programmes history, the series had become over reliant on maintaining continuity with what it happened past, the viewing figures suggested that people were not that unhappy with the programme and still tuned in. Rather it appears, as Grade admitted some years later, that he simply disliked the programme, and but for the public outcry, Doctor Who would not have reappeared at all. Following an 18 month hiatus, the show did return. Unfortunately the season entitled, The Trial of a Timelord, was not a success, and Colin Baker was informed that he was being axed from the role after just 2 years. Understandbly, Colin Baker refused to return either for a farewell story or a regeneration sequence. Although Baker would later come back to Doctor Who as the Sixth Doctor, with his highly acclaimed series of audio adventures. These help demonstrate just how good a Doctor he was.
Several people were considered for the role of the seventh Doctor, including Ken Campbell. Joh Nathan Turner eventually chose the 43 year old Scottish comedian and entertainer Sylvester McCoy. In contrast to the adult nature of season 22, season 24 was much lighter in tone and the programme appeared to be aiming for the children's market.
Time And The Rani begins with The Tardis being attacked by laser beams in outer space, and forced to crashland on an alien planet. Presumbly as a consequence of injury from this attack, The Doctor regenerates. Although companion Mel suffers no serious injuries. Due to Baker's refusal to return. McCoy simply wore a blond wig for this sequence. It was hoped that nobody would notice that prior to his regeneration The Doctor had also lost 6 inches in height. It is revealed that renegade Timelady The Rani is behind the crash, and she needs the Doctor as part of a scheme, involving transferring his knowledge into a giant brain. The Rani has also set numerous traps on the planet, to enslave the population there. These traps are maintained by alien monsters called the Tetraps.
McCoy very much emphasises humour as the new Doctor, and indeed he said that when he started, he was playing it very much for laughs. Unfortunately this does not work. One early characteristic which was thankfully dropped, is The Doctor regularly getting familar sayings wrong.
It is also not clear why The Doctor is not more angry with the Rani for taking away one of his lifes. The supporting characters are also not memorable, and the plot is unengaging.
This ultimately is not just the worst debut story of any Doctor, but also the worst story and season. Thankfully the programme would get better, but this would not be until the following year
