Doctor Who: why a UNIT spin-off could work

BBC/Doctor Who

With no spin-off series of Doctor Who since Class in 2016, we take a look at several reasons why a spin-off featuring U.N.I.T. could work.

Transformative changes to Doctor Who are being ushered in. By October 2018 a whole new era of the show is going to take root on our television sets, as Jodie Whittaker becomes the first female Doctor and Chris Chibnall takes over the role of head writer from Steven Moffat who was in that position for nearly a decade. A fresh atmosphere and a plethora of bold ideas are expected to be injected into our favourite time-travel show, like the main protagonist, a new regenerative sparkle. The discussions on changes to the main show are sometimes quickly followed by the talk of new spin-off material to accompany it. As Doctor Who is such a large, expansive show – it’s only natural for fans to start conjuring up more material to consume. Especially since the last time Doctor Who had a spin-off was 2016’s Class, which was unceremoniously cancelled after one series.

But what spin-off show should be created? There’s no shortage of material to draw from the dense mythos of the Doctor Who universe. In recent years many fans have been clamouring for a Paternoster Gang spin-off, but I believe I have a better idea. A spin-off centered on the Unified Intelligence Taskforce (U.N.I.T.) set on contemporary Earth. Join me as I detail why a U.N.I.T. spin-off could work so well within the framework of Doctor Who.

Sense of Familiarity

A U.N.I.T. spin-off would offer a warm sense of familiarity to audiences. This could be a key to achieving long-lasting success. Partly, in my opinion, the reason Class failed was due to its lack of connection to the parent show. Sure, it was set in Coal Hill School where The Doctor’s granddaughter, Susan, attended, but I’d contend that was simply not enough of a well thought-out pull for audiences. U.N.I.T. on the other hand does not have this same issue. U.N.I.T has been a key part of Doctor Who’s DNA going all the way back to the 1968 story The Invasion. Featuring fan-favourite characters Captain Yates, Sergeant Benton, and of course, Brigadier Lethbridge-Steward, who is as much a part of Doctor Who’s overall identity as the Daleks or The Master are.

Audiences who have just consumed New Who will be accustomed to the sight of U.N.I.T also, having seen them operate militarily throughout the years. More recently the creations of characters such as Kate Steward and Osgood have given younger audiences a stronger resonance to the organisation. Many have fond memories of the ‘U.N.I.T Family’ from the Third Doctor era and this air of camaraderie and team-spirit can easily be rekindled with the aforementioned Kate Steward, Osgood and the establishment of new characters.

Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC Image obtained from: bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

Shows A World The Doctor Leaves Behind

Despite the fact the Doctor relishes zipping and bouncing through time and space, he (or technically she now?) has an affinity for Earth. A U.N.I.T. spin-off could further build on stories that are predominantly Earth-bound. The Doctor fends of alien menaces and challenges injustices. But after the TARDIS whisks off? People’s lives have altered, communities have gone awry and sometimes, a world has changed. So it would be fascinating to further look into the people and places the Doctor leaves behind on Earth. Especially as we’d get differing perspectives on events that happen in Doctor Who. We’d get to see the fall-out of catastrophe, too. We could re-visit people whose world outlook has been radically shifted due to contact with The Doctor.

Take, for instance, the story Aliens of London as an example of what I’m pitching. We could see in greater depth the trauma of the Big Ben-UFO Crash and the explosion of 10 Downing Street. If a U.N.I.T. spin-off was theoretically in motion, audiences would see the ramifications of events that take place in a single episode of Doctor Who. This potential for world-building would cultivate a richer understanding of the Doctor Who universe.

Opens the Door to Old Characters

Spin-off show The Sarah Jane Adventures previously utilised this by giving Classic Era stalwarts the Brigadier and Jo Grant appearances. There were even plans to bring back Ace. I believe a show centred around U.N.IT. could open the door for old characters returning. There would be a need for intelligence gathering and recruitment. As a result, this could lead to cameos or full-blown appearances from Doctor Who characters from days of yore. Giving them a new lease of life, as a result.

Whilst this may be my personal fantasy, since Torchwood is seemingly now a completely dead television project (only surviving on Big Finish) – we could see an avenue opened up for Captain Jack and other characters like Gwen Cooper to return to screens. An organisation such as U.N.I.T. would realistically collaborate and be aware of Torchwood members. How about former companion of the Doctor, Martha Jones? She’s previously worked for U.N.I.T. and would fit in comfortably. The point is, a series focused on U.N.I.T. can be a vehicle that allows old characters to make a comeback.

Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC Image obtained from: bbc.co.uk/doctorwho

Political Storytelling

As U.N.I.T. is a part of governmental authorities, a spin-off show could see the rise of more political storytelling. Diplomacy can be a concept ripe for the taking. I envision heated political battles between nation states, the tension in the midst of international co-operation whilst alien threats are uncovered. There’s a bounty of ideas in relation to politics that could be mined. Furthermore, I could see engrossing story arcs emerging that involve the state and disclosure. What information is acceptable to the public? What happens when something accidentally leaks? And what are the domestic and international ramifications of releasing information? All this and more could make for some thought-provoking Science-Fiction.

There’s also the idea of Zygon infiltration. Back in 2015’s two-parter The Zygon Invasion/The Zygon Inversion – it established the fact that an entire Zygon community covertly lives in the United Kingdom. This could spark a paranoid thriller, with Zygons taking positions of power within government and U.N.I.T.

Alien Technology

U.N.I.T. has an area known as the ‘Black Archive’ – containing a vast array of different alien technology and knowledge that has been acquired over the decades. This could expand our insight into the scientific arm of U.N.I.T. with research and development. For example, we could see them utilising alien technology to create hybridised weapons. Or perhaps, more benevolent things such as alternative energy or cures for major diseases. There’s a wealth of positive and negative implications for the use of alien technology and it would be hugely interesting to see the driving ideology behind the use of it.

Next: Retro review: The Sontaran Stratagem

In conclusion, I have laid down the reasons as to why I believe a U.N.I.T spin-off could work within the framework of the Doctor Who universe. I think it could be an extremely entertaining new venture for the BBC. But what do you think about a U.N.I.T. spin –off? What do you think to my ideas? Got any ideas yourself? Write them in the comments below!