Doctor Who historicals: Three locations I’d like to see

Demons of the Punjab explored the partition in a very well-handled way. What other major periods of history could Doctor Who tackle?

(Image credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

Doctor Who often explores not just interesting places, but fascinating historical times, too. We look at three times and places that could be perfect to feature in later stories.

The choice to make historical episodes more international in Series Eleven was a welcome move. Broadening the scope of Doctor Who to include other countries has given way to some really interesting stories.

On the back of this, I have been pondering over what sort of other international locations I would like to see presented. Here are three that I would personally love to see.

The Troubles (Ireland)

This choice may seem too dour, violent and politically complex for a family drama. But after seeing how Rosa and Demons of the Punjab tackled recent social upheaval – I am convinced an Irish writer could make this turbulent time in British and Irish history work as a Doctor Who setting.

Series Eleven showed us Doctor Who can depict the more unsavoury shades of our history with tact. Demons of the Punjab portrayed a complex issue – the Indian partition – a seismic event that engulfed a variety of ethnic and religious groups with skill.

Why can’t the same be done with The Troubles? It could be a storyline that involves Graham’s heritage. After all, his surname ‘O’Brien’ is Irish. Perhaps the Doctor and Co. could become trapped by various factions, ensnaring themselves within the quagmire of tension eating away at society.

Naturally, this story should not take any political or religious side – Catholic vs Protestant or Unionist vs Republican. I can imagine a dark, pure historical unfold that could muster many tears.

This bloody time in the shared history of Ireland and Britain would be ripe for deconstructing how violent humans can be. Without being trite, this would be a prime opportunity to reaffirm the Doctor’s overarching religious and political ideology: peace and love.

While no stories have properly explored pre-colonial America on-screen, some stories in the expanded universe have explored the setting, including audio Voyage to the New World.

Pre-Colonial America

Much of the world is familiar with the United States of America to a lesser or larger extent. Arguably, no other nation on the planet has exported its culture and iconography as much. There’s an innate sense of familiarity with Americana and large chapters of its history. This is why I strongly believe a story centred on Pre-Colonial America and the Native Americans would be entertainingly fresh ground and informative.

The plight and culture of the Native Americans is shrouded in an aura of mystique for a lot of people, so it would be fascinating new territory. Navigating a wholly different way of life lends itself well for character drama.

Interacting within a tribal system and communicating with various Clans and Chiefs would be educational but also fish-out-of-water entertainment on the companion’s part. However, it could be about the esoteric as well as the structural.

The core spiritual tenets of many a Native American belief-system offer Doctor Who in-built creative potential. Concepts such as Spirit Animals and accessing the Spirit World could make for some otherworldly psychedelic sci-fi.

The Doctor could face inter-dimensional entities that interact in these environments and altered states of consciousness. The Mara – a Classic Who villain who first appeared in Kinda – would fit in perfectly here. They would be an insidious influence that could corrupt the hearts and minds of men through psychic attachment.

Doctor Who has seldom gone into the spiritual. The indigenous peoples of America could be an avenue to delve into it. The balance between cosmic and earthly planes, attitudes towards nature and community would represent a world view that is in stark contrast to the prevailing Western one. A character like the Doctor would appreciate the benefits of both and highlight the vast tapestry of human existence.

While Ancient Greece hasn’t been greatly explored in Doctor Who, the series has occasionally been influenced by Greek myth, particularly the Tom Baker story Underworld.

(Photo credit: Doctor Who/BBC.

Image obtained from: official Doctor Who website.)

Ancient Greece

Greece is one of the oldest civilisations on the planet and one of the largest driving forces behind the development of Western society. So it’s surprising that Doctor Who has never gone there, as the idea fits so well.

Doctor Who has continually reflected upon, analysed and celebrated the human condition. What better way to honour this than making the Doctor come face to face with some of the great minds that have shaped our development?

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There are ample historical figures that could be included – Pythagoras, Plato, Aristotle, etc.. The Doctor meeting any one of these influential people would be brilliant. They’d make for riveting equals to the Doctor, offering intellect and wit. Rosa in Series Eleven rekindled my love for the “celebrity” historical and I believe a sojourn to Ancient Greece would scratch that itch.

Greek mythos could easily be adapted to Doctor Who also. The show has used the legends of ancient cultures to great effect in the past: The Egyptian deity Sutekh in Pyramids of Mars and Norse deities – the Gods of Ragnorok – in The Greatest Show In The Galaxy. Both fleshed out the Doctor Who universe by combining sci-fi with real-world lore.

Doctor Who has occasionally been influenced by Greek myths in the past, particularly during the Tom Baker era. Underworld was heavily inspired by Jason and the Argonauts, while The Horns of Nimon was inspired by Theseus and the Minotaur. However, neither story are remembered fondly by the fans.

Perhaps the New Series could change that, and incorporate Greek mythology into Doctor Who in a more satisfying way. For example, like Sutekh and the Gods of Ragnarok, the establishment of Greek deities being an old alien race would further enhance the mystic side to New Who.

Next. Review: The UNIT trilogy comes to an end with Warlock’s Cross. dark

What do you think? Could these be interesting places for the Doctor and his friends to go? Which historical locations and events would you like to see on the show? Let us know in the comments below.

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