Doctor Who: Gallifrey’s shady side – looking at the Celestial Intervention Agency

Beneath Gallifrey’s seemingly passive society lies a very shady organization. We take a look at the Celestial Intervention Agency, and what makes them an intriguing aspect of the Doctor Who universe.

One of the more interesting sides of Gallifrey that’s been explored more in Doctor Who‘s expanded universe than on television is the Celestial Intervention Agency. The organization began initially as a passing reference in The Deadly Assassin. But, like many little details in Robert Holmes’s stories, this was an idea with a lot of potential to be explored further.

The Celestial Intervention Agency (or C.I.A. for short) is Gallifrey’s more shady side. The Time Lords have a very strict policy of non-intervention. Publicly, at least. However, there are times when they feel that, from time to time, the universe needs a little intervention. Not too much, and certainly nothing too public. But just enough to put things right in the universe. Well, right for Gallifrey, anyway.

When the organization was first mentioned, it was revealed that they were behind lifting the Doctor’s exile on Earth during his third incarnation. They weren’t explored much on television after their brief mention in The Deadly Assassin. However, it was very clear that the Castellans – the equivalent of the chiefs of police on Gallifrey – were well aware of just how shady and secretive the organization was.

The CIA has had many different Coordinators over the years – including former Fourth Doctor companion and President of Gallifrey Romana.

(Image credit: Gallifrey/Doctor Who/Big Finish Productions.

Image obtained from: Big Finish Productions.)

Gallifrey’s hypocrisy

What makes something like the C.I.A. so fascinating is the fact that it shows just a little bit of the hypocrisy of Gallifrey’s society. Openly, they may be anti-interference. They may condemn the Doctor’s actions, and even put him on trial for them.

But the C.I.A. is an organization that is willing to interfere. More important than that, it’s usually implied, sometimes even explicitly stated, that they interfere on the High Council’s request. And while sometimes, they might see the Doctor as a problem, they also know when to treat him as an asset, too.

Now, you’ve probably noticed that the acronym bears a slight similarity with a certain organization on Earth. It was actually commented on by Ace in Seventh Doctor audio The Quantum Possibility Engine. When she asks if it’s just a coincidence, Narvin, Coordinator of the C.I.A., has the best answer:

"You can think that if you wish. My people get around."

The Coordinators of the C.I.A.

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One of my favorite explorations of the organization has been in the audios. Not just in Doctor Who, but also in Gallifrey. We’ve seen quite a few Coordinators of the organization, at this point. Vansell was one of the most devious, at times. While he was openly trying to protect Gallifrey’s interests, it was just as much about his own agenda and hunger for glory that he was acting on.

Narvin was something of an improvement. While initially, he hated President Romana and her liberal views, he was still loyal to her position, at least. And he grew over time, so that he also became loyal to her personally, too.

Eventually, Romana herself became Coordinator of the organization in Gallifrey: Enemy Lines, immediately after stepping down as President. However, her time in charge has seen the organization with less power than it used to have, especially during the Time War. This is mainly because of the War Council, and the increasing power they gain during a time of conflict.

With series two of Gallifrey: Time War out next month and the conflict getting worse, just how much power will Romana be left with by the end? And will the C.I.A. be able to survive as an organization? We can’t wait to find out!

Are you familiar with the C.I.A. on Gallifrey? Do you wish they had been explored more on television? Let us know in the comments below.