Doctor Who Season 14 Makes Mel A Much Better Character Than The Classic Series Ever Did
Melanie Bush, one of the less popular companions in Doctor Who's classic run, received a major upgrade in Doctor Who season 14. During Mel's original appearance, she often came across as scared, confused, and prone to screaming. She also had some annoying quirks, like trying to force carrot juice on the Doctor.
But Mel's return in season 14 shows a much more developed character. She's now a computer analyst for UNIT, displaying intelligence and courage. Mel is no longer a stereotypical screaming female. She's a strong asset to the Doctor. The Doctor's companion is a far cry from the character that audiences encountered in the 1980s. Mel's return to Doctor Who is a big win for fans who wanted to see her character done justice.
What Went Wrong With Bonnie Langford's Mel In Doctor Who's Classic Series
The problems with Melanie's original character went deeper than her tendency towards screaming and her need to offer the Doctor annoying advice. These were symptoms of a larger issue: her character was underdeveloped for plot purposes during "Trial of a Time Lord" and was never fully fleshed out afterward. The way Melanie was written during her introduction and in subsequent stories similarly wasted Bonnie Langford's talent.
The 2005 continuation of Doctor Who corrected many of the errors made in the final years of the classic series, and the poor writing for Mel was one of the biggest changes the series recently made. She is no longer a stereotypical screaming female, and her character is now fully formed.
