The regeneration of Doctor Who: a wild, scrapped plan with impact
Thanks for his ability to regenerate, the Doctor Who universe has seen many actors playing the Time Lord. But in 1996, a scheme for the Doctor's rejuvenation in the Virgin New Adventures companion books almost completely changed the rules of the game, rendering him almost indestructible.
Examining the Doctor's Regeneration Closely
One intriguing feature of the show has always been Doctor Who's capacity for regeneration. It lets the character keep his same basic essence while yet allowing him to continue his adventures with a fresh face and attitude. The longevity of the show depends critically on the Doctor's regeneration, but in 1996 a suggested regeneration plot nearly stretched the bounds of his abilities, producing a Doctor unlike any we have seen.
Original Seventh Doctor Regeneration Plan, Doctor Who
Virgin Publishing released a run of Doctor Who books titled Virgin New Adventures in the 1990s. These books were meant to cover the void left by the 1989 off-channel Doctor Who TV series. These books followed the adventures of the Seventh Doctor (Sylvester McCoy) and later concentrated on Bernice Summerfield, a friend brought in during the Seventh Doctor's lifetime. Still, there was a bold scheme for the Seventh Doctor's rejuvenation. The Doctor was supposed to be blown up, then reassemble from the rubble to show as fresh regeneration. For the character, this would have been a radical transformation that fundamentally changes our understanding of his mortality.
The Plan: The BBC's Reversal
The BBC, the network behind Doctor Who, finally turned down the idea though. They felt it defied the accepted canon of the show and went too far in terms of the Doctor's aptitudes. The BBC's choice matched the arrival of the 1996 Doctor Who TV film, which debuted the Eighth Doctor (Paul McGann). Though the Virgin New Adventures books kept delving into the adventures of the Seventh Doctor following the TV movie's premiere, they made no reference to the Doctor's regeneration. This was a conscious decision taken to prevent running counter to the show's accepted canon.
Why Did the Doctor's Regeneration Plan Get Turned Down?
The Virgin New Adventures regeneration plan was turned down by the BBC not out of randomity. It derived from the basic character of the Doctor and the regeneration process. As a Time Lord, the Doctor is a strong being but he is not perfect. Though unusual, the idea of regeneration still represents a sort of death. The Doctor can only regenerate a limited number of times, and every regeneration carries possibility for loss and transformation. The intended redevelopment at Virgin New Adventures would have fundamentally changed this fundamental quality of the Doctor's personality. It would have made him far too powerful and immortal, so negating the natural drama and pathos of the character.
The Doctor's Restriction on Regenerations
A major thematic element of the show is the Doctor's meager regenerations count. It compels the Doctor to face his own death, wrestle with the results of his deeds, and come to terms with the unavoidable change accompanying every next incarnation. The Doctor's rejuvenation reminds us that ultimately the constraints of life rule even the most amazing creatures. The Doctor's death gives his acts and path more weight and helps him to be more approachable and interesting. It's a crucial quality of the character the BBC sensibly safeguarded.
The Regeneration Plan of the Doctor: A Lost Opportunity
Although the Virgin New Adventures redevelopment scheme was finally turned down, it's interesting to think about the possible effects it might have had on the Doctor Who universe. One interesting and unforgettable event could have been a regeneration whereby the Doctor reassembles from rubble. It would have fundamentally altered our view of the Doctor's authority and maybe produced fresh and interesting narratives. Still, the BBC made the correct choice in keeping the Doctor's accepted canon. It kept the fundamental qualities of the show's thematic depth and the character. A reminder of his mortality and the inherent drama of his life, the Doctor's regeneration is still a moving and potent event.
What Did the Doctor's Scrapped Regeneration Plan Teach Us?
The abandoned Doctor Who regeneration project reminds us of the need of following accepted canon. It emphasizes in a long-running series the fine equilibrium between invention and legacy. Although investigating fresh and interesting opportunities is always appealing, it's important to honor the established roots that give a show and a character so great appeal. A pillar of Doctor Who, the Doctor's regeneration is evidence of the BBC's dedication to the legacy of the programme that they finally turned down the Virgin New Adventures regeneration scheme. Ultimately, the Doctor's regeneration stays a fascinating component of his travels. It reminds us that life and death impose restrictions on even the most strong entities and that change—unexpectedly—is a natural occurrence of life.
