Geek Syndicate Issue 8 | Page 44

Geek Syndicate had never seen the first Doctor in action. That is until 1992 when the BBC aired an adventure from each Doctor running up to the thirtieth anniversary of the programme in 1993. The story I saw was The Time Meddler, written by Dennis Spooner and it is that story that I think really shows off this era of the programme. By this point, William Hartnell has clearly settled into the role of the Doctor and the writers have also learned to roll with the format of the show. Hartnell’s Doctor is more playful by this point, countering his (very much still present) irascibility. On top of this much more grandfatherly Doctor, we are presented with Vicki (who was introduced a few stories previous to replace Susan), played by Maureen O’Brian. Vicki is young and intelligent without being as…well, irritating as Susan was. The crew of the TARDIS is rounded out with new comer Steven Taylor, played by Peter Purves, who takes on the role of the heroic lead. The story itself is the first of what would become the norm for Doctor Who historical stories. While exploring Earth’s past, the travellers discover that an alien or another time traveller is influencing events. Previously, historical adventures were just that – the TARDIS arrived in history and its crew became caught up in events. The Doctor meets The Monk - a fellow Time Lord The Time Meddler introduces a character I wish had made more appearances. Peter Butterworth (later to become famous for his roles in the Carry On films), stars as the eponymous meddler. Butterworth plays another time traveller – one with a TARDIS of his own. Back in 1965, there were no “Time Lords” and there was no “Gallifrey”. All we know of the meddler is that he is from the Doctor’s home but is “fifty years after” the Doctor. His TARDIS is newer than our hero’s – as evidenced by the central console being raised on a pedestal! Space Pilot Steven Taylor takes his first steps to the past It’s important to realise something about the series at this point: the Doctor wasn’t the hero of the show. The old man was simply the catalyst for adventure. He would try and get his companions home, failing each time. Stories were resolved, usually, by the entire crew (and their allies) working together, each bringing something different to the mix. This is what made a recurring cast of three or four people really work, whereas later on, this amount people made the TARDIS feel crowded. 44 The meddler has come to Earth to change history so that Harold’s Saxons can defeat William’s invasion force at Hastings. It is a matter of history that one of the factors behind Harold’s loss in 1066 was that his army had literally just come from fighting another battle against a Norwegian horde and then marched for six days from near York to Hastings to fight William. If the Danish fleet was sunk before it arrived...our meddler, disguised as a Monk seeks to do just that. Essentially, for his own amusement and to be able to meet for a post-match chat.