Doctor Who Unveils an Interconnected TARDIS, Bridging All Doctors and Companions
The Memory TARDIS: An extraordinary connection to every Doctor and Companion in Doctor Who Powered by their memories, it grants access to new adventures for old teams A timeless marvel that never truly releases its hold (349 characters)
Article Overview
Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS introduces a brand-new Memory TARDIS that connects all the Doctors and companions, allowing them to reminisce about past adventures.
The Memory TARDIS is a therapy technique that supports the Doctor and companions in addressing previous losses and difficult goodbyes. Powered by memories, this potent machine enables reunions, new escapades, and the potential revival of characters from the Doctor's history.
WARNING: Spoiler Alert for Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS! In this latest installment, Doctor Who introduces an innovative version of the TARDIS that connects all the different incarnations of the Doctor and their respective companions. The series, written by Russell T Davies, Phil Ford, and Pete McTighe, features six new episodes that bring together the Doctors and companions in order to reminisce about their past adventures in the TARDIS. These nostalgic recollections serve as a prelude to extended versions of classic episodes such as "The Curse of Fenric," "The Mind Robber," and "The Three Doctors." Tales of the TARDIS serves as the introductory platform for Doctor Who's Whoniverse, which encompasses the entire universe of the main show and its various spinoffs.
Currently available exclusively on iPlayer in the UK, Doctor Who's Tales of the TARDIS is a special treat in celebration of the show's 60th anniversary. The inclusion of Peter Davison, Colin Baker, and Sylvester McCoy, along with their original companion actors Janet Fielding, Nicola Bryant, and Sophie Aldred, is a touching homage to Doctor Who's rich history. However, the mechanism used to reunite the Doctors and their companions is more complex than the sentient hologram featured in "The Power of the Doctor." This time, they are brought back together through the means of a Memory TARDIS, a brand-new concept introduced in Doctor Who.
What Is The Memory TARDIS, Exactly?
In the episode "Earthshock," the Fifth Doctor refers to the Memory TARDIS as a "remembered TARDIS," a time machine that exists in memory. The set incorporates elements from various TARDIS sets in Doctor Who's history, featuring different consoles and roundels scattered throughout. It also houses a diverse collection of sonic screwdrivers and a fully functional 1980s style TARDIS console suspended from the ceiling. Its purpose is to evoke the memories of its guests, encouraging them to share past adventures and "nourish" the Memory TARDIS. Significantly, the Fifth Doctor and Tegan realize that the Memory TARDIS serves as a form of therapy, enabling them to confront the loss of Adric (Matthew Waterhouse) and their own sorrowful parting.
It appears that the reunion of the Doctors and their companions takes place within an extension of Doctor Who's TARDIS. It has been suggested that the TARDIS, with its psychic abilities, is the reason why "the TARDIS never really lets go". This connection between the time and space machine and its occupants was established during Tom Baker's era as the Doctor, explaining how the Doctor and their companions were able to understand foreign and alien languages during their adventures. It is plausible that this psychic link is what allows the Memory TARDIS to continue reaching out to the Doctor and their companions, even decades after their regenerations or the conclusion of their shared adventures.
The Memory TARDIS Is Linked To Every Doctor & Every Companion
In addition to the Doctors, companions are also drawn into the Memory TARDIS to recall their past adventures. One particularly poignant episode of Tales of the TARDIS reunites Jamie McCrimmon and Zoe Herriot to relive the events of "The Mind Robber." Surprisingly, the cruel memory wipe imposed on them by the Timelords in "The War Games" is reversed by the effects of the Memory TARDIS. Their memories come rushing back, leading them to realize that the Second Doctor greatly influenced their lives, even if they were unable to remember him.
In both "The Mind Robber" and "Earthshock," there is a sense that the Memory TARDIS is like a dream world for Doctor Who companions. Jamie and Zoe fear losing their memories once they "awaken," while Tegan and the Fifth Doctor discuss awakening inside the Memory TARDIS. If that's the case, it is a beautifully poetic concept by Russell T Davies and his writing team, suggesting that the TARDIS has one final gift in store for the Doctor and companions. The idea of a dream TARDIS, where anything is possible, including reunions between Jo Jones and her late husband Cliff Jones, holds immense potential for future episodes.
Every Doctor & Companion In Tales of the TARDIS (And What Episode) | |
|---|---|
The Fifth Doctor & Tegan | "Earthshock" |
Jamie & Zoe | "The Mind Robber" |
The Sixth Doctor & Peri | "Vengeance on Varos" |
Jo Jones & Clyde Langer | "The Three Doctors" |
Steven & Vicki | "The Time Meddler" |
The Seventh Doctor & Ace | "The Curse of Fenric" |
Doctor Who's Memory TARDIS Is Powered By The Doctor & His Companions' Memories
The Memory TARDIS offers a much more joyous celebration of the Doctor and their companions compared to the support group showcased in "The Power of the Doctor." While the latter scene portrayed a visual representation of a traumatic experience, Tales of the TARDIS presents a vibrant and emotional homage to Doctor Who's history. The main concept of the show revolves around the new TARDIS being fueled by the memories of those who come aboard, allowing the actors to introduce classic adventures in a fresh manner. Remarkably, this plot element seamlessly integrates into the narrative, particularly resonant during an anniversary year when the idea of a magical machine powered by memories holds significant weight.
Any Doctor & Companion Can Visit The Memory TARDIS
After sixty years of Doctor Who, there is an abundance of adventures to revisit, yet unfortunately, numerous individuals are no longer with us. From the perspective of the Doctor Who universe, the passing of Adric leads the Fifth Doctor and Tegan to acknowledge that he will always remain alive in their memories. This is precisely why the Fifth Doctor persuades Tegan to relive the emotionally impactful episode "Earthshock". The melancholic recollections of Jamie about Victoria Waterfield hold even more significance following the sad demise of Deborah Watling in 2017. Memories possess the extraordinary ability to briefly bring people back to life, and this is one of the many marvels that the Memory TARDIS bestows.
The Memory TARDIS allows for the unrestricted blending of timelines, enabling the reunion of Jamie McCrimmon, a denizen of 18th century Scotland, with Zoe Herriot, a resident of Earth in the distant future. In a mesmerizing fashion reminiscent of a dream, the boundaries between the past, present, and future dissolve, allowing the Doctor and their erstwhile companions to converge and reflect upon their shared experiences. Notably, the Doctors themselves exhibit visible signs of aging, as the Sixth Doctor astutely remarks, acknowledging a slight increase in stature, a touch of gray hair, and the presence of a beard. This observation suggests that these are distinct manifestations of the Doctor that occur subsequent to regeneration, akin to the personifications of the Guardians in "The Power of the Doctor."
There is ample potential in the Memory TARDIS to facilitate heartfelt reunions by bringing back past faces of the Doctor. Considering that an older Fifth Doctor can enter the Memory TARDIS, it is undoubtedly feasible for an older Adric to make an appearance, akin to Cliff at the end of "The Three Doctors." The fact that characters like Clyde from The Sarah Jane Adventures can access the Memory TARDIS implies that every individual who has ever journeyed with the Doctor – regardless of how brief their tenure – can be welcomed on board to share their unique tales.
The Memory TARDIS Can Give Old Teams New Adventures
The Fifth Doctor and Tegan finally have a heart-to-heart using the Memory TARDIS. Meanwhile, the Sixth Doctor and Peri, as well as the Seventh Doctor and Ace, decide to embark on new adventures together. Whether these adventures are real or imagined within the Memory TARDIS' dreamscape doesn't matter. The Tales of the TARDIS concept allows the Doctor and Peri's underappreciated partnership to showcase new and close adventures. It's uncertain if Tales of the TARDIS will lead to a new era for the Sixth Doctor in Doctor Who, but it presents an incredible opportunity.
Similarly, when Doctor Who was canceled in 1989, Sylvester McCoy and Sophie Aldred's time as the Seventh Doctor and Ace was cut short. Although their adventures continued in various forms, the excitement of seeing them embark on new journeys is highly enticing. Tales of the TARDIS, a last-minute addition to the 60th anniversary plans, has the potential to bring forth a fresh and thrilling era for both new and old Doctors and companions. It serves as a joyous launch for the Whoniverse and the beginning of Doctor Who's 60th anniversary celebrations.
Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS is currently only available in the UK via BBC iPlayer. Doctor Who begins streaming on Disney+ globally on November 25th.
Editor's P/S
As an enthusiastic fan of Doctor Who, I am thrilled by the introduction of the Memory TARDIS in "Doctor Who: Tales of the TARDIS." This innovative concept brings together all the Doctors and companions, allowing them to reminisce about their past adventures and embark on new ones. The Memory TARDIS serves as a powerful therapy tool, helping the Doctor and companions to address previous losses and difficult goodbyes.
The Memory TARDIS is a fascinating exploration of the Doctor's and companions' shared history. By revisiting classic episodes and reuniting iconic duos, "Tales of the TARDIS" pays homage to the show's rich legacy while also paving the way for future adventures. The inclusion of the Memory TARDIS adds a new layer of depth and emotion to the series, allowing fans to connect with the characters on a deeper level.
