The Doctor Who 60th Anniversary: An Unconventional Return

Unconventional Returns

Doctor Who's 60th-anniversary special, 'The Giggle,' brought back beloved companions Mel and Donna, much to the delight of fans. Mel's last appearance was during the first season of Sylvester McCoy's Seventh Doctor, while Donna left Doctor Who under the pretense that she could never return due to the Doctor's regenerative energy from the Metacrisis. The unexpected return of these companions was both satisfying and a pleasant surprise.

However, these companions weren't the only characters considered for a comeback in 'The Giggle.' According to the episode commentary, the show's creator originally planned to bring back Steven Taylor, the First Doctor's companion. The unconventional idea involved Steven being disguised as a giant cow who works at UNIT, ready to jump into action when needed. While this idea had some logic, it was ultimately scrapped by the show's creator.

The Impact of Unconventional Ideas

If 'The Giggle' had included the unconventional return of Steven as a cow, it would have significantly impacted the episode's overall tone and reception. While Doctor Who is known for its quirky and whimsical nature, there is a fine line between entertainingly eccentric and outright absurd. The inclusion of a cow working at UNIT, especially one disguised as a significant character like Steven, would have risked turning the episode into a parody rather than a legitimate addition to the Doctor Who legacy.

Furthermore, RTD's cow idea would have undermined the significance of Steven's return. As a character with a rich history and complexity, Steven deserves a more meaningful storyline than being randomly depicted as a cow. His absence from the screen for 58 years holds a weight that should be honored with a compelling narrative, not a comedic cameo.

Exploring Alternate Returns

While the cow storyline was rightfully abandoned, there remains potential in the concept of bringing Steven back to Doctor Who in a more meaningful and impactful way. In the Doctor Who TV show, Steven's last known encounter involved UNIT erasing his memories and leaving him to live unaware of his past. This opens the door for future storytelling opportunities, especially now that UNIT has reformed and gained strength.

A potential return for Steven could involve his involvement in new adventures with the Fifteenth Doctor or aiding UNIT in defending against alien threats. Such returns would not only do justice to Steven's character but also provide an opportunity to explore the dynamics between companions from different eras, including Mel, Donna, Ruby, and Steven. The interplay between these characters across the Doctor's timeline holds promising potential for captivating storytelling and character development.