The Untold Stories: Doctor Who Unravels the Fate of 9 Companions Post-TARDIS

Article Overview

Doctor Who

spinoff,

Tales of the TARDIS

, reunites past companions to retell stories from the classic era, a unique approach compared to previous spinoffs.

Characters such as Tegan, Jamie, Zoe, Peri, Jo, Clyde, Steven, Vicki, and Ace showcase their accomplishments and life paths after their adventures aboard the TARDIS. Tegan's impactful work in environmental activism and Peri's transformation into a formidable Warrior Queen are just a glimpse of the varied and satisfying journeys that these cherished characters embark on in this spinoff series.

Doctor Who has had several spinoffs since its debut in 1963. However, its latest addition, Tales of the TARDIS, stands out by bringing back multiple companions from previous years. This exclusive series, available on BBC iPlayer, reunites characters from the Whoniverse and retells stories from Doctor Who's classic era. Through the re-editing of six Classic Doctor Who stories, main characters from each tale come together to reminisce and share their memories.

Tales of the TARDIS sets itself apart from other Doctor Who spinoffs, such as The Sarah Jane Adventures and Torchwood. Unlike these shows, Tales of the TARDIS revisits existing Doctor Who stories rather than presenting entirely new adventures. In each episode, a pair of travelers meet inside the memory TARDIS, which is filled with the Doctor's collected trinkets from different time periods. As the Doctor's oldest friends reunite, they reveal what has transpired in their lives since their time inside the TARDIS.

Tegan Jovanka - Experienced Shock & Started Campaigning

Traveled With The Fourth And Fifth Doctors

In "Earthshock," Tegan reunites with the Fifth Doctor (Peter Davison) in what is considered one of her finest episodes. After leaving the TARDIS, Tegan (Janet Fielding) finds herself stranded on Earth with no funds. Eventually, she manages to return to her hometown of Brisbane, Australia. Tegan confides in the Doctor, expressing her difficulty in readjusting to life on Earth after her departure from him, as she had found the transition to be quite shocking.

Jamie McCrimmon And Zoe Heriot - Found Families And Careers

Upon her departure from the TARDIS, Tegan finds herself uncertain about her life's direction. As she wrestles with this dilemma, she ultimately reaches the conclusion that whatever path she chooses, it must be one that would earn the Doctor's admiration. Tegan joyfully reveals to the Doctor that her journey has led her to dedicate herself to a cause: advocating for the protection of the environment. The Doctor expresses his genuine pride in Tegan's chosen pursuit.

Traveled With The Second Doctor

Jamie (Frazer Hines) and Zoe (Wendy Padbury) accompany the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton) on various journeys during their time aboard the TARDIS. Although mainly associated with the Second Doctor, Jamie briefly encounters the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) in Doctor Who's audio adventures. After their encounter with the War Lords, the Doctor decides to send Jamie and Zoe back to their respective time streams and erases their memories of him.

When they reunite within the memory TARDIS, Jamie and Zoe are overjoyed to catch up on their lives. Jamie excitedly shares that he now has five daughters and 19 grandchildren, having married Kirsty McLaren (Hannah Gordon) whom he met in the Doctor Who adventure "The Highlanders." After leaving the TARDIS, Zoe returns to The Wheel, the same space station where she initially encountered the Doctor. Eventually, Zoe returns to Earth and meets her husband in Australia, with whom she has a son. It is only when Zoe mentions her son James that she realizes she named him after her dear old friend, Jamie.

Much like Zoe, her son James is also a scientist. Zoe proudly flaunts her glamorous ensemble, a dazzling set of robes, and proudly proclaims her new role as a president, having recently experienced her third inauguration ceremony. While the specific nation she presides over remains undisclosed, it is reasonable to speculate that she has reclaimed command of The Wheel, assuming control of the space station.

Peri Brown - Married A King & Became The Warrior Queen

Traveled With The Fifth And Sixth Doctors

Peri Brown, portrayed by Nicola Bryant, serves as a companion to both the Fifth and Sixth Doctors during her time on the TARDIS. Reuniting with the Sixth Doctor in Tales of the TARDIS, he expresses immense pride in Peri's accomplishments as an American woman. After leaving the TARDIS, Peri marries King Yrcanos, played by Brian Blessed, and together they rule over the Krontep species as the Warrior Queen.

However, tragedy strikes as Yrcanos passes away, leaving Peri devastated. She manages to return to Earth and expresses her grief to the Doctor, drawing parallels between Earth and Varos. Touched by her pain, the Doctor offers to take her on a journey to ease her heartache. Prior to their departure, Peri confides in the Doctor her desire to visit Yrcanos' memorial once a year, a tradition she has faithfully observed since his death.

Jo Grant - Married, Had 13 Children, & Became Friends With Sarah Jane Smith

Traveled With The Third Doctor

Following Jo Grant's (Katy Manning) departure from the TARDIS, the character has made several notable comebacks in the Whoniverse. She establishes a strong bond with Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen) and encounters the woman's offspring and companions in The Sarah Jane Adventures. When reuniting with Clyde Langer (Daniel Anthony), he takes the opportunity to express his condolences upon learning about the loss of her spouse Cliff, with whom she had seven children and 13 grandchildren.

Although devastated by the loss of Cliff, Jo is adamant about distinguishing themselves from the Doctor and highlighting the brevity of their own lives. While being alone in the memory TARDIS, Jo discovers a blue crystal from Metebelis III that was given to her by the Doctor as a wedding gift. As she fondly recollects her moments with Cliff, she is overwhelmed with joy when the memory TARDIS grants her the opportunity to see her beloved late husband once more.

Clyde Langer - Became A Successful Comic Writer

Crosses Paths With The Tenth And Eleventh Doctors

Clyde Langer, though not a companion on the TARDIS, encounters both the Tenth and Eleventh (Matt Smith) Doctors in The Sarah Jane Adventures. Following Sarah Jane's passing, the children of Bannerman Road venture onto different paths. Luke (Tommy Knight) gets married and joins UNIT, while Rani (Anjli Mohindra) passionately protests against climate change and stands up against corporate greed. However, Sarah Jane's youngest child, Sky, is not mentioned.

Since his last encounter with the Doctor, Clyde has found success as a comic book writer and is currently in the process of adapting one of his projects into a TV series. Despite his achievements, he longs for the days spent on Bannerman Road, sensing that something crucial is still missing from his life. Reflecting on their shared history, Jo urges Clyde to seek out Rani and express his feelings towards her.

Steven Taylor And Vicki Pallister - A King And An Oliver Farmer

Traveled With The First Doctor

Steven (Peter Purves) and Vicki (Maureen O'Brien) were companions of the First Doctor (William Hartnell) and the only characters featured in Tales of the TARDIS who departed at separate times. Upon arriving on an unfamiliar planet set in the future, which bore resemblance to Earth, Steven resolves to stay behind. Consequently, he ascends to the role of King on that planet, dedicates himself to educating its inhabitants about their history, and strives to prevent the repetition of past mistakes. When Steven reunites with Vicki, he informs her of his continued reign as King and happily reveals that he now has children and grandchildren.

Much like Steven, Vicki also has children and grandchildren. The two reminisce about the time when she left the TARDIS, having fallen in love with Troilus, a member of Trojan royalty whom she had encountered in Troy. Following the birth of their children, they turned to olive farming and settled in the hills together. Despite not crossing paths with the Doctor again, Vicki is determined to be reunited with him, expressing her gratitude for the life he bestowed upon her.

Ace - Stayed With Her Grandmother

Traveled With The Seventh Doctor

Ace (Sophia Alred) makes multiple returns to the Whoniverse throughout the years, reuniting with the Seventh Doctor in "The Power of the Doctor." Their joyful interaction includes a reference to Sarah Jane, as Ace reveals that instead of being dropped off in London, England, she was left in London, Ontario, reminiscent of the Doctor leaving Sarah Jane in Aberdeen in "School Reunion."

Ace explains to the Doctor that his poor piloting skills made it challenging for her to return home without her passport. Eventually, she successfully made her way back to the UK and paid a visit to her grandmother, Kathleen Dudman (Cory Pulman). Ace believes that her grandmother, in her later moments, finally remembered their encounter during the adventure "The Curse of Fenric." Overwhelmed with emotion, Ace happily informs the Doctor that Kathleen acknowledged and appreciated the help Ace had provided years ago. Lastly, she mentions that her iconic leather jacket, retired along with her Doctor Who adventures, now holds a place of honor on display.

Editor's P/S

1. In the realm of Doctor Who spinoffs, "Tales of the TARDIS" presents a refreshing take on the franchise by revisiting and retelling classic stories from the show's extensive history. Instead of introducing entirely new adventures, this series delves into the untold fates of beloved companions, offering fans a glimpse into their lives after they've left the Doctor's side.

2. The spinoff's unique approach of re-editing existing episodes allows for the return of multiple companions from different eras, creating exciting and nostalgic reunions. Each character's journey is satisfyingly explored, showcasing their accomplishments and personal growth. The heartfelt conversations between the Doctor and his former companions highlight the enduring bonds formed during their travels, leaving fans with a sense of closure and appreciation for the rich tapestry of the Doctor Who universe. Overall, "Tales of the TARDIS" is a commendable addition to the franchise, providing fans with a unique and captivating perspective on the lives of the Doctor's cherished companions.