The End of Doctor Who in 1989: Unpacking the Hints of the Time War in the Classic Series

The original Doctor Who series, which aired from 1963 to 1989, came to an abrupt and somewhat abrupt end with the seventh season#39;s final episode. At the time, the Time War, a significant event in the Doctor Who lore, was not part of the narrative. This conflict, introduced in the revived series starting with the Ninth Doctor, is a catastrophic war between the Time Lords and the Daleks, leading to the destruction of both civilizations and significant changes in the Doctor#39;s character and backstory.

Was the Time War Made Up?

While the Time War is a vital plot point in the modern series, it was not part of the original run. According to sources, the Time War was introduced by Russell T Davies specifically for the reboot of the series. The series was canceled so abruptly that the production team could only wrap things up by adding a monologue to the end of the final episode. Interestingly, early notes from 1963 suggest that the lead character could be escaping from an intergalactic war, but this detail was not followed up on in the actual airing of the show.

However, while the Time War was not explicitly mentioned, there are hints of conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks scattered throughout the classic series. These hints may have served as the basis for the modern series#39; concept of the Time War.

Hints of the Time War in the Classic Series

Genesis of the Daleks (1975): In this episode, the Celestial Intervention Agency (CIA), a covert operations group for the Time Lords, forces the 4th Doctor to travel back in time and destroy the Daleks in their early stages. This backstory suggests that the Daleks posed a significant threat to the Time Lords’ supremacy over time and space. Although the concept of an orbiting war is not explicitly mentioned, it can be inferred from the underlying conflict.

The Five Doctors (1983): This episode features the Doctor in the Forbidden Zone, where it is mentioned that races were brought to Gallifrey for the purpose of mutually assured destruction. The Daleks, being too efficient at killing, were strictly forbidden. This further implies a shadowy conflict between the Time Lords and the Daleks.

Remembrance of the Daleks (1988): In this episode, the 7th Doctor utilizes the Hand of Omega to destroy Skaro, the Dalek homeworld. While this act is portrayed as a personal vendetta against the Daleks, the underlying connection to a larger conflict between the Time Lords and Daleks is implied.

TV Movie (1988): The Master, a recurring antagonist, is captured and executed by the Daleks on Skaro. While the Master is known to be an evil villain and is wanted in many worlds, including Gallifrey, it is plausible that the Time Lords had coerced the Master into a covert operation that went awry.

Conclusion

While the Time War was not explicitly depicted in the original Doctor Who series, the hints of conflict throughout the classic series provide a framework for the modern storyline. The episodes mentioned above serve as jumping-off points for the modern narrative, illustrating the rivalry and potential for a catastrophic war between the Time Lords and the Daleks. These hints suggest that the original series had its own undercurrent of conflict and tension, which the revival series built upon to create the sweeping narrative of the Time War.

Despite the absence of an explicit Time War, the classic series Doctor Who laid the groundwork for the modern storyline, making the conflict both logical and plausible within the broader universe of the show.