Asteroids In 'Doctor Who': Plot Devices And Time Travel

Introduction

The iconic science fiction series, Doctor Who, has been exploring the universe for over 50 years, encountering countless alien species and worlds. Although known for its use of time travel, the show has also featured asteroids as key plot devices throughout its long history.

Asteroids as Threats

Asteroids Pose a Danger to Earth

One of the earliest Doctor Who episodes to feature an asteroid was in the 1972 serial, "The Mutants". In this episode, the Third Doctor (played by Jon Pertwee) and his companion Jo Grant (played by Katy Manning) arrive on the planet Solos, where they discover that a group of colonists are being threatened by an incoming asteroid. The Doctor must act quickly to destroy the asteroid and prevent it from colliding with the planet and causing catastrophic damage.

The Asteroid as a Weapon

In the 1986 serial, "The Trial of a Time Lord", the Doctor (played by Colin Baker) is put on trial by his own people, the Time Lords, for breaking their laws. To prove his innocence, he is required to present evidence from his travels through time and space. In one segment of the trial, the Doctor visits a planet where a mining company is using an asteroid as a weapon to destroy other planets. He must stop them before they cause irreparable damage to the universe.

An Asteroid as a Prison

In the 2012 episode "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship", the Eleventh Doctor (played by Matt Smith) and his companions are recruited by UNIT to investigate an abandoned spaceship that is on a collision course with Earth. They discover that the ship has been taken over by an eccentric collector, who has captured dinosaurs and is using them for his own amusement. Among the creatures on board is a stowaway who has been imprisoned on an asteroid for centuries. The Doctor must rescue her and return her home before the ship crashes into Earth.

Asteroids as Time Travel Devices

An Asteroid as a Time Machine

The Doctor's time machine, the TARDIS, is well-known for its ability to travel through time and space. However, in the 2012 episode "Journey to the Centre of the TARDIS", the TARDIS itself becomes trapped inside an asteroid, which sends it hurtling back in time. The Doctor must race against the clock to repair the TARDIS and return the ship to its correct place in time before history is irrevocably altered.

The Power of a Time Crystal Found on an Asteroid

In the 2020 episode "The Timeless Children", the Doctor (played by Jodie Whittaker) discovers the existence of a Time Lord known as the "Timeless Child", whose powers were suppressed and stolen by the Time Lords. The Doctor travels back in time to Gallifrey, where she finds a crystal that holds the memories and powers of the Timeless Child. The crystal is discovered on an asteroid that fell to Gallifrey thousands of years ago, and the Doctor uses its power to unlock the truth about her own past and the history of the Time Lords.

Asteroids and the Future of Doctor Who

The Possibility of Asteroid-Based Adventures

With its focus on exploring the unknown, Doctor Who is a perfect platform to feature asteroids in future storylines. With modern special effects and storytelling techniques, asteroids could be used as a source of excitement, danger and wonder for the Doctor and her companions.

The Asteroid Belt as a Setting

Another potential avenue for asteroid-based adventures is the asteroid belt between Mars and Jupiter. This region of space has been relatively unexplored in the show so far, and presents an opportunity for the Doctor to encounter new species and civilizations.

Asteroids as a Theme

Asteroids also have symbolic significance in popular culture, often representing danger or uncertainty in the face of the unknown. By using asteroids as a recurring theme in Doctor Who, writers can explore topics such as survival, destruction, and the search for truth.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Has the Doctor ever used an asteroid as a mode of transportation?

  While the TARDIS has flown through space surrounded by asteroids, the Doctor has never used an asteroid as a means of transportation.

• Are there any real-life examples of asteroids being used in science fiction?

  A popular example is the use of an asteroid as a setting in the 1979 film "Alien".

• Why are asteroids often used as plot devices in science fiction?

  Asteroids are often seen as a source of danger and uncertainty, making them a useful tool for creating tension and conflict in a story.

• What other science fiction shows have featured asteroids?

  Other shows that have featured asteroids include "Star Trek: The Original Series", "Battlestar Galactica", and "Firefly".

• What makes Doctor Who unique in its use of asteroids?

  Doctor Who is unique in its ability to tell a wide range of stories, from comedic to dramatic, while still incorporating asteroids as key plot devices.

Conclusion

The use of asteroids in Doctor Who has provided many memorable moments throughout the series' long history. By utilizing asteroids as both threats and time travel devices, writers have created exciting and engaging stories that have kept fans hooked for decades. As the show continues to explore the universe, it will be interesting to see how asteroids continue to play a role in the adventures of the Doctor and her companions.

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Additional Resources

For more information on asteroids in science fiction, check out the following resources:

• Space.com - Asteroids in Science Fiction
• Syfy Wire - Why Are Asteroids So Important in Science Fiction?
• Den of Geek - The Best Asteroid Mining Stories in Science Fiction

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