10 Biggest Doctor Who 'What Ifs'

Similar to my last entry, it's a question of 'what could've been' had behind-the-scenes drama ended on different terms. The former was it's damaging ratings. Okay, that can be said for the 1989 cancellation as well, but it's far more complicated than that.

This can all be pinned on Michael Grade. Not gonna lie, this guy infuriates me. He was supposed to be running the programming for the BBC, under the pretence that there must be something for everybody. After all, we all pay our licence fee. Well, maybe not so much now, but you get the point.

But, as it turns out, Michael Grade abused his position of power to eradicate Doctor Who, on the simple basis that he didn't like the show (or sci-fi in general). Everything that happened with Doctor Who in the late 80s felt so petty, resulting in Colin Baker being fired, an 18 month hiatus, budget cuts, and a reduced episode count. It was all so pathetic!

Despite Doctor Who getting its groove back during the Sylvester McCoy era, it was deemed productive to pull the plug entirely. Put the old Doc to sleep after he'd spent the last few years practically limping in order to live another day.

It's a shame really. Doctor Who could've gone to some interesting places. In fact, history would've repeated itself, as The Doctor's origins became the focus point of the storytelling moving forward under Andrew Cartmel (only with a bit more thought and care put into it). Not to mention that Ace would've been taken to the Academy to become a Time Lord, as well as a cat-thief becoming the next companion. Talk about a missed opportunity...

But then we wouldn't have been graced with the Virgin New Adventures novels. Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor. Big Finish. Russell T Davies' revival. All of these expansions would never have happened had Doctor Who continued in 1989. It's a case of apples and oranges, and which you'd rather have. Maybe a dip into the multi-verse might straighten out which timeline got the better deal.