10 Doctor Who Problems That Time Travel Would Have Solved

5. Squish The Snake

Doctor Who The TV Movie Paul McGann
BBC Studios

The Doctor Who movie introduced the audience to Paul McGann's Eighth Doctor, who would not be seen again until the brilliant Night of the Doctor in 2013. Putting aside the fact that The Doctor could have gone back in time and posted a note to let Seven know to duck as he walks out of the TARDIS, it is his lack of action against Eric Roberts' Master that makes this list.

When the Master first appears in the film, he takes the form of a snake-like symbiont, who then takes over the body of a paramedic. Evil hijinx ensue, with The Doctor and Grace coming out on top by the end of the story. The Doctor then hops into the TARDIS to go and presumably light the flame of the Time War.

There was nothing to say he couldn't have used the TARDIS to go back and find the snake-Master before it took the body of Eric Roberts. Considering that to save the day, The Doctor has to reset time back to before the Eye of Harmony opens, to reverse the damage that it has caused reality, then undoing events in time is already in the plot!

Perhaps The Doctor simply doesn't like paramedics?

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Seán is the host and head writer/presenter for TrekCulture, as well as a writer/presenter on WhoCulture and WhatCulture Horror. He has authored two novels, dozens of short stories, and hundreds of articles for WhatCulture. He holds a Master of Arts in Creative Writing from University College Dublin. As part of his work with TrekCulture, Seán has been invited to participate in collaborations with Roddenberry Entertainment, as well as contributing to several Star Trek community projects. An avid fan of Star Trek, Doctor Who, and the horror genre at large, Seán's expertise has helped develop these channels to the successes they are today. As host of the Ups & Downs series on TrekCulture, Seán has become internationally recognised for his positive yet critically informed approach to reviewing every episode of modern Star Trek, ensuring he is one of the go-to voices in the Trek community. Favourite Quote to describe himself: "I'm serious about what I do, just not always about the way that I do it"