Doctor Who: The Cartmel Masterplan - What Could Have Been

Another great aspect of Andrew Cartmel's ambition was allowing Doctor Who to feel fresh on all fronts. He wanted much deeper storytelling, which challenged not only the characters, but the audience as well. There was also a need for a stronger companion that better suited the new Doctor they were trying to create.

He, and writer Ian Briggs, managed to breath new life into the show through the introduction of Ace as a companion. Ace would be a more hands-on companion. She wouldn't fall under the stereotypical companion traits of asking questions, and screaming in the face of danger.

Instead, Ace would fight back against her enemy with baseball bats, and even carry around explosives. More impressively, she would undergo a strong character journey, one which tests Ace to the core through forcing her to face her greatest fears.