First broadcast in September 1987, Time and the Rani is the 144th adventure in Doctor Who (technically the 147th but all episodes of season 23, The Trial of A Time Lord arc, comprised adventure 143) and marks the beginning of a new era. The debut story for Sylvester McCoy’s Seventh Doctor, it is also infamous for its chaotic behind-the-scenes production, rushed regeneration, and campy tone. Written by Pip and Jane Baker and directed by Andrew Morgan, this four-part serial is a visually colorful but narratively disjointed introduction to the Seventh Doctor, whose portrayal would evolve significantly in subsequent stories.
The serial begins in perhaps the most abrupt and unceremonious manner of any Doctor Who regeneration. The TARDIS is under attack, sending the Sixth Doctor (off-screen) tumbling to the floor. When the camera cuts to him, he has already transformed into Sylvester McCoy in a Colin Baker wig, making this one of the most awkwardly handled regenerations in the show’s history. Given that Baker declined to return for a proper send-off, the production team had little choice but to work around his absence, but the result remains underwhelming, lacking the emotional weight of previous regenerations. Watching today, perhaps just moving the narrative on and skipping the regeneration entirely (similar to the start of the Ninth Doctor's era) might have been a better option.
The plot sees the Doctor and his companion Mel arriving on the planet Lakertya, where the villainous Rani (Kate O'Mara) is once again hatching a grandiose scientific experiment. This time, she seeks to harness the intelligence of the greatest minds in history to create a "Time Manipulator" that will allow her to shape the evolution of the universe. To achieve this, she needs the Doctor’s brain—hence her decision to impersonate Mel and manipulate his post-regenerative confusion. Meanwhile, the Lakertyans, an oppressed reptilian-like species, are caught in the crossfire, forced into servitude under the Rani’s rule.
Sylvester McCoy’s debut as the Doctor is an odd one. Unlike other post-regenerative performances that take time to settle into their defining characteristics, McCoy’s portrayal here is largely shaped by the script’s broad comedic tendencies. His Doctor is bumbling, eccentric, and prone to pratfalls—many of which feel more like slapstick than deliberate character choices. While flashes of his future brilliance can be seen in moments of quiet contemplation, the story often forces him into exaggerated comedy that undercuts the gravity of the situation. Fortunately, later stories would allow him to refine the role into something far more nuanced and compelling.
Bonnie Langford’s Mel continues to be a divisive companion. Her enthusiasm remains boundless, and her interactions with the newly regenerated Doctor are energetic, if somewhat grating. However, she is largely sidelined in the story’s larger conflicts, spending much of her time either being captured or escaping. The dynamic between her and the Seventh Doctor is not yet fully formed, and their chemistry feels forced at times.
Kate O'Mara’s return as the Rani is one of the highlights of the story, though her performance is hindered by the exaggerated tone of the script. While her scientific pragmatism and disdain for the Doctor remain compelling traits, the decision to have her disguise herself as Mel for a large portion of the serial feels like an odd creative choice that limits her effectiveness as a villain. The Rani is at her best when she is coldly scheming, not engaging in pantomime impersonations.
Visually, Time and the Rani is vibrant and imaginative. The sets are well-designed, and the use of color makes Lakertya stand out as a unique alien world. The bubble-trap special effects, while simplistic, are memorable in their design. However, the Lakertyans themselves feel underdeveloped, their culture and motivations barely explored beyond their victimhood.
Thematically, Time and the Rani touches on the misuse of scientific advancement and the consequences of unchecked ambition. The Rani’s plan, while grandiose, is intriguing in its scope—her goal is not mere domination but the manipulation of universal evolution. However, the story’s lightweight tone and reliance on comedic antics prevent these themes from being explored with any real depth.
Rewatching Time and the Rani in 2025, it remains a deeply flawed but occasionally entertaining introduction to the Seventh Doctor. While it fails to provide a strong foundation for McCoy’s incarnation, it is a visually engaging romp that, despite its inconsistencies, has a certain charm. The story is often remembered for its over-the-top performances and unintentional humor, but it is also a reflection of the transitional period Doctor Who was undergoing at the time.
The final moments hint at a more stable Doctor emerging, setting the stage for the Seventh Doctor’s more calculated and mysterious persona in later seasons. Time and the Rani may not be a strong debut, but it marks the beginning of an era that would ultimately redefine Doctor Who for the late 1980s.
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