Doctor Who Honors 61-Year-Old Promise Made by the Doctor

Attention: This article contains significant spoilers for Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 6, titled “The Interstellar Song Contest.” The return of Carole Ann Ford as Susan in Doctor Who Season 15, Episode 6 has garnered excitement among fans for several noteworthy reasons. Ford’s reprisal marks a significant connection to the show’s extensive history, as she was the first companion of the Doctor and remains his only known biological relative. This episode is particularly special because it features Susan for the first time without the presence of the First Doctor, who left her behind in 1964.

Susan originally appeared alongside her on-screen grandfather, the First Doctor played by William Hartnell, in over 50 episodes before Ford’s departure in 1964. After a long absence, she made a brief return in the 1983 special “The Five Doctors,”celebrating the show’s 20th anniversary. However, her presence in Season 15 marks her first confirmed appearance in the series since then. Though Ford has reprised her role in various audio adventures and literary works, those iterations hold a different status within the Doctor Who canon. Now, however, the franchise proudly brings her back into the spotlight.

Connecting with Susan: The Doctor’s Future Journey

The First Doctor’s Promise

In “The Interstellar Song Contest,”Carole Ann Ford’s return sees her character, Susan, manifesting only in visions experienced by Ncuti Gatwa’s iteration of the Doctor. Although the reasons behind her communication remain ambiguous, it’s evident that she is seeking Fifteen’s assistance, suggesting a deep and meaningful connection that spans decades and promises to resolve a longstanding narrative thread within Doctor Who lore.

In a poignant moment, the First Doctor, from within the locked TARDIS, expresses to his granddaughter that she has outgrown him, acknowledging her need for a stable life apart from his adventures. He seals the TARDIS doors, leaving Susan behind following a harrowing encounter with a Dalek invasion in 1964, vowing that their separation is temporary and that he will return. Unfortunately, this reunion never transpired until now.

The Long Wait for Reunion: Why the Doctor’s Delay?

A Missed Promise

Throughout the series, Susan’s character has been mentioned sporadically, albeit in limited contexts, especially given her significance in the formative years of Doctor Who. In a noteworthy mention in Season 14, Episode 2, “The Devil’s Chord,”there’s an allusion to a possible visit to young Susan in 1963 London— the time when the TARDIS was parked in a junkyard. Although this visit doesn’t take place, it introduces new viewers to her character’s legacy.

THE DOCTOR: “I parked the TARDIS in a junkyard and I lived there with my granddaughter, Susan.”

RUBY: [Speechless]

THE DOCTOR: “You okay?”

RUBY: “Your what?”

THE DOCTOR: “My granddaughter.”

RUBY: “Susan?”

THE DOCTOR: “We could go and have a look. But, you know, timelines…”

– Doctor Who Season 14, Episode 2, “The Devil’s Chord.”

During his conversation with companion Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday, the Doctor reflects on Susan’s current fate, speculating that she may have perished during a catastrophic event caused by the Master, a genocidal act that occurred during the era of Jodie Whittaker’s Thirteenth Doctor. While Fifteen harbors concerns about Susan’s fate, the reality is that he could potentially locate her if he truly wished to do so.

This leads to the unsettling conclusion that the Doctor has deliberately opted not to fulfill his promise over the years, distracted by his tendency to save lives across time and space. As years turned into decades without contact, the difficulty in reconvening with Susan grew, complicating the emotional landscape of their relationship.

The finale of Season 14 seemed to hint at the Susan reference serving as a mere distraction; however, it has now emerged as a vital narrative element. Had Susan not initiated their reconnection through her telepathic outreach in “The Interstellar Song Contest,”she may have continued waiting indefinitely for her grandfather to return. Given the Doctor’s aversion to refusal when it comes to calls for help, it is expected that he will heed Susan’s call for assistance.

Susan’s Brief Return in “The Five Doctors”: A Misunderstood Moment

A Past Reunion that Lacked True Significance

Although “The Five Doctors”did feature Susan, it did not alter the course of the Doctor’s promise to return. This special’s convoluted timeline effectively meant that Susan appeared at a point before the pivotal moment of separation imposed by the First Doctor. Hence, to Susan, the promise had not yet been articulated, rendering this interaction insubstantial within the broader context of their relationship.

Moreover, there is an ongoing debate regarding whether “The Five Doctors”should be considered part of Doctor Who’s main canon. While the notion may not have been as prominent at the time of its airing, it is critical to contemporary discussions. The special was a delightful adventure, yet it is suggested that those involved may have essentially forgotten the events due to the nature of the narrative.

When David Tennant’s Tenth Doctor encounters Sarah Jane Smith (Elisabeth Sladen), she fails to mention “The Five Doctors,”indicating that the memory of that episode may be absent, not only from her recollection but possibly from Carole Ann Ford’s Susan as well.

For more details and insights, please refer to the original article here.