In the latest development from Doctor Who, season 15’s episode titled “The Interstellar Song Contest”has finally unveiled the true identity of Anita Dobson’s character, Mrs. Flood, connecting her to a classic antagonist from the earlier series. The season follows Ncuti Gatwa’s Fifteenth Doctor and his new companion, Belinda Chandra (Varada Sethu), as they navigate time and space in a quest to calibrate a Vindicator, which is essential for the TARDIS to return them to contemporary Earth. However, no matter how far they travel, the enigmatic Mrs. Flood seems to be tracking their every move.
After ingratiating herself into the life of Millie Gibson’s Ruby Sunday in season 14, Mrs. Flood’s peculiar role expands as she follows the TARDIS from the vibrant 1950s Miami to the eerie planet once known as Midnight. Upon the TARDIS’s arrival at the 803rd Interstellar Song Contest, Mrs. Flood chooses to witness the events unfold. Unfortunately, her entanglement in Kid’s (Freddie Fox) nefarious scheme results in her being cast into the depths of space. Although she is revived alongside other participants, the harrowing experience triggers her Time Lord genetics, leading to an unpredictable transformation.
The Rani Explained
The Rani: An Old Companion Turned Adversary
It has now been confirmed that Mrs. Flood is an alias of the Rani, a notorious Time Lady from Gallifrey. As previously mentioned by the Fifteenth Doctor in season 14’s “Space Babies,”the Rani was once a close ally to the Doctor and the Master. Known for her remarkable intelligence, her moral compass shifted, leading her towards villainous methods that prioritized her scientific pursuits over human lives.
Within the esteemed Prydonian Academy on Gallifrey, the Doctor, Master, and Rani were part of a rebellious collective named the Deca, which also included the infamous Monk, a foe from the First Doctor’s era.
The Rani first emerged in the classic 1985 episode “The Mark of the Rani,”portrayed by Kate O’Mara. In this story, her experiments drastically affect the inhabitants of Miasimia Goria, turning them into a chaotic, sleepless horde. She attempts to siphon sleep-inducing neuro-chemicals from 19th-century humans, subsequently clashing with both the Sixth Doctor (Colin Baker) and the Master (Anthony Ainley), with the Doctor successfully thwarting her plans.
In a twist of fate, she enacts revenge in the 1987 episode “Time and the Rani,”where she intercepts the TARDIS mid-travel, causing it to crash on the planet Lakertya, leading to an injury that forces the Sixth Doctor to regenerate. While attempting to manipulate his recovery, she also experiments with the evolution of life, but ultimately, she is defeated once more.
O’Mara’s final appearance as the Rani occurred in the 1993 “Dimensions in Time,”where she aims to ensnare every incarnation of the Doctor, planning to create an intergalactic menagerie to assert her dominance over all life. However, the united efforts of the Doctors and their allies thwart her ambitions, and she vanishes without a trace.
Over the years, the copyrights from original creators have complicated the character’s reappearance in the series. Following the devastation of the Last Great Time War, which seemingly obliterated both the Time Lords and the Daleks, the fate of the Rani remained ambiguous. Recent revelations from writer Nicholas Briggs highlighted the difficulties in obtaining rights to use her character, particularly after the passing of her original creators.
The Rani’s Bigeneration and New Actor
Introducing the New Rani: A Star of Season 15
As Mrs. Flood pursues the Doctor and Belinda through time, she becomes entangled in Kid’s extremist plot, leading to severe consequences. Instead of meeting her end, Mrs. Flood experiences a significant transformation known as bigeneration, splitting into two incarnations: Dobson’s version and the new Rani, now played by Archie Panjabi, recognized for her roles in Life on Mars and The Good Wife.
The dynamic between both versions of the Rani contrasts sharply with the harmonious relationship of previous Doctor incarnations. Panjabi’s portrayal leans into a cold, calculating characterization similar to O’Mara’s, displaying disdain for her situation and asserting herself as the true Rani. Conversely, Flood’s incarnation adopts a subservient role, preparing for future plans that align with the new Rani’s objectives.
Lingering Questions Surrounding Mrs. Flood
Mrs. Flood’s Unique Traits
While Mrs. Flood’s secret has been revealed, many questions about her character remain. Notably, her tendency to break the fourth wall sets her apart from previous incarnations, indicating a potential new dimension to her character. Unlike the original Rani, who seldom engaged in humor, Flood’s behavior hints at deeper storytelling ties.
Additionally, there is speculation regarding Mrs. Flood’s foresight and knowledge of unfolding events within the universe. She appears to have been strategizing for some time, exhibiting awareness of certain threats while simultaneously showing an inability to predict critical factors, such as her own vulnerability during an unexpected challenge.
Another point of intrigue is her wardrobe, which evokes memories of classic companions like Mary Tamm’s Romana and Jenna Coleman’s Clara Oswald. Such choices might suggest a deeper connection in the narrative.
Given the unexpected nature of bigeneration, Mrs. Flood’s character could provide the opportunity for answers to these unresolved issues. It is clear that neither incarnation of the Rani welcomes this transformation, a fitting portrayal for a Time Lady whose obsession with advancement often falters. This exploration of Mrs. Flood further distinguishes her from earlier Rani portrayals, potentially paving new paths in the plot.
Implications of Mrs. Flood’s Identity for Doctor Who
Hope Amidst Villainy: The Rani’s Future
Historically, several Doctors have attempted to reach out to the Master in hopes of reconciliation when faced with devastating circumstances. Now in a similar predicament, the Doctor may extend a hand of friendship to the Rani as well. Despite Panjabi’s darker interpretation, Flood’s previous admiration for the Doctor’s ethos suggests potential for alliance.
Interestingly, Michelle Gomez’s Missy is the only incarnation of the Master to have entertained the Doctor’s offer for a better path, a notion ultimately thwarted by her prior self, John Simm’s portrayal.
Currently, Mrs. Flood and the Rani are positioned as the key antagonists in Doctor Who seasons 14 and 15, promising intense drama as they approach the finale. Along with the returning Conrad (Jonah Hauer-King), they may fulfill Russell T Davies’s vision of an “Unholy Trinity.”As peril looms over Earth and the Doctor together with Belinda appear to be caught in a catastrophic event, there’s a potent chance for the Rani to realize her ambitions to reshape the universe in her own twisted vision.