In celebration of five decades of Doctor Who, we delve into the annals of this iconic science fiction saga to spotlight some truly remarkable stories. This week, we turn our attention to a unique chapter in the Doctor’s legacy: Scream of the Shalka. Originally released online in 2003, this animated adventure introduced a Ninth Doctor unlike any other, offering a fascinating glimpse into what could have been.
The Doctor is in…
You can still experience this adventure for yourself, for free, here.
During Doctor Who’s hiatus from television, its spirit lived on through various mediums. Unofficial videos, audio dramas, and countless novels kept the flame alive. The BBC itself innovated with online content, presenting illustrated audio plays like Death Comes to Time and Real Time. However, for the show’s 40th anniversary, they envisioned something grander: a fully animated series starring a brand new Doctor, poised to boldly lead the franchise into the 21st century. This ambitious project was Scream of the Shalka, and it gave us the “Shalka Doctor.”
Penned by Paul Cornell, already acclaimed for his Doctor Who novels including the seminal Human Nature, Scream of the Shalka is a script that cleverly operates on multiple levels, much like the enigmatic Time Lord at its heart. Cornell masterfully blends nostalgia for the classic, serialized Doctor Who era, particularly reminiscent of the Third Doctor’s adventures, with a forward-thinking approach that feels remarkably aligned with the revived series that would soon follow. Despite Russell T. Davies’ reservations about Richard E. Grant’s portrayal, the “Shalka Doctor” bears an intriguing resemblance to the Ninth Doctor we would eventually meet on television. More than just a bridge between eras, Scream of the Shalka stands as a compelling and entertaining story in its own right, showcasing the unique “Shalka Doctor”.
We are Shalka, hear us scream!We are Shalka, hear us scream!
Paul Cornell’s Deep Understanding of Doctor Who
Paul Cornell’s writing for Scream of the Shalka is imbued with a profound understanding of Doctor Who’s essence. He clearly immersed himself in the show’s history, meticulously dissecting its key elements to craft a narrative that feels both familiar and fresh. Like the best Doctor Who writers, including Davies and Moffat, Cornell possesses a distinct vision of the Doctor’s character and defining traits. While Davies presented a powerful, almost god-like figure in his interpretation, and Moffat explored the Doctor as a whimsical, fairytale entity, Cornell delves into the Time Lord’s humanity, highlighting an underlying sense of melancholy and even shame.
The residents are petrified…
This “Shalka Doctor” often projects an air of intellectual superiority, reeling off knowledge to his companions, perhaps as a defense mechanism against his own insecurities. His reluctance to settle down, his insistence on being a “homeless person,” suggests a resistance to the human connection he undeniably feels. This internal conflict is central to Cornell’s nuanced portrayal of the “Shalka Doctor.”
Richard E. Grant’s Cynical and Compelling Ninth Doctor
Richard E. Grant’s vocal performance as the “Shalka Doctor” is captivatingly detached, a choice that works brilliantly for this iteration. His Doctor is cynical, almost depressive, which explains the subdued energy of his persona. It’s fascinating to imagine how Christopher Eccleston’s Ninth Doctor might have sounded if stripped of his physicality – the vocal similarities between the two are striking. Both versions of the Ninth Doctor, the “Shalka Doctor” and Eccleston’s, grapple with immense guilt and past traumas. Grant’s Doctor carries the weight of a difficult choice involving a companion, while Eccleston’s is burdened by the Time War.
Constant companions…Constant companions…
Steven Moffat himself acknowledged the darkness inherent in Cornell and Grant’s “Shalka Doctor,” suggesting it might be too bleak for mainstream television. He argued that audiences prefer to see the Doctor as someone enjoying life, with sadness and loneliness only hinted at occasionally. Cornell has since partially agreed with this assessment. However, the melancholic undertones of the “Shalka Doctor” aren’t entirely removed from Eccleston’s portrayal, suggesting a shared sensibility between these two iterations of the Ninth Doctor. While David Tennant’s more outwardly cheerful Tenth Doctor propelled the revived series to greater heights, the seeds of that success might have been sown with the complex character of the “Shalka Doctor.”
He changed the desktop theme…
A poignant moment in Scream of the Shalka occurs when the Doctor fears his companion is lost, lamenting, “I got her killed again. It’s not the first time.” This self-deprecating remark underscores his inner turmoil. Further highlighting this is his unusual companion choice: the Master. The Master’s presence as a companion, even in a limited capacity, acts as a constant check on the Doctor’s actions, embodying a cold, Time Lord perspective that tempers the Doctor’s inherent humanity. As the Master coldly states, “On this point, your programming of my electronic brain is quite specific: we leave the girl behind.”
The Master as Companion: A Missed Opportunity
The dynamic between the “Shalka Doctor” and the Master is arguably the most ingenious aspect of Scream of the Shalka. This unconventional pairing, a psychotic nemesis acting as a reluctant companion, is ripe with dramatic and comedic potential. It’s a missed opportunity that the revived series hasn’t fully explored this intriguing dynamic. While Derek Jacobi’s Master returned briefly in Utopia, a season-long arc featuring the Master as a companion would be a compelling narrative direction. The constant bickering and underlying affection between this Doctor and Master echo an old married couple, adding a layer of dark humor to their relationship.
Master of his own ship?
Cornell even injects self-aware camp into their interactions, from an embarrassing voicemail message to the Master’s exasperation at the Doctor’s habit of picking up new companions. “A young woman… again?” the Master quips, to which the Doctor sheepishly admits, “Yes, again.” Derek Jacobi clearly relishes playing the Master, imbuing him with a playful yet sinister charm, evident in his interrupted attempt to hypnotize the latest TARDIS guest. “I am the Master and you… will come to like me once you get to know me,” he declares with mock sincerity.
A downward spiral…A downward spiral…
Beyond the humor and character dynamics, Scream of the Shalka subtly foreshadows elements of the revived Doctor Who series. The Queen of the Shalka, with her theatrical villainy (“die! doctor! die!”), feels akin to the larger-than-life antagonists favored by Russell T. Davies, such as the Queen of the Racnoss. Diana Quick’s performance and the script’s self-awareness contribute to a tone that aligns more closely with the new series than the classic era’s unrestrained camp.
An underground movement…
Echoes of the Third Doctor and Pertwee Era
However, Scream of the Shalka also pays homage to the Third Doctor era, particularly Jon Pertwee’s tenure. The story revolves around an Earth invasion, a recurring theme in the Third Doctor’s adventures. The Doctor’s suggestion of peaceful coexistence with the Shalka beneath the planet evokes stories like Doctor Who and the Silurians. Furthermore, the “Shalka Doctor”‘s reliance on the military and his complex relationship with the Time Lords, who seem to deploy him as a troubleshooter, mirror the Third Doctor’s dynamic with UNIT and the Time Lords. “They keep putting me in places where terrible things are going to happen,” the Doctor laments, highlighting his manipulated role.
The MasterThe Master’s logic is a bit more mechanical here…
This connection to the Third Doctor is a key link between Scream of the Shalka and the revived series. Both draw inspiration from the Pertwee era, attempting to modernize its key aspects. Pertwee’s first season is often considered a highlight of Doctor Who, a period of radical reinvention for the show. It’s a fitting touchstone for both Scream of the Shalka and the 2005 relaunch. The “Shalka Doctor” embodies a similar grumpy, world-weary persona to Pertwee’s, making Earth his adopted home and reluctantly engaging with humanity. Both Scream of the Shalka and Rose, the first episode of the revived series, can be seen as modern interpretations of the Pertwee era’s strengths.
To the N(in)th degree…To the N(in)th degree…
Ultimately, the appeal of Scream of the Shalka lies in its fundamental Doctor Who charm. It’s a well-crafted homage, hitting all the essential notes of a classic anniversary story. Alison, the companion brought to life by Sophie Okonedo, is a standout character – proactive, adventurous, and mirroring the Doctor’s own restless spirit. “Everyone’s waiting for it to change, but nobody will do anything,” she declares, encapsulating her desire for action. The Doctor recognizes a kindred spirit in her, observing, “You’re scared, but less than these two are.” He sees his own humanity reflected in her curiosity and thirst for adventure, amplified by his own loneliness. His desperation for companionship is even comically highlighted when he almost recruits a random old lady simply because she is present: “You’re the first human I’ve seen on the street tonight, and I was hoping for some assistance.”
I think we might take him for Granted…
The story embraces Doctor Who’s quirky Britishness, portraying aliens who meticulously construct a seemingly idyllic English village as part of their invasion plan. The concept of using fear and subconscious control to create a perfect community is a clever metaphor, with the alien invasion focusing on mundane aspects like curfews and noise pollution. The unsettling perfection is highlighted by the citizens’ repeated insistence that “Everything here is normal.”
Scream of the Shalka may not be revolutionary, but it’s a delightful bridge between classic and modern Doctor Who. It’s a loving tribute to the show’s rich history, penned by a writer who deeply understands its nuances. While not groundbreaking, it is thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking. The cancellation of further “Shalka Doctor” adventures due to the television series relaunch is a genuine loss, as this unique iteration held immense potential.
ItIt’s a scream…
Scream of the Shalka offered intriguing mysteries and a compelling central dynamic between the Doctor and the Master. It also demonstrated the viability of animated Doctor Who, paving the way for the reanimation of classic “lost” episodes like The Invasion. In fact, The Invasion‘s animation was reportedly funded by resources initially allocated for a second Richard E. Grant “Shalka Doctor” adventure, highlighting its indirect but significant contribution to classic Doctor Who preservation. Thus, Scream of the Shalka deserves recognition from Doctor Who fans not just for its own merits, but for its unexpected legacy.
