Well there is one other possibility most of the Doctor's regnerations have been due to a traumatic event i.e poisioning, fallling from a height, so less time to prepare for a regeneration.
Doctor Who due a major shake-up as bosses aim for 'brand new show' in 2018
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Well there is one other possibility most of the Doctor's regnerations have been due to a traumatic event i.e poisioning, fallling from a height, so less time to prepare for a regeneration.
Which raises the question of just what caused Romana to regenerate. I think the usual handwave is that it was a delayed consequence of the torture she was subjected to in "The Armageddon Factor," but IIRC, she seemed pretty much okay at the end of that serial.
Well even in its historical phase it was still pretty similar to what followed. The show's never radically changed (aside from as mentioned for the third Doctor) I mean compare that to something like Fringe that began as an X-Files style show, morphed into one about parallel realities more like Sliders before ending up as a near future dystopian alien invasion/rebellion story like V! Who has never had that kind of radical overhaul (and I'm not saying it should and it might be the end if it did, but that's the point, its longevity, like Bond's, is based upon a mixture of familiarity and adaptability)
I don't agree that Fringe's changes are more radical. I'd say Who's change from straight history serials with no sci-fi content beyond the TARDIS crew themselves to pure sci-fi where all the historical stories had aliens and Atlantis and such in them was similarly major, as was the 3-year near-abandonment of space-time travel in favor of Quatermass-style adventures on near-future Earth.
Besides, there are more ways a show can change than just in the superficial concept, which is the point I've been trying to get across. Changes in style, emphasis, and sophistication can be just as important. Certainly Russell T. Davies brought a whole new approach to the way the show and characters were written, more grounded and dramatic, although some of the seeds of that were laid earlier with the Seventh Doctor and Ace. And as I've said, Moffat's turned it into a very different show that's less about the Doctor exploring the universe and more about the universe reacting to and revolving around the Doctor. I'd say that's profoundly different from a structural and thematic standpoint, even if the superficial trappings are the same.
Fringe may have shifted its superficial emphasis in terms of what the characters were dealing with, but its approach to the characters and the tone and style of the show remained pretty consistent, which helped it feel unified despite its regular reinvention of itself. And whether we knew it at the time or not, the entire series was essentially driven by Walter Bishop's past actions and their consequences in the present and future. So basically the whole thing was like Moffat's Who, in that essentially everything that happens is an outgrowth of the past actions and choices of the mad genius at the heart of the show.
Big Finish tackled that question, twice, and I like that the Armageddon Factor's events weren't the cause for it cause it allowed for a rather fantastic The Fourth Doctor Adventures series with Tamm in her last ever performances as Romana I.
However, a fan did a rather lovely job creating the said regeneration, and ever since I've taken it as canonical, despite not actually being one:
I like how it does it with kind of a cheesy video effect consistent with the period, rather than emulating the RTD/Moffat-era regenerations.
Yeah, it is very authentic. Like, high-quality for the '70's, where the story would've occured.
I edited my copy of Destiny of the Daleks (purely for my own amusement, mind you) to include the above regeneration before the opening credits. Its fitting, I think, and its a character we know rather than not, and a fine farewell to Mary Tamm.
While I wouldn't say The Armageddon Factor caused her regeneration, I'd say it heavily influenced her decision to.
Romana I was never really suited for adventure. She did fine, but her personality was really geared for it. It was too stuck in Time Lord thinking and a bit princess like at times. Also Romana and the Doctor's personalities tended to clash, what with the Doctor's really fragile ego and Romana's need to point out his flaws.
Basically Romana 1 (being the psychologist), noted her flaws and used regeneration as a quick fix.
Plus she was feeling rather guilty about how Astra was used by the Guardians, so you could argue she picked that body to remember her (and the events that led to her changing).
Romana II's personality was much more Doctorish and she was all in for exploring strange planets and saving the day. I really can't see Romana I essentially leaving to be the Doctor of a pocket universe.
She also developed techniques to manage the Doctor's attitude problems (stroke his ego enough to make him happy, but not enough to bloat his head). The whole regeneration scene was essentially making a joke at the Doctor's expense, while at the same time stroking his ego.
Romana I was never really suited for adventure. She did fine, but her personality was really geared for it. It was too stuck in Time Lord thinking and a bit princess like at times. Also Romana and the Doctor's personalities tended to clash, what with the Doctor's really fragile ego and Romana's need to point out his flaws.
Basically Romana 1 (being the psychologist), noted her flaws and used regeneration as a quick fix.
Plus she was feeling rather guilty about how Astra was used by the Guardians, so you could argue she picked that body to remember her (and the events that led to her changing).
Romana II's personality was much more Doctorish and she was all in for exploring strange planets and saving the day. I really can't see Romana I essentially leaving to be the Doctor of a pocket universe.
She also developed techniques to manage the Doctor's attitude problems (stroke his ego enough to make him happy, but not enough to bloat his head). The whole regeneration scene was essentially making a joke at the Doctor's expense, while at the same time stroking his ego.
I dunno... I can accept that some Time Lords might have enough control over the regeneration process to consciously select their appearance (and "Deep Breath" and "The Girl Who Died" established that the Doctor could unconsciously do so), but I have a hard time believing they could just arbitrarily decide to regenerate without being mortally ill or wounded. I mean, with the 12-regeneration limit, that's a major reduction of one's potential lifespan. It's not a decision to be made short of drastic need, and I'm not sure there's a way it could be done short of committing "suicide," or getting in enough trouble with the Time Lords that they put you on trial and sentence you to regeneration.
Ooh, here's a crazy thought: Maybe Romana worked with whatever technology the High Council used to induce and control regenerations, and when the "President" (i.e. Black Guardian) assigned her to the Doctor, he told her to take the technology with her in case it was necessary to contain and penalize the Doctor yet again -- basically to be his fourth incarnation's executioner if she believed she had to. But then she came to trust and accept the Doctor as she was, so she instead chose to use the technology on herself. Maybe it was a one-use thing, and she used it on herself to ensure the Black Guardian couldn't use it against the Doctor in the future. Or something.
I may have mentioned this here, maybe at Gallifrey Base instead, but "Destiny of the Daleks" did present a logical point for Romana to regenerate, just not at the very beginning. In theory, the story could have opened with Mary Tamm still playing the role. She's caught by the Daleks, interrogated, and then forced to work in the mines. Now, in the story as aired, Ward's Romana is told the only way to leave the mines is death. She get the idea to fake her demise, slowing her metabolic processes to the point they appear ceased. She's carried to the surface and buried where the Doctor finds the (empty) grave.
But if both actresses had been available, Tamm's Romana could have been the one in the mines who collapses, except she's not faking it. She really has fallen ill to radiation poisoning because she lost the anti-radiation pills the Doctor gave her. Her body is carried to the surface and buried by the slaves. The Doctor finds the grave and removes the stones to see her lifeless body. He's about to curse himself when Romana finally regenerates, changing from Tam into Lalla Ward and revives. Either that or the Doctor finds an empty grave and Ward's version walks into view (much as she did in the actual episode) and the Doctor experiences a few moments of confusion and suspicion until she convinces him she really is Romana.
But if both actresses had been available, Tamm's Romana could have been the one in the mines who collapses, except she's not faking it. She really has fallen ill to radiation poisoning because she lost the anti-radiation pills the Doctor gave her. Her body is carried to the surface and buried by the slaves. The Doctor finds the grave and removes the stones to see her lifeless body. He's about to curse himself when Romana finally regenerates, changing from Tam into Lalla Ward and revives. Either that or the Doctor finds an empty grave and Ward's version walks into view (much as she did in the actual episode) and the Doctor experiences a few moments of confusion and suspicion until she convinces him she really is Romana.
Tamm was apparently interested in coming back for a regeneration, but the producers never contacted her. The story that she was sacked because of her pregnancy was just scurrilous gossip.
Okay, so if there is a Christmas/Regeneration episode the Doctor should accidentally regenerate into Santa Claus. Have some problem that it becomes advantageous to be Santa, but know he has only 24 hours before the regen is permanent.
They could regen to the next doctor at the end or cliff-hang it.
They could regen to the next doctor at the end or cliff-hang it.
Giant woodlice? Robots with emoji faces?
Christ, lets not wait for 2018, lets have a brand new look now.
Christ, lets not wait for 2018, lets have a brand new look now.
Timing is that Tamm's daughter was born in November (acc. Wikipedia), while Destiny was shot in June (location) and July (studio). So a jacket and/or camera angles could definitely have concealed any bump for a cameo.
At least Capaldi isn't slamming the show, claiming he'd have more fun slitting his wrists than filming another season or wanting to wipe his ass with his contract and then saying he'd consider returning.
Given that they'll be shooting the Christmas 2017 Special (which would be his last episode if he's leaving) in a few months I find it hard to believe.
And that's not even taking into account that pre-production on Chibnall's first series can't be that far away from starting.