Was Torchwood in the original DW?
- Thread starter RoJoHen
- Start date
There's no need for Torchwood to have appeared in the original Doctor Who, featuring doctors 1-7, and here's why. As stated, the organisation only came into existence after Doctor 10's involvement in the events of "Tooth and Claw."
Since that was in the past, the timeline was subsequently changed so that Torchwood had always existed since that time. But the earlier doctors' adventures took place in the unchanged timeline, in which Torchwood had not yet been created by Queen Vic and Doc 10.
Of course, that inconveniently does not explain the references to it in nu-Who season 1.
Since that was in the past, the timeline was subsequently changed so that Torchwood had always existed since that time. But the earlier doctors' adventures took place in the unchanged timeline, in which Torchwood had not yet been created by Queen Vic and Doc 10.
Of course, that inconveniently does not explain the references to it in nu-Who season 1.
Also, a universe where the Doctor had not intervened in the events of "Tooth and Claw" would be a universe where the British Empire was taken over by a werewolf in 1869. 
Also, a universe where the Doctor had not intervened in the events of "Tooth and Claw" would be a universe where the British Empire was taken over by a werewolf in 1869.
Are you sure it wasn't?
That would makes sense, except for the fact that it doesn't always work that way. Vesuvius erupting and destroying Pompeii was an established part of the timeline (referenced in several episodes) long before the Doctor and Donna got around to making it happen.
Well, if the Doctor and Rose hadn't been around to stop them, it's entirely possible that the Empire of the Wolf could have created their own version of Torchwood, but with a very different purpose. That would also explain why there was a Torchwood in the AU as well.
Not necessarily such a different purpose. Remember that Torchwood's motive, prior to Jack taking over, was to gather technology to re-establish the British Empire. Which would arguably have been the goal even with a Werewolf in charge.
But with a werewolf in charge the British empire might not have needed re-establishing.
New Who has consistently show it's possible for effect to precede cause. Queen Elizabeth recognizing the Doctor before he'd met her, for instance, or the entirety of "Blink".
There's thus no reason to suppose that just because "Tooth and Claw" led to the establishment of Torchwood, we were in a timeline without a Torchwood before that. Far enough back we may have been, but it's not clear at all when that changed, if ever.
On the other hand, "Father's Day" shows clearly that effect doesn't always precede cause....
There's thus no reason to suppose that just because "Tooth and Claw" led to the establishment of Torchwood, we were in a timeline without a Torchwood before that. Far enough back we may have been, but it's not clear at all when that changed, if ever.
On the other hand, "Father's Day" shows clearly that effect doesn't always precede cause....
Shhhh! Don't let Jim Steele hear you say that!
I don't remember where exactly I read it, but I remember RTD and Julie Gardner saying something to the effect of knowing what they were doing with jack at the beginning... unless that was about the whole Face of Boe thing...
I'm sure on the commentary someone at least implies that this was a last minute choice by RTD so if they had plans it would have been for their 'dark gritty' spin-off. Just 'cos Jack was only just introduced doesn't mean they weren't already considering the series.
I wonder how that series would have turned out is the Moff hadn't introduced Jack in 'The Doc Dances'?
In answer to the OP no Torchwood only came with RTD, other wise how would we explain them wanting the doctor so bad and yet missing every other trip to England he's made, not to mention when he lived in a junkyard and was on the payroll of u.n.i.t with a permanent post and a registered automobile
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