Who is the Valeyard in the context of Doctor Who?

The Valeyard is a fictional character from the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He made his first appearance in the show's twenty-third season, which was titled "The Trial of a Time Lord."

In which specific story arc did the Valeyard make his initial appearance on television?

The Valeyard's first television appearance was in the 1986 story arc titled "The Trial of a Time Lord."

Who is credited with introducing the Valeyard character into the Doctor Who series?

The Valeyard was introduced by John Nathan-Turner, who was the producer of Doctor Who at the time, along with script editor Eric Saward.

Which actor has consistently portrayed the Valeyard across various Doctor Who media?

Michael Jayston has portrayed the Valeyard in all of his appearances, including the television serials and subsequent audio dramas.

How many stories and episodes did the Valeyard feature in during his initial television run in Season 23?

The Valeyard appeared in all four serials that made up Season 23, which totaled 14 episodes.

What was the Valeyard's primary role during "The Trial of a Time Lord" season?

The Valeyard served as the court prosecutor in the trial of the Sixth Doctor, presenting evidence to incriminate him.

What is the fundamental nature of the Doctor, as described in the introduction to the Valeyard's article?

The Doctor is an alien from a race known as the Time Lords who travels through time and space in a ship called the TARDIS, often accompanied by companions.

What unique ability allows the Doctor to survive death and continue their journey?

When the Doctor dies, they can undergo a process known as regeneration, which completely changes their physical appearance and aspects of their personality.

What significant revelation about the Valeyard's identity is made during the course of "The Trial of a Time Lord"?

Towards the end of the trial, it is revealed that the Valeyard is secretly an incarnation of the Doctor himself, described as an amalgamation of the Doctor's darker sides from much later in his life.

What was the Valeyard's ultimate goal in prosecuting the Doctor and working with the Time Lords?

The Valeyard was collaborating with the Time Lords to incriminate the Doctor in exchange for the Doctor's remaining regenerations, which would have extended the Valeyard's own lifespan.

What happened to the Valeyard immediately after his true identity and plans were exposed in the Matrix?

After his identity and plans were revealed, the Valeyard attempted to escape and destroy the Time Lords by fleeing into the Matrix. He was presumed dead after an apparent destruction within the Matrix, but was later shown to have escaped.

Has the Valeyard appeared in media beyond his initial television serial?

Yes, the Valeyard has subsequently appeared in various pieces of Doctor Who spin-off media, including novels and audio dramas.

When did the television series Doctor Who originally premiere?

The Doctor Who television series originally began in 1963.

What is the TARDIS in the context of the Doctor Who universe?

The TARDIS is the time-traveling ship used by the Doctor to journey through time and space.

Which specific serials constitute the "The Trial of a Time Lord" season?

The season comprises the serials "The Mysterious Planet," "Mindwarp," "Terror of the Vervoids," and "The Ultimate Foe."

What was the official charge brought against the Sixth Doctor during his trial by the Time Lords?

The Sixth Doctor was put on trial by the Time Lords for interfering with history, an action that violated their sacred oath.

How did the Valeyard manipulate the proceedings of the Doctor's trial?

The Valeyard tampered with the evidence presented during the trial, allowing him to paint the Doctor in a negative and incriminating light.

Who was responsible for revealing the Valeyard's true identity as a future incarnation of the Doctor?

The Doctor's old enemy, the Master, revealed that the Valeyard was actually a future incarnation of the Doctor.

What specific historical event involving Earth were the Time Lords trying to conceal through the Doctor's trial?

The Time Lords were attempting to cover up their own actions in moving the planet Earth from its proper place in the universe and causing the deaths of nearly every human on it.

What was the Valeyard's ultimate plan for the Time Lords after they granted him the Doctor's regenerations?

The Valeyard had planned to kill the Time Lords after they had given him the Doctor's remaining regenerations.

Where did the Valeyard escape to when his schemes were exposed in "The Ultimate Foe"?

When his identity and plans were revealed, the Valeyard escaped into the Matrix, which is described as a massive data repository for the Time Lords.

How did the Valeyard manage to escape the Matrix and the apparent destruction within it?

The Valeyard escaped the Matrix by disguising himself as another Time Lord.

How did the Valeyard manifest in the 1995 Virgin Publishing novel "Millennial Rites"?

In "Millennial Rites," the Valeyard briefly emerged from the Sixth Doctor's consciousness, taking over the Doctor's personality and actions before being repressed by the Doctor.

What occurred in the 1997 BBC Books novel "The Eight Doctors" involving the Valeyard?

In "The Eight Doctors," the Eighth Doctor encountered an alternate version of the Sixth Doctor's trial where the Valeyard was about to execute him. The Eighth Doctor dismissed the evidence and initiated an inquiry into the Valeyard's creation, but the Valeyard vanished before any conclusions could be reached.

Describe the Valeyard's role and fate in the 1998 novel "Matrix."

In "Matrix," the Valeyard utilized the "Dark Matrix," a repository of the Time Lords' most evil impulses, to seek revenge on the Doctor. He was ultimately killed by a lightning bolt generated by his own damaged TARDIS as the Dark Matrix escaped his control.

What was the original intention behind Craig Hinton's rejected novel "Time's Champion"?

The novel "Time's Champion" was intended to feature the Valeyard and provide further elaboration on his origins.

How was Craig Hinton's novel "Time's Champion" eventually made available to the public?

After being rejected by BBC Books, co-writer Chris McKeon completed the novel following Hinton's death and released it unofficially. It was later edited and published by David J. Howe as a fundraiser for the British Heart Foundation.

What alternative timeline was explored in the 2003 Big Finish audio drama "He Jests at Scars..."?

This audio drama explored an alternative timeline where the Valeyard had successfully defeated the Doctor and ravaged time and space. However, he had irreparably damaged reality and was trapped, too terrified to move, until the end of time.

What significant claim did the Valeyard make about his origin in the 2013 Big Finish audio drama "Trial of the Valeyard"?

During his trial in "Trial of the Valeyard," the Valeyard asserted that he was created by the Doctor's final incarnation, who was experimenting with methods to overcome the regeneration limit.

How did the Valeyard's scheme to control the Doctor's body conclude in the 2015 audio drama "The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure"?

The Valeyard's plan to take control of the Doctor's body succeeded, but the Doctor manipulated events to force the Sixth Doctor to regenerate, which resulted in the Valeyard's death.

In what capacity was a copy of the Valeyard utilized during the Time War in the 2019 audio drama "The War Valeyard"?

In "The War Valeyard," the Time Lords employed a copy of the Valeyard as a soldier in the Time War. He was trapped in a time loop fighting Daleks, under the delusion that he was the Doctor.

What was the intended narrative structure for the season featuring the Valeyard's debut?

The season, "The Trial of a Time Lord," was structured as a series of four interconnected serials that formed one overarching plot.

Who conceived the Valeyard character, and what was his initial purpose in the narrative?

Producer John Nathan-Turner and script editor Eric Saward created the Valeyard to serve as the prosecutor for the Doctor's trial and as an overarching antagonist for the season.

How was the Valeyard's physical appearance described during his conceptualization?

He was envisioned as tall and lean, with sharp, angular features that were intended to evoke the image of a predatory bird.

Why did script editor Eric Saward prefer the Valeyard over the Master as the season's primary antagonist?

Saward believed that using the Master as the main antagonist would have been too predictable and obvious a plot twist.

What was the original intended ending for "The Trial of a Time Lord," and why was it altered?

The original ending would have left both the Valeyard and the Doctor trapped in the Matrix with their survival uncertain, designed as a shocking cliffhanger to potentially save the show from cancellation. However, script disagreements led to rewrites.

What specific instruction did producer John Nathan-Turner give regarding the Valeyard's fate in the revised ending?

John Nathan-Turner requested that the rewritten final episode explicitly show the Valeyard escaping, thereby allowing for the possibility of his return in future stories.

What served as the primary inspiration for the Valeyard's costume design?

The Valeyard's costume was heavily influenced by the existing costumes worn by Time Lords in the series, although it was a distinct, newly constructed outfit.

Who portrayed the character Mr. Popplewick in "The Ultimate Foe," and what was his true identity?

The character Mr. Popplewick was portrayed by Geoffrey Hughes. This character was later revealed to be the Valeyard in disguise.

Which specific Doctor Who novel range imposed a ban on the character of the Valeyard?

The Valeyard was banned from appearing in novels published by Virgin Books, particularly within their "New Adventures" range.

What reason is cited for the Valeyard being deemed too problematic for certain Doctor Who novel ranges?

Writer Johnathan Wilkins stated that the Valeyard was deemed too problematic a character, which led to restrictions on his use in certain novel series.

What positive aspects of the Valeyard's characterization were noted by Graeme Burk and Robert Smith?

Graeme Burk and Robert Smith highlighted the Valeyard's mysterious nature and his effective role within the context of the Doctor's trial, praising the concept of the character.

What reservation did Burk and Smith express regarding the Valeyard's potential future appearances?

They suggested that the Valeyard might not be as effective or compelling outside the specific narrative context of the Doctor's trial, implying his character was best suited to that scenario.

How did literary critic John Kenneth Muir interpret the Valeyard's survival at the conclusion of "The Trial of a Time Lord"?

Muir interpreted the Valeyard's survival as a symbolic representation that evil is enduring. He also saw the character as reflecting a more nihilistic tone in the Sixth Doctor's era, suggesting the Doctor was fated to become a villain.

What paradoxical aspect of the Valeyard's existence was explored in the book "Doctor Who and Philosophy: Bigger on the Inside"?

The book analyzed how the Valeyard's existence is intrinsically linked to the show's time-traveling premise and the potential for parallel timelines, where alternate possibilities can exist.

What literary work was referenced in "Doctor Who and Philosophy: Bigger on the Inside" when discussing the Valeyard's paradoxical nature?

The book compared the Valeyard's existence to Jorge Luis Borges' 1941 short story "The Garden of Forking Paths," which explores the concepts of parallel timelines and incompatible events.

What thematic elements regarding history and consequences were highlighted by the Valeyard's appearance in the audio drama "He Jests at Scars..."?

The audio drama's conclusion, where the Valeyard is trapped due to his inability to alter history, underscored the delicacy of the timeline and the far-reaching consequences of every choice. It also emphasized how the Valeyard's own decisions led to his predicament.

How did J.S. Mackley analyze the Valeyard's role concerning personal psychology?

Mackley viewed the Valeyard as an example of individuals confronting and accepting the darker, repressed aspects of their own personalities.

What symbolic meaning did J.S. Mackley attribute to the presence of both the Doctor and the Valeyard?

Mackley noted that the existence of two versions of the Doctor, the protagonist and the Valeyard, acted as a form of 'doubling,' which he interpreted as symbolizing death.

In "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy: The Discerning Fan's Guide to Doctor Who," what psychological concept was the Valeyard linked to?

The Valeyard was described as symbolizing the Jungian Shadow, which represents the repressed, darker aspects of an individual's psyche.

What did the Valeyard represent for the Doctor's own character, according to "The Greatest Show in the Galaxy"?

The Valeyard symbolized the Doctor's self-hatred and served as a direct antithesis to the core values and principles that the Doctor typically embodies throughout the series.

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What is the Valeyard?

The Enigmatic Prosecutor

The Valeyard is a fictional character originating from the British science fiction television series Doctor Who. He is primarily known for his role as the prosecuting counsel in the trial of the Sixth Doctor during the show's twenty-third season, subtitled The Trial of a Time Lord.

A Future Incarnation

Within the narrative, the Valeyard is revealed to be an amalgamation of the Doctor's darker aspects, originating from a point far in the Doctor's future. This future incarnation sought to incriminate the Doctor, ostensibly to gain possession of the Doctor's remaining regenerations.

Core Identity

The Valeyard represents a complex existential paradox within the Doctor's timeline. He is not merely an antagonist but a manifestation of the Doctor's potential future self, embodying the moral compromises and darker impulses that can arise over an extended lifespan.

Character History

Debut and Role

The Valeyard first appeared in the 1986 serial The Mysterious Planet, which marked the beginning of the overarching storyline The Trial of a Time Lord. He served as the prosecutor throughout the season's four segments: The Mysterious Planet, Mindwarp, Terror of the Vervoids, and The Ultimate Foe. His primary function was to present evidence against the Sixth Doctor, who was accused by his own people, the Time Lords, of interfering with history.

Portrayal and Design

The character was portrayed by actor Michael Jayston. His costume was designed to evoke a sense of authority and menace, drawing inspiration from existing Time Lord attire but constructed as a distinct, new ensemble. During the serial The Ultimate Foe, actor Geoffrey Hughes briefly appeared as Mr. Popplewick, later revealed to be the Valeyard in disguise.

Narrative Arc and Survival

As the trial progressed, it became evident that the Valeyard had manipulated evidence. The Master eventually exposed the Valeyard's true identity and his pact with the Time Lords, who sought to eliminate the Doctor to conceal their own past transgressions. The Valeyard attempted to destroy the Time Lords but was seemingly trapped and destroyed within the Matrix, the Time Lords' vast data repository. However, he managed to escape in disguise, leaving his ultimate fate ambiguous.

Appearances in Other Media

Novels

The Valeyard has featured in several Doctor Who novels. In Millennial Rites (1995), he briefly emerged from the Sixth Doctor's consciousness. The Eight Doctors (1997) saw the Eighth Doctor confront an alternate Valeyard during a version of the Sixth Doctor's trial. In Matrix (1998), the Valeyard attempted to use the "Dark Matrix" for revenge but was ultimately destroyed by his own damaged TARDIS.

Audio Dramas

Big Finish Productions has extensively featured the Valeyard in audio dramas. He Jests at Scars... (2003) depicted an alternate timeline where the Valeyard had conquered time. Trial of the Valeyard (2013) saw him put on trial by the Time Lords, claiming creation by the Doctor's final incarnation. The Sixth Doctor: The Last Adventure (2015) involved the Valeyard attempting to take control of the Doctor's body, and The War Valeyard (2019) explored his use as a soldier in the Time War.

Conception and Development

Creative Origins

The Valeyard was conceived by producer John Nathan-Turner and script editor Eric Saward for The Trial of a Time Lord. Saward preferred the Valeyard as the season's primary antagonist over the more obvious choice of The Master, believing it would provide a more surprising twist. The character was envisioned as tall, lean, and sharp-featured, intended to be a future incarnation of the Doctor.

Production Challenges

The original script for the season finale envisioned both the Doctor and the Valeyard becoming trapped in the Matrix, with an uncertain outcome. However, disagreements led to rewrites by Pip and Jane Baker. At Nathan-Turner's request, the revised ending confirmed the Valeyard's survival and escape, allowing for potential future appearances.

Publishing Restrictions

Interestingly, the Valeyard was reportedly banned from appearing in certain Doctor Who novels, particularly those from the New Adventures range published by Virgin Books. This was a common practice to encourage the use of original characters and avoid over-reliance on established antagonists.

Reception and Analysis

Existential and Thematic Significance

Critics and scholars have analyzed the Valeyard's role as a representation of the Doctor's potential for darkness and moral decay over time. His existence poses profound questions about identity, destiny, and the consequences of a long life spent interfering with the universe. Some interpretations view him as a Jungian "Shadow," symbolizing the repressed darker aspects of the Doctor's psyche.

Paradox and Morality

The Valeyard's paradoxical nature, being both a future self and an antagonist, highlights themes of self-destruction and the delicate balance of time. His survival at the end of his initial appearance is often seen as a commentary on the persistence of evil or the inevitability of certain paths, even for a character dedicated to good.

Critical Reception

The character has generally been well-received for his intriguing concept and contribution to the narrative complexity of The Trial of a Time Lord. While some analyses suggest his character might be best suited to the specific context of the Doctor's trial, his enduring presence in spin-off media attests to his impact and the fascination he holds for fans.

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References

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The Valeyard: A Shadow of the Doctor

💡 Dive in with Flashcard Learning! 💡

What is the Valeyard? ⚖️

👤 The Enigmatic Prosecutor

⏳ A Future Incarnation

📜 Core Identity

Character History 🕰️

📺 Debut and Role

🎭 Portrayal and Design

🔄 Narrative Arc and Survival

Appearances in Other Media 📚

📖 Novels

🎧 Audio Dramas

Conception and Development 💡

✍️ Creative Origins

🎬 Production Challenges

🚫 Publishing Restrictions

Reception and Analysis 🧐

🤔 Existential and Thematic Significance

⚖️ Paradox and Morality

⭐ Critical Reception

Teacher's Corner 🧑‍🏫

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📜 Important Notice

Dive in with Flashcard Learning!

What is the Valeyard?

The Enigmatic Prosecutor

A Future Incarnation

Core Identity

Character History

Debut and Role

Portrayal and Design

Narrative Arc and Survival

Appearances in Other Media

Novels

Audio Dramas

Conception and Development

Creative Origins

Production Challenges

Publishing Restrictions

Reception and Analysis

Existential and Thematic Significance

Paradox and Morality

Critical Reception

Teacher's Corner

True or False?

Test Your Knowledge!

Gamer's Corner

Discover other topics to study!

References

Feedback & Support

Disclaimer

Important Notice