As a huge Doctor Who fan, it’s still a little painful to think about the Seventh Doctor’s final episode. It marked the end of the original run of this incredible show – a series that first aired way back in November 1963! That’s over 62 years of adventures! But it hasn’t always been easy sailing. There was a really long break – 16 years, actually – between 1989 and 2005. Thankfully, Russell T. Davies brought it back with Christopher Eccleston as the Ninth Doctor, giving us a whole new generation of the Doctor and companions to love.
Today marks 36 years since the last episode of “Survival” aired on December 6, 1989, concluding the original run of Doctor Who. After 26 years, the show was cancelled because fewer people were watching, public interest had waned, and it was moved to a less popular timeslot. Sylvester McCoy was the last actor to play the Doctor, and Sophie Aldred’s Ace was his final companion, but the series ended on a relatively strong note with “Survival.”
Why Survival Was Actually the Perfect Story to End Doctor Who On
Although fans were disappointed when Doctor Who went off the air after 25 years, the final story, “Survival,” was a fitting end to the series. First shown on November 22, 1989, it featured the Doctor bringing Ace home to Perivale, West London, only to discover her friends had been taken to a strange world populated by creatures that were part human, part cheetah. They soon find themselves on a living planet and must team up with the Doctor’s old enemy, the Master (played by Anthony Ainley), to avoid becoming Cheetah People themselves.
The episode “Survival” concluded with a violent outburst from the Master and his Cheetah People followers, culminating in a confrontation between the Doctor and his long-time enemy. In a surprising turn, the Doctor refused to fight, choosing peace instead. This led to the Doctor’s return to Earth, while the Master was left stranded on the collapsing, living planet. This decision perfectly reflected the Doctor’s character, and the episode’s final line – later added to footage of the Doctor and Ace heading back to the TARDIS – served as a fitting farewell to the original run of Doctor Who.
The universe is full of incredible places – worlds with fiery skies, peaceful seas, and dreaming rivers. Imagine people formed from smoke and cities built on music. There’s trouble brewing in some corners, unfairness in others, and even a forgotten cup of tea somewhere. Come on, Ace, we have a job to do! – Sylvester McCoy as the Seventh Doctor in “Survival.”
For a while, it was uncertain if Doctor Who would ever return, though fans remained hopeful. BBC Worldwide and Universal Pictures attempted a revival in 1996 with a TV movie aimed at American viewers, but it wasn’t until Russell T. Davies brought the series back in 2005 that it truly succeeded. Despite some recent challenges, the future of Doctor Who looks promising. Interestingly, if the show had ended with the 1989 episode “Survival,” it would have concluded on a particularly strong note.
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2025-12-06 16:13