The current chapter of Doctor Who has cautiously avoided resurrecting some of the series’ most notorious villains for the 15th Doctor to confront. However, the show has not been devoid of classic adversaries. As we approach the thrilling finale of this season, we are graced with the return of the Rani, a captivating figure from ’80s Who.
Who Is the Rani?
The Rani, an amoral Time Lord scientist, was embodied by Kate O’Mara and made her mark in just two classic Doctor Who story arcs during the 1980s. In “Mark of the Rani,” she partnered with the Master against the Sixth Doctor. In her second appearance, “Time and the Rani,” she was pivotal in the Seventh Doctor’s regeneration while seizing an alien world to manipulate evolution across the cosmos. O’Mara returned one last time in the 1993 special Dimensions in Time, a crossover for the show’s 30th anniversary that trapped different incarnations of the Doctor and their companions in a time loop for reasons that baffled fans.
Details about the Rani remain sparse beyond her on-screen portrayals. She shares a background akin to the Master, acting as a malevolent mirror to the Doctor. Both studied at Gallifrey’s Pyrdonian Academy, but while the Doctor rebelled and left their society, the Rani was exiled for her radical experiments and obsession with evolution—a fixation she pursued by any means necessary.
Unlike many classic Who villains, the Rani’s presence in spin-off media is minimal. O’Mara reprised her role in the dubious 2000 audio drama The Rani Reaps the Whirlwind but was set to return for Big Finish before her passing in 2014. Instead, Siobhan Redmond gave us a new incarnation of the Rani in two Sixth Doctor audio stories, and it seemed she vanished until this season revealed that Anita Dobson’s enigmatic “Mrs. Flood” is, in fact, the latest version of the Rani—who subsequently regenerated into yet another form played by Archie Panjabi.
The Camp Appeal of the Rani
Despite her few appearances, the Rani has left a significant mark on Doctor Who fandom, largely thanks to O’Mara’s vibrant portrayal. While the Rani’s evil nature is foregrounded, O’Mara infused her with flamboyance and exuberance, strutting about in glamorous outfits and delivering dramatic lines that made her a camp icon. Many fans appreciate the series’ campy elements, and the Rani undoubtedly embodies this spirit.
This unique status has allowed the Rani to transition into modern Doctor Who, often speculated upon with each unidentified female character. It became a running joke among fans and the showrunners, who recognized that the Rani was the first guess whenever a mysterious woman appeared.
However, Steven Moffat, the show’s second showrunner, attempted to temper this speculation. “People always ask me, ‘Do you want to bring back the Rani? No one knows who the Rani is,’” he remarked in 2012. Moffat pointed out that while villains like the Master and Daleks are universally recognized, the Rani was not. Perhaps her charm lies in being beloved yet obscure—until now.
What Does the Rani’s Return Mean for Doctor Who?
The Rani’s long-anticipated return signifies more than just an end to the fan joke; it carries substantial implications. On one hand, showrunner Russell T Davies indicated that while the Rani is a familiar name, her character is minor enough to allow for creative liberties with Panjabi and Dobson’s portrayal, offering the freedom to craft fresh narratives in her upcoming schemes.
Additionally, the Rani is noteworthy for being the first Time Lord to return since Gallifrey faced its second upheaval in the show’s current continuity. Previously, the Time Lords appeared to have been destroyed in a climactic war with the Daleks, only to be resurrected during the 50th anniversary events. The climax of the 2020 season revealed that the Master had obliterated the revived Gallifrey for his own purposes, leaving the Doctor once again as the last of the Time Lords. The question remains: how did the Rani evade not one, but two cataclysmic events on Gallifrey? Could her return hint at a potential restoration of Gallifrey for a third time? Time will tell, as will the Time Ladies!
What is the Rani’s role in Doctor Who? As a Time Lord scientist and nemesis of the Doctor, the Rani offers a distinctive perspective on Time Lord society, often clashing with the Doctor’s ideals while pursuing her scientific obsessions.
Is the Rani a formidable villain? Yes, the Rani is cunning and driven, showcasing a ruthless nature that makes her a worthy adversary for the Doctor, often outsmarting foes with her elaborate plans.
Will we see more of the Rani in the upcoming seasons? With her recent return being a pivotal moment, there is a strong chance we may encounter her again, especially given the show’s new direction under Russell T Davies.
Curious about the impact of classic villains on Doctor Who? Understanding the history and evolution of these characters enhances our appreciation of the series and its rich narrative landscape.
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