Doctor Who: is the pure historical a thing of the past?

Not Victorian London again?

This has become almost a mantra on geek forums across the internet.

The Paternoster Gang are one thing butDoctor Whohas seemingly defaulted to this era too often for some.

So why the (over) reliance on Victorian London?

In short: cost.

The BBC is particularly adept at creating past vistas, none more so than the Victorian period.

All the costumes and set dressing already exist.

Whats more is the BBC has the era down to a T in terms of accuracy.

For my money,Doctor Whois often at its best when lost in history.

I just wonder how refreshing a pure historical adventure might be dropped into the mix just now and again?

But you knew that.

It was also, incidentally, the first mention of Gallifrey in the series.

Meetings with famous historical figures has become a major feature of the current style of psuedo historicals.

However, the idea is far from new.

Hartnell regularly met historical figures.

Surely its no accident both Hitler and Churchill have both recently appeared in the BBC Wales series?

How long before the Doctor will encounter King Henry VIII I wonder?

History was definitely in!

History it seemed, especially during the Graham Williams era, belonged on other planets.

Mark Gatiss scripted the first past adventure of the revived series: 2005sThe Unquiet Dead.

Set in Victorian Cardiff of 1869, the setting was dressed almost like a Dickensian Christmas card.

Television of the noughties, awash with cinematic period drama, virtually demanded the Doctor meet Charles Dickens.

So, if youll forgive the paradox, what is the future of the historical?

Is a pure historical actually feasible in this day and age?

Would it hold its own in the ratings?

Whom might he meet?

The alien threat felt so tacked to appeaseWhofans demanding the Doctor encounter a monster each week.

There is real potential in the form, if the historical figure and setting are sufficiently interesting.

If ever there was ever a time ripe for a pure historical, surely now is the time.

How about a story set in Ancient Egypt?

A plague village during The Black Death?

Perhaps a meeting with William Caxton and exploring the potential of his printing press?

Maybe, for fans of arrows hitting the TARDIS a sudden arrival during the Battle of Agincourt?

A trip on a galleon with Drake in The Spanish Armada?

Perhaps encountering some real Roundheads and Cavaliers instead of the re-enactments ofThe Awakening?

Dick Turpin and highwaymen in Regency times?

How about encounters with notable scientists: Marie Curie, Ernest Rutherford or Alexander Fleming?

So many rich possibilities, so much time!

Over to you Mr Moffat, just dont set it in Victorian London!