Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman?

"Grandfather claimed that he knew what was best for me."

Writer: Adrian Mourby

Format: Audio

Broadcast: 09 July 1994

Series: Whatever Happened to... 05

Featuring: Susan, Ian, Barbara, Jo

Synopsis

A researcher interviews Susan Foreman, and various people connected with her, about the true history of her travels in time and space, and how she went from there to her current, rather unexpected position as EC Commissioner for Education. 

Verdict

Whatever Happened to Susan Foreman was a pretty abhorrent yet incredibly fascinating and intriguing story to listen to! I don’t think this is like anything I’ve ever listened to before and I don’t think anything will ever come close to being similar to be honest. I’m not even entirely sure if it is assumed to be part of official continuity, but given the glaring errors within the story I would say that it isn’t. But the fact it’s released as part of the BBC Radio Episodes Collection alongside other stories that a firmly official, this is a fascinating interpretation of what might have happened to Susan after the events of The Dalek Invasion of Earth. She was clearly angered by her grandfather’s decision to leave her behind with David and her comments about being in love were actually quite surprising. But at the same time she was sixteen snd it was understandable why she was saying at that age you’re always in love with somebody. I thought the story did an interesting job in humanising Susan which didn’t sit right with me. I thought the way she referred to her home planet in such a nonchalant way as Galley was shocking and almost derogatory! I liked the line about her parents and the suggestion that the Doctor retired before leaving Gallifrey with Susan was again really interesting even if things don’t entirely line up with established continuity. One thing I was really annoyed about in the story was the representation of Ian and Barbara. The way The Chase was essentially completely ignored or just altered to be wrong in suggesting that Ian and Barbara returned to Totter’s Lane immediately after they departed in An Unearthly Child was baffling. Rumours circulating around Ian being involved in Susan’s disappearance was also uncomfortable. I wasn’t against her thinking he was dashing, but suggesting that he and Barbara weren’t together was rubbish. They are destined to be a couple! I thought the inclusion of Jo was a little strange given she has no connection with Susan, but I liked that she was on hand to defend the image of the Doctor. Susan accusing her grandfather of always travelling with a young woman and having sexual implications for that choice was just dreadful. There’s no need for that as we know the Doctor, at least up to the point of his seventh incarnation as was the case when this story was released, is anything but romantic! I’d almost describe him as asexual. Susan having knowledge of each her grandfather’s subsequent incarnations is intriguing as I like the idea of her still having a relationship with him and knowing that he did come back to 2164 following the Dalek invasion. Barbara living in Mid Wales was humorous for me personally as that’s where I was born and I could actually see her settling down there, but the representation of her character was very poor. Susan now being a part of the European Commission was a little strange but I could see her being involved in politics. To he honest though, I think that opinion comes from me knowing her from other stories later released as being older and more mature, but the essence of the character is there. I am dumbfounded by the suggestion that other aliens and people from other times were running the EC though. The story felt unnecessarily political there even though it is intended to be satirical. I am shocked that Susan didn’t really consider herself a Time Lord as it’s often easy to forget that Gallifreyans don’t all fit that definition. It’s fun to ponder on even if I disagree with it! Overall, I thought this was a bit of a mess. Susan shouldn’t know about the Menoptera or Ian being knighted as The Web Planet and The Crusade came after her departure! The representation of Susan’s fellow companions was very poor and the image painted of the Doctor was terrible. I firmly disapprove of this interpretation and I don’t think this is what happened to Susan at all! Still, a really intriguing listen at the same time partly because of how bad and wrong it was. 

Rating: 4/10