Theory:Timeline - Seventh Doctor

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This page lists appearances of the Seventh Doctor in the order in which he experienced them. This timeline is based upon observations of the Doctor Who universe and the events that occur during each of these stories. From these observations we have attempted to build a concise timeline. It is assumed, much like its TV story counterparts that for each novel or audio series their published/numbered order is the order they occur in. This does not apply to short stories which are often ambiguous about their placement. There are also many gaps between stories.

The layout of this timeline is in part based on the observations on Doctor Who Reference Guide and Doctor Who - The Complete Adventures, as well as Lance Parkin's AHistory and other sources that allow us to make observations. None of these sources should be used solely as a source or considered a "true" timeline for stories.

Additionally there are statements on the back many BBC Past Doctor Adventures novels that state between which TV stories the novel takes place between. These can be used to narrow the field, and should be viewed as the only placing for these novels.

Limiting factors

Limiting factors for the Seventh Doctor's timeline placement are based on which companions he is travelling with at the time. However there are also several instances when the Doctor travels alone, these can often be placed in the latter part of his regeneration as they represent a more sombre character for the Doctor.

Any stories featuring Melanie Bush must take place between TV: Time and the Rani and Dragonfire.

Any stories involving a younger Ace must take place from TV: Dragonfire to PROSE: Love and War. Any story featuring a battle-knowledgeable Ace must take place between PROSE: Deceit and Set Piece.

Any stories where he travels with Bernice Summerfield must take place between PROSE: Love and War and Happy Endings (except Return of the Living Dad, which takes place later).

Any story featuring Roz Forrester must take place between PROSE: Original Sin and So Vile a Sin. Any story featuring Chris Cwej must take place between PROSE: Original Sin and Lungbarrow.

Any story featuring Hex must take place after AUDIO: The Harvest.

There are however some issues with using these stories alone to define story placement as some companions (such as Ace) have contradictory departure stories. Ace departs travelling the with the Doctor in PROSE: Set Piece and is apparently killed in COMIC: Ground Zero.

Series basics

The Seventh Doctor's adventures can be sorted roughly by medium and then also roughly by companion.

Medium

Companions

TV created

Novel created

Audio created

Comic created

Timeline

Mel is wearing the same clothes as in Paradise Towers.
The Fires of Vulcan is set here as it begins the transfer to a more S25 type tone but is set before Mel's departure. Red follows it per authorial intent plus it fits better here than in the earlier gap due to tone as well.
Ace is still feeling the effects of the Cheetah virus.
Order of the NAs and DWM comics based on editorial intent in "Interweaving with the New Adventures"

This leads directly into Storm Harvest

Storm must take place before Dust Breeding as the doctor and Ace know of the Krill in Dust.

  1. False Gods
  2. Order of Simplicity
  3. Casualties of War
  4. The Word Lord
The Doctor leaves Ace and Hex for a time and begins travelling with Sally Morgan and Lysandra Aristedes. In Black and White, the Doctor states that he left them after their adventure in Alaska.
The "young Ace" in the Big Finish audios mean that they have to be placed before Love and War when she leaves the Doctor to fight the Daleks.
Ace's death here is undone in Sometime Never....
Order of the NAs and DWM comics through Theatre of War and Uninvited Guest based on editorial intent in "Interweaving with the New Adventures"
The Big Finish pages for The Shadow of the Scourge and The Dark Flame places them after All-Consuming Fire and before Blood Harvest.
Authorial intent places it within The Room With No Doors. Furthermore the NA style tone without a companion also makes this the only plausible gap anyway.
The Doctor is sent on a mission by the Time Lords to pick up the Master's remains.
While recovering his memories, the Doctor erroneously refers to Genevieve as Mel, Ace and Hex, before remembering he's alone.
The Doctor is taking a few side steps before he collects the Master's remains.
The Doctor regenerates.

Unplaced

Set after Survival as Ace recognises the Master.
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