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Mickey Smith's equivalent in an alternative universe, Ricky Smith opposed John Lumic and his Cybermen.
Biography
Early life
Ricky and Mickey had similar upbringings. Their respective fathers, named Jackson Smith, left both of them at early age. (DW: Rise of the Cybermen)
Rose Tyler did not exist in Ricky's universe, therefore, until she had crossed over into his, they never met each other.
- As well as never meeting Rose later, that meant that he never met an adult Rose from the future and so never "imprinted" on her. (DW: Father's Day).
Later life
While Mickey's grandmother, who had raised him, Rita-Anne had died in 2002, Ricky's version of his grandmother still lived, though she felt neglected by him. (DW: Rise of the Cybermen)
Ricky belonged to, and assumed leadership of the Preachers, a guerilla band which opposed John Lumic, Lumic's Cybus Industries and the Cybermen Lumic had created. He also learned how to use an AK-47. (TS: Tardisode 5, DW: Rise of the Cybermen, The Age of Steel).
However, as he later admitted, his boasted title as "most wanted in London" (DW: Rise of the Cybermen) came from having unpaid parking tickets all over London, He said he viewed parking violations as another way to strike back at the system. (DW: The Age of Steel).
- Previously a person known as Thin Jimmy, possibly the former leader of the Preachers, had had the title of most wanted in London.
Ricky had a close, possibly romantic relationship with another Preacher, Jake Simmonds. (DW: Rise of the Cybermen, The Age of Steel).
When Ricky met Mickey by accident at the Preachers' base, Ricky immediately suspected subterfuge. Mickey, however, gained his counterpart's grudging trust in his counterpart, and brought him along with the other Preachers in their van. (DW: Rise of the Cybermen) He also gave the Doctor his trust. The Preachers joined forces with Rose and the Doctor. Evading Cybermen, everyone split up, with Ricky and Mickey forming a group of two.
Ricky died while running from a Cyberman, electrocuted when trying to climb over a chain link fence as Mickey looked on helplessly from the other side. In his memory, Mickey decided to take Ricky's role and help to liberate other countries other than England from the Cybermen. (DW: The Age of Steel)
Personality
Ricky had a much more tough, take-charge demeanor than Mickey. In common with the other Preachers, he wore an all-black militaristic quasi-uniform. Despite his militancy, Ricky cared deeply about his beliefs and treated his fellow Preachers with absolute respect. He also gave the Doctor and Mickey the benefit of the doubt. Ricky showed no romantic interest in Rose, which would tend to support that he had a relationship with Jake, but not proving that he did.
Notes
Mickey Smith had a tattoo on his left arm. (DW: Rise of the Cybermen). We do not know if Ricky also had a tattoo there.
Behind the scenes
- It was suggested by Russell T Davies that Ricky Smith share a kiss with Jake. However this was not included (or indeed filmed) in the final version. A deleted scene available on the Series 2 box set has a scene from the end of The Age of Steel shows Mickey and Jake in the van and when Mickey mentions how he may be different from Ricky, Jake mentions how Ricky was his boyfriend before he died, much to Mickey's shock.