Vicki Origin : Earth-25th Century
Stephen Origin : Earth-23rd Century

Companion reign : 1964 – 65.

[Discussing the Tardis] “TARDIS. T-A-R-D-I-S. It stands for ‘Time And Relative Dimensions In Space’.” Vicki

“I..D..B..I..” Steven

“What? IDBI?” Vicky

“I-D-B-I! It means I Don’t Believe It!” Steven. [The Time Meddler – 1965]

Vicki Pallister

Vicki Pallister (played by Maureen O’Brien), met the First Doctor in The Rescue – 1965.

Vicki was one of two survivors,along with a man called Bennet – of a crashed starship; on the planet Dido. Bennet was later unmasked, as a dangerous criminal and after his death, the First Doctor took pity on Vicki – and invited her to travel in the Tardis.

Like Susan before, Vicki was a remarkably academically bright girl, who was schooled in the 25th Century – and was technologically savvy. Immediately, this caused tension between Vicki and Barbara (the Doctor’s other companion), with Barbara being a learned 20th Century school teacher. As Vicki had something of an advantage over Barbara, on post 1960’s – Earth history.

On top of this, Barbara had also accidentally killed Vicki’s alien pet lizard with a flare gun in The Rescue – 1965; believing it to be dangerous.

They bickered frequently, as Vicki seemed to enjoy teasing Barbara about her superior schooling and knowledge; with all of the technological and social advancements – which had taken place; since the 20th centiry.

Vicki eventually became close to new companion Steven Taylor, following Ian and Barbara’s departure. Vicki acted, as Steven’s moral outlook – to her new impestious and headstrong young male counterpart.

In The Myth Makers – 1965, the Tardis travelled to the city of Troy on Earth; during the Trojan War. Vicki fell in love with a Trojan Prince; named Trollias and left the Doctor, staying behind; as the Tardis left.

Like Susan before, Vicki was a ready-made replacement for the role of Doctor’s Granddaughter. And like Susan, Vicki didn’t receive much meaningful characterisation – or screentime. After a season and half, actress Maureen O’ Brien decided to leave the show.

Steven Taylor

Steven Taylor (played by Peter Purves), met and became a companion of the First Doctor – in The Chase – 1965;  having been a captive of a robotic race, known as the ‘Mechanoids’.

Steven had been in the Earth Military (of an undefined future), flying space missions but had crashed on the planet Mechanos. Captured and kept in solitiude for 2 years, Steven had not seen (or interacted) with another human being; only kept sane by a toy robot panda, nicknamed ‘Hi-Fi’.

After a battle, involving the invading Daleks, in which the Mechanoid captors were destroyed; Steven escaped and stumbled unwittingly into the Tardis (unbeknown to the Doctor) and collapsed, unconcious.

Steven was very much in the mold of Ian but younger – and was more rash and headstrong. He was also intelligent and loyal too. He sported a deprecating sense of humour – and developed a good rapport with new companion Vicki.

Steven initially had trouble, accepting that time-travel was real ( The Time Meddler – 1965). It took a while for Steven, whilst travelling with the Doctor to accept that the Tardis was infact time-travelling around space-and-time (rather than just travelling planet to planet).

In The Myth Makers – 1965, the party landed during the Greek/Trojan war. Steven borrowed the Greek name ‘Diomede’ (bravery) and was badly wounded – in a sword fight with Trojan soldiers; whilst fighting for the Greeks.

Steven also got seriously ill in The Ark – 1966  having contracted a cold virus from new female companion; Dodo. Steven had had no prior exposure or immunity – to the virus. He was lucky to survive, after descending into a raging fever.

Steven even got the chance to sing and perform some ballads, whilst at gunpoint, in the ‘Last Chance’ saloon – in Tombstone, Arizona 1881; in The Gunfighters.

Steven left the Doctor and Dodo at the end of The Savages – 1966, having agreed to stay behind and help a civilisation rebuild itself; into a fairer society.

Steven and Vicki were easy-going and likeable replacement companions, for Ian and Barbara. Perhaps not as well characterised (or written) as Ian and Barbara but nonetheless, engaging enough to give the First Doctor someone to bounce off.