“Whether or not the Doctor has proved himself innocent of meddling is no longer the cardinal issue before this court. He has proved himself guilty of a far greater crime. Article seven permits no exceptions. The Doctor has destroyed a complete species. The charge must now be…… Genocide!” Valeyard – Trial Of A Timelord
The Doctor’s darker nature…
The Valeyard (played by Michael Jayston), was probably the most dangerous enemy that the Doctor faced. Due to the fact, that the Valeyard was infact – a physical emanation of the Doctor’s own darker psyche; somewhere between his 11th and final regeneration.
Devoid of any of the Doctor’s moral code – or compassion, but possessing all of the sum parts of the Doctor’s knowledge and inventiveness; with ruthlessness amplified. This made The Valeyard a dangerous and deadly foe – for the Doctor.
Even the Master, was willing to help the Doctor stop the Valeyard. Fearing that the Valeyard was even more a deadly opponent – than The Doctor.
The Valeyard first appeared, in the season-22 story arc : Trial Of A Timelord – 1986, first episode The Mysterious Planet. The Valeyard, was masquerading as a prosecutor for the Time Lord high council. Having pulled the Doctor out of time-and-space, to face charges of illegally meddling – in other races affairs.
What began as a routine enquiry, with a pontential ‘slap on the wrist’ punishment for the Doctor. Is twisted – into a genocide trial (punishable by death); by the Valeyard. Due to the events in Terror Of The Vervoids, the third Trial Of A Timelord – 1986 story.
It is clear, throughout the trial; that the Doctor’s disdain for the Valeyard is palapable. Frequently referring to the Valeyard as; “Boatyard”, “Scrapyard” and “Knackersyard” – throughout the trial.
The Valeyard even manages to rig the Gallifreyan Matrix (the vast computer resource that the Time Lords use to view events in time). In the trial, the Matrix was used as evedience against the Doctor; by showing recent adventures, to the court. Unbeknown to the Doctor; however, was the knowledge that the matrix had ben altered. To make the Doctor’s past adventures, look evil.
Once the Valeyard’s deception was uncovered, The Valeyard disappeared inside the digital world of the Matrix. To be persued by the Doctor and the Master in The Ultimate Foe.
The Valeyard: “Do you relish danger, Doctor?”
The Doctor: “Not particularly!”
The Valeyard: “Yet you seem to court it so obviously.”
The Doctor: “Well, even a nervous Time Lord must appear to act with confidence at all times!”
The Doctor is able to overcome the Valeyard, within the Matrix. However, The Valeyard managed to find a way back to the real world – and steal the Time Lord body of the Matrix Key Keeper; to escape Gallifrey.
The Valeyard proved a difficult match for The Doctor – and The Doctor was nearly overcame by a being; who possessed the same attributes and experiences – that the Doctor had.
Not featured in Classic Who again, The Valeyard made an ultimate opponent for The Doctor.
