In 2005 Russell T. Davies successfully re-invented the classic BBC sci-fi series the Doctor Who for a whole new generation. A newly updated book by Davies about his time with the series reveals all sorts of interesting tidbits, one of which is that he considered making the 2009 Easter Special a ‘Star Trek pastiche’, and that isn’t the only Trek link discussed. Details below.

Davies and his almost Trek – Who connections

"Doctor Who: The Writer’s Tale", written by Davies and Benjamin Cook, was first published in 2008, but a newly expanded version comes out on January 21st (January 15th in the UK). The new edition covers Davies entire tenure now that he has moved on from the Who-verse. Our friends at the UK SFX magazine have a preview of "20 things they learned" from the book, which includes these little tidbits:

4. Yet another [idea for the 2009 Easter Special] was a kind of Star Trek pastiche – essentially “the Doctor on board the Enterprise, puncturing all that Starfleet pomposity with this sheer Doctor-ness”. 5. Speaking of which, back in 2004, a Doctor Who/Star Trek crossover was seriously on their list of plans, until Enterprise was axed.

Davies spoke more about the possible Who/Trek crossover with the UK Times in 2009. When asked what things about what things ‘he never got around to’ the writer/producer said:

I would have loved to have done a Star Trek crossover. The very first year, we talked about it. Then Star Trek finally went off air. Landing the Tardis on board the Enterprise would have been magnificent. Can you imagine what their script department would have wanted, and what I would have wanted? It would have been the biggest battle

Based on the timing it is clear Davies is talking about a crossover with Star Trek Enterprise. Although the idea of a pastiche sounds interesting, it is pretty unlikely that Paramount would have a full crossover. Although there has been a crossover in the comics (Marvel Star Trek meet X-Men), Trek has kept the TV and film franchise pure, although there have been plenty of references to other franchises, including a number of Doctor Who refs.

Of course the reverse is also true and over the years there have been a number of Star Trek references on Doctor Who (see the Doctor Who Wiki for a full list). One of the funnier ones was from Davies first season on the show, when The Doctor is referred to as Mr. Spock (see below, go to 1:15 in the clip below).

The revised edition of "Doctor Who: The Writer’s Take" can be pre-ordered at Amazon.