TOP 10 INTERESTING CLASSIC WHO PLANETS

10) Desperus (The Daleks’ Master Plan): A penial colony planet used by Earth to dumb unwanted and harden criminals. This planet bares similarities to Earth history, where criminals would be shipped off to other lands, and left to fend for themselves. The planet, despite being a prison planet had no guards or officers to patrol the grounds. Criminals would be left to their own vices in order to survive. The planet was also home to a species of bat called Screamers, which were ferocious creatures who attacked any criminals left on the planet. Naturally, the planet had very little visitors, and only prison ships landed there. It’s a planet that faded into obscurity, but is an interesting one whenever human behaviour is explored.

9) Unknown (The War Games): This unnamed planet is interesting because its true appearance is never revealed. Instead the surface (or a small portion) is divided up into war zones, each housing a different war from Earth history. Soldiers and warriors across history from ancient times to modern day, continually fight their respective war believing they are on Earth. Each zone is separated by clouds of mists which anyone can pass through unscathed. The planet was the battleground for The War Lords planning to build the ultimate army using the surviving humans to wage war across the galaxy. The planet name is also never revealed, but it did provide a narrative which explored the aggressive side of humanity, and one which brought up some unease questions about the human race as a whole.  

8) Marinus (The Keys of Marinus): With different climates, atmospheres, societies and cultures, Marinus is a planet teeming with interesting possibilities. Who knows what other areas looked like that weren’t explored. With a sea of acid surrounding an island, a jungle with deadly vegetation, a society which put law and order first, Marinus is just so interesting. The planet also served the first time The Doctor went on a quest to complete a certain task. The planet also had animal life similar to Earth with wolves patrolling winter landscapes, and the native clothing themselves with the skins of animals killed in hunts. It’s a planet with many attributes and qualities to it, despite the fact that each area only appears for one episode at a time. Its also the first time The Doctor visited a planet on TV, that he never went back to. With more keys to unlock more mysteries about the planet, an overdue return visit is certain needed.

7) Solos (The Mutants): A backwater water under the rule of Earth’s expanding empire, Solos is one big mystery. Taking some two thousand to make orbit around its sun, and never tilting on its axis, are just two things which make this planet unique in so many ways. The planet’s year is also split into four seasons, each lasting five hundred years, long periods of time that many species would acclimatise to. Speaking of which, the planet plays an important role in the native’s natural life cycle. With each passing season, the natives undergo special metamorphosis to adapt with he changing seasons. With huge underground cave systems to explore and countrysides covered in heaths, Solos was once described as a planet where the air was sweet to breath. Corrupted by pollution and toxins from Earth’s ruling overlords, the planet provided a much-needed commentary on how humans treat their own planet. It may not be the most beautiful or glamorous destination, but it’s a interesting study anytime.

6) Androzani Minor (The Caves of Androzani): An ancient planet in the cosmos with a core of hot boiling mud, and landscapes reduced to desert lands, it makes one wonder what the planet looked like before its natural decline. With a core made of mud, natural flow and explosions occur on the planet’s surface, scattering the deadly substance far and wide. The planet covered in caves, some of which have no oxygen, the planet held interesting animal life forms from queen bats to Magma Beasts which dwelt far below the surface. The planet also had a supply of Spectrox, a substance which granted ‘immortality’ and longer lifespans to humans. However, in its raw state, Spectrox was a deadly substance, which could kill a Time Lord. The only known cure came from the milk of the queen bat. But because they retreated far below the surface to die, no humans could reach such sources if needed; but a Time Lord could. As one of many planet colonised by humans for selfish gains, the planet probably holds more secrets buried deep within its curst, waiting to erupt to surface and into the spot light.

5) Draconia (Frontier in Space): Home to the honourable Draconians and one which had its own expanding empire in the 26^th century, Draconia is in many ways a mirror image to Earth with its astrology system, belief system which contained the horned-beast (devil) figure and a hierarchy where monarchs and royal family hold power. Its also the planet The Doctor has visited before in an unseen adventure where a deadly virus threatened to wipe out a majority of the population. So many unanswered questions linger in the air that need to be solved. Its also a planet that has its own prejudice and societal problems, again similar to Earth where females are not permitted in places of importance, and not permitted to speak out of turn. The Emperor must be addressed in a certain manner, and only with the permission of said emperor can an individual speak. Its probably no wonder Draconia and Earth locked heads with each and engaged in an endless war, that neither actually started, and not one that Earth nor Draconia wanted to keep up.

4) Exxilon (Death to the Daleks): Another backwater, grimy planet populated by mindless savages, Exxilon is interesting because it was once a mighty, empire-state like planet that went into a period of decline and devolution. The Exxilons were once space explorers who helped other civilizations out on primitive planets, which included Earth. The architecture on Exxilon bore similarities to temples from ancient Peru; a trademark sticker, nonetheless. It’s a planet that the native don’t truly understand. The Exxilons now fear and worship a building their ancestors build, whilst the expelled and outsider Exxilons know full better. It’s a planet with barbaric rituals and ceremonies that the Exxilons carry out, under the pretext that their city is a God; again similar to those ancient Priests carried out on their own subjects. The planet is also home to one of 700 wonders of the Universe, now 699 since the city is later destroyed. As a planet that the Exxilons once established, but know one they don’t full understand, it hard not to forget about this one even when there’s nothing that pretty to look at.

3) Ribos (The Ribos Operation): A beautiful planet that is Icetime or Suntime, two seasons each last some 32 Levithian years. The planet is covered in beautiful architecture with castles and fortresses covering the landscapes. Its got its own religion with local population believing the long-lasting seasons are the works of gods working in the heavens, and each fighting for supremacy. The planet was safeguarded from the outer universe, as little to no space travellers visited the planet, so the locals had no idea that the surrounding universe and stars were teeming with life. The planet also had a society system where heretics were banished from society for believing ‘heinous’ ideas. Again, similar to how other intellects and great thinkers from Earth history were treated. Apparently with its own monarchy and hierarchy, the crown jewel were an important part in Ribos society, and other relics were just as priceless. Several traditions and customs ranged from curfews at night, and guard dogs (Shrivenzales) being released to guard the royal jewel. The planet was also covered in various elements which included jethrik, the most valuable substance in the galaxy. As a Grade 3 planet all mining was banned on the planet, until it reached a Grade 2 statis. Stepped in the tradition of soothsayers and clairvoyants, individuals would incant spells and and rites to seek out wanted criminals. Bones played an important part in such activities, for unknown reasons. The planet was covered in catacombs where the dead were laid to rest, the places were feared as many believe they were the grounds of the Ice Gods. With so much more buried under the snow and ice, Ribos is just the tipping point of the iceberg with so much more deep below.

2) Tara (The Androids of Tara): Mapping its society on that of medieval Earth, Tara mixing together modern and technology in everyday life. The planet covered in green fields and landscapes and forests houses a wide range of fauna and landscapes, including the Taran Wood Beast. Traditional pastimes and leisurable activities included hunting and fishing, with scientific study and advancement left to the peasant population. With its own monarchy system which included Kings, Princes and Princesses, a stringent accession system was carried out, with heirs required to present themselves at certain ceremonies at certain times; or face forfeit to their blood rites. Weaponry ranged from swords or crossbows which emitted an electric charge. An extended monarchy included nobles and counts, all of whom in some way would have a blood rite to the Taran throne. Masters at making androids to carry out menial labour work, such tasks would be delegated to the lower classes. An arrogant class system, where the higher up rule, and the lower classes toil away in lesser forms of work and study, makes Tara a difficult planet to navigate throughout everyday life. A unique system of underground tunnels allowed nobility to safely navigate their way in and out of contaminated cities without coming to harm. Punishment and imprisonment similar to Earth featured dungeons and menial cells detained criminals and outlaws. A beautiful planet in many ways, but so flawed on so many levels.

1) Peladon (The Curse of Peladon and The Monster of Peladon): Another planet similar to that of medieval Earth with its own monarchy system. A planet with little to no technology; but abundant in natural resources, Peladon is a planet with many interesting attributes and characteristics that includes a royal symbol, Aggedor. Aggedor, the symbol of Peladon was a symbol of nobility and power, its face carved out in many objects and tapestries. Aggedor was so important to the planet the Temple of Aggedor was built. A planet with a stringent punishment system carried penalties of death for several crimes. Trespassing in the Royal Throne Room in the Citadel of Peladon and defiling the Temple of Aggedor were both capital punishment offences. Only females of royal blood were allowed in the throne room, anyone else would swiftly be executed. Big, powerfully-built, mute men would act as the rulers King Champion and bodyguard, and combat in netted pits would see individuals use halberds and swords for the fight. Such combat would continue until an individual was killed, or the other claimed victorious and refused to kill their opponent. A planet covered in treacherous mountain landscapes, almost constant thunderstorms and an intricate underground mining system are only other interesting things about Peladon. Much like earth, monarchy accession ascertains only males may claim the throne, but under special circumstances female princesses may be crowned if no other suitable heir is available. A planet with so many angles and dimensions.