Ok- if you're not a fan of "Doctor Who" then this is probably the post to ignore. The Doctor has been with me for nearly 25 years. I first started watching the show around 1987 when Sylvester McCoy became the seventh actor to play the role. Shortly after- in 1989- the series was cancelled and for 16 years there was nothing except a telelmovie featuring Paul McGann. Of course, since 2005 we have been blessed with new episodes of our favourite timelord and the whole franchise is going from strength to strength. But let's not forget where it all started- the original series- 26 seasons worth! here are some of my highlights. I was actually going to do a top ten but then decided on a different approach...
First Doctor- William Hartnell
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"The Aztecs"- School teacher Barbara Wright- one of the Doctor's companions- is mistaken for an Aztec God. Despite the Doctor's assertion that she shouldn't change history, she tries to stop a ritual sacrifice. The writers don't hold back- she fails and the sacrifice goes ahead.
"The Dalek Invasion Of Earth"- The serial's final moments are the first genuinely touching and emotional spots in the series to date- The Doctor bids farewell to his granddaughter. Hartnell- known for his fluffing of lines- delivers this speech with the most amazing gravitas and sorrow.
"Mission To The Unknown"- the only episode to not feature the Doctor or his companions is a prelude to the serial "The Daleks Masterplan"- itself an outstanding serial spanning 12 episodes with so much death and destruction.
"The Tenth Planet"- our first glimpse at the Cybermen- thank goodness their look changed considerably. It was also the first time that the Doctor would change his appearance...
Second Doctor- Patrick Troughton
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"Evil Of The Daleks"- The final hurrah for the Daleks for nearly 5 years is an absolute cracking tale that crosses timezones and planets and it features a pitch battle between Dalek factions and the Emperor Dalek as well.
"The Enemy Of The World"- Troughton plays both hero and villain in this great little romp. No alien threat, just a madman (played by Troughton) wanting to take over the world. The score utilises the piece "Music for strings, percussion and celeste" by Bartok.
"The War Games"- The final episodes of this 10-part epic reveal the Doctor's origins for the first time. He goes on trial by his own people and is forced to change yet again.
Third Doctor- Jon Pertwee
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"The Silurians"- the Doctor tries to play mediator between the people of Earth and a race of beings who lived here millenia ago. The ending of this story is incredibly powerful with the Doctor actually losing.
"Inferno"- An alternate universe where all the good guys are bad guys and the bad guys are even badder? It's an outstanding tale that is gripping from start to finish.
"The Three Doctors"- Hartnell (in his last ever acting role) and Troughton join the current Doctor to battle a rogue timelord. Don't think about the science too much and you'll love it.
"Planet of The Spiders"- To send off Jon Pertwee, they give him a fairly average story but the final scene has been known to reduce some people to tears. Brilliantly acted and paced.
Fourth Doctor- Tom Baker
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"Genesis Of The Daleks"- A brilliant story that introduces us to Davros, the mad creator of the Daleks. A great tale of political intrigue and- of course- mass exterminations
"The Brain Of Morbius"- A former timelord- now reduced to a brain in a jar- tries his hand at being reborn. An all-time classic
"The Deadly Assassin"- Without a companion and back on Gallifrey, The Doctor must find out who has killed the President. it all climaxes with an amazing episode set entirely in a make believe world known as The Matrix.
"City Of Death"- Running around Paris, a story that stretches across all eras of Earth's past and with an outstanding cast, this was probably Tom's last great story.
Fifth Doctor- Peter Davison
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"Earthshock"- The cybermen return and the unwittingly cause the death of a companion. It's so brilliantly written and performed. One of the series absolute highlights for me.
"The Five Doctors"- Richard Hurndall (replacing Hartnell), Troughton and Pertwee join forces with Davison (Tom Baker had declined) to defeat another rogue timelord (there sure are a lot of them aren't there?). A wonderful story that not only manages to juggle multiple Doctors and companions, but also a number of the Doctor's main enemies too.
"Caves Of Androzani"- One of the most outstanding four episodes in the series history to bring to an end the Peter Davison era. A loathsome villain, the Doctor dying a slow death and some fabulous performances make this 100 remarkable minutes of television. The regeneration itself is the finest to date in my opinion....
Sixth Doctor- Colin Baker
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"Vengeance On Varos"- Predicting reality TV about 15 years before it became a reality- a stunning social commentary on where society was headed.
"The Two Doctors"- although the story is fairly flabby, it marks the final appearance of Troughton as the second Doctor.
Seventh Doctor- Sylvester McCoy
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"Rememberance Of The Daleks"- the final appearance of our favourite pepperpots is a brilliant sendoff to them. Full of battles, guns, death and twists and turns you won't see coming for miles....
"Survival"- the final serial is a good one- not brilliant but ok. It's ending is a fine sendoff to a series that was waiting to be reborn.....
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