We pour one out for the Fifth Doctor and reminisce about some of the highs and lows of his marvellous era
A heartfelt look back at the highs and lows of the fabulous Colin Baker’s run as The Sixth Doctor
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Wow, that went by quickly! We spent last year watching, reviewing and enjoying The Sixth Doctor, so in keeping with tradition we are kicking off this year with a look back at his run.
Colin Baker, in addition to being an utterly spiffing chap, is a fantastic actor and we would have loved more of him on screen. Tune in as we spend a relaxed evening chatting about the highs and lows of his era. In fact, there are regrettably so few episodes to go through, that we go through them all here. Among other things, we also discuss:
- How the Sixth Doctor compares to other Classic and New Who Doctors
- The most entertaining / least appealing serials
- The greatest / most disappointing villains
- The best / worst aliens
- His companions
- And of course his trial
Farewell, Sixth Doctor. We’ll miss you!
Hi folks
So a troubled era of the show for sure but Colin is good in the role, sometimes great. More support and better writing would have made all the difference, Big Finish shows that (as well as seasons 25 and 26). That start was so terrible for the character that it kneecapped the show, not helped by Saward disliking Colin as he later revealed after his falling out with JNT. Change is coming though. Saward became script editor in season 19 and left in 23, and his replacement has some new ideas but it will take a few stories for them to get going (season 24 might be a little rough).
Best Story: Vengeance on Varos or Revelation of the Daleks
Worst Story: The Twin Dilemma (It’s that opening part, particularly *that* scene)
Underrated Story: The Mark of the Rani (I liked it!) or Terror of the Vervoids
The Companion category is a bit pointless this time with only Peri and Mel, the latter of whom is barely in it. Peri can be good but again like the Sixth Doctor is often let down by the writing.
Best Villain: The Rani or Chessene
Worst Villain: Mestor (dumb plan and looks terrible)
Most Potential: The Valeyard
Cheers
Kieren
Hello Leon and Jim!
The Sixth Doctor has faced Cybermen, Daleks, Sontarens, and the Master.
In Attack of the Cybermen, he used a gun, and used a bomb to blow up a Cyberman. He is definitely more violent and more hands-on than Four or Five were.
As he no longer has his sonic screwdriver, he improvises by using other devices, much like the Third Doctor, either from the TARDIS tool box or of his own making.
My Favorites:
Episode – The Two Doctors (ok, mainly because of Troughton) and Attack of the Cybermen
Villain – Sil and Valeyard (tie)
Alien species – Androgums and Vervoids
Ally – Orcini (from Revelation of the Daleks)
Historical figure – H. G. Wells
Least favorites:
Episode: Mark of the Rani
villain – Mestor (from Twin Dilemma)
Alien species – Cryons
Miscellaneous:
# of recurring characters introduced: 4
# of new Time Lords: 6 plus unnamed high council and jury
Fewest number of episodes and stories of any Classic Doctor, so most comparisons are unfair; he was just gaining steam and popularity when he was fired. He didn’t get a chance to fight pirates, sword fight, or face himself in another role. (They should have had him play Commander Maxil in Trial of a Time Lord. That would have been interesting.)
Overall, I enjoyed his time, though I didn’t like his arrogance or ego. Or the way he treated Peri.
I forgot to mention in my mini recap the overwhelming amount of stories with body horror and genetic engineering in them. It’s almost enough to say it was an underlying theme of his stories.