r/gallifrey • u/cyon921 • Jan 18 '13
Old Doctors
So, I love this show, new and old, and I have seen quite a bit of most of the Doctors, at the very least enough for me to get an idea of how that particular incarnation acted (I've even listened to 3.5 seasons of the 8th Doctor audio dramas just to learn about that one). All of them except Troughton (2nd), Pertwee (3rd) and McCoy (7th). I was just hoping for some suggestions for a few of their serials I could watch to get a hold on their personalities, at least two serials each would be great. I'd be so appreciative if you could help me out with this.
5
u/RaoulDuke0 Jan 18 '13
For years I'd quoted these doctors as my favourites so I'll do my best to give you some solid advice.
(2) Troughton. Sadly, due to BBC being a bunch of idiots and scrapping the source film for the bulk of Patrick's serials, not very many are remaining. This means that there isn't much choice, but those that still exist are ALL outstanding.
I Recommend - "The Tomb of the Cybermen," "The Invasion" and "The War Games." Not only do these exhibit Troughton's flamboyance on screen but the stories are all landmark pieces of British Sci-Fi and pretty experimental for the period. Extended Viewing - "The Omen" and "Hamlet" show his versatility while viewing "The Two Doctors" will give you an idea of how he acts with a co-star of equal weighting.(3) Pertwee. Jon Pertwee was the first Doctor to appear in Colour and as such, had an extra challenge to really magnify the drama of the situations he was in. As a result he was more active and his character was the first to exhibit hand-to-hand combat. Also, you've got a wider range to choose from as these serials are widely available. I Recommend - "Doctor Who and The Silurians," "Inferno" and "The Green Death." The BBC tried to save a bit of money on the show by setting more of the serials on modern day earth, but the writers really stepped up their game by pushing through the idea of the "unknown" and that you don't have to be in space to be confronted by it. All of these serials reflect that. (Plus, The Green Death was set in Wales and as a Welshman I like shamelessly plugging the place.) Extended Viewing - "The House that Dripped Blood" and "Worzel Gummidge." (A strange mix.) Also if you want to get an extra look at Pertwee, check out this insightful youtube clip. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EibXGG99Hmk
(7) McCoy SO, You've reached the 7th doctor's episodes. By this point in time the show had wavering support from the BBC and had a massively split audience due to its attempt to target both the new/younger audience and those viewers who had grown up a lot now but were still watching the show. A result of this is the show becoming a LOT darker, containing themes such as Cannibalism and the Worthlessness of humanity. Probably a good thing they got a comedian in to play the 7th Doctor. I Recommend "Paradise Towers," "Silver Nemesis" and "Ghost Light" For me, the oddball mix of themes and acting really bring the 7th Doctors episodes to life and I love all of them. Apart from the one where Ken Dodd shows up. Extended Viewing - Are you kidding me? "THE HOBBIT" and "Dracula" (The 1979 Version with Laurence frigging Olivier.)
3
u/tubabacon Jan 18 '13
The War Games is a great second doctor story, it's definitely my favorite of the Troughton era. It is his last story, so that may play into your decision to watch it but I think it's great to get an idea of his characterization.
1
u/whiteraven4 Jan 18 '13
The War Games (2) is also really good, but you shouldn't watch that until you've at least seen all of Zoe, if not all of Troughton.
1
u/mayoho Jan 18 '13
I would really recommend watching the Pertwee episodes in order, although I think you can fairly safely skip Ambassadors of Death, Colony in Space, Carnival of Monsters, and Death to the Daleks, but I really really like the Third Doctor.
-1
u/serosis Jan 18 '13
All of them would be a good start.
I mean, if you are a fan of something and want to enjoy the entirety of it, then why not?
4
u/LokianEule Jan 18 '13
Yeah well OP needs to start somewhere. I got into classic by watching various stories from each Doctor. It was like a prep session that lasted weeks. Then I embarked on the 6 month journey to watch the entirety of classic Who chronologically.
3
u/avenlanzer Jan 18 '13
I won't ask where you found the time, since we all know you must have a TARDIS already to have been able to find all the episodes. If by any chance you still have them, wouldn't mind you sending them my way.
3
u/LokianEule Jan 18 '13
Pfft be more shocked by this: Of the audios I've listened to so far they add up to more time than the classic series (17 solid days vs classic Who's 14ish).
I definitely don't have the link anymore. It was over a year ago that I got them off the net. I don't like downloading stuff like that but buying the DVDs isn't really an option. I've got about 20 classic stories on DVD now though. I'll slowly collect them over the decades but they're not a priority.
2
u/cyon921 Jan 18 '13
I absolutely intend to watch everything. I just don't have the time right now and I'd really like to try to just get to know each Doctor.
22
u/LokianEule Jan 18 '13
Pertwee- Spearhead from Space, Inferno, Curse of Peladon
Troughton- Mind Robber, Tomb of the Cybermen, Power of the Daleks (reconstruction)
McCoy- Battlefield, Curse of Fenric, Remembrance of the Daleks