Doctor four: Tom Baker

PERSONALITY: Quirky, unpredictable, clownish, absent-minded, and often very aloof, the fourth Doctor was nonetheless resourceful and quick to anger in the face of injustice. Although sometimes clumsy and unconciously arrogant, the fourth Doctor possesed a highly skilled mind when he decided to focus, displaying powerful hypnotic and meditative abilities. At times the Doctor would employ the strategy of his second incarnation, using his antics to convince his enemies he was a fool. But unlike his second incarnation, he was completely fearless, even with death looming as a very real consequence. The fourth Doctor also shared his previous incarnation's resentment of authority, perhaps to an even greater degree due to his long period of exile on Earth. Despite his fickle and often haughty nature, the fourth Doctor could always be counted on in a tight spot, even if it didn't seem so at first, and usually flashing his trademark, toothy grin all the while.

QUOTE: "What do you want? You don't want to take over the universe, do you? No... you wouldn't know what to do with it, beyond shout at it."

STORIES: 42, from Robot through Logopolis.

MILESTONES: Robot: Estabilshes 4th Doctor's quirky personality. Also the last appearance of Bessie until The Five Doctors. Genesis of the Daleks: The fist apperance of Davros, and the Daleks' origin. The Android Invasion: The last appearance of U.N.I.T. until Battlefield. The Deadly Assasin: Finally settles on the style of Gallifrey and the Time-Lords. Also, the reappearance of the Master. Horror of Fang Rock: The first appearance of the Rutans. The Ribos Operation: Introduces the Guardians and Romana. City of Death: Reveals the origin of life on earth. Keeper of Traken: Antony Ainley assumes the role of the master after the character steals a new body. Logopolis: The Master nearly destroys the universe, the Doctor is gravely injured while stopping him, and regenerates, ending the unprecidented 7 and 1/2 year run of Tom Baker as the Doctor.

My Thoughts: Tom Baker gave me my first taste of Doctor WHO back in 1978. When people mention Doctor WHO, his wide-eyed stare and curly locks still flash across my mind's eye. He is nearly synonymous with Doctor WHO here in America, surpassing all others in popularity. His status as my favorite Doctor waned during Peter Davison's years, who later supplanted the top spot as my favorite. His brilliant, random performances made Doctor WHO what it was and is to the rest of the World. And his eccentric clothing tastes further cememented itself in the collective consciousness of World Doctor WHO fandom, an Image that remains to this day. It must also be noted that Baker's unique performances were arguably the first to truly show just how alien the Doctor actually was. After watching him for a short while, it was easy to suspend disbelief and start thinking the man was truly from another planet. Baker's seven-and-a-half on-screen years as the reigning Doctor has yet to be surpassed (Sylvester McCoy didn't have nearly enough screen time, even though his tenure as the Doctor lasted longer than Baker's), and the world of Doctor WHO could not want for a better icon. Heck... the 4th Doctor has appeared on The Simpson's no less than 3 times, and the show itself has been referenced several times more. That's a sure-sign you've made an impact!

Best Companion(s): My favorite 4th Doctor companion was easily Leela of the Sevateem. She was a complete departure from any companion the Doctor ever had. She was a savage hunter and warrior. As likely to kill you as speak to you, at least at first anyway. She was tough, strong and fierce, and a great fighter who could knife you in the throat from 50 feet or cripple you in 5 moves or less without breaking a sweat. Curiously the Doctor was going to leave her on her home world, but she wished to go with him and bolted into the TARDIS, and happened to activate the craft's Time/Space drive. She learned much during her time with the Doctor, who curbed her killer's instinct somewhat. Eventually, she left and this occurred when she decided to stay on Gallifrey to marry Commander Andred of the Citadel Guard, a decision that came seemingly from nowhere.

Also Visit: There just has to be a Tom Baker.com. Doesn't there?? Should we check up on K-9's Web Site? Affirmative! Don't forget that you can visit Doctor WHO: The 4th Doctor. And for info on the 4th Doctor's constant and often unsung companion, visit A History of Tom Baker's Scarves.