Doctor number six:

PERSONALITY: Loud, brash, arrogant, and seemingly unstable, the sixth Doctor is one of the most unusual incarnations to date. Often rough in manner, and never without a constant barrage of bad jokes and puns, the sixth Doctor displayed supreme confidence in his abilities, and was often arrogant. But then, without warning, his bravado could deflate in an instant and compel him to sit and sulk. Indeed, he was prone to sudden, unpredictable mood-swings and at times his behavior bordered on the insane. The extremes of his behavior, however, were likely due to a severe case of regeneration trauma, as months later, the Doctor's behavor evened out somewhat. Still, as moody as he was, he was still the Doctor, and his harsh exterior concealed a deep concern for his companions, and for those in need.

QUOTE: "You don't understand regeneration, Mel; it's a lottery, and I've drawn the short plank."

STORIES: 11, from The Twin Dilemma through to The Ultimate Foe.

MILESTONES: Attack of the Cybermen: The Doctor repairs the chameleon circut in the TARDIS, resulting in some strange transformations. Mark of the Rani: Introduces the Rani, another renegade Time-Lord (lady), and a peer of both the Doctor and the Master. The Two Doctors: First appearance of the Sontarans since The Invasion of Time. The 2nd Doctor and Jamie also appear. Trial of a Time Lord: Contains several flashback stories (The Mysterious Planet, Mindwarp,Terror of the Vervoids, and The Ultimate Foe), in which the Doctor is brought to trial by the Time Lords once again, and introduces the Doctor's dark-side, the mysterious Valevard.

My Thoughts: Perhaps the most unpopular of all the actors to bear the mantle of the Doctor, Colin Baker has unfairly borne much of the scorn and blame for the 1987 Hiatus, and the eventual cancellation of the Program. Such is nothing more than claptrap, as he was merely playing the Doctor as directed. Loud, arrogant, and perhaps even insane, his Doctor was unlike any who had come before. And I ate it up. His Doctor never failed to excite me, nor to make me laugh, especially now that I have at last seen "Trial of a Time Lord". What is most unfortunate is the way he has been handled, by fandom, and by the BBC. Both should consider themselves lucky that he saw fit to become involved in the Doctor WHO stage production, "The Ultimate Adventure". He took over the role as the Doctor after John Pertwee bowed out due to health reasons, as well as "Dimensions in Time". His is one Doctor I would love to see more of.

Best Companion(s): Without a Doubt, my favorite companion of the Sixth Doctor is Perpigilliam "Peri" Brown, especially seeing as how I really don't care for Melanie Bush. Peri was also sort of whiny, but she was a rich Daddy's girl, and besides she was terribly attractive, so I excused it. Peri frequently got on the Doctor's nerves, but he enjoyed her company immensely. Despite her somewhat snooty background, Peri was a warm, caring girl, who greatly enjoyed traveling with the Doctor, because it was never boring. The fate of Peri is a subject of some debate, as her final adventure with the Doctor was presented as a past memory during "Trial of a Time Lord". In the flashback Peri is shown to have been killed when her brain was replaced by that of the Mentor Kiv. However, at the end of the Trial, the inquisitor calms the Doctor's fears about Peri by explaining she eventually married the Krontep warlord Ycranos, becoming his Queen. Which memory was real, and which was faked is still unknown, although the NA's take the stance that Peri married, and later left, King Ycranos.

Also Visit: Please visit Dave's Sixth Doctor Page for more about Colin Baker and the 6th Doc. You can also surf Colin Baker - A career in words and pictures. for tons more. Find out more about Peri at The Cavern of Nicola Bryant.