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WHO-Cares?
Special Articles, Comments, and Essays on Doctor WHO
My Top 10 favorite Doctor WHO stories:
- 10) The Caves of Androzani - Peter Davison
A terse thriller filled with lots of subplots. Political intrigue...revenge...piracy; All are themes explored in this, the 5th Doctor's final televised tale. Never has Davison's Doctor been more desperate or decisive. This is the 5th Doctor at his best!
- 9 ) Earthshock - Peter Davison
The Cybermen return with a vengeance. Every other Cyberman tale afterwards is disappointing, but Earthshock sees them at their best since perhaps the Troughton-era's "Tomb of the Cybermen". The atmosphere is one of bleak action, and the body count quickly mounts...not stopping until Adric, one of the Doctor's companions, is numbered among the dead (Tee Hee!).
- 9 ) Doctor WHO - Paul McGann
The fan response to the 1996 telefilm ranged from disgust to elation, and I was one of the ones who was deligted by the film. While the film payed far too much homage at times to the past, and the ending was somewhat muddled, I highly enjoyed the film. The new TARDIS control room just kicked, and Paul McGann was the Doctor, plain and simple.
- 7 ) Robots of Death - Tom Baker
A murder mystery with a futuristic bent, this classic tale reads much like a retelling of "Ten Little Indians". A great story from start to finish, and featuring the classic line: "Please do not throw hands at me." Ha HAH!
- 6 ) Black Orchid - Peter Davison
Possibly the best serial in Davison's first season as the Doctor, this one seems almost like a lost Agatha Christie novel. Fortunately, the Doctor is overly weighed-down by his cumbersome companions, and the tale is only 2 episodes in total. As an added bonus, we get to hear an exasperated 5th Doctor utter the great line, "Why do I always let my curiosity get the better of me?"
- 5 ) The Green Death - Jon Pertwee
Easily the most creepy and disturbing WHO tale of the Pertwee era, this story deals primarily with the effects of pollution, and the corporate minds behind making money the bottom line, and saftey second. One of the first instances of big business being painted as an enemy. An excellent saga.
- 4 ) Pyramids of Mars - Tom Baker
Quick, which Doctor WHO serial seems most like a Hammer film? This tale has all the trappings. A creepy mansion, a creepy, zombified man, and robotic mummies. What more could you ask for? Throw in a fallen, ancient Egyptian "deity", and you have yourself the recipie for one of Doctor WHO's most memorable serials.
- 3 ) Genesis of the Daleks - Tom Baker
A daring story about the origins of the Doctor's most dangerous foes. In this serial, the Doctor is recruited by the CIA (Celestial Intervention Agency) to destroy the Daleks before they have even been created. Arguably the last great Dalek story.
- 2 ) The Deadly Assassin - Tom Baker
In an example of thoughtless, knee-jerk reactions, this serial was lauded as pure crap for various reasons by a large majority when it was first aired, and is now regarded as a classic. Dark and somewhat claustrophobic, this epic reveals Gallifrey to be a powerful, but mostly stangnant society, filled with inneffectual figureheads, and a corrupt underbelly. For the first time we are shown a compelling set of reasons for the Doctor's departure from his homeworld. Oh yeah, and you also get the best Master tale in years.
- 1 ) City of Death - Tom Baker
Written by the late, great Douglas Adams, City of Death is to Doctor WHO as The Trouble with Tribbes is to Star Trek. A great tale of an alien splintered throughout time, using his influence to advance humanity to the point where they can help him become whole again. Unfortunately, the act would end Earth's life as we know it. Filled with witty dialogue, City of Death is perhaps THE best episode to use to bring non-WHO fans into the fold.
Honorable Mentions:
- Terror of the Vervoids - Colin Baker
- The Ultimate Foe - Colin Baker
- Planet of the Spiders - Jon Pertwee
- Terror of the Autons - Jon Pertwee
- Death to the Daleks - Jon Pertwee
- The Ark in Space - Tom Baker
- Terror of the Zygons - Tom Baker
- Horror of Fang Rock - Tom Baker
- Image of the Fendahl - Tom Baker
- The Five Doctors - Peter Davison
If any of you out there would like to comment on my choices, or make some
suggestions, please feel free to send mail. My addie is below...just click and
have at it!
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