argo@hou2a.UUCP (W.GARRETT) (04/05/84)
Okay, let's hear it for the best of the Doctors! Actually, I've only seen Pertwee and Baker, and the others in the Three and Five Doctors, but I find Pertwee was the best of them all. Incidentally, as this seems to be the case normally, Pertwee was the first doctor I had seen. First, Pertwee had things more difficult than the other doctors, having no TARDIS for most of his time on the show. While I enjoyed the travels to other planets, this necessitated more plot, as we didn't suffer through two shows of "Where are we?" Although there was some interplanetary travel, usually at the behest of the Time Lords, there wasn't a lot of it. I believe, as I said, that this greatly increased the strength of the shows. Further, there was some excellent characterization of the doctor's companions during this time. Jo Grant had a good deal of personality, and had some truly classic arguments with the doctor. Sarah Jane started with Pertwee, and her change when Baker took over was amazing, she became a wimp who was only good for screaming as a monster appeared. It was also during Pertwee's days that the Master first appeared. Those were the days, when the Master was a fantastic villain, who was always on top, out to kill the doctor, and prepared to lie as much as necessary to do so. The emaciated doctor that Baker showed us was not clever enough, lacking the subtle but devious touch of the first Master. Davisson's Master, whom I have only seen in the Five Doctors, seemed a parody of his former self. Since when was the Master a decent type!?! His obsession with regeneration is understandable, but why not just blackmail a few of the High Council or something? In short, I believe Pertwee's days were easily the best. Incidently, the sonic screwdriver also made its appearance under Pertwee. There is simply no comparing him with the doctors that have come after him. APTTGO, Andrew Garrett