argo@hou2a.UUCP (W.GARRETT) (03/12/84)
That's really the first bad I've heard about the Five Doctors. I saw the show for my first time also when WHYY broadcast it, and I loved it. I will answer your points, as I remember them, one at a time. First off, K-9 did not appear in the show with Sarah, but the doctor later bought K-9 back to Sarah. It was intended to be the start of a spin off called K-9 and Company. I believe they only ever made a pilot episode, but I could be wrong. As to the doctors appearing together. According to The Three Doctors episode(the tenth anniversary show), a Time Lord meeting himself is in violation of the first law of time. However, sufficient energy expenditure makes such a violation possible. (In the Three Doctors it took all the Time Lord's remaining energy to get the three together.) Anyway, that's how they met, as the Time Lord's said the energy was coming from the Eye of Harmony and threatening the rest of the universe. The friction between the doctors is less understandable, but funny nonetheless. Consider how you would feel if you met yourself, especially if you (the you you are meeting) were dressed like one of the doctors. The rivallry between Pertwee and Troughton dates back to the Three Doctors, where they took an instant dislike to each other. By the way, I happen to agree with your appraisal of Davisson, he doesn't seem to have much of a personality. However, I'm not one to judge as I've only seen him that once. I believe he is better in other shows, anyway I hope so. As to the handling of Miss Smith, what can be said. You have seen her with Baker, obviously. I seem to remember her as slightly less spirited with the stronger will Pertwee. I do believe that she played off the doctor too much in that episode, but then this was her first adventure in many years, and I can forgive some one being reasonably frightened. The Master is hardly the caricature of a villain, but a masterly creation on his own rights. I haven't seen much of Ainley's Master, but I loved Delgado's, and I know Ainley has done a good job also. The Master is a genious in his own rights, who wants life more than anything else, except maybe power. That is one reason for his lack of good handling in the Five Doctors, he is striving for a chance at a new life, more regenerations. I thought he was played well, and I enjoyed the twist that he was trying to save the Doctor, while the doctor(s) was/were too dumb to realize it. The Master had some fantastic quotes in there. My favorite, "The cosmos without the Doctor...Unimaginable." Anyway, I enjoyed his performance. By the way, I don't like Baker very much. I consider him too much of a buffoon, far too incompetent. Pertwee holds my vote for the best Doctor, without a doubt. Leela is the doctor's current companion on New Jersey Network, and she will be staying a while. Quite a change from Sarah Jane, and it should be fun to watch, yet again. Sorry to go on so long. I'd like to hear what others feel about this episode. If enough interest is shown, I'll give my opinions on the plot some time. Contact Has Been Made, Andrew Garrett