elleflies | Doctor Who: The Fourth Doctor

It's been awhile, but I've got big news.

I have finished every single Fourth Doctor episode.

I think I need to repeat that: I WATCHED ALL THE FOURTH DOCTOR EPISODES.

I feel a bit exhausted now. :)

There were just so many episodes starting out and it seemed like I would never come to the end. When I told people I was embarking on the Fourth Doctor episodes the main reaction was a laugh and good luck wishes. On the whole though I really enjoyed Tom Baker's run. I can see why he was and still is the quintessential Doctor to many people.

There are just so many episodes to comment on and I still feel like my head is spinning a bit trying to take it all in. I have to say that of all of them, City of Death was my absolute favorite. It had some amazing lines and I loved the humor in it - Duggan punching EVERYONE, drinking wine from a broken bottle and saving the world by knocking someone out. You could definitely see Douglas Adams in the episode. I think Shada would have given it a run for its money had they finished it. (Damn strikes!)

On the whole though I think the best episodes occurred during Leela's run. The Talons of Weng Chiang and The Horror of Fang Rock stick out as really well written despite the obvious casting problems in Talons. I churned through those episodes, I couldn't wait for more.

The episodes I liked the least... the last season I'd have to say, when Jonathan Nathan-Turner took over. I knew he had made it a bit more 80's but after watching six seasons of the Fourth Doctor the change was a bit jarring. I've heard some of Tom Baker's complaints - the synthesizer music and the question marks on the collar. Minor things really, but I can't blame him for bowing out when he did. There was a different feel and I've yet to figure out if I like it or not. Thankfully I have a new Doctor to get to know and it might be easier to accept those little quirks when they're not attached to Baker.

I'm quite excited about Davison. I grew up watching All Creatures Great and Small and used to have the biggest crush on Tristan, so this should be quite interesting!

On the companion front the Fourth Doctor had some great ones. My personal favorite was the first Romana. I just loved her intelligence and her sheer disdain, not to mention her amazing wardrobe. Lalla Ward was fantastic in the role but I loved Mary Tamm best, although Lalla did have fantastic chemistry with Tom (as we all know).

I don't think any of the Fourth Doctor companions will crack my list of 'All Time Favorite Classic Who Companions', which so far consists of Barbara Wright and Liz Shaw. I did LOVE that Jacqueline Hill had a role in Meglos. I may have done the flappy hands fangirl squeeing thing when she showed up. I am not ashamed of my reaction!

The effects... well what can one say about the effects of Doctor Who. They're surprising in their awfulness if you're not prepared for them but amazing if one is prepared to embrace them. Underworld stands out as almost completely appalling in the effects department but I can see what they were trying to do. I can't help but love the cheeseballness of it all. The green bubblewrap monster in The Ark in Space was a particular favorite. Spray painted bubblewrap! It's genius!

The Master, by the way, is still completely hung up on the Doctor. I'm glad they gave the character a good long break after Delagado passed away but it was nice to see the weasel pop up again.

I'm not going to miss Tom. After seven year it was time but I really had a good time taking this trip with him.