Best Episode: Genesis Of The Daleks In an era so filled with amazing stories, amazing companions, and wonderful writers, choosing a best is difficult. This story tops the charts by virtue of giving the Daleks a real context with an introduction to their inception, giving the Doctor a real moral dilemma about his role in universal history, and the basis for the Time War that happens with the new series. No story proves as pivotal as this one. Worst Episode: Planet Of Evil Aside from horrid special effects that have to be forgiven due to budget constraints, the "hole" that connects matter and antimatter universes, the unbelievably bad science related to these, and the plot portion ripping off Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde horribly, there is nothing to recommend this story. Best Race: The Foamazi With so many monsters to consider for this role, the insectoid Foamazi that appear in "The Leisure Hive" have surprising depth, being a race first feared but with whom peace is struck. Worst Race: The Nimon A cheap ripoff of the Greek Minotaur, the Nimon race prove to be nothing but one-dimensional parasites with less emotional depth than your typical cyberman. Best Companion: Romanadvoratrelundar The only companion in the original series played by two different actresses, Romana proves a capable character, even if initially unused to the rigors of time travel; she provides a different foil to the Doctor if only by being a member of his own race. She frequently provided a unique type of tension that the other candidates in the running (Sarah Jane Smith, Leela, and K-9) could not provide. Worst Companion: Tegan Jovanka Harry Sullivan served to show how much Sarah Jane had learned about being a member of the TARDIS crew; Adric served as a foil for explanations for the brief time he was involved during the Baker era; Tegan seemed to serve no point. With the following Doctor however, she does come into her own.
Michael Marcus is a game designer, author, and mad scientist living in Hamtramck, Michigan; his current project list include a series of comic short-stories collectively called "One-Punch," a book on hypnosis and language called "The Prometheus Codex," a collaborative game project called "Art War," and a fun spy story called "The Adventures of Jack Uzi" at http://tinyurl.com/JackUziChannel (for those interested).
