4.The Green Death
Episode: Season 10, Episode 5
Companions: Jo, The Brigadier Quite possibly the most heartbreaking episode of the Third Doctor's tenure, The Green Death's brilliance is summed by the final, emotional scene. As Jo and Professor Jones celebrate their engagement with a trip down the Amazon, the Doctor finally realizes his 'fledgling has flown the coop.' He's been an almost father figure to Jo for their three years together, so it seems appropriate she leaves for a man who is basically a younger version of the Doctor. This leads to a rare occasion in which we see the Doctor's emotions in Classic Who. The solitary tear down the cheek before driving Bessie alone in the sunset is a truly beautiful moment. Enough about the last scene though there's a whole story to look at. Known affectionately as the 'one with the maggots,' The Green Death takes on the ecological impacts of human waste 30 years before it became such a common concern, and in Wales as well. The waste of Global Chemicals has led to the mine shaft where it's pumped to become full of giant maggots. They're one of the most fondly remembered monsters and it's easy to see why they're absolutely grotesque and despite some dodgy moments look great throughout. The maggots plot is linked to one with Global Chemicals itself the plans of the computer BOSS to link up with others and take over the world. This sounds pretty stupid now (the internet and all that) but back in the 1970s this was simply terrifying BOSS itself is a fantastic villain, a real human computer who sounds like an an insane child as he hums away to classical music before settling down to world domination. His henchman/servant Stevens is given some great lines delivered with aplomb and there's also a surprisingly moving final scene. The story even makes use of some great humor, with Pertwee dressing up as both a milkman and a cleaning lady, providing us with a rare and beautiful instance of the Doctor in drag. It's a superb story and one with a serious message behind it all.