Doctor Who: Ranking Debut Doctor Stories From Worst To Best
4. Robot - The Fourth Doctor
Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewarts comment of here we go again at the end of Jon Pertwees regeneration story Planet of the Spiders, seems to be incredibly relevant when discussing Tom Baker's debut as the Doctor. Robot is essentially a Jon Pertwee story, with Tom Baker's Doctor slammed in the middle. Its Tom Baker's amazing, hilarious, and just perfect performance as the Doctor that really makes this story. Doctor Who legend Terrence Dicks has said that he wrote the Doctor in Robot as manic and crazy, without even knowing who was going to be cast. There are such brilliant moments as the Doctor forcing Harry Sullivan to skip before putting him in a cupboard, and then trying on several different outfits before donning the scarf. Despite the plot being about a giant Robot (good title eh?), who ends up developing feelings, the story is far more about the obviously blossoming trio of Tom Baker, Elisabeth Sladen and Ian Marter. The human villainess is as dastardly as she is dashing and sworthy, whilst being utterly convincing too. The rest of the season would be produced under the guidance of Phillip Hinchcliffe and Robert Holmes, and would see Doctor Who returning to the top of the television tree. Perhaps a purely personal favourite but with wonderful characters (Professor Ohhhhh NO!!! Kettlewell) and excellent scripted eccentricity, it certainly has its moments.
Massive Doctor Who fan, guitarist, chubby fella with a passion for long coats and heavy metal. Journalism graduate, and comedy fascist. Occasionally spotted in dark alleys dressed as The Undertaker. Tweet me.
