Every Doctor Who Debut Story Ranked From Worst To Best
9. Castrovalva
Peter Davison had huge boots to fill, and the inexplicable change of footwear from Tom Baker’s death scene in Logopolis might have been a portent that he would not quite succeed. In fact Davison held the key to the TARDIS during one of the most popular periods in the show’s history.
His emergence as the new Doctor is brilliantly conveyed in his opening adventure, helped by the fact that he inherited not one but three companions, with the Doctor recognising the unique contribution each can make in getting him well again.
There are some lovely moments for continuity enthusiasts here – from the call out to past companions to Davison delivering some of his predecessors’ classic lines to perfection.
One of the most interesting elements is the unravelling of the Fourth Doctor’s scarf, a poignant way of symbolising the old adage, ‘out with the old and in with the new’. The Doctor struggles with the change, correcting himself more than once about returning to his old self.
There is always a sense of bereavement in a new Doctor’s first story to contrast with the excitement of getting to know the new personality. Quite rightly, the longest serving Doctor is not instantly forgotten here. The Doctor even wants Adric to help him reconnect with his previous incarnation.
But the Fifth Doctor frees himself from the overbearing shadow of his predecessor, and by the time of the closing call to action, we and his companions are ready to accept:
“Whoever I feel like, it’s absolutely splendid. Let’s go.”