I'm back for another essentail series from Doctor Who. It's been a while but I am still here, helping all you poor souls find the must-watch stories out of the 265 stories in the series.
These are picked for a variety of reasons. Historical significance, Who history significance, or just for being really damned good.
THE FOURTH DOCTOR:
Less physical than the third doctor, the fourth was better known for trying to defuse situations by alternative means (jelly baby anyone?). With an iconic look and a run time longer than any other Doctor, the fourth is considered by many to be the most recognizable face of the character. To this day he is typically the one adapted and parodied in other media. Many people also consider his tenure as the peak of the shows popularity during the classic run.
Robot:
A fairly bland opening for one of the most well loved Doctor’s. This one is sort of a run of the mill UNIT story with a mad out of control robot that must be stopped. Fortunately, Tom Baker owns the roll with his first appearance and then takes off to the stars for far more engaging adventures.
Ark in Space:
Pretty much it’s the plot of Alien. However, the episode put the Doctor back in the TARDIS and back into the future. Many see this episode as being the official end of the Doctor’s Earth Exile, despite having regained the ability to time travel during the Third Doctor’s run. After this, UNIT stories became more of an “event” and far less regular.
Genesis of the Dalek:
This story finally nails down the origin of the Dalek’s and how they came to be. The story is well crafted, dark, and appropriately tense. It’s also the first story to feature Davros as the creator of the Daleks, a character that is so popular to kill that he has to be constantly resurrected throughout the series. It’s widely regarded by many as the best story of classic Doctor Who.
Pyramids of Mars:
Just a damn good episode with plenty of weird, scary, and mystery to thrill any whovian. A wacky plot where the Doctor and his companions find a portal through a sarcophagus that leads to mars.
The Brain of Morbius:
One of the fourth Doctor’s best stories, the Brain of Morbius also serves as a tribute to the classic story of Frankenstein and started a trend of some Doctor Who stories readapting existing material into serials. It’s a trend that still exists today with the Doctor Who “Christmas Carol” and even a version of “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe”.
The Deadly Assassin:
While showing more of Gallifrey than we have seen before, the episode also introduces the second incarnation of the Master, portrayed as a burned corpse. It also establishes the 13 Timelord lives while at the same time implying that it can be bypassed by receiving a new cycle. This would become important to the series after the Doctor uses up all other regenerations.
Horror of Fang Rock:
This is currently the only story to feature the Rutans, the creatures who are constantly waging war against the Sontarans. The Rutans are rarely seen on screen but their war with the Sontarans is at the heart of every story to feature their more popular counterparts.
City of Death:
My personal favorite episode from the fourth doctor’s run (and most likely all of Classic Who). City of Death features the always great Julian Glover (Star Wars, Game of Thrones) as the main villain in a story that jumps between multiple timelines in a twisted yet very well scripted way. This is- simply put- a must see doctor who story.
Keeper of the Traken:
The episode is notable for fully resurrecting the Master and returning him to the forefront as a lead villain. We see the second incarnation of the Master bypass his 13 life limitation and become the third on-screen incarnation. Actor Anthony Ainley does a phenomenal job recreating the character while keeping him true to Delgado’s original portrayal. The character would return to the role of the Doctor’s arch nemesis and plague the fifth, sixth, and seventh doctors.
Logopolis:
Tom Baker’s seven year run as the doctor comes to a close in this episode, as we seem him regenerate into the fifth doctor. This episode along with Keeper of the Traken and Castrovolva form it’s own small trilogy. Though weaker than most other stories on this list, it is still a worthy sendoff for the most fan favorite of doctors.
PREVIOUS DOCTOR
THIRD DOCTOR
NEXT DOCTOR:
(coming soon...maybe)
So what do you think? How many have you seen? Do you agree with the choices- disagree? Tell me in the comments below.
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