Patrick Troughton’s portrayal of the Second Doctor is a fascinating study in contrasts and quirks. My initial, admittedly uninformed, impression of him, gleaned solely from BBC promotional images showcasing all the Doctors, was that he appeared stern. Perhaps it was the dark, neatly styled hair or that penetrating gaze that led me to this snap judgment. Little did I know, as I embarked on my classic Doctor Who journey, that this initial perception would be delightfully overturned. This exploration marks the second entry in my series dedicated to unraveling the nuances of each Doctor’s personality as I encounter them.
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The Second Doctor’s era spanned three series, gracing television screens from November 5, 1966, to June 21, 1969. My own personal deep dive into his adventures began on May 24th and concluded on July 3rd. Interestingly, I navigated through the Second Doctor’s tenure far more swiftly than I had with the First Doctor. This accelerated pace was partly due to the blissful arrival of summer vacation, liberating me from the demands of pandemic-era teaching. However, a significant factor in this speedier journey was the unfortunate reality of the missing episodes.
As many classic Doctor Who enthusiasts know, the BBC, in a bygone era, routinely erased or destroyed older programs. This practice stemmed from a combination of factors: limited physical storage space, concerns about rebroadcast rights, and the scarcity of recording materials. The result is a heartbreaking gap in television history. Of the 253 episodes that comprise the first six series of Classic Doctor Who, a staggering ninety-seven are lost to time forever.
This archival loss had a noticeable impact on my experience with the First Doctor’s companions. While I gleaned a sense of Steven and Dodo, the characters of Ben and Polly remained somewhat elusive. However, the missing episodes truly cast a long shadow over my introduction to the Second Doctor. A mere seven episodes remain from his inaugural series – a paltry seven out of thirty-five! Consequently, my genuine connection with Patrick Troughton’s Doctor didn’t solidify until the second serial of his second series.
My initial encounter with the Second Doctor was, therefore, mediated through animation. Thanks to the commendable efforts of the Doctor Who Restoration Team and BritBox, I watched the animated reconstruction of “The Power of the Daleks.” While I was grateful to have access to this pivotal story, beginning my relationship with a new Doctor, alongside companions Polly and Ben, whom I barely knew, via animation, was less than ideal. It created a sense of detachment from the Second Doctor, a feeling that lingered longer than I anticipated.
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With so many episodes missing, grasping the essence of who this Doctor was proved challenging. Paradoxically, this lack of direct engagement with the Doctor led me to forge stronger bonds with his companions. In many ways, my viewing experience of Series Four through Six became more about Jamie McCrimmon (Frazer Hines), Victoria Waterfield (Deborah Watling), and Zoe Heriot (Wendy Padbury) than the Doctor himself. They became my anchors, familiar faces in a somewhat hazy landscape. Feeling a closer connection to them, I intentionally selected a featured image showcasing Jamie, Zoe, and the Doctor, rather than a solitary portrait of the Second Doctor.
And now, let’s talk about Jamie McCrimmon. Firstly, I confess to a fondness for Highlanders. There’s an undeniable allure, but that’s a topic for another discussion. Barbara Wright and Ian Chesterton, beloved companions of the First Doctor, journeyed with him for 77 episodes. Jamie McCrimmon, in contrast, graced the TARDIS for a remarkable 113 episodes, accompanying the Doctor throughout the entirety of the Second Doctor’s tenure, barring his very first serial. At this juncture in my classic Doctor Who exploration, Jamie stands as the longest-serving companion, classic or modern! And, yes, I’m more than a little enamored with him.
The Doctor encounters Jamie in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden in 1746.1 Jamie, a Highlander who fought in this historical battle, joins the Doctor, Polly, and Ben on their travels. He remains a constant presence even after Ben and Polly choose to disembark in 1966 London.2 Jamie’s Highland origins immediately evoked thoughts of Outlander. The connection intensified due to Frazer Hines’ portrayal of Jamie and Outlander‘s focus on Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser. Initially, I dismissed it as coincidence. However, a fascinating revelation awaited me. Diana Gabaldon herself, the author of the Outlander series, has stated on her website, “[I]t was a ‘Dr. Who’ episode in which [Frazer Hines] appeared that caused me to set the book in eighteenth century Scotland.”3 Gabaldon specifically cites “The War Games” as, “the episode in which Frazer – er…well, Frazer’s kilt, at least (cough) – had caught my attention.”4 Astonishingly, Doctor Who served as the inspiration for Outlander! This connection, this beautiful piece of pop-culture history, fills me with sheer delight. The show I cherish more than almost any other gave rise to my all-time favorite novel series! This is yet another gift Doctor Who has bestowed upon me.
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In “The War Games,” when the Doctor, Jamie, and Zoe find themselves trapped behind British lines during World War I, their attempt to retrieve the TARDIS from No Man’s Land is thwarted by Major Barrington, who suspects them of espionage. Jamie’s retort is classic: “Oh look, we keep tryin’ to tell ya, ya daft sassenach…” 5 He actually uses the word sassenach on Doctor Who! I’ve replayed this thirteen-second exchange countless times. Sassenach, meaning “outlander,” is often a derogatory term used by Scots for the English. However, in the Outlander novels, it becomes a term of endearment Jamie uses for Claire, an Englishwoman. But I digress.
Jamie is characterized by his kindness, nobility, and bravery. He is fiercely protective, readily defending the Doctor, Victoria, or Zoe, yet he is not impulsive or aggressive. Jamie is compassionate and possesses a playful goofiness. While he retains his 17th-century Highland worldview, occasionally leading to clashes with Zoe’s more modern perspectives (particularly regarding gender roles), he demonstrates a consistent willingness to learn and adapt from his travels.
Another factor that influenced my connection with the Second Doctor was his dynamic with Victoria Waterfield. Born in 1852, Victoria meets the Doctor and Jamie in 1866, when her scientist father becomes entangled in a Dalek plot to eradicate humanity. Victoria’s father sacrifices himself to protect the Doctor, who, in turn, pledges to care for Victoria. Having lost her mother to pneumonia at age eleven, Victoria essentially finds herself under the Doctor’s guardianship, embarking on a life within the TARDIS alongside the Doctor and Jamie.6
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However, the situation is undeniably irresponsible. Victoria is only fourteen years old! Her life abruptly transforms into a series of perilous encounters with Cybermen, Yetis, and Ice Warriors, interspersed with clandestine missions to gather intelligence for the Doctor from various would-be world dictators. While some might categorize Victoria as fitting the “hysterical woman” trope, given her frequent screams, it’s crucial to consider the context. How else would a fourteen-year-old orphan from the 1860s react to being thrust into the Doctor’s chaotic life without warning or choice? Deborah Watling’s portrayal transcends the stereotype. She doesn’t play Victoria as a caricature but as a genuinely frightened young girl, overwhelmed by circumstances, yet persevering due to lack of alternatives. Her screams resonate not with campy theatrics but with authentic terror. As an empathic viewer, I found myself deeply concerned for Victoria, wanting to offer comfort and a semblance of normalcy. It became challenging to fully endorse the Doctor’s “care” for Victoria in this context. Victoria herself attempts to articulate her anxieties.
Victoria: “Doctor, why is it that we always end up in trouble?”
The Doctor: “[arms spread with enthusiasm] Well Victoria, it’s the spice of life, my dear.”
Victoria: “Oh, well I’m not so sure. I don’t really like being scared out of my wits every second.”
The Doctor: “Is something wrong?”
Victoria: “Well, I just wish that once…oh never mind.”7
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Deborah Watling delivers a particularly poignant performance in this scene. Victoria’s responses – her fear, her hesitation to fully express her feelings – are incredibly naturalistic. This is a young girl who hasn’t even begun to process the grief of her father’s death, abruptly uprooted from her familiar 1860s world and plunged into one terrifying adventure after another.
How can the Doctor justify his actions regarding Victoria? And how can he be so oblivious to her emotional distress? Throughout their travels together, Jamie consistently demonstrates far more attentiveness and care for Victoria than the Doctor. This contrast is perplexing. I’ve witnessed the Doctor’s paternal side. The show’s very premise began with the Doctor traveling alongside his granddaughter, Susan. He also exhibited particular sensitivity and care towards Vicki Pallister, orphaned on the planet Dido in 2493. The Doctor not only prioritized Vicki’s well-being among his companions but also extended a form of grandfatherly affection.
Where is that compassion and concern now? Is this a fundamental shift in personality between the First and Second Doctor? I remain uncertain. However, the Doctor’s interactions with Victoria frequently baffled me, further amplifying my appreciation for Jamie’s unwavering protectiveness.
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In the aftermath of defeating monstrous mind-controlling seaweed, Jamie observes Victoria standing alone, visibly distressed, and approaches her. The Doctor soon follows.
The Doctor: “What’s the matter, huh?”
Victoria: “I don’t know. I…I’m always frightened.”
The Doctor: “Well of course.”
Victoria: “Oh, oh Doctor…[crying].”
The Doctor: “It’s alright.”
[The crowd interrupts, announcing the safety of those possessed by the seaweed.]
The Doctor: “It’s alright. They’re safe. They’re safe. Come along. Come and see they’re safe.”8
The Doctor remains oblivious to Victoria’s emotional state, failing to truly listen to her. At the ensuing celebratory dinner, her unhappiness is palpable. During their conversation, the Doctor finally asks if she wishes to leave. While Victoria expresses reluctance to part with Jamie and the Doctor, she confesses her deep unhappiness with their perilous lifestyle. Frank and Maggie Harris, a couple they encountered during the seaweed crisis, offer Victoria a home, and she accepts. Jamie’s farewell to Victoria is deeply moving, marked by emotional anguish. He recognizes it’s the best course for her, yet the goodbye pains him. The Doctor, in stark contrast, remains detached, offering a casual, “I was fond of her, too, you know Jamie,” in response to Jamie’s evident distress.
The Second Doctor appears to navigate goodbyes with greater ease than his predecessor. The First Doctor, while ultimately supportive of his companions’ choices to leave, demonstrably felt the emotional weight of those departures – Susan, Barbara, Ian, Vicki, Dodo, and Steven. The Second Doctor, however, seems less affected. Personally, given my own struggles with attachment, abandonment, and relationships, I find myself both envious and slightly wary of this emotional detachment. In this regard, I identify more closely with the First Doctor.
Jamie and the Doctor’s subsequent adventure transports them to the 21st century, to a Space Wheel orbiting Earth. It is here they encounter Zoe Heriot. Zoe is exceptionally intelligent, holding the esteemed position of “Astrometricist First Class” and researcher within the “Parapsychology Library” aboard the Silver Carrier. After successfully thwarting a Cybermen threat, she eagerly joins the Doctor and Jamie in the TARDIS, driven by an insatiable thirst for knowledge and exploration.9
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I adore Zoe. In fact, my affection for her rivals that for Jamie! It’s almost irrational how frustrated I am by the scarcity of Doctor Who novels chronicling their adventures with the Doctor. I crave more stories! Zoe is unique among the Doctor’s companions encountered thus far due to her sheer intellect. Finally, the Doctor has a companion who effortlessly grasps the intricacies of scanners, fluid links, and the significance of mercury leaks. Her ability to calculate probabilities and comprehend complex situations – and anticipate potential outcomes – is invaluable. She introduces a fresh dynamic to the TARDIS, alleviating the Doctor’s burden of sole expositor.
Numerous instances showcase Zoe’s intellectual superiority to the Doctor. While attempting to infiltrate International Electromatics to investigate suspicious activities, the Doctor becomes increasingly frustrated by a computer answering service, resorting to banging on the machine in exasperation. Zoe, upon arrival, swiftly discerns how to overload the machine, disabling it and circumventing its obstruction.10 Similarly, when deciphering the mystery of the Krotons on the planet Gond, Zoe and the Doctor undertake an intelligence test to gain access to the Dynatrope. Zoe achieves a score exceeding any Gond, and even assists the flustered Doctor through the test.11
A personal highlight of Zoe’s brilliance unfolds during her communication with UNIT control, devising a strategy to counter an impending Cyber-Fleet invasion. Zoe confidently asserts her calculations demonstrate Earth’s missiles can neutralize at least ninety percent of the Cyber ships. UNIT Command expresses skepticism. She requests a mere thirty seconds to finalize her calculations, granted with a hesitant “just thirty seconds.” Zoe, consulting her clipboard and glancing at monitors, requires only seventeen seconds before presenting her calculations, instructing, “Here, feed this into your computer.” The Major’s skeptical “You better be right,” is met with Zoe’s unwavering assurance, “I am.” And – BOOM – Zoe is unequivocally correct.12 Cybermen thwarted!
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Having a character of Zoe’s intellectual caliber alongside the Doctor is refreshing. It distributes the intellectual load, opening up new narrative possibilities within the TARDIS dynamic. And after the emotional strain of worrying about Victoria, Zoe’s self-assured competence is a welcome shift. She is not only capable of self-preservation but actively contributes to saving the day, often exceeding the need to be rescued.
However, a disheartening undercurrent of sexism permeates the portrayal of Zoe’s intellect. While the Doctor’s cleverness is celebrated as heroic, Zoe frequently faces dismissive labels like “know-it-all” or “robot” from her peers due to her extensive knowledge. Even the Doctor and Jamie occasionally tease or disregard her insights. This is frustrating, particularly as there’s nothing remotely “robotic” about Zoe. She is a warm, clever, compassionate, and brave character, perfectly suited to the Doctor’s life. Yet, she is often belittled for the very qualities the Doctor is lauded for.
Fortunately, as Zoe’s tenure in the TARDIS progresses, this pattern diminishes. The Doctor and Jamie’s teasing softens, and their trust in her deepens. The dismissive voices of those who judge her intellect also become less prominent.
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Another reason for my deep appreciation of Zoe is that she provided the final piece of the puzzle in understanding the Second Doctor’s character. Series Four, with its missing episodes, and Series Five, dominated by anxieties for Victoria, made it challenging to fully connect with this incarnation. However, from the Series Five finale onwards, and throughout Series Six, the Doctor could embrace his inherent zaniness and absent-mindedness, knowing Zoe and Jamie were both capable and resourceful. I could finally relax into the Second Doctor’s persona, perceiving him for who he truly was, traveling with two companions who were equally devoted to and well-matched to his extraordinary life. Consequently, it wasn’t until “The Seeds of Death,” the Second Doctor’s third-to-last serial, that I felt I genuinely knew him.
UNPREDICTABLE. That single word encapsulates the essence of the Second Doctor. This unpredictability was precisely why I initially struggled to warm to him. Describing the Doctor as eccentric is akin to stating water is wet or the Earth orbits the sun. However, the Second Doctor’s behavior felt less like eccentricity and more like erraticism. He could transition from quiet compassion to sharp anger, from deep introspection to playful goofiness, to juvenile tantrums, all within moments, leaving my head spinning. I was perpetually unprepared for his fluctuating moods. Once I grasped this core trait – the Second Doctor as the very definition of unpredictable – I began to feel as comfortable with his character as I already was with Jamie, Victoria, and Zoe. And his unpredictability became far more enjoyable once my anxieties for Victoria lessened.
While I wish I had deciphered the Second Doctor sooner, c’est la vie. BritBox isn’t disappearing anytime soon, ensuring ample opportunities to revisit the Doctor’s adventures with Jamie and Zoe.
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The Second Doctor’s era also marked numerous exciting “firsts” in Doctor Who history.
We receive the first explicit reference to the Doctor’s age. When Jamie and Victoria inquire about his age, he states, “Well, if we count in Earth terms, I suppose I must be about 400, yes, about 450 years old. Yes, well, quite.”13 Shortly after his regeneration, Polly and Ben observe the Doctor reading a “500 Year Diary,”14 but his comment to Jamie and Victoria provides the first clear, definitive age reference. This revelation implies the Doctor, when he meets Rose (and when many modern viewers first encounter the Doctor), has already lived for another 450 years beyond this point.
The formidable Great Intelligence – “A formless, shapeless thing, floating about in space like a cloud of mist. Only with a mind and will” – makes its debut against the Second Doctor.15 It was mind-blowing to realize this adversary faced by the Eleventh Doctor had prior encounters with the Time Lord. The Doctor’s second confrontation with the Intelligence also marks the inaugural meeting with Brigadier (then “Colonel”) Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney) Having heard countless references to the Brigadier in connection with UNIT, it was incredibly rewarding to finally witness his introduction.
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In terms of “firsts,” the Doctor Who Restoration Team deserves further accolades. Their animated rendering of “Fury from the Deep” is essential viewing because it marks the very first appearance of the Doctor’s sonic screwdriver. Astonishingly, this also means for 197 episodes of Doctor Who, the Doctor never possessed, used, or even mentioned his sonic screwdriver. In “Fury from the Deep,” Jamie, Victoria, and the Doctor arrive at a beach, where the Doctor, facing a jammed emergency release valve on a natural gas pipeline, utilizes his sonic screwdriver to literally unscrew screws. It was a delightful moment.
Jamie: “What’s that?”
The Doctor: “It’s a sonic screwdriver. Never fails. [sonic sound as the screws turn] There we are. Neat, isn’t it? All done by sound waves. Now, what have we got here?”17
Equally surprising, Jamie McCrimmon is credited with inventing the Doctor’s “John Smith” alias! After the TARDIS lands on a damaged rocket adrift in space, Jamie and the Doctor are brought aboard the Space Wheel for assistance. Dr. Gemma Corwyn (Anne Ridler) conducts a medical examination on Jamie and asks for his friend’s name, as the Doctor is incapacitated due to a concussion. When informed she cannot write “the Doctor” on her chart, Jamie, noticing a piece of medical equipment stamped “John Smith & Associates,” declares the Doctor’s name to be John Smith Gemma records the name with a skeptical eye-roll.
Arguably the most significant “firsts” of the Second Doctor’s era arise in his finale, “The War Games.” This epic ten-part serial marks the very first utterance of the term “Time Lords” Shortly thereafter, the Doctor’s Time Lord identity is revealed. During his interrogation by the War Chief (another Time Lord collaborating with the War Lords, an alien race abducting humans from across Earth’s history for actual war games), it’s unveiled that the Doctor is a fugitive from the Time Lords, having stolen the TARDIS he uses for his travels.20
Watching “The War Games,” I couldn’t help but imagine the hypothetical internet reaction in 1969. I envisioned the vehemently angry posts from that vocal minority of fans who decry any perceived deviation from their narrow view of Doctor Who, the type who claim a female Doctor or the Timeless Child narrative “ruined” the show, declaring her “Not my Doctor.” I could almost hear their hypothetical outrage over the revelation that the Doctor was a fugitive Time Lord who stole the TARDIS, contradicting the First Doctor’s earlier assertions of inventing it. It made me feel a sense of relief that the internet didn’t exist in 1969. However, it’s fascinating to consider that Doctor Who existed for six years before the term “Time Lord” entered its lexicon!
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The Doctor recognizes the necessity of summoning the Time Lords to rectify the War Lords’ actions and return the abducted humans to their respective time periods. However, he harbors profound fear of them. He even contemplates abandoning Zoe and Jamie to escape their clutches They refuse to abandon him, leading the Doctor to reluctantly summon the Time Lords… but not before attempting one last TARDIS escape with Jamie and Zoe. Once aboard, the Doctor clarifies his relationship with the Time Lords.
Zoe: “They’re you own people, aren’t they Doctor?”
The Doctor: “Yes, that’s right.”
Jamie: “Well, why did you run away from them in the first place?”
The Doctor: “I…I, well uh, uh…I was bored.”
Zoe: “Well what do you mean you were bored?”
The Doctor: “Well the, the Time Lords are an immensely civilized race. We can control our own environment. We can live forever, barring accidents. And we have the secret of space time travel.”
Jamie: “Well what’s wrong with all that?”
The Doctor: “Well we hardly ever use our great powers! We’re content to simply to, to observe and father knowledge.”
Zoe: “And that wasn’t enough for you?”
The Doctor: “No, of course not. With a whole galaxy to explore?! Millions of planets! Eons of time! Countless civilizations to meet!”
Jamie: “Well why do they object to you doing all that?”
The Doctor: “Uh, well it is a fact, Jamie, I, I do tend to get involved with things.”
Jamie: “Aye, you can say that again. [to Zoe] Whenever there’s any trouble, he’s in it right up to his neck.”
Zoe: “But you’ve helped people, Doctor.”
The Doctor: “Yes, yes but that’s no excuse in their eyes.”
Zoe: “But what are you going to do?”
The Doctor: “We’re going to run away! I’ve set the controls to take us to a planet on the outer most fringes of the galaxy.”
Jamie: “Oh, in that case we’ll probably end up right in their laps.”22
Predictably, the Time Lords effortlessly apprehend the TARDIS, bringing the Doctor, Zoe, and Jamie back to their (still unnamed) home planet. The Doctor is placed on trial for his transgressions, revealing a stark dichotomy between the Doctor’s values and those of the Time Lords.
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Time Lord: “You have heard the charge against you, that you have repeatedly broken our most important law of noninterference in the affairs of other planets. What have you to say? Do you admit to these actions?”
The Doctor: “I not only admit them, I am proud of them. While you have been content to merely observe the evil in the galaxy, I have been fighting against it.”
Time Lord 3: “It is not we who are on trial here, Doctor. It is you.”
The Doctor: “No, no, of course. You’re above criticism, aren’t you?”
Time Lord: “Do you admit that these actions were justified?”
The Doctor: “Yes, yes, of course I do!”
After recounting the numerous evils he has confronted, the Doctor concludes, “All these evils I have fought while you have done nothing but observe. True, I am guilty of interference, just as you are guilty of not using your great powers to help those in need!”
However, the Time Lords remain unmoved. They decree the Doctor must part ways with Jamie and Zoe, dispatching them back to their respective timelines in a TARDIS. The Doctor, anguished, asks, “They’ll forget me, won’t they?” Time Lord 2 responds, “Not entirely. They’ll be returned to a moment in time just before they went away with you. They will remember their first adventure with you but nothing more.” My immediate emotional response? FUCK THEM. FROM THIS MOMENT FORWARD, I HAVE UTTER CONTEMPT FOR THE TIME LORDS, FOREVERMORE. I’M GLAD THEY’RE ALL DEAD. I was, admittedly, quite upset.
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The Time Lords sentence the Doctor to exile on Earth for his transgressions. Acknowledging the existence of galactic evil, they rationalize his exile as an opportunity to protect Earth’s inhabitants… but restrict him from venturing beyond the planet. As part of his punishment, they strip him of “the secret of the TARDIS,” presumably his knowledge of its operation. When the Doctor protests that he will be recognizable on Earth, they coldly remark, “You’ve changed your face once before,” and initiate a forced regeneration. While the term “regeneration” isn’t explicitly used, nor is the process fully elucidated, in essence, the Time Lords execute him and force a regeneration before banishing him. Again, FUCK THEM. The process is strikingly different from later regenerations. When the Time Lords accuse him of stalling, they threaten to select his new face themselves. The Doctor protests, asserting his right to choose his new form. As the forced regeneration commences, the episode concludes, leaving the Doctor’s fate uncertain.
Their actions towards the Doctor are undeniably cruel. Their treatment of Jamie and Zoe is unforgivable. Memories are fundamental to identity. To erase their memories is akin to stealing their very selves. Who do the Time Lords believe they are? Their debut appearance ignited an unexpected level of rage within me.
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The Second Doctor’s era also witnessed a shift in the show’s overall tone. The action sequences became more intense, often featuring military involvement. The Doctor frequently encountered various agencies – most notably UNIT – leading to storylines filled with gunfire, grenades, and bazookas. Helicopters became a recurring visual element. The narratives also began to reflect the geopolitical realities of the Cold War, the Arms Race, and the Space Race in more tangible ways.
The show also became less overtly “weird” compared to the First Doctor’s era. The Second Doctor’s adventures (both those I’ve watched and the lost episodes I’ve read about) predominantly take place on Earth or, as with “The Wheel in Space,” are heavily human-centric. While monstrous creatures and perilous threats persist, the sheer alien strangeness of the First Doctor’s era – the Menoptera and Zarbi from Vortis, the Sensorites from the Sense Sphere, the Voord of Marinus, the Aridians of Aridius – is largely absent. Furthermore, those alien races were not always antagonists. The First Doctor’s travels showcased a vast spectrum of life across the universe, both benevolent and malevolent. The Second Doctor’s era, in contrast, leans more towards human-driven conflicts, featuring more gunfights, helicopter chases, and conventional action sequences. The unique “weirdness” of alien worlds and encounters diminishes, a change I personally lament. However, it’s worth noting that even modern Doctor Who rarely achieves the level of sheer strangeness present in the Hartnell era, suggesting this unique quality might be a hallmark of the First Doctor’s time.
The Second Doctor’s tenure undeniably evoked a wide spectrum of emotions within me. However, my initial impression of sternness proved unfounded. While connecting with him took time, by the end of his era, I felt a strong affinity. His era, like all Doctor Who incarnations, underscores the crucial message about the responsibility that comes with power and influence, urging us to actively aid those in need.
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Eager for more explorations into each Doctor’s regeneration? Dive into:
Impressions of the First Doctor to witness the genesis of it all! William Hartnell’s Doctor (1963-1966, Series 1-3, 134 episodes) embodies Doctor Who at its most wonderfully bizarre, introducing the Doctor, the TARDIS, the Daleks, the Cybermen, and countless other iconic elements.
Impressions of the Third Doctor explores Jon Pertwee’s era (1970-1974, Series 7-11, 128 episodes), featuring the exiled Doctor working with UNIT, the introduction of the Master, the Silurians, the Nestene Consciousness/Autons, and the first multi-Doctor story!
1 Hugh David, dir. “The Highlanders.” Doctor Who, season 4, serial 4, BBC, 1966-67.
2 Gerry Mill, dir. “The Faceless Ones.” Doctor Who, season 4, serial 8. BBC, 1967.
3 Diana Gabaldon, “The ‘Dr. Who’ Connection,” DianaGabaldon.com. Published May 11, 2010. Accessed May 25, 2021. http://www.dianagabaldon.com/2010/05/the-dr-who-connection/
4 Ibid.
5 David Maloney, dir. “The War Games: Episode One.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 39, BBC, 1969.
6 Derek Martinis, dir. “The Evil of the Daleks.” Doctor Who, season, 4, serial 9, BBC, 1967.
7 Hugh David, dir. “Fury from the Deep.” Doctor Who, season 5, episode 31, BBC, 1968.
8 Hugh David, dir. “Fury from the Deep.” Doctor Who, season 5, episode 34, BBC, 1968.
9 Tristan de Vere Cole, dir. “The Wheel in Space.” Doctor Who, season 5, serial 7, BBC, 1968.
10 Douglas Camfield, dir. “The Invasion.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 12, BBC, 1968.
11 David Maloney, dir. “The Krotons.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 20, BBC, 1969.
12 Douglas Camfield, dir. “The Invasion.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 13, BBC, 1968.
13 Morris Barrey, dir. “The Tomb of the Cybermen.” Doctor Who, season 5, episode 1, BBC, 1967.
14 Christopher Barry, dir. “The Power of the Daleks.” Doctor Who, season 4, episode 9, BBC, 1966.
15 Gerald Blake, dir. “The Abominable Snowmen.” Doctor Who, season 5, serial 2, BBC, 1967.
16 Douglas Camfield, dir. “The Web of Fear.” Doctor Who, season 5, serial 5, BBC, 1968.
17 Hugh David, dir. “Fury From The Deep.” Doctor Who, season 5, episode 29, BBC, 1968.
18 Tristan de Vere Cole, dir. “The Wheel in Space.” Doctor Who, season 5, episode 36, BBC, 1968.
19 David Maloney, “The War Games.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 40, BBC, 1969.
20 David Maloney, “The War Games.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 42, BBC, 1969.
21 David Maloney, “The War Games.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 43, BBC, 1969.
22 David Maloney, “The War Games.” Doctor Who, season 6, episode 44, BBC, 1969.
