The three best classic Who serials?

[Takeru]

I never was a big fan of the old Doctor Who series, I saw a few episodes, but just couldn't really get into it, I don't think I ever finished a serial. But considering the fact that the DVDs are dirtcheap on amazon uk, I decided to buy three serials and give it another shot. Maybe the show really isn't for me, but maybe I just got stuck with awful episodes, it's time to find out.

Now the question for the experts, which serials represent Doctor Who the best? I'm looking for different kinds of stories, different Doctors and different villains, so no suggestions like Beginnings, Daleks or adventures in earth's past box sets please.

It would be great if you could provide a little explanation why you chose your serials, so I can decide which ones to get.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Captain Pike]

Tomb of the Cybermen
Genesis of the Daleks
The Seeds of Doom

IMO the show reached it's peak during seasons 12 to 14. The best stories are to be found there, though there was the odd classic either side of that. I threw in Tomb.. because I find Troughton to be so captivating and it's probably his best surviving story.

 

[Starkers]

Since Captain Pike has mentioned Tomb I'll leave that one out. Ooh off the top of my head...

City of Death (thought I was close to choosing Robots of Death)
Caves of Androzania
The Curse of Fenric

 

[Mr Light]

My favorites are "Invasion of Time" and "Pirate Planet" from Tom Baker. For different doctors let's say "The Three Doctors" which is Pertwee with #1 and #2 crossing over. I probably watched those three a hundred times as a kid!

 

[starsuperion]

Tomb of the Cybermen
Genesis of the Daleks
The Seeds of Doom

IMO the show reached it's peak during seasons 12 to 14. The best stories are to be found there, though there was the odd classic either side of that. I threw in Tomb.. because I find Troughton to be so captivating and it's probably his best surviving story.

I can't say that I agree with your statement.. and forgive me for saying this but those jerkoffs at the BBC back in the day, screwed up, so we may never know how well Troughton's earlier works were and which was his best. but of his surviving stories.. this one certainly is magnificent..

Though I mourn the loss of the Yeti story.. from what I have seen it looks absolutely captivating!! the Monks, the terrain, the Robotic Yeti, the cool clothes, and more! But this is a thread to discuss three choice classics so I will digress...(I love discussing the classics with Captain Pike...)

So on another note my 3 choices would be:

The Invasion of Time:

Spoiler: Invasion of Time Enemies

Time Lords galore, Sontarans, Vardans, Rassilon's Shield, and political intrigue! Tom Baker at his wittiest and brilliant!

A great and crazy storyline, and probably the most revealing episode on the time lords themselves..

The Three Doctors: I have to agree with Mr. Light on that one, it is utterly the best of the 2 doctors together.. with a bit of the 1st Hartnell thrown in for good measure..(though it really should be named the 2 and 1/4 doctors..LMAO ) I have watched this one over and over again, like 50 times! it is just like going to a comfy place to relax..

The Keys to Marinus: Now there is a certain amount of coolness to this serial. It has some interesting locations, and some great characters.. even the production values were up there for it's day. I love the sets, and the costumes, and there is just some really fun and dangerous stuff going on in this serial..The 1st Doctor is in pure form..smart, and in action..

I could have chosen the Chase, which I was very close to suggesting..because that serial is just as good if not compelling..if you opt in for a fourth, I highly recommend the chase..

 

[Piper]

With a series as long and diverse as DW it's impossible to come up with just three stories that give you a good overview of all Doctors/periods - even ten's pushing it a bit.

However, if I had to pick, I'd go with:

Tomb of the Cybermen - the best Doctor ever with probably his finest surviving story.

The Talons of Weng-Chiang - the peak of Tom Baker's reign from the Seventies.

The Curse of Fenric - a story so influential its effects are still being felt to this day from the Eighties.

But most of the suggestions in this thread so far have been equally good, you can't lose with any of them

 

[Takeru]

Thanks for all the suggestions. Tomb of the Cybermen seems to get a lot of love, but I snooped around a little bit and it seems it will be rereleased in the near future with new extras and better picture quality, so I'm not sure if I want to spend money on the original DVD version now.

The Invasion of Time is interesting as well, but sadly only available in the Bred for War set.

I think I will pick up The three Doctors and probably The Curse of Fenric, for the third one I'm thinking about a Fourth Doctor story, not sure which one yet.
Maybe I'll just buy one for each Doctor, it's not like i can't afford seven serials and every Doctor will get a chance to shine.

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Tomb of the Cybermen, Genesis of the Daleks, The Caves of Androzani. Three different Doctors, three different threats, three different eras. All of them are very good.

 

[OmahaStar]

Mark of the Rani - Sixth Doctor story, pretty much universally enjoyed. The Doctor is up against two rival Time Lords, the Master, and the Rani in her only good story. It's a historical story, and Peri keeps her annoying tenancies to a minimum.

Pyramids of Mars - Both historical and not, this one is also quite well-loved. The Doctor and Sarah Jane (the most popular companion in the classic series) investigate a creepy old mansion, which will someday become UNIT headquarters, and get involved with the worst of the ancient Egyptian Gods. Who is, of course, an alien.

The Rescue/The Romans - Two stories, released together. The Rescue is a two-part story set immediately after they've lost Susan, and the Doctor finds a new companion, Vicky. (Vicki? Anyway...) It's self-contained, one of the best-paced First Doctor stories, and a murder mystery. The Romans is the very next story, and the four-parter is, for the most part, a comedy. It tells the Doctor Who version of the burning of Rome, introduces us to the Roman named Nero, and is a laugh riot beginning to end. It's also the earliest indication that Ian and Barbara were doing the horizontal mambo.

 

[The]

• Inferno (3rd Doctor -- somber anti-nuke story from the 70's that sees Number Three at his best)
  
  City of Death (4th Doctor -- Douglas Adams + Tom Baker = Perfection. Best episode of all Classic Who, in my opinion)
  
  Caves of Androzani (5th Doctor -- Consistently considered the best Doctor Who story by fans every year, there is a lot to be said about how pitch-perfect everything is about this story)

All available as cheap DVDs...

 

[FallOfFingolfin]

Not cheap or short, but I'd definitely recommend "The War Games." I'm only halfway through it but it definitely is as good as they say it is.

 

[OmahaStar]

• Caves of Androzani (5th Doctor -- Consistently considered the best Doctor Who story by fans every year, there is a lot to be said about how pitch-perfect everything is about this story)

Mainly, of course, because of the ending of the story, which introduces the best Doctor in the series.

 

[Bones2]

Doctor Who and the Silurians - Fantastic story. So much happens, it's just a complete joy.
The Caves of Androzani - Dark, all about death, and the fifth Doctor gets a personality (albeit too late for him).
Revelation of the Daleks - Pretty bleak and gruesome in parts, but also filled with humour. It's great, and the Sixth Doctor is the best.

There's my three choices.

 

[starsuperion]

Doctor Who and the Silurians - Fantastic story. So much happens, it's just a complete joy.
The Caves of Androzani - Dark, all about death, and the fifth Doctor gets a personality (albeit too late for him).
Revelation of the Daleks - Pretty bleak and gruesome in parts, but also filled with humour. It's great, and the Sixth Doctor is the best.

There's my three choices.

yet again bones you peak my interest.. I am going to have to check out the revelation of the daleks now! I had no clue the 6th doc was in it.. also thanks for the The Greatest Show in the Galaxy recommending in your review..

wanna try for a 3rd??

 

[The Mirrorball Man]

Revelation of the Daleks - Pretty bleak and gruesome in parts, but also filled with humour.

What do you mean? Are those vomit-inducing "DJ" scenes meant to be humorous? "Ultrasonic beam of rock and roll" my ass.

 

[starsuperion]

actually I thought the 3 best who series were supposedly the 3rd, 4th, and 5th doctor..??

 

[Mr Light]

I recently re-watched "Pyramids of Mars" and found it sorely lacking.

Tom Baker #4 is far and away the most popular classic doctor. After that the opinions vary. My favorites are 4 and 3... haven't seen enough of the others to say but I don't like 5.

 

[OmahaStar]

actually I thought the 3 best who series were supposedly the 3rd, 4th, and 5th doctor..??

Ah, I see you've been misinformed. The 6th Doctor is the best.

 

[The]

• Caves of Androzani (5th Doctor -- Consistently considered the best Doctor Who story by fans every year, there is a lot to be said about how pitch-perfect everything is about this story)

Mainly, of course, because of the ending of the story, which introduces the best Doctor in the series.

Spoilers!

 

[Bones2]

Doctor Who and the Silurians - Fantastic story. So much happens, it's just a complete joy.
The Caves of Androzani - Dark, all about death, and the fifth Doctor gets a personality (albeit too late for him).
Revelation of the Daleks - Pretty bleak and gruesome in parts, but also filled with humour. It's great, and the Sixth Doctor is the best.

There's my three choices.

yet again bones you peak my interest.. I am going to have to check out the revelation of the daleks now! I had no clue the 6th doc was in it.. also thanks for the The Greatest Show in the Galaxy recommending in your review..

wanna try for a 3rd??

Ooh, erm...ever seen Survival? Last story of classic Who, and it's worth a look if you've never seen it.

Revelation of the Daleks - Pretty bleak and gruesome in parts, but also filled with humour.

What do you mean? Are those vomit-inducing "DJ" scenes meant to be humorous? "Ultrasonic beam of rock and roll" my ass.

So you're judging it by taking Alexei Sayle's part at face value? The DJ adds to the weird, unsettling atmosphere of Necros. I suppose you prefer Cybusmen crying themselves to death, Daleks blowing up by the press of an idiot console, and jokes about oral sex from paving slabs.