Just watched 'The Five Doctors' for the first time.

[Aldo]

Watching this was a treat for me, as up until today I haven't watched any serials involving the first three Doctors. My first foray into classic Who was with Tom Baker in his final serial. So to have Baker included only in archival footage is something of a disappointment (though not unexpected as I've read up about this special in the past).

I think the real stand out is Two, just based on pictures of him I always thought he looked like a buffoon (it doesn't help that he looks a lot like Moe, lol) but watching him in action I think I'll seek out some of his serials next. Patrick Troughton really seems to be having fun with the role, while at the same time coming off extremely intelligent, Seven seems rather similar to him, come to think of it.

I've seen enough of Five to know that I enjoy him and here is no exception. Though I was kind of disappointed he spent the majority of the middle section away from the other Doctor's. It makes sense though, since he was the current Doctor at the time, he'd be the one to uncover the plot, though I did like how it was the First Doctor who figured out the key to the riddle: "He who wins loses, etc..." Speaking of which:

Even though he was played by a new actor, it was interesting watching the First Doctor. Though never having seen his serials, I can only assume it's a decent portrayal (I did read one reviewer on Amazon who says he was played all wrong, but I don't know...).

As for the plot, well I agree with others, it was just an excuse to get all the Doctors together in a story. It did start off pretty interesting, and it was really fun watching the First Doctor outsmart the Dalek, but it just seemed to drag in the middle until it picked up in the end. The real highlight I think was watching the first Three Doctors work together. Which I know they've done in the past, "The Three Doctors" Thinking that may be a purchase in the near future.

Watching this I can only imagine what they'll do for the fiftieth anniversary. I realize Eccleston has said he wouldn't be a part of it, but I really hope to see at least, Eight, Ten, and Eleven together. And, and I'm sure this is a pipe dream, but I wouldn't mind Seven showing up either.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

The Five Doctors is the only classic Who DVD I own at this point.

Despite what others think of Hurndall, I think he did a passable job as #1.

I hadn't seen a second of Hartnell or Troughton at the time this came out in the US, so didn't have the resistance to this recasting that others might have.

In this one, at least the various Doctors spent some time together. In the Two Doctors, Troughton & Baker spent most of the serial apart.

And yeah, here's hoping for multiple Doctors for the 50th.

 

[Christopher]

I think the real stand out is Two, just based on pictures of him I always thought he looked like a buffoon (it doesn't help that he looks a lot like Moe, lol) but watching him in action I think I'll seek out some of his serials next. Patrick Troughton really seems to be having fun with the role, while at the same time coming off extremely intelligent, Seven seems rather similar to him, come to think of it.

Yeah, Troughton was a terrific Doctor, and it's a shame that the majority of his episodes were erased. The Second Doctor does come off as a bit goofy, but it masks a razor-sharp intellect and the heart of a champion. And yeah, I always felt that the Seventh Doctor started out as a very Troughtonesque Doctor before he started becoming the grim cosmic manipulator in his last couple of seasons.

Even though he was played by a new actor, it was interesting watching the First Doctor. Though never having seen his serials, I can only assume it's a decent portrayal (I did read one reviewer on Amazon who says he was played all wrong, but I don't know...).

It's a decent imitation in some ways, but it's definitely an imitation, and Hartnell at his best is much better. Heck, even at his worst, when he was growing ill and stumbling over his lines more and more, Hartnell had a presence and charisma all his own.

 

[Sindatur]

I believe McCoy has expressed inerest in being asked to reprise his role for the 50th

 

[Aldo]

I believe McCoy has expressed inerest in being asked to reprise his role for the 50th

That makes me very happy!

 

[Cutter John]

Glad you liked the episode. I do hope you got the 2-disk version with the orange title. Much better than the original release and has so many brilliant extras. Have you found the hidden commentary yet?

Personally I thought Hurdall did a fine job. About as close as they were likely to get to the real thing.

And indeed, the 2nd Doctor was great! I'd personally recomend The Invasion if you plan on picking up one of his stories. I really think it has the best pacing and is the easiest to follow for current fans of the show. I hate to say it, but a lot of the black and white stories do tend to drag a bit.

I believe McCoy has expressed inerest in being asked to reprise his role for the 50th

I do hope they can manage it someday. McGann too for that matter.

 

[Iamnotspock]

I hadn't seen a second of Hartnell or Troughton at the time this came out in the US, so didn't have the resistance to this recasting that others might have.

Of course, it was made in 1983 before widespread reruns and home video, so for the majority of viewers at the time the first Doctor was a fairly distant memory. Hurndall does a passable imitation and a decent enough portrayal in his own right, and that was all that was really needed at the time. It's only in more recent years since Hartnell's performance has become more readily available for reappraisal that we've really been able to compare the two.

I believe McCoy has expressed interest in being asked to reprise his role for the 50th

Yes he has, as have David Tennant, Peter Davison, Paul McGann and Colin Baker, all of whom are at least interested, if not holding their breath. Freema Agyeman has "heard rumblings", so it's being talked about, and Steven Moffat has promised that 2013 will be something special.

Tom Baker has said he'd be open to doing something small, if not a full-blown appearance, and has his own suggestion...

The only living Doctor who's said a flat no is Christopher Eccleston.

 

[Ar-Pharazon]

^ Here in the U.S., in Chicago at least, we never saw Hartnell or Troughton.

And we saw Tom Baker over & over before we saw any Pertwee or Davison.

 

[Christopher]

Of course, it was made in 1983 before widespread reruns and home video, so for the majority of viewers at the time the first Doctor was a fairly distant memory. Hurndall does a passable imitation and a decent enough portrayal in his own right, and that was all that was really needed at the time. It's only in more recent years since Hartnell's performance has become more readily available for reappraisal that we've really been able to compare the two.

Except that "The Five Doctors" opens with a clip of Hartnell's Doctor and his famous farewell speech to Susan. So the two could be directly compared within the same production.

^ Here in the U.S., in Chicago at least, we never saw Hartnell or Troughton.

And we saw Tom Baker over & over before we saw any Pertwee or Davison.

In Cincinnati, we started with Tom Baker and went forward from there through what was then current (late Davison or early Colin Baker, I think), then looped back to the beginning and cycled through the surviving complete tales of Hartnell, Troughton, and Pertwee (although we did get the two Pertwee stories that were missing one episode each at the time) before hitting Tom Baker again, and again going up through the most current season before looping back to Hartnell, and so on.

 

[23skidoo]

Hurndall was actually the first "First Doctor" I ever knew, having never seen any Hartnell material before other than the clip at the start of the Five Doctors. Considering he was instructed not to impersonate Hartnell I thought he actually came quite close. It's a shame he died not long after the show aired.

Of course they'd never get away with that now, unless they could figure out a way to explain it in the context of the story (as they actually did way back in 1968 when Frazer Hines got sick so another actor stood in for him for a couple of episodes - they wrote that into the story!). Reportedly the original idea for the special, by Robert Holmes, was called The Six Doctors and would have had one of them (possibly the First Doctor) be replaced by a robot or something, so the appearance issue might have been addressed.

The only real disappointment was that Tom Baker declined to return (he had agreed to but pulled out a few months before production began). But at least that gave us a chance to see a bit of Shada, with the added bonus of some Romana.

You can tell at times, though, that the special was written to the sensibilities of the time. Had it been done today, you can bet there would have been tension between the First Doctor and Susan over the First never actually "coming back". Sarah Jane might have been a bit more upset over the fact Four wasn't present. And Kamelion wouldn't have been instantly forgotten about (Kameli-who? you might ask - I'll let you do the research!). And Sarah Jane would have given the Doctor hell for dropping her off in Aberdeen instead of South Croydon!

Still, it works quite well on the whole. Too bad Sarah Jane wouldn't be allowed to remember the events - might have changed her life a bit for the better. The new series makes it clear that neither she nor the Doctor remember the event; that doesn't mean it doesn't happen, but it makes sense that the Doctor should be allowed to remember meeting future incarnations. That's why in "Time Crash" he doesn't remember how to prevent the Belgium-sized hole in the universe until the tolling of the cloister bell unlocks the memories (otherwise Ten would have started the mini-episode already knowing all about his encounter with Five). Presumably this means the Doctor's memories of the Three, Five and Six Doctors were likewise either fuzzy or erased by the Time Lords...speculation, of course, but it makes sense. Two likely lost his memories of encountering Three, Six, etc. And Five probably lost his memory of meeting Ten moments after saying "to days to come".

Alex

 

[Aldo]

Another thing I noticed while watching the 'Five Doctors.' Something I suppose I should have realized after watching 'Time Crash' is that Ten is really similar to Five, sure Ten is more manic at times, but the way he carries himself is really similar, putting his hands in his pockets while pushing back his duster is the same way Five puts his hands in his pockets and pushes back his Blazer.

Not sure if it is intentional, but if it is, it's a neat little nod by Tennant to Davison.

 

[CaptainMatt]

I believe but could be mistaken that Davison was one of Tennant's favorites as a kid watching Dr. Who. Along with Tom Baker.

 

[Sindatur]

I believe but could be mistaken that Davison was one of Tennant's favorites as a kid watching Dr. Who. Along with Tom Baker.

Yea, I'm pretty sure that's the reason for the line "You always were my Doctor" in Time Crash

 

[Aldo]

I believe but could be mistaken that Davison was one of Tennant's favorites as a kid watching Dr. Who. Along with Tom Baker.

Yea, I'm pretty sure that's the reason for the line "You always were my Doctor" in Time Crash

Yeah, that's why I brought up Time Crash.

Anyways, it's little actions like that, that really drives home the fact that even though he changes a lot when he regenerates, deep down he is still the same.

 

[CaptainMatt]

Which is something about Dr. Who that I absolutely love. He is still fundamentally the same man no matter how many regenerations he undergoes. And yes, I remember the line from Time Crash as well, which was really a nod from Tennant to Davison and not Ten to Five. But I believe he also watched Tom Baker, as referred to in his introduction to The Complete Specials which included his final stories as the Doctor.

 

[Starkers]

I've never been certain whether the 'My Doctor' line was Tennant speaking, Moffat speaking, or both of them.

 

[Mr Awe]

You can quibble with parts of the Five Doctors, but I love it. This first aired in the US before it aired in the UK, which was a first. And, I saw it on premiere night. It was the first "big event" Who for me. At the time, it truly felt epic: new fancy console room, multiple Doctors, Gallifrey, all the big enemies, etc. Unlike modern Who, the classic series didn't usually try to be epic, so a definite change in pace.

Like others, it was my first real glimpse of Troughton and Pertwee. Although, my PBS station did show Pertwee shortly after that, then it got Hartnell and Troughton.

Mr Awe

 

[Christopher]

I've never been certain whether the 'My Doctor' line was Tennant speaking, Moffat speaking, or both of them.

From what I've read, it was mostly Tennant's sentiment, though I can't rule out the possibility that it was Moffat's too.

 

[Starkers]

Well I know Moffat is a fan of Davison's Doctor as well so likely it wasa sentiment both shared.

And I know the feeling

 

[Iamnotspock]

Except that "The Five Doctors" opens with a clip of Hartnell's Doctor and his famous farewell speech to Susan. So the two could be directly compared within the same production.

Oh, come on. A 30-second clip is hardly enough for a detailed comparison. If JNT thought it was, he probably wouldn't have included it, especially if it's true that Hurndall was instructed not to impersonate Hartnell. That clip is there as a cute way of incorporating the genuine article into the proceedings, but it's kept short and sweet.

The new series makes it clear that neither she nor the Doctor remember the event;

It makes it clear that Sarah doesn't remember it. If the (fifth, presumably) Doctor remembered it, he'd have no reason to mention it to her.

Another thing I noticed while watching the 'Five Doctors.' Something I suppose I should have realized after watching 'Time Crash' is that Ten is really similar to Five, sure Ten is more manic at times, but the way he carries himself is really similar, putting his hands in his pockets while pushing back his duster is the same way Five puts his hands in his pockets and pushes back his Blazer.

Not sure if it is intentional, but if it is, it's a neat little nod by Tennant to Davison.

Pretty sure it's intentional, which is why they draw attention to it in Time Crash. There's also a lot of Tom Baker in Tennant's performance, just like there's a lot of Troughton in Matt Smith's.