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Best Davison 5th Doctor stories?

P0sitr0nic

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What are your favorite of Davisons 5th doctor stories? Ive just started watching his era, and am looking for input on the best ones to see.
 
"Kinda" is a pretty deep story, one of the darker WHOs. I have a thread on it and it's sequel, Snakedance, somewhere on this board. It's not on DVD yet but will be soon.

"Black Orchid" is a fun two-parter where there's really no science fiction elements and the Doctor gets to play cricket.


"Earthshock" features the Cybermen, has a lot of action and has an ending which is among classic Who's sadder moments.




"Mawdryn Undead" is a fun story, although it's part of a trilogy. It reintroduces the Brigadier (A character introduced in the Troughton era and a staple of the Pertwee era) to Doctor Who, and has some interesting timey wimey stuff.

....and of course Davison's final story, The Caves of Androzani, is not only his best IMO but is often considered one of the best classic Doctor Whos.
 
I Like most of Davison, I don't think there's anything I dislike intensely, though, 4 to Doomsday, is probably my least favorite. Sure, several Davison episodes make you cringe in parts, but, there's alot left that doesn't. I don't think Davison had any "Leisure Hive" stories, nor any bland enough to not be able to latch onto something in the episode that interested you, even if you don't like the "subdued portrayal" of Davison, which I thought actually worked well next to Teagan's Screech Owl character (who I did love for her bitchiness, BTW, so don't think that's an insult). I also, actually like the way Davison seemed so grown up between the two Bakers, it adds to Colin Baker's portrayal to revert back to such blatant arrogance
 
I'd recommend Caves of Androzani, Kinda, Snakedance, Earthshock and Castrovalva.
Then for a second batch, The Visitation, Black Orchid and Frontios.

Five Doctors can be fun for nostalgia value, but given the option, I'd say watch an actual 1st, 2nd or 3rd Doctor story instead.
 
Kinda/Snakedance
The Visitation
Earthshock
Enlightenment
Frontios
Planet Of Fire
Caves Of Androzani

Are among my favorite Davison stories.
 
Gosh, I just loved "Four To Doomsday"!

I always love super-intelligent aliens or computers that still manage to miss the obvious, The idea that these aliens aren't able to travel through space very fast, and thus their trips to Earth about back are spaced out by centuries upon centuries. Having humans on board who represent us at various points in history is a lot of fun. Plus, it was fairly respectful of the non-white races it presented in the episode, which always helps.

I also enjoyed that this episode had the Doctor floating in space and using a cricket ball to hurl himself in the proper direction. Considering this Doctor wore an over the top cricketer's outfit, they sure didn't use cricket a lot aside from "Black Orchid."

The arc of trying (and failing!) to get Teegan back to her day and time is always nice.

Adric being a boob and falling for Monarch's bullshit is also nice. It makes both Adric AND Monarch believable.

All and all, a pretty smashing episode.

"Cave of Androzani" is some of his best, simply because they finally gave him a personality.

I like viewing the 5th Doctor as a shy, unconfident, more fragile and subdued Doctor. But he was much more fun as an arrogant risky-taker in "Caves".

Here's a youtube I made all about his celery stalk: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpHy432XIb8 :p
 
While I own "Caves of Androzani", I haven't gotten around to watching it yet. I plan on watching my Who DVD's in order, and I'll prolly save that one for it's proper time.

Having said that....."Enlightenment" is prolly my fave 5th Doctor off the top of my head. There's a certain surreal, trippy element to it that I love. "Black Orchid" is a refreshing short serial...two parts IIRC.

Finished "Earthshock" over the holiday, and while I've seen a few Adric eps, I think I need to see a few more to get the full effect. Nice ep tho.

As for Adric falling for the Monarchs bit in "Four To Doomsday".....It's been awhile, but I thought he was faking?
 
I don't think he was, but then he had a bit of as turncoat streak as State of Decay shows!

Most of the ones mentioned really, nothing else immediately leaps out. Personally I love Enlightenment, its just mad!

Earthshock and Androzani are probably my favourites, but I'm looking foward to Kinda and Snakedance and Frontios on DVD as been ages since I've seen em!
 
"Earthshock" features the Cybermen, has a lot of action and has an ending which is among classic Who's sadder moments.

Really? That ending makes me cheer!:p

Still, "Earthshock" is a pretty kickass Cybermen story.

I didn't much care for "The Caves of Androzani" when I 1st saw it. But I need to rewatch it. (I'm getting there. I'm just plowing through the last of Tom Baker's stories right now.)

My favorite is "The Five Doctors" but that's more for the Troughton/Pertwee bickering. And oddly enough, most of Davison's role in that episode was originally written for Tom Baker, who backed out at the last minute.
 
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