Which Who DVD to buy next?

[Geckothan]

This week I've decided to treat myself to a new DVD and as they're cheap, I want to get another classic Who DVD and work on my tiny collection. I'm quite new to old Who (), I've only seen a handful of serials and I've only got two on DVD, namely Genesis of the Daleks and Earthshock (I enjoyed both of them, though I preferred Genesis to Earthshock, if that makes recommending a story any easier). I'm leaning towards a Pertwee or Tom Baker story, though I'm open to recommendations of any doctor.

I like guest characters with alot of personality that don't feel like extras/cardboard cutouts, big plots with messages/real world meaning (not preachy ones TNG style though, as much as I love TNG) and slow pacing.

A while ago I wrote out a shortlist of 3rd/4th/5th doctor stories to buy after doing a bit of research, and I've put these into the poll, but I'm sure there's tons of good stories I've missed out on. Feel free to recommend stuff that's not on the list though.

 

[DWF]

The Talons Of Weng Chiang is a great one and it's full of good characters.

 

[Orac]

City of Death is the best of that lot IMO.

 

[Winterwind]

Voted for Spearhead from Space.

Why? Because I think the first or last story of any particular Doctor is a must have. That and the scene of the Doctor with his shoes is always good for a giggle.

 

[The Nth Doctor]

Oh, man, that's a tough call. I voted for Talons of Weng-Chiang, but Inferno, Pyramids of Mars, City of Death, and The Caves of Androzani are all close seconds.

 

[Hennessy Badger]

Another vote for Talons of Weng-Chiang. Great story and even greater supporting characters.

 

[Starkers]

Just to be Pedantic I've voted other.

Personally I'd suggest Robots of Death, it has a fantastic group of characters.

 

[Tomalak]

They're all good choices. I think Ark in Space is overrated, but most love it.

 

[23skidoo]

I'm recommending Inferno for a few reasons. First, it's a Pertwee story, and the OP mentioned wanting to try one. Pertwee is my favorite of the classic series Doctors and while Inferno was still early on (Pertwee didn't hit his stride till Roger Delgado joined as the Master the next season), it's an interesting story and it also set the groundwork for the later "Pete's World" parallel Earth storylines of the revival.

Talons is good, but it's a bit slow moving even for 1970s Who and in my opinion should be saved until one is more used to the pacing. Of the Tom Baker stories given, City of Death is the one I'd suggest first. I don't consider Ark in Space to be overrated, but if you're wanting to sample different eras, I'd save it till later (since it's connected to Genesis of the Daleks). The 2-part linking story between Ark and Genesis, The Sontaran Experiment, is a quick but fun 45 minutes.

Caves of Androzani was excellent and was in fact the "Blink" of its day, as I recall the fan reaction back in 1984. You can't go wrong with that one, either, and it also helps set things up for Colin Baker.

Alex

 

[Flibble]

I voted Pyramids of Mars as it's Tom Baker at his best. It was a tough choice though.

 

[Captain Pike]

Those are all good stories, though I find Caves.. to be a little underwhelming compared to the good wrap it gets from most folks.

I voted for The Ark In Space. First, it makes a change from continually recommending Talons.. in these things (though that too is superb), and second, it's a great story and one of the few with Harry as a companion.

 

[26138]

Pyramids of Mars - it's a great story, and it has Sarah Jane!

 

[OmahaStar]

Those are all good stories, though I find Caves.. to be a little underwhelming compared to the good wrap it gets from most folks.

I agree. But it does have one excellent thing about it -- the regeneration into the Sixth Doctor, the bestest Doctor ever.

 

[Starkers]

Those are all good stories, though I find Caves.. to be a little underwhelming compared to the good wrap it gets from most folks.

I agree. But it does have one excellent thing about it -- the regeneration into the Sixth Doctor, the bestest Doctor ever.

You're joking of course, that was the moment Who died for me...well until Eccleston came along anyway (not strictly true but I wasn't really that interested after Davison left until the new series came along)

 

[OmahaStar]

Those are all good stories, though I find Caves.. to be a little underwhelming compared to the good wrap it gets from most folks.

I agree. But it does have one excellent thing about it -- the regeneration into the Sixth Doctor, the bestest Doctor ever.

You're joking of course, that was the moment Who died for me...well until Eccleston came along anyway (not strictly true but I wasn't really that interested after Davison left until the new series came along)

No. Whatever would make anyone question the greatness that is Six?

 

[Mr Light]

1. Pyramids of Mars. 2. Talons. 3. City of Death. The rest I don't think I've seen...

 

[Starkers]

I agree. But it does have one excellent thing about it -- the regeneration into the Sixth Doctor, the bestest Doctor ever.

You're joking of course, that was the moment Who died for me...well until Eccleston came along anyway (not strictly true but I wasn't really that interested after Davison left until the new series came along)

No. Whatever would make anyone question the greatness that is Six?

The coat? The attitude? The general overactedness?

 

[Geckothan]

I decided to go with Talons, it better be as amazing as everyone says or you guys owe me £7!

 

[Tomalak]

It is amazing. If you don't like it you have some sort of incurable appreciation deficiency.

 

[The Lensman]

My brother and friends and I all hated Talons with a passion when we were kids. No space stuff, a midget and a chinese guy. That impression stuck with me for decades and not just several years ago I was ragging on it as an old friend and I were discussing worst Dr. Who eps.

I picked it up months ago after reading good things about it, and decided to see if it was really as bad as I remembered or if it was just the kid in me that didn't like it.

I loved the hell out of it and would probably rank it as one of my all time faves. Love the whole Victorian era, the atmosphere, and the supporting cast is top notch. Really threw me when I bought Inferno and couldn't place the actor who played the project director....then it hit me that it was Jago!!

I also love the next serial, Horror At Fang Rock, as well.