Story: The Caves of Androzani
Written By: Robert Holmes
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1984
Robert Holmes always did write the best stories. The last three stories of Peter Davison's time as the Doctor were probably among his best ever. His all time favorite story happens to just be his last. It should be too, because for many fans its the one story in which he shines. It truly is his best story.
It is epic, it is adventurous, it is big and dark, it has shadows (shadows!), it wasn't afraid to push the buttons, and the Doctor is at his absolute most heroic. Peter Davison in this story is very much the template for the New Series Doctor.
Everything moves fast and Davison is relentless in his performance. He was often criticized for being somewhat dull. He was slightly humorous at first, but he became a little more somber after Adric's death. This story he is angry, he is funny, he is tremendous. The pace of the story is modern and Davison's performance is so good that this serial moves at a swift and exciting pace that was uncommon even in the 80s.
The Doctor and Peri both contract an illness on this Androzani (a planet that is a war zone, a storyline the Doctor barely gets involved in because he is so determined to find the cure for he and Peri), and only some kind of Bat's milk can cure them, the Doctor races against the clock to get it, and he only had enough in the vile collected to save Peri. He heroically carries her to the TARDIS though a mine field, and then saves her life.
His mind is visited by his former companions telling him to fight for his life, he must regenerate. Tegan tells him to keep a brave heart which is charming, and Adric appears at the end...making the Fifth Doctor's final words "Adric?", and The Master appears and mocks him. Then he burst into light...and up comes the arrogant and boisterous Sixth Doctor, Mr. Colin Baker.
NEXT TIME: A Fate Worse Than Death...That Coat
Written By: Robert Holmes
Length: 4 Episodes
Year: 1984
Robert Holmes always did write the best stories. The last three stories of Peter Davison's time as the Doctor were probably among his best ever. His all time favorite story happens to just be his last. It should be too, because for many fans its the one story in which he shines. It truly is his best story.
Everything moves fast and Davison is relentless in his performance. He was often criticized for being somewhat dull. He was slightly humorous at first, but he became a little more somber after Adric's death. This story he is angry, he is funny, he is tremendous. The pace of the story is modern and Davison's performance is so good that this serial moves at a swift and exciting pace that was uncommon even in the 80s.
The Doctor and Peri both contract an illness on this Androzani (a planet that is a war zone, a storyline the Doctor barely gets involved in because he is so determined to find the cure for he and Peri), and only some kind of Bat's milk can cure them, the Doctor races against the clock to get it, and he only had enough in the vile collected to save Peri. He heroically carries her to the TARDIS though a mine field, and then saves her life.
His mind is visited by his former companions telling him to fight for his life, he must regenerate. Tegan tells him to keep a brave heart which is charming, and Adric appears at the end...making the Fifth Doctor's final words "Adric?", and The Master appears and mocks him. Then he burst into light...and up comes the arrogant and boisterous Sixth Doctor, Mr. Colin Baker.
NEXT TIME: A Fate Worse Than Death...That Coat
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