Following the 50th anniversary special a few weeks ago, a friend who's into modern Doctor Who but has no experience with the classic series asked me if I'd any recommendations for the older shows. Because I have to go over the top with everything (and because lists are fun), here's a list of ten excellent stories to get started with the classic series, one for each Doctor. Except for Tom Baker, who gets three because, let's face it, there were a lot of really good episodes then.
The Aztecs
Season 1 (First Doctor), written by John Lucarotti, directed by John Crockett
One of the finest examples of the 'pure historical' stories that fell out of favour after the Hartnell era, The Aztecs is a beautifully produced drama, closer to a traditional period piece than a science fiction adventure. Dealing with the inability of the TARDIS crew to alter a primitive, barbaric culture, the Doctor has never been further from the all-powerful figure he often appeared in later years. Hartnell is delightful, alternately spiky and charming, and Jacqueline Hill delivers a character defining performance as Barbara, trapped in an impossible dilemma.
Also try: The Romans is another fantastic adventure in history, while The Time Meddler adds a more futuristic spin and a great foil for the Doctor.
The Invasion
Season 6 (Second Doctor), written by Derek Sherwin, directed by Douglas Camfield
A masterfully constructed modern day thriller, Patrick Troughton's impish Second Doctor finds a worthy match in Kevin Stoney's magnetic Tobias Vaughn, who brilliant scheming takes centre stage. Ably backed up by the first appearance of UNIT and the always engaging Nicholas Courtney as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, this is a tautly constructed contemporary story that works as equal parts thriller and sci-fi adventure. With Who auteur Camfield at the helm and one of the most iconic scenes in the shows history, you've got an instant classic.
Also try: With so many of Troughton's stories missing or incomplete it can be tough to really get into them. But try the Bond-esque techno thriller of The Enemy of the World or the creeping atmosphere of The Web of Fear, both recently re-discovered.
Spearhead from Space
Season 7 (Third Doctor), written by Robert Holmes, directed by Derek Martinus
Jon Pertwee's first story was arguably his best, a great alien invasion yarn with a razor sharp script by series titan Robert Holmes. It does the brilliant job of not only completely re-establishing the status-quo but introducing a largely new cast, and still making time for a fantastically creepy set of bad guys. Shot entirely on film in beautiful colour, it's a bold new beginning.
Also try: Holmes also contributed the highly entertaining The Time Warrior which has the bonus of introducing iconic companion Sarah-Jane Smith, while the topical and impressively gross The Green Death is a dramatic highlight of the Pertwee era.
Genesis of the Daleks
Season 12 (Fourth Doctor), written by Terry Nation, directed by David Maloney
Terry Nation tore down everything that he'd previously established about Dalek history for this effective reboot and it's all for the better, as we're introduced to one of the most famous of all Doctor Who villains in the form of the megalomaniacal, ranting Davros, as superbly played by Michael Wisher. With huge stakes, an engaging moral dilemma, great pacing and top-notch performances from all involved, it's an all time great.
Also try: Season 12 is a treasure in its own right - try The Ark in Space for the first real taste of the Tom Baker era, or Terror of the Zygons for an enjoyably schlocky monster tale with added Scottishness.
The Talons of Weng-Chiang
Season 14 (Fourth Doctor), written by Robert Holmes, directed by David Maloney
The apotheosis of the show's 'Hammer Horror' phase, this is a terrifically moody and dark spin on the Jack the Ripper legend, crossed over with Sherlock Holmes and eastern mysticism. Boasts one of Doctor Who's finest comic pairings in Lightfoot and Jago, the typically witty Robert Homes banter and a suffocating atmosphere that beautifully captures gaslit London. Some dubious elements of racism (most notably the use of yellowface makeup) can make it an uncomfortable experience but the acting, design, directing and writing are all some of the best ever.
Also try: Too many to name, but you'll never regret checking out Pyramids of Mars and The Seeds of Doom for more seventies scares.
City of Death
Season 17 (Fourth Doctor), written by 'David Agnew' (Douglas Adams/Graham Williams/David Fisher), directed by Micheal Hayes
A stylish, silly romp that's just wonderful free-flowing fun, City of Death is the perfect meeting of sci-fi icons as Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy author Douglas Adams turns his with on Tom Baker and Lalla Ward romping through seventies Paris. With Julian Glover excelling as the snide Count Scarlioni and one of the greatest cameos ever, plus the thrill of an on-location shoot, it's family entertainment at its best. No wonder it's the most watched Doctor Who story ever.
The Caves of Androzani
Season 21 (Fifth Doctor), written by Robert Holmes, directed by Graeme Harper
Peter Davison saved his best until last in this unbearably tense adventure. For once The Doctor's got no objective but to escape, but he's trapped in one of the toughest spots he's ever been in, caught between vile business magnate Morgus and the elegant but evil Sharaz Jek. Run through with corruption, self-interest and backstabbing, Davison is brilliant as The Doctor at his most vulnerable, yet also at his most heroic, with his basic goodness shining through. Complete with tragic ending, this was voted the best Doctor Who story of all time in 2009.
Also try: Davison was dogged by poor scripts throughout his time with the program, but the mystical voodoo themes of Kinda are an obvious standout, while 20th anniversary special The Five Doctors is a fun mess.
Vengeance on Varos
Season 22 (Sixth Doctor), written by Philip Martin, directed by Ron Jones
Colin Baker's time on the show is generally recognised as a creative nadir, but Vengenace On Varos is the best of a bad bunch, a bitter commentary on the commercial appeal of violence and sadism that displays unusual smarts for what was ostensibly still a kids show. In the modern age, as a commentary on the toxic nature of reality TV, it arguably works even better, and Nabil Shaban is great as the repulsive Sil.
Also try: Don't, there's not much worth watching here. Well, if you must, the Robert Holmes penned The Two Doctors can be fun, though that's mostly due to the elegant presence of Patrick Troughton.
Remembrance of the Daleks
Season 25 (Seventh Doctor), written by Ben Aaronovitch, directed by Andrew Morgan
The beginning of the show's creative renaissance in its last two years, Remembrance is witty, clever and engaging, aided by tremendous character writing and a renewed focus on brains over action. Sylvester McCoy finally feels at home playing The Doctor as half whimsical eccentric and half cunning schemer, while Sophie Aldred immediately proves why Ace is the prototype for the modern companion - tough, smart and more than capable of handling herself.
Also try: The show's dying days prompted some clever scripts - check out the alternative dsytopia of The Happiness Patrol or the bonkers surrealism of Ghost Light to see some underappreciated latter day Who.
Doctor Who
Television Movie (Eight Doctor), written by Matthew Jacobs, directed by Geoffrey Sax
The TV movie is a weird, mixed bag. A lot of it doesn't work - it's way too continuity heavy, the plot relies a lot on magic time bullshit and Eric Roberts is totally wrong as The Master (though I'd be lying if I didn't admit he's incredibly fun to watch). But there's still some magic here, chiefly in the performance of Paul McGann, who nails an elegant, refined portrayal of The Doctor while still imbuing him with the sense of energy and 'alien-ness' that the character has in his best moment. Great special effects too - the TARDIS has never looked better than its Edwardian outfit here.
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