Doctor Who
Doctor Whoshowrunners Russell T Davies and Steven Moffat descend together to observe the " phenomenal " casting of one Doctor in particular . Looking back at the Fourth Doctor era , Tom Baker presume the role in 1974 , leading the show for 172 episodes across 7 seasons . Baker ’s final engagement against the Master ( Anthony Ainley ) in 1981 ’s " Logopolis " bring his adventures to an ending withthe Fourth Doctor ’s re-formation , but he has since reprised the role in one - off appearances and audio dramas .
When speaking toDoctor Who Magazine(viaRadioTimes ) in a larger retrospective on Phillip Hinchcliffe ’s producing term of office , Moffat turn aid to the shape of that earned run average , especially praising Baker , Elizabeth Sladen , and Ian Marter ’s TARDIS teamof the Fourth Doctor , Sarah Jane Smith , and Harry Sullivan . He went so far as to sayDoctor Whohasn’t a better cast , explaining :
Steven Moffat : I know this was a bequest of the previous producer , but I ’m not sure Doctor Who has ever had a in effect plaster bandage than that first twelvemonth with Tom Baker , Lis Sladen and Ian Marter [ as Harry Sullivan ] , I think one of Philip ’s rare mistakes was getting rid of Harry . That dynamic – two associate who ’d talk about the Doctor – was so useful .
We ’ve never quite stopped that . There ’s an awareness about it all that means it simply does n’t matter that the giant skunk [ in Talons ] is a bit cockamamy , because have you notice Li H’sen Chang ? And it does n’t matter that Li H’sen Chang ’s a bit cockamamie , because have you notice how c**p his plan is ? It just does n’t matter , because the show is thoroughly enjoying riffing on those repulsion image , and you ’re not mean to take thing like giant rats and mummies and Frankenstein ’s monster badly – unless there ’s something genuinely incorrect with you .
Sir Humphrey Davy agreed , praising Baker’sDoctor Whocasting as " the most phenomenal piece of honk in any show ever " and celebrating how Hinchcliffe and script editor Robert Holmes knew just how to emphasise the actor perfectly throughout the era .
Russell T Davies : That ’s part of the pleasure . They know . you’re able to see Philip Hinchcliffe and Robert Holmes list into their great success , realising what a lead they have . In fact , Tom and Lis [ also cast by Letts ] were terrific . They got the molding right on doubly . Throughout the history of Doctor Who , that ’s when the miracle befall .
Also the miracle of a very inviolable hand editor . Robert Holmes is all over every episode – that humans must be rewrite tons of stuff , and it works . But it works because it fits . It fit monsters like Morbius . It suit the classic – the mummy story , the Frankenstein floor , the Old Testament ! They ’re great stories because they process . It ’s all just genius . Genius contact genius . A groovy manufacturer meets a large actor meets keen scripts .
What Baker’s Era Meant For Doctor Who
The Era Redefined The Series' Tone And Characters
Hinchcliffe’sDoctor Whotenuresaw a major shift from what come before , as the series pivoted forth from the James Bond - esque adventures of Jon Pertwee ’s Third Doctor and dive into a more terrific universe . Not only did these stories feature the more blatant lusus naturae that play on classical tropes , such asthe Egyptian - revolutionise Sutekh(Gabriel Woolf ) and the patch - body of work body of Morbius ( Michael Spice ) , but they also explore the still - mess about terror of fascism through the celebrated origin account for the Daleks . However , it is hard to imagine that these fib would have hit as hard without their distinct cast .
Furthermore , Sarah Jane and the companions that followed her would bring in the use nigher to what modern audiences would be familiar with .
A far cry from Pertwee ’s natural process - hero sandwich - esque Time Lord , Baker ’s performance created the eccentricities that would become character - defining featuresfor future incarnations , from his familiarity with historical figures to his unique fashion choices . Furthermore , Sarah Jane and the companions that followed her would bring the role nigher to what forward-looking audiences would be familiar with . She , Leela ( Louise Jameson ) , and Romana ( Mary Tamm and Lalla Ward ) cater the show with dynamics that challenged the Doctor and had their own attainment to congratulate the Time Lord .
The latest Doctor Who series introduces the Fifteenth Doctor, joined by new companion Ruby Sunday.
Our Take On Davies And Moffat’s Praise For Baker’s Era
The Actor Remains An Iconic Incarnation
Baker remains a fan - favorite doc to this twenty-four hour period , with his era in special harbor some of the most influential stories . As such , it is unsurprising that two of the writers who helmed the serial ' revivification are keen to celebrate the contribution of Hinchcliffe , Baker , and the rest of the plaster bandage . With his continued involvement in the franchise through Big Finish ’s audio play , Baker is one of the more recognisable worker to take on the role alongside the modern incarnations . Both Davies and Moffat ’s praise for theclassic earned run average ofDoctor Whois well - merit and a fitting protection to the series ' past .
informant : Doctor Who Magazine ( viaRadioTimes )
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Cast
The belated Doctor Who serial introduce the Fifteenth Doctor , join by young fellow traveller Ruby Sunday .
