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So, I’m a colossal Whovian. I absolutely effing love that show. Always have. Always will.
It’s had its ups and downs, but I’ve stuck with it through thick and thin. And it’s that sort of stuff I want to poll you all on.
Now, if we bring up each other’s least liked, this thread will end pretty quick. So instead, I want to hear your favourites in the following categories. Peeps, I wanna feel your froth on this one. Show me your fandom. Your enthusiasm. Your passion.
The categories are......
1. Favourite Doctor
2. Favourite Companion
3. Favourite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival)
4. Favourite villain
5. Element or character you want brought back.
I shall kick you all off!
1. Favourite Doctor
Sylvester McCoy. He was my Doctor. And several of his tales genuinely terrified me when I was a snivellin’ lirrul Grot. He had a certain playfulness, but was also ridiculously ruthless when it suited him. Whilst it can’t have been intended at the time? He serves as the near perfect bridge between the two eras.
Equally infinitely compassionate, and utterly ruthless. He tricks both the Cybermen and Daleks into using Timelord technology to cause themselves great harm. And his delivery? UNLIMITED RICE PUDDING!? Just.....perfect. This was the first time we saw The Doctor starting to head off the rails, without having entirely lost control. That McCoy could deliver all that whilst there was a clear disinterest from the BBC speaks volumes.
Had the Beeb had the same passion as during Tom Baker’s years? Who knows where the show could’ve gone. My bet is ‘not on hiatus’
2. Favourite Companion.
Honestly? I’m torn. The choice between Adric, Mel and Clara is just......yes I am gakking you! Well done me!
But I am torn. Ace? Or Romana II? It’s probably Romana II. For the first time in my experience, we had a Companion that was literally the equal of The Doctor. He was a Timelord. And so was she. Equal intelligence, different experiences. She just worked for me. And given the actors we’re married ( however briefly) the on-screen chemistry is evident.
3. Favourite episode/serial?
Kind of a cop-out, on this is anything but controversial? Genesis of Daleks. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect in every way. Made on the typical budget of ‘two thirds of 50% of bugger all’ and one genuinely cannot tell. It whizzes all over its contemporaries. Just amazing, and still very relevant.
4. Favourite Villain.
OK this one is going to be controversial. Because it’s Kandyman. Yes. Kandyman. Maybe I was exactly the right age at the right time. Perhaps my brains were addled by too many sweets. But despite looking (and indeed being, lawsuits ensued) like Bertie Bassett? There’s still something very unsettling about him. Look beyond the visuals. See the maniac for what it is. Just glorious, in my opinion.
5. Element or character you want brought back.
Ace? You’re up. Absolutely wonderful character. Literal ass kicker, and very modern for its time. She wasn’t a scream queen. She kicked ass and took names. From ‘Ace, give me some of that Nitro 9 you’re not carrying’ to setting about a Dalek with a baseball bat? And just her general character arc? Absolutely glorious. The last we saw of her was at the end of Survival, literally walking into the sunset with The Doctor. The last we heard of her was a mealy mouthed mention in The (really quite good!) Sarah Jane Adventures. So mealy mouthed, you’d need to know she was actually called Dorothy, and realise that A Charitable Earth has the acronym of ACE.
Ace needs a swan song. And no recasting. Get Sophie back. She played the right age. Drop her back in. Let The Doctor face up to what happens when they eventually abandon someone who already had abandonment issues. More Ace. All the Ace. Give her at least a further season as Companion. Give us conclusion, but not an end to her journey. NOW. I effing love Ace. And so should you!
Right. Your turn!
Remember.....I don’t want to hear about what you didn’t enjoy. This is a constructive thread.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
I agree about MCoy. There’s the same mix of playful and dark with Ten and Twelve. Must be a Scottish thing.
You must be of an age with me, because I’m also thinking of Ace as best companion. I’d say. Curse of Fenric as my favourite story, though. That’s perhaps from the novelisation as much as from the televised episodes. The novel goes into much more detail about the backstory of everyone involved, and gives Ace some more to do, and an epilogue of her very own.
Most of the novelisations of McCoy’s stories are worth getting hold of, because they had more of an effects budget than the show did. Even the one set in a 50s holiday camp is worth reading.
I'm not a diehard fan. It's more a show I enjoy specific episodes of and I've seen very little prior to the modern run. Ten is my favorite by far, though I haven't had a chance to catch up on Thirteen and she seems more up my alley than Eleven or Twelve.
As for companions, it varies a lot episode to episode. They're great when they're a true assistant but kind of fumble when they become a love interest or damsel in distress. Amy has some of the highest points I've seen in that regard.... and easily some of the lowest. Rose is the only one where the romance kind of fit with the Doctor portrayed.
Apparently I kind of like the horror elements, as Blink, the Library, that one in the space train all immediately spring to mind. All the "big" episodes kind of fall flat for me. I'm not sure there's a season finale I've really loved and definitely struggled with Eleven's trend towards extended story arcs.
Can't say I have a favorite villain or recurring element, simply because I don't really care for recurring elements in the series. Some bits are fun like the Daleks, but I can't really think of any villains that were as good the second time around.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/07/29 20:39:12
1. Favourite Doctor
Tom Baker. As with so many of us, your first Doctor is the Doctor I grew up with Tom Baker and re-runs of Pertwee, and never really warmed to Davison. Didn't see any of the later stuff other than the movie, until the NewWho restart, but I've been meaning to go back and check out McCoy's run at the very least.
2. Favourite Companion
As a small hint, I have a daughter named 'Amelia'...
3. Favourite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival)
Crikey, that's tough... I don't think I could pick a specific favourite. For some reason, I always had a soft spot for Robots of Death, although just about any of the Episodes involving Missy are right up there...
4. Favourite villain
Missy. Duh.
5. Element or character you want brought back.
K9.
Or Susan.
And if not for the fact that John Hurt passed away, I would have really liked to have seen a War Doctor spinoff. And I'd pay good money for the Adventures of River and Nardole...
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/07/29 21:36:50
I'm a child of the Tom Baker era (and he was fantastic) and probably my favourite
but i'll have to agree that Sylvester McCoy was the best Doctor with a perfect mix of optimism., superficial caring and total ruthlessness when he needed it. He also had to work with a BBC that (at least in part) wanted the show gone
Companion? Probably Adric who also went out in spectacular (if pointless) fashion
Episode? I'd love to say Genesis of the Daleks since it's one of the first stories in Dr Who to really address the messed up nature of what the Doctor (and any other Time Lord) can end up doing.....
but that's too much like copying Doc Grotsnik, so I'll step back a regeneration to The Sea Devils (their first appearance) and which also features The Master so I get 2 villains for the price of one
Villain of Villains?
The Master, The Daleks, Davros (he deserves his own slot) The Cybermen all are good, all have been tarnished by overuse in Nu-Who (especially the poor cybermen)
I'll go for my own blink and you'll miss him villain Morbius, of Brain of Morbius fame, evil Timelord and all around Frankenstein reference (I suspect it was also among the first Dr Who novelisation I read)
Bring it back?
I don't think I've really got one (The Tom Baker re-appearance in Nu-Who could have counted though), but a return of Ace would be interesting (even though I didn't like her she was an interesting character
although she was fairly heavily involved in the various official, semi official and unofficial Dr Who stuff that carried on coming out in radio plays, comics, unofficial BBC stuff etc so while we did get the rubbish mention in the Sara Jane adventures (along with the rubbish K9 appearance) how she got there would be a long and convoluted story..... but then again the return could be set at any point along whatever bit of the arc they wanted (or wanted to keep)
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/07/29 23:20:57
1. Favourite Doctor
OK, so I’m also of an age with MDG, so I definitely have a soft spot for Sylvester McCoy, but I’m afraid David Tennant edges it for me; he brought a fantastic energy to the role, whether it was wacky and off the wall (inventing the banana daiquiri) or deeply dark and dangerous (locking enemies in a painting and throwing away the key).
2. Favourite Companion
Ace. The Sarah Connor of the Whoniverse. (There may be an element of that “first Doctor is your favourite doctor” thing in my choices). Shoutouts to Catherine Tate and Bradley Walsh, because I was really sceptical about both casting choices and they both did a bang up job, resulting in really interesting characters.
3. Favourite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival)
Blink. That is a damn near perfect piece of TV; such a simple idea, that I can’t believe had never been done before. Great cast, very funny in parts and pants wettingly terrifying in others. And one of the best memetic quotes ever (wibbly-wobbly, timey-wimey stuff!). Honourable mention to “turn left”, probably the darkest and most meaningful the series has ever gotten,
4. Favourite villain
Hmmm, tricky. So many good ideas, so many of which have been marred by flawed executions at some point. I think I’m going to have to go with the Daleks, simply because they are one of the few genuine threats to the Doctor; the Daleks effectively destroyed the Timelords at the height of their power and when the show leans into that angle they are terrifying.
I also have flashbacks to the childhood horror that was Kandyman, so you have my support with that choice!
5. Element or character you want brought back.
I’d love to see more of Maisie William’s character (damn, forgot her Viking name, but then so did she); it was interesting to see someone at least as intelligent and knowledgeable as the Doctor, simply because she’d gone the long way round and Maisie managed to carry it off with gravitas (he may not have been one of my favourite Doctors, but there’s no denying that Peter Capaldi is a hell of an actor and to hold your on one-on-one with him is no mean feat).
Also the Silurians (another contender for best villain); I’ve always liked the “technological dinosaurs” concept (oddly not as widely used in sci-fi as I would expect) and I like the idea that they’re not so much villainous as pissed off that it’s no longer their planet.
Zed wrote: *All statements reflect my opinion at this moment. if some sort of pretty new model gets released (or if I change my mind at random) I reserve the right to jump on any bandwagon at will.
Capaldi would have been a great Doctor with the more cringy aspects left out (sunglasses, guitar, sudden inexplicable lack of human empathy) and some better stories. There were definite moments of greatness scattered through his run. The episode with the recurring time trap in the castle is one of my favorites.
Zed wrote: *All statements reflect my opinion at this moment. if some sort of pretty new model gets released (or if I change my mind at random) I reserve the right to jump on any bandwagon at will.
Jon Pertee was my first Doctor - I still remember elements of The Three Doctors from it's original broadcast. But despite that, and despite growing up through the Tom Baker Years, my favourite Doctor is.... Peter Davison. A fantastic actor and a refreshing change from what had become the Tom Baker Show. Ok forget the slashed budget (and it wasn't great before) and Nathen-Turner's attempts to make the show more... 'fabulous'. and watch. Peter Davidson [sic] is The Doctor.
Favourite Companion: Well, it's a strong field isn't it. But it has to be Sarah Jane Smith. Confident and determined, her own woman and not just gazing in adoration at the Time Lord. And she had the affrontery to say "are you going to wipe out the Daleks, or what?" while number 4 was moralizing. (or words to that effect).
Favourite story: another toughy. With Davison as my fave Doctor I suppose I should pick The Caves of Androzani but Genesis... is calling and it wants it's award back. It is the perfect story - complete with the padding that turns a four-parter to a six-parter. (watch it again and a: what's with that mucking about on the rocket? and b: did Nyder find it very lonely on the Eastern Front?).
So I'm voting for Dalek. They arrive in the 21st century and they're awesome. The fantastic ;-) dialogue between the lone survivor, a bitter warrior and a slayer of billions - and a Dalek. The effects that gave it the abilities we thought they should have but the budget didn't allow, Brigg's ring modulation magic making the Dalek sound like we remember it. Top place, Terrific, Triumphant. Something beginning with 'T'.
Favourite Villain: Mutant space-nazis in miniature tanks! Yes we can waffle on about the Cybermen being metaphor for mankind being dominated by technology. We can talk about the satirical stories which are telling us about modern government, or corporations. We can revel in the delicious melodrama of Count Grendel in The androids of Tara and the like, but it's daleks. It's always going to be daleks.
What to bring back: Well, a 'whatever happened to Susan' plot thread would be good to see, and I've always got time for K-9. I could be snarky and say 'a decent TARDIS set' but in truth - I don't mind on this one.
Brave heart.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2019/07/30 11:22:26
The Daleks are a favourite for a reason, and despite sort of agreeing with the complaints that they're overused and get watered down by being repeatedly thwarted, it's not proper Doctor Who with out a Dalek every so often. Kandyman was always a sidekick, but Margaret Thatcher Helen A is pretty good now I look back. And something to re-introduce? a companion that's not from "now". Someone from the past like Jamie (or Leela; I know she's from the future, but she could just have well have been a "cavewoman" and her story would have been the same) or from a future.
1. Favourite Doctor - Probably David Tenant, It was Matt smith, but I feel like the end of his run was not the best.
2. Favourite Companion - Amy Pond, I loved the story arc with her and Rory. This was also when I first got into the series, so I think I have Nostolgia for the character
3. Favourite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival) - Blink, I always Joke that one of my favorite Dr Who episodes is one with very minimal doctor in it. But the story is great.
4. Favourite villain - The Weeping Angels, I have like every story they have been featured in, not something I can say about most other Who Villians.
5. Element or character you want brought back. - I generally don't want things brought back, they already bring back villains regularly, but generally as a person I like stories to end and don't like things just coming back for the sake of coming back. One element I would like to see in modern who is period companions, every companion has been from the modern era. I would like a companion from say the future, or the past just to change things up. For instance with Clara I liked her Victorian era incarnation in the Christmas episode by far the best, and would have preferred that version to have been the companion instead of the version we got.
Curse of Fenric. Because of course it is. This was the penultimate story of the original era. And it absolutely knocks it out of the park on every single count.
Pants changingly scary? Check.
Convincing monsters? Check (no, really, check out the Haemovore)
Malevolent Doctor at his best? Check!
Just everything about this serial is damned near perfect. And were it not for Battlefield, it along with Ghostlight and Survival would make Season 26 my favourite of all the seasons ever.
Must say, great to see lots of love and respect for both the 7th Doctor and Ace in this thread! Good to know I'm not alone
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
Revelation of the Daleks A story where the Daleks aren't the worst racists in the plot. Throwbacks to An Unearthly Child, Ace and a baseball bat with a Gallifrean upgrade; The Doctor in a quite philosophical chat with a cafe owner; a hint that Doctor Who shares the same universe as Quatermass; a proto-proto-UNIT and a Special Weapons Dalek. Ultimate Rice Pudding all round! (We'll just gloss over the Cartmel Masterplan stuff...)...
1. Favorite Doctor
I grew up on the third and fifth doctor due to the Public Broadcasting Corporation playing a bunch of Who as a kid. However, I think I actually enjoyed the 2nd Doctor alot so I will say he is my favorite.
2. Favorite Companion
I think my favorite was always K-9, the Brigadier and the SGT (Argh, his name escapes me in old age) in UNIT
3. Favorite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival)
I really like the episode with the gasmasked kid and Blink from the NuWho. Old Who would be anything with a Dalek in it.
4. Favorite villain
The Master of course. I prefer the black goatee and slick backed hair version.
5. Element or character you want brought back.
Captain Jack Harkness, a sci-fi knock off of Capt Jack Sparrow..... but I still enjoyed him.
Also, I wouldn't mind seeing some more UNIT action. I also liked the Unit scientist that Missy killed in one of the Cybermen episodes, but her name escapes me again.
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1. Favourite Doctor - Tom Baker
2. Favourite Companion - Romana
4. Favourite villain - The Master
5. Element or character you want brought back. - get rid of the Dr is God crap we got with Tennent and co.
I AM A MARINE PLAYER
"Unimaginably ancient xenos artefact somewhere on the planet, hive fleet poised above our heads, hidden 'stealer broods making an early start....and now a bloody Chaos cult crawling out of the woodwork just in case we were bored. Welcome to my world, Ciaphas."
Inquisitor Amberley Vail, Ordo Xenos
"I will admit that some Primachs like Russ or Horus could have a chance against an unarmed 12 year old novice but, a full Battle Sister??!! One to one? In close combat? Perhaps three Primarchs fighting together... but just one Primarch?" da001
Chris Eccleston. I liked the others as well but his mix of eccentric and sad with the hints of something bad had happened and left him somewhat broken but still wanting to be engaged I found very interesting.
2. Favourite Companion
That is a tough one and not sure I have a good answer. I suppose Amy Pond as her name jumps right out.
3. Favourite episode/serial (I make no real delineation between old and revival)
I am going to say Blink as it was just a solid self contained episode and introduced a horrifying new creature to the menagerie of fiends with the Weeping Angels.
4. Favourite villain
Easy: The Master
5. Element or character you want brought back.
Not sure
Amidst the mists and coldest frosts he thrusts his fists against the posts and still insists he sees the ghosts.
Is it too late to split one of the categories. Wait! It’s my thread! Of course I can do that!
So, favourite Villain is being split into 4a and 4b.
4a is ‘recurring villain’. 4b is ‘recurring villain’.
Right.....off we go. Again!
4b hasn’t changed for me. I still have a soft centre for the Kandyman. Just so utterly bizarre and imaginative.
4a? Has to be Davros. Not the Daleks specifically. But Davros. What a marvellous addition. See, up to Genesis, the Daleks were pretty one dimensional. Pepper pot Dictators hellbent on universal domination, and fans of racial purity. And not a great deal else.
Davros however not only refreshed them, and served as, to my knowledge, a first ‘Origins After The Fact’ type affair? But his introduction opened up new story possibilities.
I mean, originally there were only 5 tales involving him. And for my money, each of those is a standout tale in its Doctor’s tenure. An absolute high point.
There are also even clearer parallels about the dangers of racist populism. That pretty much every time he’s failed by his own hubris? Cracking story telling. First? Exterminated by his creation because he wasn’t a Dalek. Second? Unleashes a plague he was meant to be finding a cure for, only to find his Daleks are just Kaled enough for it to eff him over. Then arrested and seized by his own creations. Allowed to play with fire by The Doctor, and manages to burn seemingly all of Dalek civilisation, despite the Doctor begging him not to use the new toy. (Another superb moment from McCoy’s era. Wonderfully acted, and a good plot twist).
Yes there’s been a couple of duds (Ressurection, and the Tennant one - other opinions are of course available). But he’s a useful foil for The Doctor.
Fed up of Scalpers? But still want your Exclusives? Why not join us?
My favourite villain (recurring) has all ready been declared as the Daleks. Davros - I'm in two minds. A great character most of the time, but his appearance does demote the daleks to 'minions' - although sometimes it's apparent the Daleks are letting him be in charge, playing there own game.
Non-recurring villian? A one-night-only bad guy? There are so many. Ask me some other time and I might have a different answer - but for now: Sutekh; The Destroyer. Last of the Osirans. From Four's golden age, before the real villain - the dreaded Mary - started having an effect. I love it when ancient super-beings, Space God types, get involved. Pyramids. On Mars! Robot mummies! Ancient all- powerful threats! Of course against Doctor #4 and Sarah Jane Smith they didn't stand a chance. Wonderful indeed.
The Daleks are never just Davros’ minions. In every one of his appearances, the Daleks do not simply follow his instructions - even in Genesis.
You know what? I liked the farty aliens wearing human suits with the unpronounceable name. A somewhat juvenile portrayal, but I like the idea that we’re so outclassed that a gang of no-hoper street hoodlums can have a go at conquering the world.
Can't comment on any of the original run but I'll throw my hat in the ring.
1. Favourite Doctor
10 followed by 12, I really like Capaldi as the doctor but he suffered from having some rather bad episodes early on which is why I couldn't put him on par with Tennant
2. Favourite Companion
I'm torn between Donna, Clara (controversial, I know) and Bill, I felt they were all well developed and memorable characters, Bill's death in particular was genuinely quite sad. I like Martha but I feel like she wasn't as well developed as the others so doesn't make it into my top grouping. Keeping with the controversy, I actually really dislike Amy and Rory.
3. Favourite episode/serial
The Impossible Planet/The Satan Pit and The Waters of Mars. I really liked the cosmic horror of TIP/TSP, the premise of the serial is absolutely brilliant, I like Waters of Mars for humbling the Doctor and showing him the effects of his hubris as well as for straying into slightly more mature territory without being over the top.
4. Favourite villain
John Simm's Master is definitely a favorite as is Missy, they're both very chaotic but also very calculating which is why I think they work so well as villians.
5. Element or character you want brought back.
After the last series I'd honestly like to see the writing return to being like Doctor Who. The writing ranged from mediocre to awful and many of the episodes just didn't feel like they actually were episodes as Doctor Who.
host of the eternity king 3500pts+ lizardmen 1000pts
and 2000pts+ 8000+ pts 1400+ pts
HH 7700+ pts 1350 pts HH raven guard 2500+ pts 50 pp Idoneth Deepkin 2000 pts
1 & 2...7th Doctor and Ace. My childhood and greatest dispair when they axed the show.
3...Caves of Androzani. Truely Doctor Who's darkest but finest hour.
4...The competing forces in Caves of Androzani.
5...The Mara. Jodie Whittaker spends an entire season possessed where the Doctor IS the ultimate villian, and the companions challenge is to stop the Doctor's reign of terror without killing them. My life would be complete.
6...lol, best Doctor regeneration; Peter into Colin. Yet to be equalled, let alone bettered.
7...Blakes 7. Avon. Nuff said.( wait, what was the question again??? )
and 
2000pts+ 
8000+ pts 
1400+ pts
1350 pts HH raven guard 2500+ pts 
50 pp Idoneth Deepkin 2000 pts