Doctor Who Appreciation Corner presents: The Sixth Doctor

How you doin'?

When Peter Davison bowed out in Caves of Androzani, many were skeptical of this new Doctor with a semi-blond afro. In fact, many still are today. But, I really do love the sixth Doctor, portrayed expertly by Colin Baker. Baker's performance as The Doctor, to me, is not only one of the strongest in the series, but in British television also.

Sure, many people regard this tenure as the time when the series went down to the dumps, but it's not. It saddens me to say that it went down there when Colin Ba- Sorry, I mean Sylvestor McCoy in a blond wig, lay down on the Tardis floor and regenerated, ushering in a time of Umbrellas, a time when the hate of Michael Grade seemed more obvious. It's a damn pity, because McCoy was a great actor too. And also a great Doctor. But, this is about Colin Baker and his wonderfully odd Time Lord, so let's begin, shall we?


His first adventure, The Twin Dilemma, is, how shall I put this, dreadful. But, if you're a first time Baker watcher, don't let this put you off. The follwing story, Attack of The Cybermen, is actually quite alright, despite the rather plucky half converted human, Bates, who spends half his time cursing the Cybermen, the other half doing the tough guy act. Attack also sees the return of two primary bits of the show, 76 Totter's Lane, the first location we see the Tardis in, and Lytton, the mercenary last seen working for the Daleks. We also see the Chameleon Circuit (almost) working again. Which gives off a very weird feel to it.

But, The Sixth Doctor wouldn't have a sure fire hit until the infamous Trial of A Time Lord series, focusing on the Doctor's trial by the Time Lords, in an attempt to cover up a massive secret ol Six almost uncovers. The trial is overlooked by the Valeyard, and his identity, along with the previously mentioned massive secret are really unexpected twists, which add to the splendor of this magnificent series.

Then, it all came crashing down, as Colin Baker was fired by the Beeb. And this is why McCoy had to play both the 6th and 7th Doctors in the regeneration sequence he filmed. But this wasn't the worst bit of the 6th Doctor era. No, I'm sorry to say that this was

Recommended titles for discovery:

Trial Of A Timelord
Attack of The Cybermen
Revelation of The Daleks (one of the better Dalek serials to feature Davros)

Review of A Fix With Sontarans

By David Parkinson

Writer: Eric Saward
Director: Marcus Mortimer
Starring: Colin Baker, Janet Fielding, Gareth Jenkins, Jimmy Savile, Tim Raynham.


The Doctor's done many things. He's saved the universe countless times, restarted the Universe, defeated the Daleks, he's even broken the fourth wall. But, before this, he'd never presented a Jim'll Fix It medal. Well, now he has.

A Fix with Sontarans, like Death is The Only Answer, has many things wrong with it. One is Tegan, and no, I don't mean it that way. Tegan looks horrible in this, and I don't mean Janet Fielding is ugly, if that's what you think. No, it's that weird curtain hanging off of the back of her head that buggers me.

Then there's the famed Sontaran killer, whose name strikes anger in their hearts. His name? Gareth Jenkins. One of the most feared names in Sontaran legend, is the same name as someone you'd find working in a chip shop. Never mind the fact he seems to have a big ginormous case of stage fright, or the fact he's a crap actor, or the fact he's wearing a Sixth Doctor costume his gran made for him. No, it's the fact that he gets a flipping Sontaran gun for standing around looking scared. Mind you, with a man with a pedo coat and a woman with curtains on her head looming over you, even Daleks would be scared. The Sontaran marshall's name is.... Nathan. And, according to this, Jenkins' rise to victory is in 2001, when he defeats a Sontaran fleet, which would be an aircraft.....

Then there's the best bit: Sontarans getting violently and gorily killed. With green blood pouring out of their mouths, and their heads compressing, nothing is better in this script. Of course, Colin Baker backs away in repulse from the mug of the Late and Great Jimmy Savile, who enters the Tardis and asks the "Great Doctor" to award Gareth his medal. Awwww, Isn't that sweet? No, but it's better then the kid who asked for Gary Numan, then just sat there bored to death going round in circles, which you can see here.

You'll like

• The Sontaran Death scene
• Nothing but that bit

You'll hate

• The premise
• The ending
• The kid
• The Hair Curtains

Rating: 2.05/5