The other night I finished “The Caves of Androzani” (the only fifth doctor serial I’d seen before), wrapping up Peter Davison’s run on the show. “Androzani” is a fantastic serial - a dark, gothic tragedy driven by violent capitalistic greed, populated by vivid characters and wrapped in the trappings of 80s science fiction. It handily deserves its reputation as one of Doctor Who’s very best stories.
I wish the rest of Davison’s tenure lived up to his grand send off. While it’s not as bad as I heard, he has easily the most troubled run of any Doctor so far. The problems start with Davison himself, who steps into the void left by the much-loved Tom Baker with a dearth of charisma and seemingly no clear idea of what to do with the character. The result is that for most of his run, his only defining personality trait is “irritated with his companions” (who he invariably has little chemistry with). He DOES eventually start to figure the character out, and he’s great in “Androzani”…but that transformation doesn’t happen until partway through his final season.
But the problems don’t end there - his tenure is marred by several unfortunate tendencies, including forced appearances by older villains (the Cybermen, the Black Guardian) overuse of Anthony Ainley’s Master (ugh), and a notably weak stable of companions.
Really, I’m focusing on the negative here because I feel Davison’s tenure is defined by the disappointments and the failures more than anything it did right. There are some good stories here, but even those often have some frustrating elements holding them back
Best Stories
- “The Caves of Androzani” - As I mentioned above, Robert Holmes’ grand return to Doctor Who is a dark gothic tragedy driven by violent capitalistic greed, populated with vivid characters and wrapped in the trappings of 80s sci fi. Davison is finally great here in his final appearance and it very much deserves its reputation as one of the show’s very best
- “Mawdryn Undead” - The return of the Brigadier in two different incarnations is a blatant nostalgia play. But it worked for me! It’s nice to have him back and he really elevates this story, it’s a lot of fun. I have mixed feelings about Turlough but I like the chaotic energy he brings as a companion trying to murder the Doctor
- “Enlightenment” - The first half of this serial is brilliant, infusing its central concept (historical sailing ships racing…in space!!!) with a genuine sense of awe and eerie wonder. The second half is…worse, thanks to a meh ending and an over-the-top villain who unbalances the tone and atmosphere that the first half so effectively builds. But hey, it’s still half of an amazing story at least
- “Frontios” - A somewhat standard Doctor Who monster story, but it’s elevated by actual characters and world building. The sets and costumes are very “bleak 80s sci fi” but it really works in helping to establish a sense of place. Also the aliens are actually fucked up and horrible looking
- “Snakedance” - The Mara, a parasitic mind-controlling snake alien from the realm of dreams, is the best new alien of the Davison era, and its repeated encounters with Tegan is a rare embrace of continuity on the show’s part. The first Mara story, “Kinda”, has more interesting ideas and some striking experimental dream sequences but “Snakedance” is the more satisfying and better-staged story. Plus it has cool production design
Worst Stories
- “Timeflight” - Its fucking racist, fucking boring and The Master is there. An awful story that leans into so many of the show’s worst tendencies. Also the Doctor absolutely just leaves Tegan at Heathrow like a parent forgetting their kid at a gas station and doesn’t go back for her
- “Resurrection of the Daleks” - I’m fine with Doctor Who being bleak and violent and full of death but does it have to be so boring
- “Earthshock” - Maybe a bit of a controversial pick but I have to say, I found this to be incredibly boring, and one of the least-interesting takes on the Cybermen yet