The Doctor. Who is he?
Well, precisely, we just don’t know!
But, what we do know is that he is a Time Lord, from the planet of Gallifrey, in the constellation of Katerberus and is at least 900 years old!
When we first met the Doctor, it was back in 1963, November. He was played by William Hartnell, a veteran actor best know as playing military seargents and for being in The Army Game.
William Hartnell played the Doctor until 1966, when illness played a factor in his decision to retire from the role. The production team then came up with the innovative idea of changing the lead actor, and Patrick Troughton stepped into the role. Sadly, Hartnell passed away in 1975.
Troughtons’ Doctor was a stark contrast to Hartnells. Rather than the stern Grandfather, Troughton was more a “Cosmic Hobo” and often lulled his foes into a false sense of security with his somewhat erratic behaviour. Troughton starred as the title role for 3 years before he decided it was time for him to leave. Here the production team introduced the Doctors’ own race for the first time, despite already having introduced other members, but 9 years and so far the race hadn’t been named. The Time Lords. An immensely powerful race who have incredibly long lifespans. The Time Lords put the Doctor on trial for interfering with other planets, which is against their laws, and in finding him guilty, sentence him to exile on Earth and forcibly change his appearance. Troughton sadly died in 1986 at a Doctor Who convention in the states. He had a heart attck in his room, whilst still in costume.
Jon Pertwee then took up the role. Exiled to Earth, and the secrets of the TARDIS removed from his mind. Pertwees’ Doctor was much more a dandy that the others and had a fondness for gadgetry, almost Bond-like. The Doctor became scientific advisor to UNIT (United Nations Intelligence Taskforce) run by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney). It was this incarnation of the Doctor who first faced his arch-nemesis, and former school friend, the Master, as played by Roger Delgado, on screen. Eventually rewarded his freedom, the third Doctor “died” from a massive radiation dose in 1974. Sadly, Pertwee died of a heart attack in 1996.
Tom Baker, the longest serving Doctor then took the role. Bakers Doctor was a bohemian character, with curling hair, wild eyes and toothy grins. This Doctor was more comedic than his predecessors and at the same time, could be very dark and moody, displaying his alien qualities. Baker not only played the Doctor, he was the Doctor and is considered by many to be the best. After playing the role for 7 long years, Bakers’ Doctor met his end falling from a radio telescope saving the universe from the Master (Anthony Ainley).
The next Doctor to arrive was Peter Davison, the youngest actor to play the Doctor at only 31 years of age. Davisons Doctor was a very friendly, open and honest caring Doctor. Davisons Doctor was a very friendly, open and honest caring Doctor. However he wasn’t infallible! This Doctor lost his companion Adric, who was killed trying to stop the Cybermen. This Doctor was also ultimately selfless. He gave his life heroically, saving his young friend Peri from Spectrox Toxaemia by giving the antidote to her alone. This toxaemia triggered a regeneration within the Time Lord. Davison played the Doctor from 1982-1984.
Colin Baker was the next to step into the role, but as a much different Doctor. Loud, brash, and an appalling taste in clothing, the regeneration badly affected this Doctor to the point of almost throttling Peri! Bakers Doctor did calm down, but was still loud at times until the point where he was once again captured by the Time Lords and put on trial. This trial was organised by a corrupt high council who felt the Doctor was getting too close to a great secret; they had moved Earth halfway across the universe, almost destroying the planet. The Doctor uncovered this secret causing the old regime to be replaced. Bakers Doctor unfortunately had two seasons, as he played the Doctor from 1984-1986 and the last seen of him was walking into the TARDIS…
