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Classic Doctor Who, Season 4 Review
This season is extremely hard to review and rank on its full merits, as only 10 out of the 43 episodes are still available and none of the serials are complete. Like usual, I watched available episodes via streaming on Britbox, while the rest I had to buy as audio tracks from Audible.
This season is unique as the entire cast changes from the beginning of the season to the end. And while some changes the series took to with relative ease (Troughton replacing Hartnell as the Doctor), others only exemplified the same issues that arose during the previous seasons (Jamie being shoehorned into his early serials, Polly and Ben's tepid departure). Like always, these rankings aren't completely hard-and-fast and may be different if you ask me about it six months from now. Here's a quick rundown of my thoughts, based more on my own enjoyment rather than any critical evaluation.
The Characters
William Hartnell as The First Doctor - Hartnell only appears in the first two serials of this season, and while he puts forth as strong a performance as ever, nothing really matches his run during The War Machines at the end of the previous season. That said, he has some standout moments during The Tenth Planet - in particular a low-key encounter he has with Ben and Polly just before returning to the TARDIS, aware that his regeneration is happening soon. While the 2017 serial Twice Upon a Time would later expand upon this moment, Hartnell is more than up to the challenge of emoting just enough to convey the complicated situation the Doctor is facing back in 1966. The reflection of the First Doctor seen in the mirror at the beginning of the next serial serves as a reminder of what a gifted performer the show has lost.
Patrick Troughton as The Second Doctor - Troughton has an impossible role to fill as soon as he shows up, and never once tries to mimic what Hartnell brought to the role. Instead, he plays up the Doctor as someone more playful but no less fascinated in the universe around him. Oddly enough, Troughton often clicks better on screen with the guest cast than he often does with his regular co-stars, though that may be partially due to the way the storylines are divided up. I look forward to getting a better grasp of what this Doctor is like, as only seven episodes featuring him this season still survive.
Anneke Wills as Polly Wright - If I were a Doctor Who fan back in 1966, I would start a petition to "Let Polly Say 'Fuck'!" The character seems like a natural evolution of characters like Barbara and Vicki who weren't content to be quiet and follow orders, though unlike her predecessors Polly never had any fear of telling off someone to their face and doing what she wanted to do. Its this trait that made serials like The Highlanders much more engaging than they would have been otherwise, and her frequent screentime compared to her castmates shows that the writers clearly knew that they had an asset in Anneke Wills. This fact makes the nature of her departure disappointing, as The Faceless Ones could have benefited by having her (or her evil doppelgänger) appear in all six episodes and not disappear after the second only to reappear in the very last scene of the final episode.
Michael Craze as Ben Jackson - If Polly was an example of realized potential, Ben was one of underutilized potential. His repetroire with Polly was a major selling point in his debut last season and served the show well during the first three serials. But after the introduction of Jamie, the show struggled to utilize all three companions effectively - and it usually meant Ben and Jamie got half as much dialog as the Doctor and Polly. This absence from his final serial is even more noticeable than Polly's, especially since he played such a pivotal narrative role in The Macra Terror. When given the material, Craze shined, but it happened far too infrequently.
Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon - Jamie had possibly the most bizarre introduction of any companion aside from Katarina. He went from a prominent role in The Highlanders to getting some of Ben's cast off dialogue in the next handful of serials, the writers and producers seemingly confused how to utilize him at all. While he had his moments early on, it wasn't until Ben and Polly got phased out of the story that Hines got significant material to work with. His performance in The Evil of the Daleks really cemented to me why he was such a popular companion after spending much of the season confused. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the character brings to the table from now on.
Deborah Watling as Victoria Waterfield - It's really hard for me to say anything about Victoria one way or the other seeing as she spent the majority of her only serial this season serving as a plot device - a crying prisoner of the Daleks in the bulk of her scenes. I look forward to seeing what Watling brings to the role next season when she's actually given stuff to do.
This season is unique as the entire cast changes from the beginning of the season to the end. And while some changes the series took to with relative ease (Troughton replacing Hartnell as the Doctor), others only exemplified the same issues that arose during the previous seasons (Jamie being shoehorned into his early serials, Polly and Ben's tepid departure). Like always, these rankings aren't completely hard-and-fast and may be different if you ask me about it six months from now. Here's a quick rundown of my thoughts, based more on my own enjoyment rather than any critical evaluation.
The Characters
William Hartnell as The First Doctor - Hartnell only appears in the first two serials of this season, and while he puts forth as strong a performance as ever, nothing really matches his run during The War Machines at the end of the previous season. That said, he has some standout moments during The Tenth Planet - in particular a low-key encounter he has with Ben and Polly just before returning to the TARDIS, aware that his regeneration is happening soon. While the 2017 serial Twice Upon a Time would later expand upon this moment, Hartnell is more than up to the challenge of emoting just enough to convey the complicated situation the Doctor is facing back in 1966. The reflection of the First Doctor seen in the mirror at the beginning of the next serial serves as a reminder of what a gifted performer the show has lost.
Patrick Troughton as The Second Doctor - Troughton has an impossible role to fill as soon as he shows up, and never once tries to mimic what Hartnell brought to the role. Instead, he plays up the Doctor as someone more playful but no less fascinated in the universe around him. Oddly enough, Troughton often clicks better on screen with the guest cast than he often does with his regular co-stars, though that may be partially due to the way the storylines are divided up. I look forward to getting a better grasp of what this Doctor is like, as only seven episodes featuring him this season still survive.
Anneke Wills as Polly Wright - If I were a Doctor Who fan back in 1966, I would start a petition to "Let Polly Say 'Fuck'!" The character seems like a natural evolution of characters like Barbara and Vicki who weren't content to be quiet and follow orders, though unlike her predecessors Polly never had any fear of telling off someone to their face and doing what she wanted to do. Its this trait that made serials like The Highlanders much more engaging than they would have been otherwise, and her frequent screentime compared to her castmates shows that the writers clearly knew that they had an asset in Anneke Wills. This fact makes the nature of her departure disappointing, as The Faceless Ones could have benefited by having her (or her evil doppelgänger) appear in all six episodes and not disappear after the second only to reappear in the very last scene of the final episode.
Michael Craze as Ben Jackson - If Polly was an example of realized potential, Ben was one of underutilized potential. His repetroire with Polly was a major selling point in his debut last season and served the show well during the first three serials. But after the introduction of Jamie, the show struggled to utilize all three companions effectively - and it usually meant Ben and Jamie got half as much dialog as the Doctor and Polly. This absence from his final serial is even more noticeable than Polly's, especially since he played such a pivotal narrative role in The Macra Terror. When given the material, Craze shined, but it happened far too infrequently.
Frazer Hines as Jamie McCrimmon - Jamie had possibly the most bizarre introduction of any companion aside from Katarina. He went from a prominent role in The Highlanders to getting some of Ben's cast off dialogue in the next handful of serials, the writers and producers seemingly confused how to utilize him at all. While he had his moments early on, it wasn't until Ben and Polly got phased out of the story that Hines got significant material to work with. His performance in The Evil of the Daleks really cemented to me why he was such a popular companion after spending much of the season confused. I'm really looking forward to seeing what the character brings to the table from now on.
Deborah Watling as Victoria Waterfield - It's really hard for me to say anything about Victoria one way or the other seeing as she spent the majority of her only serial this season serving as a plot device - a crying prisoner of the Daleks in the bulk of her scenes. I look forward to seeing what Watling brings to the role next season when she's actually given stuff to do.
The Serials
I've ranked the serials based off my own personal preference which is only tangentially related to how good they are on a critical level.
9) Serial 1, Episodes 1-4 - The Smugglers (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
I will start of this review by admitting that this ranking is probably unfair. More than others, The Smugglers is a victim to all its episodes being lost as a major selling point was its location shooting and larger scope. This isn't translate well to an audio-only format, as its abundance of characters and plots made it very difficult to follow what was going on. Its a shame that scenes of Ben and Polly duping their captors and Doctor negotiating at length with his own are lost to time, because what we're left with is only a partial picture that isn't as engaging as it should be.
8) Serial 7, Episodes 27-30 - The Macra Terror (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
Another victim of its lack of visuals, this serial actually succeeds in an area where a lot of other serials this season fail: All the companions have something to do. Each one plays a vital part in how the plot plays out - with Ben becoming brainwashed and Polly and Jamie splitting off into different arcs working against the Macra. The Doctor himself is particularly effective in this, Troughton really showcasing how the Doctor is able to coast by in sticky situations simply on his wits. That said, what really holds this serial together is the allegory of 1960s hysteria - one that doesn't hold up on audio alone.
7) Serial 5, Episodes 19-22 - The Underwater Menace (Episodes 19 and 22 as an Audio Play)
Oddly enough, The Underwater Menace has the opposite problem of the serials ranked below it - some of it's episodes survive. The episodes that exist only in audio form have a strong enough sound design as script that you're able to envision a much more visually interesting and epic story unfold. However, when watching the episodes that survive, it's easy to see why the cast and crew disdained this serial. The visual design is wholely unimpressive and, at worst, tacky. It feels like a tonal mismatch to the story being told, which is a manic tale of a mad scientist threatening to destroy an underwater city. It's much more madcap than is usual for Doctor Who, but it is genuinely fun to listen to. Polly in particular shines in this.
6) Serial 6, Episodes 23-26 - The Moonbase (Episodes 23 and 25 as an Animated Reconstruction)
The Moonbase expands on the lore of the Cybermen and has a really effective structure, but the main characters seem to disappear into the story. It's also embarrassing that they still need to find ways to insert Jamie into the narrative this far into his tenure. (x)
The strengths of the Moonbase lie squarely on the shoulders of its villain: The Cybermen. Expanding the lore from their initial appearance, their ultimate goal is clear and concise - and the characters of the week knowledge of who the Cybermen were adds a dimension often absent from this type of serial. That said, Jamie is essentially used as a prop in this, as it is clear the production has yet to adjust it's template to accommodate three companions, which is embarrassing considering how far into his tenure this serial is. Ben and Polly aren't given much more to do, with much of the action of this serial relying on the Doctor and the characters of the week.
5) Serial 2, Episodes 5-8 - The Tenth Planet (Episode 8 as an Animated Reconstruction)
The Tenth Planet functions fairly well as a regular serial, but falls somewhat short as a swan song for the First Doctor. This is largely because Hartnell's health made it so the character could not participate in action scenes and was completely absent from the third episode. That said, the story itself is very strong and the Cybermen are compelling villains. It's also the rare serial where Ben takes on the starring role, and serves as the driver for most of the story's momentum and action set-pieces. The regeneration itself comes off as largely unremarkable, which is fine as follow-up stories more than make up for it.
4) Serial 4, Episodes 15-18 - The Highlanders (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
The Highlanders suffers from the same loss of visuals as other serials, and my unfamiliarity with the history being showcased sometimes made this a confusing listen. That said, this serial ranks so high because the character work in this is so strong, and remains present in my mind months after listening to it. Jamie's introduction is incredibly successful, he's almost immediately a fully realized character at home in his environment (which is part of what makes the way he's utilized in subsequent serials so frustrating). Ben and The Doctor are both very adept to dealing with the problems they are faced with in this time, but really the character that sticks out in my mind the most is Polly. Unlike female companions in previous historical serials, Polly is wholely unconcerned with upsetting cultural norms of the time she's in, and is openly defiant when other characters - including other women - doubt her capabilities. And instead of being punished for this like others might be in other stories, it's this drive and attitude that saves the other characters from capture.
3) Serial 9, Episodes 37-43 - The Evil of the Daleks (Episodes 37, 39-43 as an Audio Play)
This serial is much more epic and sweeping than the usual Doctor Who fare, which is impressive since it uses fewer locations and set-pieces to tell it's story. The story's set up and ultimate arc bucks the normal story trends in Doctor Who, picking up from a cliffhanger at the end of the previous serial. The 1800s household and its players are immediately engaging, and the role the Daleks play is new and interesting, and a worthy send off if this indeed had been their final appearance. Not having to fight for screentime, Jamie truly shines for the first time since his debut, and the Doctor is allowed to be more morally grey than the program has really allowed previously. That said, making Victoria a companion meant that several of the new supporting characters had to be killed off unceremoniously in a way that was less than satisfactory, and it's what keeps this serial from ranking at the top of the season for me.
2) Serial 8, Episodes 31-36 - The Faceless Ones (Episodes 32, 34-36 as an Audio Play)
It really speaks to how effective and compelling this story is that it ranks so high for me considering the number of issues I have with it. Most prominently is that it serves as an underwhelming send-off for Polly and Ben, who contractually could have been utilized through the entire serial but the producers chose not to do that. Instead, they disappear after the second episode, only to show up again at the very end for their exit scene. While that scene itself is good, their absense is disappointing considering how good they are when they are onscreen. Polly and her double in the first two episodes are easily one of the high points of this story, which is tabled when the stop using Anneke Wills. Ben is hardly given anything to do, and while that means Jamie has an expanded role, he's hobbled by the introduction of Sam. Sam is a point of contention for me, as its very obvious she was written to be the replacement for Ben and Polly, but she doesn't end up going with Jamie and the Doctor. This is fine with me as I found the character obnoxious, but it meant that she ate up screentime that could have been given to Ben and Polly, or the large supporting cast in this. The rest of the cast in this is one of the strengths in this overall, really. The characters of the day are much more proactive, compelling, and dynamic than they normally are, especially in present day stories. The Faceless Ones are also more compelling than the usual villains, as their motives are much more morally grey than the usual antagonist.
1) Serial 3, Episodes 9-14 - The Power of the Daleks (All 6 episodes as an Animated Reconstruction)
There are so many ways this serial could have been a disaster - the foremost being the change in casting for the Doctor. Troughton makes an impressive mark almost immediately, his decision to offer a different characterization on the Doctor a risk that paid off in a big way. Instead of lingering on the details of his regeneration, the Doctor is more than content to just keep the story moving, with Ben and Polly serving as the audience surrogates trying to understand what happened and what it ultimately means. The plot here is interesting, with the Daleks adding more flavor to the "subverting faction in a society" story that has been done to death over the course of this show.
Final Thoughts
The fourth season of Doctor Who serves as a major transitional year that is largely a success. Troughton proves himself very capable of taking up the mantle of the Doctor almost immediately and, when they're given something to do, the companions prove proactive and driving factors in the story. That said, the show hasn't shed some of it's bad habits (writing off companions without completing an arc, introducing "potential companions" that take up unearned real estate in stories) but it seems to be getting better in finding new ways to tell similar story, and is more willing to take risks even after previous ones don't pay off.
I've ranked the serials based off my own personal preference which is only tangentially related to how good they are on a critical level.
9) Serial 1, Episodes 1-4 - The Smugglers (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
The Smugglers was fun enough to listen to but the abundance of characters often made it difficult to keep track of everything in that format. That combined with the location shooting, makes it all the more unfortunate that the footage is lost. Ben and Polly do a good job here. (x)
I will start of this review by admitting that this ranking is probably unfair. More than others, The Smugglers is a victim to all its episodes being lost as a major selling point was its location shooting and larger scope. This isn't translate well to an audio-only format, as its abundance of characters and plots made it very difficult to follow what was going on. Its a shame that scenes of Ben and Polly duping their captors and Doctor negotiating at length with his own are lost to time, because what we're left with is only a partial picture that isn't as engaging as it should be.
8) Serial 7, Episodes 27-30 - The Macra Terror (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
The Macra Terror has a very intriguing and complex premise that is greatly diminished by only being available now on audio. All three companions are given plenty to do, and Troughton is charming enough its easy to believe the Doctor would get away with as much as he does. (x)
Another victim of its lack of visuals, this serial actually succeeds in an area where a lot of other serials this season fail: All the companions have something to do. Each one plays a vital part in how the plot plays out - with Ben becoming brainwashed and Polly and Jamie splitting off into different arcs working against the Macra. The Doctor himself is particularly effective in this, Troughton really showcasing how the Doctor is able to coast by in sticky situations simply on his wits. That said, what really holds this serial together is the allegory of 1960s hysteria - one that doesn't hold up on audio alone.
7) Serial 5, Episodes 19-22 - The Underwater Menace (Episodes 19 and 22 as an Audio Play)
The Underwater Menace has great sound design but a bizarre visual design that sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. What it lacks in nuance it makes up for in character beats and genuine thrills and stakes. (x)
Oddly enough, The Underwater Menace has the opposite problem of the serials ranked below it - some of it's episodes survive. The episodes that exist only in audio form have a strong enough sound design as script that you're able to envision a much more visually interesting and epic story unfold. However, when watching the episodes that survive, it's easy to see why the cast and crew disdained this serial. The visual design is wholely unimpressive and, at worst, tacky. It feels like a tonal mismatch to the story being told, which is a manic tale of a mad scientist threatening to destroy an underwater city. It's much more madcap than is usual for Doctor Who, but it is genuinely fun to listen to. Polly in particular shines in this.
6) Serial 6, Episodes 23-26 - The Moonbase (Episodes 23 and 25 as an Animated Reconstruction)
The Moonbase expands on the lore of the Cybermen and has a really effective structure, but the main characters seem to disappear into the story. It's also embarrassing that they still need to find ways to insert Jamie into the narrative this far into his tenure. (x)
The strengths of the Moonbase lie squarely on the shoulders of its villain: The Cybermen. Expanding the lore from their initial appearance, their ultimate goal is clear and concise - and the characters of the week knowledge of who the Cybermen were adds a dimension often absent from this type of serial. That said, Jamie is essentially used as a prop in this, as it is clear the production has yet to adjust it's template to accommodate three companions, which is embarrassing considering how far into his tenure this serial is. Ben and Polly aren't given much more to do, with much of the action of this serial relying on the Doctor and the characters of the week.
5) Serial 2, Episodes 5-8 - The Tenth Planet (Episode 8 as an Animated Reconstruction)
The Tenth Planet is a serviceable story with the major hooks of the first regeneration of the Doctor and the first appearance of the Cybermen. Despite being the First Doctor's swan song, this serial really belongs to Ben, and it was neat seeing 1986 through the lens of 1966. (x)
The Tenth Planet functions fairly well as a regular serial, but falls somewhat short as a swan song for the First Doctor. This is largely because Hartnell's health made it so the character could not participate in action scenes and was completely absent from the third episode. That said, the story itself is very strong and the Cybermen are compelling villains. It's also the rare serial where Ben takes on the starring role, and serves as the driver for most of the story's momentum and action set-pieces. The regeneration itself comes off as largely unremarkable, which is fine as follow-up stories more than make up for it.
4) Serial 4, Episodes 15-18 - The Highlanders (All 4 episodes as an Audio Play)
The Highlanders lost me on most of the politics but I was able to coast by on all the strong character beats. I really enjoyed how proactive the TARDIS crew and the Doctor in particular was in this compared to previous historical serials. (x)
The Highlanders suffers from the same loss of visuals as other serials, and my unfamiliarity with the history being showcased sometimes made this a confusing listen. That said, this serial ranks so high because the character work in this is so strong, and remains present in my mind months after listening to it. Jamie's introduction is incredibly successful, he's almost immediately a fully realized character at home in his environment (which is part of what makes the way he's utilized in subsequent serials so frustrating). Ben and The Doctor are both very adept to dealing with the problems they are faced with in this time, but really the character that sticks out in my mind the most is Polly. Unlike female companions in previous historical serials, Polly is wholely unconcerned with upsetting cultural norms of the time she's in, and is openly defiant when other characters - including other women - doubt her capabilities. And instead of being punished for this like others might be in other stories, it's this drive and attitude that saves the other characters from capture.
3) Serial 9, Episodes 37-43 - The Evil of the Daleks (Episodes 37, 39-43 as an Audio Play)
The Evil of the Daleks using the titular villains in a new and interesting way, and really goes all out on constructing set pieces. That said, it builds up an interesting and dynamic supporting cast that don't live up to their dramatic potential. (x)
This serial is much more epic and sweeping than the usual Doctor Who fare, which is impressive since it uses fewer locations and set-pieces to tell it's story. The story's set up and ultimate arc bucks the normal story trends in Doctor Who, picking up from a cliffhanger at the end of the previous serial. The 1800s household and its players are immediately engaging, and the role the Daleks play is new and interesting, and a worthy send off if this indeed had been their final appearance. Not having to fight for screentime, Jamie truly shines for the first time since his debut, and the Doctor is allowed to be more morally grey than the program has really allowed previously. That said, making Victoria a companion meant that several of the new supporting characters had to be killed off unceremoniously in a way that was less than satisfactory, and it's what keeps this serial from ranking at the top of the season for me.
2) Serial 8, Episodes 31-36 - The Faceless Ones (Episodes 32, 34-36 as an Audio Play)
The Faceless Ones has an interesting premise and a very proactive guest cast but it serves as a very underwhelming sendoff for Ben and Polly. It's also clear they were building up Sam to be a companion so in retrospect her prominence in this story feels off. (x)
It really speaks to how effective and compelling this story is that it ranks so high for me considering the number of issues I have with it. Most prominently is that it serves as an underwhelming send-off for Polly and Ben, who contractually could have been utilized through the entire serial but the producers chose not to do that. Instead, they disappear after the second episode, only to show up again at the very end for their exit scene. While that scene itself is good, their absense is disappointing considering how good they are when they are onscreen. Polly and her double in the first two episodes are easily one of the high points of this story, which is tabled when the stop using Anneke Wills. Ben is hardly given anything to do, and while that means Jamie has an expanded role, he's hobbled by the introduction of Sam. Sam is a point of contention for me, as its very obvious she was written to be the replacement for Ben and Polly, but she doesn't end up going with Jamie and the Doctor. This is fine with me as I found the character obnoxious, but it meant that she ate up screentime that could have been given to Ben and Polly, or the large supporting cast in this. The rest of the cast in this is one of the strengths in this overall, really. The characters of the day are much more proactive, compelling, and dynamic than they normally are, especially in present day stories. The Faceless Ones are also more compelling than the usual villains, as their motives are much more morally grey than the usual antagonist.
1) Serial 3, Episodes 9-14 - The Power of the Daleks (All 6 episodes as an Animated Reconstruction)
The Power of the Daleks is a very strong serial, both as an introduction to a new Doctor and as a story standing on its own. The intrigue is much more convincing than a lot of the other serials that follow a similar conflict template, and it was a very creative use of the Daleks. (x)
There are so many ways this serial could have been a disaster - the foremost being the change in casting for the Doctor. Troughton makes an impressive mark almost immediately, his decision to offer a different characterization on the Doctor a risk that paid off in a big way. Instead of lingering on the details of his regeneration, the Doctor is more than content to just keep the story moving, with Ben and Polly serving as the audience surrogates trying to understand what happened and what it ultimately means. The plot here is interesting, with the Daleks adding more flavor to the "subverting faction in a society" story that has been done to death over the course of this show.
Final Thoughts
The fourth season of Doctor Who serves as a major transitional year that is largely a success. Troughton proves himself very capable of taking up the mantle of the Doctor almost immediately and, when they're given something to do, the companions prove proactive and driving factors in the story. That said, the show hasn't shed some of it's bad habits (writing off companions without completing an arc, introducing "potential companions" that take up unearned real estate in stories) but it seems to be getting better in finding new ways to tell similar story, and is more willing to take risks even after previous ones don't pay off.