This Week Extra: Doctor Who 2 Review 

Intro 

Welcome to This Week Extra. This time, we'll review Patrick Troughton's era. I first want to say, that these scores are given by looking at how good an era is in comparison to the best era. I also want to say, that at the moment I'm writing this, I've seen four stories equalling twenty-six episodes. Which is more than I've seen of the Hartnell era. Now let's get on with it.  

The Doctor 

This Doctor, is the second one. Played here by Patrick Troughton. Who is great in the role. Unlike the first one, who was a grumpy grandpa, this one is more of a silly uncle. The silly uncle is kind of the role the Doctor would play for the remainder of the classic series. And it works. This Doctor is entertaining, sort of clever, resourceful and kind. He comes off as charming, and just fun. Now he's not perfect. He is a little overly silly at times, and it can get a little annoying. But he works, and I like his character.

This is Patrick Troughton as the Doctor.  

The writing 

To be honest, this era had some of the best writing in Doctor Who. It would be number one, if it wasn't for the fact that it doesn't have that goofy fun of the later eras. The writing is still good, and a lot of fun. The more serious side of this era, really gives it its personality. Now, there are some humours lines, but the overall plots are a little less goofy. At least there is no Loch Ness monster from what I have seen. And it's not controlled by shape-shifting aliens, with plans of killing all humans. I have also read one original novel with this Doctor. Now, it wasn't that good, but that is because of the writer. And he probably isn't a very good one. But overall, this era has the second-best writing, in Doctor Who history. 

The design 

Watching this era, you can really see the increased budget. Previous enemies like the Cybermen look more metallic, and all the new enemies look really good too. The sets are way more impressive. And the special effects are really cool for the time. The TARDIS looks good, the explosions look good, the gunfights are exiting, and well-staged. It is damn impressive. The War Games actually make you feel like you are in world war one, and the entire story looks like it was made in at least the late seventies, but it's actually, from sixty-nine. Overall this era had some great design work.  

The companions 

Jamie McCrimon is pretty cool, being a companion for almost the entire era. He is a pretty cool guy, but he's dumb. Now, he's probably dumb because he is form around 1750, but still. But I like him, and I do preferer him over Ian. Ben and Polly are also there for a year. And they are all right, nothing special. Then there is Victoria. Her job is to scream. She is not a bad companion, but she can get annoying at times. On the other hand, we have Zoe. This one is smart, and she does things. In the war games for example, she leads an army built up of armies from different times, against aliens with lasers. She's pretty cool. But none of these are close to my favourite companions. My favourites come in later.  

The feel 

Unlike the previous era, this one is a lot darker. A lot of this era, feels like a sci-fi war story. The Doctor is sort of silly, but a Cybermen invasion of earth is not. Especially when it's told in a very serious way. It's hard to explain, but it's just how I feel when I watch it, like I'm watching the final struggle of mankind. The good thing is, that it works. The silly Doctor running around saving people from certain doom. And in a way, it's charming. Like I said, I can't explain it. It's just how it is. 

My opinion  

I believe this is one of the must-watch gems of television. Maybe not all of it, but things like the Web of Fear, the Invasion and the War Games. These are things you need to watch. When I watch this Doctor, I can only think of one that is better. We will not be talking about him next, but we'll get there soon. I give this era a score of 9/10 

Next time, we will look at Jon Pertwee, and his wacky adventures. 

Goodbye 

Staff: 

Alfred Pettersen