There’s not much more I can say about Tom Baker. From his first “why is a mouse when it spins” through his “bot of a shik” and culminating with his “it’s the end,” Tom Baker is the Doctor, and that just about says it all.
The tug of sentimentality is a strong one and an important one. It is a thread extending back to our past selves, our past selves that were once as real as we are now as we stand firmly and presently on the ground, and a thread that extends out to our tenuous future. I began my slow path admitting to this emotional pull influencing my choice of Tom Baker as my favorite. I maintain it still.
But it is more than sentiment that forms my preference.
Tom Baker was blessed with a long string of excellent companions, producers, writers, guest actors, and directors. It is hard to find fault with any of his seven year reign. Oh, there were a few inevitable disappointments along the way; The Invasion of Time, Underworld, and Revenge of the Cybermen for example. Overall, however, there is little to criticize.
It is hard for me, too, to single out any one or two serials for praise. City of Death is one of my favorites; The Pirate Planet and The Ribos Operation are two similarly amusing and witty serials that top my list. The Talons of Weng-Chiang is more serious in tone, but as good as it gets. The Brain of Morbius and Pyramids of Mars are two that blend the serious and the humorous to perfection. Any one of these could be my number one pick, depending on my whim at the time. At this particular moment I would have to say Pyramids of Mars. You just can’t get any better than Sarah Jane, the Doctor is in particularly top form, Sutekh is a singularly chilling Doctor Who villain, the script is superbly crafted . . . but ask me again tomorrow, Gary, and I could very well cite any of the aforementioned serials and give just as compelling reasons.
Sarah Jane . . . ah, yes, the companions. Sarah Jane, Leela, Romana I. William Hartnell has Ian and Barbara. Patrick Troughton has Jamie. Jon Pertwee has Jo Grant. Tom Baker has Sarah Jane Smith, Leela, and Romana I; three of the best Doctor Who companions in a row. Romana II is hit or miss for me and Adric isn’t as bad as I remembered but still not very good. And of course I can’t forget K9. K9 works best with Leela; he is more of a companion for Leela and acts as a bit of a buffer between her and the Doctor. K9 becomes somewhat superfluous once the Doctor is joined by fellow Time Lord Romana (both I and II) and boy genius Adric, and he spends much of his time in need of repair and out of commission until he is finally dispensed with along with Romana in E-Space.
E-Space. The introduction of story arcs. While I enjoy the Key to Time and E-Space arcs, I dislike the establishment of the concept during the Tom Baker era. Used to effect in these two instances, I still cringe at the thought of the future exploitation of the idea. But I will refrain, Gary. I am not yet to that point and will stay on track.
The Time Lords and Gallifrey come under more scrutiny during the Baker years and I can’t help thinking that they are better left to the shrouds of mystery. However, fleshed out as they are it makes the Doctor’s flight from them understandable and provides more insight into his struggle between his desire to help and his reticence to meddle.
Seven seasons of Tom Baker gives us gothic, horror, mystery, comedy, sci-fi, drama—it runs the gamut of genres and does justice to them all. And through it all, through all the seven seasons of outstanding productions, Tom Baker shines.
Jelly Babies, bottomless pockets, floppy hat, sonic screwdriver, his endless scarf—all of the trappings of the Fourth Doctor that endear him to us. The sharp wit, the clever banter, the intelligent gibberish. The deeply personal concern coupled with an alien distance. Warmth and compassion alongside an aloof realism. The childlike snits, the casual confidence, the disarming arrogance . . . .
Tom Baker’s Doctor cannot be summed up in a word.
However, Tom Baker can be defined by two words: The Doctor. “The definite article you might say.”
Over a year ago now I first sent my rankings out to you, Tom Baker heading the list; but I could only wonder and wait to hear your own. I send this out again with Tom Baker leading the way, and I am still waiting for that echo, dear Gary . . .
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