I can't wait to meet the 12th Doctor

I love Doctor Who, as you may have noticed from my other posts. I love each actor that comes to the role and most of the stories that happen in the show. There is plenty to love. Companions and monsters and all the rest. One thing that I find difficult to accept is that there are people that hold on to their Doctor. How many people can't get over David Tennant? I'm a huge fan of Tom Baker, he was and is my favorite of the bunch, and maybe it's not a fair comparison, but I've gotten over Tom leaving and lots of other Doctors coming into the mix.

There are plenty of people who are upset about Matt Smith Making a choice to leave the show, but for me, I'm just excited to see who the next Doctor will be. I've loved what has happened with everyone since the show came back, and I think it's just going to keep getting better even though I'm not excited with everything that Moffatt does with the story lines.

I have a theory about the Doctor though, and I'll share it with you:

The first three Doctors were

1. a GRUMPY old man
2. a daring ADVENTURER
3. a careless (and crafty) CLOWN

Ever since then, all of the Doctors are a combination of those 3 characteristics. What some proof?

1. Four-is mostly a clown, but also an adventurer
2. Five-a grumpy clown
3. Six-Lots of grumpy and an adventurer
4. Seven-Grumpy clown

You get the idea. So, the current Doctor is A clown that loves adventures as opposed to Tennant who was just plain grumpy in my opinion.

So what who will this new Doctor be? What will his defining characteristics be? I for one, can't wait to find out.

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 1

Number 1-Out of Gas

If you've been following this list, then you may already know my top pick. It might surprise you a little considering how the last few picks have been because they don't focus completely on Mal, but this episode is the exception to that rule. Sure we get to see lots of snippets about the characters and a look at some of the background of the crew, but the story is really about Mal trying to save his ship and stay alive.

A part goes wrong on the ship causing an explosion and the systems to shut down. In an attempt to save everyone, Mal sends everyone off in the shuttles and tries to keep the ship from dying. You don't get all of that from the start. It comes in flashbacks. Actually what you know at the start is that Mal is alone on the ship and in really bad shape. Probably dying.

One of the great parts is the way-back flash backs. We get to see Zoe and Mal the first time they walk onto Serenity. We get to see Wash when he gets hired to pilot the ship. We also get to see how Kaylee and Jayne join the crew. There is also the first time that Inara gets a tour of her shuttle.

In the present time, Mal is in a lot of trouble because a ship answered the distress call, and while he is trying to negotiate for the part that he needs, the captain of the other ship shoots him. Mal manages to work up the will power to keep himself going enough to stand up to the other crew, shoot his heart full of adrenaline, and get the ship up and running again.

• Young Wash's mustache.
• Mal fell in love with Serenity the first time he saw it.
• Mal wants to go down with the ship rather than leave it to die.
• It's Simon's birthday.
• Jayne sells out to the highest bidder most of the time.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 2

Number 2-War Stories

Mal and Wash have an issue because one of them is married to Zoe and the other one is her captain. While Mal is trying to take care business, Wash insists that he go on the mission instead of Zoe. This is an issue because an old friend, Niska, is looking to get some payback from a job the crew didn't finish earlier in "The Train Job."

This episode is great because it deals with the dynamic between Mal and Wash, but it also gives the crew a chance to show just how much they love Mal when they have to make a rescue attempt.

The biggest problem is that Niska doesn't just want to get payback, he also wants to "discover" who Mal and Wash truly are deep down. This involves lots of torture and pain.

Zoe tries to buy them back with the money that they have left over from the the hospital job in the last episode. Niska offers her one of them, and she quickly chooses her husband. They go back to Serenity to prepare a rescue attempt.

All of the crew insists on being a part of that attempt and they manage to pull it off, but not before Mal dies a few times and loses an ear. Niska gets what he wanted. He gets to see the real Mal.

• No power in the 'Verse can stop me.
• Hey, I've been in a firefight before. Well, I was in a fire. Actually, I was fired... from a fry-cook opportunity. I can handle myself.
• Mal and Wash arguing about Zoe while being tortured.
• Preacher talking about guns (Zoe: Preacher, don't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing? Book: Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps.)
• Kaylee ends up back at the ship, and she's in a lot of trouble until River shows up. River picks up a gun and kills all three men that are attacking. She does it however with her eyes closed. This gives a little insight into what is happening in River's head. After she kills the men, she says, "No power in the 'Verse can stop me."
• Tension arises between Kaylee and River because of this moment.
• Zoe make Wash a bowl of Wife Soup.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 3

Number 3-Trash

The episode opens with Mal sitting naked on a rock and he makes a comment, "That went well." It's a strong opening because it causes the watcher to wonder what could lead to Mal being where he is at the moment. I'm sure the female viewers enjoyed the sight too.

Jump back 72 hours where Mal has a chance encounter with the woman who was supposedly his wife in "Our Mrs. Reynolds." This episode is the reason that story didn't rank higher than it did. After revealing the truth to his smuggling buddy, Mrs. Reynolds talks to Mal about a plan to steal an ancient gun. He is reluctant at first, but eventually he becomes desperate to prove his skill and daring to Inara.

The plan itself is simple to start. Mal and his "wife' slip into the house and make their way to the gun. She uses her knowledge about the security system to shut it down so they can take the gun. Kaylee and Jayne modify a trash bin so they can control where it goes. And the bandits simply throw the gun away and go to pick it up later.

This story is about more than Malcom Reynolds. We get to see the development of Mrs. Reynolds (She's got so many names, I'm not sure which one to use, so I'll stick with that one.) We also get to learn more about Inara and her ability to fit in with the crew of Serenity. She is a good fit even though she isn't always a part of the plans.

Mrs. Reynolds does a great job of playing with the heart strings only to turn right around and kick you. She does this to Mal after they make their get away and leave him stranded while she goes to pick up the gun. He isn't too worried about it since they actually have a contingency plan for just such an occasion.

While Mrs. Reynolds is digging through the trash with no sign of the gun, Inara has already gotten there first and picked it up. She locks the other woman in the container and the crew manages to pull off a job according to plan.

Oh, and the best line in the whole show is when River tells Jayne that "Jayne is a girl's name"

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 4

Number 4-Jaynestown

While on a basic pick up trip, the crew discovers that Jayne is a local hero to the people who are indentured servants on a planet that sells "mud." Jayne is a hero because he had to abandon a case full of money and it landed in the middle of the town. The people think that it was done out of altruism, but it was just a mistake.

This is an important episode for Jayne. It shows that there is a time and circumstance where Jayne will stand for something more than just money. There isn't a whole lot more, but there is something.

In the end, Jayne has a confrontation with the old partner that ends in one of the "mudders" jumping in front of a bullet for Jayne. Jayne wins the fight with his old partner, but the young man doesn't survive. he never really stood a chance.

This episode is great because we get to see so much of Jayne in it. There are other things going on, but it isn't focused as much on Mal. Sure we get to learn more about him, but it isn't all about him. Besides, Jayne is an interesting character, and this episode really shows what kind of a man he really is.

Here are some other fun/important moments in the episode:

• Simon only swears when the need arises. (like finding a statue of Jayne-see above)
• Inara helps a young boy becomes a man, and learn to stand up to his father.
• Summer tries to repair the Bible.
• Preacher tries to interact with Summer, with limited success.
• Preacher's hair is crazy when he lets it down.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 5

Number 5-Ariel

This episode is a great chance to get to know almost everyone better. The only character you miss seeing is Preacher, and he wouldn't want to be a part of things anyway.

River just keeps getting worse and worse. Her brother decides that he needs to do something drastic to uncover what the alliance did to her mind. He has a crazy plan, that might just work.

Is the Simon some kind of criminal mastermind? It certainly looks that way. It takes a lot of preparation, but the crew is able to break the Doctor and River into the hospital by faking their deaths and pretending to be an ambulance crew. They are able to steal a ton of medication while Simon scans River's brain. It looks like it is going to work perfectly, until someone throws a monkey wrench in the works.

Let's take a moment before we get there to look at some of the character development moments. It's pretty much a tie between Simon and Jayne as far as who has the most character development so we'll talk about them separately later.

• Kaylee and Wash build a medical transport ship out of a scrap yard.
• Mal and Zoe struggle with all the medical lingo.
• Mal has to make some hard choices about who he supports and how he does so.
• Awesome medical scan effects.
• River's head is messed up thanks to the Alliance.
• There are some crazy, messed-up people after River.
• Do not mess with Mal-ever.

Stuff for Jayne

• Works hard to learn his lines and gives them just to prove he could.
• Betrays Simon and River for the money.
• Cares what people think. Even when he thinks he's going to die, he begs Mal not to tell the real reason he is going to die.
• When it comes down to it, Jayne is a fighter.

Stuff for Simon

• Simon comes up with a great plan.
• Simon saves a patient that gets the wrong treatment.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 6

Number 6-Objects in Space

Do you know what Firefly really needs? Someone to make Jayne look a little less crazy. That's definitely what you get with this episode. Jubal Early is definitely the craziest person to ever grace the decks of Serenity. He even makes River look sane.

It's sad to note that one of the best episodes around what is happening with River, is where the story ends thanks to Fox.

Jubal Early is a messed up bounty hunter who is trying to collect the reward on River. He does a great job of dealing with the crew and company. He does some extremely strange things. Check them out here:

Jubal's path:

1. Fights Mal and beats him pretty easily. Locks him up in his room. 
2. Locks up Zoe and Wash.
3. Is really, really mean to Kaylee. (Also suggests he might be Santa or a part of Serenity forever)
4. (He also threatens to rape her, which is not cool Joss Whedon.)
5. Knocks out Preacher.
6. Says lines like this: Doctor: Are you alliance? Jubal: Am I a lion? Doctor What? Jubal: I don't think of myself as a lion. You might as well though. I have a mighty roar. Doctor: I said Alliance. Jubal: 
7. Hits Inara.
8. Has a conversation with River as Serenity.

This episode speaks to so many great components of the show. It's good that this was the last of the episodes, but it's a shame that it had to end at all. "Does that seem right to you?"

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 7

Number 7-Our Mrs. Reynolds

Yes, pretty much every episode of Firefly is all about Mal. You'll just have to deal with it. In the beginning of this episode, the crew is celebrating with the local on a planet where they have just helped eliminate some local bandits (which included Mal in a dress and pretty bonnet.) Mal dances with a pretty girl and that seems to be all there is to tell. Not much of a story, right?

Wrong.

Back on the ship, Mal discovers his new wife waiting to serve him. No, he doesn't know anything about her until they meet again. Sure he enjoyed dancing with her, but that doesn't mean he wanted to be married to her. The crew takes advantage of the situation to give Mal a hard time even though Mrs. Reynolds doesn't seem to enjoy the situation.

However, it turns out that Mrs. Reynolds is not anything she pretends to be. She takes down pretty much the entire crew and sends Serenity on a course to get dismantled for parts. Here are a few interesting points:

• Mal breaks down and kisses poisoned lips.
• Inara breaks down and kisses Mal.
• Wash doesn't break down, but still gets hit in the head.
• Jayne is just Jayne, like always.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 8

Number 8-Shindig

This episode is a lot of fun. Not only to you get to see Mal in a duel, but you also get to see Kaylee in one of the most ridiculous outfits ever. Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself again. Let's take a step back and approach this from closer to the beginning.

The crew gets a lead on a transport job, but because of a variety of issues, Mal has to prove to the client that he is respectable enough to take the job. This involves a variety of problems, but Mal manages to overcome each of them.

Inara takes a Companion job with a guy that turns out to be a complete jerk with control issues. He expects her to leave her life and become his Companion full time. She holds off on the question. Meanwhile, Kaylee is overcoming the silliness of her dress the only way that she knows, being an amazing engineer. After she gets put down by the mean girls, she's surrounded by men that are impressed by her knowledge.

At one point, Mal get frustrated by Inara's date and somehow ends up on the wrong end of a sword duel. Somehow Mal survives this and even gets the contract.

One major point for this episode is that it may or may not have the moment where Mal gets stabbed in the place of the pressure point the bad guy in the movie uses against him. I'm not 100% sure that is right, but it's pretty darn close.

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 9

Number 9-Heart of Gold

How can you complain about an episode that tells us a lot about most of the characters and really pushes the limits of Mal and Inara's relationship? The answer is simple, you can't. To make things even more interesting check out the setting of this episode. (Let me step back and make a different approach to this.)

So Inara gets a distress call from a former companion and friend who has an emergency situation. She has a house of unlicensed companions and they are about to be attacked by a man that is convinced that one of the woman is pregnant with his child. Mal and company agree to help the women out and all sorts of interesting stuff happens.

Here are a few major elements to the story that develop character arcs:

• Preacher doesn't judge the women for what they do, continuing the character development of him as being nonjudgmental of sinners.
• Jayne joins the party because of the sexual favors offered.
• Jayne also shows off his love affair with guns.
• We get to see deeper into the relationship between Mal and Inara when Mal sleeps with the former companion and we see that Inara is not OK with that. 

Even as good as this episode is, there are better ones that happen on either side of this story. Be on the lookout for them down the road. 

Top Twelve Episodes of Firefly-Number 10

Number 10-Message

I had to give the whole list another look when I saw this was next. The main reason is because the rest of the episodes are really good, and I'm not sure how I managed to rank all of them. Of the 10 remaining episodes, this is the least, and that's still an amazing place to be.

In this episode, we learn a lot about Mal and Zoe and their experiences in the war against the Alliance.

While checking on their mail, Mal and Zoe discover that they have received a dead body of a former war buddy. He plays the sympathy card and the two decide to take him home to his family.

Unfortunately, he isn't all that dead, and he's just trying to use Mal and the crew of Serenity to steal a genetically engineered heart. There is a group of government agents after him and the crew, and they aren't afraid to do some unsavory things to get what they want.

I won't give too much more away in case you haven't seen this episode. (If that is the case then what are you even looking at the list for? Go watch Firefly now.)

Here are some important moments:

• Jayne gets a hat from his mother. The hat explains a lot.
• Kaylee gets shot-again. Seriously, why does she get shot so much?
• We get to see more of Preacher and his strange mix of characteristics. How does he manage to almost save the day?
• "When you can't run, you crawl, and when you can't do that, you get someone to carry you."

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Number 11

Number 11-The Train Job

There's a reason that this episode feels forced. That's because it was forced. Fox decided that the original first episode, Serenity wasn't going to work as a start to the series, so this episode was mandated and aired first. It isn't a bad story, but it doesn't really do anything to move the main story of the show along. Well, we do get to meet a character that will show up later.

The biggest part of this story is that it shows the motivations of each of the people on the crew. Mal and Zoe are determined to make it right once they learn the truth behind the job they've just pulled. Jayne doesn't really care about the reasons, but he doesn't see the point in giving it back. What this episode is missing (because FOX insisted that it be added to the line up before the actual pilot episode, Serenity) is the rest of the crew. That's why it gets dropped down so far.

My favorite part of this episode, though, is when Inara gets to treat Mal like her runaway servant. It's just a great part of their story.

Top Twelve Christmas Specials (Top 3)

Number 3- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer

Sure Rudolph is adorable and there are some amazing things going on with the animation here, but there's more to my placement than that. Rudolph is a cute tale and it has one of the most memorable holiday songs out there, but I don't really find myself missing it if I don't happen to catch it. It's still one of the major holiday draws for sure, but it's not the best.

Number 2- Charlie Brown Christmas Special

This is one of the best Christmas specials ever. The story is simple but touching. The characters are familiar and delightful. More importantly, the music is unforgettable. Charlie Brown just can't get into the Christmas spirit. I'm sure most of us have been there at some point in our lives. Thankfully Charlie Brown shows us that it could be worse.

Number 1- How the Grinch Stole Christmas

 Here it is, the number one special of Christmas. Just like the Peanuts special this one has great music and a simple story that delivers. It also has something the Peanuts just can't offer-the voice stylings Boris Karloff and that guy that does the voice of Tony the Tiger. It was a tough choice, but the Grinch wins this one. (Just don't ask me to watch the Jim Carey movie.)

Top 12 Christmas Specials (6-4)

Number 6-Frosty the Snow Man

Yes, this is a classic. Yes, it has a great song that inspired it. Yes, I know you probably won't agree with me on this one, but it's my list. Frosty is a fun little story, but it isn't all that Christmasy to me. Sure Santa comes in and saves the day, but that doesn't really change the fact that it is really a winter-play-time story. There's nothing wrong with that, but it does hurt poor Frosty in my standings.

Number 5- Mr. Magoo's Christmas Carol

The myopic, Mr. Magoo, takes on the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in Dicken's immortal Christmas Carol. It's a musical and Magoo does a great job of playing the character of Scrooge. It's pretty close to the original story with the subtraction of Scrooge's nephew. It moves quite quickly, and the musical numbers are cute for the most part. It's a good storyline even though Mr. Magoo isn't a very well known character these days.

Number 4- Disney Christmas Carol

Who better to play Ebenezer Scrooge than Disney's own Scrooge McDuck? The people at Disney did a great job of casting the various characters. It's almost like Scrooge was created to play this part at some point. He's got the nephew and the money grubbing ways. It gets everything from the story and does it in a way that is fresh because it is done with Disney characters in ways that make sense.

Top 12 Christmas Specials- Part II

Number 9-Santa Claus is Comin' to Town

This is the somewhat fictionalized story of how Santa came to be. OK, fine, this one was pulled out of someplace and it doesn't really have anything to do with reality. Some of the story lines are fun to watch, especially the main bad guy that is trying to keep toys out of his town.

Number 8- Jack Frost

Did you ever wonder who Jack Frost actually was and what kind of a story he might have? Well, now you can find out the real story of Jack Frost, the spirit of wintertime that became a man for the sake of love. Well, that's really all there is to say about that one.

Number 7- The Little Drummer Boy

I'm sure you know the song, so the plot of this special won't surprise you too much. It's a very well done adaptation of the song and regardless of your beliefs, you can't help but be touched by a poor small child doing what he can with what he has available.

Top 12 Christmas Specials Part I

Number 12-The Nutcracker

OK, I don't have anything specific with this one. Sure there are tons of interpretations and versions you can watch, but I think that I'm thinking of the ballet performances primarily. Regardless of how you see the story, it's an important part of the holiday. You know you know the songs from the ballet and as soon as you hear them you think of Christmas. It's not an actual special like what the other entries will be, but it is a special part of the holidays.

Number 11- I want a Dog for Christmas, Charlie Brown

I know when you think Christmas and Peanuts, you're thinking about the story where Lucy and Linus' brother Rerun wants Snoopy to be his dog when he wakes up Christmas morning. Yeah, I'm thinking of a much better story too. This isn't terrible, but it doesn't nearly compare to the original Christmas special done with the Peanuts crew.

Number 10- A Year without Santa

 Santa is sick just before Christmas and this puts him in a bad mood about the holiday. Isn't there anyone out there that still believes in Santa? While he's laid up in bed recovering, Mrs. Claus sends a couple of elves to find some Christmas cheer. The elves run into the never ending battle between Heat Miser and Cold Miser. They both have similar songs and it makes sense that they would be at odds. I probably would have put this higher on the list if the Cold Miser song hadn't been a part of Batman and Robin.

Top 12 Christmas Specials-Honorable Mentions

When Christmas time rolls around, there are many things that you can expect-excessive sales pitches for everything in the world, lots of Christmas music, and plenty of Christmas specials. There's going to be something Christmas/holiday related on pretty much every television show you can list even if it's to promote a little-known holiday like Festivus. (for the rest of us.)

Since it is that time of year, I thought it was appropriate to make a fun little list to showcase the best of those Christmas specials. For this list, I'm pretty much going to stick to animated specials rather than television shows. I will make a couple of exceptions, but it won't be for any television show, it will be for a stand alone kind of special.

As often happens with these kinds of lists, I'll start with some honorable mentions.

Emmet Otter's Jug Band Christmas

This is a special that was put together by Jim Henson and his fellow Muppeteers. It's an interesting take on the popular short Christmas story, The Gift of the Magi. Emmet and his mother are both trying to get by the best that they can. Then they decide to get each other a gift. In a twist, they each use something the other person needs in order to compete in a talent show to get them something better. Unfortunately this also ruins both of their livelihoods. I won't give anything away, but it's a great lesson in giving and receiving.

I don't think this special is shown anymore, which is why it isn't in the list, but it is still a great production and a great story. As with most Muppet productions, the music is phenomenal. (Do do do do do.) Hopefully you'll get a chance to check it out.
That Bing Crosby Special where he sings with David Bowie

I know, this doesn't really fit well with the rest of the list, but I had to include it just for the part where David Bowie shows up and Bing's 'house' and they have a moment where they sing 'The Little Drummer Boy." It is probably the most surreal moment in music. The conversation before the song starts is especially odd. Definitely check out the song if you haven't heard it before.

Top 12 Episodes of Firefly-Honorable Mentions

The best and worst thing about doing a Top 12 list of the episodes of Firefly is that there are only 14 episodes to pick from. On the plus side, you don't have to leave out any episodes that you love just because there aren't enough spaces for them, but on the minus side, it's harder to pick those two episodes that get left out of the list because there are so few to choose from.

Regardless I've got my two episodes right here for your perusal. I picked these episodes because to me they lack immediacy. What do I mean by that? Well, these stories seem to be more about preparing the audience for the future of Firefly. This is all good and fine, but while it is certainly important, it isn't going to make for an exciting episode. So let's get to our honorable mentions.

Safe

In an attempt to hint at the unusual nature of River's existence, we are treated to a backwater world filled with superstitious locals that take River's unusual abilities and ways as a sign that she is a witch. It's a good episode, but it's really just there to feed us information. We also get to find out more about Preacher's past. He's got some kind of background that gets him the medical attention he needs at an Alliance medical facility even though the rest of the crew was turned away without any consideration. We never really learn much more about Preacher's background, which is a bit disappointing.

Bushwacked

This episode would have been one of the most significant of the show if there had been more than one season. You get hints and whispers about the Reavers, but it isn't until this episode that you actually get to really see one.  If the show had continued and we'd seen lots of episodes featuring the Reavers, this would have been one of those episodes people always referred to as the one that started it all. Sadly it is relegated to just being a somewhat confusing tale. (Although the movie does help justify the concern about a single Reaver.)

So you want to start watching the 6th Doctor?

The Twin Dilemma is the first full story line with Colin Baker as the Doctor. We get to see him in the regeneration scene, but this is where we get our first opportunity to see that there's something not quite right with our favorite character. Sure the Doctor is usually disoriented and confused right after a regeneration. He has to figure out who he is not, but this is different. He doesn't just seem confused, he seems rather rude. This is when you discover the show was trying to go in a different direction.

Colin Baker's Doctor was supposed to be a darker character. He was going to provide a different perspective on the life that the Doctor has chosen. The Doctor has to make lots of hard choices and sometimes he's had to pay a price. (See Earthshock) Unfortunately, some idiot at the BBC made a decision that never happened before and hasn't happened since, Colin Baker was not allowed to have any input into his costume. He wanted a black suit, or something similar to what Eccleston wore as the ninth Doctor, instead he was put in an outfit that even a clown would think twice about.


The Two Doctors is a very unique story in the history of Doctor Who. There were certainly 'reunion' episodes in the past, but this is the first time we see just one Doctor meeting himself. They have always been all the Doctors. This is actually the episode that started the discussion about the Second Doctor after his trial. There's a camp of fans that think that after his trial the Second Doctor worked as a special agent for the Time Lords. Either way, this is a very good combination of Doctors. You also get to see Jamie McCrimmon again.

This is a bit confusing because there's a space station and a Sontaran, and the Second Doctor being turned into a strange omnivorous alien that just loves to cook up anything. It's still a very fun episode.


The Trial of a Time Lord is another unique time in the history of Doctor Who but this time it isn't a good thing. The BBC was thinking about ending the show and they were going to put the show on hiatus after this season. So the writers threw out all of the stuff they'd been working on and put together a story idea to try to keep the show from being taken off the air. This is where the Trial of a Time Lord comes from.

The concept is effective and a great change from what you would expect. These days, a show like this would be the chance for an extensive flash-back episode. Instead, the production staff decides to make the trial be about stories the audience hasn't seen. We also get to meet a character that most long-time fans hope has disappeared from the Doctor Who universe. The Valeyard is the prosecutor and it turns out that he is actually the Doctor's 12th and final regeneration. He also happens to be evil and trying to steal the earlier parts of the Doctor's life. In the end, the Doctor wins in the court and with the BBC. Colin Baker, however, didn't make out so well. He was fired from the role, but that didn't stop the BBC from asking him to come back for the regeneration scene. (He declined and this led to the most ridiculous regeneration with possibly the one from the Doctor Who movie with the Eighth Doctor.

So you want to start watching the Fifth Doctor episodes of Doctor Who

Castrovalva is obviously the best place to start watching the Fifth Doctor, it's where he got his start. Well actually, he technically made his first appearance in Logopolis, but I won't count that. All he really got there was a fade in shot of him dressed up in Tom Baker's get up and them him sitting up. Not really much to go on.

Just like most post regeneration episodes, the Doctor is very confused and disoriented. He doesn't know who he is yet, or what he even looks like. There is also some difficulty surrounding his regeneration because it isn't going completely smoothly. Throw the Master into the mix and things are going to get really complicated.

Castrovalva is a bit confusing because the writers are going in a direction that is new for the series and is mostly forgotten afterwards, but this is a great place to start in with Peter Davison.


Earthshock is one of the most momentous stories in Doctor Who history. For the most part it is just your typical Cyberman story, but there's more to it than that. Well, let me step back for a moment on this. At the end of Tom Baker's time as the Doctor, he had 3 Companions Adric, Nyssa, and Tegan, way too many for the show to work smoothly. The BBC decided that it was probably time for a change and decided to get rid of one of the companions.

That's not all there is to it either. This isn't one of those happy endings. No, this is the kind of moment that makes the end of "The Doctor Dances" make more sense. In this case, the companion isn't left behind, doesn't choose to go, instead this person makes a heroic decision to drive a space ship into a meteorite to save the Earth and his or her friends. I won't say more about it because I don't want to give away the ending, but this episode is big not just for the era, but for the show as a whole.


Black Orchid is one of the most bizarre adventures of the Davison era. It has a costume party with dancing, lots of confusion and the Doctor taking a break from saving the world to play a game of Cricket. That's right, the Doctor stopped in the middle of a world-ending threat to pitch the ball and take a swing. This is different from the Matt Smith story where the Doctor is trying to look normal and plays some football. This is a case of mistaken identity with a character who can't say no to a bit of cricket. His costume is even like a cricket uniform. It's a fun little romp and well worth checking out.

That's all for now. More to come soon with suggestions for the other Baker to play the Doctor.