Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site topaz.ARPA Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!cbosgd!cbdkc1!desoto!packard!topaz!@RUTGERS.ARPA:KELNER@LL.ARPA From: @RUTGERS.ARPA:KELNER@LL.ARPA Newsgroups: net.sf-lovers Subject: Dr. Who Message-ID: <1001@topaz.ARPA> Date: Mon, 18-Mar-85 14:25:34 EST Article-I.D.: topaz.1001 Posted: Mon Mar 18 14:25:34 1985 Date-Received: Tue, 19-Mar-85 07:51:54 EST Sender: daemon@topaz.ARPA Organization: Rutgers Univ., New Brunswick, N.J. Lines: 71 From: An English friend of mine would like to add his 'tuppence' to the discussion of DR. Who. I've included his message below: ----------------------------------------------------------------------- I was prompted to write to the Newsletter by the recent correspondence about the best/worst etc. of Dr. Who's companions. Since I have been watching the show since it started in the early Sixties, I suppose I qualify as somewhat of a fanatic, but here are my thoughts anyway. The shows starring the first two Doctors (William Hartnell and Patrick Troughton) have never been shown in the U.S.A., as far as I can tell, so I won't try and drag out my fading memories of the companions of these Dr.s - I'll confine my suggestions to the companions of Jon Pertwee, Tom Baker and Peter Davison. Most Useful to the Dr:- Leela The combination of the Dr's intelligence with her cunning and instincts was a formidable team. She also seemed to be the only one in the show with enough sense to pick up a weapon from a fallen enemy and use it. Most Likeable as a Person:- Jo Grant This is of course rather subjective, but she always seemed to me the friendliest of all the companions. Jon Pertwee's Dr. seemed to think so too, he's almost in tears at the end of 'The Green Death' when she leaves him to run up the Amazon and pick mushrooms(?). Surely this has to be the saddest leave-taking of all, with Pertwee driving into the sunset with only his vintage car 'Bessie' left to talk to... Most Natural:- Sarah Jane Smith By this, I mean that she seemed to have the same reactions to the strange and dangerous events around her as an ordinary Earthling might have. Because of this she could take the part of the viewer, who could imagine him or herself in a similar situation thinking or doing the same thing. She should also get a vote for longevity - I think she was the longest-serving companion, although I can't be sure. Nastiest:- Turlough No argument here, this character was thoroughly unpleasant - I kept hoping he would get skewered or dismembered or something equally painful. This may be a tribute to the acting capabilities of Mark Strickson, but having a traitor in the Tardis was an experiment I hope the BBC will not repeat (assuming they continue the show - have you all written your letters of protest yet ?). Most of the others were quite capable in their own way, but the ones above really stand out in my mind. On a separate topic, what is it about Peter Davison's Dr. that people seem to dislike? I've read lots of comments about the BBC's alleged mistake in hiring him, but I thought he did a fairly good job. I suspect that a lot of the problem is that many people had only seen Tom Baker until then. Tom served so long (and ably) in the role that I think viewers thought any replacement had to replicate his mannerisms to be a convincing Dr Who - not the case of course. He also had no really interesting companions, as you can see from my list above. All in all, a bad rap, I think. Mike Jordan ------------------------------------------------------------------------ All I can add to this is: 1) I have high hopes for Peri. I only saw her in one show though, so I'll have to wait and see. 2) I think Peter Davison was very good. The first show was a bit weak, but he rapidly became quite good. Bob Kelner (KELNER at LL)