CLASSIC DOCTOR WHO | Logopolis - Part 4 | REACTION

[@MarieClaresWorld]

FULL LENGTH | Classic Who | The Visitation - Part 1 | REACTION www.patreon.com/posts/full-length-who-57893732

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

3:06 so maybe Tegan is the only next companion? Then the TARDIS took off without her. So maybe she gets left there on Leolopolis.

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

For once, the Doctor was outright killed instead of sacrificing his life for someone. Not to be morbid, but I found that to be refreshing. 🙂

[@TheNoiseySpectator]

Why, Marie Claire. I think _everyone's_ favorite companion of this era or any other is Sarah Jane Smith. 😀 Hands down, when you ask anyone to make out their list of top five favorites, you might as well start with number #2.

[@simonbedford1894]

@@TheNoiseySpectator I’d say the Fourth Doctor has had the strongest line-up yet, though. Sarah Jane, Harry, Leela, both Romanas- no previous Doctor, maybe except for Hartnell, had had so many quality companions as that, usually just two or three.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@TheNoiseySpectator We had companions die in the Hartnell era, but I agree it is really refreshing to see the Doctor in proper danger for once, and not afraid to die for a really important cause. Some have criticised his reaction to Tegan's grief over her aunt, but he died to save billions of aunts!

[@frankshailes3205]

And so the duel ends on top of a radio telescope gantry in 1981, as it began in 1971 with Roger Delgado and Jon Pertwee. A Reichenbach Falls (Holmes Moriarty) moment, which is how Barry Letts, producer/exec producer extraordinaire, envisioned the Master in the first place. We've come Full Circle.

[@mirage123451]

The BBC actually ran a series of reruns of previous Doctors stories during the season break, just to remind the viewers that other actors apart from Tom had played the role!

[@adambrown67]

I Remember it well, The five faces of doctor who

[@rnw2739]

It was certainly needed.... talk about hog it!!

[@Adeodatus100]

Tom was the Doctor from when I was 12 till I was 18. To say he was "my" Doctor is an understatement. I audio recorded all his stories and played them endlessly. He was hero, role model and (to a geeky bullied kid) a sort of comfort. For a long time I thought this was the end of Doctor Who for me. I'm glad it wasn't! Thank you so much for your reactions to this magical man's stories.

[@frankshailes3205]

The fact you go in unspoiled but suspecting this must be the last episode of the era shows how well set-up this season was, dramatically. Though some are critical of it, it holds together well thematically and the build-up is perfectly handled. Modern showrunners would kill for a run like this! Bidmead (the script editor and essentially the showrunner in story terms) did a good job.

[@julieeverett7442]

7 years, 42 stories, 178 episodes (and yes, I AM counting Shada!) For a generation he was THE doctor and one of the most iconic characters on TV. To an extent he still is. Mention Dr Who to ANYONE born before the year 2000 and you can be 90% certain theyll mention the guy with the long scarf, even if they didnt know anything else, they knew this. He was the one who brought the show to the rest of the world. Can you understand now why he is so loved? In case you didnt know, the villians were Davros, the daleks, the sontarans and the zygons. Even now in his late 80's he is still going strong, in 2010 he joined big finish and is currently in his TENTH series with them, a cross over with a future doctor, recently published and read the book he wrote with Ian Marter (Scratchman - if you havent heard or read it, you really should!!!) And a 17 part story for bbc audio called the nest cottage chronicles with a new companion in his house keeper, and a VERY surprising old companion, again check it out!! He is my doctor and forever shall be!!

[@alexfletcher5192]

After Season 18 went off the air, there was a rather longer gap than usual before Tom Baker's successor began his run (not until January 1982 in fact). In the meantime, to build momentum and to remind a generation of schoolchildren too young to remember that there had actually been other actors in the role, John Nathan-Tuner organized a season of repeats on BBC2 through November/December 1981, entitled 'The Five Faces of Doctor Who'. The stories selected were: 'An Unearthly Child', 'The Krotons', 'Carnival of Monsters', 'The Three Doctors' (therefore reversing the order of those two stories) and 'Logopolis' itself to introduce Peter Davison. For many fans of a certain age (myself included), this acted as a kind of gateway drug. These days, you would only experience the buzz of seeing an older episode if it was returned to the archive, but at the time this was the first chance we'd had to view them since they'd aired. In fact, 'The Krotons' was pretty much the only intact Troughton 4-parter they could show!

[@forkinhell3545]

Remember it well. It seemed funny seeing Hartnell and Troughton in a story outside of the Three Doctors. Happy days!

[@davidbull7210]

I imagine they reversed those two stories because they looked at the production codes. The Three Doctors was made after Carnival, but screened first.

[@Jamestopboy]

It’s the end… But the moment has been prepared for. Thank you for seven fantastic series Tom. You were the noblest Doctor of them all.

[@TomEyre]

I think this is a great swansong for Tom, from the power of his performance if nothing else. The funereal atmosphere of the story mixed with the subtle but nonetheless powerful way he portrays The Doctor's devastation of his knowledge of what's coming, all coming to a head here. Great reaction!

[@jcortese3300]

So many of the episodes toward the end of this season were about decay, entropy, things winding down ... such lovely, atmospheric work. And this story hit HARD when it came out. He'd been the Doctor for so long! I think the Watcher works out much the same as the two Time Lords in "Planet of the Spiders."

[@scottredding7357]

You have to admire the ambition of the Master, holding the entire universe hostage. I love the “please attend carefully” line.

[@swilliams937]

That's a line Roger Delgado would've uttered well too.

[@blanko394]

Logopolis is one of my favourite Classic Who stories and I don't even know why😂 it just has such a great atmosphere and I love the idea of the Watcher

[@genemroch7059]

Remember in planet of the spiders when cho-ge was a projection of kampo rasha His mentor was what the 3rd doctor said . I always believed this was the doctor's take on that type of regeneration

[@davidlow862]

me too, it bookends Tom baker's time in the role nicely :)

[@robalexander8065]

Hard to believe I first saw this more than 40 years ago. A great serial and a fitting end to Tom's era. A 10 out of 10 for me. Thanks for all the reactions, Marie-Clare!

[@frankshailes3205]

You want our favourite memories? "No tea, Harry". We've just had Ian Marter's birthday. Everyone remembers he died on the same day of the year, at a mere 42 years old. Yeah, he was brilliant and the friendship and chemistry with Tom really came through. That season and a bit (including Zygons and Android Invasion) were very special to me. I can remember running to my mum in the other room, while watching Android Invasion, and shouting "mum, mum, Harry's back!" at the age of seven. It's the first fanservice nostalgia I ever encountered.

[@awall1701]

My favourite companion from this era was Sarah Jane Smith. I have always liked 'City of Death' the main reason being was my younger brother was scared of the Jagaroth and I remember copying the voice of the Jagaroth just to frighten my younger brother.

[@forkinhell3545]

I always think of a regeneration as moving on in our own lives. I think Tom stayed TOO long, but I'm pleased we got all the stories we did, good and mediocre. My favourite Tom era is the Hinchliffe years, Ark to Weng Chiang. Still some great stories after that, but also a lot more average ones. His last season was a return to consistency with the toning down of the humour and raising of the drama. So thank you Tom for the amazing ride and lifelong memories and on to Peter to take the baton and make Five come alive! Anyone fancy celery? 🌿

[@tintomara6209]

Can't beat the Hinchciffe/Holmes years, that was absolutely peak Dr Who for me...

[@swilliams937]

If nothing else, I'm sure it's good for my teeth. 🤣

[@benbastianiartmusic1421]

I think the Doctor realised the Watcher was the fifth doctor from the start... if you watch his reaction in episode 1 it makes sense. Welcome to the fifth doctor's era :)

[@13thwho]

Yes, remember in part 2, when the Watcher summons the Doctor to talk, the Doctor later tells Adric that he had glimpsed into the future, and that “We must be prepared for the worst.”; then in part 3, he says that he was prepared for the worst because the Watcher was there.

[@simonbedford1894]

I was waiting to see how you’d react when all the old companions appeared! This regeneration feels like a real event to me, more than the earlier ones did. I suspect this one will get a lot of views!

[@johng5859]

Brilliant reaction. I think this is one of the most moving regenerations, thanks both to the callbacks and the gentle, peaceful way the whole thing is done. It wasn’t actually the last scene Tom recorded, though - that was in the ruins of Logopolis. At the time of first broadcast - 21 March 1981 - it had been known for several months that Tom was leaving, but after 7 years (a record that will surely never be broken) it must have been strange even for long-time viewers to see the Doctor finally change again, and bewildering for the young ones who had never known another Doctor. As for the story overall, I would give it 8 - it starts slowly, but gives the fourth Doctor a suitably epic and dignified farewell. The story was the end of an era in another sense too, as when Season 19 finally began in January 1982, after the longest gap ever between seasons up until then, the show would move out of its traditional Saturday teatime slot for the first time and would be shown twice a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays, instead. My hunch is you will really like the fifth Doctor, but let’s see…

[@Problembeing]

For me Tom’s era was the definitive Doctor Who golden era. He was my first Doctor and is still my treasured favourite. The most alien, the most funniest, the most intense. The standard every actor who takes the role should aspire to, even though he was lightning in a bottle, as was Jon, of course. My earliest TV memory I can recall was watching Destiny of the Daleks and from that moment on at the age of 4 became a lifelong fan of the show. Tom TERRIFIED me more than Davros, but it was Lalla who made me feel safe and The Doctor was on my side, and then I felt completely that he was my hero and to this day he remains just that.

[@thevirgologychannel6215]

Just to say I’ve enjoyed watching Tom’s era with you Marie-Clare. I still felt a lump in my throat at his regeneration. He made such an impact because I was 4 years old when he started and was 11 when he left. I imagine that is one of the reasons he’s always voted as one of the favourites actors to portray the Doctor. Literally growing up with him. Lots big favourite episodes, genesis of the Daleks, Talons of weing Chiang. Can’t wait for the next era, Peter was awesome too.

[@geoffbrundell4685]

Goodbye to Tom Baker my favourite doctor of all time. My favourite companion has to be K9 mark 2 and the first Romana. One of favourite Tom Baker story is Talons of Weng Chaing. One of my memories is when the puppet had knife and Leela escape by jumping though glass window. I watch this episode as 10 year old boy back in NZ in 1988 and always touch me and even now I still have tear at end. We were a few years behind with UK and US tv shows then back in NZ.

[@crustychris2]

my favourite memory of this doctor - sitting on the sofa with my dad watching davros at the end of part one of genesis, freshly made airfix tank on my lap - absolutley terrfied!

[@goblin457]

It's the end but the moment has been prepared for 😢

[@markdavidson9100]

Unbelievable…is impossible to pin down a favourite moment of Toms era, so many great stories, companions, monsters etc…Louise Jameson said in an interview she had turned down the opportunity of returning as Leela for the final story. Looking forward to your summary of the era, I loved the rutans, zygons, and sutekh, and maybe controversially, Romana saying goodbye makes me cry more than Sarah Jane leaving. Here’s to the new era

[@Nikioko]

Season 18. A season in which subsequently K-9, Romana and finally the 4th Doctor were replaced by the 5th Doctor and his infernal trio.

[@markdavidson9100]

@@Nikioko I guess a new producer has their own way of moving the show up in a different direction, respect your opinion though

[@Nikioko]

@@markdavidson9100 What opinion? I just mentioned the facts. JNT also introduced the ridiculous question marks on the Doctor's collar. Forgot to mention that. And yes, new producers have their own way of moving the show. And as most Doctors coincide with one producer, which leads to the show's direction being more connected to a certain incarnation of the Doctor than to a certain producer, Tom Baker had three producers. And thus, the 4th tenure can be subdivided into three different eras. But of those, JNT made the biggest changes to the show. 80s Doctor Who is basically JNT.

[@guantanamoray5203]

Marie-Claire, now that you've reached the Davison era you should watch a great documentary about Tom's last season & Peter's first story. It's called "A New Body At Last" and it has some great interviews, behind the scenes footage and gossip. Really good.

[@stevesm4]

They used the same callback of companions all saying "Doctor" when Peter Capaldi left. Not the only tip of the hat to the 4th Doctor. Tom's first words were "Sontarans perverting the course of human history!" and Peter said the same words in Listen and finally near the end of The Doctor Falls. My favourite 4th Doctor moments include (predictably) "have I the right?" in Genesis of the Daleks, his time in the Matrix on Gallifrey, and the manic moments after regenerating, skipping with Harry, trying on mad costumes etc.

[@theangelshavethephonebox529]

Enjoyed your reaction. The stories in the 12th and 13th seasons with Sarah and Harry is favorite part of the 4th doctors time, with "Talons", "City of Death", "Warrior's Gate" also favorites, and D84 in Robots of death.

[@ListerDavid]

Welcome Peter Davison

[@paulrichards4452]

I love this story. I remember watching it at the time and being captivated by the regeneration sequence. Tom Baker’s Doctor is superb. The most alien and eccentric. The Watcher is an interesting concept and I believe he’s a decayed version of the fifth Doctors new self due to the entropy and what it will do if unstopped. A sort of ghost from the future. I love this more bizarre creative regeneration. My favourite memories of the fourth Doctor are his many humorous moments. I love scenes like in Terror of the Zygons where the Brigadiers talking to the oil rig employee and the Doctor is just staring into space. My favourite companion of his would be Leela. Great reaction.

[@thatcedric]

3 & 4 took from 5 years old to 16. This is my era. I could not choose between companions of the 70s, they're incredible.

[@sarahsanders9587]

Really loving these Classic Who reactions! ❤️ Logopolis was the first classic Who story I ever saw! Got it with the "New Beginnings" box set which included The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis and Castrovalva for Christmas when I was 13! Love it.

[@forkinhell3545]

Wow, that was a great Christmas present. Lucky you!

[@GlucoseDehydrogenase]

This regeneration always gets to me, as it was my first, aged 9, and I was in tears. I was only 2 when Jon regenerated into Tom. So Tom was my Doctor, then Peter was too, as I was still a young kid. Also balled my eyes out with that magical cameo at the end of The Day of the Doctor, which was quite emotional I believe for many of my generation.

[@darkerbit]

And the time has come for the end. Pretending for a moment that I didn't already see this weeks in advance on your Patreon, it's been yet so long of an era yet so short. The Fourth Doctor is probably the show's most iconic (the classic series', at the very least!) and not without reason, but as they say, all good things...

[@jamestoney6108]

Its the end but its been prepared for

[@billthewhovian]

It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for. Well it's goodbye to the 4th Doctor and Hello to the 5th, I was wondering how you'd react to the companion flashback it is a great regeneration scene in my opinion, not over the top, just done nicely, with Tom's speech preparing us the the change to come.

[@frankshailes3205]

The Watcher was the Doctor brought back along his own timestream - like Cho-Je was the future K'Anpo in Pertwee's last story.

[@davidlow862]

thats it exactly, i always figured Ch0-Je and the Watcher were basically the same sort of entity.

[@frankshailes3205]

@@davidlow862 Nice bookending for the Tom era - got to think Barry Letts nodded in approval. Might even have discussed with Chris Bidmead. Watching the Kinda reactions on Patreon, Karuna seems to be the same thing to Panna, inheriting her essence on death but hanging around before as an apprentice. Buddhist-influenced writing, and proof it is not only Gallifreyans who have this ability (though its been hinted at since "incarnations" became a thing for Doctors in different bodies).

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

The radio telescope, filmed in models, is Jodrell Bank, between Chester and Manchester. They could not actually go an film there in late 1980. so, location and a radio-station and grounds, and the models. For the Blu-ray set, as with some Classic Who, they made a edge for some updated special effects -and, a small film crew went to Jodrell Bank, with a drone, to film. It's more cohesive.

[@GrilloTheFlightless]

I love your reaction to this. The fourth Doctors regeneration, for me, is probably the most emotional in the show’s original run, but I’ve never felt teary about it until watching you reacting to it. I’m new to your channel but seriously loving your reactions.

[@WokingWriter]

Remember this so well as I was 12! But you’re about to start my Doctor’s era! 😊

[@awall1701]

I remember watching this when I was 11. I like the sequence just before the Doctor regenerated where is called by his companions. Love your reactions.

[@EveryoneWhoUsesThisTV]

Ending calls back to Terror of the Autons... with the space radio telescope array.. Where we first met the Master... :)

[@joecrammond6221]

from what i heard, John Nathan-Turner had asked Elizabeth Sladen and Louise Jameson to return to bridge the regeneration but both declined sadly, hence why we've got more companions than usual

[@Joey15811]

Thing being other than Adric, Nyssa and Tegan were literally only just brought in. Atleast 3 stories with a new companion like Ben and Polly gives them the time to bed in. Imo the Tegan introduction should have just been different and given a new storyline. Nyssa atleast had thenstory before but she should haven joined then imo

[@tjdw5251]

You know... I actually love 80s Who and Davison is my favourite Classic Doctor, and second overall only to the other Peter.

[@benperkins791]

Wow what a milestone! I’ve been watching your reactions since “The Sea Devils” and it’s been a great journey experiencing the show again through your perspective. Looking forward to see you experience the 5th Doctor era and beyond!

[@suwakatsuyori]

I discovered your channel from the 1st 4th Doctor story the Robot through this now and it’s been a joy to see you react to all his stories. I grew up through his era and was so sad to see his regeneration I felt like I’d lost an old friend. For 7 years of my youth he was there saving the universe from aliens. Lots of great memories that stuck with me until I was able to buy the stories on VHS and DVD I have watched your reactions through the other Doctors too and enjoyed seeing those. I have had the pleasures of meeting Tom in person and Elizabeth Sladen long after they left the series at various conventions I’ve been too. They were my favourite duo and Ian Marter added that extra element to make them the perfect companions for me. Looking forward to the rest of your journey through the following Doctors and some of the great stories I can’t wait to see your reactions too :) x

[@nedflanders2159]

One of my favourite memories was from The Face of Evil when Tom improvised the famous "Now, drop your weapons, or I'll kill him with this deadly jelly baby" scene 😂

[@larrytalbot3824]

Way back at end of 'The Keeper of Traken' there's a tiny detail that I hadn't realized until years later when the writer Johnny Byrne pointed it out, he'd gave a subtle heads up that the Doctor would regenerate in the finale of Logopolis, when Tremas touches the clock face on the Masters Tardis, the hands are at 4 minutes to midnight, meaning only 4 more episodes left for the 4th Doctor. a very clever wee touch ;)

[@blakesliberator3197]

Losing Tom Baker after loving him giving us The Doctor for 5 years - from ages 11 to 16 - wasn't easy for me back in 1982.

[@chrisboot2468]

When Tom Baker left, we were devastated. Favourite story?? Too many to choose - Ark in Space, Genesis of the Daleks, Terror of Fang Rock, Pyramids of Mars, etc. etc. etc. Favourite companion? Must be Sarah Jane. But Harry, Leela and Romana(s) were terrific as well. And K9.

[@bananasaregood8655]

Wat a couple days for doctor who reactions, you losing the 4th doctor, another reactor losing the 10th and sesskasays watching ‘the three doctors’!! Been so long with this doctor, you’re first reaction with him was back on 4th aug last year!!! He will be missed😔😔

[@geoffmason7215]

no other regeneration like that one...a great reaction...thankyou MC

[@josephryan362]

Tom baker was my dad doctor who and tom baker is my sixth favourite doctor who but I think tom baker should have regeneration in series 16 because tom baker was the doctor who for seven years

[@SuperLaney81]

The Watcher was an interim version of the Doctor - almost ghost version of the Fifth Doctor. The cable he pulled out prevented the Master punching in the destruct code :)

[@powerspyin2]

It's finally time. As one era ends, a new era dawns

[@kalamaike]

its admittedly shoddily done but i believe the idea is that the watcher was the fifth doctor bleeding through time in order to ensure events go as they should

[@Dalek-Galvo]

Yep, there goes the Master running back to his Tardis like the coward he is.

[@kierenevans2521]

I remember borrowing the VHS of this from the library a few times before getting the DVD and now the Blu-ray. There's some odd things in it but the atmosphere, especially with the music, is very good in an impending doom kind of way.

[@coltonbrantley9713]

It's The End But The Moment Has Been Prepared For And I Agree With That One Marie-Clare Those Are Well Spoken Words From Tom Baker Ending His Run As The Doctor And With That Being Said Keep Up The Amazing Work As Always And Stay Safe Out There In The UK 💖💖💖,Lord Colton Of Gallifrey

[@Problembeing]

The Watcher was a potential 5th Doctor that was displaced by the entropy.

[@andrewgwilliam4831]

You're stating that as a fact. Source?

[@kemmdog4444]

This episode was alluded to in “The Doctor Falls” when Missy and the Master were dancing and asked the Doctor how many ways he had died.

[@Alfwin]

And again in "Spyfall: part 2," when they're at the top of the Eiffel tower, and the Master remarks that the setting is "Very Jodrell Bank. Did I ever apologize for that, by the way?"

[@kemmdog4444]

@@Alfwin Exactly right.😊

[@johng5859]

@@kemmdog4444 The tenth Doctor also alludes to Four’s demise when he has to climb a similarly tall structure in The Idiot’s Lantern.

[@kemmdog4444]

@@johng5859 Good to know there’s more.😊

[@johng5859]

You may be wondering why Tom chose to leave at this time. In part, I think it was because he had been doing it for so long and, as much as he loved the role, I think it was now dawning on him that if he stayed any longer he might find it difficult ever to be cast in anything else. He was also not a fan of JNT’s revamp of the show, and resented having his ability to ad lib and crank up the comedy restricted by the new producer - ironically though, he and JNT would become good friends in later years. Tom actually decided to leave during the filming of Full Circle, and JNT made no attempt to change his mind, as he was keen to bring in his own Doctor to round off all the changes he had made. Indeed, from the very beginning of Season 18, and those desolate shots of the Doctor, Romana and K9 on Brighton beach, it feels as if we are building to the regeneration even though Tom hadn’t actually handed in his notice at that point. I think he probably did stay two years longer than he should have done, both for his own sake and the show’s long term future, but at least he went out on a high note with a strong final season, though not one that did very well in the ratings at the time, hence why the show would now move from its old Saturday slot. I look forward to your fourth Doctor retrospective video, but I can tell you now that my favourite story of his is Talons of Weng-Chiang, and Leela is my favourite companion. JNT did actually try to get either Sarah Jane or Leela to come back for the regeneration, but sadly Lis Sladen and Louise Jameson both declined, to the later regret of Louise.

[@ftumschk]

I believe Tom was also holding out to play the part in a mooted Doctor Who movie, which never got off the ground... at least not until long after he'd left the show, as we'd later learn.

[@paulsmith7886]

It was definitely due to Tom not liking the new direction under JNT and the fact the freedom he had under Williams was restricted. Tom had often threatened to leave before and had been talked out of it, this time he wasn't. Funny thing is, JNT only wanted to do the one season originally. He had hoped to make it a success and then use that to move on to other projects. If Tom hadn't of decided to leave, JNT probably would have left. Instead he stayed due to the fact he now had a new Doctor to play with. Tom could have done another year. But he was unhappy at this point in his life with the breakdown of his marriage to Lalla. So maybe he wanted a change of pace. He has said in recent years that he stayed one season too long.

[@johng5859]

@@paulsmith7886 I think the closest Tom had come to leaving previously was at the end of Season 16, when relations with Graham Williams were very strained and Tom was demanding approval on all scripts as his price for staying. His bluff was called, and he then rather meekly signed up for Season 17…

[@Eltonlaleham]

I would have rather had Sarah and or Leela back to see out dr 4 and see in dr 5 Tegan was ghastly as a companion sorry to say it

[@edzeppelin1984]

Tom's era has three very distinct subdivisions: the early Gothic horror from Hinchcliffe/Holmes, the lighter comedic tone when Graham Williams was producer, and the funereal atmosphere of JNT's first season. Sometimes it's easier to think of Classic Who by producer / script editor rather than Doctor. John Nathan-Turner made a lot of changes to the look and sound of the show, but he paid very little attention to the specifics of the scripts, so the tone of what's on screen changes a lot depending on who the script editor was at the time. For season 18, that meant Christopher H Bidmead and his attempts to bring more hard science in. He's a very po-faced man, is Bidmead.

[@whobp8]

Peter Davison had some big shoes to fill for sure. Or should that be a long scarf to fill? 🤔 In any case, very good reaction. I don't recall the Watcher appearing in Nu Who, but Peter Capaldi has flashbacks to former companions saying, "Doctor!" so that might be why you have that impression. Aside from Sarah Jane, have any of the Classic Doctors you've seen so far had "long term" companions with them throughout the regeneration? The First Doctor regenerated at the end of his third story with Ben and Polly (twelve episodes total) and Jamie and Zoe were gone before the Second Doctor regenerated. This is Adric's fifth story (twenty episodes) which is only six fewer than Sarah Jane had had when the Third Doctor regenerated.

[@julieeverett7442]

sarah was with 4th for 2.5 years, only Romana2 came close

[@whobp8]

@@julieeverett7442 I'm talking how long they had been with the Doctor prior to him regenerating, not how long they were in the series altogether. Sarah Jane was in 26 episodes with the Third Doctor before he regenerated. An additional 54 episodes with the Fourth Doctor post regeneration.

[@markbelsom3174]

A very sad goodbye to the fourth doctor, a big welcome to the fifth doctor.

[@gus4u2c]

Now that you know the Watcher was a future projection of the Doctor’s next incarnation, the next time you watch Logopolis again, you’ll realize that when the Doctor first lays eyes on the Watcher, the 4th Doctor knows his time is up and notice how gloom and scared he is every time the Watcher shows up.

[@alexfletcher5192]

'Logopolis' part 4 was the first regeneration I remember seeing live and it really was quite momentous. Tom Baker had been around in the part virtually my entire life, so seeing him depart was like the Queen dying or something. In a contemporary interview, the actor (who has a rather surprising death-fixation actually) suggested his career was heading for 'oblivion' and it's true to say that he's never really shaken off the part. To the point where he's now back doing it on audio! The long shadow he cast over the role was such that, for decades after, any spoof or pastiche of the series tended to feature someone with a hat and long scarf. But the show is bigger than any one actor. The Doctor is dead. Long live the Doctor!

[@jvieceli]

Never forget seeing that for the first time. (10-11 years old) I didn’t know the lead actor changed. Had no clue. And the way we saw them in the States, it took a very long time to see the next episode because we went back to Robot. Favorite memory was my first episode of Who which was Masque of Mandragora. Favorite companion of any era, Sarah Jane forever.

[@melvyncollins7305]

I was 12 when Logopolis aired. Tom Baker had seemed to be the Dr forever, I only vaguely remembered Jon Pertwee, a couple of stories from his last series. It was very strange having a new Dr Who and I didn't know how I would feel about it. XX

[@Joey15811]

The had an episode called the Watcher I believe. It was part 1 of Time Meddler. We didn’t see one of the K-9s. As Mark 1 travelled with Leela and Mark 2 with Romana.

[@jkmac625]

At this point in 1981 I was only 8, so I'd only known Tom Baker as The Doctor, so this is the first time I'd seen a regeneration. I think it had already been revealed on the news that Peter Davison would be taking over. Logopolis was then shown again as part of The Five Faces repeats over on BBC2 maybe 6-7months later. So in the gap between Logopolis and the next story in January 1982 I got to see stories from William Hartnell, Patrick Troughton and Jon Pertwee for the very first time. I don't think I'd seen the actors who played the first two doctors in anything else at that point, but I did know Jon Pertwee from Worzel Gummidge.

[@blakesliberator3197]

Favorite memories from Baker's era? _Now,_ you're asking! I'll just say that Tom's best years were during his first few featuring Sarah Jane Smith. Sarah was one companion who had experienced the most with the Doctor than any other. Cyberman, Daleks (twice), Ice Warriors, plus witnessed a regeneration!

[@zoppie]

In my area, the local PBS station carrying the show didn't run it as a long unbroken chain. They were plenty of hiatuses, during which they held their usual money begathons. As an incentive for contributions, they would reveal that the Doctor had been played by other actors previously and if they raised what was their goal they'd be able to afford to run these earlier incarnations while waiting for new Baker episodes to be made. They also had advance word which they passed on to the viewers of what changes were coming in the future episodes (actors leaving, new characters joining, that sort of thing). So we were braced for Tom's exit. Peter Davison was already known to most of us who watched _All Creatures Great and Small_ , so in my mind, while I knew I would miss Tom's quirky portrayal, I thought, well, the Doctor could not be in better replacement hands. I really liked the energy and fun he brought to the role of Tristan, so I was fully expecting him to bring that to the Doctor. But still, to this very day, I'm scratching my head over that whole Watcher business. There has never been a regen scene like that before or since. Too weird.

[@Finbarzapek]

So you finally reached the end of the 4th Doctor’s mammoth seven season stint. In the run up to this, I rewatched your reactions to Pat Troughton and Jon Pertwee’s departures. Not as many tears this time. As you said, with the 2nd and 3rd Doctor you wanted more, whereas here it just felt like the right time for Tom Baker to go. The production team thought the same - apparently he was quite difficult to work with by this point. He also looks rather tired and worn out throughout this season, so it all ties into change and renewal. Glad to hear you’re watching ‘K9 & Company’ next. I was hoping someone would tip you off that it was shown between this season and the next. Looking forward to your reactions as you progress through 1980s WHO - the era of my childhood.

[@DanDanDaaaan1]

So the watcher is expanded on in expanded media stuff. It's meant to be that sometimes they visit a time lord before they regenerate

[@baybarsedturner2]

The Watcher thing is similar to Jon Pertwee's regeneration with the monks, where the old abbot had a copy of himself hanging around that he regenerated into.

[@mattiow9664]

Amazing reaction it sure took me back to that evening so so many years ago watching that regeneration ..I saw all of Tom Baker's episodes as an obsessed fan and was heartbroken when he left ...and then I recovered very quickly to enjoy Peter Davison ...im so fickle ! 🤣 Best 4th Dr stories for me 1.Pyramids of Mars 2.Genesis of The Daleks 3.Robots of Death

[@sphericalharmony1603]

Tom Baker was my Doctor Who, although I did watch some of the Pertwee era, mostly from behind the sofa, and, to me, Delgado was always the best Master. Baker's run was a long one, and I was probably more into Blake's Seven during the final years.

[@DanBrizuela]

Love your reactions. Learned about you from seeing Medusa cascade. Seeing how different you do your reactions is great and shows how unique each reactor does it. Plus jasper.

[@soupdragon1971]

New who has referenced this episode a few times, so it definitely had a big impact on the writers.

[@frankshailes3205]

Matt Smith smashed it (largely as he really got into the character, loving Patrick Troughton) but he was SO YOUNG - in his twenties. Far too young for the part, according to the fans. And in 1981... they said the same about Davison, who was also in his twenties. Even Davison felt he was too young for the part! As to whether he smashes it? That's subjective. Personally I think he's one of the best actors of his generation, and like Troughton, a TV actor first and foremost. That isn't an insult - it's a very difficult medium.

[@CRINOTH]

Going through the Tom Baker era is such an epic journey through 7 seasons. I don't feel that Logopolis is quite the most fitting ending for him though. It's a big story but I'd prefer it if he'd gone out on a story that'd feel a bit more like his era rather than this which is more of a bridge to the next Doctor really. However, I'll give it 7/10. My favourite Tom Baker story has to be The Talons of Weng-Chiang but I have a very soft spot for Horns of Nimon too as it was the first book I bought. :)

[@sadako24]

State of Decay for me would've been the most apropos story for Tom to end his era on.

[@CRINOTH]

@@sadako24 Yes, facing an ancient enemy of the Time Lords... that'd work nicely - plus the call back to his earlier gothic stories. :)

[@forkinhell3545]

Of all the books available you chose horns of nimon? 😁

[@CRINOTH]

@@forkinhell3545 It was the only one available... There were about 20 copies of it in the shop... all on sale knocked down to 35p from 85p. 😂

[@forkinhell3545]

@@CRINOTH They had the nerve to charge 35p? Thieving sods! Lol. Glad it didn't put you off Who. Take care.

[@myphone4590]

One theory is the doctor got cloned at the leisure hive, became the caretaker of the "no more" painting, then went to logopolis as the clone body gave out.

[@sadako24]

I'll just say for now that I wasn't keen on the way this story was left so open-ended. The makers really have to know what they're doing and have a plan to properly resolve it down the line if they're going to go that route.

[@TheGava4]

It’s noticeable you weren’t as upset as when Jon Pertwee left.

[@rnw2739]

Because by this point, Marie-Clare is gagging for a new Doctor as we all were...

[@TheGava4]

@@rnw2739 you can’t get better than Tom.

[@forkinhell3545]

@@TheGava4 Depends what you look for in a Doctor or who you grew up with I would say. Unbelievably there are people who think the current one is best. Hasten to add I'm not one of them.

[@rnw2739]

@@TheGava4 Oh you can....Troughton.

[@baronmunchausen9252]

@Marie-Clare's World Lady, you need to reconsider that 8.5. This is a 10/10, no question. This is the greatest regeneration scene of all time, for Doctor Who, classic (20th century excellence) or "new" (21st century parody) or whatever, period. This one will never be bettered. The obnoxious Mr. David Tennant's is not even in the same universe as this one. Everything was perfect with this one - the situation, the scene, the writing (oh how I miss writing like this), the acting (same as the writing), the music (same), and yes, the effects (they are more than good enough for me - I do not need computer-generated bells and whistles and lights and horrible ear-splitting noises to tell me that something is a masterpiece). You cannot do better than this. It is the definitive regeneration scene. The one people will always turn to for all time, long after this Godawful 21st century excuse for Doctor Who is finally over and forgotten and as long as the classic REAL 20th century Doctor Who magnificent series is remembered.

[@SYLTales]

Tom Baker was "my Doctor" largely due to the way that Classic Who found its way to the air in the US. He was the first Doctor broadcast in the US. Like many, I was a child when I first saw _Doctor Who_ . I was 12. Tom Baker was the Doctor for 7 years. When you run the math, I went from a 'tween to an adult watching Tom Baker. That's how long fans were with Tom Baker: long enough to grow up.

[@paulkennedy8701]

Jon Pertwee was the first Doctor shown in the US, in 1972.

[@SYLTales]

@@paulkennedy8701 you're correct, in a few select markets. Indeed, it was the show's success in those markets that motivated other PBS affiliates to buy the show. It was all syndication, which meant that every PBS affiliate purchased it for their own market. Whatever deal that was worked-out with the later affiliates meant that they started with "Robot."

[@Nikioko]

Here we go. Peter Davison. He had a very tough heritage after 7 years of Tom Baker. Seven years in which the show changed so much.

[@rudolphclancy8293]

If you think back to Abbot K'Anpo and Cho'Je in Planet of the Spiders, the Watcher starts to make sense.

[@thomasstevens2746]

You flow through this season

[@sydbarrett5]

Tom Baker was the Doctor when I was a kid. I was gutted when the Fourth Doctor died. I had a hard time accepting Peter Davison. Mind you I was only 8 years old at the time this aired.

[@gus4u2c]

Favorite 4th Doctor moment, Seeds Of Doom, Part 4. When Sarah is saved from being infected by the Krynoid pod by the Doctor jumping through the glass ceiling, beats up Scorby and takes his gun in front of Mr. Chase. Harrison Chase: What do you do for an encore, Doctor? The Doctor: I win.

[@joshbostock_2040]

From August 2020 - October 2021, your reactions to the Tom Baker era have been a joy. Plenty of laughs and tears. My favourite area of the 4th Doctor's run of stories has got to be series 13. It's got my favourite classic who story (the seeds of doom) and some classics such as prymids of Mars, Terror of the Zygons and in my opinion The Android Invasion is a classic. Sarah Jane Smith and The fourth doctor work so well together. I do love the first series arc in the form of the key to Time season. Love Mary Tamm as Romana. I think the low point of Tom's era was Season 15. Only two stories in that season are enjoyable and the rest are stories I don't often watch. Its a shame since it has Louise Jameson as Leela in. Looking forward to what you think of the 5th Doctor's era and also k9 and company

[@matthewclarke4127]

My favourite memory of the Fourth Doctor era is Romana I's Burberry cap and stilettos accessorizing in Stones of Blood.

[@leslieride5813]

So you have finally reached the end of the legendary seven year run (42 Stories) of the post popular Doctor ever im glad youve enjoyed it .Tom Bakers first three Years the Philip Hinchcliffe/ Robert Holmes Era were always the best for me.

[@paulkennedy8701]

41 stories. You're counting "Shada", which Marie-Clare hasn't seen.

[@mark-s]

Favourite parts for me for this doctor is his first few seasons a favourite was Harry who should have stayed longer also robots of death and talons were classics

[@eclecticdog2k901]

The chase music at the Pharos Project is great! And the music leading into those final moments. It’s such a lovely moment to see all the past companions one last time at the end! The way I always read the situation with the Watcher was that in that moment where they merged, from the Watcher’s perspective he was actually separating from the Doctor, and then living the rest of the story basically in reverse order until he eventually simply fades away. In terms of ranking this story goes right in the middle of the season for me. It’s quite enjoyable and innovative as a finale but doesn’t quite hit the quality level of most other Classic regeneration stories for me.

[@antoniaford5478]

My understanding of the Watcher is that it was a manifestation of a Time Lord’s next incarnation to ensure their regeneration goes smoothly. I might be wrong so take that with a grain of salt but DW Wiki I think is a pretty reliable source! Hope that helps :)

[@harryboi3000]

It's good you're not trying to rush through it. I did, and by the end of the 4th Doctor's era I was kinda sick of him and ready for a new Doctor. He's probably my least favourite Doctor, I didn't click with him as much as I thought I was going to. The 3rd Doctor is my favourite Doctor so it was a hard act to follow. Story wise I enjoyed alot of the stories in 4s era, and Leela was definitely my favourite companion of his. I was most looking forward to Sarah Jane, but I found myself prefering her in New Who over Classic Who once SJ had grown up a bit. I just wish Tom had left a series or two before this. Also, knowing about the Behind the scenes drama definitely had an impression on me, so im glad you didn't know about it (I'm assuming aha). As I was going through it, I found myself liking stories that weren't very popular, and not vibing with the really popular stories like Genesis. I guess I'm backwards 😂 if I had to pick a favourite season, it would probably be Season 13. It has such iconic stories like The Seeds of Death and The Android Invasion. I'm sooooo excited to see you watch The 5th Doctor. He's my 2nd favourite Classic Doctor after The 3rd Doctor. I don't think there's a story of his that I don't like. I really hope you like him too. It was so refreshing to get a new Doctor after 7 years of the same.