Classic Who "Logopolis" Parts 3&4 Reaction

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[@Moxxbalhoon]

When you’re an adult, you forget how long seven years is in a child’s life. I was eleven when Tom Baker became the Doctor and was eighteen when he regenerated. The end of the fourth Doctor's era coincided with me going to University and a change in my life. What a run. I’m 61 now and will be watching the new season of Who in May. What a great show threading its way through my life!

[@rogershore3128]

Identical for me. An amazing end to an amazing era... Started school with Tom as the Doctor, ended school with Tom. Now nearly 62

[@space1999]

Agreed entirely... I'm a bit younger (55) but this era was an enormous chunk of my childhood....

[@DeanStrickson]

I can only imagine what little kids who grew up watching the 4th Doctor and knew no others went through. It must have been like watching Santa Claus die!

[@BernardJKD]

I was aged between 3 and 10 so this era was an eternity.

[@space1999]

@BernardJKD yeah about the same... crushing when he left..

[@TheElderBlotch]

"It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for." Some of the best, most iconic final words for a Doctor out there. Paddy Kingsland's haunting yet beautiful score, the grand cosmic scale of the Master's plan and the staggering death toll, the keen emotional impact regarding the companions (dead family members all round!), the flashbacks to past friends and foes, and a sense of thematic unity tieing together this season's threads of entropy and decay all serve to make Logopolis a spectacular note for a legendary Doctor to end on. Loved this reaction! And I love the idea of the 4th Doctor's final battle with the Master here not only echoing their first onscreen clash at a radio telescope back in 1971 but also representing executive producer Barry Letts' chance to have the Holmes-Moriarty at Reichenbach Falls showdown between the two that he originally envisioned for the 3rd Doctor's finale which was sadly never realised.

[@rogershore3128]

The music is amazing. Would love to hear to a 5.1 of it on the episode.....

[@cameronjosephvideos5942]

Cool reference to this in the Doctor Falls. The Master: How many ways have you died? Have you ever drowned? Missy: I know you've fallen.

[@stevenmcmullan409]

There is also this exchange in Spyfall part 2 between the 13th Doctor and the Spy Master atop the Eiffel tower... Thirteen: "It's really cold up here! it's worse than Jodrell Bank." (The observatory where the end of this episode took place) Spy Master: "Did I ever apologize for that?" Thirteen: "No." Spy Master "Good."

[@rogvortex58]

The flashes of all the previous companions was a great tribute to Tom Baker’s era.

[@ihateunicorns867]

I think one of the things about Tom's portrayal of the Doctor is that he was so often jokey and eccentric, that when he did snap into seriousness, it made it all the more impactful. 99% of the time he's offering jelly babies around and making silly puns, but then he sees some injustice and he snaps into serious, angry mode.

[@Faction.Paradox]

Absolutely, it really helped sell the threat of Sutekh/Fendahl/The great vampires & his horror in the Pirate Planet

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

(2) All of this is why I love the moment when the Doctor’s hanging off the tower and how the camera lingers on his face, the fear and conflict etched across it with his life flashing before his eyes. He weighs up all his options and, I believe, we see the fourth Doctor willingly let go and fall to his death. He’s content because he knows he needs to change to move forward and that the universe needs a new, younger man to protect it. The fourth Doctor’s old, worn-out face fading into the fifth Doctor’s youthful, smiling face is a perfect bit of subtle visual storytelling. I think it’s quite beautiful to link the Doctor’s regeneration to the universe being renewed and saved from entropy. No other regeneration is as uplifting and feels more like a rebirth than the fourth Doctor’s and it serves as an effective contrast to the generally bleak tone of the rest of the story and the season as a whole, it’s actually quite wonderful. Anthony Ainley also makes a very promising debut as the Master, adding a gleeful, manic edge to the character. It’s really disturbing that he’s using Nyssa’s father’s corpse to walk around and how he uses this fact to manipulate her, and then destroys her entire world! The Master has never felt nastier and more evil than he does here. I like how the Master miscalculates his plan and causes entropy to spread through the universe because it makes whatever he had planned seem so insignificant and the fact he actually seems to regret what he did adds extra weight to the threat entropy poses to the universe. I really like how this forces the Doctor and the Master into the position of working with one another to try and save the universe because it highlights how desperate the situation is and I love how this decision directly leads to the Doctor’s death, because of course, despite monumentally screwing up earlier, true to form the Master improvises and tries to turn the situation in his favour. I think the Master is used in a very interesting way in Logopolis, I really like it. I don’t think Logopolis ranks amongst the very best stories of the fourth Doctor’s tenure or anything, but it’s a very good story that serves as a satisfying conclusion to all the themes and concepts explored in S18 and is an appropriately grand farewell to the fourth Doctor. The most popular and iconic (alongside Tennant’s tenth Doctor) Doctor. S18 as a whole is really good and I really enjoy it. With the exception of Meglos, every story is (to varying degrees) at least good and interesting. I honestly think S18 is fairly underrated in the fandom and doesn't get the credit it deserves. It's generally well regarded and is seen as a marked improvement over S17, but I still think it deserves more love. I actually think S17 is very underrated in itself tbh, with only Destiny of the Daleks and The Horns of Nimon being bad stories. The rest were all good, again to varying degrees (City of Death being the clear standout), but I digress. It’s still definitely weaker than S18, which is in my personal top 10 classic Who seasons. The fourth Doctor’s tenure as a whole is remarkably consistent, especially considering how long it is. By my count, there are only eight stories I’d consider bad or just average. The rest I like or love. Having said that, there’s no doubt those first three and half seasons with Phillip Hinchcliffe as producer and Robert Holmes as script editor is undoubtedly the peak of the fourth Doctor’s tenure and arguably the peak of classic Who. There’s definitely a noticeable dip in quality once they both left, but the stories are still good for the most part even after they leave. Anyway, Looking forward to season 19 and the beginning of the fifth Doctor's era.

[@scottredding7357]

I like that bit about linking “the Doctor’s regeneration to the universe being renewed and saved from entropy.”

[@DeanStrickson]

@@scottredding7357Great comment! I think Tom’s first three years are the peak of all Who, classic and new. Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t excellent stories to come.

[@joshuajoshua2732]

Yeah I don't fully agree that after the first three years with Tom was peak Who I was still entertained and scared even after that but I think the comedy was suited perfectly as I understand Douglas Adams wanted to get this to "Star Wars" level science fiction and humour I loved the Graham Williams era who is the most underrated producer in my opinion peak Who came when Davison arrived.

[@ryanpollard1166]

"It's the end but the moment has been prepared for" - To this day, Logopolis remains a truly satisfying yet emotional ending to the Fourth Doctor's Era, showing off why he was so great and saving the universe with the unique regeneration being particularly well-handled. After doing it for seven years, Tom Baker took both the show and the character to heights never seen before, regarded by many as the definitive Doctor. Baker himself said: "When I was doing Doctor Who, it was the realisation of all my childhood fantasies... so I took to it like a duck to water, and I still do. To me, Doctor Who was more important than life itself... that's why I can't stay away from it". As his time on the show went on and the more popular and beloved he became, he became more and more proprietorial about the show and the role of the Doctor, becoming extremely and vocally critical of directors, writers and anyone who diverted from his understanding of the character. He even stated in an interview at the time: "I feel I know more about the programme than the writers do. Quite naturally, I do. They think they know more about it than me, so it's a question of who wins". He still cites the Phillip Hinchcliffe tenure (Seasons 12-14) as his personal favourite period of the show but confesses to have been terribly irrational under Graham Williams (Seasons 15-17) until becoming more and more frustrated with John Nathan-Turner (Season 18), disliking the increase in supporting characters in each story, the new companions not resonating with him at all, the changes being made (particularly the new red outfit with the question marks on the collars) irritating him, and the sense of feeling diminished by Nathan-Turner. Throughout his final season, you do get the sense of Baker becoming less and less fond of the role with his argumentative nature and ill-feeling evidently bleeding into his performance. Baker himself confessed that he was becoming impossible to work with, even stating in his hilarious 1997 autobiography, Who on Earth is Tom Baker?: "After seven years I had come to think of it as my programme. How silly I was… It was time to go."

[@TreyMcDonaldAnimator]

So bittersweet. To date, it's the end of the longest running incarnation of the Doctor. Tom Baker's impact on the series is still felt, so bizarre and mysterious but charismatic and heroic. He is THE Doctor and forever will be. But hey, at least we know we'll be seeing this face again down the line... Curator.

[@NaanProphet]

The little smile the Fifth Doctor gives as he first comes into being with the Doctor Who theme playing behind it is one of my favorite parts of the classic era.

[@KentuckyBrad]

The doctor loved being five

[@NaanProphet]

@@KentuckyBrad Yes, that's the Tenth Doctor's perspective but the Sixth Doctor said "I was never happy with that one." So who knows.

[@truthseeker3503]

​@@NaanProphet Yes, he had a rather feckless charm.. which simply isn't me!! Lol

[@shaunmale6566]

"It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for." Always gets me emotional 😢 Tom Baker was fantastic as The 4th Doctor. 7 years playing the role, he's one of my favourite classic Doctor's. Now we begin the 5th Doctor era.

[@darthken815]

Gonna miss "teeth and curls" (as 9 referred to 4 in the comics)

[@Tyrconnell]

​@@darthken815 He was quoting another TV episode, but Sesska isn't there yet, so I shall refrain from mentioning which

[@Mrazmatmahmood]

(1) “It’s the end. But the moment has been prepared for.” Wow, what a final line, maybe the best final line for any Doctor. The fourth Doctor flashing that familiar beaming smile one last time never fails to simultaneously break my heart and make me feel happy. Logopolis as a whole perhaps doesn’t quite match that level of quality, but it’s still an epic climax for the fourth Doctor with a very enjoyable and suitably funereal tone pervading the whole story. Tom Baker is a huge part of establishing that tone and gives a brilliantly broody performance, one of his very best across his tenure. The moment the Doctor first sees the Watcher is a superlative bit of acting by Tom, one of the best moments of the story. From that point onward, the fourth Doctor is fully aware his time is up and Tom Baker conveys that very well through his performance. He seems genuinely scared and disturbed throughout this story. I love how this makes every action he takes after that point so brave and noble because he knows everything he does takes him one step closer to his death. I also really like how this story ties back to the E-space trilogy with the revelation that the Logopolitans use the CVEs to control the entropy of the universe. It adds a really nice sense of continuity and cohesion to the season, like it has been building up to this. In fact, the biggest strength of season 18 is its thematic cohesion and how it threads themes of entropy and decay of systems/civilisations/people through each of its stories. You’ve got the Argolins being doomed to die because of a destructive war in The Leisure Hive. In Meglos, we find the Tigellans’ city in rapid decline because they’re over reliant on a power source they don’t understand and the dispute between the scientists and religious fanatics is stifling any chance for progress. In Full Circle there’s the Alzarians, who are destined to never leave Alzarius and their society has no chance to progress because they’ve remained ignorant due to the Deciders dogmatic adherence to the manuals left by their forefathers. State of Decay shows us a planet where the people have regressed to the point of possessing no knowledge of technology or science because of the oppression by the “three who rule”. In Warriors’ Gate, we see how the Tharils’ empire crumbled and they became enslaved by the humans due to their own mistakes. Finally, in The Keeper of Traken, we encounter the tranquil and peaceful Traken civilisation, which is torn apart brick by brick by the Master because the Trakens were ill prepared to deal with threats of evil due to their beliefs and customs, leaving them vulnerable to manipulation. Their wise old keeper recognised this, but was too old to protect his people and was on his deathbed and dies soon after, clear parallels to the Doctor right before the regeneration story. This all leads to Logopolis, with the entire universe now crumbling because of entropy and it feels earned because this entire season has built up to it. Logopolis simply feels like an escalation and natural culmination of themes explored through the rest of S18. These themes also play into the Doctor’s character and his increasingly sombre and world-weary demeanour in S18. The fourth Doctor in this season feels old and tired, like he’s past his best and near his end and needs to renew himself, which is a parallel to the worlds/civilisations he visits in this season. The Doctor being aged hundreds of years in The Leisure Hive can be seen as symbolism for what he feels like at this point and foreshadowing for the Doctor’s eventual regeneration and the kickstart to his character arc for the season. The whole season preaches the importance of change and how it’s the only path to progress in every story, and it’s because of all this build up why that final line is perfect and hits so hard. The entirety of S18 builds up to and prepares the viewers for the Doctor’s regeneration. I also love the concept of the Watcher and think it adds a great sense of doom and mystery to the story. I really like how the reveal that the Watcher is a manifestation of the Doctor’s future self ties back to the Abbot regenerating into Cho-Je in Planet of the Spiders, the previous regeneration story. The Watchers presence makes the Doctor’s regeneration feel like an inevitability, an unavoidable consequence of the universe being saved and he’s there making sure everything goes right and to guide the Doctor to his demise. He’s there to remind the Doctor to stay on track and not procrastinate (linking back to a story like Full Circle from earlier in the season) and to do what’s necessary to fix the mess that was caused by him failing to adequately deal with the Master back on Traken and allowing him to escape. We see the Doctor slowly grow to accept his impending regeneration over the course of the story and a pivotal moment is when he decides to jettison Romana’s room. It’s very underplayed and subtle, but he’s symbolically letting go of his past in order to move forward to his future.

[@robert_bbiii]

The interesting thing in this is the Watcher is very much like Cho-Je in Planet of the Spiders. A projection made real. Just the Doctor doesn't have the skill. One theory was it was a future projection from a point he failed in stopping the Master going back to change it.

[@nesshane71]

Sesska welcome to the brilliance of the 5th Doctor, Nysa, Tegan and Adric. Great times ahead!

[@richwagener]

My first regeneration, watched with my Mom and my sister and there were tears. I may have seen bits of the other Doctors, but basically Tom was it. I readily accepted regeneration, but a lot of Americans in my generation identified him so strongly in the role that they didn't accept the others. Which was their great loss.

[@jvieceli]

I was eleven when I saw this. I had 3-4 years with Doctor Who. I did not know about regeneration when this happened. And on PBS, the way they ran the episodes then, we went back to Robot and we had to wait until we got through all of Tom’s run to see what happened next. No internet. None of my friends were fans… it was a long wait.

[@DeanStrickson]

Me too! They didn’t show DW on PBS until 1978 when I was 7. The whole thing was an enigma to me - police boxes, trans dimensional engineering, even the dialogue and accents mystified me. They didn’t show this story in my area until 1983 which confused me further. Thankfully, soon after a local comic store was selling the Doctor Who 20th Anniversary Radio Times magazine where I learned about regeneration, that there were 3 Doctors before Tom Baker and 2 more after, that many of the earlier episodes were missing, etc. The things I learned from that book was like experiencing a religious epiphany!

[@meropetied]

I was eight when I first saw this and was lucky enough to have a local PBS station in the mid 80s that did Spearhead from Space to the current season, whatever it was. Presented weekly in full story edits, of course. And I can tell you this regeneration thing was NOT something I knew about. But it was after a whole 8 months or so of weekly obsession, starting with Terror of the Zygons. I mean, I don't think I'd ever been so ripped up by and in love with a TV show at the same time ever in my life. This was just enormous. And magnificent. And I feel so fortunate I got to watch Castrovalva just a week afterwards.

[@kenmcauliffe3028]

Now you'll recognize that guy from "Time Crash" and "Power of the Doctor."

[@jmcdonald.1998]

And even Good Omens Series 2!

[@dvader518]

​@@jmcdonald.1998Was he in Good Omens because his son-in-law is in it?

[@DEEJAYWAL]

And also the Master's remark "Did I apologise for Jodrell Bank?"

[@Teleoceras]

@@DEEJAYWAL Thirteen replied "No" and he said "Good". Loved that quick flashback!

[@Toribot]

@@DEEJAYWALExcept they cocked that up because in Logopolis, it’s explicitly NOT Jodrell Bank. It doesn’t even look the same. The Pharos Project is in Cambridgeshire - Jodrell Bank is about 200 miles away!

[@jmcdonald.1998]

This episode is so heavily referenced (and rightly so, it has a big impact) in the modern show, like how Missy & the Simm Master say they know The Doctor’s fallen as a previous death in ‘The Doctor Falls’, or how Sacha Dhawan’s Master asks Tegan if her Aunty Vanessa has a little Doll’s House in ‘Power of the Doctor’

[@tenmark7055]

Remember when Missy & John Simm's Master were dancing in front of Peter Capaldi trying to decide how they were going to kill him and asked about his previous deaths and Missy said, I know you have fallen? This was what she was referring to.

[@darraghtate440]

Also John Simm shouting "People of Earth, please attend carefully" in the sound of drums - it was a callback, and his announcement to the universe of exactly who he was.

[@pauldonald4676]

And Jodie Whitaker and Sascha Dawan referred to it when the Doctor and the Master met on top of the Eiffel Tower. The Masters attitude was simply Eiffel. Sorry.

[@bigfatcarp93]

Can we talk about the sheer commitment of someone genuinely trying to react to ALL of Doctor Who? And at this point she may very well do it

[@TrashMammal2002]

She's basically the only one who's reacting to the entire Classic Who, and all for it!

[@nocturne8333]

I can’t believe you’ve reached the Fifth Doctor already. Tom Baker was such a fantastic Doctor, and I’m glad that his regeneration is so beautifully done. Enjoy your break in the mean time.

[@liamkc1998]

I say this every time you hit an episode milestone, but I can’t believe you’ve seen the 4th Doctor’s final story! I totally agree with you about the range in the 4th Doctor’s era. It’s probably why it’s my favourite. For me I just adored his time with Romana, especially Romana 1! Mary’s sass and their chemistry was just off the charts for me! Looking forward to your 4th Doctor review, but I don’t envy you with that mammoth of a look back and first, I hope you have a fantastic break 💙

[@GoombahYah]

Hard to believe we've reached this point. Logopolis is one of my favorite stories, and a perfect send-off for both the excellent season 18 and the Fourth Doctor. "Still, the future lies this way…" Now on to Peter Davison! I really think you're going to enjoy the Fifth Doctor. While very different from Matt Smith's Eleven (and I know NO ONE could ever compare!), there are many parallels, especially in how he followed a hugely iconic performance by his predecessor, yet made the role his own completely. These two Doctors straddled my youth, I consider both "my Doctor". Anyway, enjoy your break! It's been said elsewhere, but what impeccable cosmic timing!

[@bobchisholm7487]

I got chuckle last week when you said something like "The end of a season is a good time to take a break", little knowing that you were nearing the end of a Docotr.

[@HudsonMedia]

This Doctor and era got me through lockdown. So I pretty much weep everytime I watch this story. I just think it has one of the most beautiful regenerations.

[@tideoftime]

The Watcher and 4 were essentially in a reduced version of Cho-je and K'anpo Rimpoche vis-a-vis how the two coexisted together and then K'anpo regenerated into Cho-je. So it was a nod to how 3's time/story ended. Also, the Pharos project/dish was a deliberate further nod to 10 seasons earlier (to S-8) where a similar radio dish was part of the that story.

[@tokublwhovian]

“It’s the end, but the moment has been prepared for”.

[@ChampionAshley]

It’s truly interesting to connect the appearance of the Watcher to the most recent (bi)regeneration. In Logopolis, a future incarnation looming over the story provides a sense of doom and finality. The Watcher’s existence acts as a ticking clock for the story. Whereas Fifteen’s involvement in his first story is the opposite, his existence doesn’t mean death but life. Not a metaphorical reaper existing to take the Doctor’s place in the end, but a guide to help his previous incarnation find peace in the now. It’s just so cool to see how these things connect across both Classic and Modern Who. Plus, now you know that moment during Twelve’s regeneration where he sees all of his modern companions, that was referencing this episode.

[@michaelinlofi]

I always thought the Watcher was another way of looking at the Kanpo / Cho-Je idea. A projection of the Doctors future stepping in to help

[@moreau1755]

@@michaelinlofi Which could also explain Romana running through several forms during her regeneration - all projections of potential bodies, not actual regenerations used up.

[@jackwarren5608]

AND, fixes the argument that bigeneration “breaks the rules of regeneration” when it’s very clear throughout the show, there are no rules whatsoever 😂

[@benlowe1701]

This is what the 15th Doctor referred to as "The Logopolis Devastation" when listing their great traumas.

[@nerissacrawford8017]

5 is here! You guys have no I idea how much I love that Doctor. On is my favourite Classic Who story, Castrovalva.

[@jmcdonald.1998]

I love that one cliffhanger in Castrovalva! Some of the most iconic imagery in the show

[@SirWussiePants]

The fourth Doctor was the first one shown on our local PBS station (and, I believe PBS stations across the country) so I grew up with him as "THE Doctor". I loved his wackiness but he could be menacing when he needed to be. Tom Baker always was and always (and still is) the Doctor to this day. Peter Davison is great too. Looking forward to future reactions. Rest up!

[@marknorth8904]

Some PBS stations started with Jon Pertwee in 1971 or 1972...

[@markmullins8622]

My local PBS station started with the fourth in single episodes but later a station in alabama began broadcasting from the 1st on entire serials at one time on Saturdays edited as 1 show, except for War games . Never saw another venue do that. But Fang Rock was my first Dr Who serial and tho I consider Capaldi my favorite nuwho doctor, Tom will always be My doctor

[@rogershore3128]

What makes Logopolis so great is the observation you make. The events simply overtake the Doctor..... And at such speed..... The doom and gloom is there from the first frame to the last....

[@TomEyre]

A funereal atmosphere through the story, the ultimate stakes and a brilliant performance from Tom wrap up an incredible era.

[@stacyp2186]

Tom Baker’s Doctor and Sarah Jane were the first shown in America on PBS, so one reason he’s so popular here in the states. You never forget your first Now, you’ll get to see David Tennant’s father-in-law.

[@pauldonald4676]

Actually I am not quite sure that's true. I definitely remember catching part of an American tv series back in the 80s. No idea what it was. Set in a high school I think. A guy and a girl were talking about Doctor Who and he accused her of being a Pertwee chick.

[@Melancthon7332]

I can NOT believe we're finally here. It's been great watching you fall in love with Four and all his utterly amazing companions. The realization dawning on your face that It was, indeed, happening, was supremely gratifying. Wotta run! Can't wait to see what you make of Five - he's not my favorite Doctor, but he has a load of absolutely fantastic stories during his run, some of the best of any era of Who. And good to see you vibing with Tegan, not surprised at all!

[@Jaketherobonrd]

Well we reached the end of Tom Baker’s era as for the 4th Doctor. Those last words will be iconic to me. As I said before myself and many others, Tom Baker is my doctor growing up and everytime I watch that regeneration scene it makes me weep my eyes out😢. Also Anthony Ainley first proper debut as The Master is great.

[@misterenriquez]

What a heroic end to such a heroic doctor. Tom Baker's eras will forever be an amazing showcase of what doctor who could be. The good, the bad, the funny, the sad, it has everything! On a side note, I've waited all this time for you to meet Tegan! You are definitely going to love her!

[@GlucoseDehydrogenase]

I'm now 52, but was only 2 when Jon regenerated, so Tom was the first Doctor I clearly recall, so his 7 years as the Doctor were a lifetime to a young boy and I cried a lot at the end of Logopolis, at the age of 9. I also cried when the Curator made his lovely appearance in The Day of the Doctor.

[@Jon_FM]

For me my favourite 4th Doctor story is Genesis of the Daleks because it is such a landmark and gives us that moment where 4 is able to take out the Daleks in their cradle and has to argue the morality of it. Probably my favourite moment of all the classic stories.

[@ldkinbote]

My sister knitted me that burgundy scarf when I was in high school. I love it and still have it and that was in the (*ahem*) mid-80s. I kinda used it mostly like a Snuggie to wrap myself in around the house when it's chilly. You saw how long it was on Tom Baker and he was quite tall. I'm 5'7". Although I haven't in a long time and actually did buy a Snuggie with fleece lining when it was on sale for less than $20.

[@marknorth8904]

Both Jon Pertwee and Tom Baker are 6'3"...

[@bobdallas4860]

So many comments already stating this, but I have to do it as well for Tom's 4th Doctor. "It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for!" Long live the king!

[@johnhudson9167]

I went to Jodrell Bank for my 9th birthday,and somehow managed not to fall off it. Then again, don't remember the Master being there.

[@tmartin6300]

27:27 - You don’t know how you’ll feel going forward, which is good. This is a new fresh start. The Keeper of Traken, Logopolis, and Castrovalva are all a part of the New Beginnings Trilogy.

[@AnthonyP73]

I am so happy that you enjoyed season 18, it was the first one I saw in full as a child, it's remained one of my favourites of all time and Logopolis is the natural conclusion. It's so gratifying that to rescue the series from where it had fallen, the more intellectual themes introduced actually produced a run of excellent stories. The era of the Fifth is here!

[@themaestrosfolly]

I remember watching this in 1980, I was 5 and I still think, 40+ years later that this is the best regeneration sequence visually and artistically of all of them. Such a simple effect proves to be the most impressive of all….

[@cameronmonaghan6883]

Such a great finale. Perfect end to Tom Baker's run. The final scene is engraved into the fanbase collective consciousness. Logopolis and Traken are great worlds in their own rights. So tragic both no longer exist in the Whoniverse. The potential for more stories would be endless.

[@bananasaregood8655]

Three subtle references to logopolis in modern era who, the first is in 'The sound of drums' after the master kills the president he addresses the camera by saying 'People's of the earth, please attend carefully..' The second was in 'The doctor falls' at the start when missy and the master are asking the doctor how he has 'died' before, missy says 'I know you've fallen...' referencing the 4th dr falling to his death. The third is in 'Spyfall part 2' at the top of the eiffel tower the doctor says: 'reminds me of jordel bank' to which the master says: 'Did i ever apologize for that?' 'No' 'Good...'

[@peterkanelis2083]

One of the descriptions of the Fourth Doctor I remember was that he did have a mixture of his previous incarnations. He had some of the arrogance of the First, the humor the Second, and some of the elegance of the Third, although his elegance was obviously more casual. I always found that particular description pretty interesting and somewhat accurate. With all of that, Toim Baker did make his own stamp on the role. I am glad you made it through this era and enjoyed it.

[@bjgandalf69]

Jess, the primary costume designer for Tom's last season and JNT's 1st (Season 18) was June Hudson: Hudson commenced her tenure as a costume designer for Doctor Who in 1978, and subsequently assumed the role of principal costume designer in 1979. Her initial productions, namely The Ribos Operation (1978) and The Creature from the Pit (1979), garnered commendation from the series' producer, Graham Williams. Williams expressed his appreciation for Hudson's work and requested her involvement in at least two additional productions within the 1979-80 recording period.[2] June Hudson was asked to be the sole costume designer by John Nathan-Turner for Doctor Who's 18th season in 1980 due to her success in producing great effects on a limited budget[citation needed]. However, the BBC costume department felt the responsibilities were too much for one person, and asked Hudson to nominate a second designer. She chose Amy Roberts, whose style was similar to Hudson's. Hudson's more notable costume designs included outfits for principal characters, such as Lalla Ward's portrayal of the second Romana and the armor worn by the Gundans.[citation needed] From.her Wikipedia page...

[@DonnaLang42rockglobally]

Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor was the first incarnation of the character I'd ever seen and by extention "Logopolis" was my introduction to regeneration. My knowledge of this show was limited when I was viewing this as a high school student in the 80s, so part 4's resolution hit me like a ton of bricks on first viewing. And my sister (who was - and still is - a fan of the original "All Creatures Great and Small") was in shock because she recognized Peter Davison - "Tristan's the new Doctor? I wonder how that's going to work out?" Jess, you are in for quite the journey. No spoilers, I'll just say the Fifth Doctor grew on me.

[@space1999]

By this time we had a video recorder and so I was able to record this story.... I must have watched the regeneration scene 50 times back then... it got me every time...!

[@knavehart]

It is interesting how you pinned in on the costumes, as John Nathan Turner, who became show runner at the start of the season, began to "standardize" the costumes, The Doctor staying in the burgundy and plum, with the ? shirt, And Adric staying in the same costume the entire time. Lalla's wardrobe over her run was quite a fashion show, she had so many looks, all of them pretty fab, but JNT wanted to make the characters pretty distinct and identifiable to a young audience. And its going to be even more so in the coming season...

[@ItsArcticVision]

Wow I’ve also just watched logopolis today 😂 it was actually my second time watching since I watched it before power of the doctor when it was revealed Tegan was gonna be in it. Having now watched the entire era the regeneration becomes so much more impactful. I think my favourite TARDIS team of this era is 4, romana II and K9. Looking forward to watching the 5th doctor’s era :)

[@thequietguy1648]

@15:40 Sesska: "Sheesh! There's a lot of loss in this story..." The Whoniverse: "We're not done yet". :D ;) :p

[@t43iavmoi]

What I remember Tom Baker doing shortly after leaving Doctor Who, is a TV version of The Hound of the Baskervilles. He played the lead role of Sherlock Holmes. Something to look out for. Great reaction 👏👍. All the very best and hope your time away is a good one 🍻.

[@marknorth8904]

The book "Logopolis" went into detail about why Tom's hand slipped from the metal beam: It was bitterly cold the day of final day filming. It was so cold that the Fourth Doctor searched for gloves in his coat on his climb up the ladder. It also prevented Tom's hand from hanging onto the metal until he could be rescued...

[@SKIP-yj3xp]

Tom Baker is my Doctor. This was the first regeneration I had ever seen at the time. It took me awhile to get used to Peter Davisson because his Doctor was so different.

[@myphone4590]

There's a theory that the caretaker from the 50th anniversary was a surviving leisure hive clone, who couldn't regenerate but instead traveled back at the end of his life to reunite with the Doctor as the Watcher.

[@nesshane71]

You're finally here! 12 Months of the 4th Doctor! What a journey

[@jonathanmurphy3141]

This story, when released on Blu-box, got some updated effects. Originally in like late 1980, the production could not go a film at the big radio telescope -they used a model, and filmed running, hiding, climbing at a location. The actual radio telescope, Jodrell Bank is a bit west of Manchester. (I was driving around the U.K. in May 1990, had been in Manchester, drove West to Wales, and saw Jodrell B' from the road. I parked, by roadside, blinkers on, got to a fence, across a field, and took a few Photographs.) When the Season 18 Blu-disc was out in 2018, the disc-production crew got permission to fly a Drone, with a camera, around the J'B' grounds. They filmed, and matted into the original footage a few fine shots, and it's rather seamless. They even improved the model on Logopolis.

[@AnotherScifiGuy]

Such a legend, the fourth Doctor, my personal favorite still to this day. Looking forward to when the review for his era eventually makes it up. He has so many stories you could do a top ten!

[@7bestthings]

One of the greatest Doctor Who stories of all time, a fitting farewell to the Fourth Doctor. The writing by Christopher Bidmead is excellent and the direction by Peter Grimwade gives a palpable sense of doom. But this story belongs to Tom Baker, who gives a fantastic performance in his final bow as the Doctor. He is angry, he is vulnerable, and he is absolutely heroic as he gives his life to save the universe from his arch enemy.

[@anthonysaunders548]

Teagan quickly became one of my favorites. I started watching Doctor Who with Tom Baker and was stunned by the regeneration at the end

[@jacobhogan3208]

I genuinely think Logopolis is one of the most engaging stories of the Classic series. Especially in these last two parts with how all the characters are used.

[@alexfletcher5192]

In a strangely subdued interview on the BBC magazine programme 'Nationwide', Tom admitted that his career was probably headed for 'oblivion'. This, sadly, proved to be prescient. He never really recovered from the role with which he had become synonymous. A hero to British children, he had also become an underground cult hero in the United States (thanks to PBS stations) and his likeness as the 4th Doctor would continue to resonate for decades - even turning up, from time to time, in The Simpsons! For years afterwards, if you said you were a Dr Who fan, people would say 'Where's your scarf?' And we are still, in may ways, living with how he interpreted the character today.

[@MetalPharoah]

A friends mom knitted me a scarf for my 23rd birthday. She didn't realize how much she had knitted and laughed when she gave me this massive blue and white scarf that I enjoyed wrapping around me reaching the floor. I didn't watch Doctor Who then so didn't get the references people used, but it's still a great gift to me.

[@jennifermorris6848]

This blew my mind and still does. I love it. Peter is great.

[@peterlenham3180]

Tom Baker is THE doctor. TRULY iconic. Fantastic reactions to his amazing adventures.

[@jimmysjamin1]

Seska sorry for my long absence, I have to tell you I was so happy when you took on the Tom Baker years he was my Doctor, and it took Matt Smith to actually bring me back to The Doctor ha ha ha. So I truly loved your reactions as usual bless you dear 🙏❤️

[@Eltonlaleham]

This been AInley,s first story as the Master he is chilling and scary, but Delgado the original Master form the 70s is a hard act to follow and Ainley was taking over a dead mans role. The Radio telescope location is not actually at Jodrell bank but it is at Crowseley Park Berkshire.

[@gabriellegabbynoblecomics3913]

I did wonder when you would realise this was the end of Four! How great you saw this before your break!

[@ftumschk]

19:13 The script called for the Doctor to scream as he fell, but Tom refused. Instead (19:23) Paddy Kingsland wrote a descending scale into the score.

[@1funkyflyguy]

Wow! What a journey, we made it through, now here we are. On to the next reiteration, and the story continues!!

[@MrJ.Smith1234]

The first two episodes of this story aren't my favorite as there mostly set up for Tegan, the Master and going to Logopolis but these are great. There really action packed and the stakes of the universe ending is very well handled aswel as Tom Baker's departure. His final words "Its the end but the moment has been prepared for" is my favorite final line of any doctor.

[@majkus]

The Doctor alludes to Jodrell Bank when she talks to the Master in Spyfall Part 2. Now you know why.

[@Shadoestar]

No matter how many times I watch this, that ending always chokes me up. It's really sad seeing this strange, yet wonderful Doctor go. "It's the end, but the moment has been prepared for" is still the best final line any Doctor has ever had. Goodbye, Tom Baker. Welcome aboard, Peter Davison.

[@KentuckyBrad]

How many times have you watched it? That's pretty sad and pathetic

[@gus4u2c]

@@KentuckyBradyou’re an A-Hole

[@Cooper_Vision]

I can finally start watching your Who reactions again as I've seen from this episode onwards, I've missed your weekly insights.

[@gestaltdude]

If ever there was a perfect example as to why The Doctor needs the gravity gauntlets we saw in The Church on Ruby Road, this is it. :D

[@hornorsilk2901]

I've always loved this story, in part, because the first time I watched it, I had no notion of regeneration and it all ended mysteriously and made me look into Doctor Who lore.

[@billthewhovian]

So, you've made it to the end of the 4th Doctor right before your break! I was looking forward to seeing your reaction to this regeneration as I do to all regenerations. Now to see how you'll react to the 5th Doctor. I don't want to spoil anything so I won't say much more. Enjoy your break have some fun, so you can come back rejuvenated ready for the 5th Doctor!

[@jimcat6795]

Love bein on this journey with you Jess!

[@johntaylor564]

This was my first regeneration I was only 6 nearly 7 when this was broadcast.

[@Packard63]

The end of my childhood because this Doctor and Tom Baker was the only Doctor i knew and this was the first regeneration that really meant something. My first and favourite Doctor.

[@UncleMilo]

When I first discovered Doctor Who, it was the 4th Doctor. I was devastated when this episode happened. I was aware from the dialogue and other moments that the Doctor would regenerate... but I just got so used to Tom Baker I just was shattered when I realized there wouldn't be anymore of him. Where I lived for the longest time they'd just show Robot all the way to Logopolis and repeat.... so it was a long time before I ever got to see any other Doctor aside from 4... and honestly, it cemented the 4th as the Doctor for me for a long, long time. He still really is my favorite, though Peter Capaldi is a very close second.

[@UncleMilo]

My favorite 4th Doctor Story is The Talons of Weng Chiang My favorite 4th Doctor moment is when he loses it on the Pirate Planet with the "What's it for?!" speech. My favorite 4th Doctor companion is (no shocker) Sarah Jane Smith

[@Lukecash2]

You can thank showrunner John Nathan Turner for the costumes. He wanted the Doctor to be recognisable/unique outfit with a question mark motif. Turner wanted the show to be less satire and more dramatic. Unfortunately, Tom Baker and Turner did not get along. Tom could be difficult to work with and ratings were beginning to fall. Every season Tom claimed that he would suggest maybe it was time to go, every year they begged him to stay. When Tom offered to leave, John Nathan Turner, he accepted.

[@colinwoods-n8v]

This is the reaction i was waiting for. I was 10 when i saw this and became a lifelong whovian after it. Loved your reaction and great story to end before your break. So he was the Doctor all the time 😃

[@ianbuckley2347]

Great reaction Jess. I'm glad you're vibing with Tegan, she's my favourite of the classic companions. Also she was my first big crush as a young lad.😁

[@jimcat6795]

This was my first regeneration, I also didn't know when it was coming or how. I was traumatized! Still have bad dreams about it to this very day. Magnificent story.

[@gus4u2c]

Once you learn the Watcher is actually the Doctor after viewing Logopolis, the 2nd time you watch it, you realize the minute the Doctor lays his eyes on him, the 4th Doctor knows his time is up. The Doctor always seems sad and gloom, also scared every time he sees the Watcher. Which makes this story a little sad and tragic.

[@edwardmctaggart6841]

Have been watching your Dr Who channel for a number of years. I have watched Dr Who from its original series in 1963.Always enjoy watching such a beautiful lady.Keep up the good work.I think you said your taking a break.Have a nice rest.

[@helenwood8482]

The Fifth Doctor is my favourite. He also happens to be the father of David Tennant's wife.

[@williamhuebler68]

The producers said when casting for the fourth doctor they wanted a less reliable more unpredictable doctor. And baker himself is so eccentric and charming and yes unstable for better and worse and he put that into the role. He truly does feel alien in a way most other doctors don’t. But I agree it’s a tribute to his characterization that the 4th doctor is so flexible he can really comfortably do any type of story. It’s the end. And now for something completely different.

[@robsaberrations4924]

Been waiting for months to see your reaction to this episode! Thank you!

[@LightLife4]

What sets this one out is that you get the impression that the 4th Doctor is both getting ready for, and embracing, his upcoming regeneration right from the start

[@ThomCurley]

I had another tear, man it certainly was the end of an era, but the start of a v exciting and different one, which I hope you’ll love as much as I did and still do. Fab reaction.

[@alexfletcher5192]

The flashback sequence anticipates a similar homage in 'The Doctor Falls' some 36 years later - and underlines a sharp distinction between watching linear TV in 1981 and via streaming in 2024. Tom Baker had occupied the role for so long that there was now an entire generation of young kids - including myself - who had never seen another Dr Who in action. Yes, we had the ongoing series of adaptations by Target Books (including, handily, the copy of 'Doctor Who and the Giant Robot' on our bookshelf at home!) but reading is not the same as seeing. Noting this - and aware of the uphill struggle incoming Time Lord Peter Davison was going to face - showrunner John Nathan-Turner commissioned an unprecedented season of repeats on the BBC's second channel, BBC2, entitled 'The Five Faces of Doctor Who'. Unlike certain TV stations in other territories, the BBC's policy was never to re-run a story more than a year or so old, so this series proved to be a real eye opener. The repeats chosen were: William Hartnell in 'An Unearthly Child' (the first full repeat of this story on British television since 1963); Patrick Troughton in 'The Krotons' (which, discouragingly, was the only Troughton four-parter left in the archives at that point); Jon Pertwee in 'Carnival of Monsters' and 'The Three Doctors' (thereby restoring the original production order of these two adventures); and, once again, 'Logopolis', with its brief glimpse of the show's fresh-faced new star. For a lot of youngsters like me, it turned casual fans into life-long obsessives!

[@TheMess9898]

As a young boy...this was a core moment.

[@michaeldaniel5009]

20:50 I still remember that Saturday evening in 81, as a 9 year old. Harrowing!

[@htershane]

Right there with you, same age, except I didn’t have any notion the Doc would be changing and I still didn’t fully understand what my dad meant by “previous” Doctors. I grew up with Tom but this is where Peter became “my” Doctor.

[@michaeldaniel5009]

@@htershane Tom for me.

[@htershane]

@@michaeldaniel5009 👍 yea I get that. Quite frankly Tom scared me just as much as the monsters sometimes😂. Technically I was born in the JP era but I don’t really have firm Doctor memories until Season 14 whereas I saw the 5th Doc born as it were and saw his era through by which time I was a fully fledged fan, so Pete has a (very slight) edge for me.

[@doctordeej]

What a reaction to go away on holiday on. It was emotional at the time for those of us who watched it. Althought the stiry wasn’t the greatest and the reason for the regeneration not as good as he deserved, the music and the dialogue were chilling.

[@lucasdolding6924]

Good luck with the review, I'm quite excited for it whenever it comes out. I can't remember which stories were your favourites cos there's so many but one that I remember you loving was Seeds of Doom so I know for sure that's got to be in your top 5 if only for the plant guy and nothing else lol