Dr Who Review - The Companions - The Brigadier

[@ems6706]

wonderful video! my grandmother loved Dr.Who since she moved to England in 1970 and she always loves these videos. She's been in and out of chemo for a long time, and she rushes to watch these when i send her the links for new videos and it just generally makes her happy. So thank you, you're doing good work.

[@cleverdickfilms]

Thank you so much! That is genuinely one of the most wonderful comments I’ve ever had. It means so much to me that my little videos bring you and your grandmother such joy. I wish you both all the best!

[@swfcocs1]

Heres hoping these vids continue to give your gran peace and happiness , they'recertainly essential viewing, I used to think I had some knowledge of the original series but I always learn loads from each instalment👍👍

[@TheSuzberry]

These are memories for this grandmother, too. Give her love from a septuagenarian in Annapolis. All the best to you both.

[@rogerlynch5279]

4:40 For your German viewers you really could had mentioned that the man had been also stationed in WEST - Berlin as this photo shows

[@rogerlynch5279]

As someone having spent all of his highschool years on a German Gymnasium there I just recognized the sign

[@goldenguy880]

"There have been many Doctors, but there's only one Brigadier." -Tom Baker

[@minicle426]

Wonderful chap. All of him.

[@pgon9097]

What about Bambera? There were two

[@jerry2357]

"Chap with the wings there: five rounds rapid". Brilliant!

[@simonbutterfield4860]

Though in truth you could not fire an SLR like that coz that weapon had a kick like a mule, that was one thing I couldn't suspend my disbelief on as I 1st came across the weapon at Swinderby.

[@ultra_marcus]

That line is so British it just re-heated my cold tea.

[@natsmith303]

I'm suddenly very aware that in the 70s there must have been a small portion of the budget set aside just for stick-on 'staches.

[@lancebaylis3169]

Nick was always proud of the fact that by The Five Doctors and Battlefield he'd finally grown his own 🤣

[@bbbf09]

Based on the shonky special effects I think majority of the budget must have been assigned to moustaches alone.

[@HectorGonzalez-qx9nk]

A companion loyal and true, right to the very end. And a man, great in his acting and accepting/loving of the fan base that followed him. Rest In Peace Nicholas Courtney.

[@Gingerprince521]

Brilliant video as always and really teared up during that scene where the 11th Doctor learns of Lethbridge Stewart's death more so then when the episode aired. One small note though, The bit with the Brigadier at Unit in The Five Doctors was not an earlier version then the one seen in Mawdryn Undead and it is a Unit reunion not his retirement. This is how he is able to recognise Tegan later in the Tomb of Rassilon.

[@gregorde]

As an American, I always found the Brigadier to be the most quintessentially British character. He was subtly funny. My favorite of the classic male characters.

[@Croftyhere]

The Daemons is my favourite Doctor Who story for this era, my Grandfather is in it though, so I'm slightly byest. Another great video!

[@ftumschk]

I presume it was your grandfather who beat up Mike Yates and nicked the helicopter? Cool!

[@Croftyhere]

@@ftumschk yes it was! Went out in a blaze of glory

[@EdmundJohnson]

I'm not biased and for me it's the most memorable 3rd doctor story by far.

[@ftumschk]

@@EdmundJohnson The Dæmons is also my favourite Pertwee story - in all media :) I've read the Target novelisation dozens of times over the years, and the audiobook (narrated by Barry Letts, no less) is great.

[@josephryan362]

The Brigadier is one my favourite companies of classic Dr who and I love all of the doctor Who story he has been in I love the invasion because It set up the future of classic doctor who

[@alexpattison6448]

Awesome as ever. But I've got to say I absolutely loved this covering my favourite of the Doctor's companions Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart.

[@SJKPJR007]

Another astonishingly high quality documentary with an attention to detail and level of professionalism befitting the actor who embodied those very same traits.

[@autumnmatthews3179]

The Web of Fear and The Invasion are two of my absolute favourite serials, and the Brigadier was a vital part of rejuvinating the show

[@friendlyotaku9525]

ngl the ending of the video got me really emotional. Nicholas Courtney may be gone but he'll never be forgotten, he has left behind such an incredible legacy which will be remembered forever! Beautiful video!

[@VictorThurler]

It made me cry. Nice overview of the Brigadier.

[@mateogarcia7982]

I love this channel, I was a new fan from the show and didn't understand when people meant eras, this channel helped understand and love even more this show. Keep up the outstanding work!

[@Andy.Gledhill.Models.]

A brilliant video, as always. A fitting tribute to the character and Nicholas Courtney.

[@rodtough2235]

Thank you, Richard, for another glorious celebration of Doctor Who in the form of one of the most wonderful supporting characters to ever lend a dignified presence to the programme. Your series always reminds me why I loved the show so much and highlights why it simply isn't the same nowadays... However, this and the joyous news of the return of the man who I would credit as being responsible for bringing it back to the heights of it's former greatness fills me with new hope that things can turn around again, the Master's account of the "Timeless Child" will be revealed as some sort of elaborate hoax and the Doctor will become, once again, a Time Lord, long lived but not immortal and regain the "humanity" that is lost when the character can just live endless lives without the vulnerability to death which we all share. As usual, a brilliant analysis, Richard. Now, how long till your review of the Matt Smith era? Yours expectantly....

[@jimworsley9391]

After deciding earlier this year to watch all the dvds and read the novelisations of the 3rd and 4th Doctors in order (just finished Jon Pertwee, now on Tom Baker’s first season), I have the merest inkling of the level of dedication you have applied to making your brilliant films. Just to say how much all your hard work is appreciated, together with the joy each new post brings. Thank you!

[@DixonLyrax]

Thank you for that. It underscores how it's the human characters who give Dr Who it's depth and emotional resonance. I loved the Brig. He wasn't prefect, but as someone standing up for humanity against the darkness. I'm very glad he was there.

[@aliservan7188]

I love Doctor Who, and have been brought to tears twice in its entire history, and both of those times involved The Brig. Bravo, brilliant.

[@normanby100]

I bought him a pint at a convention in Birmingham in 1982.

[@tgushiniere]

Thank you!!! Best companion video to date! I loved Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart! The first Doctor I ever saw was Peter Cushing as a kid then I recognized the phone booth and Jon Pertwee as the Doctor for my first view of the television series. I remember thinking how much of a Bad Ass the Brigadier was to stand up to and work with Jon Pertwee, who was ( The ) Kick Ass Doctor before Capaldi! I’ve listened to it five times already on patrol at work, thanks again!

[@ComMaxil]

Another superb video, as a fellow longstanding doctor who fan who loves all the back ground minutiae around the history and making of the show i always go into your videos expecting that i will know it all already but you always pull out new facts that i was not aware of. In this case i never knew the name of the actor originally slated to play Lethbridge in the Web of Fear, nor that Nicholas Courtney had had a stroke that prevented him from appearing in the Sarah Jane Adventures with the Tenth Doctor (i knew he had been ill, but not with what). Your research as always was top notch. Nicholas Courtney always came across as such a nice man and he did such great work, both on the tv series and later with Big Finish, the two stories he did with David Warner as the Doctor may have been his best ever work as the Brigadier, they really are wonderful.

[@replimatreviews]

Great video. Thanks for the shout out to the Lethbridge-Stewart range of books. Two small errors though.... There is nothing on screen to say that The Five Doctors is the Brig's retirement. Indeed, it's said to be a reunion and the Brig's hair is the same greying colour as his 1983 counterpart in Mawdryn. Second, Battlefield most certainly does not ignore the Brig's teaching. It references it directly, saying he retired from teaching. The idea of a military man going into teaching is not unheard of, and is, in fact, quite a common thing. Intentionally or not, the Brig's situation in Mawdryn Undead is not too dissimilar to Smiley in the le Carre novels. :) Edited to add: I too think the resurrection as a Cybermen was a huge insult to both the Brig and Courtney. Which is why I made it very clear in the LS novel, An Ordinary Man, that after saving Kate the CyberBrig blew himself up to ensure he wasn't ever used against Earth again.

[@ritzexists2201]

I always took cyber-stewart flying off as a sign he was going to go self destruct.

[@joyousmonkey6085]

A wonderful tribute to a wonderful character and a wonderful man.

[@MWhaleK]

The Brigadier is one of Doctor Who's best characters.

[@gussyt1761]

These videos are so amazing man, can’t wait for more

[@menacelurkingyet8345]

Brigadier is a military rank, the seniority of which depends on the country. In some countries, it is a senior rank above colonel, equivalent to a brigadier general or commodore, typically commanding a brigade of several thousand soldiers.

[@LicencetoWho]

Fantastic video! Nicholas Briggs was hoping to get Courtney with Auton in 1997 but unfortunately he was not available at the time.

[@mcal27]

Got quite emotional watching this… The Brig is/was truly wonderful

[@robertpierce6436]

I know you said it’s not a great farewell for him. But I still get choked up when the Doctor releases who that Cyberman is. Plus you can have him whip the Cybermen into shape and become heroes.

[@btf_flotsam478]

26:31 As someone who comes from Canberra, I find it astonishing to see the _Canberra Times_ be used as the image for Doctor Who leaving the BBC. With no insult to the paper intended, it's definitely not the most prestigious newspaper ever seen.

[@angryengine9616]

Can't wait for number 12! Thanks my man, another fine addition to the Who catalogue!

[@celtspeaksgoth7251]

Dim memory of Hartnell though Troughton was the first Doc I recall-Cybermen in London 1968. I'd like UNIT given decent tech so that sometimes they even save Doc = Men In Black/Agents of Shield. Fantastic to hear presenter mentioning Quatermass as I always felt that was where the Doc originated. Would like to see spinoff - a parallel universe, UNIT defending Earth in a steampunk world where British Empire, Prussia, Czarist Russia still exist

[@deltadom33]

He is one of my favourite characters in dr who

[@moreheff]

That was excellent. Really took me back. Thank you...........

[@pious83]

Susan to Jamie to the Brigadier. Yep, that level of importance seems apt.

[@TheProfessional99]

Brilliant, brilliant video. The best KZbin documentary maker by far.

[@pa1adin111]

Absolutely fantastic. Thank you for this wonderful tribute to one of the best characters from the series.

[@simongleaden2864]

25:08 I think that's Marsha Fitzalan (aka Lady Marcia Fitzalan-Howard) playing Mrs Lethbridge-Stewart. She was also Mrs B'stard in The New Statesman as the wife if Rik Mayall's character.

[@Gill12283]

Great documentary, always loved the Brig. He gave continuity and solidity to Doctor Who.☺

[@Tolly7249]

I really love your Doctor Who videos. They're always so informative and entertaining! I feel the disappointment and distaste for the Cyber-Brig. Honestly it was just the height of what I consider to be Moffat's mishandling of the series. Trapped as a living corpse forever, that's just too cruel an end for our beloved Lethbridge-Stewart. I prefer to think of him as peacefully passed in his sleep, escaping Missy's plots through being too dangerous for her to try and control. Anything else feels disrespectful.

[@peterdixon7734]

I agree that Moffat mis-judged that very badly. I was also uneasy over the way in which the Master was portrayed in The Deadly Assassin, a few years after Roger Delgado passed on. A blot on an otherwise groundbreaking story.

[@HiDesert004]

I think another example of Moffat thinking he's clever.

[@ThreeOranges]

Terrific work. I see where you're coming from with the Capaldi story, but what with the notion that the transformation had happened to *everybody*, it worked for me. Think of all the other good characters that just got turned into robo meat without the redemption . . .

[@thefurrybastard1964]

Brigadier Lethbridge Stewart was and still is one of my all time favourite Dr. Who characters.

[@JoesGuy]

Making the Brigadier a Cyberman was one of the most astonishingly stupid things I've ever seen.

[@Eve_Glitch]

How so?

[@JoesGuy]

@@Eve_Glitch Um.... eternity as a metallic husk, maybe?

[@Eve_Glitch]

@@JoesGuy Didn't he die anyway by burning in the sky?

[@JoesGuy]

@@Eve_Glitch Sure, he shouldn't have been made a Cyberman in the first place.

[@Eve_Glitch]

@@JoesGuy ……… Remind me again when's the last time we heard of him before that?

[@robinschicha4712]

This is travel 🧳 back in Time! Thank you for your Tardis!! 😄

[@anon5263]

The Brigadier died waiting for The Doctor to visit as shown in Moffat's novelization of Day of The Doctor. The Doctor feels immense guilt. Nevertheless when The Brigadier's old enemy The Master resurrects him as a Cyberman, the monster he fought when he first met The Doctor, his duty as a father and to save the world wins through.

[@tomnorton4277]

Exactly. I'd say that the Brigadier's final act as a Cyberman was perfectly fitting. He was never the kind of character who would be content with dying in bed and seeing the Doctor one last time before ascending to heaven was very fitting.

[@antonmassopust568]

Great stories about the Brigadier can't wait till you do Matt Smith you've helped me out a lot with your videos I looked at them again when I record my podcast called Anton s kowns

[@countdowntorevolution9986]

Wtf to the cyberman coda! I'd have straight up refused to film that if I was Capaldi.

[@marlasotherchannel9847]

Well done! I loved Lethbridge and hated that they turned him into a Cyberman. 😪

[@robbiebonham]

Another excellent overview!

[@NonyaDamnbusiness]

Excellent tribute to a great character, thank you. It's a shame that the BBC seems to be anti-military nowadays and refuses to cast a proper military companion for the Doctor. But then again, Doctor Who hasn't been Doctor Who for years now. They lost me at the first new female Doctor episode when she said "knives are useless!" No, they're not - I use a Swiss Army knife all the time. And unlike the current batch of dull Who scripts, it's sharp.

[@GermanLeftist]

I'll always be disappointed that they didn't bring back the Brigadier in The Seeds of Doom. Hell, at the very least Sergeant Benton could have turned up.

[@rogerlynch5279]

As

[@markcowell7257]

I always look forward to these videos, and think very highly of their quality and content. So it is with some trepidation that I venture a certain misgiving about this particular episode. Recently I watched all of the early Jon Pertwee stories, being someone who lost his behind-sofa viewing angle only in 1973 (I was 10) so I remembered only the later portrayal of The Brigadier. On finally seeing his early days, it occured to me that the character originally drawn was extremely competent, and that his actions almost always either directly or indirectly helped The Doctor. Later on, he seemed to be re-drawn almost as an antagonist, destined to doing the wrong or stupid thing. He became something of an unimaginative buffoon by the time he met the Fourth Doctor. I thought that you would have picked up on this more and could of used it as an example of the need to maintain characer consistency in a programme format that has a lot of different writers and directors as it grows and develops. Just a thought, but please continue to make your videos, and thank you for all your hard and creative work.

[@cleverdickfilms]

A great point, and one that I originally intended to reference but couldn’t really work it in in the end. It’s certainly true that he become less credulous as time passes - his refusal to believe in the reality of Omega’s world or the idea that the Second Doctor has travelled in time in the same story is a perfect example of how he was becoming drawn more and more as the sceptical ‘buffoon’. It’s rather odd considering his remit as the leader of an organisation established to investigate the odd and unexplained! I imagine it happened primarily as a way of creating conflict for the Doctor and to inject a bit of vicarious scepticism for the audience.

[@markcowell7257]

@@cleverdickfilms Thank you very much for your response; your points make sense and also reflect the care you are taking in this endeavour. Please keep making these videos.

[@colinmaclaughlanweir9670]

1970 This where and when it all started for me

[@bruh949]

Petition for Daley Emperors return? After all he was there with the 2nd doctor, was with Davros in disguise though and the war with war doctor then 9. Can he return? Too good of a alternate Daley leader.

[@disneyboy3030]

I think I know how to deal with the whole Birgadear thing that the end.

[@BIGM-gg9ln]

very cool. thank you.

[@ShadowWingTronix]

One of my favorite Brigadier lines is, and I may end up paraphrasing, "Just once I'd like to meet a monster that wasn't immune to bullets". I love that his final appearance in Classic Who has him defeating the monster...with bullets. Special bullets, but still bullets.

[@Sir_Gerald_Nosehairs.]

What I liked about The Brig was that although on the surface he seemed a stereotypical British Army officer, he wasn't two-dimensional. He respected and admired The Doctor, looked after his men, and even had flashes of deadpan humour. He came across as an actual human being and a decent person, not just a comedy stuffy Establishment foil for the Doctor to critique.

[@deepvoicegames5024]

2011 was a hard year for the who universe losing first the Brigadier and then Sarah Jane. Two actors which gave so much to Doctor Who and will never be forgotten.

[@Demortixx]

Wait Sarah Jane is gone?

[@danielchiverton4168]

@@Demortixx Yes, over 10 years ago now

[@vashna3799]

They’re the two best loved characters of the lot.

[@vampstirker10]

@@Demortixx the actress Elizabeth Sladen passed away in 2011 but the character Sarah Jane Smith actually survived into 2019, maybe 2020. Her funeral was apart of a short story released on KZbin in 2020 called 'Farewell Sarah Jane' which was made over the first UK lockdown

[@sallomon2357]

​@@vashna3799 and both were introduced in the Third Doctor's era! Fittingly, the Golden Era of Dr Who produced not only two of the best Doctors, but also two of the best side characters 😊

[@oisinoreilly5307]

One of the very best of all companions to the Doctor. Never has there been someone as long-standing and enduring as the Brig himself. The legacy of Nicholas Courtney's performance is felt through every era of the show. Another brilliant video for such a brilliant character. Hats off to you, Richard!

[@cleverdickfilms]

Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed!

[@karenhall4645]

The fact that the show tried to bring him back through his daughter is a testament to how well loved he is. Unfortunately, she couldn't compare because Nicholas Courtney's Brigadier is irreplaceable.

[@HerohammerStudios]

@@robinlarge1630 Definitely one of my favourites, but certainly not as enduring

[@jasmingovers4403]

Truly! I myself joined with the 11th Doctor and even I know how important and loved the brigadier was!

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Matt Smith's scene where he hears about the Brigadier's death is a beuatiful scene, and is probably my favourite scene from The Wedding of River Song that doesn't have Gantok in it. It's almost as if the Brig was advising his old friend from beyond the grave, telling him he's got to go through with what he's desperately trying to avoid. Better than the bloody Cyberbrigadier, that was a bloody bad idea in practice, though I can understand what they were going for.

[@jcortese3300]

I've heard a bit about that Cyberwhatever business, and as an official Old, I refuse to acknowledge it.

[@Nightman221k]

Now seeing the context for his friend’s history it makes the scene sadder. When I watched it originally it was before I watched the classic who episodes. 😢

[@ritzexists2201]

I honestly think it's one of the gentler missteps in the capauldi era in comparison to the MANY preceded and followed it. Not to mention the horrible lot Jodie got. (poor woman deserves better writers, she's trying her best)

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

@@ritzexists2201 Yes, I feel so sorry for her. No personal dislike for Chibnall, I just don't think his stuff was to my taste. I wish Whittaker could stick around for a series under Russell T, but such things are not to be.

[@ritzexists2201]

@@TheSmart-CasualGamer yeah it's a shame

[@squallrowlandson8028]

The Brigadier is one of my favourite companions and its a shame I never had the chance to meet Nicholas Courtney when he was alive, as I didn't know about comic cons in the 1990s, 2000s and early 2010s. May he rest in peace.

[@steve-0493]

Agreed, one of my faves...in reality its been 10yrs since he left us..then At 36:55 Moffatt paid the respect to the man/character,by having the 11th ring him up at the nursing home just to be told he had passed a few months back....😔 Matt looks crushed...and yeah we all were too while watching lol..'he always made us pour an extra brandy,in case u came around one of these days. Well done Brigadier,well done.🥃✌

[@the_lichemaster]

Met him in a few times at conventions in the late 90's sadly didn't make much of an impact. I got the impression he was there for the money. Elizabeth Sladen on the other hand was lovely.

[@squallrowlandson8028]

@@the_lichemaster I sadly never had the chance to meet Elizabeth Sladen when she was alive too but I'm not the only one.

[@G.reviewz]

2nd doctor: *starts singing* Brigadier: are you in pain?

[@bigrigjoe5130]

"Get off my world." "Pitiful, can this world do no better than you as their champion?" "Probably! I just do the best I can" God damn that's a hell of a line. Really shows how heroic the Brigadier was. No super-powers, no magical alien, he's not the Timeless Child, he's not a robot. he makes mistakes and screws up. But he's out there, doing his best to save the day.

[@EmployeeAMillion]

Excellent review as always. The way the Moffat era handled the Brigadier’s legacy was very mixed, but it’s good to look back and remember he’s always been there for the series, and always will be. I’ve been watching you since the Sixth Doctor retrospective, and I appreciate your dedication and professionalism towards the series in these videos, as much as the history and analysis. I’m very excited for the Eleventh Doctor video, since that was my doctor. 🎀

[@ComMaxil]

I feel that Courtney was a bit unlucky with the timing. When the show first came back and his health not too bad there was a (perhaps) understandable reluctance to overdo links to the classic series (which had been seen as a joke for years in British pop culture). I still dont see why he could not have appeared in the Sontaran two-parter though. Moffat (and Gatiss especially) seems to have been a bigger fan of the character than RTD was and was presumably keen to use him but of course it was already too late by then. Gatiss playing his grandfather is in many ways the perfect loveletter to the character (rather than the cyberbrig silliness). There is a wonderful documentary on the Season 10 blue ray set where Gatiss and Moffat essentially just fanboy all over the UNIT era and how much they loved and and why Petwee, Katy Manning and Courtney are so fantastic

[@edh9999]

What saves that final scene for me, is that it has the doctor, as far as I know for the one and only time, give a genuine military salute out of respect. Knowing his dislike for soldiers and authority figures, the Brig couldn't get a bigger vote of approval from anyone. That being said, I would love a team-up between him and River. That should make sparks fly :)

[@ComMaxil]

Big Finish are doing precisely that, though of course with Jon Culshaw voicing the Brig. He's actually quite good, does a good young Brig, but his older Brig is all over the place unfortunately

[@AlessandroAltosoleChannel]

In the context of the episode it works. I would have probably avoided doing it more because of missy's almost immediate return, which makes that final blast look like he was obeying an order to teleport missy away rather than one last rescue.

[@ericstahmer720]

I definitely agree that “misguided” is the best word for what happened in the Series 8 finale. You can tell that the writers had a lot of love for The Brigadier, and wanted to honor him, but the execution was definitely a bit tone deaf.

[@TheMutantCreeper]

I'm glad that the same day the news of Russel T. Davies coming back comes out, we also get some more videos from Clever Dick Films. Today is a good day.

[@steroq6699]

Today is a great day, whatever naysayers may say...👏🏻

[@jessetorres8738]

Love that you're still doing these in between Doctor Who Era videos.

[@carlrood4457]

One of my favorite moments from the new series is when the Tenth Doctor states he wishes the Brigadier was there and then realized the Colonel he's working with might take it as an insult. Instead the man completely agrees, knowing the Brigadier's (or Sir Alistair, as he calls him) reputation.

[@thetasigma412]

This perfectly encapsulates what everyone loves about the Brigadier. Thank god that the original actor for The Web of Fear pulled out, so that we could be treated to this Who legend.

[@LOOKLOOKLOOKAGAIN]

You're back ! Huzzah ! I shall have a basinful of this with a cup of tea and a custard cream for sure. Good old Brig - one of the best - giving Sarah Jane a run for her money as the best Who companion - and thats really saying something. Thank you - I am sure it will be a delight to watch. 😀

[@swfcocs1]

I always liked the story when the brigadier was a fascist ruler on am alternative reality

[@carlrood4457]

I've always felt the Brigadier was deserving of his own classification. He's not a traditional companion. He has a unique role in the story which is exemplified by the need to give him a complete set of stories with every Doctor. It's one of the great friendships in fiction. It very much fits that he stays behind when The Doctor travels off. Protecting Earth is his duty and he'd never shirk that. I agree the Cyberman thing was a misstep, but I think it was done with good intentions.

[@theycallmejojo6090]

**notices that this popped up in my sub page** As the Brigadier would say: "Well, here we go again"

[@markam67]

Awesome as usual Richard. The Brigadier has always been a key character most especially in classic who. Courtney's performance as the Brigadier was great.

[@hemerafloyd]

Today reveiw : 1. Early morning 2. Nice day at college 3. Realising its Friday 4. Jay Exi posts 5. Russell T Davies confirmed to return as showrunner to fix the mistakes of Chibnall 6. Clever Dick Filims posts So overall I give this day 9/10 it looses points for me spilling my coffee...

[@grochomarx2002]

Davies huh! That is good news. Let's hope he can save the show!

[@hemerafloyd]

@@grochomarx2002 yes! Check the BBC twitter I think it was or if its not look it up...

[@friendlyotaku9525]

" Russell T Davies confirmed to return as showrunner to fix the mistakes of Chibnall" he's not fixing anything though because there's nothing to fix. Also RTD loves the Chibnall era, and is a great friend of Chibnall himself so I imagine he'll be respectful toward this era when crafting his new era which is good.

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

Damn coffee.

[@hemerafloyd]

@@TheSmart-CasualGamer Yes! so true...

[@OmegaChance27]

I had no idea how many Doctors Courtney had been around. Including the 1st!

[@alexanderstenhagen7939]

Honestly got very emotional watching this. I've always enjoyed watching season by season while exploring classic Who and having the brigadier as a constant source of stability and contrast with the new doctors and companions has always been fun. He is a character we will likely never see the like of again in Doctor who!

[@corvus1970]

As an American fan since the late 70's, I have a great deal of fondness for Lethbridge Stewart, and you've done a cracking job in both informing us about and honoring the character, and the late Nicholas Courtney himself. Thank you so much!

[@jaketroop9493]

Another fantastic video Richard, and you've really done the late, great Nic Courtney justice. Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart is undoubtably one of Doctor Who's greatest characters, arguably just as iconic as the Doctor him/herself. He is a true legend, a hero to generations old and new. I remember being devastated in 2011 when I heard of both his and Liz Sladen's passings. To quote Tom Baker "there are many Doctors, but there is only one Brigadier". Congrats on the video, and looking forward to Part 12.

[@peterdixon7734]

Excellent work yet again, sir. Nicholas Courtney raised the tone of the entire decade. Let's not overlook his natural charisma, which was evident in his role as the Brigadier. As a former child, I found the 1970 reboot a bit of a shock but was sold on the Brigadier and Caroline John as Liz Shaw even before the Doctor regained consciousness.

[@eelsemaj99]

probably your best companion piece yet! I love the Brigadier. So glad you chose to tackle him

[@cleverdickfilms]

Thanks so much! That means a lot!

[@marquonuk]

The Brigadier was an inspired creation, and it's hard to imagine the Pertwee era without him. It would have otherwise had to be a variety of different military leaders that the third Doctor dealt with, wasting valuable time on introducing them to the audience each story, or simply leaving them as military stereotypes without much back story (that went so well as we can see as UNIT was phased out during season 13!). Instead we had the wonderful creation of the Brig, who varied in seriousness and intelligence depending on what best suited the story, but who gradually built a warm relationship with the Doctor to the extent that they're out socialising by the time we get to Planet of Spiders. Nick Courtney was born for that part and played it to perfection. The character worked perfectly for the earthbound third Doctor stories, but less so as the Doctor's travels expanded again, and it was understandable that he was written out during the fourth Doctor's time, as was UNIT. But what a great time we had with the character (and with UNIT) for the first half of the 1970s. :-)

[@dubliam8064]

The line "I just do the best I can" was my yearbook quote

[@davecrowson448]

The Brigadier is one of my favorite Dr. Who characters, and the reason is Nicholas Courtney. He was perfect. Thanks for another great video

[@thebigchimpanski4783]

As an American. I remember watching Dr.Who with my Dad as a kid, and always hearing the Brigadier's voice. I was too young to understand the show,but his character always stands out as a distinctive memory. It's only recently after my father's passing that I really started getting into the show. The Brigadier still stands out, and is one of my favorite characters. Cheers

[@TreWilder]

Smith was my first Doctor, so when they made mention to Lethbridge Stewart I was confused, but knew he had to have massive importance to the Doctor.. Imagine my surprise when I found out he was a character who'd been in the series basically since the beginning, and they were paying tribute to the actors passing. This show never fails to surprise me with the love that goes into its characters, and the actors behind them for more than just a cheap nod. It makes me smile knowing one day, generations from now we could see an older David Tennant suiting up and putting on his Brainy Specs to help out a far-future reincarnation of the Doctor, re-introducing the term "Allons-y" to a newer fanbase.

[@twosecondsago2265]

Brigadier was one of the best choices in dr who history This video was really informative Do you know when your 11th doctor analysis video will be once again I can’t show my appreciation for you videos Will you play edge of reality when it’s out I love seeing be the doctor even if your technical a companion have a great day :)

[@AndyG13GLA]

The Brigadier was one of the characters that inhabits my childhood memories of Pertwee’s tenure of “Doctor Who” despite me being old enough to have been aware of the show from the start. UNIT was my era before Tom Baker & Nu Who. So as a casual fan I’m ok with the fact that the Brig saves the day again, is raised from the dead but retains his heroism even if trapped in the metal body of a Cyberman. After all it’s SciFi so perhaps we yet haven’t yet seen the Brig’s final farewell. In SciFi anything is possible.

[@ThomasFishwick]

I, like many but far too few, had the honour to meet Nicholas Courtney once. An absolute and utter gentleman. His legacy both in front of the camera and behind, whatever the show, is well deserved. We should all be lucky enough to have a friend as dedicated as the Brigadier was to the Doctor and vice versa.

[@ashleycronk3881]

This videos are magnificent. Your hard work is definitely appreciated. I can't wait for the Mat Smith episode.

[@the5thdoctor]

I guess one day he will be doing the RTD 2.0 era lol. I have to be honest I'm glad William Russel was unavailable for mawdryn undead. No wonder his performance was so life like seen as he was in the army.

[@Twirlyhead]

I would not class the Brigadier as "a companion". He doubled in that role occasionally and was a friend but his main role was not that of a companion.

[@cleverdickfilms]

Perhaps not but I included him anyway so that he could take his place amongst the many friends of the Doctor in my series without my having to make a separate appendix just for him.

[@christopheralthouse6378]

@@cleverdickfilms Besides that, the Brig was almost as long-standing of a character as The Doctor themselves! Including him simply as an Appendix entry simply would not be able to do him justice...

[@ftumschk]

​@@christopheralthouse6378 There are other favourite recurring characters, so the Brigadier's in good company, even if I don't consider him a Companion myself. Notably, there were Benton and Yates in the Classic era, and since 2005 we've had Jackie, Wilf, Captain Jack, River Song, Petronella Osgood, Kate Stewart and the Paternoster Gang. Splendid chaps, all of them :)

[@TheSmart-CasualGamer]

If we're counting Sarah Kingdom as a companion, we're counting the Brigadier. Seriously, it's always a bit weird to me that Sarah Kingdom is considered a companion, especially when characters like Astrid aren't.

[@ftumschk]

@@TheSmart-CasualGamer I personally don't count Sarah Kingdom as a bona-fide companion. She was only in one story, albeit a long one, but then so was Lady Jennifer in The War Games. Neither was conceived of as a full-time Companion, and neither were the actresses auditioned as such. They were just recurring characters in multiple episodes of one story... in seasons containing other stories in which they didn't feature. Same goes for the Brigadier, in all but Season Seven. But, even there, he was an authority figure and effectively the Doctor's employer, rather than his sidekick and viewers' surrogate... which is what "Companions with a big C" usually are.

[@carrinanorth4224]

Ligitemitly cried when the 2011 thing came up. I already knew about it of course but I've recently started exploring the classic era in full and I've grown very attached to the brigadier like so many others, so that scene just broke my heart.

[@theretrorooster4626]

Do K9, Sarah Jane and Clara next!! They’re my favourite companions!!