Doctor Who: The Five Doctors - REVIEW - Cybercember

[@MrTARDIS]

"Splendid fellows, all of you." CyberCember takes a detour as we take a day to talk about the biggest and most ambitious event of the Classic Series. Please be sure to "like" the video and leave any comment to appease the almighty algorithm!

[@BurnBot_TV]

Just wanting to mention that the reason the Cybermen sound like they're about to break into chipmunk death metal around the 11:50 mark is because the TX (the original version, which you're using for this review) had a sound fault and sped up some of the audio here. They fixed it in the SE years later.

[@dalekinthewater4708]

By the way, the triangles that steal the doctors were originally huge draping cloaks. They changed it to save money.

[@dalekinthewater4708]

Could please do a montage of all incarnations of the Doctor saying "You've had this place redecorated- don't like it."?

[@MrTARDIS]

Huh...turns out I've been mis-pronouncing the Raston Warrior Robot's name for 15 years. I always heard the 3rd Doctor say "Ranston". Uh-oh...I was wrong about something on the internet so I better just leave forever in shame.

[@SurlyInsomniac]

The 11th Doctor didn't know how to pronounce "Metebelis III", so you're in good company ;)

[@Tymbus]

Hahaha! Well, I'm happy you have sorted that out.

[@ftumschk]

@@SurlyInsomniac ... and the Fourth spent half his era mispronouncing Gallifrey as "Gallifree".

[@lapelcelery42]

@@ftumschk And the Seventh didn't know how to pronounce "Spiridon"

[@lapelcelery42]

@@SurlyInsomniac And the Third infamously didn't know how to pronounce "Chitinous"

[@jamie210690]

Fun Fact: Eric Saward kept going on at Terrance Dicks to include more bits with Cybermen. Terrance Dicks got tired of this and so wrote the Raston Warrior Robot and wiped out a whole squad of them in horrible ways Malicious Compliance at its finest

[@Tymbus]

Great! LOL

[@crimsondynamo615]

It’s like Terrance is saying, “listen here you little upstart you don’t boss me around”

[@jamesstewart7736]

Lovely guy Terrance Dicks but you didn’t want to f@ck with him 😂 RIP Terrance.

[@jamesstewart7736]

@@crimsondynamo615 I actually heard that in Terrance’s distinct voice as I read it and it really works! 😂

[@schizoidboy]

One of my favorite parts of the show.

[@bookswithike3256]

I think it's a mistake to not acknowledge the tragedy of Borusa's... I don't want to call it an arc, but that's really what it is. Borusa has been a constant presence throughout all previous Gallifrey stories since the Baker era, usually as the Doctor's ally. Let's not forget he was also the Doctor's tutor at the academy. His devolution into corruption and a lust for power is really sad to me.

[@richardmattocks]

Terrance Dicks has explained a lot of the “issues” that hamper the characters are actual nods to inside jokes like Susan’s ankle is a “Terry Nation sprained ankle” (because he did that in a lot of his scripts). Too many interviews to link to, but have a hunt about and just absorb his genius and love of the show.

[@Lumibear.]

Well yes, I saw this transmitted and as a kid I took it entirely seriously, I was about 30 when I first realised it was actually a well observed affectionate mickey-take of the show’s past. The rather camp and snobby timelords are pompously officious but pretty darned ineffectual so need other people to do their bidding, and when one goes bad he cranks up the theatrics (like the Master and pretty much all Who villains with their overly complicated master plans), ‘I’ll explain later’ = don’t ask cuz I won’t tell, the first Doctor and his assistants often worked with tiny sets meaning they had to pretend they couldn’t see something until it was relevant (Look Doctor! Over there! That thing that was slightly to the right of us throughout this entire scene!) also ouch my weak lady ankle, Sarah wandering into danger and being rescued by the third doctor in needlessly dramatic fashion, the Dalek master race destroyed by a tiny bit of thought or fighting back (MOVE OVER THERE! What if I say no? THEN YOU WILL BE EXTERMINATED!! But what if I attack you from behind where you can’t see me or shoot me? Or cover your eye? GAH DEFEATED!!!) , the ridiculously slow moving Cybermen who get horribly slaughtered because they meet a robot that can move fast and turn its head (and the way that they talk), and all the different ways the different Doctors get into the tower: fun, brains, James Bond style action. I’m sure there’s more that I can’t think of right now but it’s all very meta and knowing, though mostly not unkind, the cybermen slaughter notwithstanding, but it’s basically doing a pretty subtle Children In Need sketch, really, at least with all the Doctors except the latest model, who was of course practically perfect in every way.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

19:48-19:54 "Why not, After all that's how it all started!" That will always be my favourite endind line in the classic series.

[@TakeNoteOfThat]

Me too. Shame it’s no longer true

[@frogoat]

Really hope Carole Ann Ford's Susan is given a proper send off in a future story. I think she deserves more respect.

[@highvoltage7797]

I like The Day of the Doctor, but it’s more a celebration of the modern show then the show as a whole. Imo, The Five Doctors is a better anniversary special. I get these happened under two different circumstances, but they could have done more to celebrate all of Doctor Who’s history for the 50th anniversary.

[@defrostedrobot77]

I view The Day of the Doctor as a better overall story. With Three and Five Doctors both of them are ultimately more about the villain the Doctor's character (which isn't necessarily bad). With Day we get to have him go on a journey to really grow as a person (and stuff like the Zygons, the screwdriver, and the two titles being one nicely reflect on the Doctor and all the incarnations of him/her). And while it has less characters it does also keeps things a lot more focused.

[@feilvei4498]

Attack of the Cybermen is one of Colin's finest

[@highvoltage7797]

@@feilvei4498 I’d say Vengeance on Varos or Revelation of the Daleks, but I do like Attack of the Cybermen.

[@vlogshowofficial2294]

At least we have power of the Dr now

[@nathanielfarkas4431]

I agree I find power of the Doctor more of a special for the whole show we’re as the 50th was for the new era

[@Jedi_Spartan]

8:10 A team up that would get massively over used decades later. 9:24 - 10:08 No wonder why Cyber-Steve was reluctant to star in the 20th anniversary.

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

Fortune favors the timid?

[@Jedi_Spartan]

@@michaelpuglisi6767 Not so much after Attack of the Cybermen...

[@maldon3659]

There are so many firsts in this story, first time Sarah Jane meets The Master, first time The Third Doctor meets the Cybermen, first time The Master meets the First and Second Doctors, first Time The Master teams up with The Cybermen etc.

[@russelltietjen4407]

Anyone else think it was weird that the 1st Doctor felt the need to introduce his granddaughter, Susan, to his 5th incarnation?

[@darynvoss7883]

In fairness, 5th says "yes I know". Perhaps 1st wasn't thinking straight...

[@corssecurity]

Hey the sixth Doctor was a guard who was trying to put the Doctor to death.

[@TheBlackSeraph]

@@corssecurity Colin Baker used to joke that he got the part of the Doctor by killing his predecessor. :) (obviously Maximillian didn't get to perform the 'rare honour of killing a Time Lord', but it does show CB's humour and joy for the role before the BBC screwed him over).

[@Sci-Fi-Mike]

Well, if you're hundreds of years old, you might forget you're daughter's name...?😊

[@simeonyves5940]

@@TheBlackSeraph Colin Baker clearly still loves Dr Who, often appearing in Character as the Sixth Doctor at conventions, Joking around: "I never regenerated!" , and the Huge number of Brilliant (including the Stone Cold Masterpiece that is Jubilee!) Audiodrama's he has done for Big Finish (with more to Come!) , and clearly has a blast in Doing, the BBC treating him so badly has not dulled his love for the role, fear not. Yes, he was bitter at being sacked, and you cannot blame him, but he regrets his selfishness as he let the fans down, and, as stated, has since returned to loving the Role thanks to Big Finish. The BBC lost!

[@scl1332]

What kills me is Tom Baker refused to show up to this decent and fun anniversary special but totally came back to do the god awful Dimensions In Time in the 90's!!!! Let that sink in

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

Dimensions in Time WAS for charity, I suppose

[@bigcat7508]

Is that you, Commander Hale?

[@michaelpuglisi6767]

@@bigcat7508 Yeah, I suppose you're BF&TWS

[@option3590]

TBF one one his alleged reasons was that he felt it was “too soon” for him to come back. It’d only been 2 years, after a 7 year run.

[@disneyboy3030]

​@@michaelpuglisi6767actually by that point he did want to come back, and let's just say the special's development was not easy, as there were three different ideas before the fourth and final one was made. Plus some deleted scenes were cut.

[@78shaweyes]

Eventually, I'm gonna binge watch both Dalek and Cyber cember

[@ajclements4627]

Anyone else watch Dalek 6388, man that channel does some really deep dive research into the Daleks! I hope at some point they’ll do the Cybermen.

[@ajclements4627]

It’s a shame we’ll probably never see this sort of event again in DW. I’d have loved to see 8-12 and their companions on screen in a story like this.

[@dubliam8064]

Glad I'm not the only one who thinks this is a cybermen story.

[@tTaseric]

I love that The Timeless Children kept the aspect of the Cybermen being extremely out of their depth compared to Gallifrey, and the Master just running circles around them for his own goals. Those scenes really sold me on Sacha's Master, because it felt exactly like what the Master would do.

[@benw4409]

For all that story's faults I definitely think the Master/Cyberman dynamic is better on rewatch. I think it's just the fact that it's the third bloody time they've been in a finale together and I just wanted the Cybermen to have their own chance in the spotlight. The characterisation does emulate this episode though, which was a nice bit of detail.

[@fjccommish]

Nothing New Who is good.

[@tTaseric]

@@fjccommish No one asked lil bro

[@lexezlao]

mastercember for next year plz

[@kirkk6920]

I agree with that

[@kierenevans2521]

Next year is 50 years since his first appearance (Terror of the Autons ep 1 was actually 2nd January 1971)

[@richardmattocks]

Ooh. Yes please! A Master retrospective would be awesome!

[@lfkpics3884]

There’s like also around twenty five if you count Terror of the Autons mind of evil claws of Axos colony in space the Dæmons sea devils time monster frontier in space deadly assassin the keeper of Traken logopolis castrovalva the time monster the kings demons the five doctors planet of fire the mark of the Rani the ultimate foe survival utopia the sound of drums the end of time dark water world enough and time spyfall ascension of the Cybermen Only problem is some of these are going to be covered in cybercember and probably aren’t going to be re-reviewed.

[@defrostedrobot77]

@@lfkpics3884 Don't forget Magician's Apprentice/The Witch's Familiar (and maybe her various appearances in S8 and 10) (tho as you said a lot has been covered before).

[@theshadowdirector]

Such a pity that the first two multi-Doctor stories don't really live up to their titles, one never being on screen with the rest and all.

[@Ginger_FoxxVT]

"The warrior robots are the perfect killing machines!" Shows a clip of them missing a shot

[@MrThorfan64]

It's toying with them.

[@crimsondynamo615]

“That was a warning shot! Oh god i fucked that up badly.”

[@KillerMeme]

I never actually noticed that Cyberman basically threw up But yeah I remember the Warrior Robot scene being fairly just let’s have fun doing stuff to Cybermen we haven’t before

[@Sisterspike1]

"Why not, thats how it all started" (Tears up yet again) And just to put the record straight yet again, I was not the one who made the chest board figures. They were all made by a member of the VFX workshop. I have no idea how that old rumour even started in the first place. LOL

[@Alpha-oo8]

Susan injuring her ankle is one of her most memorable character traits!

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

I'm guessing that because the Yeti costume use in The Web of Fear wasn't in the best shape, The costume has to be in the dark inside the cave in order to hide the damage.

[@maldon3659]

This story has one of my favourite Bloopers, where the lone Dalek says "Bugger, I lost them!"

[@jcortese3300]

I remember when this special first aired -- the Raston warrior robot was literally the coolest thing the fandom had ever seen, and the special was warmly received and honestly, an absolute blast. :-)

[@silverdaleks1]

They did fix that cybermen voice error in the re-mastered and extended version of this special, so they sound deeper pitched like their ment to

[@Lumibear.]

Which is awesome btw.

[@silverdaleks1]

@@Lumibear. oh yes wish more classic era stories ( mainly dalek and cyberman stories) got remasted like that

[@Lumibear.]

@@silverdaleks1 the blu ray box set versions are worth it just for that.

[@silverdaleks1]

@@Lumibear. yes even if some don't remaster things I hoped they would.

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Favourite quote of the day 'And it's probably my favourite ending line in the whole of the classic series' "Why not, After all that's how it all started!"

[@DarthAzabrush]

Also I love the "not the mind probe" line. It really gets across a being who's not experienced fear in thousands of years suddenly confronted with being tortured. He has no idea how to react and his tone is all over the place.

[@iKillerZombie]

7:39 He still had that seal in the Time of the Doctor so I guess he never did return it

[@defrostedrobot77]

I'm pretty sure he said he was just "borrowing" the TARDIS too.

[@danielemberson5321]

Daem

[@danielemberson5321]

Daem

[@MrThorfan64]

Yeh that was actually quite an amusing callback.

[@DalekTheSupreme]

The Five Doctors was one of the first Doctor Who episodes I ever saw. While Day of the Doctor is the better multi-Doctor anniversary special, The Five Doctors is truly a masterpiece of showmanship, of taking a problem-ridden production and making the most of it. It is by no means perfect, but it is about as good as it can be given all the trouble it faced, and it's one of my favorite episodes to rewatch. Also, I like that after Destiny of the Daleks had implied that the Daleks had become completely robotic, the Dalek in this story is shown to have a creature inside it after it is destroyed.

[@lapelcelery42]

It's a huge testament to his ability that Jon was able to make his Doctor so charming when the outtakes for the serial show him to have been in a pretty poor mood, particularly in the Rassilon's tomb scenes.

[@ihateunicorns867]

I was always confused as to why we never saw the Raston Warrior Robots again. 13 needed to pick up a couple of those before she arrived in Ascension of the Cybermen.

[@yiffytimes]

The Five Doctors has to be included in the 10 best classic episodes

[@bluesnooddude1663]

Head canon that the Black Scrolls of Rassilon contain knowledge of the Timeless Child. Would make sense "Dark Timelord Secrets". :Thonk: One of my favourite episodes. Watched the special edition ALOT as a kid. Raston Warrior Robot Vs Cyberman scene on repeat. I would recommend the Special Edition, not usually one for improved effects, but I just prefer the the changes in this myself.

[@bladersmosh]

I bet Cyber-Steve will get his big break that wasn’t in this story cause I have high hopes that he got the role of the Cyber Controller in Attack of the Cybermen. Jeff would be proud.

[@djpookie2000]

I heard JNT directed the Warrior Robot scene where the Cyrbermen got their comeuppance. Best thing he ever did for the show,

[@crimsondynamo615]

If you think what happened to Barusa here was dark, you should see what happens to him in Engines of War.

[@MrTARDIS]

Ooooh, I've got that AudioBook downloaded but I've not listened to it yet. Looking forward to that!

[@joelakat]

I fully expected to see the Raston Warrior Robot scene intercut with Monty Python's Killer Rabbit Scene.

[@hereward6771]

I've just stumbled across this and it's wonderful to see that so many people are enjoying it. I was one of two humble Visual Effects assistants on this show and have fond memories of its making. I was only 26 and it was huge fun for a young man. I have lots of gossip which, of course, I couldn't possibly divulge!

[@kierenevans2521]

The Raston Warrior robot fight scene was directed by JNT himself.

[@djpookie2000]

I know and it is his best work.

[@spluff5]

I could see them brining the Bryan Cranston warrior robot back as I think it would make a very elegant antagonist, like the T1000 almost.

[@iKillerZombie]

9:06 Raston, not Ranston

[@markstirton]

Saved me saying it. My Who autocorrect gene was kicking in.

[@SavageBroadcast]

18:37 Given what Timeless Children sets up, I think moments like these may take on a new angle in hindsight. If S13 and beyond does go further in that direction, does that mean a new Doctor-Rassilon dynamic? Could there maybe be a sort of jealous sept-sibling thing going on with the Doctor's real nature being so thoroughly erased and Rassilon bigging himself up as to rewrite the entire history to be about him? Did he do something to Tecteun? How much did she create that he took credit for? I wonder if Chibbs is setting us up for a confrontation. I mean, The Doctor would probably want to face him - he stole her entire life and legacy, possibly murdered her only family, destroyed her adoptive people during the Time War and left them weak enough for the Master, and indirectly contributed to the deaths of several companions.

[@fjccommish]

New Who is crap.

[@Stansman63]

All these years later I still remember my excitement waiting to see this on the day it was broadcast.

[@dogbadger]

I thought the Rastan Warrior robot was the coolest thing ever when I saw it wreck those cybermen as a kid. Also - the Dalek design was my favourite of of the brilliant classic grey 70s type - making the top voice activated dome lights red was perfect to complete the look, and I'm pretty sure it was a unique one-off for this story.

[@rtex2020]

I've always enjoyed the Raston Warrior robot, and wished it had shown up in some other stories. Really enjoyed him against the Cybermen.

[@doctor49152]

The 5 Doctors blew my mind when I saw it back in 1983. The PBS station I was watching Doctor Who on was just up to Underworld. So then next week came this look into the future (and the past) of a show I just had started watching from Robot. Then I realized I had watched the Pertwee season back in the early 1970s. The combo of unlocking childhood memories and the thrill of looking forward to the future was something that really cemented my love of the show at that time. To this day just thinking about that reaction gets me a little teary eyed.

[@rtex2020]

Also, really, really liked the ending: "Why not? That's how it all started." - a very good ending to this celebration of 20 years.

[@carealoo744]

This story has such a roller coaster of pros and cons. It's amazing that they got such a large cast. It's disappointing that Tom Baker couldn't be bothered to show up. Although perhaps it was for the best because there were too many characters and subplots going on anyway. It's disappointing that Ian couldn't show up. But of course, if he did then he wouldn't have broken the world record recently for largest gap between television appearances of a fictional character. It's disappointing that they couldn't have had Victoria as the Cameo instead of Zoe, so that the second doctor would to do so they were illusions by Victoria referring to the Brigadier as such when she only ever knew him as a Colonel. But this was just one of the many supports for the Season 6B theory which always opens up the idea for more content.

[@mahfuzurchowdhury2765]

I love the ending theme, the mashup of the original and the current them at the time.

[@benw4409]

I never usually count this one as a Cyberman story personally, although obviously that's not an exclusive viewpoint. They're *in* it, and are an active threat, but it's not really *about* them. It's like treating The Big Bang as a Dalek story. BUT, it's a great story so I would be happy for it to be counted as it gives them another great episode considering the hit and miss nature of Cyberman stories, particularly in the later years of Classic Who. The Raston Warrior Robot needs to return - such a good concept that should be given another spin.

[@schizoidboy]

I think this was the first episode I actually saw of Dr. Who and a year or two later I found myself watching the ones with Tom Baker. For many Saturday Nights I would watch this series on public TV, and it was an amazing series to watch.

[@octaviusfooks7194]

Richard Hurndall was a good fit for the First Doctor in 'The Five Doctors', because he played a doctor-like character in Blake's 7, I believe

[@bananasaregood8655]

Also the brigadier’s replacement was played by david saville who played LT carstairs in ‘the war games’

[@MrThorfan64]

Nice stuff! I think it's pronounced Raston but that's a nitpick. There was a reason why Borusa couldn't just teleport in, there was a force field round the Tower that prevented him arriving until 3 reversed the polarity. But overall it's a great story, a lot of fanservice.

[@carls7860]

The 9 year old me was absolutely loving this in 1983.... LOVING IT!

[@SegaNintendoGuy64]

Next Time: 'For real this time' The start of Season 22, The hater of DW and BBC Controller Michael Grade, The Doctor returns to Telos to battle the return of the Cyber-Controller, The violence within a man's hand, More references and continuity, And it will all end with a powerful note.. Be ready for the Attack of the Cybermen, There is logic to I said!

[@watkin2814]

While you wouldn’t recommend it, it was my first classic who story. And while some would find the lore and continuity references too much and maybe off putting, for me it just made me want to know more about classic who. Of course I owned the special edition dvd which came with the booklet giving small bios on all the doctors and characters, so that helped a lot. It was almost like a crash course into classic who.

[@danielwilliamson6180]

The Five Doctors is "Day of the Doctor of the 80s". The Raston Warrior Robot is awesome.

[@adorkability]

I remember seeing this when I was young and wondering why they gave Tom Baker's Doctor such a small part. He was, and still is, my all-time favorite Doctor, so I was a bit annoyed. This, of course, was before the days of the internet so I was blissfully unaware of the behind-the-scenes drama until much later. Looking back on it, I don't really see how they could have had more of him in it. They would have had to further divide up the already stretched thin screen time each Doctor was allotted, plus given Tom's, shall we say "larger than life", performance in the role, I'm not sure how well his incarnation would have meshed with the others.

[@DomoftheDoctor]

I think watching this just after your Earthshock review kinda hammers home just how gruesome the dismembering of the Cybermen is. They're not robots - they're humans inside metal suits, and it's flesh and bone underneath the metallic limbs being cut off! There are so many beheadings, and it's real human heads within the helmets! The vomiting Cyberman is just the tip of the iceberg. Lucky we're not asked to think too deeply about such things, eh?

[@LeftytheGansterGremlin]

It's gruesome to think that they still had stomach acids left in them. My guess is that what would be left is just cold leftovers from protein & nutrient mixes they would have to ingest. That, or it could be residue Hybernation chamber stuff. Ya know, like in the movie Alien? When waking up from cryosleep, one vomits up the stuff.

[@DomoftheDoctor]

@@LeftytheGansterGremlin That just makes it all the grimmer. I suppose at least the earliest Cybermen would have required some form of sustenance, which is disturbing to consider. Again, it further enforces the body horror of the Cybermen just thinking about this.

[@LeftytheGansterGremlin]

@@DomoftheDoctor I know. I love it for that reason. Hell, in Spare Parts, there's a throaway line used about grinding up bones for nutrients. Those bones came from digging up graveyards.

[@chrise7359]

Terrance seems to have had more fun with this story that the actors on-screen. Sure it would have been stressful to write so quickly, but what an incredible brain-dump of ideas! The story does hang together, and seeing squads of Cybermen is impressive, even if they stand around most of the time!

[@doctorwhat3683]

Interestingly I remember watching this right before the first lockdown, either on the Saturday or Sunday I can’t remember, and while the plot has never fussed me it was so deliriously fun that it just made me so happy and forget about the strange circumstances. Really cool to see you covering it.

[@TheBritishRunner]

The death zone may have been the first conception of the battle royale genre

[@ses694]

The war games is along those lines too

[@davidgeisler9885]

I’ve heard Tom Baker somewhere say he now regrets not being involved in this production.

[@Robert-tl2vg]

Strange to look back and think that the most diverse thing about Doctor Who was a companion with Ginger hair

[@BrendanJSmith]

This serial was my introduction to the 5th Doctor. It's a fantastic introduction!

[@ftumschk]

According to Elisabeth Sladen, Richard Hurndall died before his pay-cheque for The Five Doctors came through. Whether that's true or not, he certainly didn't live long after this, sadly passing away in the Spring of 1984.

[@PetersonZF]

This has one of my favourite Cyber Leader lines: "Promises to aliens have no validity."

[@MichaelHickerson]

It's a good celebration of Doctor Who. It may also be the most released story in the show's history -- multiple VHS and DVD releases. And I fully expect it on BluRay any time now.

[@macsnafu]

Tom Baker was my first Doctor, and was more or less happily watching the Peter Davison episodes when I first saw The Five Doctors, and loved it. It was my first introduction to the earlier doctors, and while Hurndall wasn't a perfect fill-in for Hartnell, I think he did a good job nonetheless. And there are so many good beats and lines and fun interactions throughout the story. Since at the time I wasn't familiar with the first three Doctors, I rather thought that the Raston Warrior Robot was also part of that past history--it seemed like a really good opponent for the Doctor to deal with. The Master really is a lot of fun in this story. And I especially liked the fact that it was the first Doctor who was 'first' to realize what Rasilon's plan was, and to say that Borusa deserved it. It really is amazing how well they juggled so many characters in the story without any big continuity gaffes. And how they just rolled with the punches and included a plot point to explain why the 4th Doctor wasn't involved. The Five Doctors remains a favorite of mine.

[@Sci-Fi-Mike]

This anniversary show may have been my introduction to the Doctor, and thank you to the local library!

[@Sci-Fi-Mike]

Blink was next...so good...

[@just_kos99]

Just some observations and comments.... Terrence Dicks apparently wanted to have the Master as the bad guy (as usual), but Eric whoever, the story editor, said, Naw, that's too obvious, so they went with someone less obvious. Speaking of which, was there a spoiler warning? Maybe I missed it, 'cause if there wasn't there really ought to be. As for the Doctor being chosen as the Lord President.... when they were making "The Trial of a Time Lord", it took Colin Baker to ask, "Erm, isn't the Doctor the Lord President? Would he really be put on trial?" and they were like, Oh sh*t, you're right... so they had to demote him for the story, lol. Pertwee and Troughton both wrote to the DW people and stated they'd love to be involved in a 20th anniversary special. I've watched this story so many times, I have it and the commentary memorized!

[@benbastianiartmusic1421]

Born in 1993 and my first ever Doctor Who story. Went to Snowdonia this summer to visit the slate mountains where this was shot - really surprised that kind of location hasn't been used in other science fiction films and shows

[@lbricks7631]

The first time I watched the Five Doctors was amazing. It took my breath away.

[@shinylugia7052]

Plot hole: the 5th doctor questions the master’s credentials after the 3rd doctor takes them. But it is later shown that the 11th doctor still has the seal. And he remembers where it came from. Therefore the 5th doctor should have the seel and remember taking it from the master.

[@bradleywillard2361]

Another great review for one of my absolute favourite stories, MrTARDIS, but I have some nitpicks. Firstly, it's the Raston Warrior Robot, not the 'Ranston' Warrior Robot. Secondly, with regards to your comments as to how Borusa just so happened to teleport into the Dark Tower, that was because the Doctors lowered the forcefield. And finally, I take issue with you referring to Doctor Who as a "kids' show," when you yourself have stated multiple times in the past that it is a family programme.

[@MattsChannel97]

Was really hoping that the 'Excellent' tally from yesterday would carry over into today (as in, we're counting all the 'Excellents' from across the show instead of individual stories). Still love these videos though!

[@garytwinem5275]

I like the idea of Branston some time in the future moving from making pickle and relish to warrior robots 🙂

[@dustin_4501]

I also thanks Ricard Hurndall for give us the First Doctor again and to start the idea of having other actor playing the role that wasn't the original actor to play the part and is such a shame he pass away in April of 1984 not even one year after give such amazing contribution to the show and us and is curious to remember that Terrance Dicks have to fight his way to put the Dalek on the special everyone else didn't wanna do it even the Daleks been very popular since they were first introduced to the show.

[@barney9456]

I'm the original version of The Five Doctors not only are the time scooping effects different, but Rassilon's voice, I remember being lowered and slowed down in pitch, so to hear his voice normally feels odd

[@CulturePhilter]

Due to the fact that this was one of only two Doctor Who VHSs I had as a kid in the 90s I think this might be my most rewatched Doctor Who story.

[@bigcat7508]

My review: I loved this episode, it was so fun seeing all the doctors together but it sucks that Tom Baker technically wasn't in this episode because he declined the role, even this is sort of a multi-companion story! I missed Sarah Jane Smith and she was really great at this episode. The Third Doctor and the Second Doctor was also fantastic! Even the first doctor. It was surprising to see the Daleks return! Just wow.. even the first appearance of Rassilon! I give this a very good ol' solid 10/10.

[@owenwildish331]

My favourite Doctor Who story, I hope the Raston Warrior Robot(s) reappear in new Doctor Who, I had a story idea for them along with the War Chief (with a fun twist & a cameo of another old enemy)

[@meganvincent5381]

I remember having this on DVD as a kid. I got it as a bonus from this magazine series that came with DVDs for the reboot series. It was pretty fun, first classic who I saw lol

[@KUZ3NBO]

I can't lie that dude in the morphsuit is going crazy 😂

[@dylanotto949]

Tom Baker not showing up for the photo shoot is just sad. I knew he didnt want to be tight-cast but the least you could do is be honest about not wanting to be involved at all

[@davidkerridge6612]

I was involved in the making of this programme.

[@josephryan362]

The five doctors is my second favourite fifth doctor story after the caves of androzani

[@walkerineternity2334]

I just realised that this story is the Doctor's "Raiders of the Lost Ark". Even without him being involved the outcome would still be the same. Fun viewing though.

[@richardmattocks]

Oh god... you’re right! To quote TBBT “awwwww....”

[@garytwinem5275]

I disagree. Indy's interventions, such as destroying the flying wing aircraft which the Nazis were going to fly the Ark to Berlin in originally, and being present on the island to secure the Ark after Belloq's death rather than more Nazis re-acquiring it, are quite large contributions. Indy's the hero we remember 🙂.

[@alyzu4755]

As a fan in 1983, this was definitely catnip. ☺️ And it was fantastic!

[@sherreewilson925]

I remember being around , watching these. Was very young.

[@CineScarborough]

I agree, The Five Doctors is a lot of fun. I don't think there's a more entertaining type of Doctor Who story than a Multi-Doctor adventure.

[@oliverwarren-cole9426]

When the master got to the death zone he found a another version of him dead which is weird and there is a big finish audio story called the five companions set during the five doctors with the companions Ian Chesterton,Steven taylor, Nyssa ,Sara kingdom and polly wright fighting daleks and Sontarans

[@wattsiswhat]

You do wonderful coverage of classic Who

[@samuelbarber6177]

I love this story. It's just so much fun. From the constant references to the Brigadier punching the Master, it's just great.

[@MrFraggleSpock]

“It’s that sort of woolly thinking that’ll bring about their destruction” Well this aged poorly. Or, I guess, well, depending on how you look at it.

[@keelanbarron928]

Umm, context?

[@keelanbarron928]

.....still waiting for context.

[@EditedAF987]

@@keelanbarron928 the Master destroys Gallifrey in the Chibnall era

[@NewtonDKC]

I remember watching the Five Doctors on broadcast night in the USA (which I’d find out many years later was 2 days earlier than in the UK!) and was utterly enthralled! I had never seen the earlier Doctors at that point-Perteee’s series wouldnt air for a couple more years with the B&W 1 & 2 Docs a couple after that). Seeing Sarah Jane and K9 was probably the biggest “throwback” for me but I was as disappointed that K9 didn’t go with Sarah as I was that he was with Sarah in the first place (K9 & Co wasn’t known of in the States til much much later, at least in my area and remember this is before you could immerse yourself in the internet, (tho I dreamed of having a “computer tied into God’s brain”). But maybe the first K9 would be with Leela who surely would appear this Gallifrey story...I was relieved that the 4th Doctor and Romana obviously were in it despite rumors...but then they weren’t. Shada was also something we simply didn’t know so totally thought this was filmed for the special...when I found out about it years later I finally FINALLY had the answer to just what that freaking question in the quiz book about Cambridge and some TimeLord called Professor Chronotis was referring to since I knew all Tom Baker stories by heart having seen them each 20 times and knew this had never ever been mentioned in any story! I was extremely disappointed Leela didn’t pop up for a visit -yet again - since she was on Gallifrey, had already missed the Doc during Arc of infinity and now did so again! K9 should at the very least have shown up but WTF was he doing with Sarah? The 2nd Doctor remembering things from his personal future stuck out immediately to me...was he plucked from mere moments before his regen? Or did he stop on his way to exile on Earth to see the future Brig for some reason as this obviously was right before he got back in the TARDIS, regenerated and fell out the door in Spearhead from Space (still a better explanation than S6b mind). And wait - since all the Doctors were here and the 1st Doctor figured it all out...then they all freaking knew what was going on the Whole damn time! He can’t be that forgetful, he remembers his companions and- (as you said) NONE of the Doctors were touched to see Susan??? And no Ice Warriors or Sontarans? And apart from the Ranston (sorry, being a jerk) Raston there were no unknown aliens or sneak peaks at upcoming aliens...and how awesome would platoons of OLD Cybermen models be? And I swear David Banks was the other CyberLeader later, like it’s been pitch shifted since but I swear that’s still him....no River Song (that’s future me obviously, the Doctor’s Wife was rumored next season and would the TARDIS getting destroyed before the Doctor regenerated into a woman!)...anyway, loved it but had as many scratch your head wtf ?’s the many long hours I’d think about it afterwards!

[@richardmattocks]

The Five Doctors is just so awesome. Great review 😎. When I want a fun show from the classic era, this is the adventure I watch, and I’ve watched it so many times.

[@torchwoodcanaria]

Our student union building had 3 massive tv rooms - all packed and set to BBC1 for this! Totally nerd-tastic!!