Episode #140 : The Two Doctors

"Do try and keep out of my way in future and in past, there's a good fellow. The time continuum should be big enough for both of us. Just."

Episode 140:    The Two Doctors.
Companions:   6th Doctor, 2nd Doctor, Jamie McCrimmon and Peri.
Air Date:          16th February to 2nd March 1985.

Time and time again, the Doctor has teamed up with himself to save lives. This time, he must save his past self in order to ensure his own existence in his present. What could Chessene and dim-witted lackey Shockeye have planned with the Sontarans? Only one thing is known for sure: time will tell.

The Two Doctors is one of the best, if not the best, adventure for the 6th Doctor era. Following the success of The Five Doctors it was decided to team up two Doctors for an adventure and the choice of Patrick Troughton was spot on. The dialogue is great between them, and you get a real spark from it. If you haven't seen this one, check it out.

It isn't perfect however. The Sontarans though good to see them return, seem like a tacked on addition to the story, and there is a whole segment where the 2nd Doctor starts to become an Androgum and goes on an eating spree with one of the villainous androgums in Seville. Especially that second issue, which really seems to exist just to pad out the story. But those elements aside, The Two Doctors is a worthwhile viewing.

Unfortunately this was the last appearance for Patrick Troughton in the role before his death in 1987. This was the story that coloured my perception of the 2nd Doctor over his original run in the show. I think that better writers and script standards have influenced that considerably.

Chessene is played by Jacqueline Pearce who science fiction fans may remember from fellow BBC sci fi drama Blakes Seven, where she played the main villain Servalan.