Cast : The Doctor : Jon Pertwee / Patrick Troughton and William Hartnell
Jo Grant : Katy Manning
Brigadier : Nicholas Courtney
Benton : John Levene
Omega : Stephen Thorne
President : Roy Purcell
Chancellor : Clyde Pollitt
Timelord : Graham Leaman
Doctor Tyler : Rex Robinson
Ollis : Laurie Webb
Mrs Ollis : Patricia Prior
Corporal Palmer : Denys Palmer
Written By : Bob Baker & Dave Martin
Produced By : Barry Letts
First Broadcast : 30 December 1972–20 January 1973
Length : 4 x 25 minute episodes.
Plot : A massive black hole, is drawing all power from Gallifrey. The Timelords – worried about this threat, calls on the Third Doctor – to investigate. Even breaking the ‘First Rule Of Time’; by allowing the Doctor to make use of his “otherselves” – in the investigation.
Whats good : The interaction between the Third Doctor and previous incarnations. The story. Omega – is an decent anti-hero/tragic villain. Hartnell makes an interesting foil – between the Second and Third Doctor’s arguments.
Review :The Three Doctors is the first serial of season 10. The 10th anniversary special of the show’s run – and the first anniversary special of the series.
It is; the most enjoyable of the anniversary specials and has the Third Doctor memorably interacting with – First and Second Doctors. In a race against time, to save the Time Lords from doom.
The best bits here, come from the Second and Third Doctor’s inability to work together, constructively. So the introduction of the First Doctor, as a mediator – makes for an entertaining three-way dynamic.
Hartnell’s appearance, though – is sadly brief. Stuck inside a ‘time bubble’ – as a plot device (due to Hartnell’s ill-health) as he was too poorly to attend the studio.
“I generated those forces… and for what? To be blown out of existence….. into this black hole of Anti-matter…. A hero? I SHOULD HAVE BEEN A GOD!!” Omega
Aside from the novelty (and value) of the first Three incarnations of the Doctor, interacting. Omega is a really strong counter-point antagonist, to the trio. With a tragic backstory and villainous turn – to boot. As the Time Lord’s founder and hero; leading to (unfortunate) imprisonment – in an anti-matter universe. Whilst experimenting, with time-travel.
The serial is also notable, for the ending of the Third Doctor’s Earth exile. For helping the Time Lords, beat the energy-drain; the Third Doctor is rewarded, with a new time-dematerialization circuit; to power the Tardis.
The Three Doctors hits the mark – as the best anniversary special; which incorporates the best elements of the previous 10 years; namely – the first Three Doctor’s themselves.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
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