The Troughton Era - Final Thoughts

Harry -
Here we are, Sarah. A new year, and a new Doctor awaits us on this marathon.


Sarah -
I'm still basking in the glory of having reached our goal of finishing the Troughton era by year's end!


Harry -
Before we forge ahead, shall we have a few final thoughts on the Troughton era?


Sarah -
Oh yes, let's!


Harry -
It's a given that the Troughton era begins with his regeneration into the Second Doctor, but that moment is critical to the development of the character. The footage is lost, but we hear him say "It's over," with an almost devilish chuckle. The regeneration has worked and he's delighted.  Death has been thwarted.  He knows he has many lives and many more years ahead of him. I think this lends itself to the cheery and free-spirited Doctor that would be portrayed by Patrick Troughton.

No longer gruff and grandfatherly, the Doctor transforms himself into an enthusiastic schoolmaster or favourite uncle, leading his companions by the hand, off on another adventure. That's how almost all of his stories started, anyway. It was practically a template: TARDIS lands, Doctor and friends emerge, have a bit of fun, then the seriousness begins.

That's one of the things that I'll remember about the Troughton era. His stories always began with a sense of fun.


Sarah -
Loads of fun!

The general sense of fun is one of my favorite things about the era. The First Doctor could often be amusing, but his era lacks the joyful feeling of the Second Doctor.

Another change is the shift away from historicals toward more science fiction and, of course, loads of monsters. While the series will often find itself dipping into history, the emphasis on historical stories was never very strong from the Second Doctor on. One could argue that the Troughton era was when Doctor Who decisively became a science fiction series.

Also, I like monsters! What about you, Harry?


Harry -
I love some of the monsters this Doctor confronted. The Cybermen carried over from the Hartnell era, but the Second Doctor faced them no fewer than four times.


Sarah -
He's the Doctor I always most associate with the Cybermen.


Harry -
There were a couple of cracking Dalek stories too, and a bevy of new terrors from beyond. The Ice Warriors, the Macra and the Great Intelligence are menaces we have not seen the last of. To be fair, there were a couple of one offs that didn't work. The Quarks and Krotons were a flop, as were the chameleon beings in "The Faceless Ones." Gosh that one seems so long ago already.


Sarah -
Doesn't it though? Pauline Collins' Samantha Briggs is what I will probably remember most about that story.


Harry -
The swing from historicals to monsters-besieging-bases made Doctor Who both scarier and more fun. And I hope, someday, that the Doctor will get his wish and encounter... PREHISTORIC MONSTERS!


Sarah -
One can hope!


Harry -
It's a bit silly, but I'm finding it hard to let go of Patrick Troughton. He has shot up my informal ranking of the Doctors and I hope someday to be a mad, delightful uncle in his mold!


Sarah -
I'd say you're off to a good start, Old Boy.


Harry -
In the late 60s, the production crew took big steps forward in things like location filming, incidental music, and overall fun. But there are even bigger changes right around the next corner.


Sarah -
If you're going to be a Doctor Who fan, you've got to embrace change. It's the only constant.


Harry -
Unfortunately, we'll be without our friendly guides Rob and Toby for a spell. Volume One of Running Through Corridors comes to an end here, and Volume Two is not yet published. Can we forge ahead without them, Sarah?

Sarah -
I believe we can. I'm sure they'll catch up soon. Grab my hand, Harry. When I say run... RUN!