Review of The Doctors Revisited – Sixth Doctor

We’ve arrived at our median Doctor, by number the midpoint of his Regenerations to date. If you’re not familiar with “Old Sixie” (as his actor Colin Baker calls him now), you’re in for quite the ride.

Source – bbc.co.uk – © 2013 BBC

I think more than any other, Six is a break from what we’re used to associating with “the Doctor.” In stark contrast to his immediate predecessor—the mellow, folksy, human one—this Doctor epitomizes the alpha-male aspects of his personalities (brash, show-off, egotistical…). As Moffat (who is joined here by fellow interviewees Marcus Wilson, Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant, Bonnie Langford, Nicholas Briggs, and Dan Starkey) observed, Six cared about being paid attention to and about being listened to, but not about being liked (if you have any doubt, just look at that over-the-top, oh-so-’80s, coat of many colors). He would do what he felt he needed to do and not care one whit about whose feelings he might hurt along the way.

That’s not to say he didn’t care; he was actually quite compassionate. It’s simply that his definitions of right and wrong in a given situation don’t necessarily line up with what his Companion or the audience—humans, in other words—would think.

I suspect the producers had a fairly long arc in mind for Six, and that he was meant to mellow over the years. Since he didn’t really get that opportunity, though, his on-screen persona (which is better developed in the Big Finish audio adventures, I understand) comes across as somewhat frightening, and quite adversarial.
The special continues on to Six’s two Companions, Perpugilliam “Peri” Brown and Melanie “Mel” Bush. Though things got off to an incredibly rough start with Peri (whom he tried to strangle, immediately post-regeneration), the Doctor’s relationship with her develops to a place of mutual respect and fondness. They quarrel endlessly, but it’s actually quite good-natured underneath (I personally see this best in The Mark of the Rani).

As for Mel, I never quite understood their relationship. First, they meet out of order (hmm…) due to the Doctor having been taken out of time by the Time Lords for his trial. Also, he always seems sort of… henpecked by her, what with the carrot juice and exercise regimen she forces on him. She makes for a nice contrast with Peri, but isn’t really explored before he regenerates again.

As we continue on to the “Famous Foes” section of the documentary, I find it interesting that they chose to highlight the Sontarans (which Six only meets in The Two Doctors, along with his Second incarnation) even though he also met both Cybermen and Daleks. I suppose the fact that they’ve already covered those “foes” well in previous installments accounts for the choice to a degree, though the fact that poor Six only appeared in eleven stories (or eight, depending on how you count Trial of a Time Lord) undoubtedly has as much or more to do with it than anything.

The only real repeat enemy (not even an enemy really—more an “antagonist”) Six faces is the other chosen for discussion here: Sil. I have nothing but good stuff to say about Nabil Shaban, the actor who brought this character so thoroughly to life, but by the same token, I’ve nothing but hate for the character himself. He’s creepy beyond words, and makes my skin crawl—so nice work, Mr. Shaban.

I particularly liked the few words Colin Baker had to sum up his Doctor at the end. Poor Six is often maligned among fans, but the more I see of him, the better I like him. If you’re new to him, there are worse places to start than the story presented with the special, so give Vengeance on Varos a try. Who knows? You may find him uniquely engaging.

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