Working through Doctor Who had to include spotlighting every multi-Doctor story. Especially anniversary episodes. As I said regarding "The Three Doctors", the laws of time may have said you couldn't cross your own timeline, but apparently the Doctor is repeatedly an exception to that. While reports say this story would have been very different if Tom Baker had joined the fun, this was still an amazing crossover. Perhaps not cinematic like "The Day of the Doctor" but still epic. So here are some of my thoughts and ramblings about "The Five Doctors".
Let's start with the First Doctor and Susan. Recasted due to the passing of William Hartnell, the original Doctor appeared in this story, portrayed by Richard Hurndall. He was dragged into the Death Zone first and his capture was the most mundane. He was never companionless throughout his tenure, but his companions were nowhere to be seen. Speaking of companions, his granddaughter Susan was pulled from her time (presumably out of the 22nd Century where he'd left her) to be his companion in the Death Zone. My biggest question about him is why, despite his original assertion to return for Susan, he apparently left her behind again after this story. Also kind of bugged me how little the other Doctors acknowledged their granddaughter Susan.
Next up: The Second Doctor and the Brigadier. At this point, the Second Doctor has already been apprehended in "The War Games". The theory is that the Second Doctor was sent on various missions prior to forced regeneration. That would explain how he knew the fates of Jamie and Zoe. At this point in his timeline, like the Tenth Doctor, he was doing a farewell tour. While visiting the Brigadier of the Fifth Doctor's time, the two were captured and brought into the Death Zone.
The Third Doctor obviously came from the time period he spent with Sarah Jane. However, she came from the time after the Fourth Doctor had left her behind (and left her a K9 as a gift). Why she didn't get after him for leaving her at the opposite end of the United Kingdom? Especially since she treated the Tenth Doctor like she hadn't seen him since Aberdeen. Also take note that the Third Doctor took Seal of the High Council, which would later appear in "The Time of the Doctor".
Since Tom Baker opted to skip this anniversary story, the Fourth Doctor was addressed as being stuck in a time eddy. This happened to the First Doctor, in "The Three Doctors", but the Fourth Doctor was unable to assist the others. The actual scenes of the Doctor and Romana came from the previously unfinished story "Shada". A clever way to include for the Fourth Doctor in the story.
Despite being the oldest Doctor, Peterson Davison was the youngest actor to play the Doctor for decades (finally relinquishing that title to Matt Smith). It was interesting to see the oldest of the Doctors mentored at times and helped by his younger selves. Perhaps there's a metaphor there about learning from your past. I might be more mature than I was as a college freshman, but there are still things to learn from that 18-year-old. Also, as a side note, I loved seeing Tegan adventuring across the Death Zone with the First Doctor.
Even though many claim that Doctor Who has been cancelled (it's on hiatus), epic stories like this remind me of the potential of the series. This story taught lessons about fear, immortality, and progression (and being careful what you wish for). It's definitely one of those stories I love to rewatch (even bought it on DVD back in the day). Even if the show is cancelled, the show is always keen to regenerate. There's always more to come.
