Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 75 "The Seventh Doctor in Review"

Notes:Because of the machinations of a rival Timelord (The Rani), the Doctor is violently jolted in the Tardis which causes a regeneration [Expanded Universe stories describe this differently]. In reality, Colin Baker refused to return for a "regeneration scene" after getting sacked. The Rani then broke into his Tardis before he could recover and heightened his post regeneration amnesia. Before he came to his senses, the Rani masqueraded as his companion to get the Doctor to help her diabolitcal plans. When the Doctor met his real companion, Mel, he realized he had been duped. With her help, he stopped the Rani. A few adventures later, the Doctor ran into an old acquaintance of his, Sabalm Glitz. In his earlier incarnation, Glitz helped him defeat the Master and the Valeyard, when he was on trial. During the same adventure he met Dorothy, thought she was going by the name of Ace. Once this adventure had been concluded, Mel decided to travel with Glitz, so the Doctor took Ace on as a travelling companion. Despite his insistence, she continues to call him 'Professor'. Ace continues on with the Doctor through the rest of the original series. The final episode does not show the Doctor regenerate. Instead he has defeated the Master and, along with Ace, heads off toward further adventures. During his tenure, the Doctor once again became a mysterious figure. More questions about the Doctor are asked, and we once again began to ask, Doctor who?

Name: The Doctor
Actor: Sylvester McCoy
August 20, 1943 -
Occupation: Timelord
First Seen: Tardis, arriving to the planet Lakertya
First Episode: Time & The Rani (Season 24)
Last Seen: Planet Earth, circa 1989
Last Episode: Survival (Season 26)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993), Doctor Who - TV Movie (1996)

Notes:After having helped the Doctor during his trial, it's assumed she is dropped off from where the Master plucked her out of time so the Doctor can properly meet her for his first time. She is travelling with the Doctor when the Tardis is hijacked. Breaking into the Tardis, the Rani takes the Doctor and leaves Mel for dead, or assumes she's no trouble. After acquiring help on the planet, Mel meets up with the Doctor, but he's completely different. Having been unconscious when he regenerated, she was unaware he had done so. After a bit of persuading, the two convince each other of who they truly are. Just a couple episodes later, Mel runs into Glitz again After she helps the Doctor on the Ice World, she decides it's time for her and the Doctor to part company. Instead she opts to travel with Glitz, and possible change him into a better man. Though the Doctor is visibly distressed with her departure, he welcomes the news Ace is looking for a place to go. Not a fan favourite, Mel's character is best described as a screamer. Another problem with her character is her background is never developed and though she was originally intended to be a smart (she's a computer programmer), sassy companion. Unfortunatley, the program had matured enough to not need a screaming companion. In years past, there were many companions who were screamers, but generally had interesting back stories. Confusion of her history with the Doctor likely didn't help matter much either.
Name: Melanie Bush
Actor: Bonnie Langford
July 22, 1964 -
Occupation: Computer Programmer
First Seen: Inside the Tardis, arriving to the planet Lakertya
First Episode: Time & The Rani (Season 24)
Last Seen: Leaving Iceworld with Sabalom Glitz
Last Episode: Dragonfire (Season 24)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)

Notes:The story of Ace is quite an interesting one, as she begins travelling with the Doctor as a young adult and matures into a woman. Before meeting with the Doctor, she is whisked away from Planet Earth to the far future on the Ice World where she eventually runs into the Doctor. Through a series of adventures, the Doctor helps her to come to terms with the Mother she has grown to hate and other aspects of her youth she has never truly dealt with. One adventure she helps a young lady with a baby and Ace falls in love with the child. Later, the Doctor informs her the baby will one day be her mother. Things get even more complicated when it's revealed Ace was never accidentally transported to the Ice World via a time storm, but sent there by a creature known as Fenric. Fenric, being an old foe of the Doctor, was using Ace to hopefully destroy the Doctor. Having Fenric's curse, Ace almost did exactly that. Fortunately the Doctor was able to thwart Fenric's plans anyway and free Ace from his curse. However, to do so the Doctor had to make her lose her faith in him, a ploy which almost destroyed their friendship. Ace continued to travel with the Doctor though future exploits with the Doctor are untelevised. Unlike Mel, Ace was giving an interesting background and her character was fully developed. And how cool is it to see a companion attack a Dalek with a baseball bat. I don't recall Ian Chesterton ever doing that.
Name: Dorothy "Ace" McShane
Actor: Sophie Aldred
August 20, 1962 -
Occupation: Waitress
First Seen: Ice World in the far future
First Episode: Dragonfire (Season 24)
Last Seen: Planet Earth, circa 1989
Last Episode: Survival (Season 26)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 69 "The Sixth Doctor In Review"

Notes: After having saved Peri from Spectrox Toxaemia poisoning, the Doctor was saved from death by regenerating. However, this regeneration 'felt different' and he went slightly mad, even attempting to strangle his current companion, Peri. As he starts to recover, he decides he may need to become a hermit, but becomes involved in another adventure. Once resolved, the Doctor begins to work on the Tardis. Like the fourth Doctor, he attempts to fix the Chameleon Circuit. The fix seems to work, but still does not operate properly. In theory it's supposed to make the Tardis blend in with its surroundings, but it's still failing to do this. Ultimately, it returns to it's Police Box state and the Doctor refused to fix it after that. On one of his next adventures with Peri, he arrives at a station where he finds evidence that he was possibly killed in the past and he may be living currently as a paradox. Upon further investigation, he finds Jamie, a previous companion of his who claims his Doctor was captured. With the help of Jamie and Peri, the Doctor is able to track down his former, second persona and both return to their proper place in time. More danger awaits the Doctor as his old enemy the Master teams up with another renegade Timelord, the Rani.As always, the Doctor is able to overcome their evil schemes. As far as renegade Timelords go, neither the Master nor the Rani turn out to be his Ultimate Foe. The Doctor discovers this when he finds himself put on trial once more. The prosecutor, the Valeyard, is bent on convicting the Doctor and hopes to have him put to death. The Valeyard is almost successful till the Doctor receives help from an unusual source. The Master has decided to come to the Doctor's aide, mostly because he wants the honour of killing the Doctor. The Master also reveals the Valeyard is actually an amalgamation of all the negative aspects of the Doctor. With the help of rogue Glitz and future companion Melanie, the Doctor is able to defeat the Valeyard. All charges against the Doctor are dropped and he departs the station to return Mel to her proper place in time. At some point in the (untelevised) future, the Doctor naturally meets up with Melanie, who is his companion when his Tardis is high-jacked by the Rani. The violent nature in which the Tardis is high-jacked results in the Doctor regenerating, though Mel is unharmed.
Name: The Doctor
Actor: Colin Baker
June 8, 1943 -
Occupation: Timelord
First Seen: Androzani, Inside the Tardis
First Episode: Twin Dilemma (Season 21)
Last Seen: Gallifreyan Station
Last Episode: The Ultimate Foe (Season 23)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)

Notes: Having only one televised adventure with the Doctor, Peri suddenly finds herself with a complete new Doctor. Despite this, she puts up with the Doctors erratic persona, even after he attempts to strangle her. Her thirst for adventure is soon rewarded when she meets one of the Doctor's oldest enemies, the Cybermen. Prior to discovering the Cybermen, Peri is with the Doctor when he attempts to fix the Tardis' Chameleon Circuit. In her next adventure, Peri meets Sil, a disturbing slug-like creature that thinks she is hideous, even for a human. Sil attempts to change her physically and alters her DNA so she resembled a bird-like creature. But the Doctor is able to reverse the effects. Peri is also one of the few companions to have met three or more of the Doctor's regenerations. During the course of one adventure, she meets his second incarnation, as well as a previous companion Jamie. In addition to the Cybermen, Peri also meets the Daleks and Davros.In the far future, the Doctor takes Peri to Ravolox, which turns out to be Earth in disguise. Peri realizes this when they find an old abandoned Underground station. During her final adventure with the Doctor, she once again meets Sil. This time Sil has the brain of his superior placed within her. Just as the Doctor is sorting out matters, he is pulled from time and space by the Timelords. At first he's led to believe Peri is killed when King Yrcanos (whom has claimed Peri as his consort) discovers her mind replaced with that of Kiv. Only later does the Doctor learn Peri recovers and goes on to be King Yrcanos' consort.
Name: Perpugilliam Brown
Actor: Nicola Bryant
October 11, 1962 -
Occupation: Student
First Seen: Inside the Tardis
First Episode: The Twin Dilemma (Season 21)
Last Seen: Thoros Beta, circa 2379
Last Episode: Mindwarp (Season 23)
Special Appearance:The Ultimate Foe

Notes: Mel has a confusing origin with the Doctor. In her first televised episode, we are looking into the Doctor's future, via the Gallifreyan Matrix. So this first episode is AFTER she already met the Doctor. Once the trial has been concluded, the Doctor returns her to her proper place in time. It's unclear at what point the Doctor actually meets her for (from her viewpoint) the first time. Even so, we do know a bit about her (like her ability to scream). Before arriving on the Hyperion III, Melanie was attempting to get the Doctor 'fit'. Her regimen included physical fitness and carrot juice (something the Doctor detested). As some point after this, she is brought to the Timelord station where the Doctor is on trial. The Doctor finds out the Master was responsible for sending him the help. When the Timelords seems unable (or unwilling) to help the Doctor in the Matrix, she runs in to save his life.With her help, the Doctor uncovers the plot of the Valeyard.Once this is complete, the Doctor ushers her back into the Tardis to take her back to the place the Master acquired her from. She is still travelling with the Doctor when he regenerates. 
Name:Melanie Bush
Actor:Bonnie Langford
July 22, 1964 -
Occupation:Computer Programmer
First Seen:Hyperion III, circa 2986
First Episode: Terror of the Vervoids (Season 23)
Last Seen: Timelord Station
Last Episode: Ultimate Foe (Season 23)
Special Appearance: None

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 62 "The Fifth Doctor In Review"

Notes: While the Tardis was being operated by this Doctor, it had a more lived in feel. The Tardis had a trio of companions, then downgraded to two, but it still felt lived in, no matter how many companions were travelling with him. There were various scenes within the Tardis and some of the companions room were even seen. But things for the Doctor did not start off well. While he was technically still regenerating, he felt and acted different. Well, more different than he should have. Temporary post-regeneration amnesia set in and he was searing for the Doctor and forgot about one of his companions. To make matters worse, the Master had a trap set for the Doctor, in hopes of driving him completely insane. With the help of his companions he began to feel more like himself again, or at least what he felt he should be acting like considering the regeneration. For several adventures he travelled with three companions till he ran into the Cybermen once again. They were bent on destroying Earth where a conference was being held to find a solution to the Cybermen problem. Adric sacrificed himself to try and save the Earth. This was the first companion who died while he was with the Doctor since Katarina and Sara Kingdom. But there was no time to grieve as the Doctor ran straight into the Master once more. As always, the Doctor was able to defeat the Master but a bigger threat was soon to target the Doctor. In his earlier regeneration, the Doctor defeated the Black Guardian, an omnipotent being who vowed to kill the Doctor. The problem is, the Black Guardian was forbidden from killing the Doctor directly, so he employed someone Turlough. Turlough was convinced the Doctor was evil so attempted several times to kill the Doctor. But the more time he spent with the Doctor, the more he realized he was not told the truth. He finally decided not to kill the Doctor, but instead travel with him. So the double companions were a trio once more. But shortly after, Nyssa left the Tardis when she found a place that needed her. Once more, the Doctor ran into the Master. This time he was using a shape changing robot named Kamelion to impersonate King John, in hopes of stopping the Magna-Carta from being signed. It came down to a battle of wits, where the Doctor won, and took Kamelion away from the Master. Outside of the Masters influence, Kamelion was able to use his own personality and asked the Doctor if he would be able to travel with him as well. The Doctor agreed and the double became a triple again; well sort of. In the next episode, there is no mention of Kamelion. For the very next adventure the Doctor was drawn back to Gallifrey where he was reunited with the Doctor, the Doctor and the Doctor. Three earlier incarnations of the Doctor had been drawn to the Death Zone by a high ranking member of Gallifreyan society. Also drawn to the Death Zone along with the Doctor was his grand-daughter Susan, the Brigadier & Sarah Jane Smith. Once the mission was complete, Turlough and Tegan continued to travel with the Doctor, and Kamelion was still not seen. In the next adventure the Doctor had with the Daleks, Tegan had had enough and decided to leave the Tardis. She told the Doctor it stopped being fun. Next to leave was Turlough. The Tardis picked up a distress signal from Turlough's home planet and Turlough did everything he could to ignore the call and tried to stop the transmission from reaching the Tardis. The Doctor discovered this however and realized Turlough must be in trouble with his home planet for some reason. But the Tardis was pre-set and both realized Kamelion (who WAS still on the Tardis) had reset the controls. Once again, the Doctor was facing the Master who still had control of Kamelion. But the Master's plans were foiled first by Peri, a person Turlough earlier saw drowning and brought her aboard to recuperate, and then by Kamelion himself who begged the Doctor to destroy him. The Doctor reluctantly destroyed Kamelion, but Peter Davison was happy to do so. The Kamelion prop was difficult to control and everyone on the production hated used it. That was the reason it was not featured in many stories. Once the adventure was complete, the Turlough went back to his home planet after he was told he was no longer a political prisoner. Telling the Doctor she was already planning to travel, Peri asked the Doctor if she could travel with him instead of being dropped off back at home. The Doctor agreed. But the next adventure changed everything. The Doctor and Peri contracted a disease and the only antidote was limited and the Doctor was only able to acquire enough for Peri. The Doctor gambled, and hoped, he would regenerate - he did.
Name: The Doctor
Actor: Peter Davison
April 13, 1951 -
Occupation: Timelord
First Seen: Earth, 1981
First Episode: Castrovalva (Season 19)
Last Seen: Androzani, Inside the Tardis
Last Episode: The Caves of Androzani (Season 21)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993), Timecrash (2007)

Notes: Adric was with the Doctor when he regenerated and tried as best he could to help him recover. But Adric was captured by the Master and replied with a projection of himself. The projection was being used to set-up the Doctor and hopefully kill him. But the projection was linked to Adric who used every ounce of his strength to resist the Master. Adric finally resisted enough and the Doctor was able to rescue him from the Master. But life on board the Tardis was suddenly very difficult for Adric. With Tegan and Nyssa on board, Adric felt less and less a part of the group and often thought he was ignored. He tried to convince the Doctor there was a way for him to return to his home in E-Space but the Doctor refused to listen and they had an argument. Later, they were able to make up and Adric admitted he didn't really want to go home. But this adventure involved the Cybermen who were trying to destroy Earth. Adric found himself on a doomed ship headed for Earth. He was able to break a few of the controls the Cybermen set up, but the instability drew the ship off-course. But only through time. Instead of hitting earth in the future as it was supposed to, it did so 65,000,000 years in the past. Effectively killing off the dinosaurs. Adric was still on-board when the ship hit and was killed on impact. Though some speculate he actually survived the crash of the ship only long enough to be eaten by a dinosaur.
Name: Adric
Actor: Mathew Waterhouse
December 19, 1961
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: E-Space; Alzarius
First Episode: Full Circle (Season 18)
Last Seen: Earth, 65,000,000 B.C.
Last Episode: Earth Shock (Season 19)
Special Appearance: None

Notes: Travelling with the Doctor must have been difficult for Nyssa every time they met the Master. The Master effectively stole her fathers body, killing him. Nyssa also ran into another doppelgänger, someone who looked exactly like her on Earth. Nyssa was a member of the Tardis crew when Adric died, and despite the grief the group felt, she had to put that aside when they ran into the Master once more. Calm and collective, Nyssa was a voice of reason in the Tardis. She was even willing to give Turlough the benefit of the doubt, when Tegan complained there was something not right about him. It was after she contracted the deadly Lazar's disease when she finally decided her life on the Tardis had come to an end. Finally finding a place that needed her and her skills, she opted to leave the Doctor and spent time on a leaper ship to help find a refined cure for the deadly disease.
Name: Nyssa
Actor: Sarah Sutton
December 12, 1961 -
Occupation: Bio-electronics Specialist
First Seen: Traken,
First Episode: Keeper of Traken (Season 18)
Last Seen: Terminus, Centre of the Universe
Last Episode: Terminus (Season 19)
Special Appearances: None

Notes: Though having just met the Doctor, Tegan was with him after he regenerated. Initially she insisted he return her back home in hopes of continuing her stewardess job. Just after Adric died, she actually got a taste of what her stewardess job would be like when she essentially performed the duties on board a concord, which had been displaced in time. She also had a traumatic experience while travelling with the Doctor when an alien entity known as the Mara invaded and took control of her body. For a short time, she was left on Earth at Heathrow when the Doctor assumed she wanted to remain behind, but vacationing in Amsterdam she ran into him again. She rejoined the Doctor and this time stopped demanding he return her home. It was a good thing she did so because soon it was discovered the Mara had not been totally destroyed and still lingered within her. With the Doctors help, the Mara was once again destroyed, seemingly forever. During the adventure Turlough joined the crew, she met the Brigadier and later met him again when the Tardis was drawn to Gallifrey in the Death Zone. Her initial thoughts of Turlough were essentially true, but there was more to Turlough than meets the eye. Eventually she had to accept Turlough as a travelling companion and even learned to like him, though she always seemed to keep an eye on him. When Tegan met up with the Daleks, she saw many deaths including a person she began to regard as a friend. With all the death and destruction involved, Tegan realized she stopped having fun with the Doctor. Tearfully she ran away from the Tardis and the Doctor. But she did admit she was going to miss him.
Name: Tegan Jovanka
Actor: Janet Fielding
January 01, 1957 -
Occupation: Stewardess
First Seen: Earth, 1981
First Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Last Seen: Earth, 1984
Last Episode: Resurrection of the Daleks (Season 21)
Special Appearance: A Fix With Sontarans (1985)

Notes: Turlough was an alien, living in exile while on Earth. As a cover, he was attending a boys school which he utterly hated. Quite the rascal, he got into trouble every chance he could. He became involved with the Doctor when he stole the Brigadiers car, who was now retired from Unit and working at the boys school. While unconscious, he was approached by the Black Guardian who made him an offer. If he destroyed the Doctor, the Black Guardian would take Turlough away from Earth. Of course one of the main reasons Turlough reluctantly agreed was because the Black Guardian told him the Doctor was evil. Despite many opportunities, Turlough failed in his mission to kill the Doctor when he started to realize the Black Guardian had lied to him. The Black Guardian gave Turlough one last chance, but still refused to kill or betray the Doctor. The Black Guardian swore vengeance on Turlough. With his affinity toward the Doctor exposed, the Doctor allowed Turlough to continue to follow him. If Tegan distrusted Turlough before, she certainly distrusted him now. But that gradually faded over time. Still travelling with the Doctor, Turlough was able to visit Gallifrey and also ran into the Master; at one point keeping him at bay with a sword. When Tegan left, he was sorry to see her go. As much as Tegan distrusted Turlough, Turlough distrusted Kamelion. While visiting Earth, Kamelion began acting up and a related transmission was discovered. While the Doctor was out trying to find the source of the transmission, Turlough was back at the Tardis. He was dealing with Kamelion and rescuing an Earth girl whom he saw drowning in the water outside. He ran out to rescue her and brought her into the Tardis to recover. But despite Turlough's attempts to stop Kamelion , Kamelion was able to steer the Tardis toward the planet Sarn where a crashed ship from Turlough's home planet Trion was. While on Sarn, the Doctor discovered Peri was on-board, and Kamelion was still being controlled by the Master. Once this adventure was finished, Turlough found out he was no longer a political prisoner and opted to return home with his new-found brother.
Name: Vislor Turlough
Actor: Mark Strickson
April 06, 1959 -
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Earth, 1983
First Episode: Mawdryn Undead (Season 20)
Last Seen: Sarn
Last Episode: Planet of Fire (Season 21)
Special Appearance: None

Notes: Kamelion was an attempt to bring the future to Doctor Who, but the robot used for Kamelion never truly worked the way it was expected. As a result, he only appeared in two stories, despite being five stories in-between. After being defeated by the Doctor, the Master was left stranded on ancient Xeriphas where he discovered Kamelion. Though Kamelion has a mind of his own, he's easily influenced and the Master can be very influential. Kamelion helped the Master impersonate King John to thwart the signing of the Magna Carta, but the plan was defused by the Doctor. The Doctor engaged the Master in a mind over matter where the Doctor won and had Kamelion transform into his companion Tegan. At which point he dragged Kamelion into the Tardis and away from the Master's influence. Unbeknownst to the Doctor, the Master was once again able to influence Kamelion which resulted in the Tardis being dragged to the planet Sarn. The Master needed Kamelion's help to restore the Master after he was accidentally hit with his own TCE. Kamelion decided he didn't want to be continually controlled by the Master and was too weak to resist any longer. He requested the Doctor destroy him before he did anything else wrong. The Doctor promptly complied to Kamelion's wishes and used the Master's TCE without haste.
Name: Kamelion
Actor: Gerald Flood (Voice of Kamelion)
April 21, 1927 - April 12, 1989
Occupation: Android
First Seen: Earth, 1215
First Episode: The King's Demons (Season 20)
Last Seen: Sarn
Last Episode: Planet of Fire (Season 21)
Special Appearance: None

Notes: Perpugilliam, Peri for short, was trying to escape her step-father who had marooned her on a boat in an attempt to stop her from leaving for Morocco with some new found friends. But in an attempt to swim back to shore, she developed a cramp and began to drown. Fortunately, Turlough saw this and swam out to rescue her. While unconscious, Turlough brought her onto the Tardis, and forgot about her when the Tardis next took off. While on the Tardis, she met Kamelion who was now disguised as her step-father Howard. Once the Doctor and Turlough left the Tardis when they arrived to Sarn, Kamelion transformed into the Master. Confused, Peri tried to get away and was soon caught up in a battle between the Doctor and the Master. Realizing the Master was evil, she sided with the Doctor and asked to accompany him. The Doctor reluctantly agreed. The very next adventure, both contracted a deadly disease with only one known cure. With only enough antidote for one person, the Doctor selflessly gave it all to Peri, saving her life. The Doctor hoped he would regenerate, and he did. This stunned and shocked Peri. She currently is still travelling with the Doctor.
Name: Perpugilliam Brown
Actor: Nicola Bryant
October 11, 1962 -
Occupation: Student
First Seen: Earth, 1984
First Episode: Planet of Fire (Season 21)
Last Seen: Still Travelling in the Tardis
Last Episode: Planet of Fire (Season 21)
Special Appearance: None

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 51 "The Fourth Doctor In Review"

Notes: If anything, Tom Baker is certainly recognized as 'THE' Doctor when most people talk about the older Doctor Who episodes. As to whether he's the 'BEST' Doctor is widely debated. Technically, he was still UNIT's scientific adviser but he was being used less and less in this capacity. After the story 'Robot', The Doctor went on to adventure other places besides Earth, meaning UNIT stories became less and less frequent. Also, the Tardis began to 'fill up'. The first Doctor had three people in his Tardis but eventually that was scaled back to two by the time Patrick Troughton took over. When Jon Pertwee was the Doctor, he was down to just one dedicated companion. Tom Baker also had a dedicated companion in Sarah but Harry Sullivan did travel with them for a short time. Once Sarah Jane left, the Doctor had one adventure all by himself on Gallifrey. After that Leela began to accompany him. Shorty after K-9 joined the Doctor and the days of the single companion were essentially gone for the time being. Even still, using K-9 was an easy fix when the story required only one companion because K-9 would either break down, or the planet would be inhospitable for him. Leela left and was replaced by Romana during a season long story arc, something the newer episodes are now doing. When the first Romana actress left the series, she 'regenerated' into Lalla Ward and tensions on the set were extreme. There was something between Tom and Lalla, but it wasn't good. There was a lot of friction between the two actors who seemingly despised each other. There are even a few episodes of Doctor Who where you can see the tension even on screen. Usually neither looked the other in the eye. So it was a surprise to everyone when Tom suddenly announced they had gotten married over the weekend. The marriage really didn't last long and when Lalla was once asked at a convention what her favorite Doctor Who monster is, she replied "Tom Baker". Just before Romana left the series, Adric was introduced. This marked the beginning of the 'crowded house' feel of the Tardis. Adric did have one adventure with the Doctor as a sole companion, but it was the adventure they met Nyssa. Though not joining the Tardis this episode, she did the very next episode along with Tegan. Just in time for another regeneration, and a new era of Doctor Who.
Name: The Doctor 1974-1981
Actor: Tom Baker
January 20, 1934 -
Occupation: Timelord
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1981
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983), Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: The Doctor still has lose affiliations with UNIT after his regeneration, though he's not as dedicated to the cause as when he was marooned on Earth. The Brigadier has the ability to contact the Doctor when his help is needed and generally the Doctor comes to the aid. The Doctor can at times infuriate the Brigadier, but Lethbridge-Stewart knows the Doctor is almost always right, which conflicts with his own ego. All things aside, the two generally become very good friends though the Brigadier refuses to travel in the Tardis with the Doctor for loyalty with UNIT. If he had his way, he'd like to run into at least one alien threat that wasn't immune to bullets. In the original series, the Brigadier met 6 incarnations of the Doctor and considers them wonderful chaps, all of them.
Name: Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart
Actor: Nicholas Courtney
12/16/29 - 02/22/11
Occupation: Brigadier of UNIT.
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1975
Last Episode: Terror of the Zygons (Season 13)
Special Appearance: Mawdryn Undead (1983), The Five Doctors (1983),


Notes: Working as a medic for UNIT, Harry was looking over the Doctor when he regenerated for the third time. He quite probably thought the Doctor was insane and when he was invited into the Tardis, he did so to prove it didn't actually work. Harry stayed with the Doctor till another adventure brought them back to Earth. He then opted to catch a ride back to UNIT headquarters instead of travel with the Doctor. Though he enjoyed the time with the Doctor, Harry always seemed eager to head home. Always chivalrous, he drove Sarah Jane crazy with his view on the women's role and annoyed her by constantly calling her 'old girl'. He reunites with Sarah and the Doctor when another adventure brought them back to Earth, though he's not invited back onto the Tardis. Quite probably because he would have declined the offer.
Name: Harry Sullivan
Actor: Ian Marter
10/28/1944 - 10/28/1986
Occupation: Medic
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1975
Last Episode: Android Invasion (Season 13)


Notes: Much as Tom Baker is the most recognized Doctor, Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith is widely recognized as THE companion of the Doctor. It's true she started out with Jon Pertwee as a feminist, but her tough exterior gradually faded. No, it didn't disappear all together. It seems her travels with the Doctor mellowed her out. It certainly broadened her mind and taught her to look beyond just the surface of things. Being a journalist, this was a handy skill to develop. Sarah traveled with the Doctor for quite a long time and would likely have traveled even longer with him if he hadn't dropped her off at home when he learned there was trouble on Gallifrey. Lke the Brigadier, she's met several different regenerations of the Doctor. She met the first five while on Gallifrey's Death Zone and would later go on to meet the tenth and eleventh Doctors. In fact, the Doctor became so fond of Sarah he gave her a K-9 unit as a present. She used K-9 till he became inoperable and had to place him in storage. Exactly when she meets the latest Doctors will be discussed in the future.
Name: Sarah Jane Smith
Actor: Elisabeth Sladen
February 01, 1948 - April 19, 2011
Occupation: Journalist
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Robot (Season 12)
Last Seen: Earth, 1976
Last Episode: Hand of Fear (Season 14)
Special Appearance: K9 & Company (1981), The Five Doctors (1983), School Reunion (2006), The Stolen Earth (2008), Journey's End (2008), End of Time (2009) Sarah Jane Adventures (2008-2011)


Notes: A descendant of a crashed spaceship on an unnamed planet, Leela's people were essentially savages. At some point in the planets past, the Doctor visited the crashed ship and tried to repair it though he forgot to whip his personality out of the computer when done. As a result, the computer used his likeness which created an alter ego, driving the computer insane. After the Doctor set things straight Leela decided to accompany him, though the Doctor had to forbid the use of deadly force, through the poisonous Janis thorns she used. As a savage, she believed the Tardis was magic, though the Doctor did his best to try and explain it scientifically. As an outcast when he first met her, Leela had no where to go when he returned to Gallifry. This time he took Leela with him, despite having to leave Sarah behind on Earth the last time he visited. Or maybe the Doctor realized Leela would fit in better. And fit in she did. So much in fact, when the Doctor was departing, she opted to stay behind, having fallen in love with a Gallifreyan. K-9 stayed with Leela.
Name: Leela
Actor: Louise Jameson
April 20, 1951 -
Occupation: Savage
First Seen: Unnamed planet in the future.
First Episode: Face of Evil (Season 14)
Last Seen: Gallifrey
Last Episode: Invasion of Time (Season 15)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: Originally owned by Professor Marius, K-9 was given to the Doctor when the Professor realized he was going to be heading back to Earth and K-9 would not be able to travel with him. K-9's time with the Doctor was tricky because landing on a planet with rough or rocky terrain meant K-9 had to sit out on the adventure. This was something Tom Baker grew to appreciate because he'd have to bend down to K-9's level to have a conversation with it. When Leela left the series K-9 was scripted to depart as well, but by then K-9 was every child's favorite companion and in a last minute scene, the Doctor brings in a new K-9. This second version of K-9 traveled with the Doctor and Romana during the Key of Time quest, though there were still a few times he was unable to join them because of swamps or other terrain hazards. Another device which took K-9 out of the picture was damage. Several episodes had K-9 out of commission in part or all because he was not functioning properly. When Romana opted to stay behind in E-Space, K-9 stayed with her and reminded her he had full schematics of the Tardis saved in his memory if they desired to build their own.
Name: K-9
Actor: John Leeson / David Brierly
March 1943 - / 1935 - June 10th 2008
Occupation: Faithful Computer Pet
First Seen: Bi-Al Foundation, Asteroid K4067; 5080
First Episode: Invisible Enemy (Season 15)
Last Seen: E-Space
Last Episode: Warriors Gate (Season 18)
Special Appearance: K9 & Company (1981), The Five Doctors (1983), Dimensions In Time (1993), School Reunion (2006), Journey's End (2008), Sarah Jane Adventures (2008-2010), K9 Series (2009-2010)


Notes: Romana's full name is Romanadvoratrelundar but shorted to just Romana when the Doctor realized it was too much to say, especially if he needed to get her attention quickly. She was sent to help the Doctor in his quest to find the Key of Time. A device which would enable the White Guardian to restore the balance in the universe. Tensions between the Doctor and Romana were at first high. The Doctor finally had someone on board truly his equal, and Romana wanted to simply get the task completed, instead of getting involved in local affairs as the Doctor was prone to do. Ultimately, the two became very fond of each other and instead of returning back to Gallifrey when the task was complete, she decided to regenerate and continue traveling with the Doctor.
Name: Romanadvoratrelundar I
Actor: Mary Tamm
March 22, 1950 -
Occupation: Timelady
First Seen: The Tardis, Gallifrey Native
First Episode: Ribos Operation (Season 16)
Last Seen: The Tardis
Last Episode: The Armageddon Factor (Season 16)
Special Appearance: None


Notes: When Patrick Troughton's Doctor was forced to regenerate, the Timelords gave him several options of what he could look like. He ultimately decided to take his chances randomly. So it's not so odd to find out when Romana decided to regenerate she chose what she wanted to look like. Though the Doctor was against the idea, she wanted her next regeneration to look like Princess Astra, someone the pair met on the previous adventure. Unlike the other Romana who seemed very sure of herself, this Romana turned out to be a screamer. Of course, its possible she gave that impression to make it look like she wasn't as much of a threat as she was. This was a characteristic the second Doctor had. This Romana also seemed to be more caring and empathetic towards others plights. She completely understood the Doctors reasoning's for getting involved and was upset when Gallifrey recalled her. Instead of going back to Gallifrey, she stayed in E-Space with K-9 to help free the Tharils from the various worlds they were imprisoned on.
Name: Romanadvoratrelundar II
Actor: Lalla Ward
June 28th, 1951
Occupation: Time Lady
First Seen: The Tardis
First Episode: Destiny of the Daleks (Season 17)
Last Seen: E-Space
Last Episode: Warriors Gate (18)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: The Doctor met Adric when he was first trapped in E-Space. As a promising elite on the crashed starliner he was from, Adric became bored with his life and tried to join his brother who was rebelling against the society. But the time of mists brought some dark days for Alzarius when the Marshmen began attacking the starliner. Adric's brother died in a Marshmen attack so after the Doctor helped resolve the situation he stowed away in the Tardis. The Doctor was hesitant in letting Adric remain, but relented and asked Adric if he'd miss E-Space because the Doctor was heading back to his normal universe. Adric said there was nothing for him anymore and was excited to travel with the Doctor. Adric was at the Doctors side when he regenerated.
Name: Adric
Actor: Matthew Waterhouse
December 19th, 1961
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Alzarius (E-Space)
First Episode: Full Circle (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: None


Notes: When her father married, Nyssa was assigned to take care of the evil Melkur instead of her step-mother. Though she didn't realize it, her step-mother was already being influenced by the Melkur who turned out to be the Master's Tardis. The Doctor left Traken with Adric after defeating the Master while Nyssa stayed behind. But the Doctor was unaware of the Masters true intent and was not around to stop the Master from taking over the body of Tremas, Nyssa's father. Unable to find her father, Nyssa tried to contact the Doctor but it was the Watcher who picked her up and brought her to Logopolis to be reunited with the Doctor and Adric. When the Doctor fell to his death, Nyssa was at his side.
Name: Nyssa
Actor: Sarah Sutton
December 12, 1961 -
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Traken
First Episode: Keeper of Traken (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor
Last Episode: Logopolis
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: On her way to her first flight as an airline stewardess, Tegan's car broke down close to one of the last Police Box's. However, the Doctor materialized around it to take measurements and in so doing sprung a trap set by the Master. So Tegan stumbled into the Tardis, when the doors suddenly closed behind her. The Master, while waiting to bait the Doctor even further, murdered Tegan's aunt by compressing her atoms, shrinking her. When the Doctor took off for Logoplis, Tegan was still on-board the Tardis, lost and unaware of her Aunt's death. The Doctor was successful in stopping the Master's evil plan, but feel to his death. Tegan, along with Nyssa and Adric were by his side when the Watcher helped the Doctor to regenerate.
Name: Tegan Jovanka
Actor: Janet Fielding
January 1st, 1957
Occupation: Stewardess
First Seen: Earth, 1981
First Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Last Seen: Still traveling with the Doctor.
Last Episode: Logopolis (Season 18)
Special Appearance: A Fix With Sontarans (1985)

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 33 "The Third Doctor In Review"

Notes: Jon Pertwee's tenure of Doctor Who was certainly a change from previous seasons. As promised the episode before, the Time Lords have marooned the Doctor on Earth. Fortunately, the Doctor runs into the Brigadier from UNIT who essentially hires the Doctor as a scientific advisor. Unlike his previous incarnation, this Doctor is a dandy and generally more hands on. What he couldn't solve by reversing the polarity of the neutron flow, he'd resolve with his training in Venusian Aki-Do. Though Jon sometimes would claim he left because he was refused a raise, he mostly left because things were changing too much. Barry Letts was leaving as Producer, Terrence Dicks was leaving as Script Editor, Katy Manning had moved on, Nicholas Courtney was being used less and Roger Delgado died. On top of all that, he felt he was getting typecast in the role. Towards the end of his regeneration, The Doctor had more freedom and was spending less time on Earth as a result of helping Gallifrey in the Omega incident. The Time Lords lifted his exile and it seemed Doctor Who had moved into a new era once again.
Name: The Doctor 1970-1974
Actor: Jon Pertwee
July 7, 1919 - May 20, 1996
Occupation: Time Traveller
First Seen: Earth 1970
First Episode: Spearheads From Space (Season 7)
Last Seen: Earth 1974
Last Episode: Planet of Spiders (Season 11)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983), Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: When the Brigadier first meets the third Doctor, he obviously doesn't recognize him. However, he knows he's an alien and the Doctor is very persuading, he ultimately accepts the truth. Even though he at times found the Doctor infuriating he ultimately came to regard the Doctor as a friend and respected his advice. The Brigadiers natural instinct was to blow up whatever was menacing UNIT, but he allowed the Doctor to try his approach many times, attempting a more peaceful solution. Nicolas Courtney was also the only actor in the original series to have been with the Doctor his entire regeneration.
Name: Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart 1970-1974
Actor: Nicholas Courtney
December 16, 1929 - February 22nd, 2011
Occupation: Brigadier of UNIT
First Seen: Earth 1970
First Episode: Spearheads From Space (Season 7)
Last Seen: Continues to work with the 4th Doctor.


Notes: Before the Brigadier discovered the Doctor was exiled to Earth, Liz was hired to act as his scientific advisor. She initially scoffed at the idea of life on other planets, but the Nestene soon changed her mind. She became a valuable assistant to the Doctor, but that was a problem for her. Instead of being the top scientist for UNIT she became an assistant whose primary focus was to hand the Doctor test tubes and tell him how brilliant he was. It didn't take long for her to realize this and when she did, she left UNIT and went back to Cambridge. In reality, the producers realized she was probably too smart for her own good and they wanted someone with less intelligence, to ask the Doctor what people at home were likely wondering. "What's that Doctor?" The irony is, Caroline John was pregnant and was likely to leave the series anyway.
Name: Elizabeth Shaw 1970
Actor: Caroline John
1940 -
Occupation: Scientist
First Seen: Earth 1970
First Episode: Spearheads From Space (Season 7)
Last Seen: Earth, 1970
Last Episode: Inferno (Season 7)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983)


Notes: With Liz going back to Cambridge, the Brigadier decides to hire a new assistant for the Doctor. So he hires Jo Grant, who's Uncle pulled a few strings for her, and informs her she'll likely be passing the Doctor test tubes and telling him how brilliant he is. Jo and the Doctor don't get off on the right foot and his initial reaction is to let her go, but finds the actual task of doing so not very easy. He ultimately accepts her, despite her usual clumsiness. They become so close in fact, when she finally decides to leave UNIT to get married and travel the Amazon the Doctor is heartsbroken. Katy Manning is severely myopic so that actually aided her when she needed Jo to act clumsy. There are many times in filming you can actually spot her straining to see better.
Name: Jo Grant 1971 - 1973
Actor: Katy Manning
October 14, 1949 -
Occupation: Assistant to Scientific Advisor
First Seen: Earth, 1971
First Episode: Terror of the Autons (Season 8)
Last Seen: Earth, 1973
Last Episode: Green Death (Season 10)
Special Appearance: Death of the Doctor (Sarah Jane Adventures), 2010


Notes: Sarah is a journalist who'll stop at nothing to get a story. To infiltrate UNIT she poses as her Aunt Lavinia, a well known virologist. The Doctor immediately realizes she's an imposter but doesn't turn her in. Despite this, Sarah is unimpressed with the Doctor and when scientists go missing she convinces herself the Doctor is responsible. While searching for one of the scientists she stumbles into the Tardis and when the Doctor tracks down the missing scientists to an earlier century she is brought along (unknown to the Doctor). Eventually, she learns the Doctor is who he says he is and comes to trust him. With Jo gone, the Doctor welcomes Sarah to accompany him on several trips in the Tardis. She continues to do so even after he regenerates. As much as the Doctor came to like Jo, his affection for Sarah grows even more. In total, Sarah has met seven different regenerations of the Doctor. The character of Sarah Jane became such a hit, a spin-off series was attempted in 1981 and again in 2007 (this time successful). Elisabeth Sladen continued in the series until she passed away earlier this year.
Name: Sarah Jane Smith 1974 -
Actor: Elisabeth Sladen
February 1st, 1948 - April 19, 2011
Occupation: Journalist
First Seen: Earth, 1974
First Episode: Time Warrior (Season 11)
Last Seen: Continues to travel with the 4th Doctor


Notes: Unit is first on the scene after the Doctor has regenerated and stumbled out of his Tardis. They bring the Doctor to a local hospital and inform the Brigadier his 'blue box' has been found. During his third regeneration, the Doctor befriends many of the UNIT officers besides the Brigadier. Captain Mike Yates is friendly and dedicated to his cause, but later in his career he's somewhat brainwashed into cooperating with "Operation Golden Age". This projects goal was to revert the Earth to an earlier, simpler time. This included bringing dinosaurs forward through time. The result was Yates having to resign from Unit. Sergeant Benton is also a dedicated officer but loves to joke around, sometimes forgetting he's within the Brigadiers view who disapproves of the whimsical attitude from his officers. UNIT still has dealings with the Doctor from time to time, even long after the Brigadier retires.
Name: Unit - Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart,
Captain Mike Yates,
Sergeant John Benton
Actor: (Yates) Richard Franklin,
(Franklin) January 15th, 1936 -
(Benton) John Levene
(Levene) December 24th, 1941 -
Occupation: Military Personnel
First Seen: Earth, 1970
First Episode: Spearheads From Space (Season 7)
Last Seen: Unit continues to work with the 4th Doctor.
Special Appearance: Yates appears in The Five Doctors (1983)


Next: The Giant Robot

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 23 "The Second Doctor In Review"

Notes: Taking over for William Hartnell was a risky venture. But to continue the series it was necessary. Patrick ultimately decided to play the Doctor as a sort of flute playing 'cosmic hobo'. If he wouldn't have been able to pull it off so well, it's unlikely Doctor Who would still be around today. It's also evident the current Doctor, played by Matt Smith, has taken on a lot of Troughton's mannerisms. Like the first Doctor, this incarnation also had trouble steering the Tardis and operating many of the controls. Some of the mystery surrounding the Doctor fades towards the end of Patrick Troughton's tenure as the Time Lords are introduced as his 'people', though the name Gallifrey is to be given to his home planet. Patrick loved playing the Doctor (despite a gruelling schedule) and likely would have continued if not for his manager and wife who both urged him to move on so not to be type-cast. At the end of the War Games, the Time Lords capture the Doctor and put him on trial for breaking their rule of non-intervention. The Doctor points out how he has actually helped people. As punishment, the Time Lords take his companions away, force him into a regeneration and maroon him on Earth, with his knowledge of the Tardis taken from him.
Name: The Doctor (Second) 1966-1969
Actor: Patrick Troughton
03/25/1920 - 03/28/1987
Occupation: Time Traveller
First Seen: Earth, 1986 (Inside the Tardis)
First Episode: Power of the Daleks (Season 4)
Last Seen: Gallifrey, (year unspecified)
Last Episode: War Games (Season 6)
Special Appearance: The Three Doctors (1972-1973), The Five Doctors (1983), The Two Doctors (1985)


Notes: When the Doctor initially regenerated, Ben had a hard time believing it was the same person. He noted not only did the Doctor look different, he acted different as well. It wasn't till much later he finally accepted the truth. Much like Ian and Steven did with the first Doctor, Ben was the central action male. During his travels with the Doctor he continued to watch over Polly and their friendship strengthened. At the end of the 'Faceless Ones' adventure, he realized the date was the same as when he originally left with the Doctor. Though asking the Doctor if he would still need his assistance, he left with Polly.
Name: Ben Jackson 1966-1967
Actor: Michael Craze
November 29th 1942 - December 7th 1998
Occupation: Navy
First Seen: (With the second Doctor) Earth, 1986
First Episode: Power of the Daleks (Season 4)
Last Seen: Earth, 1966 (Same day he originally met the Doctor)
Last Episode: the Faceless Ones (Season 4)


Notes: Unlike Ben, Polly was more open to accepting the Doctor at his word when he said he was the same person. She may have seemed like another pretty face, and admittedly had her screaming moments, she was very intelligent and on several occasions proved her worth as an assistant. Her friendship with Ben grew while on-board the Tardis though it's unclear in the series if they became a couple during or after the travels in the Tardis. She enjoyed travelling with the Doctor as much as Ben did, but when he decided to leave, she went with him.
Name: Polly 1966-1967
Actress: Anneke Wills
October 20th 1941 -
Occupation: Personal Assistant
First Seen: (With the second Doctor) Earth, 1986
First Episode: Power of the Daleks (Season 4)
Last Seen: Earth, 1966 (Same day she originally met the Doctor)
Last Episode: the Faceless Ones (Season 4)


Notes: When the Doctor first met Victoria she was a captive of the Daleks. Her father was experimenting in time travel and that caught the Daleks attention. She was rescued by the Doctor and when her father was killed by the Daleks, she agreed to join the Doctor, who promised her father he'd look after her. Victoria was mainly a screamer, though her screams were the key to destroying at least one menace. Jamie had a particular fondness for her and looked over her as best he could. Despite the love she felt from both the Doctor and Jamie, she longed for a simple life once more. When the opportunity arouse, Victoria decided to stay on Earth with a family who agreed to take her in.
Name: Victoria Waterfield 1967-1968
Actress: Deborah Watling
January 2nd 1948 -
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Skaro, 1866 (From Earth, though held captive by the Daleks)
First Episode: Evil of the Daleks (Season 4)
Last Seen: England, circa 1968
Last Episode: Fury From the Deep (Season 5)
Special Appearance: Dimensions In Time (1993), Downtime (1995)


Notes: When Jamie began travelling with the Doctor, he had no knowledge of technology as we know it. You can imagine how he might have reacted to knowledge of such highly advanced technology such as a Tardis. Perhaps it was a reason he travelled with the Doctor for as long as he did, trying to take in all there was to learn. Though he was always perplexed by our strange modern inventions, he was quick to accept them. With Ben's departure, Jamie became the main 'action' hero. He was fearless and courageous and did his best to look after both Victoria and Zoe. When Patrick Troughton decided to leave the series, Frazer also figured it would be a good time to depart. So, during the War Games, he was slated to leave. Jamie is one of two to have the distinction of being the first to visit the Doctors home planet. (Outside of Susan of course). The Time Lords returned Jamie back home, with his memory wiped of the time he spent with the Doctor, besides the first adventure.
Name: Jamie McCrimmon 1966-1969
Actor: Frazer Hines
September 22, 1944 -
Occupation: Highlander Piper
First Seen: Earth, 1746
First Episode: the Highlanders (Season 4)
Last Seen: Gallifrey (though unnamed) and returned to Earth, 1746
Last Episode: the War Games (Season 6)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983), The Two Doctors (1985)


Notes: There is never any mention of the exact date Zoe is from, but it is is sometime in the 21st century. She couldn't be more different from Jamie in many ways. Unlike Jamie she is from the future and has an intelligence rivalling the Doctors (at least she likes to think so.) Unlike many of the Doctors female companions she wasn't much of a screamer (though did on occasion), and was able to help the Doctor solve whatever was puzzling them. When Frazer and Patrick decided to leave the series, Wendy decided it was also her time to move on. After the Doctor was captured by the Time Lords she was returned back to her own time-line with her memory wiped of the time she spent with the Doctor, besides her first adventure.
Name: Zoe Heriot 1968-1969
Actress: Wendy Padbury
December 07, 1947 -
Occupation: Scientist (astrophysicist)
First Seen: 21st Century Space Station
First Episode: the Wheel In Space (Season 5)
Last Seen: Gallifrey (though unnamed) and returned to the 21 Century Space Station
Last Episode: the War Games (Season 6)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983)


NEXT: "I Shaw My Dolly Move" [IN COLOUR]

Dr. Who (The Early Years) - Part 13 "The First Doctor In Review"

Notes: By 1966, William Hartnell was finding it increasingly difficult to continue the role of Dr.Who. He was forgetting lines and the work strain was becoming too much. At one point he was slated to leave the series during the 'Celestial Toymaker', but he continued. When he did leave, the show was doing well enough to continue instead of cancelling. So the producers devised a way to 'renew' his character. At this point in the series, it was not called a regeneration and his home planet of Gallifrey or him being a 'Time Lord' were yet unmentioned. William Hartnell later reprised his role as the Doctor in the 1973 episode, 'The Three Doctors'. In 1983, Richard Hurndall stood in for the character of the first Doctor in the story 'The Five Doctors'.
Name: The Doctor 1963-1966
Actor: William Hartnell
January 08th 1908 - April 23 1975
Occupation: Time Traveller
First Seen: Earth, 1963
First Episode: An Unearthly Child (Season 1)
Last Seen: Earth, 1986
Last Episode: Tenth Planet (Season 4)
Special Appearance: The Three Doctors (1972-1973)


Notes: The Doctor is actually the one who spearheads Susan's departure. Sensing she has fallen in love with David Campbell but unwilling to leave the Doctor's side, he locks her out of the Tardis. Susan and the Doctor meet once more when they are both drawn to the 'Death Zone' on Gallifrey as seen in the episode 'The Five Doctors'. The Doctor has recently stated all the Time-lords died as a result of the time war. Susan was not excluded so she's likely deceased. The actress herself moved on from the series when her character was not as she imagined. Initially she thought Susan would be a more sophisticated and intelligent individual, but the producers wanted her to relate to the children watching the show.
Name: Susan 1963-1964
Actress: Carol Ann Ford
June 08th 1940 -
Occupation: Doctor's Grand-Daughter
First Seen: Earth, 1963
First Episode: An Unearthly Child (Season 1)
Last Seen: Earth, 2164
Last Episode: Daleks Invasion of Earth (Season 2)
Special Appearance: The Five Doctors (1983) & Dimensions In Time (1993)


Notes: As a science teacher, Ian had a hard time believing the Tardis could actually travel in time. However, he became an invaluable asset to the crew. Often he'd take the lead in whatever physical needed to be done. He was also very protective of Barbara, Susan and Vicki. When he finally had the opportunity to return home he took it as he missed sitting in a pub having a pint or watching a cricket match. His friendship with Barbara was very evident though there is never any indication they became a couple within the series. William Russell has reprised his role as Ian several times for a few videos of missing episodes where he fills in the missing parts of the story.
Name: Ian Chesterton 1963-1965
Actor: William Russell
November 19th 1924 -
Occupation: Science Teacher
First Seen: Earth, 1963
First Episode: An Unearthly Child (Season 1)
Last Seen: Earth, 1965
Last Episode: The Chase (Season 2)


Notes: When Barbara became overly curious about one of her students, Susan, she enlisted the aid of fellow teacher and friend Ian to figure out what was so 'unearthly' about her. They followed her to her home - the Tardis. This was how Barbara became involved with the Doctor. Though Ian was initially skeptical, Barbara was quick to accept the Tardis as a time machine. As a history teacher she was quite possibly excited to travel with the Doctor even though her and Ian getting off on the wrong foot with the Doctor. As awkward as their relationship started, she was slightly reluctant to leave the Doctor as she came to grow fond of him as a friend. Still, she was happy to return to Earth with Ian where they continue to remain friends. According to rumours, they are currently professors at Cambridge.
Name: Barbara Wright 1963-1965
Actress: Jacqueline Hill
December 17th 1929 - February 18th 1993
Occupation: History Teacher
First Seen: Earth, 1963
First Episode: An Unearthly Child (Season 1)
Last Seen: Earth, 1965
Last Episode: The Chase (Season 2)


Notes: With Susan leaving the show, the producers wanted someone to fill the role of identifying with children. Initially, thoughts were to add the character Jenny (from Dalek Invasion of Earth), though Vicki was ultimately settled on. Vicki is one of the few companions who was actually rescued by the Doctor, she's certainly the first the Doctor actually invites to travel with him. During her tenure with the Doctor she travels to Earth's past frequently. 64A.D., 1066A.D., 1190A.D. and 1200B.C. where she eventually parted ways after falling in love with Troilus, a Trojan Man. Still, she did have a few adventures in future and contemporary times including spending time on a Dalek ship.
Name: Vicki - 1965
Actress: Maureen O'Brien
June 29th 1943 -
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Dido, 2493 (Native of Earth)
First Episode: The Rescue (Season 2)
Last Seen: Earth, circa 1200 B.C.
Last Episode: The Myth Makers (Season 3)


Notes: There seemed to be a basic formula the early Doctor Who episodes tried to maintain. A younger person to identify with children and a young male character to do all the action scenes. Steven filled in for Ian once he left. Vicki was the first to be invited aboard the Tardis but Steven was the first stowaway (and there were several). Interestingly, Steven worked with six of the Doctors companions; Ian, Barbara, Vicki, Katarina, Dodo and Sara (If you are counting her as a companion). He had two run ins with the Daleks and witnessed the death of two companions (Katarina and Sara). After leaving Doctor Who, Peter Purves went on to be a presenter for Blue Peter. Through Blue Peter, several lost clips of Doctor Who have been found including some of the first regeneration scene.
Name: Steven Taylor 1965-1966
Actor: Peter Purves
February 10th, 1939 -
Occupation: Military Astronaut
First Seen: Mechanus, year uncertain - 23rd century. (Native of Earth)
First Episode: The Chase (Season 2)
Last Seen: A distant planet in the distant future.
Last Episode: The Savages (Season 3)


Notes: The shortest 'lived' companion of the Doctor depending on how you look at it, being in only two adventures. She had slightly more than 100 minutes of actual screen time. She was introduced late in the 'Myth Makers' episode and died early on in the 'Daleks Master Plan'. She was not only the quickest to leave the series, she was also the first to leave via a death. Though the concept of her character is interesting, it was difficult to write for a character who understood little of what was going on. In fact, till her death she still believed the Doctor to be a god and the Tardis her journey to the after-life. In the end, she sacrificed herself to save the Doctor and Steven.
Name: Katarina 1965-1966
Actress: Adrienne Hill
July 22, 1937 - October 6th 1997
Occupation: Servant
First Seen: Earth, circa 1200 B.C.
First Episode: Myth Makers (Season 3)
Last Seen: Floating in space over Desperus 4000 A.D.
Last Episode: Daleks Master Plan (Season 3)


Notes: As a security agent for Earth, Sara took her job serious. So serious in fact, when she believe Bret Vyon was a traitor she killed him, though being her brother. Sara learns she has been tricked by the real traitor of the Universe - Mavic Chen and sides with the Doctor to defeat him and the Daleks. There is much debate whether Sara can actually be considered a companion of the Doctor. But what really is a companion of the Doctor other than someone who travels with him? True, Jean Marsh only appeared in the Dalek Master Plan, but within the story she travels with the Doctor in the Tardis from Kembal to England in the 1960's, a silent movie set in the 1920's, the planet Tigus, ancient Egypt and then finally back to Kembal. Quite a bit of travel with the Doctor for someone not a companion. Obviously, I consider her a companion.
Name: Sara Kingdom 1965-1966
Actress: Jean Marsh
July 1st, 1934 -
Occupation: Space Security Agent
First Seen: Earth, 4000 A.D.
First Episode: Daleks Master Plan (Season 3)
Last Seen: Kembel, 4000 A.D.
Last Episode: Daleks Master Plan (Season 3)


Notes: Though not involved in the adventure 'Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve', the Doctor and Steven meet a character with the same last name. Steven is initially upset the Doctor leaves the character Anne Chaplet die when they leave. The Doctor insists history must take it's course, but Steven has had enough and claims he's leaving at the next stop. However after Dodo stumbles into the Tardis and reveals her last name the pair wonder if she's a descendant of Anne. Of course that means Anne has a child out of wedlock in the year 1572 or keeps her maiden name. Dodo wanders into the Tardis thinking it's a real police box to report an accident but soon forgets the injured child as she's in wonder of the Tardis. Noticing two policeman approaching the Tardis, Steven urges the Doctor to take off. Dodo decides to travel with the crew, stating no one will miss her. Dodo has several adventures with the Doctor but the character doesn't do well and Jackie Lane's contract was not renewed. As a result, she never finished her final story and sent word to the Doctor (off-screen) she was staying in London to rest.
Name: Dorothea (Dodo) Chaplet - 1966
Actress: Jackie Lane
July 10th 1941
Occupation: Civilian
First Seen: Earth, 1966
First Episode: Massacre of St. Bartholomew's Eve (Season 3)
Last Seen: Earth, 1966
Last Episode: the War Machines (Season 3)


Notes: Another example of someone stumbling into the Tardis without realizing what it actually is. Along with Polly, Ben is returning the Tardis key Dodo gave them to return to the Doctor. With the producers not very happy with Dodo's character, Michael Craze is brought in as one replacement for her. Ben Jackson fits into the Ian/Steven roll perfectly and even fills in for the Doctor when he's incapacitated during the Cybermen adventure, 'The Tenth Planet'. This adventure is so stressful on the Doctor, he is forced to regenerate for the first time. Of the early adventures, Ben is one of only eight others to actually witness the Doctor regenerate.
Name: Ben Jackson 1966-1967
Actor: Michael Craze
November 29th 1942 - December 7th 1998
Occupation: Navy
First Seen: Earth, 1966
First Episode: War Machines (Season 3)
Last Seen: Continues to travel with the second Doctor


Notes: Polly met the Doctor while he's investigating Wotan, she was the personal assistant on duty. For the most part, she meets Ben while taking Dodo out to the local club 'the Inferno'. With Dodo hypnotized by Wotan, the Doctor enlists her and Ben's aid in fighting the super computer. Polly is also hypnotized by Wotan but travels with the Doctor instead of resting up. Like Ian and Barbara, Ben and Polly enter the Tardis crew together and leave the Tardis crew together. Besides the 'War Machines', Polly has two more adventures with the Doctor before he regenerates. As Barbara was quicker to accept the concept of time travel, Polly is quicker to accept the regenerated Doctor as who he claims to be. Polly and Ben continue to travel with the Doctor.
Name: Polly 1966-1967
Actress: Anneke Wills
October 20th 1941 -
Occupation: Personal Assistant
First Seen: Earth, 1966
First Episode: War Machines (Season 3)
Last Seen: Continues to travel with the second Doctor.

Next: The Power of Regeneration