The Blogtor Who Top 50 – No. 3

And
whilst his time in the TARDIS was slightly marred by bizarre casting,
poor stories and equally poor production values (lights don’t always
need to be turned up to eleven you know), Davison managed to go out on a
high that was never before seen in the show’s history. 

The Caves of Androzani is that rarity in the Whoeuvre
where The Doctor isn’t trying to save the Earth (or the Universe),
battle an old enemy or solve a crime. He’s just trying to get out of a
situation, pure and simple. There’s no hyperbole but there are plenty of
heroics; notably in the manner in which he spends the last episode
endeavouring to save Peri.

Peter Davison’s swan song has been written about and voted on too many
times to make any further comment (and I suspect if you’re reading this
then you’ve actually seen it and are aware of its awesomeosity), but that’s a testament to the quality of the Fifth’s farewell.

With the exception of a few scenes, featuring what can only be referred
to as “Bowser”, this finale is compulsive viewing,
demanding your attention from the get~go. It’s a production where,
somehow, everybody involved got everything spot on, from the
sensational cast (everyone in Caves is memorable) to the two of the most groin~grabbingly effective
cliffhangers (episodes one and three, and indeed four if you “count”
that) to the exquisite direction from Graeme Harper, which is both
gritty and stylish (grylish?).

But, most of all, this is Peter Davison’s moment. We get everything from
him here: his trademark curiosity at the start; his disdain for
violence; humour in the face of adversity; ingenuity; and, of course,
his bravery and heroism. The Fifth Doctor’s final episode, after he
staves off regeneration, has those two characteristics in abundance.
Dying, he does his all to save his companion – a true hero.

Newer viewers may be thinking: hold on isn’t that similar to The Ninth’s Doctor? In fact, even
The Tenth? Yes, in a way. Russell T Davies was smart enough to know
that a regeneration should be based upon heroism and bravery; The Doctor
giving his “life” for a relatively “unimportant” person should be his
defining trait.

Tragedy is woven into almost every character in Caves but
the Fifth’s final words belie an even more heart~wrenching secret – his
guilt at the death of companion Adric. In the midst of fearlessness and valor comes the dark honesty of the Time Lord’s vulnerability and endearingly fallible nature.