As suggested by several helpful people here earlier I went ahead and watched the Tom Baker story The City of Death just now and I thought I would share my opinion on it.

First thing I noticed was just how much I had forgotten about the style of tv sci-fi 30+ years ago. It has been years since I've watched original BSG or Logan's Run or Buck Rodgers, so I had to get used to the production style all over again. Noticeably the way music was played in bursts to accent a dramatic point, the way cinematography was used during the era, and how many scenes played like a filmed play. Once I re-accustomed myself to these things, as well as the limitations of special effects during that era, I really found myself enjoying it a lot.

I think I caught a glimpse in this story why so many people love Tom Baker. His deadpan delivery made some very funny lines even funnier. Him asking for a double shot of water and calmly reacting to the gunmen while making a smart comment were two of many moments that he made me laugh and brought a bit of extra humor to something already funny.

The supporting characters were very good, but the one I adored was the bumbling investigator running into things and knocking people out all the time. I don't know how I feel about Romana yet. She brought an element that was very unique because she is in some ways the Doctor's equal. However the loss of a human companion eliminates the viewers link to the show. I will have to see more with the two of them before I decide if I like her as a companion or not. By the way, was that Romana 1 or 2?

The idea of an alien manipulating aspects of human history in order to create something immediately made me think of this years Silence arc. Just a side observation I thought was interesting.

Thank you to everyone who gave me suggestions earlier. I really enjoyed it and I look forward to the next time I get enough time to sit down for an entire classic arc again. The earliest Hartnell arc they have is called The Aztecs so I'm thinking maybe that or The Three Doctors (because of how much Omega discussion has been going on recently) or maybe something else entirely if the forum thinks there is something spectacular I should watch first.

Like I said on the other thread, Blinkbox has a number of classic Who stories (including Talons) and is free.

Glad you enjoyed City It's the first Doctor Who I remember watching. The reveal when he pulled the mask off, the paintings, and the spaceship at the end will live with me forever

I failed to reply to you in the earlier thread, sorry. I checked it out and tried it, unfortunately I cannot use it. All the videos say "not available in your country." A price of living on this side of the pond, I'm afraid.

It was Romana 2.

Duggan, the investigator, was a really excellent supporting character, one of the best from the Tom Baker era. I always liked how the Doctor kept getting annoyed with him for knocking people out, but in the end he saved the day doing just that.

Oh, and Cityof Death happens to have one of my favourite bits of dialogue;

Countess; I don't think he's as stupid as he seems.
Count; My dear, no-one could be as stupid as he seems

I do love the dialogue, it is the most brilliant thing about the episode, to me. Another bit I like as well as the one you mentioned would be:

"Romana, you know I think something very funny is going on."

"Yes?"

"You remember that man who was following us? Well he's standing behind me poking a gun in my back."

The unconcerned way Baker delivered that line made me laugh.

EDIT: Also that no one in that cafe seems remotely concerned at the many men openly brandishing guns about. All the cafe scenes seemed very much like Adams' other work to me in tone. Loved them.

No problem - and oops I should have seen that you were in the States! You could always find a UK proxy to view Blinkbox. Failing that, and I know it's not the same, but Talons is on Youtube

<edit> Duggan! Best. Character. Ever.

Don’t forget Romana’s out fit

Doctor - "DUGGAN! Duggan. I think that was possibly the most important punch in history" *grins*

Was he a one-off or do we see him again? Loved him.

Wasn't City of Death the one that lead to an infamous Douglas Adams lead bar crawl that supposedly ended in Berlin?

I must confess I think that's why I fell in love with Romana at the tender age of four or five


Great line!! Unfortunately Duggan was a one-off, but WHAT a one-off


Oh, do want to hear about this! <edit> I remember the story, roughly, actually (if it was this story) but t'was a great one, would love to hear it again!

I'd go for the Aztecs as again it's a very different story to the two you've seen so far. It will give you much more human companions as well especially as one of them really has the lead role in this more so than the Doctor. Be prepared for it being a very different style of TV though, British TV in its early days was much more inspired by the theatre while in the US film was the bigger influence so it can feel quite like watching a play at times - not everyone can deal with the sixties stuff though personally I love it.

Three Doctors is probably the easier option but as I said in the previous thread I think it works best if you already have experience of those Doctors and though its good to see them together I wouldn't consider it a great story.

I'll second that recommendation for The Aztecs. Brilliant stuff.

City Of Death was the first video I brought when it came out and subsequently the one I've watched the most. It's also the one which sacred the crap out of me as a kid as well!

I haven't rewatched it so many times because of that though, it's because it' such an enjoyable story. Everything from the location, the story, the brilliant incidental music(one of Dudley Simpson's finest), the superb dialogue, great supporting characters and a unique villain in Scaroth, played with his usual venom by Julian Glover.

I think that scene where The Doctor first meets Scarlioni is the most wittiest and funniest scene ever in Doctor Who's entire run. To add to the others mentioned above, when The Doctor says 'What a butler, he's so incredibly violent.' or something like that is a great line!

I also agree about Duggan, what a great companion he would have made!

yep Duggan, would of made a brilliant companion I just loved his if it moves thump it attitude....

There's an easter egg about this on the dvd. Press left on the Prehistoric Landscapes option on disc 2.