This is one of those stories that isn't perfect but I love to bits.

It's ten episode length is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, there is an enormous amount of padding, especially in the middle episodes and unashamedly in Episode 8! On the other though, it allows time for the story to breathe and develop. What starts of as apparent World War fare soon becomes something bigger. I love all the early stuff with General Smythe and all the anachronisms etc.

For me though, the last two episodes were the best. The last one is a classic and Troughton went out on a high note.

I watched this story in one hit on first viewing and it was one hell of a ride. Outside of Season 5, it ranks as one of my faves from this era.

I love the War Games, it's my second favourite episode!

have to agree next to DMP, The War Games is the only other Doctor Who story that you can truly call epic. yes the middle 4 episodes while still engaging enough do tend to just drift along but the first and last 2 episodes are fantastic. Phil Madoc, (War Lord) Edward Brayshaw(War Chief) and James Bree (Security Chief) all give wonderfull performances as do Troughton/Hinse and Padbury

The scence at the end where the Doctor says goodbye to his friends before the Time Lords send them homre is a lovely little moment. One other thing I will say is that The War Games, is the one and only time where you are left with the feeling that the Time Lords really are an all powerful god like race.

Absolutely. Those last two episodes are superb.

Agree that the Time Lords were at their best here. Also loved the conflict between The War Chief and the Security Chief.

As for the DMP, that was written as a 12 parter and therefore didn't need padding. The War Games I assume was initially a 6-Parter. It only be guessed how much better this story would have been at that length without all the padding.

just got the DVD! Cant wait to see it

You'll see something that will remind you of The Doctor's Wife. Not saying what.

A Ten Part Doctor Who story, boy I loved the ride that is this story. At just over four hours there is going to be some padding, but there is a momentum about it that never sags entirely. The final two parts feel a bit different from the rest of the story to a degree, with the arrival of the timelords but that is understandable.

I'll mention my favourite moment early as it is the cliffhanger to episode nine and into episode ten, all the scenes in slow motion. Even though I know the outcome of the story I was with them all the way urging the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe on!.
There are some good notable cliffhangers here, the firing squad one and the one with the Romans bounding towards them as well.

Smythe is a great pick as a stern alien manipulator ruling with an iron grip, and then just smiling in a friendly way when he has taken his glasses off having controlled another processed human to his will, Very Creepy :eek. Indeed all the War people have a certain look, the Security Chief, the War Lord and the German one with the scar on his face.
The War Chief I think is an early precursor of The Master, if nothing else in style and appearance.

The Timelord sequences are massively interesting, amazing I found. One of them has some sort of superhero type power with his eyes, blinding the War Lord to make him speak at his trial. There portrayal has never been as a strong as it was here.

Mention of some of the more obvious padding I even quite enjoyed, the scenes in episode 8 when the resistance gets organised and Zoe and Jamie have their own war room in the chateau I find a nice charming sequence.

Other bits of the story that tickle me is the War Chief, when like in The Moonbase with The Doctor we get to hear his thoughts. Also, the Doctor when asked to give his name to the German soldier comes up with John Smith
Oh yes and the little box (post referencing The Doctor's Wife), I thought that too

Last and by no means least the Doctor saying his goodbyes to Jamie and Zoe, they were just lovely. I really like the three as a combination, and as I have just watched the whole of the Patrick Troughton era from start to finish it was poignant moments as a viewer.

Therefore, my favourite stories of the era are The Invasion and The Web of Fear, can only separate the two by the soundtrack really! and also Tobias Vaughn is in The Invasion. Both stunning stories. After that The Tomb of the Cybermen, then The War Games and The Enemy of the World fifth. The Krotons would rank as my least favourite.
My favourite companion is Jamie, particularly the combination of him, the Doctor and Zoe.
As mentioned the best Villian is Tobias Vaughn. The Cybermen are my favourite Monsters as it were, just ahead of the Yeti.
My favourite moment is the TARDIS exploding in The Mind Robber with Jamie and Zoe clinging to the console heading off in to the distance.
Superb era, Superb Doctor and back to The War Games an epic story.

I remember seeing this as a 9 year old! Lordy it dragged on forever...but I was mesmerised by the sudden realisation that our Doctor was a Time Lord! What were they?
It all went strange when he was suddenly blasted away - I said to my dad - "Is he back next week??" To which the answer was NO! I remember seeing a 'promo' for STAR TREK to follow next week! I was gobsmacked!! (Although I quite got into Star Trek quite quickly! How fickle we were at that age!)
I never liked Jon Pertwee after that! He robbed me of Patrick AND Star Trek when he returned!!! (Only joking....well sort of...)

Great moment in the show's history, the audience at the time are suddenly hit with his race of people, despite the show having been on since 1963!
Off thread but I felt the same when watching The Caves of Androzani, as a young kid, where has the Doctor gone and who is this guy preening a the camera?