[daveyboy7472]

This story is another fan favourite I'm not that keen on. For once, though, it's very little to do with it being a 6-Parter.

There are three reasons it doesn't appeal to me. The first, and this is nothing against Chinese People, who I respect enormously, and it is that I'm not a fan of Chinese based stories. Martial arts, house of the burning ram, the black scopion and all that sort of stuff I don't really like. There are Chinese based episodes of other TV shows I dislike for similar reasons.

The other things are the music hall stuff which I detest and Victorian London, which isn't one of my fave time periods.

I have no wish to be entirely negative though. The last two episodes are good. Magnus Greel is a superb villain. Chang and Mr Sin are also good.

And off course, no discussion on this story would be complete without mentioning Jago and Litefoot. Surely the best double act Robert Holmes ever invented and the best duo ever outside the regular cast. Absolutely hilarious and a joy to watch. Also liked the My Fair Lady aspect between Leela and Litefoot.

Tom Baker also relishes his Sherlock Holmes role many years before playing it for real many years later.

The story itself isn't awful by any means, I just prefer the other stories of the Season. I know for many on here it is their fave story and that's cool. For me, however it is my least fave of Season 14 imv,vho off course!

[PJ68]

this has some of the best cliffhangers in the classic series. leela being attacked by the giant rat and then pulling greel's mask off terrified me as a child.

i think this could be the best one of the classic series, i love the victorian setting, the mix of jack the ripper, skerlock holmes, fu manchu... it all fits together really well.

[chuffnobbler]

Really do think this one is fantastic. Top ten of all time, and maybe Tom's best.


“On my oath! You wouldn’t want that served with onions – never seen anything like it in all my puff. Urrhh, make an ’orse sick, that would. Awwhh!”

[MizManiac]

The best Tom Baker Who story.

[Iggyman]

It's certainly one of my favourites, along with many other stories from the Hinchcliffe period.

[Phoenix Lazarus]

Originally Posted by PJ68

this has some of the best cliffhangers in the classic series. leela being attacked by the giant rat and then pulling greel's mask off terrified me as a child.

That you only see his face for about half a second is wonderfully teasing.

ToWC is one of the most atmospheric adventures ever.

[Larry1971]

Originally Posted by MizManiac

The best Tom Baker Who story.

yet very rare was Tom Baker, ever out shone by the guest cast but Trevor Baxter and Christopher Benjamin are a an absolute joy to watch and a wonderfull double act.

[DavetheScot]

Again, this is one of the greatest. I love the atmosphere of it, and the story is great. I agree with daveyboy that Jago and Litefoot are a wonderful duo. Also, I think Mr Sin is a fantastic creation.

[gslam2]

The greatest of all Who stories, I'll never quite understand people who don't love it!!

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by gslam2

The greatest of all Who stories, I'll never quite understand people who don't love it!!

I can understand that reaction, I often feel that way about The Caves Of Androzani, guess even the most popular stories have their critics.

[CoalHillJanitor]

The real Sherlock would never have worn his deerstalker to the theatre!

[Tom Tit]

One of the best 4th Doctor stories for sure; the production is sumptuous, but not actually one of Tom Baker's best by my reckoning. I always find him a little off character here - maybe trying too hard with the 'sherlock Holmes' thing.

Great scripts by Robert Holmes, great cast, especially John bennett as Li H'sen Chang. The finest era in Doctor Who's history ends with bang.

[doublefour]

What I like about this is the feel of it, I like the various themes coming together and giving you an authentic feel. Very good and realistic, it feels you are here, there and everywhere in Victorian London, from the riverbank to the Theatre. Just like others I like Mr SIn, Magnus Greel, Jago and Litefoot, Leela (stunning in this again - she's gone up in my estimation as a companion as we have gone through these threads). The Rat even though it is a bit naff I'll admit.. Having said all that I can understand why people don't rate this, I think it is so different in feel and storyline that it is not going to be everyones cup of tea. There is a lot going on in this, with lots of themes all meshed together, but I am one that enjoys that meshing together on this occasion. Top 5 Tom Baker, Top 10 Doctor Who New or Classic, Love it