[johnnymc]

Although colin baker is an excellent actor he wasn't served well by the writing so which actor should peter have regenerated into? What personality should the sixth doctor have had to travel in space with peri and have become the most popular doctor who of all eleven?

[Listentome]

Well another actor would most likely not have been served any better by the writing. So I say keep Colin and have different writers. However, I don't feel either the actor or writers were bad, but the budget, production and direction left a lot to be desired.

[lach doch mal]

No, no, no, no. I love Colin!

[johnnymc]

would you have gone for the same bullish character that tries to kill peri ?

[daveyboy7472]

Originally Posted by Listentome

Well another actor would most likely not have been served any better by the writing. So I say keep Colin and have different writers. However, I don't feel either the actor or writers were bad, but the budget, production and direction left a lot to be desired.

Couldn't agree more. I would never replace Colin Baker as The Sixth Doctor. All the problems that are associated with his Doctor where mainly external, these are the things that would need changing and not him.

[Listentome]

Originally Posted by johnnymc

would you have gone for the same bullish character that tries to kill peri ?

Yes. That was a real shock to see when it first aired. I think it was a brave move in a show that frankly wasn't taking enough risks at that time. The previous two stories, Planet of Fire and Caves... where excellent, but they were standard Doctor Who fair. The Twin Dilemma wasn't very good, but Colin's Doctor really was a challenge for the audience.

[johnnymc]

The fifth doctor sacrifices himself to save peri the gear change was enormous poor colin had to then climb into a god awful costume and throttle the girl he had saved! John thaw would have been great taking over the role back then I think they should have had grumpy intellect.

[AdelaideGirl]

Colin was great, he certainly brought something interesting to the character. A strong personality and a clear idea of what he wanted to do with the character - unlike some of the behind the scenes people. Also he really wanted the job. Give him better writing. I can totally believe that he is the same person as Matt Smith's Doctor.

Plus how can you go wrong with a man who likes cats?

[Philip_Lamb]

They didn`t do him any favours in that his first act was to try to kill Peri. Straight away the audience is gonna be against him

[sovietusername]

I actually think the idea of his regeneration going wrong like it does is a really clever one but it was never realised to a full extent, or rather he stayed like that. I think his first story, instead of being one where Peri has to become accustomed to a new, moodier Doctor, should have been one where Peri faces a new moodier Doctor whose violent towards her as a result of regeneration, but who calms down and, by the end, is a good man who rushses around saving the day, someone she's able to accept as the Doctor. I think it was a mistake to keep C Baker as the "angry" Doc throughout all his tenure, as he was moody most of the time (although he only had 2 seasons and I think the plan was for him to mellow out after a while), not even Hartnell was as grumpy as him. Also, to pompous. And as for that suit, eugh, WORST Costume EVER!


As for the stories, I actually quite like some of them and the effects arent that shoddy. Ignoring the horrid costumes, Mindwarp probably LOOKS better than most other stories in the classic series. It's also really dark and I actually like the trial of a time lord. There's other good stories in his previous season too, however a lot of his stories are just awful. But I think one really bad thing about his era which I cant understand and which no one really seems to go on about are THE COSTUMES! Not only does the Doctor himself look bad but some of these people are even more worse dressed than others in Dr Who history (as hard as it is to believe fashions wont have changed in the far future, I'm glad we dont have futuristic costumes in NuWho). For example, one reason I cant watch 2 Doctors is cos of that weird male androgum. I cant look at him, I mean WTF is he wearing, and what sort of make up's he got on?! Trivial, I know, but, Aaaaaaah!!!

[Mulett]

Colin's a wonderful Doctor. Listen to his Big Finish audio adventures and you get a real idea of how brilliant his TV Doctor could have been if he'd had better writers.

There are a few alternate costumes that would have served him better - the blue version is probably best known. Although if they'd gone with Colin's own preference, they would have ended up with something like this.

[inspector drake]

Colin should stay, but they should have made him much nicer. Yes, he could still have been grumpy and irritable like he was canonically, but they could have mellowed it down somewhat.

[Granny McSmith]

The 6th Doctor should have been like the 6th Doctor. He should have been played by Colin Baker. Oh, he was! That's alright then, all's well with the world.

[Batmannequin]

I'd have kept 6 the same (except for the costume) and changed the writers instead.

Big Finish really highlighted what a wonderful Doctor Colin is: taking Big Finish into account he's actually one of my favourite Doctors, even though Revelation is the only on-screen story of his I actually LIKE.

[johnnysaucepn]

Subtlety was not a watchword of the 80s. If they were to do the same thing today, they would have probably done a more effective job of it.

[cat666]

I like Colin's Doctor but you have to forget the nastiness. I get that he is moody but he can be moody without resorting to strangulation. Costume wise, it's iconic now, but yes I liked his blue one much better. His first series suffered from his anger but by Trial of a Timelord he was far nicer. It's just a shame the whole Trial of a Timelord thing didn't really work. Had Colin been the lead in Slyvesters first series I think he could have pulled it off.

[Simon_Foston]

No one but Colin Baker should have played the 6th Doctor. He was excellent, and I wouldn't change anything about his character except the costume.

[Face Of Jack]

Originally Posted by Simon_Foston

No one but Colin Baker should have played the 6th Doctor. He was excellent, and I wouldn't change anything about his character except the costume.

I agree absolutely!! Loved Colin's performance - although I was sad to see Peter go! I LOVED his arguements with Peri - it made a change from the Doctor always being so agreeable with his companions.
Must say - the costume was BAD!!! (Not his fault though!)
I think a plain blue suit (as mentioned) would've been more appropriate).

Colin Baker was ACE!!