Originally Posted by Jethryk:
“The fight between Za & Kal in the very 1st story and the mere hint that our hero was prepared to murder earlier in the story are other anomalties. I just think while the tone of the programme became less of a kids show and more family orientated during the black and white years, It was more of a deliberate decision in Pertwee's time.
Polly as a companion is a good example of the changing tone but she started with Hartnell. Later on in Troughton's time with companions like Jamie, Victoria and Zoe it reverted back to kids travelling with the Doctor.
The 1st real adult companion/assisstant since Ian and Barbara really was Liz Shaw.”
“The fight between Za & Kal in the very 1st story and the mere hint that our hero was prepared to murder earlier in the story are other anomalties. I just think while the tone of the programme became less of a kids show and more family orientated during the black and white years, It was more of a deliberate decision in Pertwee's time.
Polly as a companion is a good example of the changing tone but she started with Hartnell. Later on in Troughton's time with companions like Jamie, Victoria and Zoe it reverted back to kids travelling with the Doctor.
The 1st real adult companion/assisstant since Ian and Barbara really was Liz Shaw.”
I can't disagree with any of that. I think in The Troughton Era there were still were the odd story that appealed more to kids. The Mind Robber is a good example of this as and Season Six as a whole, which I've nearly finished watching now, has a lighter feel than Season 5, which really had more scarier settings and monsters.
I think the key person behind these changes was Innes Lloyd. While he was in charge, the tone was definitely more adult but once he left it did seem to slip back a bit slightly but it still didn't feel as child-like as the Hartnell Era was at times despite the anomalies we've discussed.
