Close Menu
Doctor Who's Tragical History TourDoctor Who's Tragical History Tour
  • Nu-Who
    • Ncuti Gatwa
    • Jodie Whittaker
    • Peter Capaldi
    • Matt Smith
    • David Tennant
    • Christopher Eccleston
  • Tweeners
    • John Hurt
    • Paul McGann
    • The Master List
    • Regeneration X
    • The Mystery Guest
    • The Hand of Fear
  • Colo(u)r
    • Sylvester McCoy
    • Colin Baker
    • Peter Davison
    • Tom Baker
    • Jon Pertwee
  • Monochrome
    • Patrick Troughton
    • William Hartnell
  • Tour du Jour
    • On This Day in Doctor Who History
    • The House of Holmes
    • 60 for 60
    • 50 for 50
    • The Randomizer
    • THT Rand-o-pix of the Day
    • The Feast of Steven
    • Tour Notz
    • The Watcher
    • Contact the Tour
X (Twitter) Instagram Tumblr RSS
Doctor Who's Tragical History TourDoctor Who's Tragical History Tour
X (Twitter) Instagram Tumblr RSS
  • Nu-Who
    1. Ncuti Gatwa
    2. Jodie Whittaker
    3. Peter Capaldi
    4. Matt Smith
    5. David Tennant
    6. Christopher Eccleston
    7. View All

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025

    The Demon Barber of Story Beats

    May 12, 2025

    The Sunday Stratagem

    May 4, 2025

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (24→19)

    November 10, 2023

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    B-Bye Bradley

    October 6, 2022

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    2024Kristmas #4 – Twice Upon the First

    December 21, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (18→13)

    November 13, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (36→31)

    October 12, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (42→37)

    October 5, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (12→7)

    November 17, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (24→19)

    November 10, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (30→25)

    October 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    2024Kristmas #3 – The Man With All The Toys

    December 16, 2024

    2024Kristmas #2 – It’ll Be a Wild Blue Christmas

    December 10, 2024

    2024Kristmas #1 – Seasons Beastings

    December 3, 2024

    Pre-Embering the Fireplace

    May 5, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (24→19)

    November 10, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (42→37)

    October 5, 2023

    The Dark Jacket Dimension

    November 13, 2021

    The (W)hole Ruth

    January 31, 2020

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025
  • Tweeners
    1. John Hurt
    2. Paul McGann
    3. The Master List
    4. Regeneration X
    5. The Mystery Guest
    6. The Hand of Fear
    7. View All

    Hurt So Good: A Doctor and His Umbrella

    April 27, 2023

    Who Told You There Wouldn’t Be Any Math?

    December 5, 2022

    Svelte 16

    May 8, 2022

    Ten’ll Get You Five

    September 4, 2020

    Double Doctor Dastardly Danger

    April 25, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    McGann Before McGann

    May 26, 2023

    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025

    Ghost Re-Write

    November 16, 2021

    The (W)hole Ruth

    January 31, 2020

    Dup-topia

    January 29, 2020

    The Glue Guy

    June 24, 2018

    Doctor on Doctor ACTION!

    November 19, 2017

    The Wheel in Cheese

    August 10, 2014

    The Hurt Locker

    May 25, 2013

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025
  • Colo(u)r
    1. Sylvester McCoy
    2. Colin Baker
    3. Peter Davison
    4. Tom Baker
    5. Jon Pertwee
    6. View All

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (36→31)

    October 12, 2023

    A Studio Film (or rather a film in the studio)

    June 9, 2023

    … And All That Yaz

    November 16, 2022

    Fivey at Forty: The First Companion Death of 1982

    March 16, 2022

    Sweet, not Effete

    April 5, 2025

    Arguably Arguable

    August 19, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (60→55)

    September 15, 2023

    The End of Enlightenment

    January 13, 2025

    What’s in a Number? Occasionally Everything

    November 23, 2024

    A Spot of Gray in a Sea of Color

    November 19, 2024

    ⅔ of a Magic Number, but None Too Shabby Either

    October 1, 2024

    The Truth That Supports the Lie

    March 15, 2025

    The Golden Sweep of Tom Baker Begins

    December 28, 2024

    Déjà Who, All Over Again

    February 8, 2024

    XCited for Tom

    January 27, 2024

    Living Day-to-Day with The Candy Man

    July 31, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (6→1)

    November 23, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (30→25)

    October 28, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (48→43)

    September 28, 2023

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025
  • Monochrome
    1. Patrick Troughton
    2. William Hartnell
    3. View All

    Stock(s) Company

    September 9, 2024

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (18→13)

    November 13, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (24→19)

    November 10, 2023

    60 for 60 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — (36→31)

    October 12, 2023

    The TARDIS whirled on it’s way again…

    December 24, 2024

    Have a Feast @ Doctor Who’s Tragical History Tour!

    December 6, 2024

    Quarter Zip

    July 21, 2024

    Roll Without the Rock, or the Schlock

    July 15, 2024

    The Night of the Precious Stones

    June 19, 2025

    Wish It All Away, and Back Again

    May 25, 2025

    Mark II of The Rani

    May 24, 2025

    Sold For a Song

    May 21, 2025
  • Tour du Jour
    • On This Day in Doctor Who History
    • The House of Holmes
    • 60 for 60
    • 50 for 50
    • The Randomizer
    • THT Rand-o-pix of the Day
    • The Feast of Steven
    • Tour Notz
    • The Watcher
    • Contact the Tour
Doctor Who's Tragical History TourDoctor Who's Tragical History Tour
50 for 50 Peter Davison

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #13

By -- DSWAugust 28, 201305 Mins Read
Share
Twitter Tumblr

The story I am reviewing at number 13 in our continuing odyssey through all that’s best in the Doctor’s world, is actually my number 12 due to another attack of Countdown Clash Syndrome and it’s a story that was voted by readers of Doctor Who Magazine, as the best story ever. And although not at the very top of my personal list, it features very highly for very good reasons.

I speak, of course about the Fifth Doctor’s amazing swansong, The Caves of Androzani. It’s an interesting and staggering fact that this was director Graeme Harper’s first time at the helm. To achieve a near perfect piece of Doctor Who genius on your first outing is astonishing and firmly set him up as one of the best director’s in the show, a fact rewarded by him being the only director of the “classic” show to also direct “new Who”.

So just why is Caves so highly regarded by fans? Well basically it’s because pretty much everything works as one glorious whole.

The story is gritty, poignant and often very direct, all in equal measure. It pulls no punches and delivers some harrowing scenes, including possibly the best cliffhanger ever seen on the show. The execution of the Doctor and Peri by firing squad is genuinely shocking. I remember being stunned to see our heroes get gunned down and was even more stunned when, unlike with some previous cliffhangers, the resolution in the following episode involved no editing or rewriting of what happened.  It happened exactly like we saw it the previous week, and it was genuinely shocking to see them, for all intent and purposes, dead.

The characterization is also gritty and realistic. Jek is a credible and believable protagonist and is very different from many “villains” that pepper the John Nathan-Turner years, who are often overblown, pantomime “baddies.”  Christopher Gable is simply stunning in the role and I’ve always thought it a shame Jek was killed and that we weren’t able to see him reprise his role again. And it wasn’t just Gable who was amazing. Everyone gets it right. Morgus is equally believable and Stolz is absolutely how a ruthless and cold blooded gun runner would be.

Which brings us to Peter Davison. It’s ironic but also fitting that his final story should be his best, For the first time, we see a regeneration caused directly by the Doctor giving up his life to save a companion. And Davison’s immanent demise permeates the majority of the story. Foreshadowing recent regeneration stories, the Doctor knows he is going to die and Davison’s performance is full of power and pathos and there is actually a feeling that he might not make it this time. This is also implied by the actual regeneration itself, which is by far the best seen in the history of the show. He says it “Feels different this time” and it certainly was. Having previous companions urging him to live and the Master doing just the opposite was a genius move and you really felt like that, perhaps without his faithful friends willing him on, he might not make it this time.

It’s interesting that the Fifth Doctor’s final word is “Adric?” and that one word sums up the latter part of this Doctor’s time. A man haunted by the death of a companion. This the way you do a “final” story. No self-indulgent moping like we got when Ten left us. Davison’s performance is utterly compelling and the Fifth Doctor leaves us as a magnificent but damaged hero. Bravo, Peter. Without a doubt one of the finest performances from our leading man ever seen. You can see why Davison cites Caves as his favourite from his time. In fact, Caves is so good as a final story that I’m hoping that Steven Moffat went back and watched The Caves of Androzani when he sat down to write Matt’s send off.

There are a couple of other nice touches in it too that are worthy of note purely from a trivia point of view. We finally find out why this Doctor wears a stick of celery and Colin Baker’s Doctor is the first “new” Doctor to get dialogue in the same episode as his predecessor and it’s immediately clear that Six will be very different from Five.

It’s just a pity that no-one realized that this gem didn’t need a magma creature that looked like a man in a dragon suit. Oh well. Nothing’s perfect.

But, The Caves of Androzani is an almost perfect example of just how good the show can be when everything works. Story, performance, design, script all come together to make it a truly memorable slice of Doctor Who history.  — Steve

Alan’s #13 — The Deadly Assassin
Andy’s #13 — The Doctor’s Wife
David’s #13 — The Tomb of the Cybermen
Steve’s actual #13 — Asylum of the Daleks

The 50 for 50 Top Ten is looming, but #12 follows next week…

Short Hops:

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #41 50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #17 50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #2
The Caves of Androzani The Tomb of the Cybermen The Deadly Assassin Steven Moffat Asylum of the Daleks regeneration Nicola Bryant The Doctor's Wife 50 for 50 Peter Davison
Share. Twitter Tumblr
Previous ArticleLet There Be … Confusion
Next Article A Mad Box with a Man
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
Gallery Gateway

Patrick Troughton

Jo Martin

Tom Baker

Matt Smith

Paul McGann

Ncuti Gatwa

The Master List

Colin Baker

Peter Davison

John Hurt

Jon Pertwee

Christopher Eccleston

Jodie Whittaker

Peter Capaldi

William Hartnell

David Tennant

Richard E Grant

Sylvester McCoy

THT on Instagram
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day THT Rand-o-Pix of the Day
Series 15 Dynamic Ratings Table
  1. 1. The Story & The Engine
  2. 2. The Well
  3. 3. The Interstellar Song Contest
  4. 4. Lucky Day
  5. 5. The Robot Revolution
  6. 6. Joy to the World
  7. 7. Lux
  8. 8. Wish World
  9. 9. The Reality War
On This Day in Doctor Who History

July 2025

Tuesday July 8

2006: Doomsday
Recurs yearly

Wednesday July 9

1966: The War Machines [3]
Recurs yearly

Thursday July 10

1965: The Time Meddler [2--The Meddling Monk]
Recurs yearly

Friday July 11

1964: The Sensorites [3--Hidden Danger]
Recurs yearly

Wednesday July 16

1966: The War Machines [4]
Recurs yearly

Thursday July 17

1965: The Time Meddler [3--A Battle of Wits]
Recurs yearly

Friday July 18

1964: The Sensorites [4--A Race Against Death]
Recurs yearly

Thursday July 24

1965: The Time Meddler [4--Checkmate]
Recurs yearly

Friday July 25

1964: The Sensorites [5--Kidnap]
Recurs yearly

August 2025

Friday August 1

1964: The Sensorites [6--A Desperate Venture]
Recurs yearly

Friday August 8

1964: The Reign of Terror [1--A Land of Fear]
Recurs yearly

Sunday August 10

1968: The Dominators [1]
Recurs yearly

Friday August 15

1964: The Reign of Terror [2--Guests of Madame Guillotine]
Recurs yearly

Sunday August 17

1968: The Dominators [2]
Recurs yearly

Friday August 22

1964: The Reign of Terror [3--A Change of Identity]
Recurs yearly
Random Thoughts

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #13

By -- DSWAugust 28, 2013 50 for 50 5 Mins Read

Apprentic-esis of the Daleks

By -- DSWSeptember 20, 2015 Tour Updates 2 Mins Read

50 for 50 — The Greatest Stories in Doctor Who History — #19

By -- DSWJuly 17, 2013 50 for 50 3 Mins Read
X (Twitter) Instagram Tumblr RSS
Last Ten Updated Galleries
  1. ► The Ncuti Gatwa Miscellany
  2. ► Ncuti Gatwa -- Who Not Who!
  3. ► Varada Sethu -- Who Not Who!
  4. ► Millie Gibson -- Who Not Who!
  5. ► Wish World
  6. ► The Interstellar Song Contest
  7. ► The Story and the Engine
  8. ► Lucky Day
  9. ► The Well
  10. ► The Robot Revolution
Tour Categories
  • Tour Updates (486)
  • New Who for You (189)
  • Roundel Roundabouts (241)
  • Tangential Tardis (41)
  • HD Re-classic-ation (45)
  • Modern Recap-itulation (46)
  • Classic Capitology (101)
  • Who Not Who! (43)
  • Xmas Marks the Spot (86)
  • 60 for 60 (11)
  • 50 for 50 (58)
  • Off the Reservation (16)
  • Ncuti Gatwa (24)
  • Jodie Whittaker (46)
  • Peter Capaldi (91)
  • Matt Smith (121)
  • David Tennant (126)
  • Christopher Eccleston (38)
  • John Hurt (14)
  • Paul McGann (28)
  • Sylvester McCoy (40)
  • Colin Baker (40)
  • Peter Davison (71)
  • Tom Baker (107)
  • Jon Pertwee (67)
  • Patrick Troughton (68)
  • William Hartnell (88)
  • Richard E Grant (7)
  • Jo Martin (3)
  • Series 15 (8)
  • Series 14 (20)
  • Series 13 (16)
  • Series 12 (13)
  • Series 11 (9)
  • Series 10 (21)
  • Series 9 (17)
  • Series 8 (25)
  • Series 7 (17)
  • Series 6 (20)
  • Series 5 (14)
  • Series 4 (25)
  • Series 3 (9)
  • Series 2 (15)
  • Series 1 (19)

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.