MovieChat Forums > Doctor Who (1963) Discussion > So how much of the issues with the Sixth...

So how much of the issues with the Sixth Doctor...

posted 3 years ago by Otter (24464)
10 replies | jump to latest

... were actually issues with Peri?

She really was an awful companion, she was whiny, stupid, and unlikeable, and she hated everything. I mean, I've always disliked the Sixth Doctor, but I've realized that I might have liked him as much as I like the 12th (I worship and adore Capaldi), if he'd had better writing and a better primary compaion. I mean the viewer is to some extent seeing the adventures through the companion's eyes, and Peri hated everyone and everything, and didn't like the Doctor at all, she was just stuck with him. She was a total buzzkill, and leached all the fun out of the show while she was there.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

There was THAT costume and poor old Peri is the thing your hanging the blame on?

Personally I preferred her to Mel.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

Mel was at least capable of enjoying things, even if she was a bit annoying. Plus, I've given her the private nickname "The Red Squirrel", because she kind of looks like a squirrel, and I like squirrels. Peri just hated everything. I always wonder why after another episode of "I hate this, I hate that, I hate aliens, I hate being in danger, I hate caves, I hate spaceships" the Doctor didn't just dump her at a mall somewhere. We'd have seen her smile for the first time on the show!

But yeah, the jacket was ridiculous, but the jacket didn't whine. Or write the scripts.

[–] [deleted] 3 years ago

“ But yeah, the jacket was ridiculous, but the jacket didn't whine. Or write the scripts.”

😂👏👏 very true. I feel bad for Colin Baker being lumped with some of the stories he was.

It’s funny you should mention Peri’s bad attitude, I thought 6 himself was one of the most dour and unlikable incarnations of the Doctor. For as much as he looked like an exploding Mardi Gras float, there was nothing fun or colourful about his personality. As I said, I do feel bad for Baker, he seems like a nice, good humoured man, but there really wasn’t much to like about his tenure for me.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

I suppose 6 could have worked, 12 worked even though he was grouchy and slightly crazy, and he didnt have any good scripts either. Correctly done, 6 could have been bitchy-funny and been the guy who tells uncomfortable truths out loud, but he ended spending most of his time grousing at Peri (and who wouldnt).

Every thing about that era went wrong, I'm just surprised they didnt work harder to fix things. Like getting rid of Peri and giving him a companion who could exchange barbs with him, that would have helped.

[–] peter_t_2k3 (957) 3 years ago

It's a while since I've seen any of 6s but I didn't hate Peri. I think a lot of People took issue of the doctor trying to strangle her. 6 could be very rude to her, talking down etc. So is it any wonder she was the way she was. 12 on the otherhand sometimes maybe was a bit direct, showing his alien side, but you always knew he cared for Clara.

If you haven't I do recommend checking out Colins big finish audios especially those with Evelyn as they show him smoothing out.a bit

[–] huwdj (4562) 3 years ago

Nope - not for me anyway. Always liked watching Peri whilst Colin Baker was my least favourite Doctor. But I always think favourite Doctor and companion is an age related function.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

Nice to know that someone on Earth likes Peri!

But I must disagree that a favorite Doctor is a function of age, my favorites are #4 and #10, and their runs as the Doctor were about thirty years apart.

[–] huwdj (4562) 3 years ago

My favourite Doctor is #2 - which would be when I was old enough to start appreciating the series - hence my theory.

[–] Otter (24464) 3 years ago

I'm sure it's common enough for a favorite Doctor to be the one you saw at an impressionable age, and maybe that's one reason I'm so fond of the 4th Doctor.

But recently, I've see a lot of his episodes again on Pluto free streaming TV, and damn! He's totally awesome to an older adult like me! And gosh, I was close to fifty when the 10th Doctor came along, so I have to say that your theory isn't universally true. Sometimes it's a matter of appreciating something really great when you see it, and the series has had some great acting over the years.

[–] peter_t_2k3 (957) 3 years ago

I mean the 3rd doctor is my favourite thanks to my dad and I was born in 89 after the original run was cancelled