Brief Summary
Season 12 of Doctor Who, running from December 1974 to May 1975, marks a pivotal era with the introduction of Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor and his iconic partnership with Sarah Jane Smith. Despite inconsistent story quality, the season is significant for its shift towards adult themes, iconic characters, and memorable narratives.
- Tom Baker's casting as the Fourth Doctor brought a unique and enduring presence to the role.
- The season features a mix of space-based and earth-based stories, with varying degrees of success.
- Key storylines include encounters with the Cybermen, Daleks, and Sontarans, each leaving a lasting impact on the Doctor Who universe.
Introduction to Season 12
Season 12 of Doctor Who, which aired from December 28, 1974, to May 10, 1975, is a significant year in the show's history. It introduced Tom Baker as the Fourth Doctor, an iconic incarnation, and paired him with Sarah Jane Smith, a memorable companion. While the stories may not always be exceptional, this season holds a special place in the series.
Behind the Scenes and Casting
Philip Hinchcliffe took over as producer with the second story, "The Ark in Space," but his influence became more pronounced later. Tom Baker's casting was notable as he was between acting jobs and working on a building site when selected. The BBC costume department had to find him a suit for the press conference. Previous Doctors had diverse backgrounds: Hartnell played tough characters, Pertwee was a comedian, and Davison was known for "All Creatures Great and Small." Colin Baker didn't audition, and Sylvester McCoy's role was his first serious acting job, following work as a bodyguard, stuntman, and entertainer.
Tom Baker's Doctor and Costume
Viola cast Tom Baker, marking the first time someone cast more than one Doctor. The initial plan was for the Fourth Doctor to resemble the First Doctor, considering older actors for the role. Tom Baker's look was inspired by a painting. The famously long scarf was made due to a wool surplus and lack of instructions, but it was kept because Tom Baker used it effectively. His look evolved over his seven seasons, similar to Pertwee's, but more significantly than Doctors 1, 2, 5, 6, and 7.
Robot: A Rocky Start
"Robot" is considered one of the worst Doctor debut stories, comparable to "The Twin Dilemma." The Doctor is in a post-regeneration state, exhibiting unusual behavior. The story features elements reminiscent of Jon Pertwee's era, such as UNIT and the Doctor driving Bessie. The plot is a King Kong riff, involving a giant robot that kidnaps Sarah Jane. This story marks the beginning of brazenly borrowing from existing stories. Harry Sullivan, initially intended to create a dynamic similar to the First Doctor and Stephen, becomes somewhat redundant and is often portrayed as inept.
The Ark in Space: Horror in the Future
"The Ark in Space" is a must-see story set in the far future on space station Nerva, where humans are in cryosleep awaiting Earth's recovery. The Wirrn, an insectoid race, threatens the station by laying eggs inside humans, causing horrific transformations. Philip Hinchcliffe aimed to shift the show towards an adult audience by increasing the horror elements. The mutated humans are covered in green bubble wrap due to budget constraints. The story also features the Doctor giving a "humanity is amazing" speech, a common trope in later series.
The Sontaran Experiment: A Brutal Detour
Following "The Ark," the TARDIS crew lands on Earth for "The Sontaran Experiment." Astronauts returning to Earth encounter a distress call, which is a trap set by Styre, a Sontaran doing reconnaissance for an invasion. Styre tortures humans to find efficient ways to kill them. Despite its flaws, this simple, brutal story is highly recommended for its dark and visceral tone. The robot looks unconvincing, and there are questions about the Sontarans' technology level. Tom Baker's injury and the actor playing Styre's illness led to a messy fight scene.
Genesis of the Daleks: A Pivotal Moment
The Time Lords send the TARDIS crew back in time to avert the creation of the Daleks, marking a significant change in how the Daleks operate. This story introduces Davros, the creator of the Daleks, and explores the butterfly effect of destroying them. It is considered the beginning of the Time War, as the Time Lords attempt to prevent the Daleks from eclipsing them. The Daleks' Nazi inspiration is heavily emphasized, with the Kaleds wearing similar clothes and giving similar salutes. Michael Wisher, who played Davros, was also a Dalek voice actor in the Pertwee era, creating a subtle link. Wisher based his performance on Bertrand Russell.
Supporting Characters and Dalek History
One of the great supporting characters in this story is Nyder, Davros's right-hand man. Terry Nation rewrites Dalek history, making the six-part story a worthwhile watch.
Revenge of the Cybermen: A Disappointing Return
The crew arrives back on space station Nerva thousands of years before "The Ark in Space" in "Revenge of the Cybermen." This marks the Cybermen's first appearance since "The Invasion" in season six, but they are poorly handled. Nerva orbits the planet Voga during the last days of the cyber war. The story introduces the Cybermen's weakness to gold, which is often used inconsistently. The story also introduces what would later be called the Seal of Rassilon, a Vogan symbol that becomes the Time Lord symbol.
Season 12 Overview
Season 12 is inconsistent, with great and bad parts. On average, the space-based stories are better than most Pertwee space stories, while the earth-based stories are not as good as Pertwee's. Tom Baker made a strong start, Elizabeth Sladen was consistently good, and Ian Marter played the drained but stupid Harry Sullivan.
