Robot
“Robot” is the first chance Doctor Who fans get to see Tom Baker as the Doctor. What we see are parts of Baker’s Doctor, which we see throughout his time as the Doctor. But I am only going to touch on those a little.
What I want to write about is the story and how much I love the way it plays out. The beginning of the story is not much different from Pertwee’s first story, except that Pertwee changes in front of the Sarah Jane and the Brigadier. Then we hear the words, “here we go again.” I love that line.
What follows was a great show. I was focused on the television as I watch this story. Now, I admit the special effects throughout the show are not great, but I do overlook that because of the quality of the program.
The way Baker assumes the role is smooth and was without any real problems. I love the way he escapes sickbay and then tricks Harry Sullivan into a game. Once Sarah Jane and the Brigadier show up, they find him in the cupboard tied up with the jump rope the Doctor uses to play the game.
The story revolves around a Robot created by Professor Kettlewell. The Robot is being used to steal secret plans for a destructor gun and nuclear missile launch codes. The scientists at a thinktank want to change things. These scientists will use the stolen information to blackmail the government.
The way the story hides Kettlewell as not being a part of the plan worked well. He fools Sarah Jane and helps her get into the meet of the SRS. Once they get into the meeting, we find Kettlewell is part of the plan. The scientists do create the disintegrator gun and give it to the Robot.
The Doctor has communicated with Kettlewell who tells the Doctor of a virus which will destroy the living metal. During all parts of this, the story is flowing very well. There does not seem to a break or hiccup. During the Robot’s attack with the gun, the Brigadier gets the gun. Being stupid, he shoots the Robot and causes it to grow.
I love the look on the Brigadier’s face and the bewilderment of what are we going to do. Of course, the Doctor has a plan. He goes back to Kettlewell’s laboratory and goes through Kettlewell’s notes. He does some work and finds the correct chemical combination which destroys metal.
The best part is the Doctor uses Bessie and a rubber bucket to throw the virus on the Robot. After throwing the virus on the Robot, it begins to shrink. The virus not only shrinks the Robot but destroys it.
The story is one I can watch over and over again. It is not the first one I saw of Baker, but it is the introduction to my favorite Doctor. It doesn’t matter if this story is my first or last. Baker will always be my favorite Doctor.
