The Untold Revelation: The Fifth Doctor's Harsh Reality Fans Dare Not Acknowledge

Summary

Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor had a misconceived reputation of being "nice," when in reality, he often displayed dismissiveness and overt hostility towards his companions.

The era of the Fifth Doctor was defined by its grim and unsettling atmosphere, causing Tegan to depart from the TARDIS, overwhelmed by the terror and brutality. The Doctor showed a lack of empathy towards Adric's death, revealing his callousness.

Davison's incarnation of the Doctor exemplified the notion that he couldn't always maintain a benevolent nature, as he encountered morally complex circumstances and made dubious choices, including instigating a massacre and contemplating shooting Davros. This particular era exposed the presence of darkness within the Doctor Who universe.

Peter Davison's portrayal of the Fifth Doctor is often mistakenly seen as being overly nice, due to being sandwiched between the irascible Tom Baker and the brash Colin Baker. However, this misconception fails to capture the true essence of the stories from Davison's era. While the Colin Baker era received the majority of criticism for its dark tone, graphic violence, and unhappiness among the TARDIS team, similar criticisms can also be applied to Davison's era.

When Colin Baker was chosen as Peter Davison's successor, he expressed his desire to steer away from the amiable and affable persona of the Fifth Doctor. This suggests that Baker's only exposure to Doctor Who in the 1980s was through his guest role before becoming the Sixth Doctor. In the episode "Arc of Infinity," where Baker made his guest appearance, the Fifth Doctor appears somewhat ineffective as he unwittingly becomes entangled in a conspiracy on Gallifrey. While the Doctor remains kind to his companion Nyssa (Sarah Sutton) throughout "Arc," his treatment of some other companions is less favorable.

Why The Fifth Doctor's "Nice" Reputation Never Made Sense

Peter Davison's talent lies in his ability to effectively portray exasperation as an actor. In the black comedy satire A Very Peculiar Practice, he shines in his role as a natural straight man, working alongside eccentric characters at a university. However, this skill doesn't extend to his portrayal of the "nice" Doctor. The Fifth Doctor often shows dismissive behavior towards Adric and openly expresses hostility towards Tegan. Unlike the Fourth Doctor, who seemed to genuinely enjoy his companions' company, the Fifth Doctor's interactions with his companions are strained.

Furthermore, the Fifth Doctor's era is known for its consistently dark and unpleasant tone, which led Tegan to leave the TARDIS in protest against the horrors and violence she witnessed. Even the death of Adric in "Earthshock" fails to deeply affect the Fifth Doctor. After a momentary pause of horror, he nonchalantly takes everyone on a trip to Heathrow Airport. This is a much colder and more alien response compared to the so-called transgressions of the Sixth Doctor. However, to be fair to the Fifth Doctor, he sacrifices his own life to save Peri in "The Caves of Androzani", whereas the Sixth Doctor nearly harms her in the following story.

Davison's Doctor Proved The Time Lord Can't Always Afford To Be Nice

"The Caves of Androzani" stands as a notable example of challenging the kind-heartedness of the Fifth Doctor, immersing him in a world devoid of morality. In Peter Davison's final season of Doctor Who, this episode is widely recognized as one of the most successful attempts, although it is not the only one of its kind. Another instance occurs in "Warriors of the Deep," where the Fifth Doctor endeavors to negotiate peace between humanity and the Silurians, resulting in a tragic massacre. Furthermore, in "Resurrection of the Daleks," the Doctor's dismay towards the rampant death and destruction prompts him to consider shooting Davros (Terry Molloy) in the face.

Strangely, despite these instances of darkness, Peter Davison is often perceived as a sweet and gentle Doctor, a reputation possibly overshadowed by the captivating behind-the-scenes stories of Tom Baker and the flamboyance of Colin Baker's vibrant attire. While there are tender and sensitive moments in Davison's portrayal, his era of Doctor Who also unveiled some of the darkest chapters in the show's history. The Fifth Doctor's era and its brutal climax taught us that the universe is vast and unforgiving, and no Doctor can solely rely on being "nice" to navigate through it.