The ability to regenerate has always been key to the enduring popularity of Doctor Who. It allows the show to constantly evolve and reinvent itself – it’s built right into the core of the series! This often happens alongside a change in head writer, like when Stephen Moffat took over with Matt Smith, Chris Chibnall with Jodie Whittaker, and now Russell T. Davies is back to lead a new generation with David Tennant and Ncuti Gatwa.
Regeneration was a key part of classic Doctor Who, and what set it apart. While most TV shows end when their main actor leaves, Doctor Who continued thanks to this process – Patrick Troughton replaced William Hartnell, for example. Later, the BBC even ordered a regeneration, believing a new lead actor could revitalize the show when ratings were low during Colin Baker’s time as the Doctor. However, the most impactful regeneration actually happened in 1970, when Jon Pertwee became the Doctor.
Jon Pertwee’s Arrival Changed Everything for Doctor Who
Jon Pertwee took on the role of the Third Doctor during a period of significant evolution for the show. His first episode, “Spearhead from Space,” which premiered on January 3, 1970, was groundbreaking as the first to be broadcast in color. It was also the first story filmed, a decision partly due to production difficulties, but one that ultimately made it easier to transfer to modern formats like Blu-ray. The opening credits were redesigned for color, establishing a new look for the series and even introducing a proper logo for the first time. However, the most important change with Pertwee’s arrival was a major shift in the show’s overall format.
Both Hartnell and Troughton’s Doctors were shown as drifting through time and space, never fully in control of the TARDIS. In Troughton’s final adventure, “The War Games,” the Doctor encountered a problem he couldn’t solve on his own, so he called for help from the Time Lords. We discovered the Doctor was considered a rebel because he believed those with power should defend those without it – a belief that went against the Time Lords’ rule of not interfering in other civilizations. As a consequence, he was put on trial and forced to regenerate as part of his punishment.
That was just one part of the Doctor’s punishment, however. Along with regenerating, he was banished to Earth. His time machine, the TARDIS, had its ability to travel removed, and the Doctor himself forgot how to repair it. For the first time ever, the Doctor couldn’t travel through time and space – he was stuck in one place, a slightly altered version of Earth’s near future. During this period, the Doctor began working with UNIT, a global intelligence organization that had been introduced previously, and they became his regular allies.
U.N.I.T. and Alien Invasions were the Key to the Pertwee Era
For years, Doctor Who didn’t have a consistent supporting cast. Each adventure typically introduced the Doctor, his temporary companions, and a completely new set of characters, reflecting the Doctor’s constant travels through space and time. That changed when the Third Doctor began working with U.N.I.T. as their scientific advisor. Along with companions like Liz Shaw (Caroline John) and Jo Grant (Katy Manning), we also got to know recurring characters such as Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (Nicholas Courtney), Mike Yates (Richard Franklin), and Corporal Benton (John Levene).
As a huge fan, it was always clear Doctor Who needed aliens to really shine! They’d tackled alien invasions before – I especially love “The Invasion” from the Patrick Troughton years, which felt like a test run for everything Jon Pertwee did. But under Pertwee, invasions became a regular thing, and it was brilliant! Then they introduced the Master, played by the amazing Roger Delgado, and everything just clicked. He quickly became a key part of the show, and honestly, Doctor Who felt completely new and exciting!
In retrospect, “Spearhead from Space” marked the most significant reinvention of Doctor Who. Although the story’s specific style didn’t continue, it introduced crucial elements that made Earth a regular setting for the Doctor’s adventures, instead of just a random stop every now and then. From that point forward, the series permanently incorporated classic themes and characters like alien invasions and the Master, fundamentally changing Doctor Who forever.
When Russell T. Davies brought back Doctor Who in 2005, he deliberately followed the pattern set by the classic serial “Spearhead from Space.” Similar to the Third Doctor’s era, Davies’ first run of episodes frequently brought the Doctor back to Earth and featured a group of characters who appeared repeatedly. He even started the series with the same villains as “Spearhead from Space”—the Nestene Consciousness and the Autons. Because of these strong connections, this regeneration of the Doctor was incredibly significant.
Okay, Doctor Who fans, let’s settle this! I’m genuinely curious – who’s your favorite Doctor? Seriously, drop a comment below and let’s talk about it over on the ComicBook Forum. I want to hear all your opinions!
https://comicbook.com/tv-shows/list/10-major-mcu-actors-who-also-starred-in-doctor-who/embed/#
Read More
- Best Controller Settings for ARC Raiders
- Ashes of Creation Rogue Guide for Beginners
- Bloober Team launches ‘Remosd Neul Serorehso Ovam Ceyerd’ countdown website
- Meet the cast of Mighty Nein: Every Critical Role character explained
- Transformers Powers Up With ‘Brutal’ New Combaticon Reveal After 13 Years
- Everything We Know About Henry Creel’s Origin Before the Stranger Things Finale (Including the Stage Play)
- Prince William & Kate Middleton Debut Never-Before-Seen 2025 Photos
- Gold Rate Forecast
- Arc Raiders Guide – All Workbenches And How To Upgrade Them
- Modern Gamers Don’t Even Know About the NES’ Coolest Feature (& Missed Out)
2026-01-03 16:13