Joan Ronstadt
Staff Writer
Doctor Who just celebrated 50 years of adventure, monsters, and seeking justice. We have come to know the Doctor as a “mad man with a box” whose strong moral compass compels him to help others in need. This has been his mission, as we’ve known it, throughout his distinguished incarnations. Yet, the moment the Doctor became that heroic Time Lord occurred during the 1967 episode “The Moonbase.”
Patrick Troughton, who replaced William Hartnell, portrayed the second Doctor from 1966 to 1969. Prior to this episode, the Doctor seemed to always be pulled into trouble by some sort of circumstantial set up. In “The Moonbase,” Troughton’s Doctor announces that they must stay where they are because there is evil to be fought. He takes it upon himself to become the defender of others.
For many fans of Doctor Who, especially those of the 2005-and-on reboot, we aren’t familiar with any other version of the Doctor. Throughout his ever changing personalities and wardrobes, this righteousness in being the sole protector is what reminds us that the Doctor is still the same time traveler we’ve grown to love.
Just think about Matt Smith’s debut episode, “The Eleventh Hour.” The moment he stands off against the Atraxi and forces them to see all his past selves, including Troughton, he reminds them that he is there to protect. He has defeated many a foe, and at his suggestion of “run,” they do. This is only possible because of ‘67s “The Moonbase.” Where the Doctor stays on the moon to fight off some Cybermen. It is here that he decides that evil “must be fought.”
Many episodes of the Troughton years had been missing from BBC archives, but has since been found!If you have not, we recommend giving it a look, as it is a fantastic opportunity to further understand the Doctor and his duty.
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