OK…it’s time to stretch the review format a bit, as we get to the really meaty heart of classic Doctor Who.
As I’ve mentioned previously, because of the rich, five season canon of the 3rd Doctor’s era, I have stretched this article to SIX essential stories for viewing. Once again, these aren’t necessarily the best episodes (although some of them very much are the best of the best), but they do offer quite the understanding of the Jon Pertwee era: the exile to Earth, the new focus on military-backed adventure, trippy psychedelia, miraculous gadgets, and super-hero action. But the biggest change of all? The transition into COLOUR.
It’s also an era that explores contemporary political & social issues (thanks to the welcome agenda of Producer Barry Letts & Script Editor Terrance Dicks) in a manner far beyond anything in previous Doctor Who seasons…and delightfully, many of the issues (especially the environment) are just as relevant today. For the social side of the Pertwee era, look to the stories of writers Malcolm Hulke (such as Doctor Who and The Silurians, Colony in Space, Invasion of the Dinosaurs) and Robert Sloman (The Green Death).
Imagine that…politically and socially aware drama, wrapped in some of the most wonderful and cheeky action-adventure, fantasy and science fiction imaginable. Only Doctor Who could — and can — do this…and Pertwee-era Doctor Who does it very well. 
ESSENTIAL VIEWING - THE THIRD DOCTOR (JON PERTWEE)
1970 - 1974
Season 7 - 4 episodes
The first all-colour Doctor Who story…the only story made entirely on film…the re-introduction of the UNIT military force, and its commanding officer, Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart (introduced in the 2nd Doctor’s era)…the arrival of Doctor #3 and new assistant Liz Shaw (an uncliched-yet-triumphant feminist portrayal by Caroline John)…the first outing of the living-plastic monsters, the Nestenes & Autons (who would reappear in Doctor Who’s relaunch in 2005)…
I hope you’re keeping track of all this. 
The Doctor’s exile to Earth is heralded with the greatest stylistic shift in the program’s history. It’s pulled off with considerably panache, although it’s nowhere near as mellow as the latter UNIT/3rd Doctor stories, and Jon Pertwee hasn’t quite become the stylish force of nature that’s embedded in the folk memory. Nevertheless, as many people have pointed out, it’s a story that is both a strange, one-off anomaly, yet indicative of many things to come…and its film look makes it feel surprisingly contemporary. This is swish, stylish entertainment…although it’s best to ignore the sub-plot with the archetypal yokels who find one of the Auton energy spheres.
Season 7 - 7 episodes
The final, super-long Doctor Who story is an epic worthy of its length. It has an staggeringly-good ensemble cast…the only parallel universe story in all of classic Doctor Who…and rare, apocalyptic intensity. How many other stories from this era - let alone any era - are capable of destroying the Earth and actually leaving it destroyed?
It boasts one of Pertwee’s best performances: most of his affectations are dropped in the face of the approaching doom, and his intensity level and desperation are ramped up to unimaginable degrees. His is a voice crying in the wilderness, full of prophetic warnings worthy of the Old Testament: “Listen to that! That’s the sound of the planet screaming out its rage!” It’s the Third Doctor unplugged…and we won’t see this most suave-and-sophisticated of Doctors this vulnerable again until his final story.
He’s backed up by a guest cast that plays dual-roles with aplomb: honourable, brave men become thugs & cowards (the Brigadier/the Brigade-Leader), but rationality, compassion and free will still manage to win out in characters such as Liz, Petra & Greg. In fact, Inferno manages to be one of the best testaments to free will & the human spirit ever produced by Doctor Who…all the more impressive, considering the intense, dystopic world-view in which it’s cemented.
It also looks, feels and sounds intense, thanks to first class direction from Douglas Camfield (the realization of heat and pressure is convincingly done), first rate sound design from the BBC Radiophonics Workshop (atmospheric music concrete replacing a conventional score…plus the constant, unstoppable drill noise), and a cracking script. This is not only a key moment in the era of the Third Doctor…but one of the best Doctor Who stories ever!
Season 8 - 4 episodes
This is a rehash of Spearhead From Space…on smack! It’s slick, full of action set pieces, horrible deaths, larger-than-life visuals, wit & humour at its most deliciously sarcastic and vicious…it’s writer Robert Holmes & producer/director Barry Letts letting loose.
It’s also a major reformatting of the entire 3rd Doctor era, as the series is modified from the industrial gloom of the previous season, into something more colourful & vibrant; it’s reflected in the Doctor’s outfits, which transform into the smoking jackets & ulsters that would become his trademark. It’s complimented by a cavalcade of introductions: Katy Manning as dippy-but-adorable Jo Grant, Richard Franklin as the Brigadier’s new right hand man, the heroic Captain Yates…and the most blatant ultimate villain EVER: The Master. The Doctor’s Time Lord arch enemy - played with gleeful malice & smokey evil by the late Roger Delgado - is the best thing on offer here, as the story becomes a back and forth battle of wits between the two rivals. It’s not very deep, but its entertainment value lifts it into the stratosphere.
Season 10 - 4 episodes
One of the most amazing - and loopy - social commentaries ever done in Doctor Who, Carnival of Monsters is the kind of story that can only be found in this series: alien monsters, bored alien civil servants, bureaucratic nightmares…entangled with playful historical cliches, pokes-in-the-eye at the British class system…and tied together by a sublime commentary on the viewers at home, who value Doctor Who as their own miniscope of entertaining monsters and intergalactic fun.
This is the point where the Doctor Who we all seem to remember begins, and once more we have to thank Robert Holmes. Given the responsibility of writing the first story set after the Doctor’s exile to Earth is lifted, he comes up with a gem that manages to sum up everything that is wonderful about Doctor Who, while simultaneously pushing its boundaries further than any story since the late 1960s. One of the seminal moments in the series’ history…though you’ll probably be too bemused and delighted to notice it on first viewing.
Season 11 - 4 episodes
My personal favourite of the 3rd Doctor era, this is another Robert Holmes mini-epic, with not only the introduction of Doctor Who’s most successful and popular companion - the inimitable Elisabeth Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith - but the premier outing for the Sontarans, a superb combination of monster-making, writing & acting that would see them end up as an iconic addition to Doctor Who’s monster collection.
It’s also a rare historical outing for Robert Holmes, who hated the setting forced upon him by the production team. That said, you’d never know it: we get some superb comedy, some lovely rude commentary in the battle of the sexes, and an exceptionally straightforward portrayal of medieval times with very few cliches - and those that are present are usually turned on their ear.
The best way to sum up The Time Warrior is to quote the Doctor’s answer to Sarah’s question of whether or not he is serious: “About what I do, yes. Not necessarily the way I do it.” This is one of Doctor Who’s all time near-perfect clasics.
Season 11 - 6 episodes
One of the most self-indulgent & over-the-top of all the Jon Pertwee stories: half of episode two is taken up by a car/helicopter/Whomobile/hovercraft/speedboat chase…the denizens of Metebelis 3 are the most gob-smacking, wretched actors in history (the name of Neska will haunt your dreams)…the eponymous spiders are, by turns, terrifying/ridiculous/ludicrous…
…and yet, it manages to somehow sum up five years of exciting, suave, elegant, action-packed Doctor Who under the Pertwee brand. Our hero shines in his final outing, demonstrating all that is lovable, insufferable, charming and poignant about the character. The other regulars are on top form, with special commendation to Elisabeth Sladen, and Richard Franklin manages some excellent character development as Mike Yates. What other story can offer a chase to end all chases, a planet of giant spiders (GIANT BLOODY SPIDERS!), the dark side of Buddhism, an introduction to the Doctor’s mentor, an astonishing & tender portrayal of metal disability, and a tearful, satisfying regeneration…all in one package! A thrill ride worthy of being an era-ending blockbuster.
