The Five Companions

This is part of a series of reviews of Doctor Who in chronological timeline order.

Previous Story: The Five Doctors

My review for this is going to be largely the same as my review for The Five Doctors. In essence, both stories are the same. In this case, it's all the companions and monsters who didn't get to feature in the the TV special. It's essentially a gathering of First Doctor companions. The plot is unremarkable, but the First Doctor's companions are some of my favourites so it's a joy to hear all the available companions meet up with 5.

I definitely noticed the absence of Daleks in any meaningful way and the Sontarans in The Five Doctors so it's great that this story remedies that. The two warlike races are fun to pit against each other and have some great interactions. Peter Davison shines here and he really sells that he IS the Doctor and that these are HIS friends. It's also fun to hear Nyssa again, though she feels a bit crammed into this story for no real reason.

Overall, it's just as much fanservice and brilliant reminiscence as The Five Doctors and the only reason I haven't rated it the same is purely because I thought The Five Doctors had more actual plot. Otherwise, if you want to hear One's companions interacting with each other and Five then I thoroughly recommend this as a fun, celebratory 1 hour adventure.

Next Story: Ringpullworld