We now come to my second place choice for the best stories of the Second Doctor with his ten-part epic regeneration story, The War Games! None of which are missing, which is a bloody miracle, I think being Troughton’s final episode and possibly the final episode of the show entirely (given how they were not yet given the greenlight on Season 7) awarded it special treatment.

Now I will say that The War Games is not every fan’s cup of tea, as you read correctly, it is ten parts, which is over four hours long!!! So, if you’re not accustomed to Classic Who’s longer length stories then this will likely burn you out. Also, the villain’s plans for conquering the galaxy and why they’re using humans from various historical wars is admittedly silly. I don’t think they’d have got very far with Romans and WWI soldiers against…well…. ANY invading monsters the Doctor’s had to save more advanced humans from!!! Also, how many thousands of soldiers were they prepared to lose in their experiment before deciding to begin their conquest of the galaxy???

It introduces the show’s second antagonistic Time Lord, the War Chief, though it has been suggested he may have been an earlier incarnation of the Master (if not an inspiration for the Master) which they heavily leaned into with the recent colourised version. It is curious that this character has never reappeared in Doctor Who, both the show and Big Finish, not even been mentioned! I know he’s killed in this but since when has that ever stopped a returning villain?

While insanely long, I wouldn’t say that things could’ve been cut from it either, every episode has its purpose and introduces a new piece of the puzzle as the story slowly builds from what starts off as a pure historical to a grand conclusion. Which in itself is what earns this the second place in the Second Doctor’s best. The story finally reveals the name of the Doctor’s species, the Time Lords, a race that the Doctor is desperately afraid of, yet when faced with the impossible task of returning thousands of abducted soldiers home to their correct points in time, the Doctor is left with no choice but to call on his people for help. What follows in part 10 is some of the best 25 minutes of Doctor Who ever made which I have to get into major spoilers for, so you’ve been warned.

The Time Lords with little effort take control of the Doctor’s TARDIS as he attempts to escape and bring him back to his home world (though the name Gallifrey wouldn’t be introduced for another 5 years), a place where up until this point we’d only had fleeting references of but was now becoming a reality onscreen. The Time Lords with the merest thought place a forcefield around the villain’s planet and erase the villains themselves from history. Then for an encore they place the Doctor on trial for breaking their laws of non-interference while sending his companions back home with their memories wiped of ever travelling with him. The Doctor is found guilty and is sentenced to exile on Earth with his knowledge of operating the TARDIS taken away from him, and to make matters worse they sentence his current incarnation to death in the trippiest regeneration the show’s ever done. One thing I loved about the regenerations of Classic Who was each one was different, they were stylised and unique, now in Modern Who they just keep using the same crappy special effect.

This finale is one massive jaw-dropping ending to the Second Doctor’s life and as perfect an introduction to the Time Lords as you can get; all-powerful techno-gods whom the Doctor is powerless and terrified of! It’s just a pity the Time Lords went from 10 to 0 from here on out, becoming so useless and pathetic to the point where anyone can just waltz in and take over/destroy them, including the Doctor, which is exactly what happens over and over again!!! In this story there’s no stupid robes, no overly bureaucratic political nonsense, no presidents, no CIA, no outsiders living in barns, no relying on the Doctor for help, it’s just a race of god-like beings who operate in ways beyond our comprehension. There wouldn’t have even been a Time War with these particular Time Lords! But I have come to accept that that’s just the way things are in the show now and the Time Lords will never reach these heights ever again.

Of course, The War Games has gone on to have a further impact on the Second Doctor’s legacy with the ending showing the Second Doctor begin his regeneration but never showing the full transformation. This would be the first seed of an interesting fan theory that properly grew during Troughton’s two returns in the 80s. First The Five Doctors where he’s travelling alone and mentions Jamie and Zoe being returned home with their memoires wiped (which happened moments before his regeneration) and then The Two Doctors where the Doctor and Jamie are working for the Time Lords when throughout his entire life the Second Doctor was avoiding them like the plague. Now you can put this down to the writers just not having a good memory of the events of the Second Doctor’s life as it had been over a decade ago and there were no repeats. But it paved way for one of the best fan concepts in Doctor Who, an idea that was so popular it even got its own page on the old Doctor Who website, Season 6B. The idea that in the midst of his forced regeneration, the Second Doctor’s execution has halted by the Time Lord secret service who decided to employ him as an agent, with an older Jamie returned to him with his memories restored. Then once his work was finished the secret service wiped his memories and sent him back to his execution. It’s not perfect, but the theory does help make sense of the continuity slip ups in The Five & Two Doctors. Big Finish then decided in 2022 to go all out with this theory with their start to The Second Doctor Adventures with a new series that began with Beyond War Games.

The War Games is one massive finale for the Second Doctor, debatable if it is one of his best as it’s certainly not for everyone, but I’m not exaggerating when I say that final episode is one of Doctor Who’s best content.

Thworping through time and space, one adventure at a time!

“The War Games: A Monumental and Influential Classic”

The War Games is an epic tale that epitomises everything remarkable about Patrick Troughton’s tenure as the Doctor while also serving as a grand send-off to his era. Despite its ten-episode length and occasional padding, the story remains a masterpiece of tension, innovation, and characterisation, setting the stage for much of the lore that defines Doctor Who today.

The genius of The War Games lies in its ability to transform a seemingly simple narrative into a rich, multi-layered epic. Beginning as a war drama set in the trenches of World War I, the story gradually evolves into a high-stakes science fiction thriller. The introduction of armies from different historical periods, manipulated to fight endless wars on a single alien planet, is a brilliantly original concept.

This juxtaposition of historical and futuristic elements creates an engaging dynamic that keeps the story fresh throughout its runtime. The plot twists and revelations—from the true nature of the War Chief to the Time Lords’ role—ensure that the stakes grow continuously until the explosive finale.

Patrick Troughton delivers one of his finest performances as the Second Doctor. His blend of cunning, humour, and moral conviction shines through, particularly in the final episodes. The courtroom scenes, where he passionately defends his actions, are a standout, showcasing the depth and range of his Doctor.

Frazer Hines (Jamie) and Wendy Padbury (Zoe) are equally exceptional, proving why this TARDIS team is a fan favourite. Their camaraderie and determination come to the forefront as they lead the resistance, offering many memorable moments. Their emotional departure, forced by the Time Lords, is one of the most poignant farewells in the series’ history.

The supporting cast is stellar. Philip Madoc’s War Lord is a cold, calculating villain, and Edward Brayshaw’s War Chief is an enigmatic and charismatic presence. Their scenes together crackle with tension, particularly as their motives and loyalties come into conflict. Jane Sherwin as Lady Jennifer adds a welcome layer of strength and independence, while Noel Coleman’s General Smythe exudes menace.

The introduction of the Time Lords is one of the story’s most significant contributions to Doctor Who lore. Their portrayal as an omnipotent yet morally ambiguous race adds depth to the Doctor’s character, especially as he struggles with his decision to call on them for help. The War Chief’s connection to the Doctor hints at the rich backstory of Gallifrey, further explored in later years.

The story’s exploration of war, control, and resistance gives it an enduring relevance. Its depiction of moral dilemmas, particularly the Doctor’s inability to save the day alone, elevates it beyond a typical adventure.

David Maloney’s direction is exemplary, managing to keep this lengthy serial visually engaging. The World War I sequences feel authentic, and the alien command centre is suitably eerie. The use of location filming adds a cinematic quality, and the haunting music score enhances the atmosphere of tension and unease.

While the ten-episode structure does lead to some repetitive moments—such as the Doctor and companions being captured and escaping multiple times—the variety of settings and characters ensures the story remains engaging.

The War Games is one of the most influential stories in Doctor Who history. It introduced concepts and characters that continue to shape the series, from the Time Lords to the Doctor’s moral dilemmas. The epic scale and layered storytelling make it a fitting finale for the Second Doctor’s era.

📝Verdict: 9/10

Though its length may be daunting, The War Games is a richly rewarding experience. It’s a perfect blend of drama, action, and characterisation, featuring one of the most emotionally charged finales in Doctor Who. A cornerstone of the show’s legacy, it remains a must-watch for fans of the classic series.

Random Observations:

• The German soldier in episode 3 is so amazingly over-the-top I can't help but love him. His reaction to the sonic screwdriver is priceless.
• Is it just me, or does the German general look like Blofeld from You Only Live Twice?
• So many things with this story remind me of Westworld.
• I love the War Scientist, who is so devoted to his work that it takes a better part of two episodes for him to realise The Doctor isn't who he claims he is.
• There it is, the first time the Time Lords are mentioned by name, at the start of Episode 6. Interestingly, not by the Doctor or the War Chief, but by the Scientist.
• The scene in Episode 7 where Carstairs struggles to speak French with the rescued soldier is intentionally hilarious. The TARDIS should, of course, translate everything for everyone, but this serial seems to use that logic pretty loosely whenever the script requires that.
• There have never been enough great Mexican characters on the show, so we're lucky that the Troughton era gave us two: Salamander in The Enemy of the World and the loveably trigger-happy Pancho Villa here.
• The Episode 9 cliffhanger is arguably the most intense and dramatic since the ending to The Daleks' Master Plan.

Wow. The War Games is quite long, but it never drags or becomes boring. In fact, I feel that it's one of the more exciting stories of its era. There's plenty of action, frequent location changes, plenty of mystery and suspense, and engaging characters. I felt that there were some great sets and costumes, and the score also particuarly stood out to me. The ending is nice and fitting. This serial completely deserves the praise it so often receives.

A terrific story, one of Troughton's best.

From the first minute after the title sequence, you know that the showrunners knew they were onto something special, with a bombastic flashing title card amidst explosions and gunfire. Then, our gang seems to be thrust into the middle of a typical historical set in WWI. The viewer pre-emptively braces themselves for 10 episodes of wacky misunderstandings and hijinks, and mutter "please don't become another base under siege...".

That is until we are shown that something is very, very wrong with this war zone (aside from the usual fighting and death), as the clearly villainous English general sends a message to his (definitely alien) superiors, accompanied by some wonderfully ominous music from the Radiophonic Workshop. As the Doctor and his companions continue to fight for their lives, things keep going hilariously wrong (Romans appearing out of nowhere is now one of my favourite cliffhangers in Classic Who). After 3 episodes, the story completes the transition from weird historical to fully high-concept sci-fi, as the Doctor and Zoe travel in a TARDIS-like machine and arrive in a thoroughly alien, probably fascist, command centre/weird goggles convention.

The mysteries don't end there, however, as we get a very slow tease that there are other members of the Doctor's race, plus some wonderful former-best-friends-maybe-boyfriends/proto-Master chemistry between the Doctor and the War Chief. This is followed by several episodes of (to simplify) an intense cat-and-mouse game between the two, while in the War Zones, Jamie employs his usual Scottish charm to galvanise the Resistance into action. (They are in small groups, and engage in guerilla warfare, I wonder if that could symbolise anything in 1969...) Though, points get deducted as we get an instance of "black character dies first" as part of a tragic racist streak in the Troughton era, and Lady Jennifer, who has been a wonderful addition to the group so far, gets sidelined as she gets back to her """womanly""" job of being a nurse. Things are also not going very well at the School for Spiral Enthusiasts as usual fascist infighting/mutual distrust ensues between the two Chiefs, and they are forced to summon Daddy the War Lord.

All of this culminates in an epic, sweeping climax as the Resistance begins a coordinated effort at taking down the sci-fi incel rally... except it is interrupted as the Doctor realises just how bad the situation has gotten. What follows is possibly the greatest half-hour of Classic Who ever. The Doctor has uncharacteristically lost all hope, as these mysterious Time Lords yield never-before-seen power, vanishing people into thin air while pressing the "0.5x" button on their tape of the episode. They disable the TARDIS, destroying the show's format. They also un-do a season's worth of character development for Zoe, and separate the Doctor from his boyfriend. While the Doctor tries to maintain an air of optimism as he says his goodbyes, he knew the cruelty of the Time Lords only too well. (Troughton's delivery of "They'll forget me, won't they?" is heartbreaking)

The episode ends with our hero on a screen, screaming into the void, never to be seen again (except, not really)

The War Games uses its 10 episodes excellently to tell the story of one of the Doctor's greatest failures. It thoroughly re-invents the show, but not before telling a story of an elite who make war and brainwash the young, not for any ideology or injustice, but only out of a desire for power, and an utter disregard for life. In 1969, it is hard not to associate this with British diplomatic support for the US in the Vietnam War. The Doctor can do his job and get rid of the monsters, but is utterly incapable of dealing with the messy aftermath. As punishment, everything he loves is ripped away from him.

Regeneration stories rarely get this good.

The War Games is an excellent serial. The plot never stops, and when it does slow down, it still has enough moment to propel the overall story forward. There is enough variety is locations to make it feel like an Epic. Just as I was getting a bit bored with the WW1 setting, they moved on to another location. This continued throughout the entire story. The War Games more than makes up for some of the VERY weak serials that exist in the Second Doctor era.

The cast is excellent, with some superb guest performances. Special note to David Savile as Carstairs, and Philip Madoc as The War Lord.

This is an excellent send-off for Patrick Troughton, and the rest of the regular TARDIS team.