Second Doctor
The Second Doctor is the second incarnation of the Time Lord known as the Doctor, the central character in the long-running British science fiction television series Doctor Who, portrayed by actor Patrick Troughton.[1][2] This incarnation first appeared at the conclusion of the 1966 serial "The Tenth Planet," regenerating from the First Doctor, and his era spanned seasons 4 through 6 from 1966 to 1969, before regenerating into the Third Doctor at the end of "The War Games" in 1969.[1][2] Unlike the more authoritative First Doctor, the Second Doctor presented a playful and whimsical demeanor, often feigning the appearance of a hapless buffoon in oversized clothing and eccentric headwear such as a fur hat or tricorn, while concealing a brilliant, strategic mind and underlying darker resolve.[1][3] During his tenure, he traveled in the TARDIS with companions including Scottish Highlander Jamie McCrimmon, astrophysicist Zoe Heriot, and orphan Victoria Waterfield, alongside early travels with Polly Wright and Ben Jackson, and later encounters that introduced Brigadier Alistair Gordon Lethbridge-Stewart, laying the foundation for the UNIT organization.[3][2] The Second Doctor's era featured 21 serials across three seasons, introducing iconic elements like the sonic screwdriver and pitting him against formidable adversaries including the Cybermen in stories such as "The Tomb of the Cybermen" and "The Invasion," the Daleks in "The Evil of the Daleks," the Ice Warriors in their debut serial, and the Yeti in "The Abominable Snowmen."[3][2] His adventures often explored cosmic threats and moral dilemmas, culminating in his forced exile to Earth by the Time Lords and subsequent regeneration after a trial for excessive meddling in universal events, marking a pivotal shift in the series' format toward more Earth-based stories.[1][3]Production
Casting
In 1966, the BBC decided to introduce the concept of regeneration for the Doctor character primarily due to William Hartnell's deteriorating health, which had made continuing in the role increasingly difficult, and the show's declining ratings after three seasons that prompted a need to refresh the series.[4][5] This decision was made by mid-1966, with producers debating whether to end the program or recast the lead, ultimately opting for the innovative narrative device to allow a seamless transition.[5] Patrick Troughton, known for roles such as Robin Hood in the 1950s BBC television series, was among the actors considered, with others like Michael Hordern also auditioning for the part.[5] Troughton initially expressed reluctance toward the idea of replacing Hartnell, describing the regeneration concept as "silly" in a later interview, but he read for the role in July 1966 and agreed after a week of negotiations with producers.[4][6] The regeneration was first revealed to audiences in the final episode of the serial "The Tenth Planet," broadcast on October 8, 1966, where Hartnell's Doctor transformed into Troughton's incarnation on screen, marking the first use of the concept and shocking viewers at the time.[4] Troughton's casting had been publicly announced earlier that year on September 2, 1966, in a brief notice in the Manchester Guardian alongside other minor news items.[4] Troughton signed a contract for three seasons shortly after his audition, committing to the role starting with his full debut in the serial "The Power of the Daleks," which aired from November 5 to December 10, 1966.[6][5]Characterization development
Producer Innes Lloyd and script editor Peter Bryant directed the development of the Second Doctor's characterization toward greater vulnerability and a clownish demeanor, diverging from the First Doctor's commanding presence to revitalize the series amid declining viewership.[7] This approach aimed to heighten narrative tension by placing the Doctor in more perilous situations, fostering a sense of relatability and unpredictability.[8] The "cosmic hobo" archetype, envisioned as a scruffy, wandering tramp figure to engage child viewers, emerged from discussions between actor Patrick Troughton and series creator Sydney Newman, evoking Charlie Chaplin's impish resilience amid adversity.[9] Early scripts adapted this persona, notably in "The Power of the Daleks," where revisions by script editor Gerry Davis transformed David Whitaker's original outline—intended for the First Doctor—into an introduction of the regenerated form, portraying the Doctor as an apparent imposter through companion Ben Jackson's skepticism to underscore his improvisational cunning.[10] As production progressed across seasons, the Second Doctor's traits evolved to emphasize humor, evident in serials like "The Mind Robber," where his playful banter and absurd inventions amplified the whimsical, mercurial side amid surreal threats.[11] Troughton's casting facilitated this pivot, allowing his versatile character work to embody the lighter, more erratic Time Lord.[12]Appearance
Physical characteristics
Patrick Troughton, who stood at 5'7½" (1.71 m), brought a notably youthful appearance to the role of the Second Doctor at the age of 46 when his first episode aired in October 1966.[13] His dark curly hair and lean frame emphasized this rejuvenation, providing a stark visual contrast to the elderly, stern features of the First Doctor as portrayed by William Hartnell, who was 55 at the series' debut and appeared even older on screen.[14][15] Troughton's facial traits included prominent, expressive eyes capable of wide-eyed innocence and a mischievous grin that underscored the character's playful essence.[16][17] During his tenure across three seasons from 1966 to 1969, Troughton aged to 49, with subtle physical shifts such as minor weight fluctuations and evolving hair styling that mirrored the passage of time in production.[18] These elements collectively supported the intentional shift to a more vibrant, less imposing Doctor figure.[4]Costume and mannerisms
The Second Doctor's iconic attire consisted of a shabby, oversized ensemble designed to evoke a "cosmic hobo" aesthetic, including a loose black frock coat, baggy checked trousers several sizes too large, an extravagant bow tie, and a waistcoat, all in muted, earthy tones such as browns and greens to emphasize his eccentric, disheveled appearance.[19][10] This wardrobe was crafted by costume designer Sandra Reid (also known as Alexandra Tynan), in collaboration with producer Innes Lloyd and creator Sydney Newman, as an exaggerated, humorous parody of the First Doctor's Edwardian style while adapting to the character's more playful persona.[20][10] Recurring props further defined the character's visual identity, such as the 500-year diary, which the Doctor consulted in early adventures like The Power of the Daleks, and his signature recorder, a soprano model that Patrick Troughton played himself during scenes in stories including The Web of Fear and Fury from the Deep.[19] In Fury from the Deep, the Doctor wielded a garden spade as an improvised weapon against the parasitic weed creature, highlighting production choices for practical, on-hand items to suit the story's coastal setting. These elements, including occasional accessories like a fur coat in The Abominable Snowmen for environmental practicality, were selected to reinforce the Doctor's whimsical, resourceful nature without overpowering the narrative.[19] The Second Doctor's mannerisms were refined during rehearsals to accentuate his eccentricity, featuring a bumbling gait with shuffling steps, frantic arm-flapping during chases, and habitual head-tossing to convey confusion or mischief, all performed by Troughton to mask the character's underlying cunning.[19] Flute-playing on the recorder served as a signature quirk, often used for self-amusement or to aid concentration, with Troughton's real musical ability allowing for authentic, improvised tunes in episodes like The Krotons.[19] Troughton's slight physical build enhanced these performative layers, lending authenticity to the Doctor's seemingly hapless yet agile movements.[21] Across seasons, the attire showed subtle variations to reflect narrative progression and production needs; early stories featured more outlandish elements like oversized hats, which were phased out, while the final serial The War Games adopted a more disheveled, weary look with taken-in trousers and subdued accessories under costume supervisor David Maloney, aligning with the story's military realism and the Doctor's growing exhaustion.[19]Biography
Regeneration and early adventures
The Second Doctor's origin within the series' narrative begins with the regeneration of his predecessor at the conclusion of "The Tenth Planet" in 1966. After the defeat of the Cybermen at the South Pole's Snowcap base, the weary First Doctor returns to the TARDIS with companions Ben Jackson and Polly Wright, where he collapses onto the floor, his body undergoing a dramatic transformation into a younger, more disheveled form. This process, later termed regeneration, leaves Ben and Polly in a state of shock and disbelief, as they struggle to reconcile the familiar yet altered figure before them.[22][23] The Second Doctor's inaugural adventure unfolds in "The Power of the Daleks," broadcast in 1967, where the TARDIS materializes on Vulcan, an Earth colony planet in the far future, shortly after the regeneration. There, the Doctor encounters his old adversaries, the Daleks, who have been revived in a dormant state and plot to seize control of the colony's resources. Ben and Polly, still grappling with the change in their companion, initially doubt the new Doctor's authority and identity, with Ben expressing particular skepticism about his competence; however, as the trio uncovers the Dalek threat and works to thwart it, their trust gradually rebuilds through shared peril and the Doctor's clever interventions.[24][25] Throughout these early travels, Ben Jackson, a resourceful Royal Navy sailor, and Polly Wright, a stylish and quick-thinking secretary from 1960s London, form the Doctor's core team, their modern sensibilities contrasting with his eccentric, bumbling demeanor. Their dynamic evolves from initial wariness—Ben's protectiveness clashing with the Doctor's apparent frailty, while Polly offers quicker emotional support—to a bond of mutual reliance, as seen in their joint efforts against emerging threats.[26][27] This period also marks the introduction of Jamie McCrimmon in "The Highlanders," aired in late 1966, during the Doctor's visit to the Battle of Culloden in 1746 Scotland. The young Highland piper, orphaned amid the Jacobite defeat, crosses paths with the TARDIS crew and, after aiding them against English redcoats and a duplicitous solicitor, decides to join the Doctor's travels, initiating a long-standing companionship characterized by loyalty and youthful vigor.[28][29]Key story arcs and companions
The Second Doctor's tenure featured evolving TARDIS crews, beginning with the departure of Polly and Ben, followed by the introduction of Victoria Waterfield in "The Evil of the Daleks," where she joined after her father was killed by Daleks on 19th-century Earth, with the Doctor promising to look after her as a surrogate guardian.[30] Victoria, a Victorian-era orphan, traveled with the Doctor and Jamie McCrimmon through several adventures, providing a contrast to Jamie's Highland warrior spirit with her more reserved demeanor, before leaving to start a new life on 20th-century Earth in "Fury from the Deep."[31] Jamie, the loyal Scottish piper who had joined in "The Highlanders," remained a steadfast companion across multiple serials, his bravery and clan-like devotion often aiding the Doctor in combat against foes like the Cybermen and Daleks.[32] Later, Zoe Heriot, a brilliant astrophysicist from the 21st century, stowed away on the TARDIS after the Doctor and Jamie thwarted a Cybermen invasion of Space Station W3 in "The Wheel in Space," forming a core trio with Jamie as Victoria departed.[33] Zoe's analytical mind complemented the Doctor's ingenuity, leading to intellectual exchanges during crises, such as calculating trajectories to repel Cyber fleets, while her initial clashes with Jamie evolved into wary camaraderie.[33] This lineup faced escalating threats, including the Yeti-controlled London Underground in "The Web of Fear," where the Doctor manipulated intelligence agents to counter the Great Intelligence's plot.[34] Major story arcs blended historical and science fiction elements, with the Doctor's group intervening in Highland rebellions, highlighting Jamie's cultural ties, though these gave way to more interstellar conflicts.[2] Sci-fi narratives dominated mid-era tales, such as the excavation of Cybermen tombs on Telos in "The Tomb of the Cybermen," where Victoria and Jamie uncovered the risks of human hubris in awakening the dormant invaders.[34] The Yeti returned as robotic servants of the Great Intelligence in "The Abominable Snowmen," set in 1930s Himalayas, forcing the Doctor to ally with local monks to dismantle the control sphere.[34] In "The Invasion," the Cybermen attempted a corporate takeover of Earth, prompting the Doctor to enlist the newly formed UNIT organization led by Brigadier Lethbridge-Stewart, marking the debut of military support for his Earth defenses and showcasing his protective instincts toward humanity.[35] The Ice Warriors' scheme to conquer a frozen Earth via the T-Mat teleportation network in "The Seeds of Death" tested Zoe and Jamie's resourcefulness, as the Doctor improvised solutions to restore global communications against the Martian invaders.[35] Throughout these arcs, the Second Doctor balanced manipulation—such as posing as a bumbling fool to outwit enemies—with genuine care for his companions, fostering their growth amid perilous travels.[3]Exile, trial, and regeneration
In the serial "The War Games," broadcast in 1969, the Second Doctor, along with companions Jamie and Zoe, uncovers an alien plot led by the War Chief and War Lord to brainwash human soldiers from various historical wars for an invasion of the galaxy.[36] As the Doctor defeats the scheme by alerting his people, the Time Lords intervene in episode eight, freezing the action and transporting him, Jamie, and Zoe to Gallifrey for judgment.[36] During the trial in episodes nine and ten, the Doctor confronts the Time Lord council, who accuse him of repeated interference in the affairs of other times and places throughout his travels.[36] The council reveals that the Doctor is a renegade who stole the TARDIS from Gallifrey, a fact he does not deny, marking the first on-screen confirmation of his origins as a fugitive Time Lord.[37] The War Chief, a renegade Time Lord allied with the War Lord, is tried separately and executed after attempting to flee.[36] The council sentences the Doctor to life exile on Earth in the late 20th century, immobilizing the TARDIS and preventing further time travel.[36] To enforce the punishment and ensure compliance, they force a regeneration into a new incarnation, wiping Jamie and Zoe's memories of their adventures beyond their first meetings with the Doctor before returning them to their original times.[36] This transformation concludes the Second Doctor's era, with the TARDIS dematerializing as he collapses into change.[36]Stories
Television serials
The Second Doctor, portrayed by Patrick Troughton, featured in 21 television serials broadcast across seasons 4 to 6 of Doctor Who, totaling 119 episodes from November 1966 to June 1969. These stories marked a shift toward more character-driven narratives and Earth-based threats, with the Doctor and his companions—initially Ben Jackson and Polly Wright, later joined by Jamie McCrimmon, Victoria Waterfield, and Zoe Heriot—confronting classic foes like the Daleks and Cybermen alongside new adversaries. Writers such as David Whitaker and Kit Pedler contributed significantly, often exploring themes of human frailty and technological peril.[2][38] The following table catalogs the serials, including episode counts, original broadcast ranges, key writers, directors, companion pairings, and status of missing episodes (where applicable).| Serial | Episodes | Broadcast Dates | Writer(s) | Director | Companions | Missing Episodes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Power of the Daleks | 6 | 5 Nov – 10 Dec 1966 | David Whitaker | Christopher Barry | Ben, Polly, Jamie | None[39] |
| The Highlanders | 4 | 17 Dec 1966 – 7 Jan 1967 | Elwyn Jones, Gerry Davis | Hugh David | Ben, Polly, Jamie | None[39] |
| The Underwater Menace | 4 | 14 Jan – 4 Feb 1967 | Geoffrey Orme | Julia Smith | Ben, Polly, Jamie | 1, 4[39] |
| The Moonbase | 4 | 11 Feb – 4 Mar 1967 | Kit Pedler | Morris Barry | Ben, Polly, Jamie | 1, 3[39] |
| The Macra Terror | 4 | 11 Mar – 1 Apr 1967 | Ian Stuart Black | John Davies | Ben, Polly, Jamie | All[39] |
| The Faceless Ones | 6 | 8 Apr – 13 May 1967 | David Ellis, Malcolm Hulke | Gerry Mill | Ben, Polly, Jamie | 1, 3–6[39] |
| The Evil of the Daleks | 7 | 20 May – 1 Jul 1967 | David Whitaker | Derek Martinus | Jamie, Victoria | 1, 3–7[39] |
| The Tomb of the Cybermen | 4 | 2–23 Sep 1967 | Kit Pedler, Gerry Davis | Morris Barry | Jamie, Victoria | None[34] |
| The Abominable Snowmen | 6 | 30 Sep – 4 Nov 1967 | Mervyn Haisman, Henry Lincoln | Gerald Blake | Jamie, Victoria | 1, 3–6[34] |
| The Ice Warriors | 6 | 11 Nov 1967 – 16 Dec 1967 | Brian Hayles | Derek Martinus | Jamie, Victoria | 2, 3, 5, 6[34] |
| The Enemy of the World | 6 | 23 Dec 1967 – 27 Jan 1968 | David Whitaker | Barry Letts | Jamie, Victoria | None[34] |
| The Web of Fear | 6 | 3 Feb – 9 Mar 1968 | Mervyn Haisman, Henry Lincoln | Douglas Camfield | Jamie, Victoria | 2–6[34] |
| Fury from the Deep | 6 | 16 Mar – 20 Apr 1968 | Victor Pemberton | Hugh David | Jamie, Victoria | All[34] |
| The Wheel in Space | 6 | 27 Apr – 1 Jun 1968 | David Whitaker, Kit Pedler | Tristan de Vere Cole | Jamie, Zoe | 1, 2, 4, 5[34] |
| The Dominators | 5 | 10 Aug – 7 Sep 1968 | Mervyn Haisman, Henry Lincoln (as Norman Ashby) | Morris Barry | Jamie, Zoe | None[40] |
| The Mind Robber | 5 | 14 Sep – 12 Oct 1968 | Peter Ling | David Maloney | Jamie, Zoe | None[41] |
| The Invasion | 8 | 2 Nov – 21 Dec 1968 | Kit Pedler, Derrick Sherwin | Douglas Camfield | Jamie, Zoe | 1, 4[42] |
| The Krotons | 4 | 28 Dec 1968 – 18 Jan 1969 | Robert Holmes | David Maloney | Jamie, Zoe | None[43] |
| The Seeds of Death | 6 | 25 Jan – 1 Mar 1969 | Brian Hayles (Terrance Dicks uncredited) | Michael Ferguson | Jamie, Zoe | None[44] |
| The Space Pirates | 6 | 8 Mar – 12 Apr 1969 | Robert Holmes | Michael Hart | Jamie, Zoe | All |
| The War Games | 10 | 19 Apr – 21 Jun 1969 | Malcolm Hulke, Terrance Dicks | David Maloney | Jamie, Zoe | None[45] |