Doctor Who - The Scripts Tom Baker 1974/5. Full Scripts for Tom Baker's First Season: Scripts 1974/5 [Hardcover]

How amusing that Amazon had originaly listed 'Pip Baker" as the author of this book. Anyone watching Doctor Who in the 1980s will recall Pip (and Jane) Baker's succession of confused (and confusing ) scripts - but there are none of those here. Instead this is a collection of original "Tom Baker" era transmission scripts by a gallery of the show's most favourite writers: Robert Holmes, Terrance Dicks, Terry Nation, Robert Holmes, Bob Baker & Dave Martin, Gerry Davis and - did I mention? - Robert Holmes, the understated genius script editor for this series of heyday Who.

Come along on a journey with Tom Baker's charismatic Doctor Who, the heroic Sarah Jane Smith and the wonderfully bumbling Harry Sullivan and meet the emotionally confused Giant Robot, the parasitic space insect Wirrn, Davros - the ruthlessly twisted creator of the Daleks. And let's not forget the remorseless Cybermen, skulking around the galaxy in an ancient spaceship. Anyone who enjoyed David Tennant's recent 2006 outing as the Doctor will enjoy these scripts, and all the bonus information.

I had a choice which was hard for an eight year-old to make. 'Do I go to the Christmas Party held in the local church crypt, or stay in and watch the first episode of the good Doctor's fourth incarnation?'
Although the church crypt lured me on the day I was entranced by every episode of season twelve during the subsequent Saturdays. Tom Baker was stepping into the shoes of the very popular Jon Pertwee who had brought a Boy's Own touch of dash and gravitas to the whole proceedings. Could a man who had played a mad monk (Rasputin in 'Nicholas and Alexandra') and a villainous magician (Koura in 'The Golden Voyage of Sinbad') bring an extra dimension to the Timelord's character?
The answer was an unequivocal 'yes' and even the most hardened critics were to acknowledge that the viewing figures during the fourth doctor's were the highest of the franchises history. A fortuitous combination of Robert Holmes (script Editor) and Philip Hinchcliffe (producer)also added to the heady concotion.
This publication takes the reader through the whole journey - a ride into the innovative and wildly unpredictable world of 'Who' in the mid-70's. The twelfth season was certainly important for the fans but does it warrant an entire book devoted to it's every detail?
In short are publications of scripts justified and worth shelling out your hard earned cash for when DVD releases offer not only visuals but commentaries and various other extras?
You will want to buy this book for one, some or all of the following reasons:
1. Annotations - and plenty of them.
2. In depth exploration of the actors and their artistic chemistry. (How bizarre it is to think that Baker was extremely reserved when he first mingled with his co-stars).
3. You get to read the stories quickly without too much padding.
4. Davros made his first apearance in this season.
If you are a signed up DWAS member then this is another welcome addition to the increasing number of 'Who' biographies. But in all fairness these books are only ever published with the dedicated fan in mind. Personally, I hope this is the start of more such similar releases.

I've finally read this script book cover to cover. It was probably bought for me back in 2001 as a Christmas present and it has sat on my book shelves ever since. Bad me, because this book is truly excellent.

The book provides useful data, introductions, dates and other information before each complete script of Tom Baker's first season as The Doctor. It is an absolutely fascinating piece and is a good overview of this period of Doctor Who. I would highly recommend that people try and find a copy from somewhere.

What a shame that the BBC decided to produce only this script book and did not delve into other eras. I suspect this was because a series was not economical, but they could have at least tried.. :(

10/10