Rate: "The War Games"

A massive 10-part story begins with the Doctor, Jamie and Zoe arriving in what they think is a battlefield in the middle of World War I.  But the existence of strange mists, and a series of disappearing cabinets, soon undermine that impression.  Our time travelling trio have actually arrived in the realm of the War Chief, a renegade Time Lord, just like the Doctor.  The War Chief has been attempting to build the most fearsome army immaginable by kidnapping soldiers from wars all throughout human history, and training them to become single minded killing machines.  Clearly, the Doctor must put a stop to this.  But defeating the War Chief and returning all these temporally displaced soldiers to their rightful places in time might just be a job too big for the Doctor alone.  For the first time since we've known him, the Doctor is forced to call his own people for help, a decision that will have significant consequences for him, personally.

So, what did you think of the story which ended the Patrick Troughton years, and the 1960s, on Doctor Who?  Let's be hearing from you!

5/5. One of the best ever.

I bought it recently along with a lot of other classic who's. Part way through City of Death and loving every moment, but The War Games is next and I'm looking forward to it with great relish.

I've just finished watching The War Games for the first time a in very long while. Of course it's padded beyond belief, but there are decent plot developments in each episode. Part 9 is the standout episode overall for me, culminating in its brilliant ending. The impending air of doom that hangs over the final act is also wonderful.

There are some very good performances: Philip Madoc (of course), Noel Coleman and I also really enjoyed Edward Brayshaw's turn as The War Chief. I know it gets criticised for being OTT, but that honour firmly belongs with James Bree's Security Chief. Is Bernard Horsfall Goth? Absolutely!

Having said all that, I don't get the enormously high esteem in which The War Games seems to be held. There are three other stories from Season 6 which I prefer, but it's still a decent ending to the Troughton era - an ending that could have been the farewell of the programme itself.

But taking everything into account I will now, belatedly, score it 4/5.