Give the 6th Doctor another chance - you might be surprised.

I'm not a huge fan of Colin Bakers TV run. Whether it was Colin, the writers, or just the chemistry - he was far from my (or most people's) favorite Doctor.

13 years later he got a chance to revisit the character and, in my opinion, completely redeemed the 6th Doctor. Colin/the writers rebalance the character's personality, making him more competent while subtly toning down the rudeness from obnoxious to eccentric. The writers also created a new companion named Evelyn - an older woman who isn't afraid to put the Doctor in his place. Colin still has a great voice, and the decision to bring in new companions right off the bat allows the production team to find great voice talent (Peri is more fun to watch than to listen to).

Anyway, this is just my take. Anyone else want to chime in? Any 6th Doctor defenders?

I've found that I really enjoy the BF 6th audios. He has been given the time a material to refine the character. I hate to rag on the jacket but on the show, it really was distracting because it was sooooo overboard. Unless it was a psychic jacket and everybody saw him it what the perceived, how could anybody take him seriously. It was a bit of a push, I always liked as it is so described the Doctor was able to assert himself into the situation with his manner and acting like he belongs there; but really in that jacket?

Well I enjoyed colin a lot more in the audios than in the show. His character is really softened up and sort of reminded me of how they softened hartnell up during dodo chaplett's reign. Not to be anger anyone here but I really did not feel Peri suited doc 6 well I felt she was a whole lot smarter during doc 5's time. Evelyn does fit him much better and oddly enough Mel is also not so abrasive in the audios. In the late 80's the stories were full of more plot holes and cliche pitfalls and poor colin really had no chance to shine. If you see his dedication and love for the show it is a real shame he did not have a chance to evolve the doctor the way he wanted to- shame really...He did not warm to me at first but honestly I like his portayal now that I have aged a bit.

I liked the 'long term plan' that Colin had in mind initially. He wanted to take the time to explore his regeneration. If JNT had resigned and Colin had continued, the costume would no doubt have changed, and things would have been much more interesting.

I guess he wasnt that bad but rather he was given nothing to work with.

Onscreen, Doctor #6 was very brash and rude (and the horrid costume courtesy of JNT didn't help matters) and he never was a favourite of mine. It didn't help that TIIC decided put the show on hold then changed the whole series content when it came back.

Now when we move to the Big Finish releases, that's where the 6th Doctor really shines (thanks to companions such as Evelyn, Peri and Charlie) and I truly enjoy him in this format. If his characterisation had been as they are on the audios, CB would have fared much better with the audience.

The 6th Doctor reminds me, in many ways, of the 1st: he's temperamental, vain, and not always particularly likable. And yet, I'm a big fan of the 1st Doctor and not particularly fond of the 6th! What gives? Why does Hartnell get a pass while Colin Baker (who always gave 100% in his performances and had a real passion for the show) is my least favorite Doctor?

Well, the more I think about it, the more it becomes apparent to me that Colin' Doctor suffers from negative associations: the stupid outfit (WHY?!?), the inspid plots, the worse-than-usual FX (the vehicles that move slower than walking speed in Vengeance on Varos leap immediately to mind)...these things all serve to taint the 6th Doctor. He begins as the kind of character that challenges the audience's sensibilities but, as a result of the show's flaws in that period, he becomes too much to swallow. A similar phenomenon can be seen in the Sylvester McCoy period, too, as many people can't enjoy the later 7th Doctor episodes (which were excellent) because of the negative impressions they received from some of those cartoony early stories in which he appeared.

As time passes, I'm better able to appreciate Colin and his take on the Doctor, but there still aren't any 6th Doctor stories of which I'd call myself a big "fan." I enjoy Trial of a Time Lord just because it was pretty ambitious given the show's tenuous grip on existence, but despite having a few great moments, it's riddled with flaws.

Ok I just watched Vengance on Varos, and thought his character was really cool. In fact it was the only reason I continued to watch the episode. I like his dignified, brash take. But as I mentioned before, he has nothing to work with, the storyline is quite boring, Peri grinds on ones nerves and the soundtrack...dont get me started on the soundtrack...

Believe it or not his outfit kind of grew on me...

until he took the coat off.

I love Colin Baker in the audios. He has the best voice and really delivers the character well. I think McCoy, who I liked on screen, seems to affected and Davison is too . . . not laid back, but his voice doesn't stand out as much as Baker's does.

Speaking of Bakers, I'd love it if Tom did a few audios!

Either way, I think if Colin had the black frock coat he wanted and some decent writing, he'd have been a favorite. I think of him from time to time watching the new series, thinking what he might have done with some of those stories.

Like McGann's, Colin's Doc was wasted on TV. Sad.