20 Fun Facts About Doctor Who: the Fifth Doctor

Which actor was the youngest to portray the Doctor until Matt Smith took on the role?

Peter Davison was 29 years old when he was cast as the Fifth Doctor, holding the record as the youngest actor in the role until Matt Smith was cast in 2009.

What unusual vegetable did the Fifth Doctor often wear on his lapel as part of his costume?

The Fifth Doctor wore a stick of celery, which he claimed would turn purple in the presence of certain gasses, indicating a perilous atmosphere.

Which of these characters served as a regular companion to the Fifth Doctor?

Nyssa of Traken traveled with the Fifth Doctor for a significant part of his era, having first appeared during the Fourth Doctor's final season.

The Fifth Doctor regenerated after being exposed to what deadly substance?

In his final story, 'The Caves of Androzani,' the Doctor sacrificed himself by giving his only antidote to Peri, leading to his regeneration from Spectrox Toxaemia.

Which story is widely regarded as the Fifth Doctor's regeneration story and a classic of the series?

The Caves of Androzani is Peter Davison's final regular appearance as the Fifth Doctor and is frequently cited by fans and critics as one of the greatest Doctor Who stories.

In which story did the Fifth Doctor make his first full appearance after regenerating?

After regenerating in 'Logopolis', the Fifth Doctor's first full adventure where he recovered and began his travels was 'Castrovalva'.

What sport's attire, often associated with his costume, was worn by the Fifth Doctor?

The Fifth Doctor's costume famously included a cream-colored Edwardian-style cricket attire, complete with a panama hat and a stick of celery.

Which recurring villain was responsible for the death of companion Adric during the Fifth Doctor's era?

Adric tragically died while trying to stop the Cybermen's freighter from crashing into prehistoric Earth in the story 'Earthshock'.

What was the multi-Doctor anniversary special featuring the Fifth Doctor alongside past incarnations called?

For the show's 20th anniversary, Peter Davison's Fifth Doctor appeared in 'The Five Doctors', alongside four of his previous incarnations.

Which companion, an Australian flight attendant, kept wanting to get back to Heathrow Airport?

Tegan Jovanka, an Australian air hostess, initially stumbled into the TARDIS on her way to a new job at Heathrow and frequently demanded the Doctor take her back there.

In the story 'Kinda', what serpentine entity possessed Tegan and later reappeared in 'Snakedance'?

The Mara was a gestalt, formless entity that preyed on beings through their dreams, possessing Tegan in 'Kinda' and returning to torment her in 'Snakedance'.

Which American botany student joined the Doctor's travels shortly before his fifth regeneration?

Peri Brown, an American botany major, met the Fifth Doctor in the serial 'Planet of Fire' and was his companion during his regeneration in 'The Caves of Androzani'.

In which story did the Fifth Doctor face giant insect-like creatures that manipulate gravity?

In 'Frontios', the Doctor, Tegan, and Turlough faced the Tractators, large insectoid beings led by the Gravis, who possessed powers over gravity.

Which villain commanded a vast, frog-like alien ship to exploit Earth's minerals in "Four to Doomsday"?

In 'Four to Doomsday', the Fifth Doctor encountered Monarch, the leader of the Urbankans, who intended to invade Earth to exploit its resources.

In 'Resurrection of the Daleks', what led Tegan Jovanka to leave the TARDIS?

Tegan left the TARDIS in 'Resurrection of the Daleks' because the sheer amount of death and violence she witnessed became too much for her to bear.

Which story saw the Fifth Doctor and his companions encounter the Terileptils in 17th-century England?

In 'The Visitation', the Doctor, Nyssa, Tegan, and Adric arrived in 17th-century England and encountered the Terileptils, who were attempting to unleash a deadly plague.

What personality trait notably set the Fifth Doctor apart from previous incarnations?

The Fifth Doctor was often portrayed as more vulnerable, sensitive, and at times indecisive, reacting to situations rather than always taking immediate command, a deliberate contrast to the Fourth Doctor.

Which story featured the return of the Cybermen, culminating in Adric's death?

'Earthshock' marked the first appearance of the Cybermen in Doctor Who since 1975 and is famous for the shocking, unannounced death of Adric.

In 'Mawdryn Undead', which mysterious cosmic entity was attempting to manipulate Turlough?

The Black Guardian made a significant return in 'Mawdryn Undead', attempting to force Turlough to assassinate the Doctor in exchange for returning him home.

In which story does the Fifth Doctor, trying to get Tegan to Heathrow, land near a time-travelling Concorde?

In 'Time-Flight', the Doctor's attempt to return Tegan to Heathrow was complicated by the Master's plot involving a time-displaced Concorde.