After re-watching DOCTOR WHO - THE TWIN DILEMMA in the virtual company of Colin Baker, Nicola Bryant and Kevin McNally for this preview article, I am warming to the production. Back in 1984, it went under a number of forced changes; limited production time affected by BBC Production staff and an illness of the writer, Anthony Steven that left Script Editor, Eric Saward to make some sense of the original script.

With that said, are fans too harsh in their criticism of THE TWIN DILEMMA in damning it as frivolous, staid and wholly confusing (with more plot holes than a colander?).

Yes, and no, upon reflection and taking the contribution of the commentary team.

In the absence (read: deceased) of director Peter Moffatt, writer Anthony Steven and producer John Nathan-Turner, the DVD lacks a substantial "documentary" dissertation that would have minutely questioned why such a key story - launching a new Doctor - has more association with a British pork sausage than anything else. Both virtually had everything theown into the mix in the expectation, no, in the hope that it will just taste okay when smothered by Heinz Tomato Ketchup. In the absence of key production staff then, perhaps, BBC DVD may need to "cross-over" to the NEW SERIES production staff for a retrospective assessment.

However, THE TWIN DILEMMA as a BBC DVD release is, and you'll have to believe me until the release on the 7 September 2009, very entertaining and, unlike previous releases, does not take itself too seriously. It's the equivalent of hearing "Greensleeves" tinkerling around the street as the Mister Softie mobile ice-cream van on a summer's afternoon - it just what you need; refreshing, sweet and harmless.

The combination of the one of the most charismatic DVD commentary - Colin Baker is always great value and loves his time on the series - and a balanced set of DVD EXTRAS (the highlight is an intelligent thesis of the Sixth Doctor involvement in the MARVEL comic strip).

THE TWIN DILEMMA may not be your favourite story "of all time" (why do fans love 'lists'?) but I would add this DVD to your "most wanted" list.

STRIPPED OF ACTION - THE SIXTH DOCTOR's involvement in the MARVEL published comic strip. Admittedly, by 1982, I stopped buying the DOCTOR WHO comic and I have not been drawn into the pen-and-ink adventures of either the Fifth or Sixth Doctors so these assessments are fascinating. The success of this Doctor's strips was driven by artist John Ridgeway and comic editor/writer Alan MacKenzie, drawing (sic) on both the TV series folklore (re-introducing the underused Draconian Empire) and creative out-of-the-box thinking that combined the essence of Tolkien and Gilliam.

For both the "televised interviews" - BBC BREAKFAST TIME and BLUE PETER - all I can say is that; "I was there. Not literally but in front of the TV when it was broadcast". Fantastic. I am sure my family's GRANDA rented top-loading VHS machine (virtually, the size of a PC Tower Hard-drive) recorded these programmes? There are two constants in the Universe that from Earth we can enjoy; the Pole Star and the charming personality of Colin Baker. Laid back - almost horizontal on the BREAKFAST TIME leather sofa - and effortlessly loquacious, Baker was the ideal "salesman" for the DOCTOR WHO series; he liked the series, knew about the concepts within and wanted success. Whether it was a wise idea to inflict the "Technicolor dreamcoat" on the bleary eyed UK Nation we can only wonder. Even Baker admits that it was the "Nation's Alarm Call!".

Colin Baker's ambition to see his Doctor in a more restrained costume was granted in LOOK 100 YEARS YOUNGER documentary. With the aid of CGI, the Sixth Doctor's "Victorian silhouette with a fairground colour" is transformed into a black suit, white shirt and black tie ensemble. And very smart it looks too, with approval by the lead actor. Whether the documentary should have replaced the obscure Amy Lame with Gok Wan or even Trinny and Susannah is a mute point. Cheap and cheerful.

Sid Sutton's THE STAR MAN documentary is short. Too short. Yes, I know that there was a discussion of the title sequence on another DVD but I think that this EXTRA could have been more technically visual (even "digging-out" the rostrum camera to show what it actually looks like.). Nonetheless, it was surprising that the title sequence was "played-in" live into the episode recording at scene one which reveals why each episode's titles look marginally different to another.

The EASTER EGG is an audio-free series of location-based "film-trims", complete with the Clapperboard - I love clapperboards!

And that's it for the EXTRAS. It's a single disc, don't forget but if only the disc's producer's had a THE MAKING OF THE TWIN DILEMMA assessment then it would be a perfect release.

The studio commentary is a delightful and informative.

Episode one's title sequence face of the lead actor, Colin Baker announces gleefully and then with a hint of minor sarcasm: Here comes the boy! I'm watching this superb story with.

On seeing the Doctor in the TARDIS, Colin Baker admits: Admittedly, I was not nervous by such a large part.

On the chosen costume for his Doctor, Colin Baker: I'd been happy with something like Chris Eccleston's look. A MATRIX style long black coat.

On seeing Peri being strangled by the manic Doctor, Kevin McNally: Controversial. A Bipolar Doctor.
Colin Baker: Very brave! And it was JNT's edict for me to have "big hair". He thought that "short-back-and-sides" was not the Doctor.

INFORMATION TEXT: It is interesting that Colin Baker had signed a Contract for four series.

On Hugo Lang's laser gun, Nicolas Bryant: It will win an Award for the Worse Toy Gun. All of 3p.

On Peter Moffat's direction style, Colin Baker: Very pleased that he just let us get on with it, which isn't always a good thing. A proper gent.

On the cat badge, Kevin McNally queries: Tell us about the cat badge. Colin Baker: I change the cat every story which was a bit naff. I still have the badges. The value is increasing every day!

Nicola Bryant tells the anecdote that during rehearsal a certain Colin Baker sunk his teeth into her buttocks;: Not painful but pleasant.

By episode 3, Nicola Bryant revealed that she was medically ill after recording THE CAVES OF ANDROZANI: I got minor frost-bite and pneumonia.

Kevin McNally recalls that rehearsals at the "Acton Hilton" were great fun, including having to queue with the likes of Morecambe & Wise in the staff canteen.

Colin Baker confides that the series Producer wanted him to take the Sixth Doctor's costume home to stop fans, who were working at the BBC, stealing it.

On his casting, Colin Baker: Eric Saward didn't approve at my casting. It didn't bode well. I was disappointed by that. Fortunately, I haven't come across him since.

On his final DVD Commentary recording (THE TWIN DILEMMA is the last Sixth Doctor DVD to be released ironically), Colin Baker thanks fans: My final commentary on a DOCTOR WHO DVD. I've enjoyed it. It has been great fun. Goodbye, dear viewer & listener. Bless your hearts.

And that's it. Colin Baker's reign may have been both a truncated one and a traumatic one but it is with appreciative thanks that CLASSIC SERIES fans can be re-lived & enjoyed, and with DOCTOR WHO - THE TWIN DILEMMA this is certainly the case.

Don't underestimate the value of this story. In the history of the CLASSIC SERIES it demonstrates an ambitious long-term approach for the development of the Doctor that the higher echelons of the BBC did not appreciate and, ultimately, signed Colin Baker's execution warrant.

THE TWIN DILEMMA is of its time. If you remember that it is 1984 that you'll relish this 2009 BBC DVD release.