And when coming back years later it was joy to see the Brigadier(s) and the Doctor as 'Merlin', revelling in the freshly rediscovered McCoy-era mystique. You can't help but think that that paved the way for the modern-Whos, with all three, to varying degrees, built up to have a mythology that surrounds them - even leading to Matt Smith's incarnation trying to make the universe think he was dead to escape the spotlight such notoriety eventually brought...
But the best story? For me it has to be Remembrance of the Daleks. An action-packed anniversary year blockbuster packed full of rightly revered set piece moments. If old Mr Moffat can top this we'll be in for a ride and a half on Saturday night.
There's the familiar-yet-spooky school setting, the menacing girl, THAT cliffhanger scene where the Dalek ascends the stairs, the ponderous cafe moments and more manipulating from McCoy.
Theres oodles of nostalgia crammed in but the show just about manages to hold back from teetering over the precipice into a navel gazing death (hello Attack of the Cybermen!).
It wouldn't be a favourite of mine if I didn't mention the strong guest stars it seems but, while I may sound like a broken record, it's true again here. Gilmore and co seem worthy of UNIT-esque revisits and have now received such recognition with their own audio series.
It's not just well-rounded characters here though, but a well-rounded script too that tackles the issue of racism too that makes this a strong serial.
To cap it all off the Doctor and Ace have, by Remembrace, clicked as one of the show's most enduring double acts.
Ps - i'll always be grateful to Sylvester McCoy for replying to a letter I sent him during library sessions at school. It arrived a good while after mine was sent but contained Sylvester's characteristic cheeky charm and made this then-young fan particularly happy. Panama hats off to you!
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