“Are there debates about which was “best” like there are for James Bond?”
There is no debate, it’s Tom Baker. Any one who disagrees with that is a infidel!!!
;-)
And Sarah Jane Smith (and K9) is the best companion.
LOL! I hadn’t read your post before my response. I’ll have to say there’s a toss-up for me re: Companions. I liked Sarah Jane, but I also liked Leela.
Tom Baker (#4) made the series. No doubt about it.
Jon Pertwee (#3) was reasonably good, as was the original, William Hartnell. I can’t remember the name of the #2 Dr. Who but he was annoying. Peter Davison (#5) was a tolerable twit, but after him ... forget it.
I used to stay up on Sundays nights for Pertweee, Baker and Davison (especially Baker). After that (e.g., Sylvester McCoy) forget it.
I still have a Tom Baker poster and scarf packed away somewhere in my basement. Enough of a Dr. Who Nerd?
Tom Baker, of course, but Ace could totally take Sarah Jane in a fight...