 | The Doctor's best friend, K-9, vs. the Daleks |
Created by veteran Doctor Who writing team Bob Baker and Dave Martin, K-9 is one of the program's most endearing creations. When Doctor Who was mentioned to anyone with a vague notion of the series back in the day they normally knew of three things; Tom Baker, the Daleks and K-9. A replacement companion for Professor Marius (who discovered that a flesh and blood dog was just not practical on a space station) in the 1977 adventure the Invisible Enemy, the character was a hit with the production staff and it was decided that he would remain with the Doctor.
Possessing a vast resource of data, K-9 was a constant fall back for the Doctor who was apparently forgetful in his old age. K-9's built in radar sensors and probe allow him to access other computer systems which comes in handy for the Doctor who faces more than his share of megalomaniacal computers. A built-in laser also succeeded in repelling nearly any threat or cut through the toughest of material when a hasty escape was needed.
The focus of numerous books, toys, replicas, key chains and remote control variations, K-9 became an almost instant sensation. He even had a hit record!
For three years, K-9 operated alongside the Doctor and faced numerous threats from killer weeds to uneven flooring. A nightmare to operate in the studio or on location, the crew often were reduced to dragging the prop along by fishing line.
Actor John Leeson provided the distinctive voice of K-9 and was as much a component of the character's success as the design itself. At a time when Doctor Who was watched by the entire family, K-9 was immensely popular with children. After he departed in 1980, fans almost immediately asked when K-9 would be returning.
Having starred in his own spin-off K-9 and Company and appeared in the new Doctor Who series opposite David Tennant, K-9 later resurfaced on the Sarah Jane Smith Adventures before launching his own ongoing series for Australian TV last year.
While K-9 has never fought the Daleks (just imagine the mayhem in the studio!), a talented animator has created a short film that explores the possibility. The project is simply astounding and features the familiar soundtrack to James Cameron's film, Aliens.
After debuting in his own series, K-9 has not been seen on the Doctor Who program that gave him his first taste of fame, but one can never tell if a reunion with Doctor #11, Matt Smith, is on the horizon.
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