Ranking each Doctor Who based on who you’d get a pint with

English actor Tom Baker, as the Doctor from the BBC science fiction TV series ‘Doctor Who’, poses with the Doctor’s arch enemies, the Daleks, at BBC TV Centre, London, March 1975. Baker plays the fourth incarnation of the character. (Photo by Michael Putland/Getty Images)

Fourth Doctor // Tom Baker

Everyone has a Doctor whose mere existence gives them warm fuzzies. Tom Baker’s Four is that for most people. Basically: He’s iconic. Four is by far the most recognizable of all incarnations of the Doctor, thanks to his insane hair, floppy hat, and that amazing scarf.  Baker played the Doctor from 1974 to 1981, starring in 172 episodes, a total that no subsequent performer has equaled. (Or likely ever will.) The reason that so many fans feel they know the Doctor is because of this incarnation, which felt like family, in the end. Baker embodied the Doctor, in a way that’s hard to explain, let alone put a value on.

Four was charismatic, adventurous, and warm. He was alien and strange, sure, but he also embodied a kind of wonder that was incredibly magnetic to watch. It’s hard – if not impossible – to dislike this character, to not want to hang out with him. He leaves us all hoping that that maybe the TARDIS might really show up to whisk us off an adventure one day.

Going to the pub with Four would doubtless be an amazing experience. Honestly – just imagine all the stories he must have! This incarnation of the Doctor traveled alongside some of the most incredible, interesting companions (Sarah Jane! Romana!) of all time. He had an adorable robot dog along for the ride. And he starred in some of the most iconic Doctor Who adventures ever written. (“The Genesis of the Daleks”! “The Ark in Space”! “Pyramids of Mars”!) Four’s stories are just as relevant and moving today as they were in the 1970s, so there’s plenty there to unpack over drinks.

Booze of choice: Probably several flavors of daiquiris.