Just by way of introduction -- I've seen *all* of Classic Who (except the missing/lost episodes) and new Who, and I saw Sylvester McCoy when his stories first ran in the US. Davison, McCoy and Tennant are my favorite Doctors in chronological order. I'm also a massive Ace fan. She rocks -- and for precisely the reasons you point out. I'd suggest watching the 7 and Ace episodes in order because there is actually an arc going on there (tho' much more subtle than any arc in New Who). I know this is going to sound weird -- but try to get the extended edition of "Silver Nemesis" if you can. Unfortunately, the DVD of "Silver Nemesis" is the edited version (now it IS how it originally aired -- but what happened was they filmed a 4-parter, then the BBC decided it should really be three parts and they hacked it to pieces, losing one of my favorite Ace & the Doctor scenes in the process). But if you can't find it, at least go for them in order. --Olivia
Seventh Doctor
I'd suggest watching the 7 and Ace episodes in order because there is actually an arc going on there (tho' much more subtle than any arc in New Who). I know this is going to sound weird -- but try to get the extended edition of "Silver Nemesis" if you can. Unfortunately, the DVD of "Silver Nemesis" is the edited version (now it IS how it originally aired -- but what happened was they filmed a 4-parter, then the BBC decided it should really be three parts and they hacked it to pieces, losing one of my favorite Ace & the Doctor scenes in the process). But if you can't find it, at least go for them in order.
--Olivia