Tommy (Planet of the Spiders)


 * For similar names, see Thomas.

Tommy was a simple-minded handyman working at the Buddhist meditation centre somewhere in rural England.

Biography
When the meditation centre came under investigation (on account of Lupton’s unnatural practices), Tommy had become aware of strangers coming to and from the house as well as the strange goings on there. He befriended Sarah Jane Smith and Mike Yates, who were there secretly to find out what was going on. When the blue crystal came to the house with Lupton, Tommy, eager to add it to his collection of "pretties", took the crystal, hiding it in a box in a broom closet under the stairs where he often sought solitude. Later, Lupton's followers, who often treated Tommy poorly, taunted him over how he couldn’t read the "Do not disturb" on their door. After hearing this, Tommy returned to his broom closet to refer to a children’s book, reading the simple text aloud. He looked into the crystal, which looked into his mind, making him faint. Waking up, he realised that something had happened to him and that he could read much better. He then went to get more books and was changed once more by the crystal. Later, when the Third Doctor and Sarah Jane returned, he helped them foil the plans of Lupton’s spider-infested followers, realising that he could resist their lighting bolt attacks. It was his innocence that protected Tommy from the spiders' blasts of power. He faithfully stood guard outside K'anpo Rimpoche’s private room, keeping Lupton's henchmen from getting to the crystal. He presumably remained a changed man afterwards. (DW: Planet of the Spiders)

Personality
Before he looked into the crystal, Tommy had the mind of a child and was slow to pick up on things, but also had a kind heart and great innocence; it was this innocence that protected him from harm. He also had a fondness for beautiful things and collected them whenever he could. After the change, he retained his kindness with a renewed nobility of spirit to help others. (DW: Planet of the Spiders)