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This was a very small-scale story. Very tepid and uninvolving. Quite a few people have reviewed this book positively elsewhere. I just couldn't get into it.
It's not that it isn't well-written. It's just that it didn't have anything really unique to say.
Matthew Jones actually seems to be a fairly good writer, when he puts his determination to it. He penned the tenth doctor two-part episodes of The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit, respectively; two of the finest episodes of the new series I have yet witnessed. Wonderfully phobic and closed-in.
Both those episodes involved the Devil. This book, also, involves the Devil, but not so directly.
Jones seems to have a thing for the Devil. It's interesting how his concepts have evolved.
But apart from this angle, I found little else to appreciate.
The black man-eating street cab threatened and menaced effectively. But this was the only other thing. Perhaps it was all the character work. It was a bizarre take.
I personally find sexuality of any kind rather irritating in Doctor Who. People look at me oddly when I say this, but I don't care. I've been described as rather emotionless, which may or may not be true.
Perhaps I'm too much of a rationalist. Too analytical. Too much like the Doctor. Whatever.
The in-depth descriptions of Jack's 16-year old lusts simply dragged with me (no pun intended.) I couldn't see the point of them. Which wouldn't be much of a problem, except they take up most of the book. They seem to be the author's rationale for writing.
I just kept waiting for something deeper to happen. Some clever fathom-plunging logic or creative strangeness. But there was nothing. A low-key, strange little document. It didn't seem to have much point at all.
In fairness, I *suppose* that this book is meant for gay people. Those who can see the point of musing on a teenager's weird emotions. I wasn't much of a teenager, even when I was one. So I guess this book isn't for me.
I try to see things from everybody's perspective. But for those who are not of that (sexual) persuasion, it simply seems baffling to write a novel this way.
I've always regarded Doctor Who as a vehicle for rationalism, twisted with adventure. The resulting spiral was remarkably enthralling. Very successful. Call me a traditionalist, but I enjoy the clear intellectualism of the Target range.
Maybe I should read something else? May I'll just raise chickens.
Tasteless. Flat. An experiment in dissociation. And very boring, too.
The continuity references were not graceful. Too many, too often. And frightfully little story, as if the book had been constructed from a spreadsheet. Very machine-like. I'm genuinely surprised at how little engagement this novel provoked in me.
My major sense during my reading was one of confusion; a sense of watching a pastiche, of I knew not what. Who was doing what? What was occurring or ending? What was motivating the characters? And do paper-flat, badly-illuminated stereotypes count as characters?
I skimmed most of this book. I only stopped when I saw a word or sentiment that I recognized. TARDIS. A conversation. Something straightforward actually happening. Some human interest.
Most of the book was built on veiled references, and the earth-bound Time Lord was an idea I had seen before, elsewhere. Unoriginal.
In light of the new series' explanation of the Time Wars, this seems very trite. A bad notion, not fully-worked out. Notable as a curiosity, I suppose. Not a very interesting one.
Sad.
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 | The finest series in Who history. |
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| What: | The Key To Time (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: |  10 |
The Ribos Operation may not be well liked by some, as it is more a character piece than an action piece. But Robert Holmes again delivers some cracking good matierial. The comic duo of Garron and Unstoffe after Jago and Litefoot have to be the best double act in the series history. They really seem to enjoy working together and clearly relish the script. Paul Seed is also brilliant, as the bad tempered soldier Graff Vynda K. And even Prentis Hancock delivers again with his Captain. The shrivenale isnt quite as bad as many people make out either. This story is a brilliant start to the best single season in Who history.
The Pirate Planet again boasts mega performances, Mary Tamm already becoming one of my favourite companions for a long time. i love her Romana far better than Lalla, and Lalla is brilliant enough. And Bruce Purchase shines as the Captain, the best maniac in the whole of the Who series. He is so over the top and camp and brilliant. And the Queen Xanxia is particularly evil. A well scripted character. And Tom's appreciate it scene is an excellent bit of moralising, played to perfection.
The Stones of Blood boasts some of the best female characters of the series. Susan Engel and Beatrix Leahmann are simply unbelievable. And the Ogri arent all that bad either. Even if one can see a bloke pushing it into shot in one scene. Thats part of the character of Doctor Who anyway. De Vries is another good character too. And that camper scene is frankly very vivid and gruesome. All the right ingredients. And the Magara are simply fantastic creations.
The Androids of Tara may be prisoner of Zenda, yes that is true. But this isnt a hindrance in the slightest. Yet again this story has a brilliant central villain. And Mary gets a little more to do as Romana. She has such charm that she steals all the scenes shes in. And her Princess Strella is totally different from Romana too. I love the final scene with K9 out in the moat! And the sword fight is one of the best of the series.
The Power Of kroll is wrongly called weak. Kroll is excellently realised. Rohm Dutt is another Bob Holmes brillant character. And so are all the inhabitants of the refinery. John Leeson is seen for the first and only time of the series. And the swampies are a good alien race. And the sets arent actually all that bad either. The back stretching is original.
The Armageddon Factor ends this perfect season on an excellent high note. Valentine Dyall is brilliant in the final episode, managing to make his presence felt for the small time he has on screen. And William Squire is terrific and coolly evil. Lalla Ward plays Astra well too. Tom is at his best. And Drax is a revelation! Never thought we'd have this silly a character in the series, its excellent! This season was faultless. It is the best season overall in the history of the show. Yes, and its produced by Graham Williams! That brilliant bloke! Thanks mate for seeing these stories come to fruition!
| What: | Carnival of Monsters (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
Carnival of Monsters has it all:
a: Bob Holmes typical well rounded and wonderful characters. These range from the devious and psychotic Kalik to the more refined Pletrac, the dippy Orum and all the characters on board the SS Bernice.
b: an excellent central monster. The Drashigs are one of the finest monsters of Jon's time in the show. They dont look like puppets at all, which is a credit to the puppets creators. They are shot brilliantly on film, and look massive. One of the better uses of CSO in the series.
c; the duo of Vorg and Shirna too are just so delightful and comedic. I love these sorts of characters. Comedy is a vital part of Doctor Who. Things that are too serious often fail to be memorable, except for unpleasant reasons. But here we have this renowned double act that lights up the Inter Minor scenes.
The fact that the whole thing is set nearly all inside a scope is fascinating and original. This is one of Bob's strongest stories for the series. He kept on going from strength to strength and only staggered slightly twice. Not bad in about 20 stories.
Jon and Katy are so good together too, they are a double act themselves. Jo is often bumbling but fiercely brave and loyal to the Doctor, well up until the Green Death anyway, and always strongly performed by Katy. Even the weaker plaiseosaurus and lack of cloudy skies some scenes outside the door of the saloon cant stop me from giving this story a ten. Its definitely a classic story with a mountain of stuff going for it.
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| Fails to get motivated.... |
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| What: | The Ark in Space (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: |  4 |
This is a story that looks a tiny bit on the cheap side. the Wirrn arent the most convincing monster to grace the Doctor Who universe. And the characters here are rather strangely vaguely characterised, strange considering this was a largely rewritten segment by Rob Holmes. Bob's two weak moments were this and Pyramids of Mars. But all his other tales are almost beyond parallel.
But here there are no titan views and no titan laughs that are always present in other Bob tales. It seems he was bored doing this story.
Even Tom Baker's humanity scene cant save this. And again the brilliant Ian Marter is direly underused. He was a great oppurtunity missed as far as Im concerned. And the same goes for Liz Sladen. After her first season with Jon where she was very strong in every story, now she is just becoming that run of the mill companion that a story doesnt really even need. After the brilliance of Robot, this really is dissapointing.
But remember that bubble wrap was just coming out in the seventies, so it isnt as bad looking if you look at it in the time it was made. Rather innovative actually. And the head of Noah when he appears behind Harry and the crewmember is excellently done. The end too may just lift up the ratings, as it is rather neat and touching. Human spirit coming through. But on the whole scale, a sore let down...
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| Takes too long to get going... |
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| What: | The Tomb of the Cybermen (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
But Tomb Of The Cybermen is not a total failure. The touching scene of the Doctor recalling his family is one of the best scenes in Doctor Who ever. It is so wonderfully acted, Pat and Debbie just gel so well. But aside from this the action is slow to begin. The characters may be well defined, pity they dont wet my appetite.
Judging by the first two parts, This is not the classic that so many people call it. George Pastell is really very good as Kleig, and he has the best final line of a psychopath ever. Cyril Shaps tries hard too, but aside from that all the characters (except maybe Hopper) are just in the background and dont seem to do a huge amount and dont add much to the story. The cybermen still look good, but thats no substitute for the bland storytelling.
But at least the story does pick up very well after part two. But even so, its no Timelash or Time And The Rani. Those stories for me are far more thrilling and watchable. This is the weakest Patrick Troughton story in my view.
(Yes, I know the cybermen are far more sparsely appearing in the Wheel In Space, but that story is far better paced and the story is still excellent!)
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| Fear Her is excellent but... |
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| What: | Series 2 Volume 5: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
Fear Her is the third story of the second series that is actually anything bordering on watchable. This story is very interesting to watch, and the characters again are well performed and come across as sympathetic and believable. This story has a good central theme too, and the pencil squiggle is well utilised, if its only in one scene! And Rise gets to do something for once. And she takes the lead well here, not being that brat that she cant escape from being for long. There is real drama in here, and the Isolus is a wonderful looking little sad creature. Its not often we get a story with a creature that isnt actually evil, just misguided. And the end of this story forecasts doom coiming...but does it?
In short the answer is no. For a start the first episode of the finale is boring and doesnt get motivated until right at the very end. And the cybermen are killed far too easily. Just one Dalek blast lays them down! How damn stupid can you get? These poor cybermen have so many weaknesses for such an apparently strong race. In the beginning it was only radiation, then gold...when is it going to end for these brill monsters? They have been badly written for in the new series as a whole. Whilst the action may rise in Doomsday, it is enough. It is all so very predictable. The Rose goodbye may well be emotional, and extremely well acted, but this one scene alone cant stop the fact that this finale isnt all that much to write home about. But that final scene with Catherine Tate aboard the TARDIS holds a lot of promise...maybe we're in for some fun in the near future...I hope so. I need it.
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| This isnt very original....except no 3 |
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| What: | Series 2 Volume 4: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
One cant escape the fact that The Impossible Planet and The Satan Pit is just a rehash. The Robots of Death and Pyramids of Mars is all this modern tale is. The ood act like the voc robots, and the Devil is just Sutekh again. Whilst this story doesnt feature the floppy ending of Pyramids, its still far from original. The ood may be one of the finest alien designs of the series so far, but it would have helped if their debut was a more original tale. Im glad that once again Matt Jones has written Rose to be a bit more likeable than usual. For once she isnt overly annoying and catty. The sets do look really good and Gabriel Woolf gives another memorable voice. But thats all I have to say on this rehash. Another dissapoint. David's first season isnt up to all that much at all which is a big shame.
One of the three stories that does manage to be excellent though is Love and Monsters. Yes, it may well be very adult in theme and the kids might not grasp the meatier elements of the script, but this story is still of a very high quality indeed. The character depth is excellent, and the ending is sad and moving. And again, Rose for once isnt too catty. This is one of the most satisfying stories of David's time as the Doctor. Thats sad, as its one where he's hardly in it. That doesnt say much thats good does it? David is a brilliant Doctor, its not his fault his stories are overall very much a letdown of the first degree...
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| This trio must be upgraded! |
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| What: | Series 2 Volume 3: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 4 |
Consdiering this first two parter to feature the cybermen borrows elements from the big finish audio production Spare Parts, this tale has none of the impact of that excellent audio story. This story is so boring its unbelievable. The presence of the cybermen is secondary to Roger Lloyd Pack, although Roger's performance is one of the only saving graces of this otherwise dull as ditchwater tale. The Cybermen may be a brilliant design here, pity they dont hardly even appear in the first episode. Even the second part scene with the fused Cyberman isnt as effective as the original in Spare Parts. And yet again that Rose is getting on my nerves. Its a shame Billie has been lumbered with scripts that make her so brash and catty and unlikeable all along the way. But at the end of the day at least Mickey gets more to do, even if that more to do is boring as henry. And Camille is rather sidelined here too, and isnt her usual brilliant self. Even if she is a parrallel universe Jackie and all that. This is definitely the very worst Cyberman story ever. It just never ever gets going. And that scene with the two "Mickeys" is obviously fake. You can tell this is a classic case of overlaying. This is the worst story of the new series too bar The Pandorica Opens and The Big Bang. Very much a letdown. Sorry to do a demolishion job, but its just my view of this bland two parter.
The Idiots Lantern isnt all that much better either. It looks like all the characters noses are trying to burst out from those featureless faces. The Wire may be one of the more well portrayed aliens of the series, but that alone doesnt stop this story from not being all that original. And its not nice when youre glad that Rose is silent and faceless for the bulk of the episode, because her character is so catty that its a relief to be reprieved from her having speech. And the characters here all seem just that little bit over the top and melodramatic. Yes, this story is better than the two part cyber tale, but not much better. Overall these three stories come as such a dissappointment.
| What: | Series 2 Volume 1: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
Every other Doctor had a good story to start with. They all immediately got deep into the role of the Time Lord, and immediately were a big part of the action. So for me, The Christmas Invasion just doesnt work at all im afraid. To have David sidelined and lying in bed may be reminiscent of Jon Pertwees debut, but at least Jon got to do some good stuff before the end of Spearhead from Space. A single sword fight doesnt save the Doc from seeming to be just a spare part, almost a secondary character. And Rose's attitude to the Doctor here doesnt warm me up either. Just shut up and get on with it. Even the Sycorax design isnt particularly blindingly brilliant. This is one of those new series instances where they just dont convince, and its clear they are all just costumes. David really deserved a better debut than this. About the only good scene is when half the population stand right on the end of the roof, but thats just one scene. A very boring and bland debut. It doesnt help either when the Daddy Christmasses are more memorable than the sycorax!
New Earth is funny and engaging. Russell T Davies witty little script sparkles. And at last we get to the heart of the character of Cassandra, who wants to escape her skin prison. Funny that she was the one that made herself like this. I thought flatness was beautiful last time? But aside from this one slip, this story is brilliant. Shes probably finally realised that being just a trampoline doesnt aid mobility all that much! The Cat nurses are a good race of aliens, devious and totally unscrupulous. And Billie's acting here for once doesnt annoy me. As shes basically someone else for the whole story, and that is a relief for me. And David Tennant finally gets to lead and show us what a good Doctor he can be. And the ending of this story is good, touching and light. This lifts the series up a bit, as most of the rest of this season is totally forgettable and stagnated. Old Doctor Who was NEVER as up and down as the new series has been.
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| Only one jewel amid the rough... |
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| What: | Series 2 Volume 2: (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Saturday 9 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
Tooth And Claw brings nothing new to the mythos of werewolves. This story is actually hardly even scary. its stilted and boring and Id rather watch paint dry than carry on watching this. And the Doctor's rather course and very out of character remark about the Elephant man was for me very offensive and unnecessary. And above all else very out of character for someone who usually sides with the underdog. The werewolf isnt even all that impressive either, and the character of Queen Victoria may be spot on, pity about her treatment of the Doctor at the end. And a real shame about the totally over the top final scene. If this is Doctor Who trying to be funny it doesnt succeed at all. And for once, not even David Tennant saves this. And Rose is as annoying a character as ever. Sorry, but the old classic series was never as tedious as this.
School Reunion is maybe a little bit better. But this is mainly due to the appearance of Li Sladen as Sarah Jane Smith. Although the bbc team seem to have forgotten that Sarah met the doctor again after being left in that street at the end of the Hand of Fear, so that pretty hefty discontinuity and I hate it. Considering the heads of these serials claimed to have looked closely at all the happenings in Doctor Who history. This is nothing brilliant, its just more watchable than Tooth and Claw. And Anthony Head's character seems so wasted here. His part isnt big enough. Another let down overall with a frankly absurd central plot with an idiotic Skasus Paradigm. To think that a code could write the universe. As if man.
The only jewel here is the brilliant The Girl In the Fireplace. This is a Doctor Who story that really shines. The characters are all very well realised and brought to life. Madam de Pompadour is one of my favourite new series characters. The sadness of the Time Lord at the conclusion of this tale is excellently done by David, and finally he really has a decent story to get his teeth into. The bits of bodies littered through the ship is unsettling and slightly sick, and original too. At least the first David Tennant series is going somewhere in the right direction. And even Rose isnt quite as annoying or mouthy as she usually is, which for me is a big relief. I liked Billie Piper for one or two episodes and this is one of those rarities. Maybe the only slight quibble with this story is Noel as Mickey, he seems to be sidelined with no decent involvement in the plot as a whole. But the design work too here is excellent, and the clock work robots really are incredible looking. Pity this story is the only one of note in this three story dvd. Sad.
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| "Woo hoo! Woo hoo Wo ho ho ho!!" |
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| What: | The Invasion (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 7 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Invasion is one of those extraordinary stories that works well on so many different levels. The whole production is seemlessly polished and very well presented. The acting is of a very very high calibre indeed, indeed some of the finest acting in the series. Kevin Stoney as Vaughan is a revelation. The man just exudes menace and charm in equal amounts. He has his quiet moments too, so the character is not just a run of the mill characature villain. And Packer as his sadistic underling is wonderfully portrayed by Peter Halliday. These two work so well together on screen its almost like a Rob Holmes duo all over again.
And dont even get me started on the brilliant Pat Troughton. "Well thats simple Jamie, we get squashed" is a line that always cracks me up. And that cyberman falling off the roof may well be just a suit but boy, that booinng still gives me stitches. But the best bit is Pat's wonderful dancing to escape the cyberman firing on him. That is the single best bit of comic input by an actor themselves that Ive ever witnessed.
And we get a very good double set of animated episodes! What an absolutely awesome idea! And just add to this the brilliant music score by Don Harper and you have all the ingredients of an all time classic story...
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| A tiny bit less than enthralling... |
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| What: | The Ice Warriors (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 7 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 5 |
The fact that for the bulk of the story the Ice Warriors do little other than bully Victoria like lily livered hard nuts, and shoot one man. Well, it just doesnt really make for a totally awesome and brilliant tale. Whilst all the warriors may possess characters that are defined properly for once, in all other respects this is weak.
And thats a shame when one sees the cast list for this story. Because all the human cast are excellent. The sparks between Clent and Penley are amusing and some golden dialogue emerges from these two characters mouths.
Also though, the fact that aside from episode one nothing major happens to the glacier is hard to believe. What with Varga cutting such big holes out of it to his warriors!!! Flipping silly stuff. The snow mountain surely would have wobbled at least a little bit.
Pat Troughton again gives a brilliant performance though, with his hating of computers in the Doctor's mind coming through on screen very well indeed. And poor Frazer doesnt get too much to do either though. And to top it all off, Victoria is told to go back to the TARDIS half way through the last part!! Really nice! And Id like to know how the Doctor and co got the TARDIS back up properly when they arrived and toppled over...
So altogether, the Ice Warriors werent really needed for this story. Whilst their design is formidably brilliant and memorable, their standing around being bossy green prats isnt. The human characters are all that save this, and even then theres a few who dont get to really shine....
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| Not too long at all mate... |
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| What: | Marco Polo (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 7 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
When Doctor Who premiered, it must have been quite a revelation. I will give the production team of that time their full due, at least they had the sense to let historical stories come thick and fast and brilliantly. They had a show which was so memorable back then not just for the Daleks and the sci-fi, but also for shows very tightly done and brilliantly realised. For me, Will Hartnell's historicals are some of the very finest shows in Doctor Who history. We got so many in his time, and for me this was never ever a bad thing. When I first watched Doctor Who i thought all the monsters were brilliant and some highly original, but most of the sci fi is not too high on emotion or character definition. But character definition is highly rife through these brilliant Will Hartnell historicals. Not only are the supporting cast of an excellent calibre, but the main cast members are at their peak, acting to perfection whatever story comes along. The first line up of the series remains for me one of the very strongest ever. They beat Rose into a copped hat to say the very least.
Marco Polo is the story for me where all the characters come into their own. Ping Cho and Susan's friendship for a start is awesomely done, realised to the full. It feels like one that really is believable and firm, and one wouldnt have been surprised if Susan had decided to stay with her too, but no, she went off with that wet fish David instead. But one cant always have everything. The plot threads these two alone share within the story are brilliant and make the tale shine. Then we come to Derren Nesbitt as Tegana, as fine a portrayal of a Who nasty as I have ever seen, devious and cunning and totally without scruples of any kind. And yet still his presentation is 3D, and very believable.
And the fact that the story is literally narrated by Marco Polo is an innovative and different approach that sadly was to never be contemplated again. The journey to Cathay is long and arduous and perilous. This story feels far more like a film than a tv serial. It is that good. The sand storm and fights along the way seem very well directed too, Waris Hussein really does his utmost to bring the whole thing alive off the page. And the sets are of a very high standard indeed. One grips the feel that this is ancient China in almost every aspect. And just to top it all off, William Russell's narration is informative and very well delivered all along the way.
I lament the notion to end pure historical tales in Doctor Who, Im glad Big Finish at least had the sense to do them in audio format. But woe to the BBC, what shortsightedness. Especially when they originally came out with The Massacre, The Reign of Terror, the Aztecs, The Highlanders, The Smugglers, The Gunfighters and Marco Polo....
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| NOT BRILLIANT, BUT NOT TERRIBLE.... |
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| What: | The Savages (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 7 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
This story does have a lot going for it. Peter Purves for one gets to bow out in very fine style, remaining to be a leader for the elders and savages. He always was a good and solid companion, an excellent lead on from the brilliant William Russell as Ian. But in some instances Peter was right in saying the character brief he had been given at the start wasnt always realised well, but at least here in his last story he gets a grand exit that is believable and memorable all at once.
The plot again is simple and easy to get your head round, and it is quite well presented. The labratory use and the effects on the female savage are particularly well done. One can feel the deep impact this evil machine has had on the savaged just through her. But with all the other rather blandly charecterised savages it falls badly, and isnt quite so readily believable. Its like only the female savage has anything nearing real fear of the Elders in the perfect city. And with regards to the Elders too, only Jano has a resounding voice and the others are barely even noticeable in audio format. Flower may also be a bit better charecterised than the rest, and for once its good to see Jackie Lane really getting her teeth into the action for once and wandering off and having a mind of her own.
And from the limited shots of footage still available from this story, it is obviously one with very good production values too. The scenery looks very realistic. The story also keeps to a steady but not bland rate.
Jano's absorbtion of the Doctor's essence though is a very potent and strong element in this tale. And as he is embued with the Doctor's moral centre, he becomes an even stronger character than when we first meet him. Frederick Jaeger does an excellent job in presenting Jano as a not totally evil, but just misguided man. His change around at the climax of the story is also well handled.
Steven's farewell to the Doctor and Dodo rounds the tale off a high note, although as I said the poor charecterisation of the other savages somehow lets the story down a bit in some areas. But despite this, the story is still a very enjoyable and very moral tale too. A lot better than Pyramids of Mars and The Brain of Morbius for a start, thats a dead cert.....
William Hartnell deserves to be far better remembered for the great character he brought to our screens first. If you want to see him at his moralising best, then this is one of the stories to start off with....
The Hollows of Time gives us more quirk from Christopher Bidmead. This time around, it's just kind of strange and pretty boring. At important points, including the episode 1 ending cliffhanger and the buildup of the story around the midpoint of episode 2, I really had no idea what was going on. Something about a car that merges with the TARDIS and shoots the Doctor out into space, and trippy but mundane time corridors. Most of this story takes place in a boring little village, and features elements like a fake 11-year-old boy (played mostly well, but perturbingly, by Susan Sheridan), a hokey mechanical turtle, and tractators that can now create their own time corridors (huh?).
This story often has a feel to it similar to the whimsy of the old Fourth Doctor lost story, Shada, all professors and wild technobabble and so on. At the same time, though, there is some good dialog, mostly from the Doctor, well-delivered by Colin Baker, who gives this one his best effort.
The character Professor Stream was originally to be the Master (Stream is an anagram of Master and vice versa), presumably to be played by Anthony Ainley. Adding this in just serves to further confuse what was already a very strangely ambiguous, gloppy story.
| What: | The Abominable Snowmen (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 3 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
Where this story fails is in its climax. Somehow i just cant see the muttering of chants and the breaking of a pyramid banishing the so powerful great intelligence from Earth. The Web of Fear had a far more believable and memorable ending. Here credulity is stretched to the limit ann snaps like a broken elastic band for me.
This is sad as the build up to this anti climax is very compelling indeed. The design of the yeti is excellent, and all the actors get their teeth into their roles along the way. Especially Jack Watling. And the setting in Wales used for Tibet is breathtakingly shot. And for once it actually appears cold and unforgiving. The characters interplay is also well cemented. Just sad about the abismal inept ending. One of the very few weaker Pat tales.
| What: | The Celestial Toymaker (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 3 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The Celstial Toymaker is clearly a departure from the norm for Doctor Who. But it is a departure that works very well indeed. ALthough it is very sad indeed that only the final episode is remaining in the visual cannon, you can catch the scale of the story from Peter Purves delivery of the very well written narration.
Michael Gough as well is very well cast as the Toymaker. His mix of charm and menace is completely spot on. The games he devises too are nasty and baffling. And the characters of the cards and the dolls and Cyril all make for a really creepy outting for the Doctor and the TARDIS crew.
The costume design too appears of a very high standard indeed. The clowns especially are rather unsettling and this makes for many memorable scenes. Whilst the constant game playing might for some be repetitive, for me it is nothing of the kind.
Its just sad that William Hartnell was getting so ill later on in his career in Doctor Who. It is more evident than usual, his absence from the bulk of the story here. And whilst his speaking double does a reasonable enough job at impersonating William, he is no William Hartnell. But its good he is back even just for the last episode. His usual presence is marked and brilliant. And his defeat of the toymaker is original and funny. This story deserves all the praise it gets. Overall it is never short of entertaining and creepy.
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| Another story that suffers... |
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| What: | The Myth Makers (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 3 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
What worries me here is the Doctor seems to be on the wrong side. The camp of troy is the one under seige, and yet here the Doc is, giving the greeks the idea of attack! And this then leads to the slaughter of the Trojans. Most remiss of Donald Cotton. The Doctor doesnt usually help the idiots!!! This is a very major failing in this story for me. The only hint we ever get of the true loathing of evil by the good Doc is his timid lambasting of the leader of the raid on Troy.
Yes, again this is a story that has one major fault that lets it down, for in all other ways this story is engaging and memorable. Maureen O Brien seems to give her swansong all the gusto within her. It is her here who takes on the mantle of the real moralist, as the Doc seems to be having a bad off day. And the introduction of Katarina at the end is a surprise and not a mistake. It would have been so much nicer if she had lasted longer than just two stories. She was played to perfection by Adrienne Hill. She was compassionate, brave and trustworthy, all the best ingredients of a companion. What were the BBC thinking in only keeping her on for so short a time?
And the cast is of a very high order indeed. The characters are all well characterised and believable, all except the Doctor, even if he is mistaken for a God.
And again Peter Purves shines, given more to do as with the Massacre. And I imagine the wooden horse was actually quite a great design for the BBC at the time. But its still the Doctor's oh so different stance within this tale that is the most tainiting and damaging thing about it...Sad again.
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| Somehow rather confused.... |
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| What: | Galaxy 4 (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 3 October 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
The main problem with Galxy Four is the Chumblies portrayed in the way they are. If they are supposedly servants of the peaceful Rills, then why do they act so uncharitable to the crew of the TARDIS, and why try to blow up the TARDIS in episode two? I really dont get the point of this if the Rills are the peaceful race they claim to be. If it werent for this woeful portrayal that contradicts the Rills pleas of pacifism, then this would have been a far far better story. They could have just ordered the chumblies to bring the crew to their shipw without the threat of firepower.
For on the other hand, the characterisation of the drahvins is spot on. Maaga is as good a female baddie as the series ever put out. Her treatment of her test tube underlings is brash and callous and nasty. Her character is well thought out and approached with relish by the actress.
And also, the TARDIS crew are all on top form. William Hartnell gives his usual abrasive but charming portrayal of the central character. Peter Purves is excellent, and is really gelling with Maureen O'Brien. They bounce off each other so very well indeed. And the Chumblie and Rill design is excellent too. Just such a shame about the woeful contradiction inherent in this story. Otherwise this would have been another 10 out of 10. Sad.
