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 | An excellent piece of history.... |
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These series of books are wonderfully in depth and informative. There is a great deal of insight into the making of the periods of Doctor Who. For a real fan of this series these books are invaluable.
The Doctor in his own words is particularly interesting, in getting a feel of what the lead actor in the role thought of all the different aspects of the programme.
The only thing of course is I dont necessarily agree with the views of the writers on a lot of these stories. But we are meant to be different. Otherwise this book as Ive already made clear is a brilliant guide to the First Doctor.
| What: | The Creature from the Pit (BBC classic series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: |   9 |
So very often was the case of Doctor Who, that with most of the productions only one single element lets it down. And it truly is the case from the Creature from the Pit.
The story itself is excellent. But the huge tent of Erato is totally stupid. But it just so happens that I dont really care all that much about Erato. So he's very bad indeed, but thats whats so lovable about Doctor Who.
Aside from Erato, this story is one of the best of Tom's time. His wit and humour are to the fore once more as with the rest of season seventeen, but this is by no means a bad thing. At times in the Phil Hinchcliffe reign the Doctor became far too serious. So there was actually at last a balance.
And then we come to Myra Francis. One of the best women to have ever graced Doctor Who. She is so delightfully over the top and camp. She just steals every scene shes in.
And that group of morons are so brilliant. I love the woeful fall into unconciousness by the leader, as if he's thinking Oh Ive just been stunned, so Ill just sit on the floor!!! These apparent blunders can be so enjoyable to watch.
And the sets are very realistic. The jungle has to be the best of the jungles to ever appear on Doctor Who. (Meglos could have been better.) In the same vein of brilliance as Roger Murray Leach's jungle on Planet Of Evil.
And Tom and Lalla work so well together. They spark off each other nicely. David Brierly comes in for John Leeson, and somehow isnt quite as nice as K9. But he does a good job.
And one has to mention Geoffery Bayldon too. He plays the silly astrologer very well indeed. So, all in all, not the worst of Doctor Who stories....
| What: | The Faceless Ones (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
Jamie was finally brought to the fore of companion action with this story. He had his own lines instead of nicking some intended for the other members of the cast in the three previous stories. Frazer does a great job at making Jamie at last a real and brilliant character. His scenes with Pauline are just the tip of the iceberg in what is a really well thought out and subtley different knid of Doctor Who story.
The plot is different too. And is not as fanciful or stupid as I have seen a lot of people write about this story. The Chameleons are very well portrayed indeed. So soulless and also very well realised. They do indeed look rather sad with their mushy faces.
And the pace of the story is neither too fast or too slow, it unfolds at a good pace, keeping the interest throughout. And again Patrick Troughton shines.
But Ben and Polly fade out of the story rather quickly. A shame, as they were both so well brought to life by Mike and Anneke. It would have been nice to see them a bit longer. But they say good things come to an end. (Only one thing doesnt)
This is a neat story, with good characterisation yet again. The airport commandant is typically a sceptic that became a sore vein through many of the later stories, but here he is a memorable and likeable character.
Doctor Who with Pat in the lead was always brilliant, and is well displayed in this great early story from his first season!
| What: | The Moonbase (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
"There are some corners of the universe which have bred the most terrible things, things which act against everything that we believe in, they must be fought"
So says the Doctor in this so nearly perfect story. This is one of the plethora of brilliant lines that Pat was allowed to speak during his time as the Doctor. This story is all claustrophobia and convincing action and is only let down by one thing in my opinion.
The only thing that lets it down is the clear obvious plothole of "We are in it already", the line said by the Cybermen just before they blow a hole in the base. If they are in it already, then why are the Doc and everyone so uplifted when the cybermen are shot off into space? Surely the few inside would still be a very major problem...maybe a plot hole left open for the sequel that never came!!!
But aside from this little nag this story is brilliant. Once again it is cramped and claustro, due to the limitations of the budget. But the moonbase outdoor scenes seem very realistic indeed. With all the craters and everything along the way. And the newly designed Cybermen are highly impressive. The Borg are just tepid retreads in Star Trek of these classiest of monsters.
And the score is affecting and menacing, even if it is one that has been sampled in stories previous to this one.
I like to see Polly coming up with the thought of throwing the cocktail into the cybermen's chest units. She is a lot stronger a character than seems to be often remembered. Anneke's portrayal is brilliant.
Morris Barry directs this story very well indeed, the menace is brought to the fore right from the word go. And once the cybermen appear in full force, they are in it for a decent amount of time too.
And the thought of the gravitron is very original and intriguing idea. Who knows if this could happen in the far future? I doubt it. We've harmed this planet far too much already to start fiddling about with the weather more than we already have anyway.
And Jamie's incapacity to me is a strength. Listening to the audio, you can think he's hurt himself much more than we think. And the phantom piper is not a stupid line of speech. People back in far history were highly superstitious, so this just adds to the realism of the tale. Nearly spotless. A very good cyberman story.
| What: | The Moonbase (Vinyl Who TV audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
"There are some corners of the universe which have bred the most terrible things, things which act against everything that we believe in, they must be fought"
So says the Doctor in this so nearly perfect story. This is one of the plethora of brilliant lines that Pat was allowed to speak during his time as the Doctor. This story is all claustrophobia and convincing action and is only let down by one thing in my opinion.
The only thing that lets it down is the clear obvious plothole of "We are in it already", the line said by the Cybermen just before they blow a hole in the base. If they are in it already, then why are the Doc and everyone so uplifted when the cybermen are shot off into space? Surely the few inside would still be a very major problem...maybe a plot hole left open for the sequel that never came!!!
But aside from this little nag this story is brilliant. Once again it is cramped and claustro, due to the limitations of the budget. But the moonbase outdoor scenes seem very realistic indeed. With all the craters and everything along the way. And the newly designed Cybermen are highly impressive. The Borg are just tepid retreads in Star Trek of these classiest of monsters.
And the score is affecting and menacing, even if it is one that has been sampled in stories previous to this one.
I like to see Polly coming up with the thought of throwing the cocktail into the cybermen's chest units. She is a lot stronger a character than seems to be often remembered. Anneke's portrayal is brilliant.
Morris Barry directs this story very well indeed, the menace is brought to the fore right from the word go. And once the cybermen appear in full force, they are in it for a decent amount of time too.
And the thought of the gravitron is very original and intriguing idea. Who knows if this could happen in the far future? I doubt it. We've harmed this planet far too much already to start fiddling about with the weather more than we already have anyway.
And Jamie's incapacity to me is a strength. Listening to the audio, you can think he's hurt himself much more than we think. And the phantom piper is not a stupid line of speech. People back in far history were highly superstitious, so this just adds to the realism of the tale. Nearly spotless. A very good cyberman story.
| What: | The Power of the Daleks (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
First of all let me say there was never anything wrong with William Hartnell as the doctor. He was an excellent actor who brought much to the role of the Doctor. He was brash and sensitive, comedic at times but not quite as much as his lead on when he had to bow out due to his poor health. And it is sad that he is not with us any longer. He after all got Doctor Who off to a flying and highly memorable start.
But for me, Pat Troughton just cant be beat for what he brought to the role of the Doctor. Going for a totally different approach could have failed abismally, but it is due to his acting prowess that it didnt. Pat came along with such energy and enthusiasm that clearly shows itself right from the word go. He doesnt sound like someone who has just started playing the part here, he sounds like he's been doing it for years and years and years.
And this story is highly recommended for many other reasons too. The characters are very well presented and acted, adding a sense of realism to the tale. And the daleks here are far more deep than the daleks of William's time on the show. Here they are manipualtive and devious, yet will anyone pay heed to the Doctor's words? Do they ever?! Until its far too late.
Lesterson is a thoroughly real and totally brilliant character, wonderfully portrayed, going from assured loud mouth to quivvering wreck when he sees the real truth of the daleks who are slowly mass producing themselves.
Bernard Archard also impresses just as much as he does in Pyramids Of Mars. Assured and totally nasty character.
But as I said before, it is Pat that makes the story. In replying to Ben in an amusing scene with just toots on his recorder, just brings the show more alive and makes it all the more interesting for it.
Anneke and Michael are also involved for once properly in the scheme of things, and get a bit more to do than in later stories. Reminds me why their characters are so solid and likeable. They just gel so well too with Pat. They make a great team.
Yes, im sorry but I just cant say enough about this excellent start to Pat's time as the doctor. A classy era indeed!
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| Far better than loads of others!!!!! |
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| What: | The Highlanders (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
I must say I totally disagree with Doug, but he is certainly allowed his own opinion!!! We are all different and itd be a boring world if we were all uniform like the cybermen wouldnt it?
I have to say this is a cracking good piece of light relief after the hard sci fi of The Power of the Daleks.
Patrick Troughton is on excellent form, and although he doesnt really take part in the bulk of the action, he does amusingly dress up and act his socks off to very great effect. This is one of my favourite storys of Pat's.
I love his old woman! It had me in fits the first time i heard it. It prooves what a great actor he was and it truly is sad that he is no longer with us now.
And Polly gets a lot more to do than just scream for once. Shes gets a meaty part, and is strong and decisive and even manages to overpower Ffinch, I like the series when it gives the women far more stronger roles rather than just screaming all the time, although it does at times have its place.
And this story also introduced Jamie, wonderfully brought to life by Frazer Hines. he is by far my favourite companion so far. Although its amusing to hear that after his strong accent in this, he goes down to a far more english scots vocal after this story!! But after all, one of the most charming things about Doctor Who is its discontinuity and flaws. Its just plain good television.
And there are a good amount of horrible scenes too, like the hanging and the running through of the redcoat right at the beginning of the tale. Its so sad that none of this story survives. Its a real pain in the butt.
The history may not be 100% right, but the entertaining value of this gem of a tale can not be denied.
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| Deserving of the title... |
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| What: | The Web of Fear (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 8 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
The Web of Fear is one of the few Doctor Who stories that by hearing and seeing the first part I can quite believe deserves its classic status.
The yeti here have been updated to become far less cuddly and much more menacing. Those glowing eyes are eerie and frightening to say the least. It really is sad that only episode 1 exists though.
The Action scenes sound like they were very well done indeed.
And then we have Jack Watling back again, made up well to look thirty years older. He is such a wonderful character, and he gels well with Patrick and the rest of the crew.
And the ending to this story is totally surprising. But I wont give too much away but say this is well worth the getting. Far more worth getting this than most of the new series at least anyway.
This story has it all: a great amount of yeti sequences, a good followable plot, and great performances from all involved in the making of this story.
| What: | Series 5: Volume 4 (BBC new series DVDs/Blu-rays) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Tuesday 7 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
Vincent And The Doctor is a highly entertaining and original episode of Doctor Who and was a joy to watch. The characters are all likeable, even the blind alien who is killed accidentally at the end which makes for a sadder ending than usual. A really well made pseudo historical which buckled this buckling series up somewhat for me.
The Lodger is also a totally different piece of Doctor Who. With more focus on characters than just the nonsense sci fi bits of the story to follow. This again started to reignite my somewhat mixed view of this series as a whole. Again the characters were likeable and we got to see Matt play a bit of footie!
Pity it had to end with such a monumental, confused, eclectic and frankly pathetic piece of garabge that I found frankly impossible to understand. The worst piece of Doctor Who ever it has to be said. Incomprehensible to the extreme. The plot threads just dont go together....thats why the new series cant match the old series...even the worst of them were more understandable than this pile of rubbish....
| What: | The Fires of Vulcan (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Andrew Shaw, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Monday 6 September 2010 |
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| Rating: | 7 |
in this story I thought Mcyoy as 7th Dr gave up to easily on himself and Mel should have known to get into character as somebody from pompeii because she could have give the game away throughout but otherwise that an OK historical story
Changing the format of introducing a companion is bold but did it work? If the doctor hadn't walk away with a new companion I think I would have enjoyed it more. However situation vacant is an entertaining and fast passed story with some good humour and a little laugh at the doctor who format itself.
Feeling unsure about the final outcome, I'm looking forward to a clever subplot or twist that will bring his new partner to life.
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| The End... The Final end... for Target |
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| What: | The Evil of the Daleks (Target novelisations) |
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| By: | JG, Gallifrey, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 26 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
The Target Books Series goes out with a bang, 'The Evil of the Daleks', the characters, the scenes, the Dalek Emperor, Great book, great ending.
P.S. Yes I know there is another book after this, but this is the last novelised TV story.
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| My 1st, but certainly not last DW Audio! |
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The only Doctor Who CD I had bought before this was the soundtrack of 'The Daleks' Master Plan'. Granted, a great story, but unfortunately this epic deserves the visuals it will probably never have. As the video is gone, this novelisation reading is the next best thing, and by god it's good!
Peter Purves and Jean Marsh read the book expertly, with the former pulling off the action sequences superbly and the latter giving a chilling representation of the more dramatic chapters.
The other masterstroke of this audio is casting Nicholas Briggs to do the Dalek voices; it adds a great sense of realism to the piece.
Plaudits must also go to John Peel for novelising the story brilliantly - roll on 'The Mutation of Time'...
| What: | The Forgotten Army (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Thursday 19 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 6 |
I have loved the first to books in the 11th Doctor series, so i had huge expectations for this one (maybe that was the problem). Unfortuanatly I really didn't like this one.
The plot was very silly, and the constant amount of sarcasm between the Dr and Amy was great the first few times but after a while just started to get on my nerves. The police and NYPD Commander Jackie Stebbins I didn't care about and if they were all wiped out it wouldn't have worred me.
What i did like thoe was there were a lot of referances to the tv series, particaly the Dalek 2 parter set in New York when Tennent was the Dr. And I particualy loved the referance to Torchwood - Children of Earth.
This book was ok, there was enought in it to keep me reading and I did want to know what happened next. I will put this in the same pile as Sting of the Zygons, and Love and War (new adventure novel) - ok i've read it, now it will be on my bookshelf gathering dust.
| What: | Blue Box Boy (Cast biographies) |
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| By: | Trevor Smith, Nottingham, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Thursday 19 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
This really is a wonderful, witty unputdownable book. I can not recommended it highly enough. And it makes no difference whether you are/where a fan of Adric or not.
| What: | The Space Pirates (TV episode audio soundtracks) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Wednesday 18 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 10 |
It really is sad that the bbc saw fit to demolish some of the best Doctor Who stories in the universe back in the sixties and seventies. It is especially sad when a story as good as the Space Pirates is a casualty of that rather stupid decision made by those chaps.
This story has plenty to keep one hooked and plenty of brilliant acting by all of those involved. Caven is the typical brilliant Rob Holmes Jerkoff, a real nasty piece of work with some brilliant lines.
The crew of V41 LO are all brillaint too. The scenes between Milo and these guys are particularly funny and memorable.
But I love the character of Madeleine Issigri the best. A real pity she couldnt have become a companion. She may have been a little devious but she was brilliantly emotional which is rare for this period of Doctor Who. Its believable in her scenes when Caven reveals that her Daddy is actually alive, if not very well after all. What a manipulative moron. One of the best in this season of Doctor Who.
Is it alright if i blow my nose or is that another offence is one of the classic brilliant lines written for a Doctor Who character. And the peril, particularly in episode two is very well acted by Pat and the gang.
This story is all that I love about Doctor Who and Pat's time in particular. This is not boring and uninspiring, in fact for me itis anything but.
The six episodes just fly by, and dont drag on forever like many a six parter seems to in Doctor Who. Well cool story. Pity like I said that it is no longer available in its entirety on video. A real tragedy....
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| Im going to start a Slipstream fan club! |
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| What: | Night of the Humans (BBC New Series Adventures novels) |
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| By: | C G Harwood, Dunedin, NZ, New Zealand |
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| Date: | Sunday 15 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 8 |
This book has done something to me that no other Dr Who book has done. I was actully worryed for the Doctor. When he was standing on the plank about to go for an acid swim i generally feared for his life. Also when they were running for the TARDIS, I was yelling 'SHUT UP AND RUN!!!'. Then when it dematerilises and they were safe - WOW there is still 40 pages to go.
the whole book is based around a huge junk yard in space that is colecting all the rubbish that is out there, which i thort was a really good idea for a setting and you really get a feel for the horrible, hostile enviroment in Llewellyn's writing. Also I loved the sollogs, would love to see them again.
And I loved the way they used a real comet name for the one that was about to hit them. The writing of this book is so good that you really get a since that time is running out, and when the small bits a comet start raining down, you can really see it hitting the surface and exploding in your mind.
But the one caractor that did it for me was Dirk Slipstream. He was fantastic, and even thoe he was killed at the end (However all we hear is a scream and gun fire, so he could get out of it) I would love to see him again. He reminded me a lot of Sabalon Glitz from the classic series - only a little more nasty.
Deffenitly a good read (especialy the last 80 pages). Not as good as Apolo 23, but the first two Matt Smith novels have been of a very high standared.
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| Harry Sullivan is an imbecile! |
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One has to say that Revenge of the Cybermen has gained so much flack over the years for being a stupid comeback from the silver giants from Mondas, but I have to wholeheartedly disagree now.
True, not so long ago even I didnt like this story a whole lot. But upon watching it on DVD after all these years, I wondered why I hadnt liked it originally. There is quite a good amount of brilliant material on show here and I will list it.
The first thing is Tom Baker's humour. Clearly he appears to be having a great time as he finally sinks his teeth into the role of the Doctor. This story is literally littered with brillaint gems of dialogue. He really reminds me how good he was as the Doctor in this story.
The second is the slightly more emotional cybermen. Maybe their conditioning isnt 100% as they appear to be easily angered and riled, and never before or since has a cybermen had a farewell line to the Doctor like Chris Robbie has in this, totally human and nothing else. So quite uncharacteristic. They still do own emotions, they just dont want to admit it. But this is a good thing. Simply going around converting all over the place does become rather tepid and boring in the end.
And then there are the fantastic location scenes, shot in Wookey Hole. They really are atmospheric and believable. Dark and watery and very alien looking. And the gold actually looks like gold...
And to top it all off the acting is high standard. From all of the cast including the vogans. David Collings and Kevin Stoney work together really well.
And it was humans who looted voga of its gold....perhaps the vogans didnt truly realise how lethal gold was to the cybermen....but otherwise the plot is very stable and gos along nicely all the way.
And then we come to Silver Nemesis.
Im sure that (if you watch the Industrial action extras) if the Doctor somehow was God then he would not have said since life crawled out of the sea, he would have said since I raised them from the dust wouldnt he? So that rather silly plot thread is better for its absence from the final story, and John Nathan Turner showed good sense in not allowing this viewpoint to truly manifest in this script. Good man indeed.
Aside from that, the story is so enjoyable and funny and entertaining. It again boasts the excellent fact that the Cybermen do more than just convert people yet again. This time they, like the neo nazis and Lady Peinforte are after the Nemesis, a statue made out of valedium, a living metal. The fight scenes in this story are some of the most impressive ever in the history of Doctor Who. Both the nazi-cyber fight and the Ace scenes with Ace towards the end of the story!
And Sylv is rather like Tom with this story, really finally getting his teeth into the role and coming up trumps with brilliant acting and charisma.
But one has to say it is the humour of this tale that is at the fore. "They will eat us" still cracks me up to this day every time I see it. And though my Dad thinks the chess castling scene with the Cybermen makes them look stupid, I think it is flipping funny!!!
But this story does bring the mystery back to the character of the Doctor. Leaving it open to debate was a good idea....he is half human...and what else more is to come? I dont know. I just hope they continue to make stories as good as these two stories for a long time to come...or at least for another 3 years til the shows fiftieth anniversary...it really doesnt seem possible...
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| What a brilliant story... |
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| What: | Legend of the Cybermen (Big Finish: The Monthly Adventures) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 15 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
At last...a cyberman story with a difference.
I can think of no better thing than a sequel to the brilliant Mind Robber all those years ago when dear old Pat was the Doc and time travelling was exhilerating and fun and scary all at the same time. And as a sequel to that masterful story, this story also succeeds admirably.
It is good to have a plot invloving cybermen when they are doing more than simply converting people. This time they are after the master brain!
And what brilliant twists and turns there are all along the way in this tale. Jamie not being real as the big reveal at the end of episode two is quite brilliantly done and scripted, and rather saddening. It adds a dark overtone to this trilogy of Colin Baker stories.
And when the good old Doc finally gets Zoe away from the Land of Fiction and she loses her memory once more, it really is a sad end to the series.
And to hear the toy soldiers clunking along again! What nostalgic brilliance. And that creepy void echo is back again. A real otherworldy score which definitely chills one to the bone.
I have only one complaint about this story: The white robot sound isnt the same!!! What a felony! But one cant have everything and maybe Big finish wanted to put there own touch onto these classic robots. After all, they have been updated I suppose. This is one of the strongest Doctor Who audio tales since No Man's Land....Brilliant stuff!
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| Pretty flipping good to be honest... |
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| What: | The Day of the Daleks (BBC classic series videos) |
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| By: | Matthew David Rabjohns, Bridgend, United Kingdom |
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| Date: | Sunday 15 August 2010 |
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| Rating: | 9 |
If the Dakeks had totally conquered the earth in the 22nd century, then actually they probably wouldnt need to go about exterminating everything. They are simply shown realistically as rulers, which is what they have become. With 7 8ths of the worlds population destroyed and all that!!!! They still convey menace and alienness in this story, their presence is not belittled or wasted. They are just totally self assured of their victory over the earth and time that they become careless. Nothing too unbelievable there.
And I cant believe that neither Jon or Katy particularly liked this story, when it is perhaps one of the strongest stories of the whole of Jon Pertwee's time as the Doctor. It has very good acting moments, good amounts of action. Very good desisgn, especially with the Ogrons, a very convincing alien for once.
And the paradox is very well unravelled and portrayed. Jon's acting is as usual brilliant and commanding. He truly was excellent as the Doctor in his time.
The ending may not have been the absolute million dollar action packed finale some had hoped for, but unlike many scenes of Doctor Who it is still competent and believable, and not quite as bad as all that. This really is a story packed with good vinatge DOCTOR WHO.
Oh, and i dont see how it could be many other aliens in Who that could have been the villain in this piece. Well, at least not the Cybermen, as they would have converted, and not exterminated almost everyone....absolute Doctor Who gold!!!!
