The regulars -
Galaxy 4 written by William Emms and directed by Derek Martinus
TO BE REVIEWED...
Mission to the Unknown written by Terry Nation and directed by Douglas Camfield
Result: Mission to the Unknown is the only time classic Doctor Who attempted a half an hour prelude to later adventure and what a trailer it turns out to be! This is a dramatic, appetite whetting teaser that manages to hold your attention for its running time without a peep from the regulars. Given it doesn’t have any recognisable Doctor Who elements (the Daleks aside) this could be a pilot for a Doctor-less Dalek series and it certainly looks like it would be a series worth watching. Camfield makes sure everything ticks over with real punch and the episode builds to an unforgettable climax that left me desperately wanting to listen to the whole of Masterplan to find out how it all plays out. This is very season three; wildly experimental, desperate and tonally right on the nail. The show simply gets better and better: 8/10
Full Review Here - http://docohobigfinish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/mission-to-unknown-written-by-terry.html
The Myth Makers written by Donald Cotton and directed by Michael Leeston-Smith
TO BE REVIEWED...
The Daleks’ Masterplan written by Terry Nation & Dennis Spooner and directed by Douglas Camfield
Result: The first four and the last two episodes of The Daleks’ Masterplan constitute some of the most powerful and exciting material in the whole of the black and white era. The story is treated with such gravity and seriousness and there is a real sense of desperation to the situation that the Doctor and Steven have found themselves in. The running theme of the story is pretty much the same as The Chase except the Daleks have a good reason for pursuing the travellers throughout all time and space…and the material is top quality rather than bottom of the barrel. Even the less successful episodes (two of our remaining three unfortunately qualify) have many moments of charm and lovely visual touches from virtuoso director Douglas Camfield as to leave the previous two Dalek epics in the dirt. Both the reappearance of the Monk and the delightfully bonkers Christmas episode provide some levity and the trip back to ancient Egypt means that this story pretty much encapsulates everything that makes Doctor Who unique (past, present, future, science fiction, comedy, drama, crazy aliens, exotic landscapes…I could go on all day!). The one thing that continually impressed me was how this seemed to fly by considering it is the single longest story in the shows history and I couldn't even watch two thirds of its running time. There is something about how it briskly moves from set piece to set piece and confidently shifts genre that I simply relented to the many tones it adopted. There are a few problems with The Daleks’ Masterplan (I think it could happily take place over ten episodes) but so much of this material is absolute gold that I cannot in my good judgement give it anything less than full marks. With a cast this big, a storyline this epic and so much incredible drama, action and comedy on display this is a microcosm of everything that makes Doctor Who as brilliant as it is and exposes the ambition and guts of the series in the sixties. Jean Marsh rocks and it is her incredible performance and that of William Hartnell, Peter Purves and Kevin Stoney along with Douglas Camfield’s superb direction that hold it all together into a gripping, coherent whole: 10/10
Full Review Here - http://docohobigfinish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-daleks-masterplan-written-by-terry.html
The Massacre written by John Lucarotti and directed by Paddy Russell
TO BE REVIEWED...
The Ark written by Paul Erickson & Lesley Scott and directed by Michael Imison
Result: Featuring some real avant-garde scene setting, The Ark is one of the most enterprising Hartnell tales (and that is against some stiff competition) and to give the director some credit he manages to go some way towards realising the serials ambitious ideas. It all starts promisingly with a startlingly innovative first episode but as the story progresses each successive installment starts to bleed away imagination and go for more tradition ideas (alien invasion, invisible aliens). On screen and given a more impressive budget this would blow you away with its aspiring ideas but forced into a tiny studio with the resources of the BBC to hand it comes across as being far more stagy than it should. Which is shame because the script is pacy, the visuals are generally quite imaginative and the regulars all get plenty to do. Irritatingly the Monoids go from being an intriguing slave race offering a potentially unattractive peek at humanity of the future to an embarrassing and incompetent race of conquerors. Their design is never fantastic but it is weird how much more you expect from the designers when the aliens they are creating are supposed to be scary (for example, docile Alpha Centuri gets a pass where the villanous Nucleus of the Swarm doesn't). There are plenty of great moments for Hartnell and Purves and whilst Jackie Lane was never going to be the worlds most gifted actress she at least approaches the part with some enthusiasm, even if Dodo is made out of pure cardboard. The Ark isn’t perfect but it really tries and succeeds as a technically accomplished if overly earnest slice of hard SF. It's trying, and that's good enough for me: 7/10
Full Review Here - http://docohobigfinish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-ark-written-by-paul-erickson-lesley.html
The Celestial Toymaker written by Brian Hayles & Donald Tosh and directed by Bill Sellars
TO BE REVIEWED...
The Gunfighters written by Donald Cotton and directed by Rex Tucker
Result: Unfairly picked on for so many years, I could wax lyrical about The Gunfighters until the end of my days. Nestled away in the richness of season three comes this exquisite comedy gem, written with panache and performed with relish by all concerned. I’ll keep repeating this until it embeds in your mind but the idea of staging a western in a studio is so wrong in every way that the fact that they made it look, sound and feel this good is a triumph to all concerned. A Town Called Mercy might have the budget to head to the mountains on horseback but The Gunfighters has the time to get down and dirty with the real conventions of the genre. It's a Doctor Who story that is fuelled by booze, violence and beautiful women, one that casts the Doctor in the role of the hero and the villain and one that ends with a violent massacre of characters we were laughing our heads off at earlier in the tale. Bullets fly, corpses pile up, crickets hum and glasses are filled. It feels authentic in a way that the new series could never achieve (partly because of time and partly because it wont take the same kind of risks to humanise the culture in a very adult way). I'm making The Gunfighters sound really despressing, aren't I? The truth is it is one of the most exquisite comedies the show attempted, full of badinage, banter and burlesque. There's singing and dancing, kinky shenanigans, comic mishaps and endless witty banter. Hartnell is at the top of his game, relishing the chance to play up the role but maintaining the dignity of the part all the while and Purves and Lane fit the scenery like a glove, making it easily the most successful outing for this trio. With Anthony Jacobs on top form, a dynamically shot gunfight at the climax and detailed sets that capture the essence of the genre, this is a story that is constantly giving. So fill up your glasses and join in the fun...this is one deliriously enjoyable tale to revel in over and over. I am so happy this one was spared the junking: 9/10
Full Review Here - http://docohobigfinish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-gunfighters-written-by-donald.html
The Savages written by Ian Stuart Black and directed by Christopher Barry
Result: Massively underrated and practically forgotten by fandom, The Savages is a terrific morality tale directed with real class. The simple premise of the prosperous leeching from the savage works a treat because it allows the Doctor to do what he does best – protect the underdog and bring down a vampiric regime. All three regulars are treated to some fine material; the Doctor is at his domineering best as he confronts a society of hypocrites, Steven fights against the role of an action hero and leaves the series as a thoughtful man embarking on a tough new life and even Dodo gets to show some curiosity and bravery. Having Frederick Jaeger’s Jano take on the personality of the Doctor halfway through the story was a fascinating move and the way the Doctor steers the events of the story even when he is unconscious shows the strength of his will. I find Christopher Barry an underrated director and his best stories (The Daleks, The Daemons) see him pushing the limits of what the show can achieve visually whilst always giving the actors some room to showcase their talent. The Savages looks gorgeous with plenty of engagingly shot location work, fine sets and atmospheric lighting and the music by one off composer Raymond Jones gives the story a fresh, dynamic feel. It’s a tragedy that none of the episodes of this story exist because if people could see the damn thing I think it might be re-evaluated in a far more positive way but even as an audio the clear storytelling, moral ambiguity and psychological angle make the running time simply fly by. A fond farewell to Peter Purves who has performed wonders with his role of Steven Taylor and become my favourite male companion in the bargain: 8/10
Full Review Here - http://docohobigfinish.blogspot.co.uk/2013/04/the-savages-written-by-ian-stuart-black.html
The War Machines written by Ian Stuart Black and directed by Michael Ferguson
Long Lashes: Gorgeous Polly has a great opening couple of episodes but loses it a bit in the second half as she is forced into the role of hypnotised drone (actors automatically forget their craft when they are asked to act out of character). Still it is easy to see the potential in a proper swinging sixties gal stepping into the TARDIS, one with a great pair of legs and an equally effective pair of lungs. If I sound abominably sexist than rest assured that Polly doesn't really come across as being one of the Doctor's weaker companions. On the contrary she is always trying to gee everybody up to fight whatever nasties come their way, often has a scheme up her sleeve and manages to empathise with the people they meet on their adventures. One of the first things we see her do is turn to the camera and gurn which has an oddly appealing effect. Every time you want some brightness in your life, come to Pol. In an attempt to give the girl some street cred Polly takes Dodo to the Inferno nightclub and is happy to show her her moves when she flirts outrageously with Ben at the bar. You can see how she would like going out clubbing, she’s gorgeous and I bet she has no trouble getting some attention. She’s good in a crisis too, ready to phone around the hospitals when Dodo has been missing for a while. She agrees to stand Ben lunch so she clearly wants to get to know him better. I like how she breaks her programming enough to let Ben escape revealing that she already has some strength of feeling for him. With Dodo promptly dealt with in a couple of lines the show looks to be heading in a younger, sexier path as two of the hottest companions jump into the Ship and depart with the Doctor.
Cockney Sailor: Bestill my beating heart. Does it give Ben an unfair advantage that I happen to fancy the arse off of Michael Craze? He is stuck in barracks and longs to be out at sea (perfect companion material then) and whilst getting back to his ship is alluded to in later stories it is never laboured on like Ian and Barbara's desire to return home was. This pair get so wrapped up in their adventures with the Doctor (and visiting everywhere from the past to the future to Vulcan to Atlantis who can blame them?) that their home life quickly becomes a thing of the past, at least until they next materialize in their proper time and place. Ben is something of an aggressive babe (and I thought Steven was always looking for a fight but he has nothing on Ben) and picks a fight with some nightclub sleaze to protect Polly’s honour. He doesn’t even get out of his sailors uniform to go clubbing, despite his objections to the contrary he is clearly on the pull. Anybody who accuses of Craze of not being able to perform should check out his reaction to a War Machine which is one of total hysteria, a far cry from Ian and Steven who barely would have broken a sweat. Michael Craze plays these scenes for real and they are all the more powerful for it. I loved the scene where he told the Doctor he was past it and he should handle the action, there is something quite playful developing between them and it is a shame that thanks to Hartnell's decreasing health we couldn't have seen that go further. Ben really seems to enjoy beating Polly up, he dives at her twice and wrestles about with her in a crazy dance. Perhaps he likes it rough.
Dead as a…: ‘Scotland Yard whisked off into Time and Space!’ - prim and proper Dodo hardly ever felt like a believable character and in her last half a story she is more cardboard than ever. Interesting to see that Dodo reaches out to Polly to get her back in touch with reality (you can see how she liked to hang out with the cool kids at school) and it is perhaps surprising that she is something of a party animal. She makes for an extremely unconvincing baddie I must say; Jackie Lane was pretty stiff as it was so when she’s required to be so deliberately its beyond a joke. It’s a forgettable end of a forgettable character; she’s whisked off to the country and decides to hang about in Sir Charles’ lap of luxury rather than spending her time switching accents and spraining her ankle. If you believe the Virgin Missing Adventures she went on to catch an STD and was gunned down in a hail of bullets. This series of books always was a little graphic and perverse but this time I really didn't mind too much. At least it was a memorable way to go, not a description you could toss Dodo's way too often.Sparkling Dialogue: ‘Standby Dodo this looks like a rescue mission, the Navy’s in trouble!’
‘Machines cannot govern man!’
The Good Stuff: the story gets off to a fantastic start visually, an Ariel shot that zooms in on the TARDIS landing on location in contemporary London with a flock of birds scattering as a result. Location work is starting to become more common on the show (this is the second of three stories on the trot to boast superb location work) and with directors like Michael Ferguson on hand they are going to wring every penny out of the budget to ensure the show looks as impressive as possible. It's unusual for the show to present these kinds of production values in an end of season show, usually the kitty has run dry and we are left with the dregs, production wise, but The War Machines feels as though it has limitless resources. Expensive location filming, spanking new robots for the Doctor to face, detailed sets and a full on national emergency is convincingly staged with the armed forces deploying impressive artillery and a multitude of troops. Just take a look at the gorgeous panoramic backdrop from the Post Office Tower to see the attention to detail. WOTAN is said to be (at least) 10 years ahead of its time. More like 20! They’ve only gone and invented the Internet, a problem solving computer system that linked to all the computers around the world. The only difference is WOTAN itself, a central intelligence that has decided that man is a barrier to the evolution of machinekind and must be put out of the way. Has there ever been a more prescient idea in Doctor Who? Ian Stuart Black isn't just concerned with technology, he also wants to give his tale a contemporary edge and soon moves the action to the Inferno - the hottest nightspot in town! The nightclub scenes are unique in Doctor Who (we never saw Sarah Jane or Ace letting their hair down like this, more's the pity) and the drink-fueled bar room brawl over Polly that ensues is more akin to Eastenders than Doctor Who. I love the very simple judgement that WOTAN passes on humanity: ‘We have failed.’ Such a simple statement with plenty of meanings depending on your own personal beliefs. I think WOTAN might just have the scariest computer voice that Doctor Who has to offer, a sibilant rasp, like a literal ghost caught in the machine. It is made all the creepier at the end of episode one where it first talks and sounds as though it is struggling to find its voice. The direction is initially very sympathetic to the War Machines, showing their assembly in some detail and the camera pulling back dramatically on their first reveal (with a super dramatic musical sting to commemorate the moment). The designers have managed to create quite a bold looking robot, built like a tank with deadly poisonous jets that incapacitate and kill. I adore the Batman-esque tilted crash zooms on the Post Office Tower. It's all very well having WOTAN declare us a failed species but actually seeing his foot soldiers mowing people down and rolling them off the street as nothing more than litter to be disposed of is real evidence of his indifference. It is probably the scariest thing we get to see them do. It is interesting that people associate the use of newsreaders broadcasting a state of emergency to the nation as something that is unique to the New Series (it is such a repeated motif it is easy to see why) when it first appeared in the series in 1966 (and was used a couple of times in the Pertwee era too). The War Machines bothers to look in peoples homes, the local pub and to show us people running for their lives on the street. If it isn't quite as dramatic as the script is trying to make they are at least having a fair stab at making this look like a genuine national emergency. Fantastic to think that a formula developed in 1966 is still successful and in practice nearly half a century later. Perhaps Hartnell overstated his case when he declared that evil was creeping into the show but the last five minutes of episode three are nothing but glorified violence. People are murdered and the warehouse is littered with corpses, there’s hand-to-hand combat, fierce weaponry and the violent image of the War Machine framed by burning crates. Perhaps what Hartnell meant was the show was losing its innocence. But then I would hardly say that stories such as The Dalek Invasion of Earth, The Daleks' Masterplan and The Massacre were exactly light and fluffy SF. I have this chucklesome image of all the naff robots that desperately want to reach the iconic status of the Daleks – the War Machines, Mechanoids, Chumblies, Quarks, Styre's robot and even that crazy looking dude from Terminus – all joining forces to take on Skaro’s finest! What a story that would make. I always complain bitterly in season eighteen where we trade in the dream team of the fourth Doctor, Romana and K.9 for Adric, Tegan and Nyssa. The War machines reverses that trend, with Steven already gone all we are left with is Dodo so it's out with the trash and in with the sexy and the sassy.
The Bad Stuff: Spinning tape is an odd staple of computers of the 60s and 70s. As soon as that clunking spinning tape sound effect kicks in you can usually date a programme within a decade. Did nobody stop to think that by creating a computer with its own brain that has military strategy built into its software that they were asking for trouble? Hypnotism rarely comes off in Doctor Who unless it is played for laughs and in this case it seizes control of perfectly fine actors and forces them to perform in as stiff a fashion as possible. As impressive as the scenes of the War Machines being built are, I don't think they quite needed to go on for as long as they do. We needed to see these robots in action far sooner than they are. The tramp being chased around the pit is like a ridiculous Benny Hill sketch (hum the music, it really works). The War Machines look far more menacing when they are stationary, one wobbles away down a London high street as though he is popping out for a bit of shopping. It would be churlish to mention the Doctor’s reprogrammed War Machine dashing towards the Tower with its alarmingly shaky fake backdrop. But that wont stop me.
The Shallow Bit: Is it wrong to fancy the Doctor's companions? Doctor Who is not really a show I watch for sex appeal but when it comes to Polly and Ben I am at something of a lost at my interest. She’s a gorgeous leggy blonde and he’s a hunky cockney squeezed into a sailor uniform. Polly outrageously goes to work on consecutive days in what looks like a nighty and a tea cosy and Ben sports an overcoat and a tight black cotton vest. Let's be honest, they were trying to sex the show up a bit. It makes poor Hartnell look like a bit of an old fossil.Result: Entirely unrepresentative of its era but much favoured by the show for the rest of its (continuing) tenure, the contemporary alien takeover plot gets its virgin outing here and as usual the Hartnell years tip their hat to a new genre with consummate style. With its polished direction, expensive location work, urban settings I am reminded of the black and white Diana Rigg season of The Avengers as I watch The War Machines. The tone of the two shows might be entirely different but for these four, expensive looking, episodes there is a similarity. You can see instant potential in Polly and Ben as companions (and not just because they are both gorgeous); she's a resourceful middle class working girl and he's a cheeky cockney whose handy with his fists. They both have a taste for adventure and I have nothing but hope for the future as they skip into the TARDIS, Dodo instantly forgotten. With the conception of WOTAN and the idea of a series of linked computers you have one of the most prescient Doctor Who stories, pre-dating the internet and jumping on the bandwagon of artificial intellience. It's a cold opponent so there isn't the entertainment that you would usually have with a swaggering villain at the top (there's simply nobody to react to beyond WOTAN's hypnotised lackeys) but the fight against the War Machines is so impressively staged that you almost forget this is a story with only a faint whisper of a climax. Hartnell is holding onto to his dignity in an advisory role but it is clear that he is struggling. A confident tale, well-produced and very entertaining to watch. The Daleks don't have anything to worry about though: 8/10
1 comment:
Do you do reviews any more? I would have loved to read your review of "The Massacre", my favourite Hartnell-historical.
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