The Space Museum Review

The Space Museum: "The least important things, sometimes, my dear boy, lead to the greatest discoveries."

I came to this story having heard it had a good first episode and then it went downhill from there. It seems a lot of stories start of with a great first episode, I often find myself giving them 8s and 7s, and usually the quality does diminish after this in varying degrees. And The Space Museum was no exception, though it steadily gets worse rather than a sudden drop.

It does start with a great first episode, slowly building up the fact that the travelers are basically invisible to everything but themselves. Not even leaving footprints in the sand. This then accumulates when the TARDIS crew find themselves in glass cases, just another exhibit in the museum. The Doctor declares that this is their future unless they somehow prevent it. It's a great twist and idea, one that continues throughout the story. Sometimes it gets shoved down our throat a bit too much, but generally the idea works well and is a new element to the show.

The next episode is good as well. It introduces the Morox and the Xerons, both species supposedly alien. This is illustrated by the Morox's ridiculous hair line and hair colouring and the Xerons' weird bigger eyebrows. Drawn above their real and highly visible eyebrows. The design of  the aliens aren't great and neither are the stories of these aliens. The Morox invaded Xeron and took control of the planet. The Xeron went into hiding but have wanted to overthrow the Morox ever since. So far so good. But neither species are very well realised (bad ascetics aside); the Xerons haven't revolted yet because they lack any armaments to do so. That's really the only reason given. Whilst the Morox are supposed to be militaristic,  but aside from the leader Lobos (you might have noticed that the names in this story aren't very inventive either) they don't seem very oppressive. They are easily fought off at the end of the story and Ian is able to fight one and threaten him easily. As soon as Ian has the gun the Morox becomes a whimpering idiot.

As I mentioned before the leader of the Morox, Lobos, is a lot better developed. He seems quite cruel and cunning and the scenes in which he interrogates the Doctor are brilliant. If only because of the way the Doctor has fun with the visualising machine and we get to see an odd picture of him in a bathing suit and top hat...

The way the story concludes is good as well, with the Xerons finally revolting against the Morox due to the influence Vicki has left on them. It's nice to see after the travelers constant talking of how they need to change their own future that it's not how they change it but how others change it due to their impact.

Vicki gets some good scenes and even a hint of romance with a young Jeremy Bulloch. Vicki really is a much better character than Susan.

Episode scores:
1. The Space Museum: 8/10
2. The Dimensions of Time: 7/10
3. The Search: 6/10
4. The Final Phase: 4.5/10

Average score: 6/10

Next up The Chase.

The Crusade Review

The Crusade: "There's something new in you, yet something older than the sky itself."

Julian Glover! I knew he was in City of Death but I never knew he was in Doctor Who before that, and not during William Hartnell's era. So it's a shame that two episodes from this story. Even more so because it's only a four parter (if it was a six or more it would still be a shame but at least most of the story would be surviving) and because it's really good. At least the surviving episodes are (episodes one and three). The last episode is a bit rushed really and is probably the weakest. The audio for the missing episodes survive but it's not very good quality and I found it hard to understand at times what characters were saying. At least we have the audio, but still.

Anyway onto the actual story. The dialogue in this is brilliant, very flowing and eloquent. Especially in episode three, The Wheel of Fortune, when the Doctor argues with the Earl of Leicester and when King Richard and his sister Joanna argue over her marriage. Both arguments, I wonder what that says? Julian Glover and Jean Marsh really play that scene well.

There is a fair bit of action mainly in the first episode in the first few minutes. As soon as the TARDIS crew enter we start right in it and we get some good fighting scenes. The Doctor evens picks up a sword. Even after The Romans, in which the Doctor laughed his way through a fight, I'm still surprised by this.

There isn't much more to say about this story other than there are some great scenes in it and the ending is a bit rushed. It might have actually have benefited from being a six parter. Or at least a fiver parter. Speaking of which why was there never a five parter? Stories of fours and six episodes became standard but six could often be overlong or suffer from too much padding. Whereas four part stories could often be a bit rushed. I can't be the only one who thought of finding the exact middle point between the two before. Especially at this point when the standard story length wasn't quite nailed down. Ah well.

Episode scores:
1. The Lion: 8/10
2. The Knight of Jaffa: 6.5/10
3. The Wheel of Fortune: 8/10
4. The Warlords: 6/10

Average: 7/10

Next up is The Space Museum.

The Web Planet Review

The Web Planet: "Zaaaaarrrr-bbbbbbiiiiii"

I came into The Web Planet not really knowing what to expect, I certainly wasn't expecting that! Dear God!

I started, as I always try to, hoping for the best and trying to see the best in it. The first episode I actually thought was really good. It was mysterious, and like most of the first episodes of this era, only had the TARDIS crew. The Zarbi appeared and I did balk. I'd see pictures of them before but never really seen the legs. But the Zarbi were only seen for a little bit and I put them to the side. Instead I focused on the Doctor back in full exploring scientist mode and the great scenes of continuity with Barbara and Vicki. They talk about school and they really show the differences between Barbara's 1960's teaching methods to Vicki's 25th century learning. It's a nice little touch that shows that Vicki really is from the 25th century.

After the first episode though I soon lost the plot. I couldn't handle the Zarbi, the Menoptera and then later the Optera.

I've been trying to think what is wrong with this and whether it doesn't work because of the time that it was made in and with the money constraints. But if they tried to make this in modern who the costumes and/or CGI would look just as ridiculous. The Menoptera are actually pretty well designed and realised. The weird gestures that they all make really shows that it's an alien race, not just a guy (or girl as is the case here) in a suit. Even the voice show you just how alien this species is. I think by the time I finish this marathon I won't have come across any alien in the show that is as alien as the Menoptera. Even the Optera are well designed, and try to be like the Menoptera in having weird movements and voice. The Zarbi shells aren't that bad, it's just that there is a (comparatively) giant pair of legs sticking out of them. I made have found the beeps that they make bloody annoying, but again it all works to show that these are aliens that don't understand humans in anyway.

So if all of these things are actually quite good and effectively show the alien-ness of Vortis and it's inhabitants what is wrong with story? I want to say it's because it's so alien and that there are only the four recognisable faces in the story. As far as I know this is the only Doctor Who story, new and old, that has completely alien characters other than the TARDIS crew. The only other story I can think of that has all 'aliens' is The Daleks. In that we had the Daleks and the Thals, but that doesn't count because the Thals are basically humans.
But surely if the aim is to have everything alien then The Web Planet is a triumph as it achieves that? Perhaps we reject the story because everything is alien and we can't handle it so we just resort to laughing at how ridiculous everything looks?

I honesty couldn't say. I am only suggesting these points. The phrase 'ambitious' is often banded are in relation to this story, and perhaps it is just too God damn ambitious for it's own good. But I can't really think of how this story could ever work. Or maybe Bill Strutton was just trying to alienate the audience and if he were alive today (he died on 23rd November 2003) he would be laughing at how no one can handle his story.

All I can say is that The Web Planet defeated me. I've given each episode a score, as always, but I almost think it's not fair to do so. What ever Bill Strutton intended audiences to take from this story I don't posses the intelligence, or whatever is needed, to do so. I don't think you can fairly give a rating to something you didn't understand but there you have it.

Episode scores:
1. The Web Planet: 8/10
2. The Zarbi: 4/10
3. Escape to Danger: 4/10
4. Crater of Needles: 4/10
5. Invasion: 2/10
6. The Centre: 2/10

Average score: 4/10

Next time is The Crusade and my second foray into recons.

The Romans Review

The Romans

Again another first time watch for me (up until The War Machines as the end of season three, the stories will all be new for me). I heard it was good and that it was a sort of comedy. That's pretty much all I knew going in.

Whilst watching this story I had to write down this quote from the Doctor: "You know, I am so constantly outwitting the opposition, I tend to forget the delights and satisfaction of the gentle art of fisticuffs." The first Doctor said that! Right after he giggled his way through a fight. Which brings me onto my next point; the Doctor has been reminding me of Yoda in Return of the Jedi recently with his giggling all the time. It's something that just seems to have evolved in the last few episodes and carries on for a while (I'm part way through The Crusade story whilst writing this). It's completely different to the man we saw in An Unearthly Child, and not an aspect of this Doctor that I've really seen before. It's making me like him even more though.

The idea of making this historical as a comedy is brilliant and works really well here. Some of it's quite subtle, where other times it's outright silly, but in a good way. It took me a bit of getting used to at first, especially after possibly the best cliffhanger so far in The Rescue. The TARDIS materialises on a cliff edge, wobbles, then completely topples off. It's recapped at the start of this story, and I thought it was a great idea. Then next thing we're seeing the TARDIS crew all lying about having been there for a month.

It's interesting to see how the Doctor takes delight in having basically caused Nero's burning of Rome so he can rebuild it as he desires. If you think about it it's actually a bit out of character, people could easily die in the fire, and it would cause a lot of damage. All so Nero can rebuild it as he wants. Not something the Doctor should be so happy about. I choose to look at it as him realising that history is a bit more malleable than he first thought. In The Aztecs he made a big thing about how you couldn't change history, but here he is realising that that might still be true but it doesn't mean you can't influence it. Or in fact be the cause of history turning out how it does. It's and interesting dynamic show early in the show.

I've been thinking about this for a good while now but I've never been sure whether to bring it up or not but in reviewing this story I couldn't not. Ian and Barbara. I've always thought that they are very close and I've been reading what other fans say about it. But after watching this story it's no wonder that there is a comic in which they marry. They are far too friendly and playful in this story for something not to be going on between them at this point. I think it's nice that it's only heavily hinted, we never actually see them doing or saying anything to confirm this.

I am much preferring Vicki to Susan already. It's a case of better writing for her, less screaming (thank God) and, I hate to say this, better acting. She also seems a lot more upbeat and more companion material.

There isn't really much more to say about this other than I did enjoy it a lot.
Episode scores:
1. The Slave Traders: 7.5/10
2. All Roads Lead to Rome: 7/10
3. Conspiracy: 6.5/10
 4. Inferno: 7/10

Average score: 7/10

Next up The Web Planet...

The Rescue Review

The Rescue

I went into this episode knowing practically nothing, except that it introduced new companion Vicki and that it was only two episodes long. Unfortunately I spoiled the twist in episode two for myself after watching the first episode and going on the TARDIS wiki to look something up. And there I saw Bennett listed as the villain. Dammit!

I'll never know if I would have figured it out or not. I'd like to think I might have got suspicious when Bennett wasn't in his quarters but I can't say for sure. Besides the twist is a bit wacky, especially when the two Didonas appear from nowhere and save the day. I was confused as to who they were, assuming they were crew members from the ship at first. I thought the Dido people looked like Koquillion?

Still it's not a bad story, a nice little filler and introduction to Vicki, who I've never seen before in action. She is obviously supposed to fill Susan's role but I like her, she seems different. A lot more energetic. And less screaming (so far). I really liked her interactions with the Doctor as well.

I think my favourite parts of the story are the interactions between the crew members. There's some great humour between them, they've been travelling together for a while now and they know each other well. I also like how the Doctor forgets Susan's not there for a moment as well. It shows it still has an effect on him, and the others are aware of it too. I just hope that the Doctor doesn't see Vicki as Susan's replacement and sees her as an actual person.

Episode score:
1. The Powerful Enemy: 7/10
2. Desperate Measures: 6/10

Average score: 6.5/10


Next up The Romans.

The Dalek Invasion of Earth Review

The Dalek Invasion of Earth

Again I've seen this story, and once again not that long ago. I started this marathon having seen the first three stories a few times before but not for a long while. Now I've started the second season having seen three in a row (though one was the end of last season), all for the first time and all recently. Just a strange coincidence.

The Daleks on Earth, in London, in front of Big Ben. Swarming around Nelson's Column. The team knew they were making iconic images when they did this. But when the shots of Daleks slowly trundling around are inter cut with fast paced shots of Barbara and Jenny pushing Dortmun along in his wheel chair it all becomes... a bit flat really. When you see those fast shots it's exhilarating , it's energetic, especially when accompanied by the constant drumming in the soundtrack. Then cut back to Daleks gliding along with the same music, which just becomes a bit annoying, and it doesn't really work. For me anyway, I'm sure there are plenty of fans out there who would shout their disagreements. I can see what they were going for, the Daleks menacingly gliding along famous locations in London is a great image in the photos, and when I imagined it my head, but the way it is edited together it just doesn't quite work. The same for the Dalek emerging from the water at the end of episode one and start of two. It's a brilliant idea, and it's done well. But there's something missing that stops it from being as epic a moment as it should be.

I found it hard to engage with the images, though the location shooting was great especially in the first episode, and I found it even harder to engage with the story. The Daleks have some rubbish dialogue in this and the whole idea of taking out the Earth's core so they can move Earth? What now? How now? And then they decided to blow it up instead. The fact that these ideas were reused in The Stolen Earth and Journey's End in modern Who just makes it worse. Oh and the Robomen are a good idea but are basically shit Cybermen.

The Daleks were really popular so they wanted to bring them back, fair enough, then they thought it would be a great idea to have them on Earth in London. Not to bad. But they forgot that they actually needed a decent story in there. Don't even get my started on the Slyther...

It seems like I really hated this story but I didn't, I just found it a bit boring, poorly executed and not as note worthy as people make out.

I did however love how they dealt with Susan's departure. It really was quite emotional and that speech from Hartnell is absolutely brilliant. I've seen that speech a few times now and I always liked it, but this time, having watched Susan and the Doctor's journey together, it meant even more than normal. Brilliant acting from Hartnell.

Episode score:
1. World's End: 8/10
2. The Daleks: 7/10
3. Day of Reckoning: 7/10
4. The End of Tomorrow: 5/10
5. The Waking Ally: 6/10
6. Flashpoint: 7/10

Average score: 6.5/10

Next up we get new companion Vicki in The Rescue.

Planet of Giants

Planet of Giants

Like The Reign of Terror I had watched this story not that long ago, probably in September of last year. It's an interesting story that's quite different to anything the show had done before it, or really since.

The story of the Doctor and co. being shrunken down to the size of an inch is rather fun and makes you think about everyday life. It is very well realised and I was amazed at how well my imagination went along with it and I really believed that they were climbing up onto a telephone whilst being no bigger than an inch.

This is all helped by the simply amazing props and sets. Everything is brilliant, from the fly, the match box and briefcase, and best of all the sink and plug hole. It's probably the best work seen on the show at this point. I think it helps that it's set on Earth and set at the time that it was made. It deals with things that people see in their everyday lives, so it has to meet up to people's expectations. The plug hole looks so good because they had to make it look like that, otherwise the audience would be taken out of the story and the illusion would be shattered.

Again it's all helped by some good direction too, from the slow pan out of the model TARDIS showing the garden path and house around it, to the very high angle shots of the Doctor and Susan in the sink, looking up. Especially good is the shot of the dead man and the miniature TARDIS crew looking up at his giant face. It is clear that's it a static image, but it does look massive, so it works.

Unfortunately the other story with the murder and the insecticide is a bit dull and bland for Doctor Who. It just doesn't really work with it. The whole thing with the operator realising that it was someone different on the phone is plausible but then her getting involved and calling the police is a bit of a stretch. Also who has a laboratory making seemingly top secret insecticide in a house? Not a very good business plan.

Also the Doctor wanting to start a fire? It never gets to that scale but he could have set the house on fire, maybe even killed people and caused massive damage. Seem a bit out of character to you?

I will say that the story being three episodes long was the perfect length for it though. And I'm noticing a pattern: Ian was sick in the Sensorites, Susan was ill in The Reign of Terror and now Barbara was ill in this story. Probably just a coincidence but seems a bit odd. Will the Doctor be next?

Episode scores:
1. Planet of Giants: 6/10
2. Dangerous Journey: 6.5/10
3. Crisis: 6/10

Average: 6/10

Next onto The Dalek Invasion of Earth.