Last Classic Who Story you watched

[Fer]

I just finished "State of Decay." Not a big fan of vampires, but (as usual when Doctor Who uses stuff like this) I like that there's something of a scientific explanation behind their origins.

[Fer]

Finished "Warriors' Gate" last night. Farewell, K9, you will be missed. Oh, you too Romana.

[Starkers]

Just finished a watch of Image of the Fendahl. You know I should love it. Written by Chris Boucher, featuring the 4th Doc and Leela and an eerie Gothic horror tale revolving around a skull with a pentagram etched inside it that's 12 million years old that echoes Quatermass and the Pit...

So why doesn't it work for me? tis very odd but I find it a bit dull...

[Turbo]

Watched The Ambassadors of Death last night. It was long, but I like this one. Is it padded? Sure, but it holds up pretty well.

The color restoration was better than the VHS release by leaps and bounds. It certainly wasn't quite as good as the full-color Episode 1, and there was color bleed at times (especially on Liz's hair and the Brig's uniform) but considering how much work went into restoring this serial, I think it's a pretty minor issue overall.

The commentary was great. It was nice to hear the different perspectives at different points throughout the episode. Usually I like hearing the same folks across the entire serial, but with one this long, I think swapping people in and out worked better. And it was especially great to hear Caroline John and Nick Courtney. Here's hoping that the RT got Caroline to record a commentary for the Inferno SE.

[solariabsg25]

I watched 'Inferno' that I finally got hold of. Was good to see the "evil" Brig, Benton and Liz. Feels strange to realise that out of the four leads, only Levene's still with us.

[Fer]

Starkers wrote:

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Just finished a watch of Image of the Fendahl. You know I should love it. Written by Chris Boucher, featuring the 4th Doc and Leela and an eerie Gothic horror tale revolving around a skull with a pentagram etched inside it that's 12 million years old that echoes Quatermass and the Pit...

So why doesn't it work for me? tis very odd but I find it a bit dull...

Yeah, I had the same problem with it this time around. I blamed it on it being so similar to The Masque of Mandragora.

[Lonemagpie]

The Aztecs - great stuff. Tlotoxl's one of the best antagonists ever (*not* a villain!), and there is much pwnage by Barbara...

[Fer]

Just finished "The Keeper of Traken." The DVD adds a nice dedication to Anthony Ainley as a PS to Part Four. I have to say, Tremas didn't seem too broken up about his wife turning on him and eventually getting killed.

[Fer]

Oh, and lonemagpie, I just finished reading "The Wages of Sin." Excellent book! I loved seeing Jo and Liz together, and Liz getting to have a "proper" trip in the TARDIS. I also feel like I have a better grasp of Rasputin the man beyond Rasputin the legend (and, like Jo, Rasputin the song!). Thanks for a wonderful read!

[VDCNI]

Galaxy 4 Episode 3 along with the on DVD recon. I'm not normally a fan of recons but this is pretty decent probably helped by Galaxy 4 being such a straightforward story.

The surviving episode isn't one of the all time greats but it's nice to have another Hartnell, Steven & Vicki episode to watch - they were a good team.

[Lowdarzz]

Earthshock, Arc of Infinity and Snakedance (Fifth Doctor).

Three excellent serials. Adric was too much the whiner in Earthshock but the writer made good use of his character and gave him an interesting death.

I was glad to see Omega again in Arc of Infinity but Stephen Thorne's performance in The Three Doctors was better that Ian Collier's.

The Mara are an interesting villian that I wouldn't mind seeing again on modern Who. That said, while they get some good development in Snakedance, Kinda was a better story.

[Lonemagpie]

Fer wrote:

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Oh, and lonemagpie, I just finished reading "The Wages of Sin." Excellent book! I loved seeing Jo and Liz together, and Liz getting to have a "proper" trip in the TARDIS. I also feel like I have a better grasp of Rasputin the man beyond Rasputin the legend (and, like Jo, Rasputin the song!). Thanks for a wonderful read!

Thanks - I think Raspy's some of the best characterisation I've done, and all as historically accurate as possible in 1998

[DalekJim]

Lowdarzz wrote:

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Earthshock, Arc of Infinity and Snakedance (Fifth Doctor).

Three excellent serials.

First time I've seen Arc of Infinity called excellent!

I do enjoy it though.

[Lowdarzz]

DalekJim wrote:

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First time I've seen Arc of Infinity called excellent!

I do enjoy it though.

My criteria for rating television shows are pretty simple. After I've watched it, do I feel like I wasted my time? Arc of Infinity kept my attention and therefore it was excellent. Omega is an interesting character, one I'd like to see more of in modern Who. That said, I can understand why others wouldn't like it all that much. It drags here and there and the ending doesn't make much sense.

[The Mirrorball Man]

VDCNI wrote:

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I would love to have some pure historicals - they 60's ones are some of the greatest ever Who stories.

That's right, although I think it's the term "historical" that makes it so hard to even consider producing one of them these days, because it sounds like such a dull proposition. The old "historicals" were actually adventure stories, and that's what the current Who producer should think about if they ever intend to revive the format.