Not in the UK: it went out properly here. But BBC Enterprises somehow got a copy which was music/FX-less from partway through the second half. At a guess, the dubbing team had paused and a copy was made then; it's noticeable that at the same point in the original Uk version the sound effects get confused (the sounds for the space station and Dalek trooper guns suddenly swap).
I just love how the bad guys' plan is, as much as anything else, foiled because the flunky is more interesting in blowing shit up than in actually completing his mission. I'm not fond of either of the Mara stories-- "Kinda" or "Snakedance." The Peter Davison years also subjected us to crap like "Four to Doomsday" & "Mawdryn Undead." On the other hand, "The Visitation" is a perfectly serviceable story. "The King's Demons" works really well too, although it sometimes feels a bit rushed since it's a 2-parter. Worth it if only for "Harry Sullivan is an imbecile!" I'm assuming he's talking about Michael Grade, the asshole BBC exec that tried to have the show canceled during the Colin Baker years. (Although, "Warriors of the Deep" was pretty dismal from start to finish and the karate attack against the Myrka is towards the top of Doctor Who's biggest WTF moments.)
The Dominators: Or... the Dominators lose because the senior Dominator stops his junior killing everyone in sight (after the first time). If they had just killed everyone in sight, then the Quarks could just have kept on drilling, rather than spending ages chasing people around the island, failing to kill them, getting blown up by the people they've failed to kill, etc etc. It's an unfortunate example of a story where the 'ruthless' villains would have won if they'd just lived up to their reputation and said "Oh, OK, just kill them all," right at the start.
Tastes vary, but Mawdryn was awesome. Four to Doomsday, while not a classic, was still entertaining in a quiet sort of way. I actually didn't care for the Kinda stories back when they originally aired. But, when I saw them again recently, I really enjoyed both. I got much more out of them. I was particularly blown away by Snakedance! Mr Awe
Revenge of the Cybermen also has that great bit in the beginning where Harry asks the Doctor if he can keep the time bracelet. The Doctor tells him to go ahead but it disappears before Harry can grab it. Harry looks at him and says "You knew that was going to happen, didn't you?" The Doctor's smile there was great.
Currently watching the The Mysterious Planet, its pretty good so far. I'm lucky to have all the classic dvds, but still plenty more to watch (10 for 4th Doctor, 7 for 5th Doctor and 3 for 6th Doctor) once thats finally done I will look into soundtracks for the missing episodes. Never mind all the Big Finish's I need to listen to, recently listened to a few 6th Doctor's, (Legend of the Cybermen & The Nightmare Fair, I didn't think too much of them to be honest, which suprised me as I adore the Magic Mousetrap and do enjoy 6th on audio, Arrangements for War is one of my favourites)
I just watched "Spearhead From Space", and was struck by the fact that a lot of the dialogue sounded like it would have been more appropriate for the Second Doctor (like referring to the Timelords as "mean").
Earthshock, I've always loved this story it was a return for the Cybermen, Peter Grimwade's direction and Malcolm Clarke's music helped to make it a great classic story. Some of the story's complaints is it's stunt casting and the strange use of the robots in part one. But I've always loved the March Of The Cybermen by Clarke and the trick of putting the Cyberman in the door. James Warwick played Lt. Scott and he later appeared on Babylon 5 in Exogenesis and it took a way to realize it was him in that ep.
Had just played the lead in The Nightmare Man, a 1981 BBC SF serial which is worth watching if you can track it down: other key cast are Celia Imrie and Maurice Roeves, while the script and direction come from Robert Holmes and Douglas Camfield.
When I was younger the casting of Beryl Reid used to grate a little, but these days I think it's great that this battered old freighter is effecively run by two mature ladies, so much more original than the stock crusty old (male) seadog or the smart arse Han/Mal alike that you'd usually get captaining that kind of thing. I'm not sure they pass the Bechdel test but it's still a nice touch.
Beryl Reid had no idea what science fiction was about. June Bland would return in Battlefield though. I do find it funny that they didn't give Matthew Waterhouse a script right away, he had to steal a look at somebody else's script to learn he was going to be killled off.
The Ribos Operation was pretty good. Romana seems like she'll be an interesting companion, and the story itself was entertaining. The supporting cast was good, and likeable (except the evil former emperor and his minion, but they weren't supposed to be likeable anyway) and the Fourth Doctor had some great lines/moments, especially while interacting with Romana. The two con-men reminded me of more likeable versions of Glitz and Dibber from The Mysterious Planet, another Robert Holmes story. This was a good start to the Key to Time arc.
Frontios, I've always thought this was an underrated story but then it was rushed though production wise. Still I've always liked the idea of the Tractators and the story gave us some backround detail on Turlough even if his breakdown was over the top.
The Pirate Planet was decent. I liked the idea behind the planet, although it seemed convenient that its next victim was going to be Earth. The pirate captain was really over the top, and even though it had an explanation it was a bit too distracting at times. Still, overall it was an entertaining story.
I loathed Mawdryn Undead for the stomach-turning parts of it, although it was wonderful to have the Brigadier back. It was also a great start to Turlough's story arc and the return of the Black Guardian. Didn't Snakedance introduce the most ridiculous of Nyssa's costumes (other than the underwear she left in)? Pirate Planet (part 1) was the first - and almost the last - complete episode I ever saw. The only thing that kept me watching was a promise I made to a friend that I'd try one story to see if I liked it. Thank goodness The Stones of Blood was so good, and that's what got me addicted to the show.
I like the motor boat/sky car; the superspeed transport; the parrot- K9 battle; the tacky 70's look; the humor; Mary Tamm; Tom Baker's confident performance, tho his dog bite is distracting. One of my very favorites- definitely! Just finished "Shada"- the last gasp of fun before JNT started to ruin the show, in my opinion!
The JNT, Tom-Baker-narrates version, or the edited version of Ian Levine's version that circulates the internet?
Remembrance of the Daleks. I also tried to watch The Five Doctors Special Edition recently, but there were other things on my mind then and I didn't get very far.
Yeah, the reconstructed Shada by JNT is a bit weird. It's got the regular footage but it also has a Keff McCollough score and early 90's digital effects which make it almost feel like a McCoy story.
I feel the McCollough score is actually a suitable bridge between the 70's and 80's Who eras... it feels like neither, but it also makes it more part of its own beast, so I don't hate it like others do. The Levine re-edit though is more balanced, music-wise. Its overall the best version, and I adore it.