Last Classic Who Story you watched

[Timewalker]

I've only seen two Tom Baker stories: The Keeper of Traken and Logopolis. They were my first foray into classic Who so I probably didn't enjoy them on the same level I would now. Back then it was a huge change (at least for me) from nuWho. I should revisit them now that I have a better appreciation of the classic show and can appreciate the stories despite the low production values.

Very few of the stories were low production. There was a lot of cheesiness in there. But then again that's science fiction for you. It's what made a lot of TOS great also. Maybe looking back now they would be low production values but that's because of technological changes. Logopolis isn't a bad episode for the Baker era it's nowhere near his top episode. If you want good Baker it's basically anything from his first season. City of Death, Talons of Waing Chiang, Pyramid from Mars, Image of Fendahl, Terror of the Zygons, I could go on but there's a good reason he is a popular favorite doctor 40 years later.

I have to disagree, Logopolis is Bakers best. And is actually my favourite doctor who episode ever!

Meh, I've seen alot of his first season, and I think it's overated. I know this one's a clasic, but I think genisis of the daleks is far from Bakers best. Everone says how wonderfull it is and "it's the best serial ever!", but I didn't really care for it. I ever got the chance to see city of death, but I'd like to, Talons of Waing Chaing is very overated, it's just an average episode in my opinion if that. Pyramin fro Mars was quite boring as I recall, I didn't care for it at all. Image of Fendahl or terror f the Zygons are also both serials I;ve bever had the plessure or displeasure to see it.

Image of the Fendahl is fun and scary! And there's a really weird bit in there where Leela, for no reason I've ever been able to fathom, decides to kiss one of the scientists!

I wanted to take a break from the McCoy stories so I ventured out yesterday to find myself another serial. I knew it would be more expensive to purchase one in a store rather than online, but I didn't feel like waiting to get it shipped.

I first tried to go after "The Twin Dilemma," but I was unable to find it anywhere (though just now I saw the first part is on youtube, I may give it a go there. Anyways, to make a long story short I went ahead and got the DVD set: Doctor Who: The Beginning. I figured it's about time I acquaint myself with the first Doctor:

An Unearthly Child

I'm not sure what my expectations were when I fired this one up. I knew it involved the Doctor as an old man travelling with his granddaughter and two school teachers. Well, I enjoyed the hell out of it, the first part of the four part serial kept me hooked as Ian and Barbara attempted to suss out the mystery of Susan (and by accident I watched both the "pilot" and the broadcast version, which actually left me a little disappointed with the broadcast version as some of the ideas put forth in the "pilot" were much more interesting than what we ended up with.

The second two parts of the serial drug a bit. I really enjoyed the first part because Ian and Barbara (and Susan and the Doctor) were such interesting characters, they seemed to take a back seat as we watched the story of the cavemen. Which in itself was interesting, so I'm not complaining too much about it. It's also nice in a way that I ended up watching this right after Remembrance of the Daleks as that serial had several call backs to this one. It's little touches like that which is the reason I love Doctor Who.

All in all, this was a strong opener, and I actually really like the First Doctor now. I did see him one other time in The Five Doctors but I'm not sure that completely counts

Up next: The Daleks. I can't wait to see this one, the first appearance of the Daleks should be a real corker. I like to watch these things in one sitting though, so I might have to wait till I can find time to watch all seven episodes of the serial.

As I understand it, one of the prerequisites for watching this story is a couch to hide behind...

Caves of Androzani.

It was good then, it's good now.

I just listened to Mission to Magnus a 6/Peri lost story by the same writer as Caves featuring Sil and the Ice Warriors.

The two combined made me wonder if any companion was more perved over by the villains than Peri.

God bless her, may watch the Planet of Fire next - for reasons that have nothing to do with bikini clad American companions.

Well... Romana II got a nice, low-cut gothic gown in State of Decay, Tegan shows a lot of cleavage on occasion, and Nyssa went all the way from the "velvet princess" of Keeper of Traken to stripping down to her underwear (thin tank top and very short & miniscule slip) in Terminus.

But while the guys may enjoy Peri in a bikini, I've always enjoyed Turlough in shorts!

The Three Doctors

I love the Brigadier's reaction to the interior of the Tardis.

I wonder what the Brigadier would have thought of the later steampunk decor (Paul McGann era and later)!

 

[Pindar]

But while the guys may enjoy Peri in a bikini, I've always enjoyed Turlough in shorts!

As much as I didn't like the character of Turlough I always felt sorry for him having to wear that awfull school uniform.

 

[Worf2DS9]

I finished City of Death a couple of days ago and that was enjoyable. I liked Julian Glover as the villain (he might have been a good Master around that time), and the bumbling inspector was amusing. Some of the running around Paris bits seemed to go on for so long it felt like a Parisian travelogue at times.

The John Cleese cameo was fun too.

 

[BoredShipCapt'n]

Been rewatching The Chase. It's a cheesy one, but my 5-year-old is fascinated.

 

[Aldo]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more. I'm still bothered by the fact that The Doctor doesn't really feel like the central character yet. I understand that's not the shows fault since only two stories in they're still trying to find the rhythm of the show, it's just hard for me to get behind being exposed to the Doctor Who style of storytelling nowadays.

 

[Pindar]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more. I'm still bothered by the fact that The Doctor doesn't really feel like the central character yet. I understand that's not the shows fault since only two stories in they're still trying to find the rhythm of the show, it's just hard for me to get behind being exposed to the Doctor Who style of storytelling nowadays.

The first doctor is often missing as Hartnell's health deteriorated.

Sometimes he won't be in an episode at all.

 

[diankra]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more.

The outline was for a six parter (and that included roughly half an episode's worth of story continuing the plot beyond the end of the transmitted version). Quite why it got expanded isn't clear, but was probably down to a) Budget - it needed seven episodes's worth of money to make it, and b) Cut-offs... it had to be a seven parter so that with the next two parter there'd be neat ending if the series ended at 13 weeks.

 

[Konata Izumi]

The Green Death

The pacing's disastrous. Not sure about all of the story as I zoned out in many parts. The first three episodes watched ages ago and they had great effect bits but mostly very dull. Ep4 was better with what felt like very naturalistic dialogue and character interaction, vaguely interesting if literally forgettable. Eps5-6 just now, a riot with a particularly fun version of a talking computer and lots of unintentional comedy. Why save the butterfly for the last episode and even then only one?

 

[VDCNI]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more. I'm still bothered by the fact that The Doctor doesn't really feel like the central character yet. I understand that's not the shows fault since only two stories in they're still trying to find the rhythm of the show, it's just hard for me to get behind being exposed to the Doctor Who style of storytelling nowadays.

The first doctor is often missing as Hartnell's health deteriorated.

Sometimes he won't be in an episode at all.

Some of that is holiday not illness though. The illness doesn't really become a major issue until Season 3.

 

[Pindar]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more. I'm still bothered by the fact that The Doctor doesn't really feel like the central character yet. I understand that's not the shows fault since only two stories in they're still trying to find the rhythm of the show, it's just hard for me to get behind being exposed to the Doctor Who style of storytelling nowadays.

The first doctor is often missing as Hartnell's health deteriorated.

Sometimes he won't be in an episode at all.

Some of that is holiday not illness though. The illness doesn't really become a major issue until Season 3.

True, what a bizarre system they used to have, very civilised though.

I'll just pop off halfway through filming a for a week in Spain.

 

[diankra]

True, what a bizarre system they used to have, very civilised though.

I'll just pop off halfway through filming a for a week in Spain.

Well, the first season was a solid 52 week shoot, one episode a week, every week (apart from Easter and Christmas - so that made it 55 weeks with three weeks off. But actually 57 weeks, due to the two reshoots of abandoned episodes. Long time to go without a break).

Edit: pulled the reference book from the shelf, and the 1st season recording dates are:
An Unearthly Child take one: 27th September 1963.
An Unearthly Child take two through to Daleks part 5 (including two recordings of The Dead Planet): 18th October to 20th December 63.
3rd January to 23rd October 64: The Daleks pt6 through to Dalek Invasion of Earth part 6, no weeks off at all - not even for Easter! Then there was a luxurious five week gap before production restarted with The Rescue in December 64...

 

[Pindar]

True, what a bizarre system they used to have, very civilised though.

I'll just pop off halfway through filming a for a week in Spain.

Well, the first season was a solid 52 week shoot, one episode a week, every week (apart from Easter and Christmas - so that made it 55 weeks with three weeks off. But actually 57 weeks, due to the two reshoots of abandoned episodes. Long time to go without a break).

Edit: pulled the reference book from the shelf, and the 1st season recording dates are:
An Unearthly Child take one: 27th September 1963.
An Unearthly Child take two through to Daleks part 5 (including two recordings of The Dead Planet): 18th October to 20th December 63.
3rd January to 23rd October 64: The Daleks pt6 through to Dalek Invasion of Earth part 6, no weeks off at all - not even for Easter! Then there was a luxurious five week gap before production restarted with The Rescue in December 64...

That's grim, they certainly earned their money.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Just finished the first Doctor's story "Daleks."

It was neat seeing the Daleks for the first time, and I really do enjoy the first Doctor so far. However the story went on far too long, seven episodes seemed a bit excessive and it could have been compacted a bit more. I'm still bothered by the fact that The Doctor doesn't really feel like the central character yet. I understand that's not the shows fault since only two stories in they're still trying to find the rhythm of the show, it's just hard for me to get behind being exposed to the Doctor Who style of storytelling nowadays.

The first doctor is often missing as Hartnell's health deteriorated.

Sometimes he won't be in an episode at all.

There are multiple stories featuring the absence of some character or another. The Doctor is rather blatantly not in a couple episodes of "The Keys of Marinus" at all (despite the fact that he still gets top billing in them). Susan is missing from the middle episodes of "The Aztecs." Barbara took a couple episodes off in "The Sensorites." And William Russell took a 2 week vacation during "The Reign of Terror" but still appears in all the episodes thanks to some pre-filmed scenes of him in the prison.

The principle doesn't just extend to the William Hartnell years either. The regulars would often take a week or two off during production in the Patrick Troughton years as well. (Although, IIRC, the only surviving Troughton episode to not feature the Doctor is in "The Seeds of Death," and even then we still get to see Jamie & Zoe tending to an unconscious Doctor played by a stand-in.)

As for the Doctor not yet seeming like the lead on his own show, you kinda have to wait until the Patrick Troughton years for that. Seasons 1 & 2 were very much the Ian & Barbara show. And while the Doctor would become somewhat more assertive in Season 3, they still counted on Steven or Ben to carry much of the show.

I watched The Time Monster. New Who has got to bring back TOMTIT, what a riot, that had to sound funny even at the time of release. The TARDIS inside the TARDIS inside the TARDIS was a lot of fun, the Master is just such a hammy villain. How OTT is it to launch a V2 at UNIT? Looking online, it seems this one is pretty hated but despite its flaws I thought it was entertaining.

They really didn't know what to make of "women's lib" back then, did they? So embarrassing, I wanted to shoot that wet drip lab assistant guy. Too bad one of the Doctor's stronger companions, Liz, didn't last longer even if that era airhead Katy Manning is cute as a button.

I think "The Time Monster" was a tragic missed opportunity to bring back Liz Shaw. She could have been the Master's unwitting assistant at the university. After all, she wouldn't know who the Master was because he didn't appear until the 1st story after she left.

The two combined made me wonder if any companion was more perved over by the villains than Peri.

By the villains? No. By the fans? Take your pick. Although, it has been noted that pretty much anyone who ever flirted with Barbara would turn out to be a bad guy. But they still kept a respectful distance. Peri would get pawed and drooled over all the time. Even Shockeye's interest in her seemed pretty salacious, and he just wanted to cook her, not fuck her!

I've watched a lot of new stories since I last checked in on this thread. Of the new ones I've watched, the two that most stand out for me are "The Keys of Marinus" & "The Reign of Terror." They're both decent early Hartnell outings but nothing spectacular. Susan is rediculously useless here and screams more than I ever remember any other companion screaming before. And that's when she's not suddenly falling prey to some dreaded mystery illness she picked up in the French prison. And I can't say enough about how much I hate the animation in "The Reign of Terror," but I think I'll do a separate thread to rant about that.

 

[Davros]

Pyramids Of Mars

 

[Lowdarzz]

The Trial of a Time Lord: The Mysterious Planet and Mindwarp (Sixth Doctor).

While not Robert Holmes' best, I know he was ill while writing it and died soon after, I enjoyed The Mysterious Planet. It's actually kind of interesting, I saw a lot of The Krotons, Holmes first serial, in this one. A robot which controls a human society to provide for its needs, the robot singling out two of the humans for special tasks.

While Mindwarp was well written, I think Philip Martin's last serial, Vengeance on Varos, was probably better. Sil works better as an antagonist then a sniveling flunkie. Peri's death however was excellent. She didn't die saving the day, she just died and I applaud the writer and producer for making that decision.

Yes, I know they copped out in the end which is too bad. Having Peri marry Yrcanos seems completely out of place. I know they tried to build up some sort of relationship between them, but it wasn't that well developed.

 

[Winterwind]

Just started doing a re-watch, right from the beginning (of my DVD collection).

Since I have "The Beginnings" boxset, that's right at the start. Watched An Unearthly Child yesterday but skipped the three cavemen episodes and went to the seven-part Daleks story. Half way through that now.

 

[diankra]

Just started doing a re-watch, right from the beginning (of my DVD collection).

Since I have "The Beginnings" boxset, that's right at the start. Watched An Unearthly Child yesterday but skipped the three cavemen episodes and went to the seven-part Daleks story. Half way through that now.

Oh don't do that! Yes, a few countries got it like that in the mid-1960s, but that three parter is a good solid story in its own right (the contrast between Za's superstitious reaction to the TARDIS crew "They are from god, or are demons", and Kal's rational one "They are from a more advanced tribe over the mountains, and we need to know what they know" is a bit of a philosophical mainstay for the series as a whole). And it's important in the character development of the regular cast... even referred back to in the big arguments in the third story!
Seriously... the dawn of time episodes are worth seeing... they're an odd halfway house between the early SF stories, and the historicals, as they're a bit of both. It's not three wasted episodes (that's The Keys of Marinus... for six episodes). Personally I'd put them about 3rd or 4th of the seven first season stories that still exist in some form on video. So watch them yourself and see what you think.

 

[Winterwind]

I did say "re-watch".

I own the DVDs after all, I've seen them a few times. I just have to be in a certain mood to watch the caveman episodes.

 

[Aldo]

I still have one more First Doctor serial to finish (The Edge of Destruction), before I finish up my "Beginnings" set. After that I have three options (probably a lot more, but I limited it to three). I'll either pick up "The Three Doctors," "The Twin Dilemma" or continue on with my Seven watching with "The Happiness Patrol"

I'm actually leaning towards "The Twin Dilemma," just because my only exposure to Six as of right now is seeing him for the second or two he popped up after Five regenerated into him. I know he has a bit of a reputation, but I want to give him a shot before forming my own opinion of him.

 

[diankra]

I still have one more First Doctor serial to finish (The Edge of Destruction), before I finish up my "Beginnings" set. After that I have three options (probably a lot more, but I limited it to three). I'll either pick up "The Three Doctors," "The Twin Dilemma" or continue on with my Seven watching with "The Happiness Patrol"

I'm actually leaning towards "The Twin Dilemma," just because my only exposure to Six as of right now is seeing him for the second or two he popped up after Five regenerated into him. I know he has a bit of a reputation, but I want to give him a shot before forming my own opinion of him.

Some will disagree, but I'd say the majority opinion would be that Twin Dilemma does not show the sixth Doctor at his best, so it might actually put you off him unfairly.