Continuing to Discover Doctor Who
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The Key To Time: The Stones of Blood
I suppose in hindsight, this was a lot like "The Ribos Operation": enjoyable, entertaining, but nothing outstanding. While I was watching it, though, I thought it was extraordinarily cool. Weird, eh? Except it is cool. Interesting concepts, and the budget doesn't completely let them down either. K-9 actually doesn't grate on me in this one like in some of the others. A lot of the humour was very well done, especially the trial sequence; Tom Baker looked quite... er, fetching in that barrister's wig.
I suppose in hindsight, this was a lot like "The Ribos Operation": enjoyable, entertaining, but nothing outstanding. While I was watching it, though, I thought it was extraordinarily cool. Weird, eh? Except it is cool. Interesting concepts, and the budget doesn't completely let them down either. K-9 actually doesn't grate on me in this one like in some of the others. A lot of the humour was very well done, especially the trial sequence; Tom Baker looked quite... er, fetching in that barrister's wig.
Well I meant the classic series serials, but yeah I suppose so (I don't hate it THAT much myself. So bad it's okay I guess).
Nothing outstanding?! I beg to differ! Amelia Rumford was beyond outstanding!The Key To Time: The Stones of Blood
I suppose in hindsight, this was a lot like "The Ribos Operation": enjoyable, entertaining, but nothing outstanding. While I was watching it, though, I thought it was extraordinarily cool. Weird, eh? Except it is cool. Interesting concepts, and the budget doesn't completely let them down either. K-9 actually doesn't grate on me in this one like in some of the others. A lot of the humour was very well done, especially the trial sequence; Tom Baker looked quite... er, fetching in that barrister's wig.
I first saw this story in the early '80s, and am still very fond of her. And weren't the Justice Machines a hoot?
Indeed, Amelia Rumford is wonderful and easily the best thing about The Stones of Blood.
Please don't get me wrong! I liked it, didn't have any problems or complaints with it, it just didn't grab me the way some of the other great stories have done (for example, Genesis of The Daleks or The Talons of Weng-Chiang). Still thought it was pretty cool. And yes, the Justice Machines were awesome.
The trouble I have with Stones of Blood is that it starts off well, a throw back to the Hinchcliffe stories. It's all quite dark and entertaining, but then they go and ruin it by giving us two episodes of Tom Baker pratting about on a very cheap space ship set. I could have done without the dog leg, and just stayed with the occult stuff. Standing stones that move is a great idea.
Okay I went forwards instead of backwards with the Daleks and watched Resurrection.
I suppose it was better than Destiny - Terry Molloy is certainly a better Davros than Gooderman, and the duplicates and the beginnings of the Dalek civil war was interesting.
But why did Davros seem unaware of the events of Destiny? Was it simply due to the freezing? And what exactly was the point of having Tegan in this story? Why didn't they just leave her at the airport a few serials earlier if all she came back for was to get a bump on the head and spend nearly the whole serial in bed!? Her exit was okay, but I was annoyed she got such a weak role in her last serial - I count her among my favourite companions so far so this annoyed me.
And how am I supposed to take Stein seriously when he's Bob from The Likely Lads!?
I suppose it was better than Destiny - Terry Molloy is certainly a better Davros than Gooderman, and the duplicates and the beginnings of the Dalek civil war was interesting.
But why did Davros seem unaware of the events of Destiny? Was it simply due to the freezing? And what exactly was the point of having Tegan in this story? Why didn't they just leave her at the airport a few serials earlier if all she came back for was to get a bump on the head and spend nearly the whole serial in bed!? Her exit was okay, but I was annoyed she got such a weak role in her last serial - I count her among my favourite companions so far so this annoyed me.
And how am I supposed to take Stein seriously when he's Bob from The Likely Lads!?
I don't know if Tegan's getting left behind in "Time-Flight" was supposed to make us think it was permanent, or if it was supposed to be permanent (ie. maybe in RL there were contract negotiations going on with the actress?). But she comes back in "Arc of Infinity" and stays until the episode you reference.
She was always going to come back. I think it was an attempt to end the series on a cliffhanger - will Tegan find the Doctor again?
I remember when I watched the end of "Time-Flight" recently I was shocked and saddened at how Tegan was left behind. At the time I thought that really was her final episode and thought it was a real bummer of a way for her to go out. On the other hand, I liked that it wasn't exactly a tidy departure all wrapped up in a bow. It took her by surprise and I'm sure she was upset, but she was exactly where she wanted to be. Served her right for wandering off, anyway.
Of course, Tegan would be back, but if that really had been Tegan's last appearance, it still would have been satisfying, if somewhat unsettling.
Oh right I see. I thought Time-Flight was a lot closer to Resurrection that it actually is.
The Key To Time: The Androids of Tara
That was exciting! I don't think there was a point where I thought it started to drag or overstay its welcome; the story moved at a good pace, letting you take things in while still keeping up the tempo. And the Doctor got into a swordfight. A swordfight! That was probably my favourite part.
Yeah, this is likely my favourite story of the season so far.
That was exciting! I don't think there was a point where I thought it started to drag or overstay its welcome; the story moved at a good pace, letting you take things in while still keeping up the tempo. And the Doctor got into a swordfight. A swordfight! That was probably my favourite part.
Yeah, this is likely my favourite story of the season so far.The Key To Time: The Androids of Tara
That was exciting! I don't think there was a point where I thought it started to drag or overstay its welcome; the story moved at a good pace, letting you take things in while still keeping up the tempo. And the Doctor got into a swordfight. A swordfight! That was probably my favourite part.
I love that swordfight too and Count Grendel is one the better villians of the original series. Mary Tamm looked great in her double role as well.
Except that was fencing.
Still a cool fight, I admit.
For other sword fights, see The King's Demons and "The Christmas Invasion."
Tara is great fun. It's one of the most entertaining Who stories, as it's a simple tale of princesses, castles, an evil count and a swashbuckling hero. Tom gets it note perfect, taking the sword fight seriously.
Because it's got lots of location filming and basic castle sets, there wasn't much they could get wrong. So they put the legendary "Taran beast" in for good measure!
Because it's got lots of location filming and basic castle sets, there wasn't much they could get wrong. So they put the legendary "Taran beast" in for good measure!
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