Last Classic Who Story you watched

[26138]

Still watching Earthshock. In part 4.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

^^^I can still remember to this day the ending to this, just stunned at the time.

 

[26138]

Earthshock down, Time-Flight is next.

 

[Marc]

Earthshock down, Time-Flight is next.

now there's a major downshift in quality.

 

[jaime]

now there's a major downshift in quality.

Probably held the record until this year. Or maybe Androzani to Twin.

 

[Nx-007]

"The Deadly Assassin"

 

[matthunter]

"The Deadly Assassin"

Would be a bit rubbish if they weren't.

 

[diankra]

Earthshock down, Time-Flight is next.

Oh dear.

 

[Christopher]

I didn't know "Time-Flight" had a bad reputation. I don't remember it being particularly good or bad. The main thing I remember is the Doctor expressing astonishment that the jet is smaller on the inside than the outside.

 

[JD]

Yes, well, unlike The Mark of the Rani, The Three Doctors hasn't improved much over time.

What has always stood out the best about that serial is the marvelous chemistry between Jon Pertwee and Patrick Troughton and the delightful shenanigans The Third and Second Doctors get into while dealing with the Omega threat. Their raw chemistry highlights the missed opportunity of William Hartnell working more directly with the both of them, but at least he's able to work in a few memorable quips from his viewscreen perch.

Omega himself is a one-(very loud)-note villain who does nothing but bombasts his way from scene to scene in such a manner that would make Brian Blessed blush. At least the serial does the decency of recognizing this flaw and uses it as his ultimate downfall as everyone escapes the antimatter universe. The only true curiosity of the character was the weird mental battle between The Third Doctor and Omega's dark side of his mind.

There were really only two other good things about the serial. First and foremost, how badly the poor Brigadier handled the very concept of multiple Doctors in one time zone and all of the antimatter nonsense. His complete denial and utter refusal to accept any of it until it was staring him in the face was brilliant and Nicholas Courtney's straight man performance was nothing short of masterful.

The other delight was the gorgeous bulbous, rock, whatever creatures. The costuming designs for them were on point and I kind of hope we get to see a modern take on them, but I'm doubtful.

I enjoyed The Three Doctors when I watched it back in January, I looked back on my post and I described it as "pretty good". The main thing that I remember is that I really enjoyed the dynamic between the Second and Third Doctors, and like you said, The Brig's frustration and confusion over everything going on was pretty funny.
The mental fight between The Doctor and Omega was a bit of a scene.

 

[Emperor-Tiberius]

I didn't know "Time-Flight" had a bad reputation.

Really? It's infamously bad.

I don't remember it being particularly good or bad. The main thing I remember is the Doctor expressing astonishment that the jet is smaller on the inside than the outside.

Again, really? Nothing works about it. Complete with the most pointless disguise of the Master ever.

 

[26138]

I had no idea Time-Flight was considered horrible. I'm in episode 2 right now.

 

[matthunter]

It's a bit contrived to get the Master back and also have him use an illusion of Adric to try and sway Tegan and Nyssa (and fulfil Matthew Waterhouse's contract) but otherwise the Master hijacking humans through time to gain access to a power source he needs to repair his TARDIS isn't a BAD idea, if a bit derivative of The Time Warrior. It also has the scenes where Nyssa and Tegan argue with the Doctor about whether he can use the TARDIS to change Adric's fate, which is possibly the first time the series bothered to think about this beyond "could you kill the Daleks in the incubation chamber?".

 

[Christopher]

It also has the scenes where Nyssa and Tegan argue with the Doctor about whether he can use the TARDIS to change Adric's fate, which is possibly the first time the series bothered to think about this beyond "could you kill the Daleks in the incubation chamber?".

The Doctor and Barbara debated whether history could be changed in "The Aztecs." But yeah, the series generally avoided the question.

 

[VDCNI]

Wasn't JNT more concerned with the Radio Times cast list than contractual agreements when it comes to Matthew Waterhouse's appearance.

Time Flight is cheap looking, the plot is a mess and the script is terrible. The actors just about keep it running. Even the commentary isn't as fun as usual thanks to Eric Saward bringing the whole thing down.

 

[matthunter]

Time Flight is cheap looking

Cheap looking, but the favours called in to get Concorde can't have been.