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Mara tales (Kinda and Snakedance)

W

Whofan

Fleet Captain
These are coming to DVD soon, and I always thought they were some of the darker and more thoughtful classic stories. Sure, they have their goofy moments (The inflatable snake, the costumes in Snakedance), but they strove to be somewhat deeper than a lot of classic WHO did at the time.

For those who haven't seen them, basically they revolve around an evil entity which possesses companion Tegan and others. In physical form the Mara is a giant snake. The stories seem to draw somewhat from the Eden story, buddhism and also the Australian concept of dreamtime.

Apparentally the Mara story was originally going to be a trilogy, but unfortunately the third story was never made (Although there is an audio story out there). RTD appears to be a fan of these serials as he's incorporated references to the Mara and other elements into the new series.


Also, anybody else think that the Mara's dream manifestation in Kinda looks a lot like Eccleston?
 
Kinda's a 5 star top 10 classic for me. It's a bit Shakespearey I think. Snakedance is a very solid story as well. I'm very fond of both.

Where were these references to the Mara in new Who? The only one I recall is in Time Crash, written by Moffat. In fact, Moffat's on record as saying these are his two favourite stories.
 
I originally didn't like Kinda at all, but it has grown on me over time. I recently rewatched in preparation for the release of Big Finish's Cradle of the Snake (which is quite good as well) and found myself loving it. Snakedance, on the other hand, isn't all that good.
 
I wouldn't mind seeing them again. Although I'm a bit aprehensive as both fell smack in the middle of Who's dull as dirt period.

Wonder if they'll offer a version with alternate cg snake effects?
 
Cutter John said:
I wouldn't mind seeing them again. Although I'm a bit aprehensive as both fell smack in the middle of Who's dull as dirt period.
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I'm no massive fan of the early/mid Davison era (that strange period where Bidmead and gone but Saward wasn't yet exercising full control), but they're fantastic stories. Kinda's a definite top ten for me.
Cutter John said:
Wonder if they'll offer a version with alternate cg snake effects?
Click to expand...
Don't give the Prositution Team ideas. We're just lucky when they don't hack a story into a single 45 minutes and get Nick Briggs to replace every single voice including the Doctor.
 
Kinda's one of those that's simply in the wrong medium. It needs to be a full-on literary novel (and by that I mean in the publishing genre called literary fiction). Unfortunately as a TV show it's utter, utter shite.

Snakedance is merely boring rubbish that'd make a very good lit SF novel - i.e. it's not as deep and fabulous a script, but it turned out more palatable as a TV production.

I'll still get the set, though, cos Peter's commentaries in general are worth the price alone
 
The thing I remember most with Kinda is all that tension build up to opening the box. That was actually a pretty good cliffhanger I thought, very classic - very much in the vein of Ambassadors of Death Episode 2.

Snakedance on the other hand.. it's an odd kettle of fish. Martin Clunes prettied up so much he looks like a drag queen. A very theatrical realisation of the story, which if you allow it, is actually pretty disturbing.

It all looks a bit like an 80's punk rock music video.
 
In both, Ms. Fielding absolutely steals the show...I still feel creeped out at the scenes of her in the hall of mirrors in Snakedance.
 
I thought Snakedance was better than Kinda, Kinda's standout scene for me was Tegan's seduction. But bith were good stories and I'm looking forward to seeing them on DVD.
 
I've only seen Snakedance once or twice but I recall liking it a lot. Kinda is odd but very good. Davison is also my favorite Doctor so that helps them along as well.
 
Cutter John said:
Lonemagpie said:
I'll still get the set, though, cos Peter's commentaries in general are worth the price alone
Click to expand...

Oooh, I'd forgotten about that. And him and Janet together are comedy gold.

Might even make Bones crack a smile.
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Where do you get the idea I don't smile? I'm always laughing, me.

As far as Davo's commentary goes, so long as he brings more personality to it than he usually brought to his milquetoast of a Doctor, that'd be worth hearing. Is Waterhouse on the commentary? His recent autobiography wasn't kind to anyone, though these things are usually recorded quite a long time before release.
 
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