New Beginnings

[Starkers]

Recently got the New Beginnings boxset, and have to say that, of the three stories, The Keeper of Traken is the best by miles.

Classic Who gets a lot of stick for its wobbly sets etc, but for me 99% of Traken works flawlessly. The sets are gorgeous, the costumes not too outlandish, the Melkur is fantastic and the acting pretty darn good (heck I have to say Adric is really growing on me) Possibly the only thing that lets it down is Kassia’s glowing eyes and the laser eye effects. Shame really.

Just goes to show that an entire story set on an alien world can work and be believable, by contrast though Logopolis itself is an interesting concept, the mix of Earth and Logopolis and the studio recreations of the base of the array just scream cheap! Meanwhile Castrovala is nice enough, but costumes let it down. What’s other people’s impressions?

Oh one final point, with Traken and Castrovala its nice to see how well Ainley can act when not hamming it up as the Master!

 

[Phillip Culley]

Season 18 is one of my least favourite seasons, and Traken is one of the dullest in that season - I've tried to watch it several times and it's done nothing for me.

With Logopolis, I wonder just how highly rated it would be were it not Tom's last story - again it's less adventure and more 'boy's big books of science', with Tom falling off a telescope at the end.

Castrovalva is definitely my favourite of the three, although I much prefer the two episodes in the TARDIS compared to the ones in the titular city...

 

[Garth Rockett]

I like all three stories, but Traken is my least favorite of the group. The math nerd in me loves the concept behind Logopolis, and I like the sense of impending doom the Watcher brings. Castrovalva has another neat concept and I think it's well executed. Plus, Peter Davison.

 

[Chaos Descending]

I think Traken/Logopolis are two of my favorite episodes PERIOD. I wasn't ever a huge fan of Castrovalva when I first saw it, but recent viewings have made me appreciate it more.

 

[Mr Light]

I haven't seen these episodes in a decade but I didn't enjoy any of them. Tom Baker is my favorite Doctor by miles but in his final season he was just morose and depressing, and so were his stories. I found Logopolis to be particularly off-putting, sad, and bleak, particularly the Doctor constantly seeing his specter of death looking at him from the distance. And I never cared for Peter Davidson.

 

[The]

Thought Traken was a cool idea at the time, especially the idea behind the Master's TARDIS, and his surprise inclusion. But, it's not something I run back to watch a lot. Logopolis/Castrovalva was my first ever introduction to changing Doctors. I have a very soft spot for that entire saga, as it brought across the actual feelings of death and departure, mixed with forboding, sadness, and finality. And then...rebirth! Renewal. Young, fresh, bright, and ready to run into the future. That's the kind of feelings it gave me when I was young. It was the first time I realized Doctor Who as a story essentially could not die. As long as I accepted the idea of change and embraced evolution, this show would be with me until the day I die.

So far, so good, I say...

 

[The]

Oh and The Watcher watching from a distance, across the road like that? Creepy...

 

[Cutter John]

OTOH, Season 18 is one of my favorite series. Especially after the general silliness of the previous three years. I like my DW played straight.

As for the box set, I have to say Keeper was my least favorite of the three. I loved the sets and costumes. Plus having the Master back was a bonus. (and as an anime fan, I had to giggle at him basically using his Tardis as an armored battlesuit). But I was just kinda lukewarm about the story.

 

[Stevil2001]

I like my Doctor Who played well, silly or straight. So Season 18 is one of my favorites, and all three stories in this box are certainly up there.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

I loved the commentary on Logopolis were Tom Baker was saying how the actor who played Adric was annoying him at the time by imitating the way he was acting.......you have to love Bakers commentarie,they are brilliant at times.

 

[Cutter John]

Ah Tom Baker. The Bill Shatner of the UK.

 

[Starkers]

Nah I always think of Roger Moore as the British Shatner

 

[Jim Steele]

Ah Tom Baker. The Bill Shatner of the UK.

Agreed. And better.