What are peoples' opinions on this, the last story of the classic series? I think that as far as they go, it's a good one, and the very last scene is quite moving. I showed it to my family, who hadn't seen it before, and while they didn't dislike it, their attitude was more "meh" than anything; OK, but nothing special.
Survival
- Thread starter EJA
- Start date
"Ghostlight" and "Curse of Fendric" are far superior, and in a lot of ways those two episodes were some of the best of Doctor Who (yes, I said it, I'll say it again if I have to!) but "Survival had its moments.
The best thing about Sylvester McCoy, other than himself, was having Ace as a companion. Finally we had a companion who had an interesting story. Ace was a strong yet damaged girl, and very much adopted by the Doctor. Survival in many ways is her story, the otherworldly events a mirror for Ace and the other teenagers from her neighborhood, the kids society abandons and who become animals on the street.
The very last moment of "Survival" is amazingly beautiful. Ace sitting on the ground, thinking she's lost the Doctor, and holding his hat and umbrella. With a tear, she firmly puts the hat on her head, as though she is going to take on the Doctor's role, and as she does this we the audience see the form of the Doctor step behind her, offering a joyfully confident comment to Ace. "Mine, I believe."
McCoy's last words are often quoted, and it is a fun little speech he gives about all the wonders of the galaxy, but I think it is that prior moment with Ace that is truly memorable.
McCoy and Ace are my absolute favorites. Their relationship was complex and engaging. If only he'd not had that damn question-mark jumper!
The best thing about Sylvester McCoy, other than himself, was having Ace as a companion. Finally we had a companion who had an interesting story. Ace was a strong yet damaged girl, and very much adopted by the Doctor. Survival in many ways is her story, the otherworldly events a mirror for Ace and the other teenagers from her neighborhood, the kids society abandons and who become animals on the street.
The very last moment of "Survival" is amazingly beautiful. Ace sitting on the ground, thinking she's lost the Doctor, and holding his hat and umbrella. With a tear, she firmly puts the hat on her head, as though she is going to take on the Doctor's role, and as she does this we the audience see the form of the Doctor step behind her, offering a joyfully confident comment to Ace. "Mine, I believe."
McCoy's last words are often quoted, and it is a fun little speech he gives about all the wonders of the galaxy, but I think it is that prior moment with Ace that is truly memorable.
McCoy and Ace are my absolute favorites. Their relationship was complex and engaging. If only he'd not had that damn question-mark jumper!
I love the story and it was one of my childhood favorites ("the one with the cheetah people!"). The final scene is absolutely beautiful, both Ace's tearful moment and The Doctor's closing speech.
The story isn't the strongest, not even the best Seventh Doctor serial (Remembrance of the Daleks, Ghost Light, The Curse of Fenric, and Battlefield), but it's strong on the nostalgia factor. It's certainly not one I would use to introduce someone to Doctor Who or The Seventh Doctor.
The story isn't the strongest, not even the best Seventh Doctor serial (Remembrance of the Daleks, Ghost Light, The Curse of Fenric, and Battlefield), but it's strong on the nostalgia factor. It's certainly not one I would use to introduce someone to Doctor Who or The Seventh Doctor.
The Survival making-of documentary (on the DVD) made a strong argument about the influence this story had on the the 2005 Series 1 of Doctor Who.
The story itself may not be that strong, but it did kind of act as a turning point in the direction DW as a program would take.
The story itself may not be that strong, but it did kind of act as a turning point in the direction DW as a program would take.
Ah, yes, I forgotten about that bit. A lot of comparisons between Ace and Rose on character writing level.
^Plus there's a woman who's similar to Jackie ranting about cats at the end.
Apart from his big shout at the end during his fight with the Master, I think Survival also has one of McCoy's better performances as the Doctor. Ditto with Ainley as the Master.
Julian Holloway (Who does a ton of voice acting work according to his IMDB) was also fun as Sgt. Patterson.
I think THE END OF TIME also paid some tribute to this episode, with the Master being more animal than Time Lord.
GHOST LIGHT was actually the last WHO filmed, but it's good they didn't go with production order, as it was kind of significant at the time that the series went out with the Doctor vs. The Master. As oppossed to the Doctor vs. Light.
The New Adventures were also heavily inspired by this story, as well. Not only that, but Lisa Bowerman, the voice of Benny in audio dramas, appears here as the cat person who befriends Ace. I think the New Adventures also have the Master and Ace retain the Cheetah powers, at least a bit.
Apart from his big shout at the end during his fight with the Master, I think Survival also has one of McCoy's better performances as the Doctor. Ditto with Ainley as the Master.
Julian Holloway (Who does a ton of voice acting work according to his IMDB) was also fun as Sgt. Patterson.
I think THE END OF TIME also paid some tribute to this episode, with the Master being more animal than Time Lord.
GHOST LIGHT was actually the last WHO filmed, but it's good they didn't go with production order, as it was kind of significant at the time that the series went out with the Doctor vs. The Master. As oppossed to the Doctor vs. Light.
The New Adventures were also heavily inspired by this story, as well. Not only that, but Lisa Bowerman, the voice of Benny in audio dramas, appears here as the cat person who befriends Ace. I think the New Adventures also have the Master and Ace retain the Cheetah powers, at least a bit.
It's pretty terrific, the dialogue has this 'prose poetry' style that I really like, and as an example of Andrew Cartmel's attempts at bringing in new writers, it's one that worked (a lot better than some of the others).
BTW: the wrtier, Rona Munro, has her new play opening at the RSC this month: it's called Little Eagles, and it's about the early days of spaceflight.
BTW: the wrtier, Rona Munro, has her new play opening at the RSC this month: it's called Little Eagles, and it's about the early days of spaceflight.
Aw, what's wrong with "If we fight like animals, we die like animals!"? I find myself quoting that line all the time.
it's good, but it's not great.
Bearing in mind it wasn't intended as the finale - it wasn't even the last story shot for the season - I thought they did quite well. The closing monologue (added after the serial began airing when JNT was informed there would be no Season 27) is one of the all-time classics. And the story really gave us insights into Ace's character.
We all wish the show had gone out on a high with a Caves of Androzani or Remembrance of the Daleks-style story. Or some Seven Doctors story that wrapped up 26 years. But by then JNT and his crew were probably just thankful they got a 26th season and were working to hard on scoring a 27th to bother with a "just in case" wrap up. Indeed, they were planning an exit strategy for Ace and possibly the Seventh Doctor himself for 1990, and I think they might have been anticipating Season 27 being the last one. And by the time Battlefield debuted and scored the lowest ratings in the show's long history (less than 4 million, I think - don't quote me on that), the writing was on the wall, but except for having McCoy record the monologue there wasn't much else they could do.
At least they didn't end a series on some weird note that would have made it difficult to continue. Imagine if the final story had been Death Comes to Time. It would have been spectacular, but Doctor Who as we know it would have ended in 1989 and we'd be harping about the shortcomings of the reimagining starring Charlie Sheen right about now.
Alex
Makes me kind of wonder what we'll get for a finale if the current Doctor who was to end. Now, of course I don't want that to happen, but it might, someday due to franchise fatique. Of course it could always be revived yet again sometime down the line.
Anyway, I wonder if we'll ever get real closure for Ace. I don't think any other companion has as many different fates! Of course the official/canon one is that she started a charity (From Sarah Jane), but I kind of liked the one where she became a Dalek fighter (The New Adventures and some of the comics)
Funny also how one of the lost season one stories-the one that was replaced by Boomtown-would have had the Ninth Doctor manipulate Rose the way the Seventh did with Ace.
Anyway, I wonder if we'll ever get real closure for Ace. I don't think any other companion has as many different fates! Of course the official/canon one is that she started a charity (From Sarah Jane), but I kind of liked the one where she became a Dalek fighter (The New Adventures and some of the comics)
Funny also how one of the lost season one stories-the one that was replaced by Boomtown-would have had the Ninth Doctor manipulate Rose the way the Seventh did with Ace.
I'm wondering if it's possible to devise a stardrive made form putty cats?
Yeah, the space-hopping cats was my favorite part. Gallifrey letting its strays get out of hand?
I heard a Lisa Bowerman interview recently where she said with such pride: "I was the last monster on Doctor Who."
Dude no Gallifrey.
Boom.
What's the fancy word for a stampede of cats?
Boom.
What's the fancy word for a stampede of cats?
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