The New Beginnings Trilogy

[Steve67]

I'd like to discuss the so-called "Master/New Beginnings" Trilogy.

The Keeper of Traken: Enjoyed it a lot. Baker was restrained and didn't dominate the proceedings, Adric was completely unobtrusive and rather good, actually. I don't remember any negative feelings towards the character thirty years ago, so I guess I'm in the minority that likes him. One reads so much internet blather about how "bad" Adric was and it practically becomes fact, like lies told often enough that become "truth." There's not a single thing wrong with the kid.

The story itself was quite good, with the Traken concept interesting and the supporting characters engaging. Anthony Ainley was excellent as Tremas and I'm looking forward to seeing his rendition of The Master after all these years. Ainley's reputation is another of those things that endless internet B.S. has foisted on us. He can't possibly be as over the top as the latest master, John Simm--whom I also like.

Logopolis: My word, this was so sad! I refused to watch Tom leave the role when this aired the first time and seeing it now, I see how devastating this is to a diehard Tom fan like myself. My wife and I were so depressed after watching this, that it carried over into the next day.

Up Next: Castrovalva...

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

I haven't seen "The Keeper of Trakken" yet. Although, I feel like I should because I've been listening to a lot of Big Finish audios that focus a lot on Nyssa.

I recall "Logopolis" being a bit depressing. Tom Baker seems to be missing the usual twinkle, which was the only reason why I watched him most of the time. It's the end of his run and I think I can sense his eager desire to be already gone.

"Castrovalva" is weird! I don't really understand it. However, I think this is one of the stories where Adric earns his reputation as an obnoxious know-it-all that even Wesley Crusher wouldn't be able to tolerate.

 

[Captain Pike]

I really liked the recursion and entropy themes present in Logopolis and how they were played out on screen. The recursion of a TARDIS within a TARDIS within a TARDIS.. (etc) is actually a brilliant idea. We got to see the Cloister Room and how entropy was effecting it as well. There was a nice moment there if I recall between Adric & the 4th Doc.

The stuff with the Watcher is another cool concept which was realised for maximum creepiness - the first couple of episodes scared me when I first saw them as a kid.

It's sad though. Even today I tend to avoid it, as seeing the 4th Doc depart after such a rich and wonderful innings is really kinda depressing. Baker really owned that role, and it is/was sad to see him go.

Traken.. has wonderful sets and costumes but it was a bit boring, imo & Castrovalva (which by the way was the name of one of Escher's drawings ) continues on with the recursion theme established in Logopolis, though it is the least coherent or enjoyable of the 3.

 

[Steve67]

After an iffy start to Part One, Castrovalva becomes a decent story, though elements of Part Two--Nyssa and Tegan's carrying of the Zero box--remind me of a Discovery Kids channel-style show. I can't decide who's better looking--Nyssa or Tegan.

Davison's debut was rock solid. He didn't try to do too much and yet he wasn't out of the picture, either.

 

[Haggis and tatties]

I remember being blown away when i saw the Tardis inside the Tardis when Logopolis first aired, it was just mind blowing, one of those iconic moments in Who that sticks in your brain.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

It's sad though. Even today I tend to avoid it, as seeing the 4th Doc depart after such a rich and wonderful innings is really kinda depressing. Baker really owned that role, and it is/was sad to see him go.

Perhaps made even more difficult but the strict terms under which Tom Baker left the role. "Logopolis" was truly the end. No multi-Doctor specials. (His half-hearted studio appearance in "Dimensions in Time" doesn't count.) No Big Finish audios (yet). Somehow, he just seems so distant, so separate from the history of the other Doctors.

 

[DWF]

It's sad though. Even today I tend to avoid it, as seeing the 4th Doc depart after such a rich and wonderful innings is really kinda depressing. Baker really owned that role, and it is/was sad to see him go.

Perhaps made even more difficult but the strict terms under which Tom Baker left the role. "Logopolis" was truly the end. No multi-Doctor specials. (His half-hearted studio appearance in "Dimensions in Time" doesn't count.) No Big Finish audios (yet). Somehow, he just seems so distant, so separate from the history of the other Doctors.

It was his ego, he freely admitted at the time he was undirectorable. But I dod think that over the years he did mellow saying that without Dr. Who he'd have nothing and he now knows how special it is to him.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Even so, in his mellowed old age, has he ever shared the stage with another Doctor?

 

[Mr. Sin]

^I think he might've with Pertwee & Troughton at a convention in the 80s during the 20th anniversary. There's a B & W pic somewhere of it.

 

[The Borgified Corpse]

Find the pic & I'll believe you. I've seen some articles about Tom Baker going to the same conventions as the other Doctors but never appearing in the same room.

Of course, perhaps he's just more concerned about the implications to the space-time continuum if he meets himself?