Yes another old Doctor who episode and this time with Peter
Davidson as the Doctor. This is a fairly early Peter Davidson story by the fact
that Adric is still in the series. However, there is little use of special
effects in this story but as far as the plot goes there was little need for
them. This is in stark contrast to the explosion every five minutes and CGI
overload that have blighted the most recent series with the soon to depart
(thank goodness) Matt Smith. Whilst this story does have a couple of big names
in the cast I feel it would have been far better with Tom Baker in the leading
roll as it is more his ‘style’ of story.
Brief polt:
The Doctor and his three companions have landed on earth in
1925 on a railway station. Whilst this isn’t exactly where the Doctor planned
to be the four appear to be happy enough.
On exiting the railway station a chauffeur is apparently
waiting for them he even refers to the doctor as ‘the Doctor’. This comes as a
surprise to the foursome as there is no way this could have been arranged ahead
of time, could it? Also why is the chauffeur strangely interested in Nyssa?
On arrival at their host’s home the doctor is quite
perturbed to see a strange plant, a black orchid. The doctor knows something is
not quite right but he can’t as yet put his finger on it but if he could he
would probably have to wash it. Can the doctor uncover just what is going on
and keep Nyssa as well as himself safe?
What I thought of it:
I have to say, as a Doctor Who story, not a lot. Whilst it is
not exactly badly written or a bad plot per se it is just rather boring. I mean
a Doctor who with no cybermen, no darleks and the like is frankly not on. This
is the only purely historical story that has been made to date as there is
little to no science fiction in the story (that is if one ignores the TARDIS). However,
that being said, the acting is such that it is still watchable but I’m afraid
the ‘big plot twist’ is about as obvious as a 30 foot high glowing bright pink
neon sign with several 120 decibel fog horns blaring out in a remote dark
forest at midnight.
Without all the science fiction element the creepy thing is
that it sort of makes the story more believable and almost into the realm of
‘this could actually have happened’ (again if you ignore the TARDIS and the
fact that three of the four main characters are not from Earth – oh wait,
perhaps not then).
The settings do work, from the train station where an edited
in steam train pulls out to the manor house the location agent has worked well
to make sure things do fit the 1920s remit. One minor issue is that the patio
area went from being dry to wet and back again a number of times during the
‘masked ball’ as ever the British weather was unreliable during the filming.
The interior of the manor house has been well done if rather dark, but that
does help with the setting of the time period and the atmosphere. The only
thing I am unsure of is if there really would be such a large run of secret
passages and such large ‘priest holes’ in the one house? It is as if a whole
new house had been added on and no-one noticed. The costume designers have done
a good job on the supporting cast and most fit the period well. However, for
the ball it looks like the BBC raided the dressing up box in order to save money.
I do feel that three companions for the Doctor is excessive
as it reduces what each one can do and in this particular story both Adric and
Tegan both appear to have been relegated to supporting cast members. Ann Talbot
plays her two parts well although, at times, as Sarah Sutton, she does go a
little OTT. Although I’m sure the BBC did their best with the budget they had
to have both characters on screen at the same time it is unconvincing for most
of the time.
For me Peter Davidson was a passable but not brilliant doctor.
I think he wasn’t helped by the fact he took over from the brilliant Tom Baker.
If there had been a doctor between them I think he would have been better
received. He is however far better than both Colin Baker and Matt Smith who, in
my opinion were the worst two Doctors (and that is including Paul Magann).
The part of Sir Robert Muir is played by Moray Watson and he
plays this much like all his other characters – very stiffly. Whilst this is
possibly how a high ranking police officer would be in the 1920s Watson does
fail to bring any life to the character. I feel that this was a casting mistake
rather than just a poor character. Barbara Murray, however, is excellent in the
part of Lady Cranleigh and plays the part of someone who will not only protect
her secret at all costs but also as someone whom you would not pick and
argument with and win.
Extras:
There are a few extras on the DVD which include:
Deleted scenes:
Many of which were deleted due to timing as there is nothing
strictly wrong with them nor do they add or detract from the story. They are
simply just extensions to various scenes which were left in.
Locations:
Stating where the found many of the locations used in the
story to fit the 1920s remit. This has included what was, at the time of
filming, a building do dilapidated that the BBC were told not to go into it
unless absolutely necessary. Those ‘where there is blame there’s a claim’
groups rubbing their hands with glee if this was used today and the HSE would have
a field day. This also included how they managed to include things like the
steam train leaving the station.
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