"I don't suppose you've read my monograph on cigars and cigar ash?"
Yes, you guessed it; another brilliant episode, superbly acted as ever, with a genuinely surprising twist although, of course, the Russian count was always more than a little suspicious. John Ringham deserves particular praise as this week's Inspector.
There's a striking opening, too, as Mr. Blessington has a surreal nightmare about finding his own body in a coffin. In hindsight, this is our first clue that his past misdeeds may be catching up with him. His mysterious behaviour is, we eventually learn, essentially his way of laundering the money from his criminal past, but sponsoring the career of a promising yet impecunious youth is certainly not a bad way to invest money.
The revelation is satisfying, and gives us a splendid opportunity to see Holmes do what he does best. Even if there's a convenient piece of karma required at the end.
And... that's it for a while. I've been recording these off ITV Encore and, I fear, a recording clashed and failed to record The Red-Headed League. But I will continue this little marathon as soon as I can...
Showing posts with label John Ringham. Show all posts
Showing posts with label John Ringham. Show all posts
Sunday, 27 November 2016
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Doctor Who: Colony in Space
Part One
"That's an alien world out there, Jo. Think about it."
Time Lords! I feel as though I should be privileged for this rare glimpse, but it has to be said they're a bit, er, dull. This is important, though: it's the first time the Time Lords are using the Doctor for their own ends, and in allowing the Doctor to travel in the TARDIS, albeit by remote control, it's a blatant admission that the Earthbound format of the programme is too restricting and can't go on much longer.
The scene between the Doctor, Jo and the Brigadier is probably there only to satisfy the requirements of Nick Courtney's contract, but it's a nice character piece all the same. But the following scene is simply magical- I love it when people are introduced to the TARDIS for the first time, and Jo's reaction of wonder mixed with foreboding is great to see. This is the point from which this Doctor / companion pairing really clicks, and it's extremely satisfying to see this Doctor on his travels at last. It's a shame the TARDIS dematerialisation (it disappears suddenly rather than fade away) is crude and disappointing, and admittedly their destination is a not particularly exciting looking quarry. Interesting that a mere glance at the scanner tells the Doctor that he's heading for the planet Uxaerius. If he knows the planet's name, how come, as the rest of the story will show, he seems to have no prior knowledge of the place?
Oh, and the TARDIS doors have now become the latest thing to sound exactly like the doors to the Dalek city in Skaro! That's a sound effect with staying power and no mistake.
Jo's reaction to her new surroundings is nicely plausible- a mix of excitement and nerves. And the Doctor is notably in a much better mood when on his travels- he may be sure of himself, even arrogant at times, but he's never unnecessarily rude to anyone throughout this story.
It's admirable how in the last few minutes of this episode an entire society is sketched out very well; pioneer types, reminiscent of the American West, versus the threat of corporate exploitation.
Part Two
"What's good for IMC is good for Earth."
It's Bernard Kay! Between him and John Ringham it's quite the Hartnell era guest actors reunion.Caldwell Caldwell the size of his potential bonus- it's a nice character scene emphasising the conflict for the debt-stricken Caldwell
I like the little fight between the Doctor and the "Primitives". I do believe this is our first "Hai"?
Interesting line from Mary Ashe: "Don't worry, Jim'll fix it."
Part Three
"Ah,Caldwell
More good stuff this episode, let down only by the visual dullness of the setting. Although it must be said the amusing moustaches of several characters (especially Winton) do tend to distract from this. But whatever this story's faults, they're generally not the fault of the script.
This episode largely focuses on the character ofCaldwell
So, Dent has a 70s style tape recorder? In 2472? There's an explanation for this- retro design! Just as today's DAB digital radios are designed to look like old-fashioned wooden radios, all sort of apparent dodginess in old Doctor Who stories set in the future can be explained away.
Suddenly the story moves off at right angles as Jo is kidnapped by the "primitives". This new focus helps the story to justify its length- which it arguably does throughout.
Part Four
"Although the creature with you is of no value, I will let you both go."
Some obvious modelwork is in evidence as the Adjudicator lands. But, more importantly, the Adjudicator is the Master! At last- something actually relates to the first few minutes of the first episode! And it's an interesting new slant to the Master for him to be in a position of authority.
For this episode the focus shifts towards the "primitives" and their ancient civilisation. Not a lot happens plotwise (the Doctor and Jo get captured and escape) but we learn a lot about Uxaerian history and culture which will become important later, and it's never dull.
I love the Doctor's silly magic trick distraction- a rare chance to see another side of Jon Pertwee. Also good is the meeting between the Doctor and the Master. There's a state of stalemate between them; the Doctor can't expose the Master as an impostor without being exposed as someone who has no ID and so no official existence- yet another topical political issue turns up in this story.
Part Five
"Whoever that man is down on that planet, he isn't the Adjudicator."
In a nice bit of continuity, the Doctor still has the key to the Master's TARDIS that he nicked in Terror of the Autons. And so we finally see inside the Master's TARDIS for the first time. And it's exactly the same as the Doctor's except it's got some filing cabinets in it. Oh well. There's another possible first as well: I think this is the first time the Sonic Screwdriver is used for a purpose other than, er, screwdriving.
Part Six
"I am offering you a half share of the universe!"
Another possible first: the Master mentions the High Council of the Time Lords. He also states the Crab Nebula to have been caused by the testing of the Doomsday Weapon- a very effective way of illustrating its deadliness! And also a nice little lesson on the life cycle of a star for all the kids. Well, our Sun won't exactly "explode", but still...
For the first time the Master asks the Doctor to join him in his megalomaniacal playpen. This says all sorts of interesting things about the Master's motivations, and how central the Doctor is to them.
The Doomsday Weapon plot strand ends in what may be our first ever Deus Ex Machina ending, but I don't really mind as this has never been more than a sideshow. The colonists vs IMC main plot gets a much more satisfying ending- we're made to genuinely think the colonists are all dead until its revealed at the end that only Ashe sacrificed himself. And it's nice that Winton survives to become leader- the impetuous young man made good. Admittedly there's more than a whiff of dodgy science to the fact that suddenly the soil is no longer being poisoned by the radiation from the Doomsday Weapon, but I'll let that pass as it works dramatically. It's also nice thatCaldwell
Overall... well. I haven't read any of the other posts yet, but I voted just before writing this, and by the look of the poll results I'm one of an elite few to rate this 5/5. I thought it was great, with rich themes and complex characters, and more than enough substance to justify six episodes. There's a potential criticism, mind; this story essentially centres around the conflict between the colonists and IMC over possession of the planet. But what of the indigenous Uxaerians, or "primitives", as they're called? Why should anyone other than them be allowed to colonise the planet without their position? still, I think the script treats them with enough respect to get away with it. But it's a valid criticism all the same. And it's a little ominous that the first story to get a 5/5 from me since Spearhead is the one which ignores the new format. Perhaps the new format is outstaying its welcome?
Rankings
The Massacre 5/5
The War Games 5/5
Spearhead From Space 5/5
Fury from the Deep 5/5
The Evil of the Daleks 5/5
The Myth Makers 5/5
The Aztecs 5/5
The Tomb of the Cybermen 5/5
Marco Polo 5/5
The Crusade 5/5
Inferno 5/5
The Highlanders 5/5
The Daleks’ Master Plan 5/5
The Time Meddler 5/5
The Invasion 5/5
The Power of the Daleks 5/5
The Mind Robber 5/5
The Web of Fear 5/5
The Rescue 5/5
The Reign of Terror 5/5
An Unearthly Child 5/5
Colony in Space 5/5
The Macra Terror 5/5
The Savages 5/5
Mission to the Unknown 5/5
The Ambassadors of Death 4/5
Doctor Who and the Silurians 4/5
The Gunfighters 4/5
The Claws of Axos 4/5
The Tenth Planet 4/5
The Moonbase 4/5
The Dalek Invasion of Earth 4/5
The Romans 4/5
Terror of the Autons 4/5
The Krotons 4/5
The Ice Warriors 4/5
The War Machines 4/5
The Smugglers 4/5
The Abominable Snowmen 4/5
Planet of Giants 4/5
The Daleks 3/5
The Seeds of Death 3/5
The Enemy of the World 3/5
Galaxy Four 3/5
The Space Museum 3/5
The Chase 3/5
The Space Pirates 3/5
The Sensorites 3/5
The Edge of Destruction 2/5
The Mind of Evil 2/5
The Faceless Ones 2/5
The Ark 2/5
The Wheel in Space 2/5
The Dominators 2/5
The Web Planet 1/5
The Keys of Marinus 1/5
The Celestial Toymaker 1/5
The Underwater Menace 1/5
Season Five: 4/5
Season Seven: 4/5
Season Three: 3.9/5
Season Four: 3.889/5
Season Six: 3.857/5
Season Two: 3.778/5
Season One: 3.625/5
"That's an alien world out there, Jo. Think about it."
Time Lords! I feel as though I should be privileged for this rare glimpse, but it has to be said they're a bit, er, dull. This is important, though: it's the first time the Time Lords are using the Doctor for their own ends, and in allowing the Doctor to travel in the TARDIS, albeit by remote control, it's a blatant admission that the Earthbound format of the programme is too restricting and can't go on much longer.
The scene between the Doctor, Jo and the Brigadier is probably there only to satisfy the requirements of Nick Courtney's contract, but it's a nice character piece all the same. But the following scene is simply magical- I love it when people are introduced to the TARDIS for the first time, and Jo's reaction of wonder mixed with foreboding is great to see. This is the point from which this Doctor / companion pairing really clicks, and it's extremely satisfying to see this Doctor on his travels at last. It's a shame the TARDIS dematerialisation (it disappears suddenly rather than fade away) is crude and disappointing, and admittedly their destination is a not particularly exciting looking quarry. Interesting that a mere glance at the scanner tells the Doctor that he's heading for the planet Uxaerius. If he knows the planet's name, how come, as the rest of the story will show, he seems to have no prior knowledge of the place?
Oh, and the TARDIS doors have now become the latest thing to sound exactly like the doors to the Dalek city in Skaro! That's a sound effect with staying power and no mistake.
Jo's reaction to her new surroundings is nicely plausible- a mix of excitement and nerves. And the Doctor is notably in a much better mood when on his travels- he may be sure of himself, even arrogant at times, but he's never unnecessarily rude to anyone throughout this story.
It's admirable how in the last few minutes of this episode an entire society is sketched out very well; pioneer types, reminiscent of the American West, versus the threat of corporate exploitation.
Part Two
"What's good for IMC is good for Earth."
It's Bernard Kay! Between him and John Ringham it's quite the Hartnell era guest actors reunion.
I like the little fight between the Doctor and the "Primitives". I do believe this is our first "Hai"?
Interesting line from Mary Ashe: "Don't worry, Jim'll fix it."
Part Three
"Ah,
More good stuff this episode, let down only by the visual dullness of the setting. Although it must be said the amusing moustaches of several characters (especially Winton) do tend to distract from this. But whatever this story's faults, they're generally not the fault of the script.
This episode largely focuses on the character of
So, Dent has a 70s style tape recorder? In 2472? There's an explanation for this- retro design! Just as today's DAB digital radios are designed to look like old-fashioned wooden radios, all sort of apparent dodginess in old Doctor Who stories set in the future can be explained away.
Suddenly the story moves off at right angles as Jo is kidnapped by the "primitives". This new focus helps the story to justify its length- which it arguably does throughout.
Part Four
"Although the creature with you is of no value, I will let you both go."
Some obvious modelwork is in evidence as the Adjudicator lands. But, more importantly, the Adjudicator is the Master! At last- something actually relates to the first few minutes of the first episode! And it's an interesting new slant to the Master for him to be in a position of authority.
For this episode the focus shifts towards the "primitives" and their ancient civilisation. Not a lot happens plotwise (the Doctor and Jo get captured and escape) but we learn a lot about Uxaerian history and culture which will become important later, and it's never dull.
I love the Doctor's silly magic trick distraction- a rare chance to see another side of Jon Pertwee. Also good is the meeting between the Doctor and the Master. There's a state of stalemate between them; the Doctor can't expose the Master as an impostor without being exposed as someone who has no ID and so no official existence- yet another topical political issue turns up in this story.
Part Five
"Whoever that man is down on that planet, he isn't the Adjudicator."
In a nice bit of continuity, the Doctor still has the key to the Master's TARDIS that he nicked in Terror of the Autons. And so we finally see inside the Master's TARDIS for the first time. And it's exactly the same as the Doctor's except it's got some filing cabinets in it. Oh well. There's another possible first as well: I think this is the first time the Sonic Screwdriver is used for a purpose other than, er, screwdriving.
Part Six
"I am offering you a half share of the universe!"
Another possible first: the Master mentions the High Council of the Time Lords. He also states the Crab Nebula to have been caused by the testing of the Doomsday Weapon- a very effective way of illustrating its deadliness! And also a nice little lesson on the life cycle of a star for all the kids. Well, our Sun won't exactly "explode", but still...
For the first time the Master asks the Doctor to join him in his megalomaniacal playpen. This says all sorts of interesting things about the Master's motivations, and how central the Doctor is to them.
The Doomsday Weapon plot strand ends in what may be our first ever Deus Ex Machina ending, but I don't really mind as this has never been more than a sideshow. The colonists vs IMC main plot gets a much more satisfying ending- we're made to genuinely think the colonists are all dead until its revealed at the end that only Ashe sacrificed himself. And it's nice that Winton survives to become leader- the impetuous young man made good. Admittedly there's more than a whiff of dodgy science to the fact that suddenly the soil is no longer being poisoned by the radiation from the Doomsday Weapon, but I'll let that pass as it works dramatically. It's also nice that
Overall... well. I haven't read any of the other posts yet, but I voted just before writing this, and by the look of the poll results I'm one of an elite few to rate this 5/5. I thought it was great, with rich themes and complex characters, and more than enough substance to justify six episodes. There's a potential criticism, mind; this story essentially centres around the conflict between the colonists and IMC over possession of the planet. But what of the indigenous Uxaerians, or "primitives", as they're called? Why should anyone other than them be allowed to colonise the planet without their position? still, I think the script treats them with enough respect to get away with it. But it's a valid criticism all the same. And it's a little ominous that the first story to get a 5/5 from me since Spearhead is the one which ignores the new format. Perhaps the new format is outstaying its welcome?
Rankings
The Massacre 5/5
The War Games 5/5
Spearhead From Space 5/5
Fury from the Deep 5/5
The Evil of the Daleks 5/5
The Myth Makers 5/5
The Aztecs 5/5
The Tomb of the Cybermen 5/5
Marco Polo 5/5
The Crusade 5/5
Inferno 5/5
The Highlanders 5/5
The Daleks’ Master Plan 5/5
The Time Meddler 5/5
The Invasion 5/5
The Power of the Daleks 5/5
The Mind Robber 5/5
The Web of Fear 5/5
The Rescue 5/5
The Reign of Terror 5/5
An Unearthly Child 5/5
Colony in Space 5/5
The Macra Terror 5/5
The Savages 5/5
Mission to the Unknown 5/5
The Ambassadors of Death 4/5
Doctor Who and the Silurians 4/5
The Gunfighters 4/5
The Claws of Axos 4/5
The Tenth Planet 4/5
The Moonbase 4/5
The Dalek Invasion of Earth 4/5
The Romans 4/5
Terror of the Autons 4/5
The Krotons 4/5
The Ice Warriors 4/5
The War Machines 4/5
The Smugglers 4/5
The Abominable Snowmen 4/5
Planet of Giants 4/5
The Daleks 3/5
The Seeds of Death 3/5
The Enemy of the World 3/5
Galaxy Four 3/5
The Space Museum 3/5
The Chase 3/5
The Space Pirates 3/5
The Sensorites 3/5
The Edge of Destruction 2/5
The Mind of Evil 2/5
The Faceless Ones 2/5
The Ark 2/5
The Wheel in Space 2/5
The Dominators 2/5
The Web Planet 1/5
The Keys of Marinus 1/5
The Celestial Toymaker 1/5
The Underwater Menace 1/5
Season Five: 4/5
Season Seven: 4/5
Season Three: 3.9/5
Season Four: 3.889/5
Season Six: 3.857/5
Season Two: 3.778/5
Season One: 3.625/5
Saturday, 6 June 2009
Doctor Who: The Smugglers
Part One
"Ben, I'm scared. What's happened to us?"
It's back to normal for the story title- or is it? Is there an actual telesnap or did Loose Cannon slot the titles in themselves? Incidentally, great recon.
So the Doctor finally admits it: "I have no control over where I land!" these early scenes with Ben and Polly are great though- there's a heavily self-referential, here-we-go-again tone to it which is rather fun. The Doctor seems to be secretly enjoying the reactions of the young stowaways in spite of his surface curmudgeonliness. Although he seems to pretend to be annoyed when he says "I really thought I was going to be alone again" I strongly suspect, after The Massacre, he's relieved not to be.
I love Ben and Polly's attitude to time travel. Yes, there's initial disbelief, but it's played for laughs, and at last we have some companions who actually seem to be enjoying themselves! They've only been aboard a few minutes and already they're my favourite companions since Ian and Barbara.
It probably says more about my lack of familiarity with the pirate genre than anything else, but this reminds me of the pirate comics in Watchmen.
Part Two
"My dear sir, I'm sure you could see through any flattery of mine."
Blimey, that was a short reprise!
Polly is fantastic. She's locked up in a seventeenth century cell, presumably facing eventual death by hanging, and yet she says "I don't know. I find it pretty exciting!" Although it's not particularly plausible that all the guest cast seem to think this rather attractive young lady is a "lad"!
This is good stuff. Ben and Polly continue to be great in escaping from the cell, and it seems everyone is in on the smuggling, even Paul Whitsun-Jones!
"Ben, I'm scared. What's happened to us?"
It's back to normal for the story title- or is it? Is there an actual telesnap or did Loose Cannon slot the titles in themselves? Incidentally, great recon.
So the Doctor finally admits it: "I have no control over where I land!" these early scenes with Ben and Polly are great though- there's a heavily self-referential, here-we-go-again tone to it which is rather fun. The Doctor seems to be secretly enjoying the reactions of the young stowaways in spite of his surface curmudgeonliness. Although he seems to pretend to be annoyed when he says "I really thought I was going to be alone again" I strongly suspect, after The Massacre, he's relieved not to be.
I love Ben and Polly's attitude to time travel. Yes, there's initial disbelief, but it's played for laughs, and at last we have some companions who actually seem to be enjoying themselves! They've only been aboard a few minutes and already they're my favourite companions since Ian and Barbara.
It probably says more about my lack of familiarity with the pirate genre than anything else, but this reminds me of the pirate comics in Watchmen.
Part Two
"My dear sir, I'm sure you could see through any flattery of mine."
Blimey, that was a short reprise!
Polly is fantastic. She's locked up in a seventeenth century cell, presumably facing eventual death by hanging, and yet she says "I don't know. I find it pretty exciting!" Although it's not particularly plausible that all the guest cast seem to think this rather attractive young lady is a "lad"!
This is good stuff. Ben and Polly continue to be great in escaping from the cell, and it seems everyone is in on the smuggling, even Paul Whitsun-Jones!
Part Three
"In these dark days, honesty surely pays!"
The Doctor's escape with the cards is top stuff, I suspect one of the last few great Hartnell moments we have left. Of course, this leads to Pike killingJamaica
Just as the plot strand of the TARDISeers being under suspicion was threatening to outstay its welcome, it comes to a natural end here, our heroes siding with the authorities in the shape of Blake, the Revenue Man. Interestingly, the Doctor chooses to stay behind because "I'm under a moral obligation!" Polly, being great, agrees heartily.
The conversation between Kewper and the Squire makes me aware of how the dialogue is actually quite a good approximation of the period, with real thought being given to the phrasing. I'm very much reminded of Channel Four's recent The Devil's Whore.
Part Four
"Oh, we have an uneasy conscience, have we, Squire? Ye lily livered rogue!"
The plot threads are drawn together rather cleverly in this episode, but it's only afterwards I realised how cleverly plotted it was as I'd been enjoying the ride so much. The riddle itself is clever, as is the unfolding of the "curse". Of course, as with The Gunfighters, I'm sure there are all sorts of nods to genre conventions I'm not getting.
By the point of Cherub's death it's become really quite amusing that the only footage that seems to exist at all involves knives and blood. And I can't help being amused by what, I'm afraid, is my favourite exchange in the entire story: "Polly." "Yes?" "Put the kettle on." Followed by which, of course, there's the incident with Spaniard and Polly goes back to the TARDIS to await the end of the story. Cos she's a girl, you see...!
For the second story in a row, the Doctor slips quietly away at the end. Ben and Polly, bless them, seem to have thoroughly enjoyed their adventure- there's no whingeing at all, which makes a nice change.
Ooh, very cold in the TARDIS? What's all this then?
Overall, this was good fun. A good old-fashioned, tightly-plotted adventure story. Not particularly big or clever, no, but there's nothing wrong with that. 4/5.
"In these dark days, honesty surely pays!"
The Doctor's escape with the cards is top stuff, I suspect one of the last few great Hartnell moments we have left. Of course, this leads to Pike killing
Just as the plot strand of the TARDISeers being under suspicion was threatening to outstay its welcome, it comes to a natural end here, our heroes siding with the authorities in the shape of Blake, the Revenue Man. Interestingly, the Doctor chooses to stay behind because "I'm under a moral obligation!" Polly, being great, agrees heartily.
The conversation between Kewper and the Squire makes me aware of how the dialogue is actually quite a good approximation of the period, with real thought being given to the phrasing. I'm very much reminded of Channel Four's recent The Devil's Whore.
Part Four
"Oh, we have an uneasy conscience, have we, Squire? Ye lily livered rogue!"
The plot threads are drawn together rather cleverly in this episode, but it's only afterwards I realised how cleverly plotted it was as I'd been enjoying the ride so much. The riddle itself is clever, as is the unfolding of the "curse". Of course, as with The Gunfighters, I'm sure there are all sorts of nods to genre conventions I'm not getting.
By the point of Cherub's death it's become really quite amusing that the only footage that seems to exist at all involves knives and blood. And I can't help being amused by what, I'm afraid, is my favourite exchange in the entire story: "Polly." "Yes?" "Put the kettle on." Followed by which, of course, there's the incident with Spaniard and Polly goes back to the TARDIS to await the end of the story. Cos she's a girl, you see...!
For the second story in a row, the Doctor slips quietly away at the end. Ben and Polly, bless them, seem to have thoroughly enjoyed their adventure- there's no whingeing at all, which makes a nice change.
Ooh, very cold in the TARDIS? What's all this then?
Overall, this was good fun. A good old-fashioned, tightly-plotted adventure story. Not particularly big or clever, no, but there's nothing wrong with that. 4/5.
Doctor Who: The Aztecs
"What you are trying to do is completely impossible. I know. Believe me, I know."
Very nice opening shot of Yetaxa's tomb. John Crockett does a very good job throughout the episode, making the sets look expansive despite the tininess of Lime Grove. The initial dialogue between Barbara and Susan rather cleverly drops in a lot of educational titbits without feeling forced.
Oh, what a surprise, the TARDISeers are separated from the Ship. It's noticeable how Hartnell congratulates Barbara on engineering the perfect situation- the women are safe in the temple so the men can go out and explore!
The scene between the Doctor and Barbara about changing history is a delight. Both Jacqueline Hill and William Hartnell play it utterly convincingly.
Once again, a crowd appears off screen.
I can understand Barbara's moral revulsion at human sacrifice, but for a historian some of her assumptions are a little naive- I hardly think that ending human sacrifice in
Great ending, with the suicide of the sacrifice: "You have denied me honour!" Tlotoxl's final speech is chilling. John Ringham is a fine Richard III.
The Warriors of Death
"What better way to destroy your enemies than to let them destroy themselves?"
Great scene between the Doctor and Barbara, superbly acted by Hartnell and Hill as usual. As the Doctor points out, Barbaras actions have now put them all in danger. The scene in which Ian calmly dispatches Ixta with his thumb also oozes coolness. I'm really liking this so far; well-paced, well plotted and well characterised with excellent dialogue and set pieces. John Crockett's direction is also impressive.
"What better way to destroy your enemies than to let them destroy themselves?"
Great scene between the Doctor and Barbara, superbly acted by Hartnell and Hill as usual. As the Doctor points out, Barbaras actions have now put them all in danger. The scene in which Ian calmly dispatches Ixta with his thumb also oozes coolness. I'm really liking this so far; well-paced, well plotted and well characterised with excellent dialogue and set pieces. John Crockett's direction is also impressive.
The Bride of Sacrifice
"For once the high priest of knowledge shall be in ignorance."
Autloc's words are awfully pregnant with tragedy: "In all humility, I beg you- do not deceive me or prove false to me". Like Marco Polo, he is a good man but weak. Jacqueline Hill is excellent here. As also is Ixta's hair, and pronunciation of "Ian". I love his genial, back-slapping threats to Ian's life.
The Doctor's romantic interlude with Cameca here is fascinating, as I suspect we shan't be seeing its like again, or at least not without the involvement of fireplaces. Another interesting relationship is the one between Ian and Barbara who are getting noticeably closer over time. Significantly it's Ian in this episode, not the Doctor, who finally convinces Barbara of the futility of trying to change history. He's right that it's Tlotoxl, not Autloc, who is the conventional one.
The scene where Barbara confesses to Tlotoxl that she is not Yetaxa shows just how outstanding Jacqueline Hill has been ever since the series started. She really has been fantastic, and stands out even from Hartnell and Russell.
Heh: "Yes, I made some cocoa and got engaged". Ian's reaction is priceless- after spending the whole time on Marinus acting the generic action hero, he now has the constantly raised eyebrow again. I like him much better with his tongue in his cheek.
The Day of Darkness
"As the gods appear, may they not also disappear as suddenly?"
This is the first story where I've noticed the incidental music- it's really quite effective. This is the most impressively produced story so far, not counting Marco Polo for obvious reasons.
Autloc's disillusionment is genuinely tragic- the priest who loses his faith and his place in his society and the collateral damage from Barbara's actions. Cameca's tale ends unhappily too- we can sympathise with the Doctor's motives, but he has deceived her The TARDISeers may make their escape in the end, but there's no happy ending here: Tlotoxl wins.
Overall, this was pretty much flawless, and my favourite so far. The script, the direction, the main performances- all were first rate. I'm ranking this above Marco Polo as the story seems more satisfying as a whole, but it's a close run thing. More John Lucarotti please!
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