Okay, for one reason or another I’ve not been very diligent in updating this thing the last few weeks. Partly because my life is just that exciting but also because writing about every story you watch is actually quite laborious and at heart I’m a bone-idle bastard.
However the marathon itself progresses well and so here is a brief update of my thoughts on the stories…
The Hand of Fear:
Very plodding. 1½ episodes buggering about in a nuclear facility. Probably could have been a 2 parter. The final episode is pretty well paced but apart from that rather slow.
It has some touching moments though,especially as the plant is on the verge of blowing up.
Sarah-Jane leaves and it’s one of the saddest farewells as the Doctor is so distracted as she leaves. I suppose it is a bit upsetting because Lis Sladen is no longer with us and seeing her leave is a reminder of the passing of this fantastic lady. Even with that thought it is a shame that someone who had been with the Doctor for over 3 years left in such abrupt fashion.
6/10
The Deadly Assassin:
Clever and political and as a politics geek I feel right at home with a story that is pretty much about political plotting. That being said, parts 2 and 3 drag a bit and the time The Doctor spends in the Matrix goes on a bit.
But of course the Master is superb and it’s great to be immersed in Gallifrey.
8/10
The Face of Evil:
It does take the piss out of faith somewhat… But it does have the interesting trend of faith based on historic fact that Doctor Who has done successfully in the past.
It develops well and is quite suspenseful as we get a better picture into what the Doctor’s part in all this actually is.
Has a few interesting secondary characters who I quite liked and weren’t the dreary savages they could have been. And Leela is of course a great companion so it’s good to see her.
8/10
However the marathon itself progresses well and so here is a brief update of my thoughts on the stories…
The Hand of Fear:
Very plodding. 1½ episodes buggering about in a nuclear facility. Probably could have been a 2 parter. The final episode is pretty well paced but apart from that rather slow.
It has some touching moments though,especially as the plant is on the verge of blowing up.
Sarah-Jane leaves and it’s one of the saddest farewells as the Doctor is so distracted as she leaves. I suppose it is a bit upsetting because Lis Sladen is no longer with us and seeing her leave is a reminder of the passing of this fantastic lady. Even with that thought it is a shame that someone who had been with the Doctor for over 3 years left in such abrupt fashion.
6/10
The Deadly Assassin:
Clever and political and as a politics geek I feel right at home with a story that is pretty much about political plotting. That being said, parts 2 and 3 drag a bit and the time The Doctor spends in the Matrix goes on a bit.
But of course the Master is superb and it’s great to be immersed in Gallifrey.
8/10
The Face of Evil:
It does take the piss out of faith somewhat… But it does have the interesting trend of faith based on historic fact that Doctor Who has done successfully in the past.
It develops well and is quite suspenseful as we get a better picture into what the Doctor’s part in all this actually is.
Has a few interesting secondary characters who I quite liked and weren’t the dreary savages they could have been. And Leela is of course a great companion so it’s good to see her.
8/10