Right. Way back when I started this blog my first entry was going to be me rewatching The Sea Devils. I say “rewatching” because the problem was thus:
"Ever have one of those moments when you KNOW you have seen something before but can't remember anything of it?
"I KNOW I have seen The Sea Devils. I remember it being repeated on the BBC in the early 90s (when repeats were incredibly rare) and recording it on VHS week by week, excitedly. I also remember watching it at uni and at some point shortly after buying that "Underneath the Surface" boxset. Yet apart from the bit with The Master in his prison cell (and the guards that look suspiciously like they were hired by G4S, should we have taken the hint there and then?) watching the Clangers I simply can't recall anything beyond bits of episode 1. "
And you know what. I STILL CAN”T REMEMBER THE DAMNED THING. I don’t know if I finished it, whether I got bored after episode 1 or what.
So here, with the sense that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it, we go again…
The Master is in prison and surrounded by guards who can’t be hypnotized. So, instead, he’s talked them into colluding with him in the aim of, y’know, destroying humanity and stuff.
The Doctor and Jo visit the Master and we get a brilliant scene with the two Time Lords. Delgado is absolutely at his best. Because then, of course, we get the iconic Clangers scene. The Master, watching TV, sees the kids’ TV show Clangers and declares them an advanced alien race. I must have watched this scene a hundred times and I can never decide if he’s serious or taking the piss. Does Delgado roll his eyes or does he look embarrassed? I guess we’ll never know, sadly.
Anyway, boats are sinking all over the shop and The Royal Navy are investigating. Sadly, they’re not UNIT so the Doctor has to convince them that there is likely alien foul play. And, of course, there is. Although I suppose a race originating from Earth doesn’t count as alien, but you know what I mean…
The Sea Devils are basically aquatic Silurians and, to an extent, the story from episode 4 onwards is pretty much the same as the story of the original Silurian story. They’ve woken up and the want their planet back. There’s a brief attempt at peace talks but then the boorish military types get in the way and a fight breaks out. The main difference is that this time they’re being aided by The Master who’s gone back to Plan A – assist alien race and then get betrayed by them. Prat.
The Sea Devils aren’t as interesting as the Silurians. They plotted and schemed whereas the Sea Devsils don’t talk for large portions of the story and when they do what they have to say isn’t that interesting.
Jo really is very useful and seems to be turning into an actual companion rather than some hanger on . Breaking into the Doctor’s cell (although breaking him out may have been better) and picking the cuffs as well as escaping through a handy air vent later on to rescue the naval captain.
In the end, though, it is the Doctor who blows up the Sea Devil base but he does so to save humanity and looks quite pissed off with himself. Then the Master is captured and with the usual predictability escapes again, sticking an unconvincing mask of himself on some poor sap he finds nearby.
Yes, this story is a bit of a rehash of The Silurians. But it is enjoyable anyway. The scenes with the Navy are good (This story basically serves an RN recruitment video) and while there are some silly moments (The Doctor’s sword fight with The Master in the prison and the hand twin jet skis The Doctor and The Master have a chase on) it is good stuff.
6 parts seems quite suitable for this as well and it earns a decent 8/10.
Hopefully this time I'll remember the damned thing...
"Ever have one of those moments when you KNOW you have seen something before but can't remember anything of it?
"I KNOW I have seen The Sea Devils. I remember it being repeated on the BBC in the early 90s (when repeats were incredibly rare) and recording it on VHS week by week, excitedly. I also remember watching it at uni and at some point shortly after buying that "Underneath the Surface" boxset. Yet apart from the bit with The Master in his prison cell (and the guards that look suspiciously like they were hired by G4S, should we have taken the hint there and then?) watching the Clangers I simply can't recall anything beyond bits of episode 1. "
And you know what. I STILL CAN”T REMEMBER THE DAMNED THING. I don’t know if I finished it, whether I got bored after episode 1 or what.
So here, with the sense that those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it, we go again…
The Master is in prison and surrounded by guards who can’t be hypnotized. So, instead, he’s talked them into colluding with him in the aim of, y’know, destroying humanity and stuff.
The Doctor and Jo visit the Master and we get a brilliant scene with the two Time Lords. Delgado is absolutely at his best. Because then, of course, we get the iconic Clangers scene. The Master, watching TV, sees the kids’ TV show Clangers and declares them an advanced alien race. I must have watched this scene a hundred times and I can never decide if he’s serious or taking the piss. Does Delgado roll his eyes or does he look embarrassed? I guess we’ll never know, sadly.
Anyway, boats are sinking all over the shop and The Royal Navy are investigating. Sadly, they’re not UNIT so the Doctor has to convince them that there is likely alien foul play. And, of course, there is. Although I suppose a race originating from Earth doesn’t count as alien, but you know what I mean…
The Sea Devils are basically aquatic Silurians and, to an extent, the story from episode 4 onwards is pretty much the same as the story of the original Silurian story. They’ve woken up and the want their planet back. There’s a brief attempt at peace talks but then the boorish military types get in the way and a fight breaks out. The main difference is that this time they’re being aided by The Master who’s gone back to Plan A – assist alien race and then get betrayed by them. Prat.
The Sea Devils aren’t as interesting as the Silurians. They plotted and schemed whereas the Sea Devsils don’t talk for large portions of the story and when they do what they have to say isn’t that interesting.
Jo really is very useful and seems to be turning into an actual companion rather than some hanger on . Breaking into the Doctor’s cell (although breaking him out may have been better) and picking the cuffs as well as escaping through a handy air vent later on to rescue the naval captain.
In the end, though, it is the Doctor who blows up the Sea Devil base but he does so to save humanity and looks quite pissed off with himself. Then the Master is captured and with the usual predictability escapes again, sticking an unconvincing mask of himself on some poor sap he finds nearby.
Yes, this story is a bit of a rehash of The Silurians. But it is enjoyable anyway. The scenes with the Navy are good (This story basically serves an RN recruitment video) and while there are some silly moments (The Doctor’s sword fight with The Master in the prison and the hand twin jet skis The Doctor and The Master have a chase on) it is good stuff.
6 parts seems quite suitable for this as well and it earns a decent 8/10.
Hopefully this time I'll remember the damned thing...