The Classic Doctor Who Thread (1963 to 1989/1996)

[By Jove its holmes]

Fact of the Day: Tom Baker was the first DW series lead who wasn’t a veteran of the Second World War. He had the mercy of a late birth.

Topic

[Ben Saunders]

Planet of Fire is quite good. Davison’s final two scripts are a bit of a kick up the arse in terms of quality and makes you wish for an alternate timeline where he didn’t get boring incomprehensible shash for most of his run. Tiny Master is very funny. Kamelion’s death is sad. Anthony Ainley’s performance is a little phoned in.

[Rushy]

Or why he’s not worried about his companions being erased from history

[Ben Saunders]

Just started Caves of Androzani, which I’ve seen at least twice before. That monster is so shit, it’s like a conscious parody of “oh, you say my script needs a monster, eh, well here one fucking is then.” It’s so starkly noticeable when Who gets a director who actually strives to do more than just point cameras at the actors, a la Warriors Gate, Leisure Hive and Caves. Everything other than the monster is directed with such style, it’s almost distracting. “Look, I’m directing” direction. The whole thing has a funerial vibe to it, and Nicola Bryant does a great job selling everything other than her accent. Script editing a bleak, cynical, death-filled Robert Holmes script must have been a wet dream for Eric Saward.

[Ben Saunders]

This is NOT what he says, come on BBC. Anyone know what the DVD/Blu-Ray subtitle is? He obviously says “slut”. I’ve noticed a lot of errant subtitles on iPlayer, sometimes they say shit like “he mumbles incoherently” when they could have easily transcribed what he actually said, too.

[Dave]

[tombow]

does anyone else think the rope jumping scene in the original Daleks story may have inspired the similar scene in the Dark Knight Rises (Batman) film? The fact that it’s all about the guy not being brave etc

[Ben Saunders]

Just finished Caves of Androzani part 3 and got accepted for a new flat within 10 minutes of each event, so I’m currently riding an unbelievable high. Androzani is so good that I feel like giving it a round of applause as the credits roll.

[Renegade Rob]

Congrats, dude!

[Author]

Replies