The Ice Warriors - 1

Today is quite a interesting day. Not just that I get to watch the Ice Warriors in full (with animated episode included) for the first time but episode 1 or 1 as its called on the titles aired on November 11^th 1967 so happy 46^th birthday goes to this story. There’s a pattern that’s emerged during this season so far. In Tomb of the Cybermen they were spending portions of the stories in the icy tombs, in the Abominable Snowmen they were in windy Tibet and now in this story they are in more snow. First thing that strikes me about this story is the lovely singing that accompanies the photos used to create the impression of the setting. When we meet the supporting characters there is a sense that humanity is out of control.

It’s five whole minutes before the regulars turn up and they arrive upside down and there is a lot of comedy between Frazer Hines and Patrick Troughton which is quite fun. Its interesting how the Doctor finds himself helping people out within moments of being found.  In one scene the Doctor uses the true fact that they were in Tibet to explain how they don’t know about Clent or the current situation. I liked the scene between Jamie and Victoria about the fashion of the time. It’s the first time that I’ve noticed that Jamie is quite leery and its surprising how different he is. Patrick Troughton is on good form in this episode and everytime I see him in his furry coat I cant help but be reminded of The Five Doctors which is where I first saw him in that coat. Sadly it seems that Deborah Watling is just walking along with Troughton and Hines.

The cliffhanger is quite a subtle one as whilst Jamie is doing his best Sid James impression, the Ice Warrior has pretty much melted and whilst all it does is pull faces but its quite a good ending and its made even better by the fact that Jamie and Victoria are in danger and don’t really realise (yet). Its an interesting opening episode which lays things out quite well and it has a restricted feel to it in terms of setting but isn’t a classic base under siege. Not sure how this story will develop over the next five episodes but as I haven’t seen this story on DVD yet I am really looking forward to finding out.