The initial moments of the episode with Troughton’s Doctor
and Benton felt like a blast from the past even though they didn’t have many
(if any) scenes together the last time they were together back in ‘The Invasion’.
The look on the Brigadier’s face when he first sees Troughton’s Doctor is
priceless. You can always rely on Courtney to give us the best. I like how the
Brigadier doesn’t care what the Doctor looks like as long as he’s there. Courtney
was probably the best person in this episode as he had some of the best lines.
Troughton came a close second but I think that Courtney is making the most of
the situation.
Despite being the current Doctor, Jon Pertwee doesn’t feel
like the most important of the three. Despite appearing already, its six
minutes before Jon Pertwee and Katy Manning actually contribute to the story.
Once the episode gets going, his presence is greater. The problem is that with
this being a multi-doctor special it does feel like Pertwee is being kept busy until
Troughton turns up. This is the first time that Pertwee has felt like anything
but the main star. Troughton is on fine form again. From the moment he meets
the Brigadier for the first time to the look on his face when the Brigadier
tells UNIT personnel that he’s the Doctor’s assistant, Troughton doesn’t put a
foot wrong.
Lethbridge Stewart gets to go inside the TARDIS for the
first time ever. It’s another priceless shot. It’s better than Benton’s
astonished face in the previous episode. I also like how he gets more agitated
the longer he is in the TARDIS. Some people would get freaked out by being in
that position but as the Brigadier is suppose to show no fear so he just does
what most people in his position would do and that is shriek until he gets
his/her own way.
Hartnell’s involvement was marginal but yet it was
important. I am still in two minds about whether his involvement is the right
thing for the best interests of the story. I suppose if your going to have him
in the story then it should count and they should get the best out of the
situation which is something that Bob Baker and Dave Martin do well.
The cliffhanger was bonkers. Bonkers in a good way mind but
still bonkers. The sight of UNIT HQ going through the black hole is something
that shows that 1970’s Doctor Who had some cracking moments which could rival
new Who. This is a feel that this is an anniversary story because it still doesn’t
feel like a standard Doctor Who story. That’s not a critiscm by the way but
more of an observation. I am still enjoying this story very much indeed and
think that the best is yet to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment