Wow! Today has been busy, busy, busy. But it was also very productive, as I start to check off everything I need for the big trip, and set up Barnaby-Con in London on the way back to the States.
I have put together a list and have accomplished almost everything except laundry and packing; the two most time consuming parts of the list, but the ones that make sense to leave until last. I expect to have them done tomorrow or Thursday though, since there is some other fun stuff to look forward to before I leave on Saturday.
I am feeling very empowered at the moment, and ready for these new adventures. The world is my oyster at the moment, and while there is some sadness in my heart, I know that there are experiences, and people out there who can help banish that further as time goes by.
Episode 1 – Holiday for the Doctor
I have a confession to make. I really like “The Gunfighters” and I even hum “The Ballad of the Last Chance Saloon” from time to time! It really does get stuck in your head.
We are back to these wonderful punning episode titles, and this is a good one, with its multiple meanings! And some more dress-up fun. I will miss this when the historical stop. Everyone appears to be enthusiastic about where they have landed. I love the Doctor’s comment warning Steven and Dodo try to look inconspicuous. This is the same man who was dressing up in revolutionary France in an outfit that stood out a mile!
The design team has done a really good job with the Tombstone set. It looks quite expansive, and authentic, which is quite an impressive feat for the studio space in which they were still working.
The names the Doctor comes up with for Dodo and Steven are very funny. And I’m sure it will only be a matter of time before they actually have to try and fulfill those roles. I love Donald Cotton. He even manages to slip in a “Doctor Who” joke. He is so good at this type of story.
It’s such a fun conceit, having the Doctor getting toothache and the only dentist he can find is Doc Holliday! The Doctor and the Doc preparing for dentistry is really funny stuff, and makes me very pleased that this still exists in the archive. We get to see how much Hartnell loves doing these comedy stories. He’s having a ball, and his reactions to Holliday as he gets more and more concerned are absolutely priceless.
The usual old standby of these historicals is quick to raise its head; mistaken identity. Steven and Dodo are also having fun with all this silliness. Peter Purves is absolutely game with his singing to end the episode. It’s not the best singing cliffhanger in “Doctor Who” history, however. That has to go to Big Finish and the episode 2 cliffhanger to “Doctor Who and the Pirates”. But this definitely brought a smile to my face.
Episode 2 – Don’t Shoot the Piano Player
Everyone is having such fun with the singing and the piano playing. Jackie Lane has the biggest grin on her face as she bashes away at the piano. Sheena Marshe as Kate Fisher is doing a lovely job and complementing the regulars very nicely. Once she starts talking to Steven, I am sure that I see a hint of jealousy from Dodo.
Peter Purves really is a wonderful performer. He hasn’t had much of a chance to indulge the comedy skills we saw when he played Morton Dill way back in his first story, and before we met this dashing space pilot. Most of the stories since then have required him to play a more serious role. But given the chance here to let loose he relishes it, and does a great job.
Episode 3 – Johnny Ringo
Jackie Lane is also very game, as she gets the opportunity to show what she can do when she is off with Doc Holliday and Kate! I know I have ragged on Dodo somewhat during this marathon so far, but she is great value here. The whole cast is having a ball really, despite the occasional sidestep into some deadly serious scenes, I am more drawn to the comedy.
The song is a very interesting device and gives the story a unique structure. There’s all sorts of important background information in lyrics, as well as recaps of the action that has gone before. I wouldn’t want something like this in every story, but has it’s a good experiment, and works rather well here.
That Johnny Ringo’s a romantic sort isn’t he? (Not really!) I don’t think pointing a gun at her the way to a woman’s heart, even in 1880s Tombstone!
Episode 4 – The O.K. Corral
The story gets a lot more serious now. There have been serious moments before, but now everything is moving inexorably towards the event we have know was coming since we arrived in Tombstone; the infamous gunfight at the O.K. Corral and the showdown between Doc Holliday, Wyatt Earp and the Clantons. It will be all the TARDIS crew can do to avoid getting caught up in the crossfire.
The Doctor looks to be happy to be out of it, but he is still concerned about Steven. And he also seems to, once again, be a lot less concerned about getting involved in events. He should know about how this turns out, but appears to be trying to ensure the gunfight does not occur.
Rex Tucker has really made the studio set of Tombstone look expansive, and there is a certain sense of scale to the gunfight as the players get prepared. Once it gets started it’s a harsh shootout. Dodo gets stuck in the middle, as the bullets fly. The cast are completely committed to the duel, and it is very well put together and effective. It’s quite a contrast to the rest of the story, and is notable for being silent except for the gunfight and the odd grunt as participants get shot.
This story has such a poor reputation and it’s extremely undeserved. This is a fun story, and has some effective moments. I enjoyed it a lot, and I look forward to watching it again on its DVD release later this year.
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