Day 26 - The Savages

It was another very busy day today, but extremely productive. I am now 80% done with packing for the big trip to India, and feel most accomplished. The workout routines are also getting easier, and I feel so much better for them. People have even commented that I am looking in better shape, which is nice to hear!

Emotionally things have calmed down a lot as well, as I concentrate on the future, and all the opportunities that I hope are out there. It’s started snowing outside. It seems like it’s a constant companion these days, but in India it will be different!

                

Episode 1

The transition to this story was very peculiar. One moment we were wrapping up the Wild West story, and then after a harsh cut we are suddenly in the far future. We also say goodbye to the individual episode titles at this moment in the show’s run. I am sorry to see them go. Sometimes they bore little relevance to the episode that lay ahead, but they added some fun to several stories.

This is all rather unsettling. The Doctor seems to know exactly where he is but he isn’t letting on to his friends, which is unlike him. I do hope we’re not back in the Stone Age. These people do look rather like the cavemen from the first story. The Doctor thinks differently though. It’s odd how he seems to have heard Steven’s early dialogue, despite Steven and Dodo being by the TARDIS and the Doctor seeming to have wandered off somewhere else.

Oh good, some more advanced people. Good. Not the Stone Age again then. Based on the reports of these guards this planet is inhabited by some very advanced scientists, if they are able to track the TARDIS.

The unsettling nature of this story continues. There seem to be several factions at work; the savages, the elders, and some disgruntled guards. As we discover more about the advanced civilization there appears to be some sort of secret behind it; something that no one talks about; along with places that the TARDIS crew cannot go. Steven is very accepting of it all, while Dodo is more suspicious. She has grown more than I expected in her time in the TARDIS. It was she who realized the nature of the Toymaker’s puppets, remember, while Steven was unconvinced. I may need to revise my opinion on Jackie Lane.

Nanina seems to be dressed much as Leela will be! But this 10 years earlier! It seems quite a daring outfit for 1966! Were there complaints back then about this outfit? This vitality they speak of, is that what they are doing to the savage woman? I have a lot of questions and am most curious about what the answers will be.

Episode 2

Dodo’s getting very feisty again, and she gives as good as she gets. As this episode develops we find that this paradise is absolutely not what it appears, as Avon and Flower are punished for letting Dodo see anything at all.

This life-force concept is very interesting. It appears that the Doctor has had his suspicions all along, despite all of his apparent interest in the science of this civilization.

Frederick Jaeger’s Jano has a fascinating role in this story and his debate with the Doctor is full of power. It’s a moral debate; science against humanity, and the value of a person. The Doctor puts his personal creed on full display here. He values the life of a single person, no matter how small, above anything else, and will fight for their rights with all that he is worth. It’s a Doctor that we clearly recognize to this day. Hartnell is once again getting to play a strong and confident Doctor, and I love it.

Until, that is, he is rendered almost speechless by the revelation that his own lifeforce is to be drained. As the experiment begins, the Doctor looks helpless, strapped down and motionless. It’s a very disturbing sight.

Episode 3

This script has been very well thought out and is a lot deeper than I expected. I appreciate the discussion of the cultural effects of the life-essence removal on the Savages. It is this process that keeps them savage and that their lifestyle and culture deteriorates with every passing generation due to the processing that consumes them.

Unfortunately it seems like we’re in yet another episode without the Doctor. There have been too many of those in recent stories. But in his absence Steven gets to demonstrate his growth as a character as he comes up with a way to help the Savages escape the guards who have invaded their cave homes. He has learned to think outside the box in his time with the Doctor, even if he does sometimes show naivety, and is too willing to believe the best in people. It’s an admirable quality, even if in his adventures he should have learned that that is not always the case.

I’m not sure I trust Jano’s motives here. He sounds altruistic enough, but I suspect he wants to keep the Doctor’s life essence for himself, suspecting it will increase his power. But it would seem it backfires. Frederick Jaeger’s performance seems totally different once he comes out of the transference machine. He is doing an excellent impression of Hartnell, but also seems to realize that all is not well. It would be wonderful to have this episode back in the archive, just to see if it was as effective in moving pictures, and it is on pure vocals alone.

As we get our only glimpse of the Doctor in this episode, I am disturbed again. He looks dreadful, even worse than his helpless situation at the end of the previous episode. Hartnell is such a good actor, and deserved to be able to do more of this stuff.

Episode 4

Did the Doctor know what would happen all the time, and how his essence would affect Jano? He seems to recover at just the right moment to prevent anyone harming the leader of the Elders. And as he recovers he demonstrates, once again, his intention to do the right thing, and cleanse this civilization of the evil that has infested it. He seems sure that Jano will be the one who helps him to accomplish that goal. And he is, of course, right. For those fans who see the manipulative all-knowing Doctor of the New Adventures, and the New Series as something new for the character, I would urge them to watch this. The seeds of that are right here at the beginning!

So I, along with the Doctor, and Dodo, bid farewell to Steven Taylor. He has earned this opportunity. He is a good man, and he will do the right thing. I have enjoyed getting to know Steve, and Peter Purves has been a pleasure to watch in the part. I wish him well in his attempts to bring these divided people together. It’s a lovely leaving scene. The Doctor shows his great confidence and pride in this young man, whom he has inspired and made a better man than when they first met.

Day 23 - The Ark

Another rather weird day, with some setbacks in the road put in front of me, and a change to the routine that I have started to put together that was disappointing. These things do happen, and this too shall pass. I have lots to bet organized for the big India trip, and routines will still be there to be developed when I get back, as will all sorts of other things!

I am starting to think about what I shall do with the free weekend in Bangalore. There is not much that is touristy there, although I will have to see at least one temple, just because. I think I will investigate the hiking in the area, to see if there is some outdoors adventure I can go on. I’ve also had some friends who have been there reach out to offer suggestions of places to go out. I really hope this visa comes through this week!

Episode 1 – The Steel Sky

This is a fascinating opening to a story. We’ve got real wildlife, which looks somewhat earthlike, and an interesting one-eyed alien.

What *is* Dodo wearing? It looks like leftovers from the adventure in the Crusades. She appears to have a similar attitude to Steven when he first traveled in the TARDIS. She doesn’t believe a word of time travel and thinks she’s at Whipsnade Zoo. I don’t know why though, I’ve been to Whipsnade, and it looks nothing like this arboretum on the Ark.

This courtroom scene is quite interesting, and sets the scene rather well. We are in the far future, with advanced technology, and the punishment of the court is presented well. We also seem to have humans and Monoids living together quite nicely at this time.

Wow. An elephant. I wonder if they had the same problems with this animal in the studio that they had on Blue Peter when a baby elephant visited. It was repeated ad nauseum, and any British readers of a certain age will know exactly what I am thinking of. This is a nice surprise to see in the story though, and gives the jungle on the Ark a sense of scale and grandeur.

The Doctor touches the ground, and that’s what makes him realize they are on a spaceship. It reminds me of the opening of The Beast Below and how the Doctor realizes there are no engines on Starship UK. There have been echoes of future stories all the way through this marathon, and it’s enlightening to have to reinforced time and time again that this really is all one long story, with the same man, just with a different face.

It’s nice to see the Doctor is also commenting on Dodo’s stupid outfit! And on her accent. It’s rather Henry Higgins of him!

Audio space research huh? They can shrink everything, but space research is audio? There are some odd concepts in this story! Although the silliest is yet to come.

The thought that a cold could wipe out humanity is a scary idea. It makes you consider that perhaps the odd cold every now and then is not so bad, if a future super-version could be so damaging. Considering some of the flu strains that have been discovered over the last few years, perhaps this is more prescient than we would like.

Episode 2 – The Plague

I’m not sure how those masks could actually protect from germs. They seem to have an awful lot of openings. The fact that the cold can actually kill is a shock, and the burial is shocking. It is nice to see that the old and wise Commander that we met in the previous episode is able to inspire his daughter, who understands that the TARDIS crew are not malicious, and that they can help.

Steven makes a nice speech about humanity, and its weaknesses, but it is shocking to see him to succumb to the cold as well (is it mutating already?), and quite a relief when the Doctor is eventually able to cure him.

This has seemed like a very slight story so far, but the ending to this episode really distinguishes it. This is one of my favourite cliffhangers in the show ever. It’s very simple, but at the same time extremely shocking, and extremely well done.

Episode 3 – The Return

The Doctor’s philosophy is stated quite plainly as he introduces himself and his friends to the Monoids. “We are friends to all”. Quite right too. But the shift to seeing the Monoids being in charge and treating the humans so poorly is really quite disconcerting.

It turns out that the cure was not as complete as the Doctor had hoped, and that weakened humanity. It is also interesting that the human innovations that were intended to help the Monoids, ended up giving them the ability to take over. The Monoids did not seem that badly treated in the first two episodes, and their rights were advocated by the Commander of the Ark. But something went very wrong with them somewhere along the line, or perhaps they were treated worse later, or the humans judged badly in empowering them.

The security kitchen. That always makes me laugh.

This is the first example I think of showing how the Doctor and his friends make an impact on the places that they land. This is a theme that has become more prevalent in the new series, but was occasionally brought to the fore in the older stories. Their first adventure on the Ark made quite an impression. Indeed the naming of the ship came from them, and they have become mythic figures on the Ark, that everyone has heard stories of from their parents, and parents’ parents.

Episode 4 – The Bomb

Oh these Monoids are chummy with each other. They seem to like gloating to camera as well. That’s a pretty big weakness when enemies overhear, and will be part of their downfall, I suspect.

The set with the launchers in it is really well done, especially the background that shows a great number of the stretching off into the distance. It gives the Ark a great sense of scale, which it needs. The model shot of the launchers exiting the ship isn’t horrible either.

Now this story turns into a traditional race against time. We’ve got a ticking clock. But of course the bomb was in the statue. Where else would it be? I like the confidence the Doctor shows in knowing he can get the location from the Monoids. He has realized how chatty they can be!

The Monoids have become terribly militant and fight too much among themselves. So much so that the last Monoid standing e just tosses his weapon aside at the end. It’s a bit of an anticlimax really.

The Refusians provide a nice moral about living together to end the story. Understanding and acceptance. It’s what it’s all about, and I like that the show reinforces that whenever it can.

Oh my. We have a disappearing Doctor. What’s going on? (Other than Dodo’s taste in clothes getting no better. Is that a trend too? I hope not.)

Day 22 - The Massacre of St Bartholomew's Eve

After the high of yesterday today feels somewhat empty. I suppose I should expect there to be setbacks on this journey though, and days when I don’t feel quite so good about things. I did a lot of cleaning and household chores today to try and keep myself busy. However, this evening I am have dinner with some people from the group, which will be nice, and will certainly help take my mind of things.

I also watched some modern television and film for the first time in quite a while, and it was almost strange watching things in colour, rather than black and white, and seeing the faster editing and pacing. It’s probably a good thing to take these breaks though.

Episode 1 – War of God

We’ve gone straight into education mode here, although unlike previous historical, this is a more obscure period of history, so it’s understandable. As usual in a historical story people are dressing up, but this time the Doctor is prepared, and they get changed in the TARDIS rather than having to acquire clothes by other means. It makes a change.

As with the previous story we are thrown immediately into political intrigue, but this time we know something of the arguments, as opposed to them all being about the year 4000AD. The dialogue is also a lot stronger, as I would expect from Lucarotti.

The Doctor’s becoming quite fatherly to Steven, and quite protective. He clearly wants to ensure he stays out of trouble, while the Doctor himself is gallivanting around after an early scientist! When he does find Preslin he seems to be quite interfering, and pushing along and encouraging his research. This is more than just a friendly nudge in the right direction.

There’s a lot of exposition in this episode. As I mentioned above, even in 1966 this is a fairly obscure period of history. However the exposition dialogue is quite natural and so it does not stand out as much as that type of thing often does.

The cliffhanger showing Hartnell as the Abbott is wonderful. He really has changed his voice and look to play that part. I’m very intrigued.

Episode 2 – The Sea Beggar

This is fantastic drama. While many of the themes are similar to those seen in the Dalek epic – politics, backstabbing, betrayal, intrigue and counterplots, with that story being set in the future there is an element of camp and ridiculousness. Here though everything is played completely straight. If the arrival of Steven and the Doctor in the TARDIS is ignored, and we pretend that they really are just out of town travelers, this could be a standout historical drama all on its own.

Steven and Ann are getting very close. She trusts him completely because he does the right thing, and stands up for him. It’s nice to see the theme of the companions doing the right thing and it winning them allies along the way is continuing.

Episode 3 – Priest of Death

There really is some great drama here, as the plots we are witnessing start moving into high gear.

This is the episode where we get to see Hartnell be absolutely brilliant as the Abbott of Amboise. It is a completely different performance from the one that he gives when he is playing the Doctor. The more you watch him, the less you believe that it is the Doctor, despite Steven’s belief to the contrary. This performance completely undermines the myth that Hartnell was ever losing it as an actor. He is alert here, quick witted and giving a magnificent performance. Mind you, I have not doubted his Doctor for one moment during this journey, despite the flubs. As far as I’m concerned they happen when his mind is ahead of his mouth and he is racing to catch up.

Catherine de Medici is a dominating woman, and she is very well portrayed by Joan Young. Actually this is a very well acted and cast story, insofar as I can tell from just the audio and the telesnaps. Leonard Sachs is great as the Admiral de Coligny, and so is Christopher Tranchell as Colbert, Only Annette Robertson grates a little bit, but that is very much in character in any case.

The death of the Abbott is a great way to end the episode. Steven is still convinced that it’s the Doctor, although I wonder why based on the feelings I have that I described above. But it would certainly concern me to feel abandoned in this dangerous time period.

Episode 4 - Bell of Doom

Even later, Steven is still convinced that the Abbott was the Doctor and he is now dead. So it is a relief when the Doctor does show up and try to make everything simple and straightforward. It’s strange. Even though Hartnell has had a great presence in the story, the Doctor hasn’t really been involved in events at all. He’s simply been off doing goodness know what with Preslin. Steven hasn’t really been that integral to events either. This may be the story in which their actions are completely peripheral to the main thrust of the story being told.

As the massacre begins, the woodcuts are a clever way to portray the scale of events. This is one of the most brutal we have ever witnessed on the show, and Steven does not understand, and wants out. The scale of this devastation, as told by the Doctor, combined with the losses that he and the Doctor suffered during the Dalek story have overwhelmed him.

Steven leaving knocks the wind out of the Doctor, and the speech he gives here is magnificent. It bears all the signs of a tired old man, who relies on his friends to keep him young. I find that there’s as much emotion in this as in a modern series finale. And it’s all down to Hartnell. There’s no Murray Gold music, no spectacular sets. It’s all just Hartnell talking and it’s pure magic! The just as the Doctor is at his lowest ebb, a new young person walks into the ship. Could this be just what he needs to regain his energy? As both the Doctor and Steve get to know more about her, they seem to find that it is just what they need; a new young friend to restore the Doctor’s energy, and the hope that the events of 1572 were not as black as he had feared for Steven. Welcome to the ship Dodo Chaplet!