Logic?
LOGIC?

You must be living in a slightly different parallel universe if you think logic plays any part in the decision making process

be thankful we are sometimes years behind some movies from the USA.

BLACK ORCHID

The first of the Davison era '2 parter trilogy', sees the series attempt Agatha Christie style leanings.

This slight tale gives the production team an excuse to indulge in the BBC wardrobe department with a smattering of 1920s clothes. 

Dressed in a vague whodunnit plot, Black Orchid wallows in the cliches of its badly written dialogue and one dimensional characters.

Said by some fans to be one of the best 2 parters, I think Black Orchid is Dr Who on auto-pilot.

After the bland historical folly of The Visitation, viewers again are 'treated' to more historical hijinks with a story reeking of lazy production.

I read somewhere that The Visitation was like listening to a Dido record - insipid and safe. If that's the case then Black Orchid must be the Celine Dion of the series.

The actors do what they can with the material, but with character names such as Smutty and dialogue featuring pearlers like 'how ripping old chap', you know they don't stand a chance!!

What really stuck to me during the story was how the Doctor casually invited people into his Tardis as if it was a taxi service.  This aspect happened frequently during the JNT era and seemed to dilute the Doctor's impact. 

One wonders why the 2 parters were introduced at all - has there been an explanation for this?  Personally the best 2 parter the series had was The Sontaran Experiment....which is saying a lot.

As for the dvd itself, it's blessed with a reasonable package.

The Now and Then feature is worth a look, with some deleted scenes showing how much was actually cut out.

For me the inclusion of the Stripped for Action - The Fifth Doctor was the highlight of the entire disc.  Again looking back on the Doctor's comic strip forays, I found this equally as fascinating as the one for the First Doctor.

I can't wait for future instalments featuring the rest of the Doctors...be interesting to see how they discuss the addition of the penguin that joined the Sixth Doctor!!  Can't remember what he was called, but was rather an odd entry into the companion canon to say the least!!!

The audio commentary is wonderful, with Davison and co gently mocking the story.  Again Davison is totally frank about what he didn't like and it's a pleasure hearing some honesty for a change rather than the usual actorly white-wash.

Generally Black Orchid is an empty confection, being neither fish nor fowl.  An oddity in the Nineteenth season, this humdrum tale seems set for a worthy place in the eventual dvd bargain bin.

Bring on the Invasion of Time - quick!!!!

An excellent review, I'm happy to know that I'm not the only Who fan out there who didn't like this terribly bland story.
But, however, Terrance Dudley's Target novelisation is immensely better than the televised story - have you read it, dude? (I thoroughly recommend it)

Surely you must be jesting re "The Invasion of Time"? That was a terrible story, I can't think of a single positive attribute to its credit. I'll be interested in reading your forthcoming review - and also your opinion regarding 2entertain's bloody stupid rationale behind making we Australians wait for months before we can get their DVDs.

Surely Invasion of Time must be better in some way than Black Orchid???

Re: 2Entertain's release schedule........whilst I'm always eager to get the releases at the same time as everyone else, waiting 3 months isn't too bad.  Especially when you compare it to releases of some popular movies - often it takes a year or so for them to come to Region 4.

BTW - does the forthcoming Trial of a Timelord box set have a 'Stripped for Action - The Sixth Doctor' feature?

If not, then it could only be on a release for The Twin Dilemma and Attack of the Cybermen, seeing as they will be the 2 remaining Sixth Doctor stories to be released. 

I'm certainly not looking forward to Four to Doomsday onto dvd....yet another Davison tale released this year and not a very good one either!!!!

I laugh at your ineffectual critique--if you're going to sledge Terence Dudley then do it properly or not at all. There must be undiscovered Papuan tribes whose calender's highest crime is The King's Demons. And quite rightly.

Black Orchid and Four to Doomsday deserve to be remembered as foisting Davison's reputation for being "wet" (if not "feckless"), and no more. The most interesting thing about either was even by the mid eighties the Censor still thought Australian viewers required protection from the sight of George Cranliegh attacking Nyssa, while blithely letting through the truly malevolent King's Demons.

Dudley earned a reputation as the Fred Freiberger of the UK, "producing" latter seasons of Doomwatch and The Survivors to the point where the series creators would renounce their work. It's believed Terry Nation died while fumbling for the bunker self destruct switch and screaming "I'M YOUR CREATOR-AAAAGH!" while the Dudleys gave him a mass exterminate...

How's that?

"Surely Invasion of Time must be better in some way than Black Orchid???"
Find me that better way - I can't stand that bloody atrocious story (but that is just my opinion, nothing more).
Keep those great reviews coming, Axel F - and the movie reviews, too (they're really appreciated). Sorry I've not kept in touch over the past couple of months. The workload at St George College is PHENOMENAL and I just don't have time or energy to do much else.

As for your latest contribution, Martin - LOL 
Love your sense of humour!!!
Though I really did think that Dudley's novelisation of "Black Orchid" was a bloody good read. Like Peel's "Edge of Destruction", the book gave us a fascinating insight into the characters' thoughts and provided plenty of character development that we just didn't get in the televised stories (e.g. Tegan's personal thoughtful assessment of the Doctor as a 'rough diamond' and her and Nyssa's unsuccessful attempts at tutoring Adric in the rules of cricket).

THE INVASION OF TIME

The last story of Graham Williams first season sees the good Doctor and Leela against the dreaded Sontarans.

Any foray into Gallifrey is always welcome, however this time things seem amiss.

From the very start things feel padded out and poorly structured.  The first 4 chapters with an eratic Doctor working with/against the Vardans leave much to be desired leaving plot holes a crater can glide through.

Why would the Doctor make a deal with the Vardans in the first place?  Why lead them to Gallifrey?  Something seems odd about how the Vardans can supposedly read his mind, but never pick up on his treachery.

The story attempts to answer these questions, but does so in a very cavellier manner - as if the solutions were an afterthought.

The main plot thrust seems somewhat dull given that Gallifrey stories are usually 'big events'.  The use of endless 'corridor acting' becomes tiresome, only enlivened by the appearance of the Sontarans at the end of ep 4.

Their sudden arrival enlivens the lethargic proceedings and makes one wish the story had been a 4 parter.....first 2 parts devoted to the Vardans and then the next 2 for the Sontarans.  Six parts was way too long for a story creaking under the weight of its own contrivances.

The ending where Leela departs with the guard has become infamous, although this ties in nicely with the lack of care Williams and script editor Anthony Read had towards the show at this point.

Despite being a considerable waste of time, there are some good points within.

Borusa and Castellan make for fine characters, perfectly capturing the Robert Holmes 'Deadly Assassin' style of time lord mischief making.  I found the Doctor's relationship with Borusa quite interesting, although I was a bit disappointed about the abrupt nature of the Castellan's departure.

As for the Sontarans roaming about in the Tardis...I found this a bit outrageous with ep 6 reeking of padding of the highest order.  I remember seeing this story 30 years ago and not liking this element then and I still don't like it now!!!!!!

I wasn't too sad to see Leela go and she's not high in my list of good companions.  I felt she was rather limited as a character - although Louise Jameson was a good actress, I dont think her role lent itself as an ongoing one.

In one of the extras Jameson makes mention of how JNT asked her to come back for the departure of Baker and Davison's arrival.  I've read elsewhere that Lis Sladen was offered the same deal as well.  One wonders if any of the other previous companions had been asked too.....

Generally the story is a waste of time and never quite gels.  It was written and made in a rush and it shows.

The dvd extras seem lighter than previously, perhaps reflecting the down market feel of the story. The main feature detailing the production runs at a meagre 16 minutes.

The deleted scenes are nothing special - more scenes of corrider chasing adding nothing.

Personally my pick is the optional CGI effects which give the Vardans a much more convincing sheen, adding the menace the original story never gave them.

A word about the packaging - is it just me or do the front covers look the same now? I'm getting fed up with 2Entertain using blue and pink colours in their cover art.  If you line up some of their dvds they start to look very familiar.........Please 2entertain put some effort in this department!!!!

Now a question about K9:

K9 mk 1 leaves with Leela.

K9 mk 2 leaves with Romana.

K9 mks 3 and 4 were with Sarah Jane.

So (according to the novels) seeing as both Leela and Romana ended up on Gallifrey that means there are 2 K9s roaming about in Gallifrey, correct?

Was there ever a novel where Leela and Romana met? All I know is that Romana returned to Gallifrey thats it.

On this point I did like the way this story used K9  - he seemed better utalised here than previously and had a good rapport with the Doctor.

Another thing.......Tom Baker started to go a bit wild with his humour here.  On 3 occassions he breaks the 'fourth wall' and speaks to the camera with some quip. I found this rather distracting and placed things in parody than anything resembling realism.  Such a pity Graham Williams didn't have the strength of character to reign Baker in as things would get worse later on....

The Invasion of Time is very much a 'file it and forget it' tale that adds to the frustrating list of 2Entertain dvd duds headed for the Ezydvd bargain bin!

2Entertain, please start releasing some classic stories and not slop like this one thanks!!!!

Next up is K9 Tales featuring The Invisible Enemy and K9 and Company - oh the agony and the ecstasy!!!!!

K9 TALES REVIEW - Part 1

THE INVISIBLE ENEMY

Graham Williams' first produced story finds the show at a cross-roads.

Despite the success of the Hinchcliffe era, various groups were scathing in their assessments of the show's alledged increasing violence. Wanting to 'clean things up', Williams' introduction of K9 became the first steps towards making it 'family friendly' viewing.

Owing a great debt to Fantastic Voyage, the story cleverly mixes the action inside and outside of the Doctor's mind.  This allows for events to gather at a fast pace and serves as a satisfactory and logical introduction to the metal doggie.

If there is a failing, is that like most stories of this era, the ideas and themes were never fully matched by the show's limited production budget. 

The realisation of the Nucleus is laughable, as are the dodgy special effects shown inside the Doctor's head.  I guess this is of course all part of the charm but still I can only imagine how much better it would have looked today.

Despite this, the cast all step up to the plate very well, including Michael Sheard in another effective bad guy role.  Baker and Jameson work reasonably well....especially given the supposed tensions between them at this stage.

Overall this is a good story which is much better than what I remember it being.  The plot is interesting, the cast are great and the dialogue makes up for any shortcomings.

As usual the dvd is well presented with various docos adding to the experience.

If there is an issue I have though, is that I'm finding it increasingly tiresome on the 2Entertain's reliance on interviewing the special effects crew over the acting and directing personnel.  I'm sure Mat Irvine is a personable chap - but his constant appearances on these featurettes is starting to wear thin!!!

The dvd back cover states there is an easter egg somewhere - I spent ages trying to find it - couldn't see it anywhere.  Anyone knows where and what it is, let me know.

A good introduction to K9....which either heralded a new era for the show or the beginning of the end.........

Part 2 of this riveting review will encompass K9 and Company - should I be worried??

K9 TALES REVIEW - Part 2

K9 AND COMPANY

After the supposed 'huge' outcry over the axing of K9 from Doctor Who, Producer John Nathan-Turner decreed it a good idea to give the doggie his own series.  Helped with former companion Sarah Jane Smith, much excitment and mystery was meant to ensure every week.

Filled with witchcraft rituals and sinister townsfolk, the plot crams a lot in its near 50 minute running time.  That includes the never-ending opening and closing title sequences which do their part in padding things.

Whilst Lis Sladen is as good as ever, the main thing that lets the production down is the terminal lack of threat facing our heroes. 

Hardly any suspense is generated and the flat direction gives things a 'stagey feel'.  I realise we're talking early 80s tv here, but it would have been nice had some movement and colour been put in.

This in turn highlights some of the awful acting which occassionally borders on the unwatchable.  Given that once again the show was rushed to a tight time-frame it's a miracle things weren't even worse!

The BBC made a wise decision in not continuing with it as the story limitations become apparent given K9's mostly immobile abilities.  It also gives rise to the major flaw of the show as to why the Doctor would create a new K9 for Sarah Jane in the first place - that aspect doesn't make any sense...or am I being an old killjoy?

The dvd itself is reasonable with some fair extras and a good audio commentary featuring Eric Saward who yet again sticks the knife into JNT.

It's hardly surprising that 2Entertain would include this oddity in a box set as I don't think any fair minded fan would actually buy it on its own.

At the risk of ending with a pun, K9 and Company was a bit of a dog's breakfast....


Overall.....the K9 Tales box set gives a pretty good display of what the robot was all about and the influence it had on future Doctor Who stories.

I guess it's up to the fans to decide if they like K9 so much as to shell out the $$$ for this set.

Next up is the Brain of Morbius - finally a genuine classic being released - someone at 2Entertain must be ill!!!!

Oh, The Invisible Enemy was the first Williams...where the Baker era stopped dead as if it had rear ended a sewage truck.

Love the credits to K9--you know what you're getting after them. JNT's empire building and no more. He came to Australia in 1978 and was given a feature article in ABC's TV Times...and he was only the Who production unit manager.

The plot for K9 and Company reminded me of a Scooby Doo episode.

The only thing missing when Sarah Jane revealed who the baddies were was the line 'and I would have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for you meddling kids'...or in this case a meddling journalist and a robot dog.

It's as if each time cultists appear in Who they get worse.

Masque of Mandragora--cool
Image of the Fendahl--crap
Stones of Blood--crappier
K9 and Company--crappiest

Shudder to imagine if they returned.

You measure the hero by the size of the villain, which makes Sarah and K9 piss weak--what a nasty woman beating up on those pathetic Wiccans!

Masque of Mandragora was brilliant, definatley one of the best stories.

Fendahl I liked too....but then again it's been many years since I've seen it so the memory may be cheating as JNT used to love saying.

Stones of Blood - as I've said elsewhere here, the first 2 parts I thought were great, but the next 2 were shockers.

Wouldn't you also include The Power of Kroll in that mix?  Group of worshipers sacrificing people for a supposed god? Or are we just talking about human worshipers?

I think overall there are just some stories you shouldn't touch..........

Yes, entirely my own prejudice against alien cultists--and the fact that if we add them then the inverse crapness to appearance theory goes awry!
You could add the Mentiads in Pirate Planet, too.

Yes it seems strange why those types of stories have generally never worked.

I think at the end of the day the only ones to truly work in that genre have been Masque of Mandragora and The Daemons.....and the main reason why is because they kept things totally straight without slipping into camp.

The rest of them like Kroll and K9 and Company were terrible.

Hopefully the new series will stay away from those damn worshippers!!!

Mandragora, Fendahl and Stones all seem derivative of Cthulhu lore to me. Not that there weren't stories with mad cultists conjuring up an evil god who turned on them before, just HP Lovecraft did it best.

Ok now I have a general question.

The next release - The Brain of Morbius  -got me thinking about the 'good old days' of video where I remember the huge outcry there was about the 60 mins edit of Morbius for the early compilation tapes.

I know that Revenge of the Cybermen was the first VHS video to be released.....but what were the other compilation tapes?

I think there would have been about 10 of them released before the stories were then shown in complete episode format.

Any takers?

I remember the outcry; it was supposed to be the episodic Morbius!

You've got Revenge--this was because fandom was polled (via Doctor Who Weekly?) and voted the story it wanted to see the most and so the first release (VHS, Betamax and videodisc) was to be...Tomb of the Cybermen! ... which was recovered eight years later, so we received the compilation Revenge.

I had a copy of the Death to the Daleks compilation and I remember the re-release of Ark in Space in episode format, so that'd be another one.

I've heard of compilations of Curse of Peladon, Planet of the Spiders, Sontaran Experiment, Genesis of the Daleks, Pyramids of Mars, Robots of Death and The Awakening. But I haven't seen any of them.

Interesting.  I remember The Daleks was released in episodic format...but with 6 eps spread over 2 tapes.

Again later towards the end of video, the same story was released onto 1 single tape.

I believe that Genesis of the Daleks was spread over 2 tapes as well - though I could be wrong.

The Five Doctors got about 3 releases onto VHS and now it's had 2 releases onto DVD so far...wonder if it will beat its record on video???