Colin's rough ride on Doctor who began on 16th March, 1984 with the screening of the last episode of Caves of Androzani, the episode that would see the violent killing of Peter Davison's version of the Doctor and introduce Colin in the final 30 seconds.
It was to be the start of a bumpy ride for the program, one that is mirrored in both scripts and production values. Still, Colin's version of the Doctor shines through and, while it wasn't generally acknowledged at the time, he puts in a performance as the Doctor that has rarely been equalled. Only once Colin was replaced by Sylvester McCoy and the ratings fell even further, did the fans finally realise that Colin was indeed the saviour for the show they had been praying for. But, as with all good saviours, they are more often than not martyred...Only after Colin was axed did the fans realise the mature and gritty realism style that Colin employed in the role was the only thing that would have guaranteed the show's survival.
After Colin left, it was all down hill...
The story outlines for each season are below, followed by impartial reviews of each story by our good friends Mr and Mrs. Popplewick.
The Doctor discovers that he and Peri
have been poisoned by raw spectrox. The Doctor succeeds in obtaining the bat milk
antidote to Spectrox Toxoemia but accidentally spills some.
He gives what's left to Peri, then regenerates.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"It feels different this time." -- The Doctor, as he regenerates.
Colin is only in Caves of Androzani for the final 30 seconds. Colin explodes onto the scene...literally. All other regenerations have been calm "passings", but on this occasion, with Davison's Doctor poisioned to death, the new Doctor sits violently upright and is wide awake and aware from the start.
In this brief half minute, we see Colin's portrayal as showing signs of Hartnell's Doctor in his brash, arrogant manner, but also a touch of Tom Baker's quirky style and delivery. We are left with a full-screen close-up of Colin's face as we fade to credits. The violent regeneration and quick, curt lines of the new Doctor, in contrast to Davison's softly softly approach is certainly a shock and not 30 seconds that is easily forgotten. Peri mirrors the viewers thoughts as she sits there stunned, wondering what is going on.
Most regenerations take place at the end of the season. But, again, this time it was different. Colin was to get one story at the end of the season to get used to the role. And, after this 30 second teaser at the end of Caves of Androzani, it certainly has you reaching for the next episode!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
I know that Peter Davison is supposedly a favourite for women "Who" fans, but really, compared with Colin, Peter is like having bran for breakfast - all goodness and light and pretty-boy looks, but not much spice. We only see Colin Baker for a few seconds in this episode, but they are very worth-while seconds. He quickly sets the scene for what to expect in the future episodes - arrogant, self-assured, head-strong - a very different Doctor. Which was just what was needed.
The Doctor's new incarnation behaves erratically. After
almost choking Peri to death, he decides to become a hermit,
but instead gets involved in renegade Time Lord Azmael's
plotting. Under the alias of Prof. Edgeworth, Azmael has
kidnapped Romulus and Remus, two twin mathematical
geniuses, at the behest of the alien Mestor, tyrant of Jaconda.
Mestor's plan is to throw Jaconda into its own sun in order
to create a huge explosion that will spread its eggs throughout
the Universe. With the help of Intergalactic Task Force
Lieutenant Hugo Lang, the Doctor foils Mestor's plan. While
Azmael mentally battles Mestor, the Doctor destroys the
alien's body. Azmael then destroys Mestor's mind by
committing suicide through a last, fatal regeneration.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"Whatever else happens, I am the Doctor. Whether you like it or not." -- Colin Baker as the Doctor.
The Twin Dilemma is an interesting bridge in Who-history. Coming at the end of a season, the viwer is given little time to become comfortable with the new Doctor. And it would be hard to relax with him around! Poetry quoting one minute, companion strangling the next. Truly, there is no weirder scene in all of Doctor Who's many hours of television than the dance macabre of the strangulation of Peri. A scene that truly tears the viewer from complacency in their armchair and makes them sit up and take notice. Has any Doctor ever attempted to strangle their companion before?? (Arguments exist that the Doctor should have attempted to strangle Adric, but that's another story...)
As for the storyline, well, it is solid enough. The twins let the side down badly though (they keep calling each other Womulus and Wemus...honestly!) and really, the viewer has no sympathy for these too-smart-for-their-own-good kids. In fact, it must be hard to find twins who can act, because these two can't. Colin is masterly as always, playing the almost-schizophrenic Doctor with ease and true evil in some scenes. Peri is a bit of a "nagging wife" in this story, but by the end of the episode all seems to have been forgiven.
This story should have begun the 22nd season, therefore giving viewers a chance to warm to the new Doctor. Leaving it to round out another Doctor's season was a bad move, and one that would return to haunt the program.
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
I have heard that many viewers and fans of Dr. Who complained about the Sixth Doctor - and after watching this episode, I can understand why. After the "feckless charm" of Peter Davison's portrayal,
Colin Baker's Doctor would have been quite a shock. The Doctor has had many personalities over his various incarnations, but none quite like the Sixth. I think the first story suffers a little bit because it is
difficult to tell if the Doctor's behaviour is merely a result of the side-effects of a bad regeneration process
or if he's always going to be so cranky and schizophrenic. Is he really going to be so cowardly and manic?
Then again, I'm actually a first-time viewer of Doctor Who, so I am watching many of these episodes without any pre-conceived notions about what the Doctor should or should not be like. I find Colin Baker rather charming as The Doctor, and I really enjoy his madness and arrogance. After all, all The Doctors have been arrogant. And the Sixth Doctor still showed compassion and kindness in this episode - which was perhaps all the more poignant and sincere when contrasted with his self-centered behaviour.
The Doctor is lured to 1985 Earth by Lytton's galactic
distress call. Under the pretense of a jewelry heist, Lytton
makes contact with the Cybermen, hiding in the London
sewers. When the Doctor arrives, he is captured and taken
to Telos. The Cybermen have stolen a time vessel and are
planning to change history by destroying Earth before it causes
the destruction of their homeworld, Mondas, in 1986. They
plan to cause Halley's Comet to crash on Earth. Lytton turns
out to be in the employ of Telos' natives, the Cryons, who
built the huge hibernation facilities that the Cybermen have
taken over. The Cryons have hired Lytton to steal the time
vessel, but the mission fails in spite of the help of fellow thief
Griffiths and Stratton and Bates, two men who escaped from
the Cybermen. Lytton is captured and partially turned into
a Cyberman. The Doctor is powerless to rescue him, but helps
Lytton kill the Cyber Controller. A Cryon sacrifices herself
to cause a huge explosion which totally destroys the Cyber
base.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"You are a Timelord?"
"Yes, and at the moment, a very angry one!" -- The Doctor.
Never one to rest on his laurels, John Nathan-Turner made some changes in this season. First of all, the season consisted of 45 minute episodes, instead of the traditional 25 minutes. Either way, it makes no difference as the stories in this season were all originally written for 25 minute episodes. If you set your stopwatch, you can even pick the original cliff hangers to each episode. The other change dealt with the TARDIS. In this story, the Doctor manages to fix the chameleon circuit so the TARDIS blends in with its surrounds. Of course, it doesn't quite work - with hilarious results.
Attack of the Cyberman sees Colin Baker more relaxed as the Doctor and he has now come to terms with the role. Once again, he dominates every scene and is a pleasure to watch. This story is notable for many things; the scary police officers in central London, the return of Lytton but as a good guy this time, and the first story to feature the Cryons who can best be described as a cross between a female form of Cybermen and the tooth fairy. We could have done without them.
Anyway, this is the best Cybermen story for years and sees terrific scenes of headless Cybermen, exploding Cybermen, green spewing Cybermen and rogue Cybermen! (No-one mention gold!) What more could you want? A terrific story with a fast storyline and high body-count along with thrills, spills and enough twists to keep you guessing. Colin's final scene with Lytton is poignant and touching. Terrific stuff!
Oh, by the way, there's a lot of running done by Peri in this episode. Males should keep an eye out and a finger on the pause button...love those first episode alley scenes!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
By this episode, Colin Baker appears to be settled into the role, and the Sixth Doctor is less manic or schizophrenic than in the previous story. However, he is still much more violent than his previous incarnations. Peri is a bit annoying, and never opens her mouth except to whine. She also stutters a bit, and is nervous whenever she speaks to The Doctor - but then, this is may not be surprising, considering he tried to choke her in the previous story!
The Cybermen seem to be more easily killed off in this story than ever before. Gold dust is no longer necessary. You just need a good cyber gun.
This story shows the strange contrasts in The Sixth Doctor's character. He does not hesitate to kill Cybermen, yet he shows real sadness for Lytton, despite the fact that he had previously only known him as a baddie. He must have been touched by Lytton changing sides from evil to good. An interesting side to The Doctor.
The TARDIS needs Zyton-7, so the Doctor takes it to
Varos, a mining planet inhabited by descendants from a
colony for the criminally insane, who thrive on public torture.
Varos' Governor has been trying to negotiate better prices
for Zyton from Sil, the reptilian envoy from Galatron. The
Doctor helps two rebels, Jondar and Areta, to escape from
the Punishment Dome, but they are recaptured. Peri and
Areta are almost reshaped into beast-like creatures by
Quillam, the Dome's sadistic scientist, but the Doctor saves
them and tells the Governor the true value of Zyton. Quillam
and Varos' Chief Officer, who are in the secret employ of Sil,
then attempt to kill the Doctor and the Governor, but instead
are killed by one of their own traps. Sil's plans to have
Galatron invade Varos are cancelled and the company offers
to buy Zyton at any price. The Governor abolishes Varos'
cruel political system.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"It's alright for you, Peri. You've only got one life. You'll age here in the TARDIS and then die. Me, I shall go on regenerating until all my lives are spent." -- The Doctor.
Okay, guys and girls, this is it. This is "thinking man's WHO" at it's best. It doesn't get ANY better than this. This is where Doctor Who was heading, WHO of the 90's would have been based on this - top notch scripts and acting - adult TV...but all that was to be stopped by the BBC. Vengeance on Varos has no silly cardboard monsters, no simple plots, no screaming companions who get locked away for an episode and a half. This is political intrigue and a top knotch character based study of greed, politcs and subversion all rolled into one. A 1984-ish multi-layered nightmare world where the TV rules and "ultimate democracy" is life or death.
Colin is perfect here - a Doctor of which we can all be proud. Strong, in control and confident; it's no wonder he assumes control of the situation. There are also some great comedy lines thrown in throughout the story and the TV viewing couple (Arak and Etta) are a pleasure to watch - they are the audience and reflect our very selves. Sil is introduced for the first time, the Gordon Gekko of inter-stellar finance, and he is truly evil. No wonder Peri is so repulsed by him! La la la la la...
The Punishment Dome thrives on selling copies of it's productions on video tape...sounds suspiciously like the BBC to me!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
"I like that one, the one in the funny clothes." -- Etta describing The Doctor
"Is he sane, this Doctor?" -- Jondar. "Sometimes." -- Peri
Now this is the sort of story I really like. Strong characters, politcal themes - and a good plot. The villains who are human or humanoid are much more interesting than single-minded robots or gooey BBC monsters. Humans are far more unpredictable than, for example, the Cybermen, and in some ways this makes them more difficult to defeat. And it is more enjoyable to watch them as they cross and double-cross and out-maneouver each other. Sil does have a touch of the "monsterish" to him, which in this case merely emphasises his wonderful repulsiveness. Also, he's one of the few Dr. Who villains who is only interested in money, not in evil for its own sake, or domination of the universe, etc. And his lasciviousness is creepy.
Colin's performance in this story is absolutely wonderful. He is very commanding, yet still with the quirky humanitarian touches The Doctor has always been known for. The Doctor and Peri get along better in this story than they have for a while, and he is truly caring towards her after her experience in the Transmogrification chambers - a very touching scene. (By the way, Peri looks good as a bird!)
Finally, I must say something about Jason Connery - ladies, watch the first episode of this story - he is very easy on the eyes!
En route to Kew Gardens, the TARDIS instead lands
at the time of the Luddite uprisings. The Master has dragged
the ship off course as part of his scheme to alter history by
preventing the industrial revolution and using it for his own
ends. But he runs afoul of the Rani, another renegade Time
Lord, who has been conducting biological experiments on the
local miners by extracting from their brains the chemical
substance that promotes sleep, thereby increasing their
aggression. The Master steals the brain fluid, forcing the Rani
into an uneasy alliance with him. But the Doctor manages
to outwit the two evil Time Lords, and secretly tampers with
the Rani's TARDIS. She and the Master are sent spinning
into the outer fringes of the Universe, at the mercy of a
rapidly-growing Tyrannosaurus embryo. The Doctor uses the
brain fluid to restore the workers to normal.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"Is he often like this?" -- Lord Ravensworth asking about the Doctor. "Too often." -- Peri
Costume melodrama is often a gamble in Doctor Who, but on this occasion it comes up trumps. The Luddite rebellion is the scene of this story, and we see a terrific mix of history and science fiction here. Not only do we get the marvelous Master in this story, but we are also introduced to another renegade Time Lord (just how many are there anyway?) in the deliciously evil Rani. The banter between the Master and Rani is wonderful and their sparring (much like Punch & Judy) is terrific to watch. The Rani's TARDIS interior is a wonderful design and one the Doctor should have copied. Aren't we all sick of the white-port-holed design?!?! The Rani's knee to the groin of the Master in the final episode makes all men weep, no matter how many times you watch it! Ouch!!
Colin is once again terrific, doing his delecate balancing act between humanitarian concern and the brink of insanity. Many say Colin plays the Doctor way too violently, but they miss the point. Colin's Doctor is willing to go to extremes to win - suddenly the viewer isn't so sure that he won't use a gun to get his way...Maybe this time he'll snap and do it. This is REALISM, people! This is what you have to do to succeed against people who are killing the innocent all over the place!!! This is in stark contrast to Davison who you always knew was never going to kill the bad guy...yawn....
Also, the Doctor has the best cliff-hangers ever in this story: tied to a mine trolley and speeding towards an open mine shaft with no hope of escape...hog-tied between two trees and perched perilously over a Rani-devised land mine and slipping slowly towards it...aaahhh, enough to make you scream!
Poor Peri, dressed like a lolly-pop and in high-heels. Won't this girl ever learn?
And as for the Rani and Master's gruesome end...well, all I can say is, you'll never guess what Dina saw!!!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
Aah, at last, an episode with the Master. Is it just me, or is the Master simply delicious? He is a dastardly villain in his devil's beard and wonderful black outfit, and it's a pleasure to watch him skulk, cat-like, through every scene. The evil duo of the Master and the Rani is fun to watch, as they match insult for insult and attempt to out-do each other and the Doctor -- too bad he outwits them yet again!
But I digress. Back to the Doctor. Poor Doctor. Gassed, hog-tied, bound to a speeding railway car... and the poor TARDIS! Yet again another great performance by Colin Baker.
The Time Lords send the Second Doctor and Jamie to
investigate unauthorized time travel experiments on Space
Station J7. Dastari, the Station Head, has been biologically
'augmenting' Androgums, a race of primitive savages, such
as Shockeye, the Station's ever-hungry chef. Chessene, an
augmented female Androgum, has allied herself with Sontaran
Group Marshal Stike, who wants the secret of the Rassilon
Imprimature, a symbiotic print contained within a Time
Lord's physiology that is the key to time travel. The Sontarans
invade the Station, making it look like the Time Lords' work.
They then take the Second Doctor to Andalusia, where they
plan to dissect him. Drawn to the Station by his other self's
pain, the Sixth Doctor rescues Jamie and follows the trail to
Spain. Dastari implants the Second Doctor with Shockeye's
genes, but the Sixth Doctor rescues him and kills Shockeye.
Chessene eventually destroys the Sontarans and, reverting to
her bestial nature, kills Dastari. She is disintegrated when she
attempts time travel without the Imprimature.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"If anything happens to myself as a result of this, I will never forgive himself!" -- The Doctor.
There's nothing more special than watching a "more than one Doctor" story. But without a doubt, this is the best of The [insert number] Doctors stories. Patrick Troughton reprises his role of the 2nd Doctor wonderfully well, and it's always a pleasure to watch Frazer Hines playing Jamie. In fact, of all the multiple Doctors stories, this one works the best on a character-driven level as Doctors 2 and 6 spend most of thier time working together, not arguing with each other as in past stories. Much better than The Five Doctors and The Three Doctors put together!
Classic Who writer Robert Holmes returns to give us a terrrific tale of cannibalism, violence and world domination as only Holmes could write. This story has been attacked for everything under the sun, but in the end it is a terrific thriller. Chessene (played by Jacqueline Pearce of Blakes 7 fame) is wonderful to watch and Pearce is as sexy as ever. The scenes between Jamie and Shockeye are first class and, for the boys, there's lots of Peri running around and leaning forward to keep your eyes glued to the screen.
In case you were wondering, the Sontarans are in this too. They get pushed to the background a bit and become secondary characters who don't get enough screen time. The Sontarans have always been under-utilised and in this case, they seem to have become second-rate Ogrons who are ordered around. Too bad really.
Troughton plays a delightful Androgum hunting for food, and Colin gives a wonderfully wicked performance as he is slowly being turned into one too! The scene with Colin and the cat is one that will send shivers down your spine! But the last word must be left for poor Oscar who meets a rather graphic end in the last episode. Oh dear, if only he took twenty narg notes!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
"Oh my giddy aunt! Oh crumbs!" -- The Second Doctor
It's fun to watch Patrick Troughton and Colin Baker work with one another - although they aren't together much. In fact, Colin isn't even in the first ten minutes of the show! They work well together, and do not spend much time bickering, as might be expected of two Doctors joining forces.
The location for this story was no doubt chosen in reference to the old tale of the Barber of Seville. This time around, there is no barber, just an inter-stellar gourmand hungry for the taste of human flesh. Of course, technically speaking, it's not cannibalism. Shockeye is not human, so eating humans for him is
like eating beef or venison. Watch for the Androgum-ised Second Doctor's and Shockeye's little gourmet foray into Seville. They're fun to watch as they eat their way through the menu of the exclusive restaurants, eating enough for an army.
For fans of Blakes 7, watch for the lovely Jacqueline Pearce playing Chessene, the genetically altered Androgum genius, as she crosses and double crosses her allies and rivals. Shades of Servalan in her mannerisms, too.
The Karfelons suffer under the rule of the Borad, a
tyrant who banishes rebels through a time tunnel known as
the Timelash. The Doctor, who visited Karfel in his third
incarnation, is persuaded to travel to Earth to bring back
Vena, a girl who inadvertently fell into the Timelash with a
precious amulet. The Doctor also brings back Herbert, a man
from the l9th century. The Borad turns out to be a scientist
who was accidentally sprayed with M80, an unstable element,
while experimenting on a Morlox, a savage, underground
reptilian creature, thus becoming half Karfelon, half Morlox.
The Borad plans to murder all the Karfelons through a war
with their neighbours, the Bandrils, and repopulate the planet
with creatures like himself, starting with Peri. The Doctor
uses a Kontron time crystal to defeat a Borad clone, and makes
peace with the Bandrils. He then gets rid of the real Borad
by banishing him to ancient Scotland through the Timelash.
Herbert turns out to be H.G. Wells.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"You gave me your word, you microcephalic apostate!" -- The Doctor
Timelash is a strange tale. I came to this viewing knowing that I didn't like the story and that it was the weakest of all of Colin's stories. Surprisingly, I rather enjoyed it. Hmmm, just goes to show that repeat screenings of Colin's stories do prove how good they really are. Paul Darrow as Tekker gives a impossibly over-the-top performance (probably paying Colin back for his performance as Bayban on Blakes 7) and is fun to watch. Too bad he bites the dust too early in the piece. Why Paul Darrow was never picked to play The Doctor is beyond me - he would have been perfect!
This is a good example of the BBC and their "wobbly set" syndrome. The story is a good one, as stories go, but it is badly visualised on screen. The whole production suffers from on obvious lack of money that was eaten up on the lush Two Doctors and Mark of the Rani stories. Inside the Timelash is deplorable, along with blue men with yellow hair who are supposed to be robots, bee keepers as guards (scary!!!!), 70's disco lights and colored globes for advanced machinery, and monsters with a head and a neck, but no body (very freudian!!!!) just make this the worst realised story since Kinda!
The performances of the main characters are the only positives. Colin is great (even though he has stated the story never worked for him), Peri is good too, although she is written out of a great deal of the story! (Guys, keep a look out for Peri being pulled around by a leash...) Darrow, as mentioned, is wonderfully evil and even the Borad manages to make a go of it!!!
Great twists towards the end too! But poor Herbert is a shocker - worse than Adric....
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
This is not one of the best stories of the Sixth Doctor's time, but there are some positives. For fans of Blakes 7 (like me!) Paul Darrow's performance is great - even if he is hamming it up a bit. He does, however, appear to be having a "bad hair" day! Although he plays a baddie, he does redeem himself at the end. Unlike Mr. Popplewick, I didn't mind Herbert, as I particularly enjoyed the "twist" about him.
The basics of the plot are pretty good, too, but then, I enjoy the political stories. But it doens't stack up to previous stories such as Vengance of Varos. The story suffers a great deal, firstly from the obvious lack of funds. The Timelash itself is dreadful! It looks like there's Christmas tinsel draped everywhere! It's all very tacky. There are also just too many elements to the story. What with Morlocks, androids, Vandrils, the Borad, time corridors, and Herbert, it really is too much. I did like the Doctor's crystal necklace, and its accompanying paraphenalia, even though they are such stereotypical BBC props. I also enjoyed the "time" experiments.
A mediocre story saved only by Colin, Paul, and 1984's Christmas tinsel.
Suspicious of the death of one of his friends, the Doctor
goes to Necros, location of the Tranquil Repose mortuary
where, under the management of Jobel, dying millionaires
and politicians are preserved in suspended animation. The
Doctor has been lured by Davros who, as the Great Healer,
has secretly taken over Tranquil Repose. Davros has been
genetically reengineering the more aggressive of the deceased
into a new breed of Daleks, and has turned the rest into food
for a company he created and entrusted to the ambitious Kara.
But Kara hires Orcini, a former Knight of the Order of
Oberon, to assassinate Davros. Meanwhile, Davros
manipulates Tasambeker, Jobel's spurned assistant, into
murdering Jobel. Orcini fails to kill Davros and, instead, kills
Kara who has betrayed him. Takis, another embalmer, calls
the real Daleks, who invade Tranquil Repose and capture
Davros. Orcini sacrifices himself to destroy Tranquil Repose,
and the Doctor shows the survivors how to refine the local
flowers into food.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"You know, if the statue had been made of stone, I doubt if it'd kill you." -- Jobel "Really?" -- The Doctor "No, it would take a mountain to crush an ego like yours." -- Jobel
A pall of death hangs over this story. As Dalek stories go, it's one of the better ones but it is a very strange story indeed - especially being set on a planet that is a funeral parlour of sorts. It's great to see the Daleks back, and the same goes for Davros - as evil as ever!
Another strong performance by all involved. Colin Baker is masterful, Peri is less of a pain than usual, Orcini and Bostock play wonderful roles as grand Knight and servant and, heck, even Jobel is a delight to watch in this Eric Saward script in which romance, death and black comedy dance hand in hand. The comedy is overdone a little in the final episode (watch it, you'll know what I mean...) and the puns are excruciatingly bad - but that adds to the enjoyment.
The human/Dalek embryos are a great idea but please whose idea was it to cast Alexei Sayle as the DJ. No, no, no, no, no - bad move there! A shocking character and a character that was made even worse by Sayle's performance. The DJ seems to be some horrid cross between Max Headroom and something from Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy - he's much more scary than the Daleks! The story is made much better by deleting his scenes completely. The WORST Who character ever...even worse than Adric and Herbert!
The cliff-hanger to episode one is wonderful, the Doctor being crushed by his own statue. Terrific! The final scenes in Davros' bunker are terrific for what is not said and for the wonderful moments of communication between the Doctor and Orcini. Orcini's noble end brings a tear to your eye (he really cared for Bostock). This is a terrific and exciting final episode to the season.
It promised so much for future episodes...but the BBC would stick its nose in and destroy all the good work. After this episode, Doctor Who was axed for 18 months. It was a fatal death blow...one whose fault can be laid at the BBC's own door.
As the Doctor says, "No 'arm in trying."
P.S.: The answer is "Blackpool"!!!!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
Before I comment on the story, I must just say: I want the Doctor's cloak! What a gorgeous piece of costume, very fetching on him.
This rather morbid story was very intriguing: a cryogenic funeral parlour where the "inhabitants" are being used for food and for Dalek embryos! It was good to have Davros back again, the creator of the Daleks now considered a "rogue" amongst his creatures. I loved his head in a jar trick, with lights that flashed every time he spoke. By far the most intriguing character in this story was Orcini, the ageing philosophical hit-man concerned with his own mortality. His quiet nobility was wonderful to watch, even to his honourable end. Even the Doctor treats him with a dignified respect. His smelly squire Bostock was wonderfully played too.
I agree with Mr. Popplewick that the DJ was terrible, and I'm not sure what purpose he served to the story, other than to have Alexi Sayle in the show. If that was the only point, it would have been better without him.
Overall, a great story, and once again, Colin is wonderful and strong as the Doctor. He is truly fun to watch. Other than the DJ, everything was underplayed to perfection. The characters were subtle, well-cast and spot-on. The scenes between the Doctor and Orcini were magic.
The TARDIS is drawn to a huge space station. The
Doctor emerges alone to face a tribunal of Time Lords. His
memory of recent events (such as the reason for Peri's absence)
is gone. The prosecutor, the Valeyard, intends to prove him
guilty of cosmic interference, with evidence recorded in the
Matrix or through the TARDIS. The Trial begins with a
screening of the Doctor and Peri arriving on Ravalox, a planet
once almost destroyed by a solar fireball. Ravalox turns out
to be Earth two million years in the future, moved to a
different location in space. The Doctor discovers an
underground civilization ruled by Drathro, a robot whose
purpose is to guard three Sleepers from Andromeda.
Meanwhile, outside, Peri is captured by the Free, a tribe led
by Katryca. She meets Glitz, who wants to steal the Sleepers'
'secrets' and plots to destroy the tribe's totem, a black light
converter which powers Drathro. Glitz's accomplice Dibber
blows up the totem, but instead, it starts a chain reaction
which threatens the universe. The Free invade the
underground. Drathro kills Katryca, but is destroyed when
the Doctor shuts down the energy systems. Despite the
Doctor's protests that the evidence is being tampered with
by the Valeyard, the Trial continues, with the Doctor's life
now hanging in the balance.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"This trial is not serious. It's a farce, a farrago of trumped up charges." -- The Doctor
After an 18 month "forced break" by the BBC chiefs, this season of Doctor Who was awaited like none other. The programme was brought back in a new time-slot and the old 25 minute format. Add to this an "umbrella season" (one main story connecting all the parts for the whole season) - not used since the Key To Time season of Tom Baker's reign. It didn't work then, and it wasn't going to work now. "Umbrella seasons" are alright for the dedicated viewer, but if a casual viewer arrives half-way through the season, they are not going to understand what is happening and won't continue to watch. For what it's worth, this dramatically reduced season (only 14 episodes!!!! I mean, really!!!!!) rated well in the new timeslot and kept steady ratings figures. A positive vote for the continuation of the present Doctor...and the programme.
Conspiracy stories are always the best, and Trial of a Time Lord is the mother of all Conspiracy theories! Plucked out of time, the Doctor finds himself put on trial by the High Council of Time Lords and the prosecutor is the mysterious Valeyard. Colin shines in this story both inside the court and in the story that is viewed as evidence. Peri too seems more settled and relaxed with the role. Glitz and Dibber are wonderful mercenaries and have some great dialogue throughout the story. The Tribe of the Free are a motley crew who are fun to watch but Drathro really doesn't cut it in the "oohh-ahh he's scary" category. Plus the Ravalox/Earth scenario is an excellent device and there are enough questions left up in the air to have us coming back for more.
But the true star of this story (and, in fact, the whole season) is Michael Jayston as the Valeyard. What a commanding performance!!! Never mind the Master, the Valeyard is mysterious and sleek, evil and in charge. He is perfectly characterised by Jayston and his icy-cold stare is enough to send you mad. You really get the feeling that the Doctor has met his match here and the dialogue between the Valeyard and the Doctor is powerful, dramatic and hints at the twists to come. Top rate Who!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
"When I have finished, this court will demand your life!" -- The Valeyard
The Doctor finds himself and the TARDIS, sans Peri, sucked into a space station, where he is to stand trial before the High Council of Timelords. Why the trial is not conducted on Gallifrey is not made certain, and adds to the mystique of the whole affair. Of course we all know that the Doctor behaves with the best of intentions towards the living, especially human-kind, but it is interesting to see the spin put on
his actions by other Timelords, particularly those who may have ulterior motives. From the beginning of the trial, we sense that there is something amiss, and suspicions are confirmed the more we see, with "evidence" being supressed by what would in the U.S. be called "national security" considerations. The Valeyard is chillingly evil, and the dialogue (or rather, exhanging of insults) between him and the Doctor is excellent. The poor Doctor does not seem to know what he is in for, at least, not at first. I found myself on the edge of my seat, waiting to find out why the Valeyard has it in for the Doctor.
The story used as "evidence" in the trial is also well done, and there are some great characters. I liked the mercenaries, Sabalom Glitz and Dibber, and their quest for grotzit-making schemes, and also the Queen of the Tribe of the Free -- Carry On science fiction. The idea that Ravalox is Earth was fascinating, and it is a shame we don't learn more about it. And of course, speaking of characters, Colin Baker picked up his role after an 18-month hiatus with not a pause for breath.
By the way, I counted at least 5 "pseudonyms" for the Valeyard: Boatyard, graveyard, farmyard, scrapyard, and knackersyard. If you picked up any more, let me know!
The Valeyard presents the Doctor's most recent
adventure. The travellers arrive on Thoros-Beta, home of the
Mentors, reptilian financiers like Sil, who use mind-controlled
humanoids as their slaves. Their leader, Kiv, has had his brain
expanded but will now die unless his scientist, Crozier, finds
a way to safely transplant it into another being. The Doctor
is subjected to Crozier's machine and starts behaving in a
more selfish way. Seemingly afraid that Crozier will use his
body, he betrays Peri and collaborates with Sil. Peri escapes
with the warlord king Yrcanos. They stage a rebellion, but
are captured. When the Doctor finds out that Crozier plans
to transfer Kiv's mind into Peri's brain, he frees Yrcanos,
who destroys the mind-control centre. But the Time Lords
pull the Doctor out of the time stream before he can rescue
Peri. The mind transfer is successful and Kiv's mind now
occupies Peri's body. Because such a technology could affect
the course of universal evolution, the Time Lords manipulate
Yrcanos to kill Peri, Crozier and the rest.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"If that means sacrificing you in my place, then that is the way it must be." -- The Doctor to Peri.
Poor Peri...
Her best story is her last. She is abused in every way in this story. Chained to rocks and about to drown, attacked by wolf-men, her hair is shaved off, she loses her mind, and then she is killed. A tragic end to a character that we had grown to love.
Mind Warp sees the delicious return of Sil, as greedy and treacherous and as sleazy as ever. The story is fast-paced and well written considering the subject is brain transplantations. Brian Blessed tries to out-overact Paul Darrow and damn near succeeds as King Yrcanos and Crozier is a terrific surgeon who has too much power - his throw away lines about the Doctor's head are wonderful! There's some top-notch dialogue between Crozier, Sil and Kiv and the tension mounts as we head (no pun intended!) towards the dramatic conclusion.
Colin is superb in this story. His portrayal of the "mad" Doctor is very believeable as he turns turncoat and hands Peri and Yrcanos over to their enemies. The scene where he interrogates Peri on the sea-shore is another great scene! You believe he has turned - there's no doubt about it! Also, the Valeyard is great as well. Every scene between Colin and Michael if filled with suspense and the dialogue is as sharp as ever - great acting chaps!
Finally, the last few minutes of the final episode, in which Peri's death is screened, is a tour de force of acting by everyone involved. Colin looks genuinely shocked and moved, the Valeyard circles in for the kill, the Inquisitor is as pragmatic as ever and we are all left with lumps in our throats. Episode four is one of the best you'll ever see!
One can only imagine what the original ending was...without the Doctor being pulled out of time and out of the climactic events by the Time Lords...
Poor Peri...
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
"Gentlemen, may I remind you this is a court of law, not a debating society for maladjusted psychotic sociopaths." -- Sagacity to the Doctor and the Valeyard.
The trial heats up as it appears that the Doctor has lost his memory, and the Valeyard drives home his case. There is the frightening feeling that maybe there is some truth to what the Valeyard claims, and that the Valeyard is going to win the case against the Doctor. I spent the story hoping that the Doctor would snap out of his treachery and madness soon! For a moment, while he was "interrogating" Peri, I thought he had either come to his senses or stopped pretending to be so evil.
Once again, the characters are wonderful, and well-acted. Brian Blessed's King Yrcanos is superbly well-over-acted - the master of "ham". Poor Yrcanos, poor Peri. It was good to see Sil the slimy villain again, as he insulted Peri, played the intergallactic stock-market, and tried to save himself by selling out everyone around him. The rebels were a bit strange, as they looked a bit like Incas in their ponchos and head-bands. The Valeyard was better than ever, so smoothly evil and nasty. He never blinks, he never misses a beat. Colin Baker plays madness well, and it is totally believeable that the Doctor has become unhinged. His performance in the court-room is also superb. It is eery that he cannot remember events as they are portrayed, and it is touching to see him so disturbed by Peri's fate.
For the books: Brickyard and Backyard are added to the Doctor's list of insults for the Valeyard.
I wait with anticipation to see the outcome of this most curious trial.
The Doctor now presents his evidence: a story from his
near future, after he has met a new companion, Melanie.
Following a mayday call, the TARDIS lands on the Hyperion
III space liner enroute from Moga to Earth. The call is from
an undercover agent who, posing as a Mogarian, suspects that
a dangerous criminal is on board; but the agent is poisoned.
Meanwhile, the Vervoids, a vegetal life form created by Prof.
Lasky, are released and start killing the passengers. Bruchner,
one of Lasky's assistants, goes mad and tries to send the ship
into a black hole. This is averted by the Mogarians, who then
hijack the ship with the help of Security Officer Rudge. But
Dolland, Lasky's other assistant, uses Mel to kill the
Mogarians. He turns out to be the real criminal, who wants
to sell the Vervoids as slave labour. The creatures rampage
through the ship, killing Rudge, Dolland and finally Lasky.
The Doctor uses a magnesium-like substance to accelerate
their life-cycle, causing them to all wither and die. The
Valeyard now accuses him of genocide.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"What else have I got? Without evidence to prove my innocence I'm condemned!" -- The Doctor "And with it, you are also condemned, it seems, Doctor." -- The Valeyard
You can't get any better than Terror of the Vervoids. A cross between Murder on the Orient Express and Reservoir Dogs, this story should probably have been called, Massacre of the Vervoids. The twists in this story just keep on coming and you really do get a feeling of claustrophobia and fear as literally anyone could be the "killer". Take your pick: Doctor Lasky, Security Officer Rudge, Dolland, the Mogarians...they all put in surperb performances in this story and could all be guilty!
Colin is excellent. A strong story for the Doctor, one in which he can show both his manic side (the destroying of the communications centre) and his reflective, sorrowful side (the death of the Vervoids). Mel is annoying to begin with - considering we haven't officially "met" her. She is a bit hard to take, having much more get-up-and-go than Peri ever had. But, having thought about it, I realise that, if anything, she was the perfect companion for The Doctor, being able to "push" him into action and also stand on her own two feet. Companions should be able to get themselves into trouble - and Mel succeeds easily. She can also scream her lungs out - venturing 5 full ear-drum-piercing screams in this story alone!
The story has great cliff-hangers (take the end of Episode 2 for example) and there is some terrific incidental music and sound effects here too! Just listen to the dying wails of the Vervoids - perfection plus!!! The Commodore, played by Michael Craig is also great to watch - nice to see an Aussie in a leading role!
Could the Valeyard get any better? He certainly does. He's on the backfoot in this story, as The Doctor presents a story from his future to put forward his defense, but still the Valeyard comes out fighting. He's terrific to watch and his icy-cold stare is enough to split you in half!
Just when you thought the Doctor was on top in the courtroom, the stunning final twist to this story is revealed as the Valeyard uses Article 7 and grabs back control. The Doctor, stunned after the knockout blow, is left reeling and fighting for his very existence!!! With the Valeyard using the ace in his deck and the whole courtroom siding with the Prosecution, the Doctor's chances don't look good.
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
The trial heats up as it is the Doctor's turn to present his evidence in his own defence. For a while, things look better for him, and even the Inquisitor appears pleased that the Doctor has been able to defend himself. But the Valeyard skillfully turns the tables, and glories in his apparent victory. The discrepancies between the matrix and the Doctor's memory of the events depicted are troubling, and we are left with nagging doubts that things are not as they seem.
This story "introduces" Mel as the Doctor's new companion, though we are certainly not "meeting" her. At first, she is very annoying, as an aerobicising, perky and petite bubble-head. But the more I saw of her, the more I liked her. She proves to be enthusiastic and intelligent, and able to motivate the Doctor. A very marked contrast to Peri, and a welcome one. And boy can she scream. I think that's probably the primary requirement for female companions!
The story of the Vervoids is basically a good old fashioned murder mystery - with killer plants thrown in for good measure. One by one, the passengers and crew of Hyperion III disappear, and the Doctor and Mel play Monsieur Poirot and Miss Marples. The suspects? Avaricious scientists, a conscience-stricken agronomist, a bitter security officer, angry Mogaraian hijackers, a gruff Commodore not too pleased to see the Doctor again, and a pretty stewardess. Oh, yeah, and a bunch of plantoids who look like big pink bums on stalks. The Vervoids themselves were not particuarly frightening to look at, but their ultimate aim is scary, especially in a spaceship from which there is no escape. Needless to say, the Doctor solves the mystery and the day, but perhaps not to his ultimate benefit.
Glitz and Mel are brought to the Tribunal as witnesses
by the Master, who speaks from within the Matrix. It is
revealed that it is the High Council who nearly destroyed
Earth, because the planet sheltered the Andromedan Sleepers,
who had stolen the Matrix's secrets. Afraid that the Doctor
would find out the truth, the Council made a deal with the
Valeyard to get rid of the Doctor in exchange for his remaining
regenerations. The evidence against the Doctor, including
Peri's death, has indeed been forged. The Valeyard is exposed
as the amalgamation of the Doctor's darker side, between his
twelfth and final regeneration. He flees into the Matrix, but
the Doctor pursues him. With the help of Glitz and the
Master, who hopes that the Doctor and the Valeyard will
destroy each other, the Doctor engages the Valeyard in a
mental duel. But the Valeyard, who hides behind the identity
of Mr Popplewick, a Dickensian clerk, is also plotting to
murder the Time Lords attending the Trial with a Particle
Disseminator. Meanwhile, the Master uses Glitz to recover
the Matrix's stolen secrets. Once he learns that the High
Council has been deposed, he attempts to take over, but
instead becomes trapped in the Matrix. The Doctor wrecks
the Valeyard's plans and escapes from the damaged Matrix.
The charges against him are dismissed, and he departs with
Mel. The Valeyard also appears to have escaped, under the
guise of the Keeper of the Matrix.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"I must intervene for the sake of justice." -- The Master
This is it guys and girls, it's showtime! This is the big payoff - and what a payoff it is! There's more twists and double-crosses in these two episodes than the whole Trial put together, and it is a pleasure to watch. These are the episodes in which the Doctor and Valeyard star...the final two rounds in the long bout - and they both shine through with terrific dialogue, great acting and wonderful suspense.
Nothing beats a good story inside the Matrix, and not since Tom Baker's Deadly Assassin have we been so much on the edge of our seats. The Matrix is a wonderful place to house a story, as anything can happen, and frequently does! Nothing is as it seems in the Matrix and you can't always believe your eyes. Mr Popplewick and the Fun Factory setting is marvelous, as is the incidental music yet again! Watch out for those feather quills and harpoon spears!
It's great to see Glitz get another story so soon after the Mysterious Planet (he would have made a great companion!) and Mel is once again very watchable in her role (she only screams once in the two episodes...). The Master is the surprise gate-crasher and he revels in the atmosphere, knowing more than anyone else, and slowly imparting secret after secret to the stunned Doctor and Courtroom until it all comes together and the true treachery of the Time Lords is finally revealed.
We find out many things in these two episodes, one of the most important being that Peri actually survived and is now the warrior Queen of King Yrcanos. Colin plays this scene well and is obviously moved that Peri survived. The Valeyard is a delight to watch as his plan begins to fail and he is without a doubt a terrific character, truly evil and with a delicious laugh!
Robert Holmes wrote the first episode of The Ultimate Foe (Trial of a Time Lord episode 13) and then promptly died. He left many secrets up in the air and Pip and Jane Baker were brought in to write the final episode...one can only imagine what Holmes had up his sleave for his final episode.
This is the last story for Colin and shows his Doctor as a strong leader, very wise and fast on his feet, able to beat his enemies with intelligence and wit. An era was coming to an end and even though all looked like clear sailing from here on - the BBC would intervene again and ruin all the good work.
Colin Baker would not appear as the Doctor again.
It was a fatal mistake and we are worse off for their decision.
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
"You cannot speak as if reality is a one-dimensional concept." -- The Valeyard
This was simply an incredible story, and I was on the edge of my seat the whole time. It was fast-paced, thrilling, and enthralling. The court had just heard the Valeyard accuse the Doctor of genocide when Mel and the charming thief Sabalom Glitz are mysteriously summoned out of their time streams to appear as witnesses in the Doctor's defence. Suddenly, the Master appears, revealing the dastardly conspiracy by
the High Council of Time Lords and the Valeyard. The Valeyard is revealed for what he is, and escapes into the Matrix, quickly followed by the Doctor and Glitz. Once in the Matrix, they are in a strange place where you cannot tell what is illusion and what is reality. There are as many twists, turns and surprises as a maze of mirrors. There, in a Dickensian London setting, the Doctor and the Valeyard must fight for the Doctor's lives. Who is helping who, who is against who, and why?
Colin Baker plays the Doctor brilliantly, and after this performance, I would have thought that his role as the Doctor would have been a certainty for the next season. The Valeyard is superbly evil, with a laugh to chill the bones. The return of Sabalom Glitz is great. He's a wonderful character, as a greedy thief with a good heart. And of course -- the Master. What a treat it is to have two such wonderful villains as the Valeyard and the Master in one story. Which one is most evil? It's difficult to decide. Try and keep up with their moves and counter moves.
The only flaw in the story comes at the end, when Mel leaves with the Doctor, despite the fact that they have not yet met in his own time-stream!
Watch out for the final twist in the final seconds!
And finally, for the books, add "Railyard" and "Stackyard."
ALSO STARRING Other programs featuring Colin Baker
Colin made his first appearance on Doctor Who in 1983 in the Peter Davison story Arc of Infinity. Colin played the part of Time Lord Security Commander, Maxil. He has the pleasure of shooting Peter Davison in the chest at the end of episode 1...a sign that he wanted his job? It was this portrail of Maxil that stuck in producer John Nathan-Turner's mind when he was looking for a replacement for Davison in 1984. Maxil, the Security Commander, spends most of his time looking after his guards and running around, chasing after The Doctor trying to kill him off. Colin can be seen in episodes 1, 2 and 3.
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"The Termination? Not quite what I expected." -- Colin Baker as Maxil.
Colin dominates each scene he is in during Arc of Infinity. His physical presence is striking as he towers over everyone else in the cast, barking orders and generally looking mean. A terrific portrayal of Maxil, the Security Commander, whose security is being breached all over the place. No wonder John Nathan-Turner remembered Colin when Davison decided to quit as the Doctor. Colin's portrayal as Maxil is rougher than his persona as the Doctor, but it is still a delight to watch and to know that soon, very soon, Colin would be in the lead role. The scene where Colin shoots The Doctor is a piece of cinematic history...and a good laugh! Well worth the watch...pitty about Davison though.
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
It is definitely easy to see why John Nathan-Turner kept Colin Baker in mind for the role of the Sixth Doctor after seeing his strong performance in this episode. His presence fills the screen. Also, he looks dishy in his red uniform and huge breast-plate, definitely one for the girls! And look out for that silver tassel!
City at the Edge of the World -- Season 3 Episode 6
Before Doctor Who, in 1980, Colin played Bayban the Butcher (or the Bezerker....he's called both) in the Blakes 7 episode City at the Edge of the World. Bayban is the Federation's most wanted criminal and he believes he and his gang of illiterate thugs have found a room on the planet Keezarn in which all the treasures of the planet are stored. However the door to the room is secured and Bayban has been unable to open it. He therefore enlists the Blakes 7 crew and orders Vila to set to work on it. Vila soon discovers that the vault is protected by a force wall, not a door and he opens the way through. There's lots more to the plot, but it doesn't really concern us. In the end, Bayban still can't get through so he sets up a laser cannon to blow a hole through the force field. The field throws the power of the cannon back at Bayban and destroys the city...and him!
REVIEW: Mr Popplewick
"My mother, oh yes, I had a mother, wonderful woman, truly evil person. She had a saying, Babe, she would say, she called me babe...Babe, she used to say, treat every hour as though it's your last." -- Colin Baker as Bayban the Butcher.
Colin gives a truly manic performance as Bayban the Bezerker in this wonderful episode of Blakes 7. Before the Doctor there was Bayban and Colin seems to have enjoyed every moment. Supporting ear-ring and studs, Colin struts around in neck-to-toe leather (surely a left-over Sontaran suit, sans helmet) and oozes evil and power throughout the episode. This has lead to stories that during the 6th Doctor story Timelash Paul Darrow (Avon in Blakes 7) returns the favor and gives an equally stunning and insane performance as Tekker! Either way, Blakes 7 was a terrific platform on which to play the wide-eyed, evil and totally loopy Bayban. The dialogue was terrific, the sets and costumes too, and Colin was at his best. Watch and enjoy!
REVIEW: Mrs Popplewick
Colin looks great in his black leather and studs, and very cute with the ear-ring. A bit of an eighties look,
but then again, it was the eighties! And watch out for his pouts. He almost out-pouts Paul Darrow. He is great as a manic and somewhat stupid brute. Certainly the most sexy man in the episode, and if the size of his laser cannon is anything to go by....... :)
