The Final Entry

It's time to say goodbye to the blog. After much deliberation, I've decided to "retire" Blogger Who. I kinda got tired of having to watch an episode and think of things to write about, like it was an assignment or something. I just wanted to watch Doctor Who and enjoy it, and getting back to the simple task of viewing will help me do just that. Looking back over my entries, I really didn't have all that much to say anyway. It's been fun, but time to move on. Especially in light of moving in with my fiancee, the upcoming wedding, life in general is busier. I will miss you, Blogger Who, but you will live on in our hearts... OK, well, perhaps not. Anyway, take care everyone, at least those of you who dropped by. See you elsewhere!

Invasion of the Dinosaurs - Episode 2

Dang it, Blogger is crapping out again, so I'm gonna "highlight" things a bit. Good things: Mike Yates (trusted UNIT soldier for several seasons now) turns out to be a traitor; Peter Miles and Martin Jarvis as the evil scientists; Sarah looking so pretty. Bad things: The terrible, terrible job of inserting the dinosaurs into the shots, it is extremely poorly done; the cliffhanger is not scary, considering the T-Rex that's attacking the Doctor is about as scary as the stuffed Eeyore doll I've got in the other room.

Invasion of the Dinosaurs - Episode 1

Or rather, "Invasion" Episode 1, according to the opening titles. To keep the dinosaurs a secret. Can't say I blame them, after seeing them. I'd want to keep them hidden as best I could, too. They really do look terrible, they absolutely live down to their reputation. The opening scenes of a deserted London are very effective, however. Very reminiscent of "The Dalek Invasion of Earth", especially considering it's in black and white. Yes, this episode marks the very last episode of black and white, from here on out it's full colour all the way. I also like the anguished look on the Doctor's face when he and Sarah discover a dead body. The Brigadier looks more and more like Peter Sellers' Group Captain Mandrake from "Dr. Strangelove" every day. Benton and Yates are back, too. The whole martial law aspect is done very well. Shame about the crappy dinosaur effects. And the cliffhanger bit with the Doctor seeing one of the dinosaurs... it'd have been a lot more effective as a cliffhanger had we not already seen a dinosaur attacking about 10 minutes before the episode ends.

The Time Warrior - Episode 4

The Doctor gets to dress up as the robot. Kinda different to see him like that. The effects of the bullets hitting behind the Doctor are done well. The "women's lib" bit with Sarah is a bit forced, but it's well played by Elisabeth Sladen, who is superb in her debut story throughout. Professor Ruebish is a delightful temporary sidekick, would have been interesting to see him carry through as a featured player, but oh well. The climax is great, except for the jarring bit of mismatched stock footage for the explosion.

Thumbs up for this fun travel back in time. Good to see some historical settings again, after such a long time. Sarah Jane Smith hits the ground running in her debut story, and the Sontarans are a great new alien addition to the Doctor Who mythology. Fun story that doesn't take itself too seriously.

The Time Warrior - Episode 3

Still fun. The Doctor joins the good guys against Irongron and Lynx, and gets to play wizard. His smoke effects are well done. His repartee with Sarah is a highlight, as she begins to trust him. Some of the Doctor's famous morals are on display here, for instance when he states he can't leave because he has a responsibility. His refusal to simply kill, only to incapacitate, is another example. Jumping up from his hiding place when Lynx threatens to kill a defenseless scientist is dramatically heroic of him. Sarah looks adorable in her blue and white getup. Rubeish displays some independent know-how and fashions himself an eyeglass. Quite enjoyable.

The Time Warrior - Episode 2

The Sontaran is one of the better-realized creatures in "Doctor Who", especially in this story. The mask is very well fitted to the actor's face, thereby giving the actor more freedom to express himself. Good design. I like Professor Rubeish, the poor blind fellow. He's such a well-meaning soul. We also learn the name of the Doctor's home planet, Gallifrey. It only took 11 seasons to find out. Sarah looks rather fetching in her period garb. Again the location work is very effective.

The Time Warrior - Episode 1

Wow, we haven't been to Earth's past in... a long time. Not since "The Abominable Snowmen" with Patrick Troughton. Nice to see. Location work is excellent, what with the forests and castles and such. Lynx, the Sontaran, is a great new alien menace. Though the part about him snatching scientists from the 20th Century is a bit iffy. We also meet Sarah Jane Smith, the Doctor's new companion. She's a good match for the Doctor, and their first scene shows a nice
spark of playful rivalry, not merely the "What's that, Doctor?" of Jo Grant. And she's very pretty, too. Boba Fett appears here, too, as Hal the Archer. A good start to the story. And speaking of starts, a new title sequence debuts here, too, along with the famous diamond logo. We'll be seeing that for quite a while now.

The Green Death - Episode 6

A couple more crappy model shots and CSO shots. The BOSS isn't that particularly villainous. The model explosion of Global Chemicals is well done, except that we can see the raised security gate with no sign of the Doctor or UNIT that should be right there.

We bid farewell to Jo Grant, who's been a trusted companion to the Doctor for three seasons now. I was never that fond of Jo, and still aren't even after this marathon. Just never worked for me. The "goodbye" scene is one of the most touching in the series' history, though, I will grant you that.

All in all, a thumbs up for "The Green Death". The one with the maggots has lots more to recommend it, is a bit silly in parts, but overall a good solid story.

The Green Death - Episode 5

Some great fun as the Doctor torments the BOSS with his flippancy and stubbornness. It looks like Jon Pertwee is having fun here. There's some appalling modelwork of Bessie driving across the maggot field, and terrible CSO of the Doctor and Benton in Bessie. Also, the ground outside the cave where Jo and Professor Jones hide does not hide its studio origins well at all. And why are there suddenly some outdoor scenes with the Brigadier and Benton and UNIT at the maggot field that were shot in studio instead of film? Odd. Poor Mike Yates, brainwashed then captured again. The blue crystal of Metebelis 3 shows its power for the first time here, too.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, Blogger keeps crapping out on me, and I've had to keep rewriting this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, Blogger keeps crapping out on me, and I've had to keep rewriting this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, Blogger keeps crapping out on me, and I've had to keep rewriting this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, this is the third time I'm trying to post this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, this is the third time I'm trying to post this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, this is the third time I'm trying to post this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, this is the third time I'm trying to post this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

OK, this is the third time I'm trying to post this, so it's gonna be brief. Sick of typing. Good things in this episode: Shots of the masses of maggots, the destruction of the mine, seeing Mike as an undercover agent. Not so good: the Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady, the "shock" revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is a computer.

The Green Death - Episode 4

At last, the Brigadier gets his reinforcements, and lots of them! Sergeant Benton is back, as is Captain Yates, although Mike is actually working undercover in order to infiltrate Global Chemicals. It's an interesting change of pace to see a UNIT regular in a more espionage-oriented role, I like it. The Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady is a bit weird and silly, but I guess it works to get him into Global Chemicals. The shots of the masses of maggots are very impressive, as is the destruction of the mine. The cliffhanger revelation that the mysterious unseen "BOSS" is actually a computer isn't as much of a shock nowadays as it might have been back when this first aired.

The Green Death - Episode 4

At last, the Brigadier gets some reinforcements. Sergeant Benton is back. As is Captain Yates, though Mike is actually working undercover to infiltrate Global Chemicals. I like that aspect of the script, I don't think we've seen much UNIT undercover work, so it's a nice change of pace. The Doctor dressing up as the milkman and the cleaning lady is a bit weird, but it works to get him inside Global Chemicals, I guess. The revelation that the mysterious "BOSS" is actually a computer isn't enough of a shock to be the cliffhanger, now, is it? Maybe back then, but now it's not as shocking.

The Green Death - Episode 3

Still no sign of other UNIT personnel. Though the Brigadier does mention calling some in. The Doctor and Jo escape from the icky caves. I swear Nick Courtney had a cold during this story, his voice sounds off. Interesting seeing the Doctor almost jealous of Jo's attention to Professor Jones and Professor Jones' attention to Jo. The scene with Fell leaping to his death (was the character name a sick joke?) is rather jarring, not at all like what we're used to in "Doctor Who". Good cliffhanger, as the hatched maggot approaches the unknowing Jo...

The Green Death - Episode 2

The mine is really well done, especially with the green glow. Also very effective is the green glow on the victims' bodies, very spooky. Less effective is the CSO effect behind the lift at the mine. Very crappy. The "demonstration" parade outside Global Chemicals is a bit silly. Even sillier is the fact that the security guard calls for help to face about 6 hippies. The BOSS is introduced in this episode, and the screen with the squiggles and the voice is well done. Still no sign of any other UNIT personnel. We discover the reason why this one is always remembered as "the one with the maggots"-- the maggots. They are very icky, and impressively presented. Good cliffhanger as the Doctor and Jo are trapped in the mine with giant maggots advancing upon them... Then we get the very odd-looking end credits, where the background was flipped and run upside down. It looks very weird after being used to the regular version for so long.

The Green Death - Episode 1

Back to Earth (mostly). Trouble over in Wales, where there's a Professor Jones who looks a bit like a long-haired Christopher Eccleston. No wonder Jo tells the Doctor he reminds her of a "younger you". Nice to see the hospital porter from "Spearhead from Space" found work elsewhere, working at the mines in Llanfairfach. Stevens has a suitably 70's style office. Odd to see the Brigadier in what amounts to civilian clothes. And is he the only member of UNIT? He's the only one to go to Llanfairfach besides Jo and eventually the Doctor. Interesting scene mixing when the Brigadier and Jo get similar but conflicting versions of events. Meanwhile the Doctor gets the crap beat out of him on Metebelis 3, which is where he's wanted to go for some time. As a matter of fact, this could be our very first instance of the Doctor trying to make the TARDIS take him somewhere and actually arriving where he wanted to go. I've wondered for ages when the first time he was able to actually "pilot" the TARDIS occurred. Looks like it's here. Another interesting bit is how Jo gets all clumsy again when meeting Professor Jones, just like she was when meeting the Doctor for the first time.

Planet of the Daleks - Episode 6

Finally. Y'know, after all that hubbub about the bacteria, it's not even mentioned any more. The Dalek Supreme arrives. He's a Dalek from the 1960s Peter Cushing movies, and he looks pretty spiffy, especially compared to his boring grey buddies. His black and gold paintjob, and his different lights and eyestalk, all make him look distinctive. Well done. Sadly, however, the light synching with the speaking is horrible, especially in this episode. The Dalek Supreme seems to just flash whenever he wants, not just when he's the one talking. The other Daleks don't fare much better. The "romance" between Jo and Latep is extremely sudden and very lame. The modelwork with the awakening Daleks and the ice volcano is well done. Why does the TARDIS suddenly have air and work just fine? Last we saw it was out of oxygen and pretty powerless. But, hey, we've got Monty Python vet Hazel Pethig doing costumes for this story, so it's not all bad, is it?

A bored thumbs-down for this story. It's not terrible, nor is it crap. It's just kind of there. A fine performance by Bernard Horsfall as Taron, a moody first episode, and the nifty Dalek Supreme are the very few and far between highlights of a dull story. Better luck next time, Mr. Nation.

Planet of the Daleks - Episode 5

The eyes in the night look completely fake, I'm sorry, but they do. The big purple furs the Spiridons wear look too much like Grimace from the McDonald's commercials. And how does the Doctor recognize Wester, the invisible creature wearing the exact same style purple fur as all the other invisible creatures? And he's only met him like once. Makes no sense. This story really has one on far too long. Good thing it ends soon.

Planet of the Daleks - Episode 3

Here's a kick of nostalgia. A black-and-white episode! And a Dalek one at that. How does Jo manage to climb out of the dumpster that she snuck into the Dalek base in without being seen? Especially since there was a Dalek staring at her the entire time! Probably because it was one of the empty ones, I think. Terry Nation really likes to make use of planets and their natures when writing his stories, doesn't he? The ice eruptions are a distinctive feature of Spiridon, as are those spitting plants we saw in the earlier episodes. It's a nice little touch. The Doctor seems to switch between gloved and ungloved a bit too often for my liking. On the whole, this episode pushes the plot forward by about zilch.

Planet of the Daleks - Episode 2

After a reasonably interesting start, things slow down to a crawl here. There are a few interesting touches. The Doctor gets shot by the Daleks causing his legs to not work, which recalls Ian in "The Daleks" when he lost the use of his legs. I also like the element of the second Thal ship arriving, seeing as how we might be led to believe that the 3 Thals we have already met were all we'd see battling the Daleks. And in one scene, we have what must be the most Daleks ever assembled in one place at one time in the history of the series. There are 7 Daleks together in one scene. Yes, seven! Cool! Granted, most of them were probably empty casings, but still, it's better than the three that attacked our time zone in "Day of the Daleks".

Planet of the Daleks - Episode 1

It's been quite some time since Terry Nation wrote for Doctor Who. Not since "The Daleks' Master Plan" way back in the William Hartnell days. And this feels a lot like an old Hartnell/Nation serial. At one point there's even a visual callback to the opening of the first Dalek story, when Jo uses the scanner of the TARDIS to see what's outside, the screen is black and white and is very reminiscent of the opening pan across Skaro in "The Daleks". Then later there's a nice moment where the Doctor references Barbara, Ian and Susan. Particularly appropriate in this tenth season. And we see Thals for the first time since "The Daleks", too. Bernard Horsfall puts in another strong performance, he's always good. Jo looks extra pretty in this story for some reason. And please tell me, when the TARDIS oxygen supply is dwindling and the doors won't open, why on Earth does the Doctor change into a completely different outfit? That's a bit silly. The planet exterior is pretty good considering the resources they had. Moody and atmospheric. Nice start to the story.

Frontier in Space - Episode 6

Jo gets put into a prison cell, escapes, gets put back. The Doctor and friends arrive, get captured, get put into prison cell, escape. Yay! No more prison cells in this story! Yippee! At last! The Daleks put in a "surprise" appearance as allies of the Master. You know what would have been really cool? A story where the Master and the Daleks worked together for the entire story. Would have been interesting to see how the Master would have put up with the "stupid tin boxes". There's a very confusing climax, where the Master just sort of disappears through editing and the Ogrons run away scared. The Doctor is wounded and escapes into the TARDIS, sending a telegraphic SOS to the Time Lords, and we finish the story on this cliffhanger.

Reluctantly I have to give this story a thumbs down. I used to have a much better opinion of this story, but perhaps that was from the Target novelization. Malcolm Hulke has done much better than this. Some interesting ideas, and a great new alien race in the Draconians, but way too much padding and way, way, way too many prison cells.

A brief word here about Roger Delgado. He is one of the main reasons I hold the Pertwee era in such high regard. His suave, charming, evil Master is one of the highlights of the entire series. And from all accounts, he was one of the nicest guys off the set as well. It's a shame that his final appearance was in this story, and he didn't get a proper swansong to close out his time as the Master. A tragic car accident cut his life short way too early not long after this story was shot. In some ways, it was the beginning of the end for the Pertwee era.

Frontier in Space - Episode 5

The Doctor, Jo and the Master are taken from their prison cell... and are not put into another prison cell for the rest of the entire episode! Shocking! The front and end titles are both set to the horrible abandoned Delaware version of the theme music. It just feels completely wrong, and I'm glad they decided to drop it. This episode is a step up in quality from the last few, perhaps that has something to do with almost no prison cells in it. The Draconians are still cool. Jo gives a very good account of herself, especially when fiercely reciting nursery rhymes at the Master when he tries to hypnotize her. Good on you, Jo! And the TARDIS is back, yay!

Frontier in Space - Episode 4

Let's see... the Doctor is rescued by the Master from the airlock, gets put back into his prison cell, gets taken to the Master's spaceship and put into the ship's prison cell, escapes from prison cell, goes outside ship, comes back in, the Draconians arrive, put the Doctor, Jo and the Master into the ship's prison cell. Sheesh! I can't wait for the next episode we get that does not feature a dang prison cell! It won't be in this story, I can tell you that right now. The spaceship effects are less than convincing, the ships moving way too fast to be acceptable. The use of NASA stock footage does not help much. The too-often visible wires holding up the Doctor in space are disappointing, but not terrible. Different cliffhanger, as the Master secretly signals his Ogrons, who we see on another spaceship noting the distress call.

Frontier in Space - Episode 3

"Prison Cells in the Future" continues. Let's see... the Doctor and Jo are kidnapped from their prison cell, and just as quickly recaptured and put back in their prison cell. The Doctor is taken and interrogated, then put back in the prison cell. The Doctor is then taken out of his prison cell and gets sent to the prison on the Moon. Not a cell, as such, but still a prison. Jo is then taken from her cell by the Master. Yay, the Master! He's some sort of Earth colony government agent, pursuing the "criminal" Doctor and Jo. Good to see Delgado again, it's a horrible shame that this is his last story before his tragic fatal accident. The Moon prison is an interesting idea. Hey, it just struck me, we see absolutely no Draconians in this episode. Weird. Anyway, the Doctor attempts to escape the Moon prison and is trapped inside an airlock that is depressurizing (or something) ...