I Went To A Marvellous Party (Audio) Review

Title: The Diary of River Song: I Went To A Marvellous Party
Writer: Justin Richards
Original Release Date: 25 December 2015

After a sloppy first chapter, The Diary of River Song picks up the pace with this second installment, I Went To A Marvellous Party (which is a title with River written all over it!)

Taking the form of a Murder on the Orient Express style whodunnit, the story starts with a murder and the killer - unknown. From there we rejoin with everyone's favourite time travelling archaeologist who takes up the case on the party cruisliner, home to a sinister organisation and further sinister happenings.

The entire cast is wonderful in this story, especially Alex Kingston who delivers her lines with such definite character, and is put to much better use than last time. The plot, I thought, was well handled and nicely paced, with the setting acting as a well incorporated backdrop. The resolution right at the end of the story is a highlight, with River Song showing just how clever she can be.

One issue I did find was that one of the characters' backstory a bit generic and dull. Apart from that, this story is a lot of fun and is a lot more arc-heavy than the first installment. I Went To A Marvellous Party is, well, marvellous!

8/10

The Boundless Sea (Audio) Review

Title: The Diary of River Song: The Boundless Sea
Writer: Jenny T Colgan
Original Release Date: 25 December 2015

As my first proper dive into the Big Finish Library, The Boundless Sea needed to do a lot for me. Unfortunately it left me scratching my head.

This story had everything needed to make a fun, riveting adventure: River Song - check!; an archaeological dig - check!; reanimated corpses - check! But with a slow start and a questionable alien threat, who makes up for some rather ridiculous moments, The Boundless Sea never really hit its stride.

Where the story does best is in its dialogue, which is great throughout and performed wonderfully by Alex Kingston and Alexander Vlahos, a great duo. There was a fabulous scene towards the end between the two which, with a great composition, was very touching.

Overall, River Song's first audio outing came out with mixed results, feeling too much of a filler, but nonetheless entertaining.

6/10

Season 1 - Rankings and Stats

Doctor Who - Season 1 (1963/64)
23 November 1963 - 12 September 1964

42 episodes, 8 stories, 4 time travellers.

Season One introduced the world of Doctor Who to television, starting off in on Earth to Skaro, the Sensesphere, and back (in time). Here I've ranked the stories of the first season from best to worst! Enjoy!

1. The Aztecs (9.5/10)
2. The Reign of Terror (9/10)
3. The Keys of Marinus (9/10)
4. The Daleks (8.5/10)
5. An Unearthly Child (7.5/10)
6. The Edge of Destruction (7/10)
7. The Sensorites (4/10)

N/A: Marco Polo (?/10)

Unfortunately Marco Polo is completely missing but I'm sure it'd be up there with the other two historical masterpieces of Season One.

Averaging these out means Season One has an average rating of...                    7.79/10

And a range of                                                                                                        5.50

If The Sensorites wasn't included that would be an average of 8.42/10 and a range of 2.5! So overall Season One is a pretty great season bar The Sensorites.

Now for the graph! (I love a good graph!)

Notice the red line - that's the season average.

I'd really love to go into further stats as I've only just started this blog there isn't a lot of stuff to analyse and whatnot. 

Anyway hope you enjoyed my mini stat-fest! Join us soon for Season Two reviews and by the end of that: another dose of stats (yay!)

The Reign of Terror (TV Story) Review

Title: The Reign of Terror
Writer: Dennis Spooner
Original Broadcast Date: 8 August 1964 - 12 September 1964

The Reign of Terror, without a doubt, is Dennis Spooner's worst script. But considering the quality of the episode, that says a lot more about the high standards Spooner set than it does about this fantastic historical finale to Doctor Who's first ever season!

The Reign of Terror starts off with the TARDIS landing in a middle of a forest. The Doctor, thinking he has managed to direct the ship back to England, 1963 kicks Ian and Barbara out, angry at their 'ungrateful attitude towards him.' But they come across a boy in strange clothes, clothes that would be right at the home in the middle of the French revolution...

Maybe it was me just glad to be out of the six episode atrocity that was The Sensorites, but I really enjoyed this story much, much more than I remembered after I rewatched it as apart of my Classic Who marathon. It is a brilliant example of amazing set and costume design in early Doctor Who, with wonderfully vivid clothes and lush sets of revolutionary France streets and beyond.

Beyond visuals, The Reign of Terror still has a lot to offer, namely a gripping plot, great charecterisation of existing and brand new characters and top notch performances from Hartnell, which all add together to make this one great story in need of watching. The episode also keeps throwing new ideas at you, whilst managed to develop the relationships of characters and the main plot on the screen at perfect pacing. That is all except for the final episode where one aspect is a little fleetingly mentioned, the only real flaw of this gorgeous historical.

Overall after a mixed start to Doctor Who, this was story fans needed, a story ending the season that kept you engaged throughout, to assure fans how good the show could be. And The Reign of Terror couldn't have done it better!

9/10

The Sensorites (TV Story) Review

Title: The Sensorites
Writer: Peter R Newman
Original Broadcast Date: 20 June 1964 - 1 August 1964

After two (maybe three if we ever get hold of Marco Polo) brilliant stories, Doctor Who hit its first rubbish one in its original run with The Sensorites. Despite a brilliant starter episode, The Sensorites is a lame imitation of The Daleks and other First Doctor stories, involving revolution and reform among an alien race, done so terribly its one of the only Doctor Who stories that genuinely isn't worth watching.

It's stuff like this that makes you feel bad for viewers back in 1964, who had to wait 6 weeks (6 whole weeks!) for this crap to end! To start with the elephant in the room, the titular Sensorites are fat men in onesies (which show off every lump and bump) with ugly masks on. They're not even very interesting at that. They whimper in fear and cover their ears if someone speaks too loud!

But its not just crap aliens that make the episode what it is, because it is a poorly construed, aimless story stretched over far too many weeks and even then some plot elements are still rushed, which is a shame considering those were some of the more interesting ones! Jacqueline HIll, usually a highlight of the bad episodes is off on holiday for most of it as well, adding to the list of sins. (Also watch out for Jacqueline's noticeable tan when she does return)

All that being said there are a few hints of brilliance with the mention of Susan growing out of the Doctor which, if developed, would have tied in nicely with her exit three stories later, but it was once mentioned, then never again.

All in all The Sensorites could have been good. It could have been brilliant. But beyond the first episode and a few bits of dialogue in the other five, The Sensorites is not worth your time.

4/10

The Aztecs (TV Story) Review

Title: The Aztecs
Writer: John Lucarotti
Original Broadcast Date: 23 May 1964 - 13 June 1964

When The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan land amidst an Aztec civilization Barbara is mistaken for the old god, Yetaxa. Hoping to put an end to savage rituals, Barbara plays along, undeterred by the Doctor's warnings:

"You can't rewrite history! Not one line!"

The Aztecs is a masterpiece of television through and through. The plot is fantastic, the direction is wonderful and the acting is some of the best '60s Who has seen. The story offers a lot under the surface as well with recurring themes conveyed throughout such as inability to change history and the morality of just being viewers of the past, standing by whilst death and injustice is served. The story also boasts some fantastic scenes involving the Doctor and Barbara arguing over these dilemmas, with Jacqueline Hill and William Hartnell on top form.

Not just a great story, The Aztecs can also be viewed as a character piece for one of Doctor Who's greatest companions, Barbara, played by the late Jacqueline Hill. The history teacher once again displays her compassion and genuine human morality, adding certain gravity to the story not present in other historicals.

Where the story suffers most is its actions sequences which are a little clumsy but I didn't feel they took away more than they added. Susan is also sidelined slightly, only appearing for a short scene in one of the middle two episodes, but nonetheless conveys a strong feminist message, echoing Barbara's resilience.

Overall The Aztecs is a fantastic story and a great example of what historicals should be, with light humour yet darker undertones.

9.5/10

The Keys of Marinus (TV Story) Review

Title: The Keys of Marinus
Writer: Terry Nation
Original Broadcast Date: 11 April 1964 - 16 May 1964

The Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan arrive on an island, with beaches of glass, a sea of acid, and a large pyramid holding what remains of a great civilization conditioned by machine, the Conscience of Marinus. Arbitan, the key holder of the conscience requests their help in restoring the power, to search for the missing keys of Marinus. Attempting this task hundreds have failed before them, the team begin their journey, attempting to restore these keys before the Voord take control.

Adopting an unusual quest format, The Keys of Marinus, Terry Nation's second story is one mostly disliked by fans, but for some reason I absolutely adore it. There is something so charming and genuinely fun about the constantly changing setting and characters that sets it towards the high end of my favourite Hartnell episodes. Sure the sets are rubbish a lot of the time and the Voord look like mimes in suits, but The Keys of Marinus is at its best when a fun romp for the TARDIS team.

The first two episodes are the low point of the serial, but are still generally good episodes. The atmosphere is well done and there is something strikingly beautiful about the glass pyramid surrounded by the sea of acid. The second episode is a nice introduction into Marinus' other lands and Barbara is excellent (yet again) saving the day from brains in glass jars (which is one of the negatives of the story). The third episode separates the team, with the Doctor jumping two locations ahead so Hartnell could take two weeks off for a holiday. His absence was noted but the team didn't feel lacking due to extra cast members and how the plot kept throwing up new ideas.

The final two episodes involve a who-dunnit (Doctor Who's first) mystery which I felt was well done and in which Susan proved herself useful (one of the rare times). Hartnell also had a lovely scene involving him standing as attorney in court. This mystery unfolded rather cleverly that allowed audiences to piece bits together but not understand right away. The story was also wrapped up neatly with all loose ends tied up.

Overall I feel The Keys of Marinus is a hugely underrated story that, while it has flaws, offers much more in a largely ambitious plot full of variety, that while is constantly u-turned with new ideas allows breathing space for the characters to develop and come into their own roles.

9/10

The Edge of Destruction (TV Story) Review

Title: The Edge of Destruction
Writer: David Whitaker
Original Broadcast Date: 8 February 1964 - 15 February 1964

Completing the arc of the realisation of the Doctor, Ian, Barbara and Susan's friendship comes the third ever Doctor Who story, The Edge of Destruction and its an odd one! Back in 1964 after their budget was blown, David Whitaker was tasked with writing a 2 episode story only using the central characters and one set, that being the TARDIS and it came out with mixed results.

The serial opens with the TARDIS team all getting knocked out and the TARDIS - plunged into darkness. The episode that follows is interesting but I feel as if the themes it offers are only touched on the surface and could have been used to its full potential. Some of these ideas include something else being inside the TARDIS which I feel is not mentioned enough and when it is too fleetingly. Carole's acting in this one shows its worst side unfortunately but luckily everyone else is up to usual standards, or in Jacqueline Hill's case; higher. There is a moment of absolute brilliance though when the Doctor turns on Barbara and Ian and good ol' Babs gives Hartnell a good shout. Jacqueline Hill is fantastic in doing what is almost never done, the companion standing up to the Doctor and what an impact it makes! That scene marks the beginning of the friendship between the four travelers, knocking the Doctor back in place and setting things right.

The second episode is an improvement on the first and Barbara, yet again, is fantastic, being the first to actually realise whats going on. There are a few iffy moments, including one visual effect due to budget cuts (not their fault). William Hartnell has a wonderful scene towards the end, a soliloquy which is performed to perfection and is certainly one of his best scenes. Another stand out scene is the penultimate starring Barbara and the Doctor, which develops and cements their relationship beautifully which is maintained in such fashion right until Barbara's exit in The Chase.

Overall The Edge of Destruction is an interesting one. It's plot and direction is a bit off but there are some beautiful scenes, bringing the best out of the very first TARDIS team.

7/10

The Daleks (TV Story) Review

Title: The Daleks
Writer: Terry Nation
Original Broadcast Date: 21 December 1963 - 1 February 1964

What else could follow the very first Doctor Who story? Well, only the very first Dalek story of course! After a mediocre start with the caveman serial, The Daleks is a streak of brilliance, providing fantastic and compelling plot elements and the introduction to everyone's favourite pepper-pot mutants!

Sombre and scary is the only way I can describe the first episode. The TARDIS team, less of a team than a random grouping at the moment, land on the planet Skaro, in a petrified forest. Trees, plants, and all life turned to stone. But beyond the tangle of the stone trees lies a city, seemingly untouched. In this first episode there is quite a lovely atmosphere created by the seemingly dead planet, which makes allows for a lovely shock in the cliffhanger, which remains iconic to this day.

Episode 2 and 3 are not quite as good as the first episode, lacking a certain mood the first episode had, but are nonetheless great episodes. But it is the later 3 episodes that I love most, with the expedition across Skaro, providing a rare insight into the life beyond the Dalek city. Ian is on top form in this episode, hiding inside Dalek casing and encouraging a Thal revolution. Barbara is given a nice romance with one of the locals (not a Dalek). Susan and the Doctor are sidelined slightly but I don't mind as Bill gives some wonderful performances throughout.

While not the best Dalek story, The Daleks is an intriguing, atmospheric and thrilling adventure that gives wonderful ideas of The Daleks, Thals and their planet, Skaro. The only solid fault in this episode is the resolution, or rather the final showdown, which felt was rushed and a little sloppy. Other than that this is a wonderful story that I recommend!

8.5/10

An Unearthly Child (TV Story) Review

Title: An Unearthly Child

Writer: Anthony Coburn

Original Broadcast Date: 23 November 1963 - 14 December 1963

An Unearthly Child, the very first story of Doctor Who is a classic and is absolutely perfect in every way. That is until you progress beyond the first episode. This serial is separated in terms of plot and quality between the first episode, a masterpiece, and the last three, a mediocre slightly tedious caveman adventure. 

The first episode of Doctor Who ever , An Unearthly Child, introduces Ian and Barbara, two teachers from Coal Hill school concerned about a strange pupil Susan whose intelligence lies beyond earth standards. They investigate her address to find a junkyard full of - well, - junk! Venturing into the junkyard they find an old man, hiding a secret, claiming he doesn't know who Susan is. And then they hear her voice coming from inside a police telephone box. And then the adventure in space and time begins. This episode is a intriguing, ahead of its time beauty, that manages to deal with dark underlying tones with great success.

The next three episodes on the other hand are not too great. The Cave of Skulls, the second episode, starts well but with The Forest of Fear and The Firemaker grinding and repetitious, making this story hard to adore. The expanded cast (supporting characters and extras) aren't great at their job either, which to be fair does make Carole Ann Ford's acting seem decent, so I guess they did perform some miracles. (I'm only kidding, Carole's great)

Overall this story is a perfect sample of Doctor Who, with some really fantastic episodes and some (only some not great). I may be a little harsh here. The final three episodes aren't too bad but they certainly pale in comparison, which is a shame as this certainly could have received a 10/10 for the beginning alone.

7.5/10

Marco Polo DVD Mock Up

My first proper attempt at one of these. A little bland but overall I'm quite proud of this as I've not really used Photoshop before. Some of the fonts are a little off but that should be amended in later attempts.

Welcome to Police Boxes and Screwdrivers!

Welcome! Welcome! Come one in! Here's a nice mug of tea. Join me on the settee and we can watch an episode of Doctor Who together! What do you wanna watch? Love and Monsters? Me neither!

Welcome to my blog! On this blog I aim to write (short) reviews for every single episode of Doctor Who and as much of the expanded universe as possible! Please be patient! It will take time to watch all the episodes, listen to all the audios, read all the books (and a lot of money) but I'll try to get there!

You can find all my posts categorised by Doctor and format so you can easily find out if, say, Touched by an Angel, the Eleventh Doctor New Series Adventures book is worth buying. (P.S. It totally is).

I am also trying my hand at making Classic DVD cover mock ups, but as I'm pretty terrible at Photoshop we'll see how that goes.

So enjoy reading reviews and (maybe) looking at my DVD mock up covers!