DOCTOR WHO, NIGHTMARE IN SILVER – A REVIEW

Posted on May 18, 2013 by stubblemonkey

When a popular franchise is rebooted various protagonists are redeveloped and redesigned.  Sometimes to a greater or lesser success.  This is particularly noticeable where monsters, in series’ like Doctor Who are concerned.  If the spirit of the original is lost then no amount of new special effects can save them.

Until Nightmare in Silver this had been true of the new Cybermen.  Each successive outing appeared to weaken them further, with their lacklustre appearance in Closing Time a little bit of a nadir.  However, they are back, reinvigorated under the pen of Neil Gaiman and have been completely upgraded.

A species dedicated to improving itself and capable of redeveloping itself has now been given a new lease of life where each individual is a threat in itself.  The latest upgrade brings real threat with it and drags the Cybermen back up to the top where they belong.

The question is, with so much attention paid to the improvement of the villains, does the story keep up?  Fortunately the answer is yes.  Mr. Gaiman has created an action packed, fast paced narrative not only introducing the newly upgraded Cybermen but also a futuristic Earth empire with all its politics and nuance.

DOCTOR WHO, NIGHTMARE IN SILVER – A REVIEW

Set in an abandoned theme park planet the Doctor inadvertently brings innocent young charges to a location he believes to be safe and fun.  Once inside the twisted ‘fun house’ danger arrives from all sides, including the sad yet sinister impresario Webley, an Empire punishment patrol lead by the excellent Tamzin Outhwaite, the Cybermen themselves and the Cyber-Planner hiding within the Doctor’s mind.  While everyone else gets involved in more physical and practical confrontation the Doctor and the Cyber-Planner go head to head in a dangerous, high stakes game of chess.  The cuts between inside the Doctor’s mind and out on the battlements of a literal castle give the story variety and variation in pace.  In both ‘battlezones’ the stakes are raised and raised again until a last minute twist brings victory inside and outside.

The Doctor’s cheating endgame does not come out of the blue with many years’ exploration of the character revealing of what he is capable.  While there is enough foreshadowing of Porridge’s real identity to satisfy all but the most picky viewer.  The story is neatly rounded off without requiring a MacGuffin or a ‘Deus ex Machina’ in a wonderfully full 45 minutes.

Matt Smith is at his best, relishing both his roles and obviously enjoying every second; Tamzin Outhwaite’s performance where she deliberately waivers between doing her duty, following her orders and keeping a secret is beautifully underplayed, and Warwick Davies is outstanding as the mysterious Porridge.  The entire episode is a lovely blend of classic and modern Who bringing something for all viewers, young and old, and leaves the series nicely set for the season finale.

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DOCTOR WHO, THE CRIMSON HORROR – A REVIEW

Posted on May 12, 2013 by stubblemonkey

Doctor Who is a series with a rich tapestry of themes, styles, concepts and ideas.  From clever cerebral time twisters to emotional personal stories the programme has something for everyone.  At its core, of course, is a rich vein of good, old-fashioned adventure stories.  The Crimson Horror, Mark Gatiss’ second episode in the second half of season seven, is exactly that a good, old-fashioned adventure story.  Although to be honest it is much more of a very good old-fashioned adventure story.

The Crimson Horror is such an enjoyable romp the delayed appearance of the Doctor is barely noticeable and the triumvirate from Paternoster Row lead the show from the start.  These three, the mysterious Madame Vastra, the reliable Jenny (the maid) and the enthusiastic Strax, are so engaging it is easy to see why some fans would like to see a spin off series.  Their journey northwards and off the cuff plan making cracks on at a terrific pace without feeling rushed.  The mystery and threat of the plot is neatly balanced by some lovely touches of humour, mostly centred around the ever violent Strax.  The Thomas Thomas line is worth watching the episode for alone.

DOCTOR WHO, THE CRIMSON HORROR – A REVIEW

Of course this is the Doctor’s show and his ‘reveal’ in the episode may not have been a complete surprise but was very neatly achieved.  There is a slight worry that, with the Doctor on board, everything may now be wrapped up with a wave of the sonic screwdriver.  However, one scene in a cupboard aside, the narrative progresses naturally and follows neatly on from the beginning.

It is testament to quality of the production that there is still room to fit in an unrushed flashback sequence without the feeling of an over crowded episode.  The threat offered by the villains is believable and the solution satisfying, and this is due, in no small part, to the guest cast.

Rachel Stirling as the blind Ada is excellent, first of all in the underserved loyalty she displays to her mother, through the kindness shown to her monster, to a vengeful and righteous saviour at the climax.  However, the real treat in the episode is Diana Rigg as the insane and villainous Mrs Gillyflower.  Following on from other British greats she ‘chews the scenery’ with relish and steals every scene she is in with a wicked glint in her eye.  Her insane ramblings when the secret of Mr Sweet is revealed raises Mrs Gillyflower to the higher echelons of Doctor Who villainy.

Those yearning for a younger Diana Rigg, from her days in the Avengers, are also catered for with a nice throw back scene involving the Doctor, Jenny (the maid) and a leather catsuit.  In an episode jam-packed with goodies like this it is hard to make note of them all, although it was a nice touch to hear the brave hearted Tegan invoked by the excellent Matt Smith.  All the cast appear to be having great fun, something which is contagious for the viewers as well.  The climax is logical and believable and the story feels well paced without being rushed.  The Crimson Horror is not only not a horror but also a marvellous template in good old-fashioned adventure story telling.

 

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DOCTOR WHO, JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE TARDIS – A REVIEW

Posted on May 5, 2013 by stubblemonkey

To give an episode of Doctor Who the title ‘Journey to the centre of the Tardis’ is to give it a mountain to climb.  Most, if not all fans will have, locked away in their subconscious, their idea of what the centre of the iconic time machine is like.  Crucially they will all be different which means that the episode needed to get everything spot on to be a hit.  Sadly, in the climb to the top of this particular mountain, the episode appears to have not enough rope, rusty crampons and a too comfortable base camp.

The concept of a family owned salvage ship picking up a damaged Tardis is neat but somehow fails to capture the imagination.  The performances of the crew are poor and the brothers don’t quite come to life on screen.  This is a shame as, in other hands, the idea of two older brothers keeping their younger, cleverer brother from his birthright would have been an inspired sub-plot.  Unfortunately it just gets lost in the mess, which haunts this episode.

Similarly the concept of the monsters in the Tardis being future, mutilated versions of the cast is a clever idea which gets lost in a narrative that occasionally tries to hard to be unnecessarily clever.  Leaking time, in a time machine, bringing back echoes of a failed future should be unnerving but again gets lost in the confusing toing and froing.

DOCTOR WHO, JOURNEY TO THE CENTRE OF THE TARDIS – A REVIEW

Of course, and the centre of this particular episode, if not the Tardis itself is the peak of the mountain (to mix metaphors) itself.  The inside of the Tardis!  There are a lot of nods to the past, with the swimming pool and a wonderfully realised library.  Also, the ‘tree’ circuit room is a brilliant addition to the Tardis inventory.  However, the engine room is uninspiring and the Eye of Harmony surprising unimpressive.  Adding to the messy feel of this episode is that the corridors, which join all these important locations, don’t appear to belong to the Tardis at all.  They seem somewhat cramped and claustrophobic which seems odd in a ship with unlimited space, and don’t match the other set designs.

Again, however, it is the ending of the episode, which is the most disappointing element.  There are only so many times in a series where resetting by time travel is an appropriate get out.  In Journey to the centre of the Tardis this was more than one time too many.  Many will point to the knowing ‘Big Friendly Button’ wink to the fans but an Easter Egg should not be an excuse for poor plot resolution.  If time is reset and nothing is learnt and nothing is gained then the viewers should feel the loss of these elements at the resolutions.  However, if time is reset but things have changed and something is gained, then a literal reset button can be an insult to the challenges the characters have faced.

Of course, for the viewer, all the seeds are sown and future development can be seen, even if the characters may deny it.  This however begs more questions that it answers.  If the Doctor’s biggest secret can be found easily in a book that is on public display in the library, how come no one has stumbled across it before?  While it may not have been believable that Rose, while exploring the Tardis, would have had much interest in the library it is hard to imagine none of the other Nu Who companions taking a look around.  How many of them, having heard about the Last Great Time War, simply ignored this book while they were looking for something to read?

Sometimes a mountain remains more impressive if unscaled and the dreams of the view from the peak are better than the reality.

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DOCTOR WHO, HIDE – A REVIEW

Posted on April 28, 2013 by stubblemonkey

One of the cleverest tricks a writer, production team and cast of a science fiction show has to pull off is to make the fantastical believable, if only for a short while.  The longer and higher the viewer has to suspend their disbelief the harder it is.  On the other hand creating a believable premise, with believable in story logic and a believable cast can make this task so much easier.

Hide falls so very neatly into this ‘other hand’.  In today’s fast paced, single story, rapid moving story telling it can be easy to consider the explanation fudged or the dénouement too simple.  The glory of Hide is that the pace never drops while allowing the viewer to become immersed in the world it presents.  The setting, an ancient manor house in 1974, is beautifully realised and no jarring set dressing.  The logical explanation of the ghost, which haunts the manor, is delightful and believable.  The solution and heart breaking sub plot are not rushed, while the ongoing plot elements regarding the Doctor’s latest project, Clara, fit in neatly without feeling like an after thought.

In a few, clear, swift strokes new Doctor Who writer, Neil Cross, presents enough detail on the supporting cast to give the viewers a solid and believable background and relationship.  It is in this relationship, which Dougray Scott and Jessica Raine excel.  The performance of the simmering, subtle, unrequited love between them is core to the story and core to the episode.  Both actors, Cross, and the production team are to be congratulated in this understated portrayal, especially as it is reflected so beautifully in the excellent subplot.

Doctor Who Hide Review

The main plot, of ghosts, pocket universes, time travel trials, and rescues is exciting, chilling, intriguing and engaging in equal measure.  The Doctor is forced to solve a problem using his wits, a lot of clever time travel and an ‘old fashioned’ slide show.  These touches of a dark room, toggle switches, film based photography and slides add an extra layer of enjoyment to a story, which may well have been weakened if set in the present.

In addition to all this wonderful storytelling craft there are also the special treats for long term Doctor Who fans.  The blue crystal from Metabelis III, a Eye of Harmony reference, pocket dimensions and the orange space suit all calling happy memories to mind.  Then, with a look to the future the viewers are also treated to further clues in the mystery of Clara Oswald; Why does the Tardis distrust her? Why doesn’t Emma see anything special in her?

A perfectly packaged episode of Doctor Who with a believable, ‘so called’, monster that is not lost among the other excellent elements of an excellent story.

 

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DOCTOR WHO, COLD WAR – A REVIEW

Posted on April 21, 2013 by stubblemonkey

On the whole there are a number of clear differences between the episodes, which have become called Classic Who and those named New Who.  Advances in special effects notwithstanding the shorter episodes each mainly containing one story, have given a difference pace to ‘Who’.  In addition to this the relationship between the Doctor and his companion has evolved to be more a team of peers than mentor and mentee.

Sometimes however the very best of Classic Who can be seen clearly in its ‘New’ cousin.  Cold War is one such episode.  The childhood Doctor Who fan that once was Mark Gatiss shines through in every aspect of the story.  A classic monster (an Ice Warrior), military personnel, traitorous second in command, unconventional scientist, the list of classic elements goes on.  There is also the subtle nod to the past in HADS and the Doctor losing the Tardis throughout the narrative, while the Time Lord loses his sonic screwdriver for a great deal of the plot.  It can seem, occasionally, that recent stories are resolved with a mysterious wave of the apparently sonic magic wand and it was refreshing to watch the Doctor rely on his wits and knowledge in Cold War.  Even when the story reaches its climax the explanation of why the sonic screwdriver is logical and adds to the tension rather than punctures it.

Doctor Who Cold War Review

Had Cold War been a ‘Classic’ serial then time would have been given for the duplicitous Stepashin to try and work alongside Skaldak before being betrayed.  Instead his death is sudden and surprising, especially as it transpires the rampaging Ice Warrior takes delight in destroying his victims, including a couple of other crew members as well.

Some reviewers may point to the performances being less polished and subtle than some other recent episodes.  This, however, is not the point in a tense, claustrophobic episode where the plot, the threat and the adventure are pressed to the fore.  Viewers may not be treated to character development but instead get an insight into the best of Classic Who instead.

It should not be assumed that during a driving plot line the quality of acting is lost completely.  The lead cast are as efficient as usual, however it is established character actors David Warner and Liam Cunningham who lead the charge, adding depth and quality to the episode.  Warner especially plays out of character as a distracted and less mysterious scientist with a passion for illicit western pop music.

Theoretically the core plot of Cold War could have been set in a great variety of places.  However the use of a Soviet nuclear submarine adds a great deal to the story, especially as the climax draws close.  The lack of escape possibilities, the distrust between the heroes and the rest of the ensemble, the threats from the natural world and the simple variety of not being a spaceship all add layers to what is a top quality, classic episode of New Who.

 

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