Seventh Doctor...
Episodes to Remember
Remembrance of the Daleks (Episode 148) - Long ago, the Doctor hid the Hand of Omega, the most powerful remote stellar manipulator ever created, on 20th century Earth. Now in his seventh incarnation, he discovers that two rival factions of Daleks are searching for it and are in a race against the other to find and use it for their own ends. The Doctor is faced with the task of keeping the clueless British military out of harm's way against the superior Dalek forces, and making sure both he and Ace stay alive, all while using the Hand of Omega to lay a carefully planned trap to defeat his old enemies...
In contrast to the rather silly and whimsical nature of the previous season's stories, Remembrance of the Daleks is dramatic, serious, and exciting. The Daleks seem their old selves again and have plenty of good special effects to work with, including a great fight scene in the first episode. Both the Doctor and Ace settle into this story nicely, as they are given more to do than in previous serials with Ace in particular deserving recognition. The scene where she destroys a Dalek with a base-ball bat is simply unforgettable. Remembrance of the Daleks reintroduces magic and mystery to the series with intelligence and style and is one of the finest examples of late 80s Who.
In contrast to the rather silly and whimsical nature of the previous season's stories, Remembrance of the Daleks is dramatic, serious, and exciting. The Daleks seem their old selves again and have plenty of good special effects to work with, including a great fight scene in the first episode. Both the Doctor and Ace settle into this story nicely, as they are given more to do than in previous serials with Ace in particular deserving recognition. The scene where she destroys a Dalek with a base-ball bat is simply unforgettable. Remembrance of the Daleks reintroduces magic and mystery to the series with intelligence and style and is one of the finest examples of late 80s Who.
The Curse of Fenric (Episode 154) - The Doctor and Ace land on a military base during World War II where they meet Dr. Judson who is in charge of deciphering German codes by use of the supercomputer ULTIMA. On the side, Dr. Judson is also using the computer to translate some ancient viking carvings found in the cave underneath the local church. Due to Judson and Base Commander Millington's meddling with the inscriptions, they accidentally free an ancient evil sentient being called Fenric who centuries ago was sealed in a flask and buried under the church. Released from his prison, Fenric summons vampire-like creatures to do his bidding and overrun the base. All Fenric requires now is to play one final game of chess with a Time Lord...
The Curse of Fenric marks the last piece of gothic drama in Doctor Who. Based partially off John Carpenter's 1979 chiller, The Fog, this story is marked by great monsters, plenty of mystery, and its use of faith and love as major themes. Nicholas Parson excels as the church's troubled vicar, and Ace and the Doctor once again show why they are one of the most beloved Doctor/companion teams. The production is phenomenal while director Nicholas Mallett provides plenty of sophistication with some creative shooting and superb direction. The Curse of Fenric represents Doctor Who's last hurrah before being cancelled.
The Curse of Fenric marks the last piece of gothic drama in Doctor Who. Based partially off John Carpenter's 1979 chiller, The Fog, this story is marked by great monsters, plenty of mystery, and its use of faith and love as major themes. Nicholas Parson excels as the church's troubled vicar, and Ace and the Doctor once again show why they are one of the most beloved Doctor/companion teams. The production is phenomenal while director Nicholas Mallett provides plenty of sophistication with some creative shooting and superb direction. The Curse of Fenric represents Doctor Who's last hurrah before being cancelled.
Episodes to Forget
Time and the Rani (Episode 144) - After Colin Baker left, Doctor Who fans needed a strong memorable debut story for the Seventh Doctor to reassure them. Instead, they got Time and the Rani. Despite its rather good production, Time and the Rani suffers from an incredibly childish script courtesy of the less than stellar husband and wife writing team of Pip and Jane Baker. There's plenty of goofy ideas running around, and Mel does nothing but scream non-stop, but the worst of it is the Rani. With the Doctor disoriented from his regeneration, Kate O'Mara has a chance to steal the spotlight but instead is written as a cackling campy villain. The Rani seems to think of herself as a genius, but in this story she comes across as depressingly stupid.
Most mind-bogglingly of all is the Rani's scheme. The whole story revolves around Mel and eventually the Doctor trying to figure out what she is up to, three-and-a-half episodes of clues and mystery. Then, the writers finally reveal the plan....and it stinks: without a doubt it is the worst punch-line in the whole of the series. Time and Rani is uninvolving and is filled with silly and senseless ideas. I mean, where would you get a giant brain, anyway?
Most mind-bogglingly of all is the Rani's scheme. The whole story revolves around Mel and eventually the Doctor trying to figure out what she is up to, three-and-a-half episodes of clues and mystery. Then, the writers finally reveal the plan....and it stinks: without a doubt it is the worst punch-line in the whole of the series. Time and Rani is uninvolving and is filled with silly and senseless ideas. I mean, where would you get a giant brain, anyway?
Paradise Towers (Episode 145) - Succumbing to Mel's desire to go swimming, the Doctor takes her to Paradise Towers, a massive building complex with a legendary swimming pool on its roof. Unfortunately, they discover the place to be haunted by the building's designer, the Great Architect, whose disembodied soul uses giant cleaning robots to kill off the complex's residents. As its residents consist of cannibalistic old ladies, teenage girl gangs called Kangs, and the stupidly bureaucratic caretakers, perhaps this isn't such a bad idea. In the end, the Doctor rallies and unites the dysfunctional tenants of Paradise Towers against the Great Architect in a desperate struggle for survival.
Paradise Towers doesn't have any good ideas, both in its story or its characters. Richard Briers in a Hitler costume? Give me a break! Mel shows off how useless of companion she is by spending the whole story running around corridors looking for the secret pool of Paradise Towers (all while they are in mortal danger!). Pex, portrayed as a macho man, accompanies her as her cowardly companion before redeeming himself at the end by hurling himself at the possessed Richard Briers, knocking them both down an empty elevator shaft. Paradise Towers is silly and stupid and is the perfect example to illustrate just how overtly camp and pointless Doctor Who's 24th season was.
Paradise Towers doesn't have any good ideas, both in its story or its characters. Richard Briers in a Hitler costume? Give me a break! Mel shows off how useless of companion she is by spending the whole story running around corridors looking for the secret pool of Paradise Towers (all while they are in mortal danger!). Pex, portrayed as a macho man, accompanies her as her cowardly companion before redeeming himself at the end by hurling himself at the possessed Richard Briers, knocking them both down an empty elevator shaft. Paradise Towers is silly and stupid and is the perfect example to illustrate just how overtly camp and pointless Doctor Who's 24th season was.