A_Kind_Of_CineMagic

Episode 5 (Review of all 6 episodes):

This story gets a lot of bad reviews and dislike but it also has fans who defend it vociferously. I do not hate it like some people but I also certainly do not love it or really enjoy it very much. It isn't particularly entertaining for me.

Surely it deserves points for ambition as it attempts to show us a completely alien world with insect-like aliens which look and behave in a very non-human way. I applaud it for such a brave attempt but overall this is the weakest Hartnell era adventure in my opinion as it just drags too much for me.

The effects were acceptable for their time given the low budget and time constraints but the problem is there is too much reliance on the effects even though the budget was not nearly enough to create the effects required. The story puts all the emphasis on the creation of alien beings in insect form on a very alien landscape. It neglects giving us an exciting enough adventure to keep me interested.

The costumes and effects look silly to many modern viewers and give it all a pantomime feel but this would be forgivable if the story and script were strong enough to stand up on their own. Sadly, while it is far from awful, I do not think the story or dialogue are strong enough. If you imagine overlaying modern CGI effects onto this to make it all look plausible I am afraid it would still leave a lacklustre story in my opinion.

I am sad to say I find it rather boring and repetetive for too much of the time. It is very stretched and lacking in content. It is filled up with ear splitting sounds going on for too long and events going a bit round in circles. It has good aspects but is a weaker than average story by comparison to the great adventures in the history of Doctor Who.

However, it is saved from total failure by its ambition in presenting a strange world full of non humanoid aliens and the better parts of script, story and acting. It is not all bad and it is an interesting idea but it is badly realised and becomes boring. It is what I would call a brave but ultimately disappointing misfire.

My Ratings: Episode 1 - 6, Episode 2 - 5/10, Episode 3 - 4.5/10, Episode 4 - 4/10, Episodes 5 & 6 - 4.5/10.

Overall average rating : 4.75/10.

Episode 5 (Review of all 6 episodes):

This story running from World's End for 6 episodes marks the return of the Daleks and was an extremely important story in establishing Doctor Who's popularity. This time the Daleks are more frightening because not only have they got additional powers of movement in different terrains and new levels of evil ambition but they are also the invaders of Earth. To show them on Earth and in fantastic, iconic scenes around famous London landmarks with London and apparently the world turned largely to ruins, provides real fear and drama.

The human race has been reduced to hiding or serving the Daleks. This is all powerful stuff even now, let alone in the early sixties so near in memory to similar threats of the Nazis.

The story also marks the first departure of one of the Doctor's companions, his grand-daughter Susan. Her character has a decent last story and while she had lost her appeal somewhat, her leaving scenes provide moving and lovely magic from William Hartnell with a superbly written and acted speech of incredible dignity and pathos.

There are various imperfections such as strange elements to the scientific explanations and plans of the Daleks and far less effective Dalek voices than the first or later stories. However there is is so much else to recommend this story that these issues pale to insignificance. Plot issues and less well executed elements mainly occur in the 4th and 5th episodes but they are still mostly strong episodes and the rest of the serial is very high quality. It is exciting, menacing, absorbing, with striking ideas and imagery.

The story is written by Terry Nation but David Whitaker as script editor deserves some credit for this and all previous stories. This marks the last story before the departure of Whitaker from that role, he would only return as a guest writer.

A must see story in the history of Doctor Who.

My Ratings: Episodes 1-3 - 10/10, Episode 4 - 9/10, Episode 5 - 8.5/10, Episode 6 - 9.5/10.

Overall average rating: 9.5/10.

Part 5 (Review for all 6 episodes):

This story from Dalek creator Terry Nation begins with the episode the Sea of Death. It is in my view an excellent opening episode. It features an intriguing, well written plot with the TARDIS crew searching a strange planet. The design of the planet and its Voord creatures is very good indeed, ideas such as seas of acid and beaches of glass are cleverly used to create a truly interesting and exciting alien planet. The Voord look good, there is menace and suspense, an excellent alien landscape and building design, a proficient script and quality acting all round which gives a 9/10 opening episode to the story.

However, whilst still decent fun, episodes 2-4 are a little disappointing in comparison to the opening episode. The idea of the story means each episode of the first 5 takes place in a different ___location with a self contained adventure searching for the hidden Keys of Marinus. This really would be a great idea for a story but is a pity to move on to other adventures when the original world in the opening episode is so well designed.

Episode 2 has a hugely different ___location and features the crew suffering mind control. This second episode is very good in most aspects but a few less impressive aspects such as a minor plot hole cause its quality to suffer. This plot hole is that Barbara is meant to travel, via a kind of teleportation device, just a minute before the rest of the travellers and yet in that minute before they join her numerous things are meant to have happened.

Episodes 3 and 4 are not as interesting or well executed as the first part either with episode 4 the weakest. Episodes 5 and 6 return to a higher standard and are like a murder mystery. Very good but they still are not a match for the top quality first part.

My Ratings: Episode 1 - 9/10, Episodes 2 & 3 - 7.5/10, Episode 4 - 7/10, Episode 5 - 8/10, Episode 6 - 9/10

Overall - 8/10.