PS Creativity > Reviews > Into The Vortex > Season Five

Bases under siege and lots of monsters, season five of Doctor Who proves to be the most consistent run of the sixties with our members - they particularly like stories set underground, be it in London or beneath the surface of the planet Telos...

>> Season Five averages 7.34 out of 10 <<

Some comments from a few members...

The Web of Fear

"Brilliant. We can see from publicity shots how good the sets were in this story, so I have a feeling this is one story where the recovery of the film prints would not be the disappointment that Tomb was in several respects. A wonderful story, and very unsettling to think that the whole thing was set up just to trap the Doctor." -- Jason Thompson (10/10)

"Absolutely gripping. The story has an excellent atmosphere, with the Yeti seeming to present a real threat. The sets are just amazing, and it's a good introduction to Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart." -- Ant Williams (9/10)

"The first episode is very good, however the rest of the story turns into various people getting separated and having adventures in the tunnels. Were the other episodes to exist then the atmosphere and visuals could save it, however without this it suffers greatly." -- Phillip Culley (6/10)

"The best story of the season, imo. It's an excellent story with great performances, characters and very little, if any padding. A great introduction as well for Lethbridge-Stewart." -- MacNimon (10/10)

"Terrific stuff. Atmospheric, claustrophobic and a great set of characters and actors. I especially like the Hammer-esque sequence in Silverstein’s museum!" -- Ant Cox (9/10)

The Tomb of the Cybermen

"The visuals are at once memorably iconic (the Tombs and the Cybermen emerging) and desperately shoddy (the wires and the dummy Cybercontroller). The plot is nonsensical (the Cybermen are defeated because they didn’t think to either put a revitalising machine downstairs where they actually were, or to put an interior door handle on the hatch that led up to the level where their revitalising machine actually was, and even Klieg points out how sensible that would be). The supporting characters are gross stereotypes (the evil ones have odd accents, and the slave character is a big black man). It’s a mess. But I bloody love it!" -- Jason Thompson (9/10)

"It's good, but not as good as we've been lead to believe. The tombs themselves are certainly very impressive on a visual level." -- Phillip Culley (7/10)

"not nearly as good as people say it is. The Cybermen don't actually do that much, and they make some rather silly noises. Doesn't nearly deserve the reputation it has." -- Ant Williams (6/10)

"I'm old enough to remember when it was THE missing story, and then when against all probability it turned up. On the downside, some of the visuals are poorer than we were led to believe; but on the plus side it has such previously-unknown delights as Troughton in a cape!" -- Andrew Curnow (8/10)

"I loved the novelisation, for many years it was one of my favourites but since the story was found I've constantly found it to be a bit of a disappointment. Still very good, though." -- MacNimon (8/10)

Fury from the Deep

"Hmm. Not sure what to make of this one. It must have made an impression at the time, because it’s the only one my mother recalls watching and being scared of. On the other hand, most of the characters seem decidedly dull, and Robson is quite clearly off his nut right at the start. Still, Victoria’s departure is neatly woven into the story and very well done. I suspect, if this one still existed in visual form, her departure would be remembered along with Susan, Sarah-Jane’s and Tegan’s." -- Jason Thompson (6/10)

"Fantastic atmosphere, very creepy. A good story line, and the weed creature is terrifying. The infamous Quill and Oak scene is absolutely terrifying." -- Ant Williams (10/10)

"Based on the book & the clips it looks great. If it ever turns up, I suspect it will be a bit ploddy, and I have to say that the film trims from the climax on the LiT set don't inspire much confidence." -- Andrew Curnow (8/10)

"My favourite of the season, and works perfectly on the audio along, with the few censor clips adding to it (the Oak and Quill one especially). What I also like about this one is that unlike most other base under siege stories, this story is about ordinary people just doing their jobs, as opposed to military types, or people 'looking for trouble' as it were." -- Phillip Culley (10/10)

"The best Doctor Who story ever. Fact." -- Pip Madeley (10/10)

"It's over-rated. Probably! Get away from my foam machine." -- Rob McCow (7/10)

The Abominable Snowmen

"I love this story as well! Like Tomb, I always enjoyed the novelisation but unlike Tomb the episodes themselves are still missing, and so haven't yet left me disappointed." -- MacNimon (8/10)

"Target book, Christmas 1979, one of my favourites. And episode 2 is incredibly creepy with its Padmasambhva scene and that chilling voice." -- Andrew Curnow (8/10)

The Enemy of the World

"Completely atypical of the series, and certainly the better for it, and Troughton does the Doctor and Salamander very well. It's just a shame all we have to base the story on is Episode 3, which (aside from the entertaining chef scenes), is very dull." -- Phillip Culley (9/10)

"Another missing soundtrack which I’ve listened to on many occasions and really enjoyed. One of those stories which I really wish still existed." -- Antony Cox (7/10)

"Everything about this is fun... it says a lot that I can enjoy this story as much as I do without even a proper attempt to narrate the bloody thing." -- Ssarl (8/10)

"Is this good? Yes! The focus isn't on the Doctor and his companions quite enough, but it gets two extra points for the horrible wallpaper." -- Rob McCow (8/10)

The Ice Warriors

"Thank heavens those two episodes are missing." -- Rob McCow (6/10)

"Nice aliens, but it's a bit ploddy." -- Andrew Curnow (6/10)

"I like this story! A classic ‘base-under-siege’ adventure with some great guest cast performances. I particularly like Peter Barkworth’s performance as Clent; perfectly executed as a paranoid and bad-tempered leader." -- Antony Cox (8/10)

The Wheel In Space

"A lacklustre end to a great season." -- MacNimon (6/10)

"Not too bad, but again too long and quite dull. Episode 1 has a plot that should take ten minutes to play out, not twenty-five. But it does have Zoe in it. " --Jason Thompson (4/10)

"somewhat of an anti-climax to the season. After two excellent stories, we are left with an extremely mediocre story. The story's biggest plus-point is the introduction of the lovely Zoe. The story itself is merely a repeat of the plots used in The Tenth Planet and The Moonbase." -- Ant Williams (6/10)

"Another bit of a plodder, but there's a lot of good stuff in there, and some nice characterisations and direction." -- Andrew Curnow (7/10)

"Are we wheeely in space? Are we wheely? Get wheel. For wheel." -- Rob McCow (6/10)

"Another personal favourite; I really can't say why I love it, however each time I do enjoy it. The first episode works very well with Troughton/Hines carrying the whole episode themselves; the fact the two get on so well makes it work all the better. And the story introduces Zoe, which always gives it bonus points!" -- Phillip Culley (8/10)

last updated 10th March 2007
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